Eric looked down at the information, and on the other side, Alan also whispered to Jeffrey about it.

"Eric, that's a good thing, although I think the figure of nine and a half billion is a bit underestimated, but you can talk to Steve in person. Forbes communicates, they must be willing to cooperate to give a more accurate number," Jeffrey said with a smile after listening to Allen's story, most Westerners are more inclined to show their wealth, although there are many low-key people like Orientals, but Jeffrey is obviously not this kind of person.

Eric is not too resistant to being at the top of the Forbes list of America's richest people, after all, in the United States, a society where capital is king, huge wealth also means huge power, although the huge amount of money obtained by virtue of the oil crisis is somewhat speculative, but there is nothing illegal, and Eric's current wealth can withstand anyone's doubts.

But in the future, with the experience of his previous life, Eric thinks that he will be able to seize most of the opportunities that can create huge wealth in the next few years, and he will be able to easily avoid possible crises, such as the Internet wave, such as the Asian financial crisis, or the more long-term subprime mortgage crisis.

After such repeated accumulation, Eric even felt that his wealth might accumulate to the extent that he was truly rich and rivaled the country, which would be really a bit appalling for ordinary people.

Thinking of this, Eric not only felt excited, but even slightly felt an inexplicable fear of losing control.

"Eric, what's wrong with you?" Geoffrey asked suspiciously, noticing Eric's expression.

Eric came back to his senses and said, "It's fine. Something messy suddenly came to mind. ”

Acquaintance for a few years. Jeffrey still knows a lot about Eric's character. After a little thought, he understood, and pointed to the invitation in front of Eric: "You don't want that position?" ”

"yes," Eric nodded, and added, "I suddenly remembered a report I saw before, saying that in 1985, Forbes magazine suddenly listed Sam . Walton was voted the richest man in the United States, and in the months that followed, the old man, who had lived a very quiet life, was harassed by countless journalists. Just like this, he and all the people in his family encountered more than a dozen attempted kidnappings within half a year. ”

Jeffrey chuckled, "Haven't you always done a great job with personal security?" I don't think there's anything to worry about. As for getting noticed by the media, we are in the entertainment industry, and of course the more attention we have, the better. ”

Eric smiled wryly, "Jeffrey, this kind of attention doesn't help me as a director. ”

"It seems that you really don't want this position, then you can handle it yourself, I'll go and prepare for tomorrow's financial meeting first." Jeffrey shrugged, packed up the annual earnings report he had just brought over, and left Eric's office.

Eric turned a pencil in his hand and thought for a moment. He said to Allen: "Help me make an appointment with Steve Brown, the editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine. Forbes, if he can find time. I invited him to dinner at Sharp Corner Manor. ”

Alan nodded in agreement and left Eric's office, but Eric was no longer in the same idle mood as he had just read Chris's contract, and he wrinkled his eyebrows and lowered his head while thinking, while writing and drawing meaningless words on scratch paper.

More than ten minutes later, Alan knocked on the door again and came in: "Eric, Steve. Mr. Forbes said he could come over this Saturday. ”

……

After getting out of the car, a middle-aged man in his forties wearing glasses looked up slightly at the silver shell-shaped building in front of him like many people, and saw a young man not far away walking towards him, and quickly gathered his mind and greeted him with a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Forbes," Eric said enthusiastically, holding out his hand to the other man.

Steve. Forbes smiled and shook the other man's outstretched hand: "Mr. Williams, it's a pleasure to meet you." ”

Forbes magazine has been aware of Eric since Firefly bought Disney last year and has spent a lot of resources collecting information about him.

Steve. Forbes even had a sense of unreality when he first saw the information collected by his subordinates, a young man who was only 22 years old, but in just over four years, he created a fortune of nearly 10 billion dollars from scratch. Walton's death, the next richest man in the United States has suddenly become the target of many people's attention. Forbes was keenly aware that the matter about Eric was likely to become another blockbuster news published by Forbes magazine, so he personally sent Eric an interview invitation and related materials, but did not expect that the young billionaire would soon reply to invite him.

After a brief conversation, Eric made a gesture of please, saying, "Please come with me, Mr. Forbes." ”

In the dining room, the maids served a hearty lunch one after another, and then quietly withdrew.

After chatting for a while, Steve. Forbes's tone has become familiar: "Eric, I heard you designed it yourself?" ”

Eric was not in a hurry to talk to the other party about the topic, shook his head and smiled: "That's a bit exaggerated, I just drew a sketch, and the main design work is still Frank. Mr. Gehry is personally responsible for it, and he is a very talented architect. ”

"That's true, I've seen Frank too. Some of Gehry's works are very imaginative," says Steve. Forbes agreed, but some other thoughts came to his mind, although the contact between the two was only a few minutes. Forbes felt that the company's original evaluation of Eric's personality was a little different, and the company originally thought that Eric would be the same as Oracle CEO Larry. Ellison is a very flamboyant person, but in a brief contact, Steve Brown. Forbes felt that Eric was much more stable and introverted than he thought. At the same time, he also had some clarity on Eric's purpose for inviting him this time.

The two chatted casually about a variety of topics, and it wasn't until the end of lunch that Eric spoke, "Steve." In fact, I saw the material in Forbes magazine. I was very surprised. I remember a few months ago, some media also explored my current net worth, and the figure they gave at that time was about 5 billion. ”

Steve. Forbes also knew that the topic was coming, and said confidently: "How can the information channels and analysis capabilities of those magazines be compared with Forbes, I am confident that even if the data we give is not very accurate, it will certainly not be too different." ”

"yes, that's why I said, I was very surprised. Firefly is not a listed company after all, and not too many people have noticed the investment of Firefly before, but I didn't expect Forbes magazine to be able to do the work in such detail. But, Steve, I have a presumptuous request to invite you this time. ”

Steve. Forbes, though already guessing the outcome, quietly motioned for Eric to continue.

"I hope that this year, and beyond, I will be on the Forbes list of America's richest people. It's still the vague numbers given by the general media, like this one. Five billion dollars is a good number, and I don't want to be too prominent on the list. ”

Steve. Forbes didn't show any surprise, apparently this is not the first time he's heard a similar request: "Eric, maybe one thing you don't know is that in addition to the CEO of Forbes Group, I am also a member of the board of directors of the National Taxpayers Union, which has an obligation to provide some necessary data to departments such as the IRS, in addition to monitoring and restricting the tax policies of agencies to fight for the benefit of taxpayers." ”

There are two things in the life of Americans that cannot be avoided, death and paying taxes. Forbes makes similar requests, often because of tax avoidance and the like. Forbes apparently also counts Eric as such a person.

Eric hears Steve. Forbes's words, immediately understood that this is the difference between the concept of Eastern and Western people, if there is an Oriental sitting opposite, the first reaction will definitely not be to think in the direction of tax avoidance: "Steve, even if there is no immediate matter, fireflies must be the focus of the IRS's monitoring, these things are well known, I have not thought of tax avoidance in an illegal way." ”

"Eric, if that's the case, then I don't understand, why did you do this, I don't think it's a bad thing for you to be at the top of the rich list?"

Eric smiled and said, "Steve, if you really need a reason, you just want to keep a low profile." ”

Steve. Forbes couldn't help but stare at Eric a few times, as a media person, human affection has always been the most basic number, Steve Brown. Forbes keenly sensed that Eric's reasoning was true, but instinctively reluctant to believe it. Forbes magazine has been the subject of controversy since its launch in 1982, and while there have been many requests from people like Eric to hide their wealth, many more have publicly and privately criticized Forbes magazine for underestimating their wealth.

Although Forbes magazine has always advertised its professionalism and uncompromising spirit, it is impossible to really insist on these things. After all, "Forbes", as a financial magazine, focuses on billionaires, and if you want to survive well, and there may be enough information from these people, you must have a good relationship with each other, and the relationship network of the rich circle is complicated, maybe offend one of them, and unconsciously offend a large number of people like pushing dominoes, if these people really care, it is not too difficult to deal with Forbes Group.

After thinking about it for a moment, Steve. Forbes finally made up his mind and said: "Eric, the figure of five billion dollars is too low, Forbes is a very professional magazine, it is impossible to give data based on speculation like those entertainment-oriented media, if it is really published, the doubts caused will definitely affect the credibility of Forbes magazine, so I can promise you at most not to put you in the first place." ”

Eric thought about it for a moment and agreed. The rich list is such a thing, and the focus of people's attention is often on the name at the top, just like the global rich list in Eric's memory in the next few years. Gates relishes it, but few people notice a certain Mexican telecommunications tycoon who often appears in second place.

Steve. Forbes agreed to his own thing, and Eric certainly wouldn't reciprocate: "Thank you for your understanding, Steve, in return, Firefly Pictures can sign a long-term advertising cooperation agreement with Forbes Group, and I will get the publicity department to contact your company about this as soon as possible." ”

The two sides did not have any friendship before, and it would be insincere to make a promise like 'I owe you a favor'. And as a film company, Firefly spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year on advertising for movies. In addition to Forbes magazine, there are also a number of other newspapers and magazines under the Forbes Group, which are currently the main channels for film promotion, so signing a long-term advertising agreement with the other party is also a win-win thing.

Steve. The knowing expression on Forbes's face flashed, a faint smile hung on the corner of his mouth, and he reached out to hold up the goblet on the table: "So, Eric, I wish us a happy cooperation." ”

Eric was stunned for a moment, but soon understood, and raised his glass with a smile: "Happy cooperation." ”

……

Steve. Three days after Forbes left, Forbes magazine sent Eric a 'corrected' figure, the original figure of $9.5 billion was reduced to $7 billion, and the planned interview with Eric was also withdrawn. The new richest man after Walton is even more eye-catching.

After solving the matter in front of him, Eric began to plan for other things, and for the next period of time, in addition to being busy with the later stages of "Jurassic Park" and the daily affairs of the fireflies, Eric spent a lot of time communicating with Chris, and Chris also took the time to fly to Los Angeles to meet with Eric a few times.

Soon, Firefly Investment Company began to transfer the shares of Cisco, as a high-tech company that has been closely concerned by Wall Street investors, Cisco has a very strong development momentum in the past two years, when it was learned that Firefly Investment Company transferred the news of Cisco shares, a large number of investors began to contact Chris, but when they found out something, they quickly died down in disappointment. (To be continued......)