The Tyrant Billionaire

When Wash Mining was first issued, it had 10 million shares. After becoming Hardy Mining, the stock underwent a split, with each share splitting into four, turning it into 40 million shares.

After Hardy Group released new exploration information, the stock price skyrocketed like a rocket, quickly breaking through the $10 mark within a few days and reaching $12.6.

People were optimistic about Hardy Mining's future because the value of gold was clear, and anyone could calculate how much it was worth.

Hardy Mining then announced another split for better liquidity, splitting each share into two, turning the total shares into 80 million. The price per share dropped to $6.3.

ABC Television's stock expert program, previously hosted by Andy, had been handed over to another economic expert from Hardy Group due to Andy's increasing workload.

Hardy Group's financial division had recruited numerous economic experts, and the group's think tank was full of talent from various fields.

In the latest episode, the host asked about the hot topic of Hardy Mining and whether it was still worth pursuing. The stock expert replied:

"It's actually quite simple to calculate. The exploration report indicates that the gold mine contains over 800 tons of gold. At the current gold price of $35 per ounce, the total value of this gold mine is about $1 billion."

"What's Hardy Mining's current stock price? I checked today, and it's $6.5. With 80 million shares, the company is only valued at $520 million, far below the value of the gold mine. The stock price should be at least $13, so I predict that Hardy Mining's stock will continue to rise significantly."

Of course, expert predictions can be wrong without consequence.

Hardy originally controlled 91% of the shares and had intentionally absorbed more in the early stages. Now, he held around 95% of the total shares. In reality, most of the stock selling and buying movements during this time were orchestrated by Andy.

This was a classic example of stock manipulation.

Technically, it was illegal.

However, Andy had a powerful financial team and countless dispersed accounts. Unlike the highly regulated stock market of later years, where every transaction could be traced through computers, in the 1940s, during the era of paper trading, it was nearly impossible to uncover criminal evidence, especially since Andy's team consisted of the top tier professionals in finance.

There was no way they would leave any loopholes.

Moreover.

Hardy wasn't looking to artificially drive down the price and then sell it off at a peak, trapping retail investors.

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His goal was to maintain a high stock price to use the shares as collateral for bank loans.

As a result, the stock price wasn't going to drop.

By December, Hardy Mining's stock had risen to around $11, with a total market capitalization nearing $900 million. At this point, the stock price had stabilized.

Hardy was now ready to arrange for a stock pledged loan.

Stock pledged loans were a common form of financing. The amount of the loan was determined by the lending bank or company based on the issuing company's operations, industry, and other factors. The final loan amount was typically up to 70% of the stock's face value, though it could be lower.

Calculating the loan amount was straightforward: Hardy Mining could borrow $600 million from Wells Fargo. Hardy only needed $400 million, which would be enough. However, he didn't want Wells Fargo to shoulder the entire loan amount, as that would put too much pressure on the bank.

"Andy, reach out to other banks and see if they're willing to take on part of the loan. Wells Fargo will handle no more than $100 million. Otherwise, it'll be difficult to mobilize funds in the future," Hardy instructed.

"Understood, boss. I'll contact the other banks right away."

Wells Fargo, being a bank itself, had numerous partner banks and financial institutions. Andy began contacting the Bank of America, Security Pacific Insurance, the Bank of San Francisco, and even banks outside the consortium, such as Rockefeller's Manhattan Bank and Citibank.

During the recent inspection tour, Hardy had built connections with the Rockefeller family and members of the Citibank consortium. Now that there was such a good business opportunity, he naturally thought of them.

Hardy's request was for a $450 million loan.

$400 million would be used to purchase the land.

The remaining $50 million would go toward developing the gold mine.

In any case, Hardy wouldn't spend a single penny of his own.

Far away in Norway, David Rockefeller heard a report from Manhattan Bank and pondered it for a while.

First, Hardy had left the inspection team to participate in President Johnson's campaign, which David understood. Later, Hardy had also recalled Andy, the president of Hardy Group. At first, David wasn't sure why, but now he finally understood.

Hardy Group had found a gold mine, and through a series of maneuvers, had turned a company worth only tens of millions into a $1 billion mining giant.

People had always said Hardy operated in a bold and imaginative way.

This time, David had seen a glimpse of that for himself.

And now that the stock price had just risen, Hardy was asking for a loan. Why? Developing a gold mine didn't require that much money. Hardy must have another move planned.

However, these were questions Hardy might not be willing to answer.

"Lend it to him," David said after some thought.

After more than ten days of negotiations, Andy secured loans from several banks, eventually raising $450 million.

It was such a large loan that it even made headlines on Wall Street.

The very next day,n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Hardy and Andy boarded a private plane to Australia. In Perth, the capital of Western Australia, they met with Governor McGowan.

The two sides warmly shook hands.

Although Australia was a remote and relatively rural place, Governor McGowan had heard of HD Films, ABC Television, and The Global Times.

Especially The Global Times, which, thanks to Hardy's substantial investment, had become one of the top newspapers in Australia. Each of Australia's six states had a major city with a local bureau.

Governor McGowan knew why Hardy had come. Jason had already been in contact with him for some time, and both sides had discussed the land issue extensively. If Hardy was serious about purchasing a large piece of the available land, it would be a massive deal worth hundreds of millions.