America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Upon Johnson's invitation, Allen Zhang took his seat and immediately, the qipao-clad waitress next to him opened a bottle of wine and poured him a glass of white liquor.

He tasted it, and it wasn't bad.

In what followed, both parties also engaged in some small talk, discussing the current situation and trivial matters in their lives, but they essentially skirted around sensitive topics on mutual understanding.

Johnson also did not inquire why an Asian like Allen Zhang would have a name such as Hanberger Juan Jin.

After several rounds of drinks, Johnson steered the conversation towards the main subject, asking, "I heard that Mr. Jin's Hanberger Foundation acquired an estate in a small town and invested in an underground resource engineering project, extracting oil worth hundreds of millions of US dollars?"

"It's just good luck." Allen Zhang smiled. "Strangely enough, I've only just begun extracting oil today. How did you, Mr. Counselor, come to know about this?"

"I already said that there are no counselors here, only ordinary friends." Johnson immediately denied it, "Do I have to be a counselor to be your friend?"

"Of course not, but I'm just a law-abiding citizen. The most business I do involves can recycling, collaborating with others to run a bar, and I have pretty much no involvement with the related departments or the Los Angeles government; I'm sensitive about that area," said Allen Zhang.

Johnson fell into a reverie.

Are you saying that under your control, you have several hundred homeless subordinates, providing them with places to live, job positions, a vibrant mobilization organization, no drug use, no troublemaking, cooperative police-citizen relations, maintaining orderly conduct, gradually decreasing zero-dollar purchases on the streets of Zone 5?

You also run an Armed Nation that reached a deal with a military base not long ago; who knows what kind of treasure you could pull out of that armory.

You have people, money, even guns at your disposal, and even hold many people's secrets.

Those under you are mostly the destitute and socially battered, pennyless daredevils unafraid of those with something to lose.

And now you have several hundred million in funds.

And you still call yourself a mere citizen?

Do ordinary citizens even have a way to survive?

I'm really afraid that if I displease you, you'd randomly send a subordinate to draw a life-or-death lot and block my way home after work, to take a shot at me!

Johnson looked meaningfully at Allen Zhang, "Alright, you indeed are an ordinary law-abiding citizen. I hope everyone in Los Angeles is as lawful and ordinary as you because you have not violated any laws. And even if you did, that would be the court's concern, not mine."

"The news about your oil discovery was first noticed by the part of the Department of Land Resources responsible for it because anyone who has applied for a mining permit receives their attention. I happened to hear from Cooper that you're also an employee at the Green Word Shelter, and from some friends that you've discovered oil and participated in a private auction. I thought I should meet you."

Johnson explained he had no ulterior motives; he merely wanted to take the opportunity to get to know you. Even though I'm the recognized leader of Zone 5 in plain sight.

But it seems you're much more powerful than me.

"I did participate in an auction and consigned an ordinary collectible. I got in contact with many oil companies and refineries, who wished to discuss possible cooperation on the development project with me," Allen Zhang said with a smile. "But I find the lengthy and troublesome process of oil development off-putting; I'm considering selling off one or two oil fields if the price is right."

"Your thoughts are quite interesting."

Johnson, puzzled, had the feeling that you always seem ready to flee.

Don't normal people focus on developing a family business for twenty years?

"Hanberger, I don't know if you like playing badminton? I just happen to have a membership card, and if you enjoy fitness sports, perhaps you can accept it."

Johnson then changed the topic, taking a club card from the table and pushing it towards Allen Zhang, "There's no special meaning, just that on weekends or holidays, it's a chance to sit with a few friends, play badminton, take a stroll, and have some coffee. Of course, milk tea is fine as well."

"I would be delighted."

Allen Zhang smiled, accepting the membership card from the Feather Club. He probably wouldn't use this trinket usually; it was nothing more than an ID and admission ticket.

If you don't have enough value and strength, even if you break your head, you can't break into the circle. If you are influential enough, they will come to solicit services from you.

"Mr. Jackson, I heard your father-in-law is a director of the water supply company. But the heavy rain a while ago led to a massive power outage in Zone 5 and the underground water pipes also burst, causing water contamination. It seems he has been having a hard time lately," Allen Zhang said.

"Correct. It's not just him having a tough time, I am too. I'm currently in the process of divorcing my wife; she suspects I've got someone on the side, which is utterly baseless."

Johnson said helplessly, "The water supply issue in Zone 5 is still being resolved. Add to that trivial family matters and other messes, my public support rate is plummeting. If this continues, I might have to resign under pressure."

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this," said Allen Zhang.

"It's okay, I'm already finding someone to solve it. I believe it will be settled soon. After all, Los Angeles faces such issues every year, and California's financial deficit is already an open issue, so Los Angeles can only manage for itself."