A modern man in 1930’s Americas

 A Lucrative Opportunity for Cooperation

As the conversation drifted to family backgrounds, Charlie Lee glanced at Jonathan and casually asked, "By the way, does the Anliang Guild need beef?"

Mr. Mei, caught off guard by the question, paused to think before responding, "Yes, of course. Canteens, meat shops, and fast-food outlets all rely heavily on a steady supply of beef."

"Do we have compatriots running farms?" Charlie Lee inquired, his tone still casual but with an edge of curiosity.

"Yes, but they're located far away. Most of the beef in Anliang comes from a meat company," Mr. Mei replied, shaking his head with a hint of regret.

"Perfect," Charlie said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "Jonathan here is preparing to set up a meat processing plant. He's got beef available, and I'm sure his prices are competitive."

"Charlie, what are you talking about?" Jonathan interrupted, sensing that the focus of the conversation had shifted to him. His unease grew as the two men turned their attention toward him.

"Let me formally introduce you two," Charlie began. "This is Mr. Mei, president of the Chinese Trade Union and the Anliang Guild. His network includes numerous restaurants, meat shops, and fast-food providers. Jonathan, your beef might be exactly what they need. Of course, price is key."

Though Charlie was not an Anliang local, nor did he have the authority to make decisions for others, he positioned himself as an intermediary. In his mind, if Jonathan and the Anliang Guild could strike a deal, it would also align with his plans for future partnerships.

Jonathan extended his hand to Mr. Mei, smiling. "I've heard about you, Mr. Mei. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The three soon delved into discussions about the quality and pricing of Jonathan's beef, with Charlie acting as translator.

"For the sake of my compatriots, I can offer you the lowest price—65 cents a pound," Jonathan proposed confidently.

"How does that price sound?" Charlie translated for Mr. Mei.

"It's decent—five cents cheaper than what we currently pay. But I'd need to see the quality first. My customers are very particular, you know," Mr. Mei responded.

Hearing this, Charlie turned to Jonathan and said, "Your price is still too high. Mr. Mei's current supplier charges only 60 cents per pound."

"That's impossible!" Jonathan immediately objected. "Unless they're not covering transportation costs, I can guarantee no one offers lower prices than mine."

"Does the current supplier handle transportation?" Charlie asked Mr. Mei.

"Yes, they deliver right to our door, though we handle moving it upstairs ourselves," Mr. Mei confirmed with a chuckle.

Jonathan, growing increasingly animated, declared, "If they're offering that price with transportation, they're operating at a loss. It's simply not feasible!"

Recognizing Jonathan's frustration, Charlie offered a compromise. "How about this: 55 cents per pound, with transportation covered on your end. The Guild will handle the unloading themselves."

Jonathan sighed, visibly pained by the offer. "Charlie, at that price, I'll barely break even."

"Then let's say 56 cents," Charlie suggested, raising a single finger. "That's my final offer."

Jonathan hesitated for a moment. Despite the low profit margin, he considered the long-term benefits of this partnership—particularly Charlie's reputation as a man of his word. "Fine," he agreed quietly.

Mr. Mei was taken aback by the price Charlie had secured. "Is this foreigner insane? How can he make any money with such a low price?" he thought to himself. Still, he was grateful for Charlie's efforts and impressed by his negotiation skills.

The agreement was finalized within hours, with lawyers drafting and signing the necessary contracts. This marked the beginning of a collaboration that would soon make waves across Anliang.

In the days that followed, news of the deal spread rapidly. Members of the Anliang Guild were invited to the association to sign contracts. Jonathan's lawyer would remain stationed there for two weeks to facilitate the process.

"Here's to cooperation," Charlie remarked, satisfied with the outcome of his efforts.

Expanding Horizons

"Boss, you've got plenty of opportunities like this one," interjected Little Elk, Charlie's loyal assistant.

"Talk less," Charlie quipped, shooting her a playful glance. While his think tank handled most of his business ventures, he occasionally took on the role of "matchmaker" for deals like this. It was a welcome break from his usual routine of sifting through mountains of paperwork.

Before leaving, Charlie handed Jonathan a contact. "If Anliang can't consume your full supply, reach out to this man—Lawrence Rockefeller. You can negotiate directly with him."

Jonathan's eyes widened at the name. "Rockefeller?" he repeated, barely concealing his excitement. For someone like Jonathan, even a tangential connection to the Rockefeller name was invaluable.

Lawrence Rockefeller's Role

Meanwhile, Lawrence Rockefeller was grappling with his own aspirations. He had recently convinced his father to grant him a $200,000 interest-free loan for a venture capital project.

However, Charlie soon disrupted those plans with a phone call.

"Lawrence, I've got a job for you," Charlie announced.

"Charlie, I don't know the first thing about the restaurant business," Lawrence protested, exasperated.

"No problem," Charlie reassured him. "You'll learn. I have faith in you."

Despite his initial resistance, Lawrence eventually agreed, partly out of obligation for the shares he had acquired in McDonald's through Charlie. His $20,000 investment for a 5% stake had already proven to be a lucrative decision.

That afternoon, McDonald's held a press conference. Though modest by design, the event caused a stir. Lawrence was officially introduced as the CEO of Golden Arch, McDonald's parent company.

The announcement quickly gained traction, fueled by a strategic publicity campaign. Headlines boldly tied the Rockefeller name to McDonald's, sparking nationwide curiosity.

Radio channels buzzed with stories about the fast-food chain, and prospective franchisees flocked to the company in droves, eager to invest.

A Frenzy of Demand

"Boss, these people are insane," Ben, one of Charlie's aides, exclaimed, holding a stack of applications. "Hundreds of people in every city are waving checks, ready to buy franchises. They don't even flinch at the $6,000 fee!"

While businesses across the country struggled during the Great Depression, McDonald's was thriving. Franchises were in such high demand that it seemed as though wealth had spontaneously appeared overnight.

From humble beginnings, McDonald's was now a household name, solidifying its place as a cultural and economic phenomenon.