"The lifeline of California is being controlled by Pacific Water Utilities, and this is extremely detrimental to California's future.
I suggest that the state government introduce legislation to force Pacific Water Utilities to give up its monopoly over California's water resources."
Inside the Governor of California's office, Stewart Resnick spoke passionately, trying to persuade Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Across from him, Arnold Schwarzenegger wore a contemplative expression. Listening to Stewart Resnick spray saliva as he spoke, he felt rather helpless.
Pacific Water Utilities was the water company established by Gilbert. This company had taken advantage of its connections with the state government to aggressively acquire water resources across California.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was aware of this, and it had even been something he strongly supported.
"Mr. Resnick, then what do you think the state government should do?" Arnold Schwarzenegger asked.
Stewart Resnick said excitedly, "I've already said it just now. The state government and the state legislature should introduce legislation to force Pacific Water Utilities to relinquish its monopoly over California's water resources."
Arnold Schwarzenegger picked up the porcelain cup on the desk. Inside was Chinese black tea, a gift from Gilbert.
It was said to be black tea from Wuyi Mountain in China, very precious.
In China, there is a saying about serving tea to see off a guest. However, Stewart Resnick clearly did not understand this and continued talking endlessly.
What disappointed Stewart Resnick was that Arnold Schwarzenegger showed no reaction from beginning to end and even refused his one-million-dollar donation.
After Stewart Resnick left, Arnold Schwarzenegger told Gilbert, who was vacationing on his farm, about the matter.
After listening, Gilbert asked, "Governor, do you know what this Stewart Resnick does?"
"I only know that his nut business is very big and even sells to China," Arnold Schwarzenegger replied.
"Not only that, he is also the largest plantation owner in California. That's why he needs a massive amount of water resources to supply his plantations."
When Arnold Schwarzenegger heard the word 'plantation,' he was momentarily stunned.
That term felt rather distant, as if it had jumped out of the nineteenth century.
Plantations do still exist today, but the people working in them are no longer black slaves. They are workers who must be paid wages.
For Stewart Resnick, if the water resources of his plantations were controlled by someone else, it would be extremely unfavorable to his business.
Although he and Gilbert were both Jews, there were still conflicts even among Jews.
If Gilbert were to restrict water supply to his plantations, his losses would be enormous.
Gilbert clearly explained these basic interests to Arnold Schwarzenegger and then added:
"Governor, haven't you noticed that California has always been a place prone to wildfires? Just this year alone, there have already been three wildfires of varying sizes.
And this isn't even the peak wildfire season yet. If another strong wind comes along and the fire spreads into residential areas, the reputation you've built over many years will be completely ruined."
Arnold Schwarzenegger frowned and said, "You mean that if the water resources were handed over to Stewart Resnick, he would simply stand by and do nothing?"
"That is almost certain. I am a Californian, and of course I don't want to see my hometown suffer so many fires every year."
Gilbert spoke with great seriousness. "In this country, everyone thinks about themselves.
But who actually thinks about whether people can afford medical treatment, afford education, or even have access to clean and healthy water?"
The subtext of these words was clear: Stewart Resnick was not a good person. Handing water resources to him would definitely lead to disaster. Gilbert, on the other hand, was a good man who would never ignore the lives of the people of California.
Having been able to hold the governor's position for so long and maintain a good reputation, Arnold Schwarzenegger was clearly not lacking in political wisdom.
He naturally understood what Gilbert meant. In any case, his future successor had already been chosen by Gilbert.
"All right. On the state government and state legislature side, I will do my best to lobby," he said.
"Don't worry, Governor. We hold the majority in the state legislature," Gilbert said confidently.
After hanging up the phone, he instructed Ivanka:
"The California fire department will have elections next year. Find people to talk to several candidates and see who is worth supporting."
"Okay, I understand," Ivanka noted it down, then added, "Sheriff Raymond of Los Angeles County sent word that recently they've arrested quite a few suspects involved in malicious arson.
He suspects that several recent wildfires were deliberately caused."
Gilbert stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Could this be Stewart Resnick's doing?
Is he trying to test whether I would monopolize the water resources and refuse to release water for disaster relief, thereby provoking public resentment and protests?"
"That's very likely," Ivanka strongly agreed with Gilbert's assessment. "If it happens a few more times, and you respond the same way he would, then you'll become a target of universal condemnation in California."
Gilbert's status in California was special. He himself was a Californian. The title "Son of God" carried a somewhat joking tone, but calling him the "Son of California" would hardly meet any opposition.
It was precisely because of this reputation that when he publicly supported a candidate for the next gubernatorial election, that candidate's approval rating immediately soared to over sixty percent.
Stewart Resnick was treating Gilbert as if he were just like himself—after all, in his view, capitalists were all cut from the same cloth, driven purely by profit.
But he had clearly misjudged the situation. Gilbert, this capitalist, did not think in quite the same way.
Gilbert then said, "In that case, we'll announce a donation to the California fire department. After that, we'll control the media and heavily promote and hype this matter."
Ivanka's eyes lit up. "And then the California fire department can use that money to buy water from Pacific Water Resources.
That way, the money comes right back to us, and we also win public goodwill. Killing two birds with one stone."
"Hey!" Gilbert waved his hand. "We're doing this to do some good for California. We must approach this with a genuinely kind heart.
By the way, I put out the wildfires and protected the environment. Shouldn't those environmental and nature conservation organizations wave flags and cheer for me? Go talk to them—tell them not to just sit around doing nothing."
"Alright, I'll notify them right away," Ivanka said with a smile.
In reality, during Arnold Schwarzenegger's tenure as governor, wildfires were still effectively controlled.
After he stepped down from office, things became more and more exaggerated year by year, until the fires eventually spread into wealthy neighborhoods.
So it goes to show: as people act, heaven watches, and the wheel of karma always turns.
After all, even in the Bible, wasn't there a city—Sodom—that was ultimately destroyed by God with fire because of its overwhelming sins?
Of course, there are differences even among the wealthy.
Although Resnick was a well-known local tycoon in California, there was still a considerable gap between him and a top-tier magnate like Gilbert.
That gap soon became evident. Ivanka quickly arranged donations to California's fire department and police department.
The California fire department, in particular, received a donation of 15 million dollars from Gilbert. When people heard about the size of the donation, many thought Gilbert had gone mad.
But soon afterward, the fire department announced that it would use the 15 million dollar donation to resolve California's firefighting water shortage.
Those who understood the inside story immediately found nothing strange about it. In California, who else could you buy water from?
Only Gilbert…
...
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