As of 30 April 2002, the average daily circulation of the Washington Post was 868,023.

It ranks behind the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the newly emerging American Sun for sixth place.

At the same time, it's more than just a newspaper.

It has approximately 6,000 employees and also owns six television stations.

The six stations are WP/TV4 in Detroit, WPLG/TV10 in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, WCPX in Orlando, renamed WKMG in honor of Katherine Mayer Graham in 1998, and WJXT/TV4 in Jacksonville.

However, it is most famous for the Washington Post.

It is considered by many to be the most prestigious newspaper in the United States after the New York Times.

Because of its location in the nation's capital, it is particularly adept at reporting on domestic governance in the United States.

The New York Times, on the other hand, is more prestigious in its coverage of international affairs.

Others have accused the Washington Post of being too concerned with justice and neglecting other areas.

It may be for this reason that the Washington Post has had a great influence on Katherine Graham in the United States.

She has a good relationship with many high-ranking people in the empire.

This is actually very understandable, because her newspaper can often affect the election of these big names.

Even if it was just to keep her from getting the Post reporters to pay too much attention to her, the elders would give her a little bit of thin face.

However, because of this, the Post has always been less attractive to advertisers than several other large newspapers with similar sales.

If you think about it, you know that in this kind of newspaper, product advertisements that are too popular must not be suitable for appearing.

This greatly limits the revenue of the Post Company in terms of advertising fees.

This is also why, after entering the new century, its sales and income will become the fastest shrinking newspaper among the top ten selling newspapers in the United States.

You must know that in the last century, it once ranked first in the United States regardless of influence and sales.

To sum up, because it pays too much attention to the right governance in the United States, it has a very high status in the right world in the United States, and it is almost about to become the official media of the United States.

It's just that it's not, and then because of this, its income is not as good as its reputation.

In the end, she was put in a dilemma, and in the parallel time and space, it was even sold for only $250 million......

However, it was its professionalism and status in the field of orthodoxy that greatly attracted Abel.

The reason is actually very simple, because Smith Media needs such a professional newspaper that is very influential in the United States.

Smith Media currently has more than 80 newspapers in the United States.

But most of them are regional newspapers, and the only one that has an impact is the American Sun.

It's just that the American Sun is about the same as its foreign counterparts with the same name.

It is extremely biased towards popular entertainment news.

The style is similar to that of the New York Post, if not more extreme.

To put it simply, this is a newspaper that kills entertainment, relying on a variety of eye-catching headlines and content to win sales and influence.

It and the Washington Post are two extremes of the spectrum.

This also gives it an unrivalled ability to attract advertisers.

The paper's influence is like that, but it's very profitable, and it's the most profitable newspaper at Smith Media right now.

In addition to the American Sun, Smith Media's nationally influential print media are the semi-monthly New York Observer and its global edition, The World Observer.

Other newspapers and magazines, most of which sell around 100,000 copies, are generally only influential in the regions where they exist.

For example, the Indiana Star in Indiana.

Obviously, if this is the time, Smith Media can put the Washington Post in the bag.

Then it will be able to complete Smith Media, professional newspapers in the United States, especially the section that is biased towards serious governance and social direction.

This is the reason why Abel is now approaching Warren Buffett to contact Don Graham.

Whoever called the whole United States knows that Buffett and Don Graham's mother are "good friends".

Katherine Graham was even more once crazy about Warren Buffett's love. Woman......

"At present, the market value of Washington Post is less than $1.8 billion. Compared to its peak of $5 billion, it has fallen by 277.7%. ”

Don Graham's office.

Abel patiently persuaded the rulers of the Graham family.

The reason for patience is not because of Catherine Graham's legacy.

Rather, it was the leader of a major newspaper group in the Imperial Capital Region.

The Graham family, who had controlled the Post Company for decades, had no idea how many secrets of the Empire's top brass they had.

With this hand, the Graham family has a lot of face in Washington.

If Don Graham dares to break the net, then Washington is bound to usher in an invisible super earthquake.

Having said that, this reason is also one of the reasons why Abel wants to buy the Washington Post Company......

"Obviously, for a long time to come. The world's print media will usher in a cold winter. In the cold winter, it is not easy to be alive. ”

"And the postal company, which mainly relies on the Washington Post, will be more challenged in the long winter."

"I greatly appreciate and admire Ms. Catherine Graham. However, it has proven difficult to change this status quo even if she is still alive. Because it's not a pain, it's a disruptive change for the entire industry. As far as I know, the decline in the revenue of the Post Company began five years ago. And at that time, your mother was still alive. ”

In the face of Abel's polite and courteous, reasonable and data-based persuasion.

From time to time, Buffett interjected, and Don Graham struggled inwardly.

In fact, Don would like to say that he is confident that he will bring the Post Company out of this cold winter.

But sitting in front of him are Abel Smith and Warren Buffett.

He feels that there is no third person on this planet who can grasp this aspect of the market and surpass the two people in front of him.

Both of them thought so. Don Graham felt that he probably didn't have the ability to do what he wanted to do.

"Whew-"

Take a deep breath and then exhale it again.

Don Graham tried to calm himself as much as he could, but his heart was still turbulent.

"Mr. Smith, honestly, how much money are you going to give me?"

Ha~

Abel glanced up at Buffett, who smiled helplessly at him.

Since Don Graham said so, the two have already understood that this is the heir to the "first lady of the American press" and have already succumbed to it in their hearts.

"$2 billion. Premium 10% or more. The Graham family could get their hands on about $650 million in cash right away. ”

Abel quotes directly.

The Graham family owns about 32 percent of the Washington Post Company.

Plus 11% of what Buffett has sold to himself. That is, after the deal is concluded.

He will hold more than 43% of the shares of Washington Post Company, becoming the absolute majority shareholder.

At that time, whether it is mergers and acquisitions, or privatization and delisting.

The Washington Post, a newspaper ranked among the top 6 in the United States and ranked first in terms of governance, and is close to the official media in the United States, will be owned by Smith.

This can greatly promote the influence of Smith Media and the influence of Abel on the American altar.

"Mr. Smith, Graham doesn't want cash." Don Graham whispered:

"I would like to exchange these shares for the original shares of Smith Media or Smith Financial Group."

Abel and Buffett looked at each other again, and made eye contact-

This guy isn't stupid.

$650 million, which looks like a lot. It is already more than 6% of the Graham family's worth.

With such a large sum of cash at his disposal, Don Graham can be one of the most popular guests on Wall Street.

But these are all imaginary, things like cash, they are only valuable when they are flowing.

Left in the bank and left untouched, it will only depreciate, or be squandered.

Or – with the bankruptcy of the bank, it will eventually be over.

Now Don Graham wants to exchange this money for shares in the investment market, which can be said to be very hot in Smith Media.

Or even shares in the more popular Smiths Financial Group. This is the real means of preserving value.

Don Graham chose the timing to be a good one. And because of Warren Buffett, and now the Washington Post Company is really worth so much money.

Abel had no intention of refusing his request.

Abel said directly: "No problem, but you have to discount it." Don, I think you understand, Smith Media shares are not so easy to get right now. ”

As for the shares of Smith Financial Group, Abel didn't even bother to say it.

Because that's not something that can be obtained with money alone.

If only money could buy it. Those chiefs and tyrants in West Asia, they are even willing to buy them at a premium of several times.

Since Warren Buffett joined. The original Smith Capital, now the stock of the Smith Financial Group.

It has become an expensive asset that can only be obtained after the exchange of resources.

Without resources like Warren Buffett, Soros, PNC Financial Group, or Moregun and Rockefeller that can help Smith, then he would want to get his hands on the shares of the financial core of the Texas consortium.

Don Graham felt sorry for not being able to get the shares of Smith Financial Group.

He knew that this was a lost channel for the Graham family to move up the ladder.

Fortunately, in this channel, it is already out of reach.

Don just wanted to give it a try.

It doesn't matter if you can get the best, or if you can't.

Now you can get shares in Smith Media.

This is already a good choice for Graham, who is on the decline.

"No problem." Don Graham said simply, "But after my lawyers, actuaries, and accountants do the calculations." ”

“ok。” Abel is also very crisp.

Smith Media, which is about to go public, can be said to be in great need of the blessing of the Washington Post.

News of the success of the acquisition of the Washington Post spread. At the very least, it can make the valuation of Smith Media's listing rise by more than 10%.

At this point in time, this is a very good option for both parties.

This is also the reason why Don Graham is willing to choose compromise.

After the negotiation, Abel and Buffett did not stay long in the Post Company building.

Out of the building, Buffett suggested that Abel go to the nearest McDonald's for a "drink".

"Going to McDonald's for a drink? What to drink? Drink Coca-Cola? I don't like carbonated drinks. ”

"Who said McDonald's only had Coca-Cola? There are other soft drinks, and coffee! ”

"Okay, okay."

Abel compromised.

Soon, near the Post Building, the nearest McDonald's was cleared and a sign for temporary recuperation was put up.

Warren Buffett's security team, as well as the staff of Rock Security, took over the neighborhood.

Soon after, the Washington PC Bureau, which is closest to this McDonald's, also sent a few police cars and a large number of police officers to start patrolling and parking nearby.

The world is so unfair.

The top elders of the empire are so enthusiastic just eating McDonald's.

Unlike ordinary Americans, when eating McDonald's, sometimes they have to worry about accidental damage from stray bullets.

Therefore, many people say that the wealthy class and commoners in the United States have been physically "reproductively isolated".

We all live in the same country, but we don't live in the same world.

On weekdays, there is basically no chance to meet.

Under such circumstances, how could the elites of the empire understand the demands of the common people of the empire?

This is where the decline of the empire lies.

It's already noon.

Abel looked at Buffett and feasted on hamburgers and Coca-Cola in front of him.

"At your age, you still have this appetite. That's pretty good. ”

“why？ Oh, and the newspapers say that McDonald's and Burger King are unhealthy foods, and I think that's actually wrong. ”

】

Warren Buffett took a big bite of the hamburger in his hand and parted it a little.

"Look, a hamburger made up of bread, lettuce, and beef or chicken. These important components, each of which is separated, are what the newspapers say are healthy food, so why are they combined as unhealthy junk food? ”

Abel knew that Buffett was arguing with strong words.

Meat, bread and lettuce, they are indeed healthier foods.

When they make up hamburgers, they're filled with a lot of American-favorite mayonnaise, salad dressing, and even corn syrup and sweetened ketchup.

These sauces make them more in line with American tastes, sweet tastes.

The huge amount of calories they contain also makes most American-style hamburgers junk food for health and nutrition purposes.

Foreigners say that the United States is a country on wheels, but in fact, from another perspective, it can also be said that the United States is a country that has been fertilized by corn syrup.

The country's food industry, with its misuse of corn syrup, has reached the point of madness.

And this will happen only because the big agricultural capitalists and the confectionery capitalists need to create demand for their corn and syrup.

To this end, they have succeeded in raising Americans to be the most obese in the world.

What is this concept, one in three people on the street in the United States is overweight or obese, which is a very scary statistic.

Not to mention that Americans' obesity standards are exaggerated, and their overweight, in many other parts of the world, is already under the category of severe obesity.

After killing most of the hamburger, he watched Abel indifferent to the food in front of him.

Warren Buffett: "Why don't you eat it?" ”

"I don't like to eat these." Abel spoke directly:

"Warren, you asked me to come here. You don't really just want to treat me to a drink or a McDonald's meal, right? ”

"Forehead ......"

"Okay." Warren Buffett said.

"I want to know, I heard that you got into a fight with John Chris Morgun? Is that true? In the past two days, the mood in the DC District has been very tense. A large number of PCs and countries. The National Guard was brought in, and the situation did not look quite right. ”

Abel knew that the old man had called himself here to find out about it.

About Washington and Walsterton a large number of transfers PC and country. The National Guard, this is also the cooperation and agreement between Abel and Morgun.

The armed personnel who have been mobilized can feel a special atmosphere even for ordinary people.

Not to mention a well-informed person like Warren Buffett.

Whether it is in terms of stock speculation or standing in line, the old man is a real insider.

Daddy, he was a member of Congress back then. Take him to Wall Street at the age of 10, and he was personally received by the president of Goldman Sachs.

Ya is not grassroots at all, not even middle class, but one of the American "prince" families in Nebraska.

Before the rise of Warren Buffett, the Buffett family was already equivalent to the Texas bush in Nebraska when Herbert was not yet the commander.

Such a force, coupled with Buffett's current position in the American financial community.

Even if he didn't attend the meetings of the Federal Advisory Council, the old man could still receive inside information that many of the Empire's top brass couldn't receive.

The "fight" between Morgen and Smith wasn't even much inside information, as the two sides were deliberately spreading the story.

Not to mention Warren Buffett, ordinary American giants can know this kind of thing through their connections.

The inside information that Buffett received was naturally higher.

And now, the old man is asking Abel to verify whether his inside information is true.

"It's true. John Chris's face may still be a little painful now. Abel smiled and whispered in response.

Warren Buffett shook his head, "You know what I want to know, it's not like this at all. ”

Able restrained his smile and looked at the old guy seriously.

Buffett also looked at him without concessions.

After a long time, Abel whispered, "Okay." Warren, I think, I think...... You should be qualified to know. That's right, they're good friends now. Do you understand what I mean? ”

Buffett smiled directly, and the whole person looked very relaxed.

"Hahaha - of course I understand. Of course I understand. That's great. ”

Abel smiled as well.

He knew they were unreliable.

It's the same with Warren Buffett.