The Hunt Begins

In the study of the Seattle safe house, heavy curtains kept out the gloomy afternoon rain, leaving only a few spotlights embedded in the ceiling casting bright, focused circles of light on the dark solid wood desk and the polished floor. The air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee and an almost stagnant concentration.

Less than half a day after Lin Feng proposed the land plan, K's efficiency and execution capabilities were once again demonstrated.

At this moment, on the large conference table in the center of the study, several neatly bound and detailed document books were spread out, along with a high-resolution monitor displaying satellite maps and three-dimensional terrain models.

Lü Yi and Kong Xiang were also called in. The two sat on either side of the conference table, their expressions solemn, knowing that the matter to be discussed concerned their future foundation on this land.

K stood before the conference table, like a commander about to give a pre-battle briefing. He had changed into a more casual dark gray cashmere sweater, but his straight back and sharp eyes still exuded competence. Instead of using a fancy projector, he pointed his laser pointer at the first open document.

"Boss, based on your five core criteria," K's voice was steady and clear, carrying a special resonance in the quiet study, "I've initially screened large properties in Washington State, Northern Oregon, and the Idaho Panhandle that meet the criteria. After eliminating options with unclear titles, extreme locations, or overly complicated seller backgrounds, I've ultimately narrowed it down to four of the most promising targets. All information has been preliminarily verified, and we've also obtained more in-depth, non-public information through special channels."

He paused, and the red dot of the laser pointer landed on the title of the first document's cover—"Preliminary Analysis Report of the Lone Peak Ridge Plot."

"Target A, codenamed ' Lone Peak Ridge.' Located on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, within Jefferson County."

As K spoke, he Yilin Feng to look at the monitor, which simultaneously displayed a satellite map of the area.

The image shows a rugged mountainous region completely covered by dark green primeval forest, with several steep peaks jagged like teeth, and snow and bare gray rock walls faintly visible in between.

"The total area is approximately 12.5 square miles, equivalent to 8,000 acres. The terrain consists of 85% primary coniferous forests and alpine meadows, 10% exposed rock faces and glacial remnants, and 5% a seasonal waterway formed by the confluence of two alpine streams. The average elevation is 1200-1800 meters."

"Advantages," K switched slides, displaying several aerial detail images, showing steep mountain peaks and dense, sea-like forests.

"Extremely secretive. Unless reconnaissance is conducted at low altitude, it is difficult to obtain a full view of it from any ground or conventional satellite surveillance."

The terrain is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Only three logging trails are barely passable by all-terrain vehicles, and it is almost completely isolated from the outside world after heavy snow closes the mountain in winter.

The current owner is a non-profit organization called the ' Cascade Ecological Trust ', which has held the property for over thirty years with the initial aim of protecting this pristine forest. However, due to a lack of funding, they intend to sell to raise funds for other projects.

"The disadvantages are equally obvious," the red dot of the laser pointer swept across the rugged terrain.

"The development costs will be astronomical. There will be no existing infrastructure; water, electricity, roads, and communications will have to be built from scratch, and the development will be subject to stringent federal and state environmental protection regulations. Any development could lead to lengthy litigation."

Transportation is extremely inconvenient, making it difficult to move personnel and large materials. The climate is harsh, resulting in a short window of opportunity for construction each year. Furthermore, the sale of the trust is contingent upon extremely stringent protective clauses that may restrict land use and even retain supervisory rights.

In short, it's a double-edged sword; it can be the ultimate safe haven, but the initial investment is huge, and it restricts your actions in the long run.

Lin Feng listened silently, his gaze lingering on the topographic map for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the table twice, offering no comment.

K understands, and moves the laser pointer to the second document—"Flint River Valley Pasture Assessment".

"Target B, ' Flint River Valley '." The screen transitions to a vast, dry, yellowish-brown plateau and hilly area, with a winding, light-colored trail (a dried-up riverbed) meandering through it.

Located in Adams County, in the northern part of the Columbia Plateau, it covers an area of 8.2 square miles, approximately 5,250 acres. The terrain is characterized by 70% semi-arid shrub pastures, 20% chert hills and plateaus, and 10% seasonal river valleys. The elevation ranges from 500 to 700 meters.

Advantages: Most competitive price. Due to poor soil, high irrigation costs, and limited livestock value, the market valuation is very low. Clear property rights, privately held by the Larsen family for over five generations, with a clean history. Extremely unobstructed views, offering a panoramic vista for dozens of kilometers, making infiltration difficult. Local policies for agricultural land are extremely lenient, with few restrictions.

"Disadvantages," K said in a flat tone, but the message hit the nail on the head.

"Lack of strategic depth and concealment. The overly open terrain means you are also exposed to the enemy's view. Water resources are a fatal weakness, relying on expensive and unreliable drilling and water storage facilities."

The land has low carrying capacity, making it difficult to sustain a large permanent population. The climate is dry, with hot summers and cold winters, resulting in poor habitability.

Furthermore, the area has an active Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) jurisdiction, which could potentially lead to disputes over grazing rights or mining rights. It's cheap and free enough, but it's inherently unsuitable as a 'base'.

Lü Yi listened, then curled her lip, clearly uninterested in such a desolate place. Kong Xiang nodded slightly, seemingly pondering the seriousness of the water resource problem.

The third document was picked up by K; its cover was titled "Comprehensive Survey of Grizzly Bear Lake Woodlands".

"Target C, ' Grizzly Bear Lake Woodlands '." The screen image changed to a lush forest landscape surrounding a deep blue lake, a truly beautiful sight.

"Located in the Olympic Peninsula in Clallam County, it is the largest area, covering 16.8 square miles (approximately 10,750 acres). Topography: 60% mature temperate rainforest, 25% Grizzly Bear Lake (a private lake, approximately 300 acres) and wetlands, and 15% forest meadows and hillsides. Elevation: 200-500 meters."

Advantages: Extremely rich ecological resources, stunning scenery, and high potential for self-sufficiency. Lakes provide a stable water source and aquatic products, while forests offer diverse resources.

The area already has some basic infrastructure: a simple gravel road around the lake, a small dock, five scattered cabins in the woods, and an old-fashioned hydroelectric generator.

The current owner is the low-profile Cabot family, a prominent industrial family in Seattle. They have owned the property as a summer retreat for over forty years, but recently, due to a shift in the family's business focus to Europe, they are looking to sell and raise funds. Their desire to sell is strong.

"The disadvantage is that there are too many restrictions," K said, pulling up the red lines on the map and a summary of the regulations.

Nearly 40% of the site is designated as 'sensitive wetland' and 'critical wildlife habitat,' and is strictly protected by the federal Clean Water Act and the state Environmental Policy Act. Any development, construction, or even logging could trigger a lengthy, costly, and uncertain Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and permitting process.

Located within the Olympic National Park buffer zone, it receives extra attention from the National Park Service and various environmental organizations. While seemingly hidden, it is actually under intense scrutiny. Furthermore, the local community has a very strong environmental awareness, and any unusual activity is likely to attract reports and investigations.

This location is suitable for a safe house or resort, but not for building a 'base' that requires a high degree of secrecy and autonomy.

Lin Feng's gaze lingered on the beautiful lake and mountain scenery for a moment before he slowly shook his head. The scenery and infrastructure were tempting, but the red lines and potential scrutiny were fatal shackles.

K seemed to have anticipated this. He picked up the last document, which was also the thickest and had the most attachments—"In-depth Due Diligence and Preliminary Valuation Report of Eagle Creek Ranch." He didn't open it immediately but instead operated the computer to project a high-resolution aerial photograph onto the large screen.

The moment the scene unfolded, even Lü Yi couldn't help but exclaim "Whoa!"

The land in the image presents a harmonious and layered aesthetic. In the foreground is the meandering Eagle Creek, shimmering in the sunlight, with flat and fertile grasslands on both sides, lush and green, dotted with a few clumps of trees and white pasture fences.

The middle ground features gently sloping hills covered with dense mixed forests of dark and light green, stretching all the way to the foot of the dark blue-green Cascade Range in the distance.

The land offers both open views and excellent shelter from the forests; it has both flat, usable land and natural barriers formed by hills and gullies. From an aerial perspective, several well-maintained gravel roads can be seen connecting several scattered ranch buildings: a sturdy and spacious main house, several barns and sheds, and livestock pens that are faintly visible.

"Target D, ' Eagle Creek Ranch '." K's voice rose slightly, carrying a professional certainty. "Located in north-central Washington State, at the border of Skagit County and Whatcom County, in the rain shadow of the western Cascade Range. Total area: 9.6 square miles, exact 6,144 acres."

He switched slides to show a detailed terrain analysis map:

"The terrain is ideally composed: high-quality irrigated pastures along Eagle Creek account for 38%, approximately 2,335 acres; mixed commercial forests dominated by Douglas fir and hemlock account for 32%, approximately 1,966 acres; rolling hills, rocky slopes, and small canyons account for 20%, approximately 1,229 acres; and Eagle Creek and its three main tributaries and riparian zones account for 10%, approximately 614 acres. The average elevation is 550 meters, with the highest point at 850 meters and the lowest at 320 meters. The climate is mild with moderate annual rainfall, more humid than the west coast and drier than the east side."

"Regarding property rights," K opened the report and pointed to the property rights chart, "It's extremely clear and clean."

Since the John family acquired the original title deed through the Homestead Act in 1898, the property has remained in the same ownership for over 120 years, with a clear line of succession and no record of any mortgages, seizures, easements, rights of passage, or unresolved legal disputes. All annual property taxes have been paid on time.

The current registered owner is ' Andrew J. John III', 64 years old, a core member of the third generation of the family. The land is classified as 'agricultural/forestry' and is owned entirely by the family (Fee Simple Absolute).

"Location rating: A-." K Show area transportation map, "24 miles from the nearest settlement ' Stone Bridge Town,' connected by well-paved County Road 542. 58 miles from the nearest exit of Interstate I-5, approximately a 65-70 minute drive. Approximately a 90-minute drive from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport."

Located on the edge of the "one-hour economic circle," it ensures relative privacy and independence while remaining connected to major transportation and logistics networks.

The ranch has its own infrastructure: three deep wells, a small hydroelectric generator (utilizing the drop in elevation at Eagle Creek), and is connected to the state power grid as a backup. It has its own wastewater treatment plant. The internal road network is well-developed, with main roads paved with gravel and passable by heavy vehicles. The main house and major buildings are sturdy log and stone structures, built in the 1960s, and are well-maintained.

"Key Points: Seller Status and Intentions." K Switch to the last section of the report, which includes a summary of the financial statements and background investigation information.

The Johnson Family Clan's traditional businesses are livestock (Angus cattle) and sustainable forestry (selective logging).

Over the past decade, due to fluctuations in meat market prices, rising feed costs, and environmental regulations restricting logging, ranch operating profits have been meager, barely covering daily expenses and taxes, contributing almost nothing to the growth of family wealth.

Andrew John's son, Young Andrew. (nicknamed ' Drew '), is 35 years old, a graduate of Wharton School, and currently works for a hedge fund in Seattle. He has no interest in running a ranch.

The daughter, Emily, 28, works as an interior designer in Portland. None of the next generation in the family intends to return to their hometown.

K retrieved several summaries of communication records and land broker inquiry records obtained from different sources:

"Over the past eighteen months, Old Johnson has had at least three informal consultations with top luxury real estate and farm brokers in Seattle and Bellevue to discuss Eagle Creek Ranch's current market valuation and potential buyer interest."

His questions were very specific, covering topics such as tax optimization (Section 1031 exchange terms), the possibility of installment payments, and buyer background preferences.

The seller's attitude is: not in a hurry to sell, but open to a 'reasonable offer'; the core objective is to liquidate the assets to support their children's development, their own retirement, and any potential other investments. They are a rational, shrewd, but not greedy seller.

"Finally, local environmental governance," K concluded.

Skagit County's economy is based on agriculture, forestry, and a small amount of tourism. The people are conservative and have an almost religious reverence for the inviolability of private property rights.

The county government is small and has a limited budget. The law enforcement agencies (county police) mainly focus on public roads, town security, and emergency response. They rarely take the initiative to intervene in the internal affairs of large private properties within their jurisdiction, adhering to the principle of "no action without a complaint."

Unless a high-profile case or federal crime occurs, county sheriffs generally respect landowners' jurisdiction. Local tax revenue heavily relies on property taxes, and 'model landowners' like Eagle Creek Ranch, who pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in property taxes annually and never cause trouble, are the type of landowners local governments prefer and usually grant them maximum 'freedom'.

After finishing his report, K put down the laser pointer and gently pushed the thick report of "Eagle Creek Ranch" in front of Lin Feng. The study was quiet, with only the slight hum of the monitor's cooling fan.

Although Lü Yi didn't quite understand the complex data and legal terminology, looking at the pictures and listening to the descriptions, she found "Eagle Creek Ranch" much more appealing, with mountains, water, forests, and ready-made houses and roads. Kong Xiang, on the other hand, quickly compared the four options in his mind: A was too remote and extreme, B was too barren, C had too many restrictions, and D seemed to... all the conditions had reached a delicate balance.

Lin Feng did not immediately express his opinion. He leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze slowly moving between the four reports on the conference table, finally settling on the cover of "Eagle Creek Ranch" for a long time. His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, the rhythm slow and steady, clearly conducting a final, comprehensive comparison and weighing in his mind.

Seclusion? Eagle Creek Ranch is not as absolute as Lone Peak Ridge, but its vast woodlands and hills provide sufficient shelter, and it is more "normal" than Lone Peak Ridge, making it less likely to attract excessive attention.

Its development potential is far greater than that of the Flint River Valley, with abundant water and soil resources, diverse terrain, and large room for expansion.

Limitations and risks? Much smaller than Grizzly Bear Lake Woodlands, clean property rights, friendly local policies, and no sensitive environmental clauses.

The ownership and the seller are clear, the inheritance is orderly, the seller is rational and willing to sell, and is not a troublesome household in a hurry to get rid of the property.

The location? It's perfectly situated at the golden ratio of "seclusion" and "convenience".

Comprehensive infrastructure already has a considerable foundation, which can significantly reduce upfront investment and time costs.

After a long while, Lin Feng leaned forward, resting his arms on the conference table, his fingertips touching. He raised his head, looked calmly at K, and then extended a finger, pointing it at the title page of the "Eagle Creek Ranch In-Depth Due Diligence and Preliminary Valuation Report".

"That's it."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable certainty.

"Arrange initial contact, K., as a low-profile but credible investor. I need to visit Eagle Creek Ranch in person as soon as possible. Before meeting Andrew John Sr., I need to know everything about him—his family, the details of his ranch operations, his personality and preferences, his social circle, even the churches and bars he frequents."

"Understood, boss," K replied immediately, his eyes sharp. "I'll have the complete file ready within 24 hours. The contact will be arranged as a 'private family office interested in investing in prime farmland in the Pacific Ocean Northwest Region,' facilitated by a reliable third-party broker, ensuring it's natural and inconspicuous."

Lin Feng nodded slightly, his gaze returning to the aerial photograph of Eagle Creek Ranch on the screen, a vibrant yet orderly scene, a sharp glint flashing deep in his eyes.

The hunt has begun. And the first, and most important, prey has come into view.