Chapter 49 Gloves and Backers

"Mr. Mu, I have reviewed your project," he finally spoke. "An investment of 120 million, 900 jobs—for a hotel in a state park, these figures are indeed not small."

"But to be honest, an investment of 120 million is nothing in Ohio."

Mu Xin did not speak; he simply looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Do you know how much foreign investment Ohio attracted last year?" The Governor's voice was not loud, but every word carried that distinct tone peculiar to a politician.

"Over five billion dollars. Automotive manufacturing, new energy, logistics and warehousing—each project was on the scale of hundreds of millions, or even over a billion dollars."

"Your hotel doesn't even rank in the top twenty on our investment attraction list."

Mu Xin picked up his coffee, took a sip, slowly set the cup down, and then smiled.

"Mr. Governor, I have never considered my hotel project to be a major project on Ohio's economic map."

Mu Xin's tone was unhurried. "So, I am very curious why you wanted to see me."

The Governor's eyes flickered slightly. He hadn't expected this young man to be so direct.

"What do you think?" the Governor countered.

"I think that you meeting with me is definitely not because of my hotel," Mu Xin said, looking into the Governor's eyes.

"If you were doing this to promote your achievements in investment attraction, you wouldn't have arranged the meeting so discreetly; it would have been at your speech just now."

"There are no reporters, no cameras, not even a single accompanying State Government staff member."

"Therefore, there must be another reason."

The Governor was silent for a long time, tapping his fingers lightly on the tabletop twice, and then he suddenly chuckled.

"Mr. Mu, you are smarter than I imagined. Since you have already guessed it, I won't beat around the bush."

He stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, turned his back to Mu Xin, and was silent for a moment.

"Mr. Mu, do you know what is the hardest part about being a Governor?"

Mu Xin did not answer, because he knew this was not a question that required an answer.

"It's not policy, not the budget, and not arguing with the legislature." The Governor turned around and looked at Mu Xin.

"It's that there are some things you clearly want to get done, but you cannot handle them personally."

"You are a foreigner." The Governor's voice became a bit deeper.

"You have invested so much money in Ohio—the Water Plant, the hotel, infrastructure donations—it adds up to nearly 200 million dollars."

"Your money is all locked into these heavy assets; you can't run. You need a backer, and I need a glove."

Mu Xin smiled lightly, making no sound.

A glove.

He was very familiar with this term. He had said the same thing to Richard Miller, and now the Governor had said the same thing to him.

It was just that the roles were reversed. To Richard, he was the one who needed a glove.

To the Governor, he was the one being used as a glove.

"What do you need me to do?" Mu Xin's voice was very calm.

"Nothing major." The Governor sat back down in his chair, his expression relaxing a bit. "As you know, I have been in this position for eight years, and there are some things that are inconvenient for me to handle directly."

"For example, some donations need to go through third-party channels, some people's problems need someone to help solve them, and some projects need an inconspicuous investor."

"You are Chinese; no one will keep an eye on you."

"Your investment in Oxford Town, in the eyes of ordinary people, is just a wealthy international student fooling around; no one will associate you with me."

Mu Xin was silent for a few seconds. He was wondering just how big the matters the Governor was talking about really were.

If it were small fry, the Governor wouldn't bother meeting him personally; if it were something too outrageous, he didn't want to get involved.

He was here to engage in industry and population development, not to help someone wash their damn money.

"Mr. Governor, I am a businessman," Mu Xin said in a very serious tone. "I only do legal business; that is my bottom line."

"Of course it's legal." The Governor smiled, a very natural smile. "Everything I mentioned is permitted by law."

"It's just that there are some things that are inconvenient for me to do, but convenient for you."

"For example?"

"For example, I have an old friend who does construction materials business in Cincinnati. His company is on the State Government's procurement list, but they haven't been able to secure a contract in the last two years."

"It's not that the quality isn't up to par; it's that the quotes are too high. If you can help him digest part of his inventory, purchasing at market price rather than the government procurement price, his company can survive."

"Of course, you don't need to do these things yourself; the construction company in Oxford Town can handle the operations."

Mu Xin understood. This wasn't corruption; it was a transfer of benefits.

It was completely legal, a normal transaction between private enterprises. No one could find fault with it, but the favor behind it was one the Governor would owe him.

"What else?"

"Also, there is a by-election next year in Butler County. I need someone to help me operate a Political Action Committee to accept donations and run advertisements."

"To mobilize voters—this person cannot be one of my people, cannot be anyone with a political background. It is best if it is a foreigner who has no connection to Ohio politics."

"Although I am getting old, there are still some things that must be done. Serving as a placeholder is also my task within the party."

"Why me?" Mu Xin countered.

"Because you are already here, and your money is already spent here. You can't run." The Governor looked at Mu Xin, his eyes carrying the slyness of an old fox.

"Mr. Mu, I am not threatening you; I am merely stating a fact."

"You have now invested nearly 200 million dollars in Ohio; the Water Plant, the hotel, infrastructure donations—these are all physical assets you can't run away from."

"You need the people of this state to cooperate with you, and you need the people in the State Government to turn a blind eye to your projects."

"And I can help you achieve that."

"In exchange, you help me do some things that are inconvenient for me to do. A fair trade."

Mu Xin was silent for a long time. He had thought about what he would face today, but he hadn't expected the Governor to be so direct.

A glove.

In the Governor's eyes, he was just a glove—a wealthy glove without political background that couldn't run away.

But the Governor was right; he did need a backer.

He had invested so much money in Ohio. If one day the people in the State Government intentionally caused him trouble, his Water Plant, hotel, and all his investments would become a pile of waste paper.

He needed someone who could speak up for him at critical moments, and the Governor was that person—at least for the next year.

"Mr. Governor, I agree." Mu Xin shrugged.

"You help me get all the approvals for the hotel and ensure that my project doesn't face artificial obstacles."

"As for those things you need done, as long as they are legal, I will do my best."

"Do your best?" The Governor's eyebrows arched slightly, somewhat dissatisfied with Mu Xin's choice of words.

"I am a Chinese international student, not a professional politician. You cannot ignore my main occupation." Mu Xin's tone was unhurried.

"The things I can do are limited, but I can guarantee that as long as it is something I can do and am willing to do, I will do it well."

The Governor looked at him and was silent for a long time. He had indeed forgotten that Mu Xin was an international student. Then, he nodded slowly.

"Good." The Governor extended his hand. "Mr. Mu, I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."

Mu Xin shook his hand with a light grip.

"Pleasant cooperation."

When Mu Xin walked out of the conference room, the female assistant was still waiting at the door.

"Mr. Mu, how did the discussion go?"

"Very well." Mu Xin smiled and walked toward the elevator.