Chapter 47: Giving Away Money!

"Senator Klein, this is my donation to the 'Ohio Future Foundation', five hundred thousand dollars."

Senator Klein stood up, took the check with both hands, and glanced down at it. JPMorgan Chase, the amount was exactly five hundred thousand dollars, the payee was the "Ohio Future Foundation", and the signature was Mu Xin's name.

"Mr. Mu, on behalf of the foundation, I thank you for your generosity." Senator Klein was indeed a seasoned politician; although he was excited inside, his expression remained unchanged.

"This money will be used for youth entrepreneurship and vocational education programs in Ohio, and every penny will be accounted for."

"I absolutely trust you." Mu Xin smiled and sat back in his chair.

Then he picked up his pen again and wrote a second check in his checkbook.

This time he didn't stand up, but instead pushed the check directly to the other side.

"Advisor Harris, this is a personal donation from me to the Governor's campaign team, two hundred thousand dollars."

"There are no restrictions on its use; how the Governor uses it is his business."

Advisor Harris took the check, glanced at it, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

He also looked calm, but Mu Xin could tell that this figure exceeded his expectations.

Two hundred thousand dollars was not a small sum for a gubernatorial campaign team.

After all, the Governor was quite old, and this campaign was more about just running for the sake of it.

More importantly, Mu Xin gave this money voluntarily, without any strings attached, at least on the surface.

"Mr. Mu, the Governor will remember your support." Advisor Harris tucked the check into his suit's inner pocket, patted it, and smiled subtly.

Mu Xin picked up his pen and wrote a third check.

This time his movements were a bit slower than the previous two times, as if he was carefully confirming every number.

After finishing, he stood up, walked around the table, went to Speaker Margaret, and handed the check over.

"Speaker Margaret, this is the infrastructure donation I promised for Butler County, twelve million dollars."

Speaker Margaret's hands trembled slightly.

She took the check, looked down at the zeros, and took a deep breath.

"Mr. Mu, on behalf of all the residents of Butler County, I thank you." Speaker Margaret's voice was a bit hoarse.

"This money will be used for roads, drainage, sewage treatment plants, and community centers. Every project will be subject to public bidding, and every link will be subject to public supervision."

"I trust you." Mu Xin nodded, then turned to Bill Johnson and picked up the fourth check.

"Speaker Johnson, this is the infrastructure donation for Preble County, eight million dollars."

Bill took the check, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and he revealed a sincere smile.

He didn't say too many polite words, but just gripped Mu Xin's hand firmly and said, "Mr. Mu, Preble County welcomes you."

Four checks, totaling over twenty million dollars, were all given out within a few minutes.

Jessica sat to the side with a notebook in her hand, recording the destination and amount of these four payments one by one.

She looked up at Mu Xin's back, her eyes complex; this man spent money faster than she could record it.

Victoria sat in the corner, the calculator screen had long since gone dark; she couldn't be bothered to calculate anymore.

She knew that what this money exchanged for was far more valuable than twenty million dollars.

After the checks were handed out, the atmosphere in the conference room changed significantly, as if they had switched to a different room.

Senator Klein's assistant, who had been serious just a moment ago, was now beaming and actively pouring water for everyone.

Advisor Harris's phone rang several times, and every time he answered, he mentioned Mr. Mu's project, his tone filled with a deliberate enthusiasm.

Speaker Margaret and Bill huddled together, whispering about the allocation plan for the infrastructure donation, both of them unable to hide their excitement.

Mu Xin leaned back in his chair, holding a glass of cola, watching the scene before him, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Everyone, I have a bad habit." Mu Xin put down the cola. His voice wasn't loud, but the office instantly fell silent.

"I never brag. If I say I'm going to do something, I will do it. If I say I'm going to donate a certain amount of money, I will donate it."

"I invited everyone to Oxford Town today just to let you see for yourselves that I am not just paying lip service; I am doing real work."

Senator Klein nodded, his expression becoming serious: "Mr. Mu, I've been in politics for over twenty years, and I've seen too many businessmen who are all talk and no action."

"You are indeed different; you are putting up real money."

"So, Senator Klein, when do you think my project will be approved?" Mu Xin looked at him, his tone calm.

Senator Klein paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Mr. Mu, you really are an impatient person." He put away his smile and said seriously.

"I will urge the committee to meet as soon as I get back. I've already reviewed your proposal; all the materials are complete, and there is no reason to delay."

"I promise you that within twenty days, the approval document for the strategic project will be on your desk."

"Twenty days?" Mu Xin raised an eyebrow. "Senator Klein, last week you said twenty-five days."

"Last week was last week." Senator Klein smiled. "Today you gave five hundred thousand, so I think twenty days is more appropriate."

Laughter rang out in the office, and Mu Xin smiled too, but his smile was restrained.

"Advisor Harris, what about the Governor's side?" Mu Xin turned to Advisor Harris.

"The Governor will be giving an economic speech in Cincinnati next week, titled 'Investment Opportunities in Ohio'."

Advisor Harris leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, "If you can attend and are willing to take a photo with the Governor after the speech."

"I can guarantee that the next day, the Governors Office will publicly issue a statement supporting your hotel project."

"No problem." Mu Xin agreed without hesitation. "Send the time and location to my assistant, and I will be there on time."

"Speaker Margaret, Speaker Johnson." Mu Xin turned to the two county speakers. "When can the approvals for Butler County and Preble County be completed?"

Speaker Margaret and Bill exchanged a glance, then nodded simultaneously.

"Mr. Mu, I will call a special meeting as soon as I return." Speaker Margaret's voice was crisp and decisive.

"Your infrastructure donation is already in place, and the county council has no reason to object. I expect that within two weeks, all approval documents can be completed."

"Two weeks?" Mu Xin tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Speaker, I have less than a year. Two weeks, no more than that."

"Then seven days." Speaker Margaret gritted her teeth. "Within seven days, I will give you a satisfactory answer."

Mu Xin looked at her and then nodded slowly.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, everyone left one after another.

Mu Xin stood at the entrance of the Morris Building, watching the cars drive out of the parking lot one by one.

Senator Klein's Lincoln, Advisor Harris's Lexus, Speaker Margaret's Cadillac, and Bill's Ford pickup truck.

All of them carried Mu Xin's checks.

Jessica stood beside him: "Mr. Mu, you issued a total of four checks today, amounting to twenty million, seven hundred thousand dollars."

"Hmm."

"Aren't you afraid they'll take the money and not do anything?"

"They won't." Mu Xin shook his head. "In the United States, people who take money and don't do things are far fewer than those who take money and do things."

"Because those who don't do things won't get money next time."

"Do you think... you've only been in the United States for two years and you understand the rules of the game?"

"These are the rules of the game of human nature." Mu Xin turned around and walked back to the office. "Everyone has their price."

"Once you find the price, the problem is solved."

Jessica followed behind him, silent for a few seconds, and then asked a question she had always wanted to ask: "Mr. Mu, where does your money actually come from?"

Mu Xin stopped and turned to look at her.

"bitcoin." He said, "I've said it many times."

Jessica opened her mouth, but didn't press further.

She knew Mu Xin wouldn't tell her the truth, but she didn't care anymore.

She only knew that this man had money and was willing to spend it in the right places.

That was enough.