Chapter 361: Oppression

After meeting with Anthony, Li Mochen signed another share transfer contract with Dacia Rockefeller, transferring three percent of the Sunrise Electric Retail Company shares he held to the latter.

Although Li Mochen was stingy and greedy, he always kept his word; since he had agreed to this, he would not go back on it.

However, Dacia voluntarily raised the acquisition price, deciding to purchase this portion of equity from Li Mochen at a valuation of fifty billion, which amounted to fifteen billion federal dollars in cash.

The transfer contract was set for the end of February next year, in the year 3989 of the Bright Calendar, when Dacia Rockefeller would complete the payment and the contract would take effect.

This was not due to a lack of funds on the latter's part, but for tax avoidance; income from stock transactions in America required the payment of capital gains tax. Moreover, since it was short-term capital gains, that is, gains from assets held for no more than one year, it had to be calculated at the ordinary income tax rate.

Although the tax rate had a cap of 35%, it still amounted to several hundred million shields, which was quite distressing.

By completing the transaction in February next year, after the tax filing season, Li Mochen would have a full year to arrange for tax avoidance and exemption matters.

"Actually, it's still a profit. My father and I are both very optimistic about Sunrise's prospects. Its future is a listed company with a market value of trillions."

When they exchanged contracts, Dacia held Li Mochen's hand with a smile in his eyes: "My father asked me to tell you that if you have any trouble in business, you can come to him. Don't stand on ceremony with us. You saved my life this time. You are our friend, and the doors of the Rockefeller family are always open to you."

"I will. Also, give my regards to your father. But Dacia, are you really leaving now? Don't you want to stay in Atlanta a while longer? I haven't even fulfilled my duties as a host. If it's about safety, rest assured, I can guarantee you won't encounter any danger in this city."

Li Mochen was still quite warm toward the son of the Secretary of the Treasury.

His father, Lawrence Rockefeller, was only forty-five years old, and his future prospects were far beyond what the Secretary of the Treasury could limit.

Since the current president took office, Lawrence had achieved remarkable results in his two years of service, pulling America's struggling economy out of the mire after the financial crisis.

Thus, the current president had a high chance of re-election, and Lawrence Rockefeller's reputation among the public and the business community was steadily rising. He might well take on the important post of Secretary of State in the future.

The Rockefeller family, starting from their ancestor John Davison Rockefeller, had been cultivating their presence in the political arena. To this day, they had formed a vast network of relationships—one that could even become Li Mochen's support in the political world.

Dacia shook his head with a bitter smile: "Better not. After what happened, I'm not in the mood to have fun. My mother and grandmother are very worried now. If I don't hurry back, my family's estate will be hit by a tornado. Also, I can tell you're very busy, right? Just imagining it, I know how many things you have on your hands. So let's talk another time, or maybe someday when you come to Manhattan, I'll show you the wonders of the first city."

Li Mochen had only been saying polite words anyway, and after Dacia firmly declined, he didn't insist. However, that afternoon, he still took time to personally see him off at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Due to the continuous activation of Atlanta's anti-magic field in recent days, the airport's operations had slowed significantly, requiring strict security checks to exclude all magic-energy professionals above level five.

Thus, when they arrived at the airport, a large number of tourists had accumulated, and all flights for today and tomorrow were fully booked.

But for Dacia, this was no problem at all. The Rockefeller family directly sent a private plane, which took off out of turn, picking up Dacia and his entourage.

Shortly after seeing Dacia off, while still on his way back to the Unicorn Apartment, Li Mochen received a call from Ms. Drew.

"Mandiv Ferguson? Ferguson Cultural Media Company?"

Li Mochen's eyes narrowed: "Are you sure he has made a move against us?"

"Yes, just today, we lost three advertising sponsors."

Nannette Drew sighed: "BOSS, I'm not blaming you, but I think your style of 'I won't offend unless offended' sometimes needs to be more flexible. You clearly have the strength, why not take the initiative to attack? Do you know? He's even targeting your comics, not only blocking sales channels but also planning to sue in court for excessive promotion of violence. Of course, that's a minor issue; I can handle it. The problem now is that he's greedy and has set his sights on the Georgia State Post."

"I understand, Ms. Drew. I'll resolve this matter soon."

Li Mochen rubbed his brow, suppressing the anger rising in his chest, knowing that this guy named Mandiv Ferguson had taken him for a soft persimmon.

But this really couldn't be blamed on his soft-heartedness; he had been overwhelmed with a hundred affairs lately and hadn't had time to deal with this guy.

At that moment, Li Mochen remembered something: "I forgot to mention, Ms. Drew, I have now fully acquired Firefly Media. You can start assembling a team and go to Firefly tomorrow as my representative to take over this media company. In my plan, Firefly Media will merge with Sunrise Publishing to form a comprehensive media company, and you are my natural choice for CEO."

Nannette Drew was very surprised, then exclaimed: "You've already acquired Firefly Media? That billionaire moved fast, getting it done so quickly."

"Yes, it's done, but it cost over a hundred million more. Of course, that part isn't my money. Ms. Drew, this is a satellite phone; we can discuss the details later."

"Understood, but honestly, I've never heard of a case of satellite phone leaks or wiretapping."

After complaining, Ms. Drew tentatively asked: "BOSS, I don't suppose you'll send me to Firefly Media empty-handed? That Southern Cable TV station is very cash-hungry."

Li Mochen also knew that this pay-TV station needed more exciting programs to maintain and increase its subscriber base. Currently, Southern Cable TV had only three million paying subscribers, which was far from enough to support the station in breaking even.

Flag Group had burned over two billion shields in two years, only to transfer Firefly Media to him for less than six hundred million. From this, it was clear that the station still had a long way to go.

However, Li Mochen still pondered for a moment: "A total capital increase of one billion shields within six months. You can announce this on my behalf at the board meeting. Three hundred million shields will be credited to the company's account within a week. The remaining seven hundred million will be after the tax season. Besides that, you can also announce a cash incentive plan. If the TV stations and newspapers under Sunrise Media achieve a subscription growth of over 30% next year, I will personally contribute one hundred million shields as bonuses for the relevant personnel."

"BOSS, you are so generous!"

Ms. Drew's words were full of praise, but then she changed her tone: "However, BOSS, since you have ample funds and new high-level connections, I now have a new idea. We might be able to make Mandiv Ferguson go bankrupt directly without resorting to violent means."