51: Chapter 51: Taking Down the New York Times!
Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of a luxury hotel.
A doorman in a red uniform ran up, skillfully opened the door, and efficiently moved the luggage.
The hotel's decor was authentically British and quite grand; walking inside felt like entering a palace.
Once the staff had settled the luggage, Lin Tian casually pulled out a one-dollar silver coin and tossed it as a tip.
Before buying property in New York, he planned to stay here.
After putting away their luggage, the two young ladies took Lin Tian out to tour New York City.
Although they hadn't walked every corner of New York, they were practically half-locals.
They took Lin Tian to visit the Park Theatre, then walked from the Nederlander Theatre on West 41st Street in Manhattan all the way to Broadway on West 53rd Street.
At the moment, most buildings here were low-rise, four or five stories tall, lacking the prosperity of the skyscrapers in later generations, but the streets were packed with people.
Street vendors were calling out on both sides.
By evening, well-dressed gentlemen with their companions came to listen to operas, and women dressed in their finery gathered here as well; the entire district was practically a pleasure ground.
Broadway at the end of the 19th century was already taking shape.
Accompanying the two as they walked around, Lin Tian spotted a three-story storefront under renovation.
Seeing the large sign just erected at the entrance, a smile appeared on his face.
Anna looked in the direction of his gaze, full of curiosity: "What kind of shop is this? Longacre Square didn't have this storefront before!"
"Yeah, why is there a portrait of a middle-aged Chinese man on the sign?" Elizabeth was also completely confused.
"California Fried Chicken, or CFC for short. This is the first fast-food restaurant in the entire USA! As for the uncle on the sign, that's just my dad wearing a fake beard, hahaha!" Lin Tian laughed loudly.
That's right, Lin Tian had shamelessly copied the signage and concept of the future KFC.
Anyway, the founder, Colonel Sanders, hadn't been reincarnated yet, so there was no way he could jump out to sue him for infringement.
Although he had changed Kentucky to California and the taste would definitely need to be adjusted, he was 100% confident in the seasoning skills of Chinese chefs.
"California Fried Chicken? Fast food?" Elizabeth blinked her large eyes and pressed, "Is fried chicken delicious? Why use Uncle's portrait as the sign?"
"Yeah, why?" Anna added, puzzled.
"I'll keep whether it tastes good or not a secret for now. You two take a good look—doesn't my dad, wearing a white suit and a white beard, look especially friendly with that smiling expression?"
The two girls looked at the sign and nodded in unison.
"That's enough!" Lin Tian replied with a smile.
In fact, his fast-food venture was following a route of small profits but quick turnover and fast service.
Besides making money, it was even more about repackaging the image of all Chinese people.
The economy was currently in a downturn, and major newspapers were starting to smear Chinese people frantically, with voices of hatred growing louder.
Both Lin Shi and Lin Tian weren't sure if Congress would bring up the Chinese Exclusion Act again, so they could only take precautions.
Selling cheap, filling fast food could both make money and win the favor of the grassroots populace; it was absolutely a win-win.
However, there was no need to explain these calculations to the two young ladies.
"When it officially opens, I'll treat you both to a big meal!" Lin Tian promised generously.
"When does it open?" the two asked in unison.
"September 1st. Counting the days, that's eight days from now!"
"It's a deal! But if the taste is too bad, we won't pay a single cent!" Anna blinked mischievously.
"Don't worry, I guarantee you won't be able to stop eating!"
The sky grew dark, and Elizabeth led them to a French restaurant for dinner.
The head chef had previously served Napoleon III, and his skills were truly authentic.
After eating and drinking their fill, the three went to Broadway, booked a luxury private box, and listened to an authentic Italian opera.
The next morning, Lin Tian took his people straight to the headquarters of The New York Times.
At this time, the newspaper office hadn't moved to Longacre Square yet.
In fact, a month or two earlier, Lin Shi had used the Hongmen's connections to buy land everywhere, purchasing a large plot of land around Longacre Square, which included the lot where The New York Times would be in the future on 42nd Street.
However, the current square was just a pile of horse sellers, blacksmiths, and stinking stables.
Walking into the newspaper's three-story office building, the editors in the room all stopped their work and stared straight at Lin Tian.
If one were to ask who the newspaper staff was most grateful to right now, it was definitely this Chinese youth before them.
Since the death of the old partner, Raymond, the other partner, George Jones, had been in declining health, and the newspaper had been losing money for years, with circulation once dropping to only 30,000 copies.
For a national newspaper, this was a catastrophe.
One had to know that at its peak, the newspaper had set a staggering sales record of 90,000 copies by reporting on the Tammany Hall corruption case.
But since the beginning of this year, the newspaper had seized the opportunity to report extensively on this Chinese prodigy, and in just a few short months, the newspaper's sales had tripled like a rocket, returning to the 90,000 mark.
Advertising revenue was also rolling in.
Having received tangible benefits, which editor dared not recognize this living god of wealth?
After the secretary announced him, Bruce stepped into the editor-in-chief's office and met the white-haired boss, George Jones.
"Hello, Mr. Lin Tian!"
"Hello, Mr. Jones!"
Lin Tian walked to the desk, shook hands with the old man, sat down with his legs crossed, and got straight to the point: "I'm sorry to bother you today, but I have a big deal I'd like to discuss with you!"
"Please go ahead, Mr. Bruce!" The old man's attitude was very amiable.
"I'd like to ask, is The New York Times for sale?"
Upon hearing this, Jones was clearly stunned for a moment. He frowned and pondered for a long time before asking: "You intend to acquire the newspaper?"
"That's right. I've sent people to investigate. Although there are countless newspaper offices in New York, newspapers like The New York Sun and The New York Herald rely entirely on rumors and sensationalism. They include personal agendas, and recently they have been promoting anti-Chinese sentiments every day; I'm sure you are well aware of this."
Jones nodded silently.
Lin Tian continued: "Among this chaotic group of peers, only The New York Times has always adhered to the rules of being objective and peaceful. For this point alone, I admire you very much!"
"Thank you for the compliment. This is exactly the bottom line that Raymond and I have held for running the newspaper." Jones explained softly.
"I truly appreciate your bottom line! That is why I want this newspaper; you can name your price directly. I trust your character—as long as you dare to name it, I will never haggle!" Lin Tian leaned back, full of sincerity.
Hearing such a bold negotiation style, Jones was full of surprise.
He smiled and remarked: "You are truly worthy of being the Miracle Boy everyone talks about! I have only seen this kind of confidence and boldness in negotiation in one person!"
"Oh? Who?" Lin Tian asked casually.
"Mr. John Pierpont Morgan!" Jones stated a resounding name solemnly.
This answer made Lin Tian pause for a moment.
"Just as confident, with the same astonishing presence, but strangely, this drive of yours isn't annoying at all!"
Jones paused, took a deep breath, and quoted a figure: "150,000 dollars! Trust me, it is absolutely worth this money!"
Lin Tian didn't hesitate; he stood up from the chair and extended his right hand: "Of course it's worth it! Deal!"