America 1919-Chapter 906 - 309, the East Market_3

However, Donnie indicated that he had no other business with the Rothschild family in the United Kingdom, so the Rothschild family could focus on discussing their collaboration with him.

That evening!

Donnie, accompanied by Janine Woburg and led by Walker, attended Waldorf Astor’s family banquet in full formal attire!

This was not a banquet centered on close cooperation but rather an occasion to strengthen relations between the two parties.

At the banquet, Donnie only needed to present a refined demeanor and engage in casual and lively conversation with the Astors.

However, both parties still required a common topic of discussion.

It just so happened that Waldorf Astor owned "The Observer," while Donnie owned the "Atlantic City Post."

In the United States, there were many British immigrants who were eager to learn about the situation in the United Kingdom. At the same time, London’s stock market had already become one of the largest financial markets in the world.

On the other hand, although the British frequently boasted about their "Sun Never Sets Empire," proudly considering themselves the world’s strongest nation, they were equally interested in developments in the United States.

After deliberation between Donnie and Waldorf Astor, they decided to open their two newspapers to share information resources.

This would allow the two newspapers to access the other’s reports more effectively.

"Haha!" Waldorf Astor raised his wine glass and laughed loudly. "Mr. Block, meeting you this time has finally made me understand why you’ve become one of the United States’ top magnates within just a few short years.

I rarely see such elegance in Americans anymore!"

Donnie couldn’t quite understand what his success had to do with elegance, but he wouldn’t refute such remarks.

He merely smiled and said, "I admire you even more, Mr. Waldorf. You are now not just a businessman but also a British nobleman and a member of the House of Lords, speaking on behalf of the people. That is truly admirable!"

Waldorf Astor beamed even more brightly, laughing as he said, "If Mr. Block develops in the United Kingdom, I believe you’ll eventually become a British nobleman as well!"

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener took it to heart!

Donnie felt that Waldorf Astor’s suggestion was worth considering. Becoming a noble in the United Kingdom could be considered both easy and difficult.

It was easy in the sense that, as long as one had the money and was willing to spend it, becoming a British noble was achievable!

But it was difficult because not everyone had that kind of wealth!

Of course, Donnie cared little for the title itself. Truth be told, while Americans still held a mysterious reverence for British nobility, Donnie himself was indifferent to such titles.

Undeniably, though the United Kingdom would gradually decline in the decades to come, it would still retain its status as a superpower.

Moreover, the UK’s financial market remained one of the most crucial in the world.

More importantly, it was possible to influence Hong Kong’s financial market through London’s financial hub.

Although in Donnie’s reborn era, there were frequent discussions about Hong Kong’s supposed decline,

it was undeniable that during that period, Hong Kong was still one of the most important financial markets in Southeast Asia.

Not to mention, even after World War II, Hong Kong’s market had been closely intertwined with that of the East!

If Donnie wanted the Block Family to eventually enter the Eastern market, then Hong Kong would serve as an excellent stepping stone!

Having realized this, Donnie thought he might as well consider obtaining a British noble title.

Additionally, he figured it was time to speed up financial planning within the United Kingdom.

Distracted by these thoughts, Donnie appeared somewhat absent-minded during his subsequent conversation with Waldorf Astor.

When Donnie returned to the hotel, he immediately retired alone to the study.

According to Donnie’s memories, over the next few decades, two major banking groups would become the most prominent in Hong Kong.

HSBC! Standard Chartered!

"Forget Standard Chartered; its presence in Hong Kong always seems fated to symbolize acquisition fodder in Cantonese novels!"

Donnie crossed Standard Chartered off his list.

Though Standard Chartered was one of Hong Kong’s note-issuers, it had always been in a precarious position of being coveted by others.

Later on, that famous shipping tycoon of Hong Kong even acted as a White Knight for Standard Chartered Bank once.

The entity that Donnie truly needed to pay attention to was HSBC in Hong Kong.

From Donnie’s memories, HSBC had truly risen to prominence in Hong Kong alongside the growth of the city’s shipping industry.

Deeply binding itself to the shipping tycoon could be considered HSBC’s pivotal break into dominance within Hong Kong’s financial sector!

"So, I still have a chance!"

Donnie began to feel excited.

However, Donnie also understood that it was impossible for Breton Bank, under the name of Bank of America, to replace HSBC in Hong Kong.

The British government wouldn’t allow it either!

Therefore, Donnie absolutely needed to establish a British-associated bank!

With this figured out, Donnie formed a basic plan for the matter.

First, either he or someone close to him needed to obtain a noble title in the United Kingdom, after which Breton Bank could establish a branch in Britain—an entity wholly independent from the American Breton Bank.

Only in this way could this bank enter Hong Kong and compete with HSBC for the leading position in Hong Kong’s banking sector.

"Looks like I’ll need to find someone to settle down in the UK long-term!"

For a foreigner to secure a British noble title wasn’t impossible, but Donnie himself certainly didn’t have the time to remain in the UK for an extended period.

Thus, Donnie’s most pressing task was to arrange for a representative in the United Kingdom!

And that representative had to be someone he deeply trusted.

If it were a member of the Block Family, all the better.

At this thought, Donnie suddenly entertained the idea that it would be fantastic if old Carl actually had some illegitimate children.

"Should I ask old Carl when I return?"

Donnie thought it over and decisively abandoned the idea.