Abel has some affection for NRA.

Once upon a time, when he was fledgling and just a small shrimp with money on Wall Street.

He relied on his Texan background, coupled with his cautious personality, and generous way of throwing money, to create a decent protective net for himself.

This protective net protected him through that dangerous period of novices.

In fact, there are many financial geniuses and business tycoons, and they all have the hope of growing up to the level of Warren Buffett or large conglomerates.

However, many of them, arguably the vast majority. When they all grow to a certain stage, they are faced with claws from above.

Many people succumb to these pressures and end up making their company someone else's, and they're just a cash cow to make money for someone else.

At that time, Abel relied on this protective net to walk a tightrope to avoid these dangers.

In the end, relying on the exaggerated growth rate, he himself has become someone else's protective net before the protective net fails.

At that time, the All-American Bumukura Association, known as the "fourth pole of power" in the United States and with great influence, was one of the important components of his protection network.

At that time, when he and Robert Morgenthau were still enemies, there was a confrontation.

The NRA gave him a lot of support, which made Robert very jealous at the time, and did not use the dirty methods that were used against ordinary people from the grassroots.

Although, at that time, whether it was the other members of the NRA or Lapierre, they all helped him for the sake of his money.

So he has a good impression and affection for the association, but that's only a little bit.

NRA is headquartered in Virginia, but has significant offices in many states.

This is, after all, an organization with national influence.

One of the most important offices is in New York, which is also a long-term active platform for the NRA.

And Texas because of the large number of wooden warehouses, and at the same time the people are fierce, which is very in line with the NRA style.

It is also the area that the NRA values the most.

In parallel time and space, many years later, because of the change in the style of New York, and some other reasons.

The NRA even began to declare bankruptcy and then moved its headquarters from Virginia and its main office to New York, all of which moved to Texas.

At that time, it also happened to be the time when the confrontation between the traditional conservatives and the demons in the United States was at its most intense.

At that time, New York had been occupied by the Demon Horror Sect.

The United States, which is different from 97 personalities, is simply blind to the eyes of most normal people in the world.

Houston, Buckingham Community, Doctor District, on Mackenson Avenue leading to the NRA office.

A convoy of more than a dozen Cadillacs is moving forward.

In the middle of the convoy, in the compartment of the Cadillac monster.

"Boss, according to the news, just now, the British Financial Supervisory Authority in Europe may announce in the near future that it will temporarily ban investors in the London stock market from shorting British stocks, and the ban may involve the shares of about 30 listed companies......"

On the way to the NRA office, David, who was in the passenger seat, suddenly reported the news to Abel.

Upon hearing this, Abel raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Don't the British want the honor of London as an international financial city?"

Abel couldn't help but smile and said.

In today's era when Europe and the United States are dominating the world, the West still needs a little face.

It is reflected in some things, that is, it is not as double standard as it will be in the future.

Now the authorities in London have proposed to use this method of violating the rules of the market to protect those British companies.

This is a terrible blow to the credibility of the London financial center, and it can even be said to be a wooden bomb.

If the British really do this, then Abel feels that the consequences will definitely not be lost to the future Switzerland, a so-called neutral country, and the blow to the Swiss banking industry by jumping left and right in its position.

In two or three months, hundreds of billions of dollars of Asian money were lost.

Later, he panicked, and began to say that it was wrong to sanction Maozi, and they were still a permanently neutral country.

It's a pity that once credibility is broken, it is even more difficult to build it again than to start from scratch.

However, Abel also heard that the British Financial Conduct Authority was only saying "maybe".

This "possibility" can be understood as a warning to the British, to those big bears, mainly Abel and his gang.

Warning them that if they go too far, the authorities in London will end up.

Abel now feels a little pity, but it's a pity that Howard Davis, the head of the British Financial Supervisory Authority, who he used to know, has resigned and replaced.

Otherwise, you can contact the other party and find out what the British mean.

"Let Jace and Mellon keep watching, I don't believe the British would dare to do that." Abel said directly.

It's still the beginning of the 21st century, and the British haven't reached the point where they're at the end of their rope.

Abel did not believe that at this time, the London authorities were determined to smash their own signboards.

If these people are really so brave, then there will be no lettuce prime minister and third brother prime minister in the future.

Hearing Abel's order, David nodded yes, and the convoy moved on.

At around 9:30 a.m., the convoy arrived at the NRA office in Houston.

NRA's office in Houston, located near Cape McGregor State Park.

There are many parks called McGregor all over the world, and there is a famous one in Canada next door, and one in Australia as far away.

There may be a dozen McGregor Parks in the United States, but this McGregor Park in Houston is the NRA's hunting park in Texas.

It covers an area of approximately 2,200 hectares and is located on the shores of Lake Gera and has a unique and diverse ecosystem of woodland, wetlands, waterfowl and wildlife.

There are also easy to moderate trails and boardwalks inside, offering a variety of excursions for hikers and those experiencing Kikuraji hunting.

There are also numerous ecosystems of birds and animals, and the lake and gardens are also leveraged.

Such a place in China or European countries will become a famous tourist attraction.

On the Texas side, the word state is in the name, but it is actually the NRA's private property.

A complex of more than a dozen small buildings and large lawns is the NRA's office in Texas and one of the most important strongholds of the National Wood Barn Association in the United States.

It is said that there is a Mukura Machinery Museum, which houses the world's most complete collection of light infantry weapons.

From the "fire wood warehouse" thousands of years ago in China, to the straw rope wooden warehouse in the back, as well as all kinds of modern wooden warehouse branches, it is one of the holy places in the minds of all kinds of wooden warehouse equipment lovers in the United States.

At the entrance of the office, which looks like the entrance to the park, when Abel's motorcade arrives.

Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's chief executive and permanent vice president, was already waiting for him with a smile at the door.

Since it is the territory of the NRA, there is such a good hunting park in the back.

Even Abel and Wayne Lapierre have their own purposes.

But because there are many reporters on the scene, there is naturally still a show.

The skill of showmanship is a skill that politicians, actors, businessmen, and even ordinary people need to have in the United States.

Especially when it comes to interviews.

Like now, Abel and Lapierre began to put on a show under the filming, interviewing and gaze of a group of reporters from most of the media related to Kikura in the United States.

The president of the NRA Association, who has not yet stepped down, as well as Mr. CEO, and a large number of other NRA directors.

They first went to the Mucang Machinery Collection Museum for a tour, during which Abel got his hands on various antique wooden warehouses and modern wooden warehouses, and posed in various poses for reporters to take pictures.

After visiting the museum, I took some members of the association and entered the hunting park.

Take the hunting wood barn and hunt the wild animals that are allowed to be hunted during the season. Abel's wooden warehouse method in this regard is just like that, not as accurate as the wooden warehouse method in another sense.

As the chairman of the National Bu Mucang Association, he also put a few wooden barns.

I didn't hit a few hairs.

After the whole process was completed, it was already noon.

Finally, there was the interview time for these reporters, who were present with more than a dozen important officials of the NRA, including Lapierre, an evergreen tree of the NRA.

However, the more than 20 reporters present almost unanimously stretched out their microphones in front of Abel, ignoring the others.

This has become a law in the United States now.

That is, at the time of the interview, as long as Abel Smith is nearby, there will be an "interview black hole", or "reporter black hole".

Abel is the black hole, the black hole that attracts reporters and interviewers.

was interviewed by reporters, all of this is too pediatric for today's Abel.

Even if there was no Smith Intelligence to prepare a speech for him. Nowadays, he is often able to give good impromptu speeches or interviews on his own.

What to whom, not to mention his own identity as the president of the NRA Association.

In the face of the interview, Abel's position is, of course, on the side of the NRA Association.

He told reporters directly that there are some people in the United States who are trying to demonize the Makura branch by using some bad wooden canna, which is not right.

He blamed the violence in Kikuraji on a "failure of culture" and blamed "broken homes, declining church attendance, social media bullying and video games" as the problem.

"We must not abandon the Constitution. law or infringe on the rights of our law-abiding citizens to deal with evil and tragedy. Abel said awe-inspiringly, "The only thing that can stop a bad person with a wooden warehouse is a good person who holds a wooden warehouse." ”

Those Kikura magazines are mainly deeply related to the NRA, and the reporters of professional magazines with a large audience in the United States have left satisfied.

Abel had made a special trip to discuss it with Wayne Lapierre.

In a living room with a very strong southern style, there are many collectible wooden barns hanging on the walls.

When there were only Abel and Lapierre left, Abel spoke directly.

"Wayne, I know what you're trying to say. Now I'm going to tell you that I think the same way as you. ”

"Yes." Abel looked at the CEO of the NRA and said, "I want to continue to be the president of the NRA Association, and it's that simple." ”

Hear Abel's straight to the point, straightforward words.

Lapierre's old face was simply smiling, as if he saw a large amount of dollar bills that would be transferred to the exclusive account of the NRA Association.

In fact, to have Abel re-elected as president of the NRA was also the idea of Lapierre and many in the NRA association.

If Lapierre and these people hadn't thought so, last month's NRA internal election in Virginia would not have been postponed and moved to Texas.

As the "establishment" within the NRA. Lapierre, who is in charge of the NRA and lobbies, wants Abel to be re-elected.

Because unlike other chairmen, Abel served as the chairman of the NRA in the year, and the charitable foundations and various companies under Abel's name successively donated more than 20 million US dollars to the NRA association.

This is the largest donation the NRA has received from an individual or force in the past 20 years.

The money made Lapierre and many people in the NRA association have had a very pleasant year.

If they want to continue to be happy, then they will naturally continue to support Abel and serve as the president of the NRA Association.

"Oh, of course, of course." Lapierre said with a vivid expression, "There is no better person to be our chairman than you, Mr. Smith." Take a look at the achievements we have made under your leadership over the past year! We blocked the 10 p.m. ban on barns in Rhode Island, and we succeeded in getting multiple members of California who supported the barn out of office! And many others. This is a milestone that has not been reached in the last 10 years! As long as you are not blind, you will continue to be our great chairman! ”

Looking at the happy Lapierre, Abel thought to himself that he had only attended two NRA events this year, including this one......

What are these achievements made under my leadership? I didn't do anything but give money.

But in many cases, money is the best thing for people like Lapierre.

In the United States, it is difficult to move without money. If you have money, it's easy to do anything, including lobbying.

"But I have the conditions." Abel interrupted the excited Lapierre with a smile.

Lapierre restrained his emotions, as a veteran tour collector, Mr. CEO, of course, also knows that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

"Please, Mr. Smith."

In Lapierre's opinion. The conditions or things that Abel wanted were nothing more than asking the NRA to help him.

What kind of help? Lapierre can think of some too.

For example, help Neil Bush in California, who is said to want to run in this year's election for state legislators and even the House of Representatives!

Help Alexander Smith in Texas and George Bush in ...... The latter one doesn't seem to be needed for the time being, but it will be needed in two years.

And these things are what the NRA, the "fourth pole of power", is best at doing.

As the nation's most lobbying agent, able to influence more than 5 million members and their families, and holding a total of more than 10 million votes, the NRA is so important in many cases.

However, to Lapierre's surprise, Abel's conditions had nothing to do with it.

"I have a few friends who are members of the NRA, and they are all seniors, and they have been members of the NRA for more than 5 years."

Abel smiled and said, "I think they are actually fully qualified to participate in the board of directors and contribute to the bright future of NRA." What do you think, dear Wayne? ”

Lapierre was stunned, he didn't expect Abel's request to be this.

"Getting involved in the council" sounds like you want to be a member of the NRA board?

The governing body of the NRA is a large, typically 75-member board of directors.

This council is the equivalent of the "Congress" within the NRA, and most of the NRA officials are members of the board of directors.

The Council selects the President from among its members.

The chairman of the board of directors is generally elected once a year, and it is all honorable.

There is also an Executive Vice President, who is not a member of the Board of Governors but is appointed by the Board of Directors to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer – Wayne Lapierre.

Frankly speaking, the most important authority of the NRA Association is actually this council.

Including Lapierre, the manager, or Abel, the chairman, all the power to appoint and dismiss is in the hands of the 75 directors.

One of the reasons why Abel was able to make some people jealous on Wall Street back then was because his father Alexander, who was also one of the 75 board members.

Abel's request made Lapierre feel tricky.

Of these 75 directors, few are easy to mess with. Basically, they are all "luxury" figures in their constituencies, otherwise they would not be able to sit in this position.

Abel was able to become a director so easily at that time, and later became the chairman of the board of directors.

Mainly because he was in New York, he was already a "luxury" figure at that time.

looked at Lapierre, who looked embarrassed after he put forward his own conditions.

Abel smiled, "$10 million." The Martha Polio Charity Foundation has been able to receive this number of donations every time. As for the premise, I think you, who are smart, can understand it without me explaining. ”

Lapierre, who was in distress, silently opened his mouth when he heard this condition that Abel put forward later.

Martha Polio Charity Foundation. It was a charitable foundation in the name of Lapierre's wife, in the name of his wife.

Ostensibly, it is a charitable fund dedicated to raising funds for the help of polio in children and adolescents in the United States.

There are many similar charitable foundations in the United States. Before 2000, there were more than 70,000 charitable foundations in the United States that had not gone bankrupt, the largest number in the world.

These more than 70,000 charitable foundations are all charitable organizations on the surface, but secretly...... Hehe, don't mention it.

The same is true of the Martha's Charitable Foundation, which receives millions of dollars in "donations" each year.

That's why the Lapierres are able to live in a villa, drive a luxury car, and enjoy the highest luxuries.

Oh, and that's why the couple only have to pay very little tax.

After all, all of people's money is donated to charity.

"I ...... I...... You...... You, you are a kind and charitable person. ”

Hearing the number of 10 million, Lapierre's name changed.

"You're right, a lot of people don't do anything. Or...... Bringing in new catfish, will the NRA be even more brilliant? Now I think so, dear Mr. Smith! ”

Hearing Lapierre's words, Abel smiled.

If only $10 million, or a little more, could control an NRA director.

That Abel was going to be happy.

Even if one person is 20 million, 75 people are only $1.5 billion.

$1.5 billion, you can take full control of the NRA, an organization that can influence tens of millions of votes...... Abel is very happy to invest this money.

Of course, it is impossible to have full control over the 75 directors.

Abel is not greedy, and if he can control and influence about 20 directors, he will be able to achieve his psychological vision.

And that's why he came to Houston to meet Lapierre.

Abel is no longer satisfied with just serving as a chairman of the board of directors who has no name but no power.

What he wants is that through the directors, he can accurately influence the NRA, and even control the real power behind the scenes of the National Bumucang Association!

And once he is really allowed to control the "fourth pole of power" in the United States, it will be of great help to him in the future to push Neil or his father, or even Yin Kana and her father to power.

In the face of a national election, the NRA is a very sharp weapon at any time.