AHumanMadeMOFO
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Chapter 56: I Have Many Legitimate Businesses
🕑 Added 2024-12-02 07:30:25 +0000 UTC"How is it going? Any challenges with the new batch of goods I requested?" Josh asked Lynden as they sat together in a restaurant.
The scheduled time hadn't arrived yet, but since both of them worked mostly in offices, they naturally arrived early for their meeting. Unlike them, Dix was constantly on the move due to the growing influence of the Blackwater gang and rarely stayed in Chicago for long. Since he was often in transit, he was expected to arrive a little later.
As for Dietrich, who had recently been promoted from sheriff to district police superintendent thanks to Josh's influence, his new position made it inappropriate for him to be seen regularly at the restaurant. As a result, Josh rarely attended these meetings unless he felt his presence was necessary.
"Most of it isn't a problem, but the industrial equipment and the poultry from Japan will take a little more time," Lynden replied. While he found the request for Japanese poultry odd, he wisely refrained from questioning it. After all, it didn't violate any of the rules Josh had previously established for the gang.
Since Pearl Harbor, sentiment toward the Japanese in the United States had plummeted. With a few exceptions, most Americans had a strong disdain for them. Immigrants from other Asian countries hated them even more, especially in light of the atrocities committed in Asia during this time.
Josh felt no guilt about handing over some Japanese assets to Yuri, especially considering the reputation of certain historical actions like those on Hashima Island.
“No rush on that—take your time. Any other good finds lately?" Josh nodded before changing the subject.
"Well, there's a lot of pretty unique merchandise: a collection of early M1897 military training rifles. Not sure you'd be interested," Lynden said.
"Shotguns? Not really appealing," Josh replied, assuming Lynden meant the Winchester M1897. He dismissed the idea, since shotguns, with their limited range, didn't have much use in a world like Westeros.
"Ahem, not shotguns-artillery. The French missiles!" Lynden quickly clarified.
Josh's eyes lit up. Lynden was referring to the French Schneider Company's M1897 75mm field guns. For Chinese audiences, this artillery had an even more famous nickname: "Second Battalion Commander's Italian Cannon.
Despite its fame, the M1897 had already begun to show its age during World War I. By the end of the war, it was largely obsolete, either dismantled or sold to Asian countries. But that didn't bother Josh at all.
This light field artillery, though obsolete by modern standards, was portable, powerful, and ideal for Daenerys' army. As her forces now regrouped at Dragonstone and prepared to conquer Westeros, these cannons would be perfect for both sieges and fighting the White Walkers.
"This is excellent stuff! How many units? Do they come with enough ammunition?" Josh asked eagerly.
"There are 200 units available, but the ammunition is limited - less than five basic loads per gun on average. Most of it is high explosive and shrapnel," Lynden replied.
In U.S. artillery terms, a basic load was 50 rounds. That meant each gun had about 250 rounds - enough to take out significant obstacles in Westeros.
"Perfect. Contact the seller, negotiate the price down as much as you can, and arrange for storage. I'll send men to pick them up," Josh said with satisfaction.
Lynden nodded, not questioning how Josh would handle the transport. Both he and Dix knew about Josh's mysterious "transport team".
After a while, Dix arrived, accompanied by Goss, who had risen to become the third most influential figure in the Blackwater gang.
"Sorry, boss, for being late!" Dix greeted Josh with his usual courtesy, a trait Josh appreciated.
"No worries, we got here early. Have a seat. By the way, I hear those Italians are causing trouble again?" Josh said as he poured Dix a glass of Kentucky bourbon.
"Yeah, especially in New York. Those families have brought in some new Jewish recruits, making it hard for the Irish gangs there to break their blockade," Dix replied, taking a sip of his favorite drink.
"Ugh, the Jews again. They're hard to root out," Josh remarked with a shake of his head. As much as he disliked them, he had to admit their resilience.
"Overall, it's not much of a problem. Their influence is mostly confined to New York State. Elsewhere, like in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, the Mafia families are starting to side with us because they make more money that way," Dix said with a grin.
"That's a good thing. It's all about profit. Just be careful-don't trust them too much. If the money stops flowing, you'll be the first one they turn on," Josh warned, nibbling on a cookie Anna had baked.
"By the way, boss, with the gang's growing influence, we've taken on a lot of new businesses. Are you interested in any of them?" Dix asked.
"You know I'm not interested in gang business. Except for some goods, all other profits from your ventures are yours," Josh replied.
"Hold on boss, these are legitimate businesses!" Dix chuckled.
"Oh really? You expect me to believe that with that sly grin?" Josh teased, laughing along with Lynden.
"No, I'm serious!" Dix insisted, his massive frame leaning forward.
"All right, all right. Tell me, what are they?" Josh said, holding back his laughter.
"I have two Hollywood movie studios, partial ownership of a major radio network, a newspaper company, three factories, and I'm planning to invest in Las Vegas," Dix listed confidently.
Josh and Lynden stared at him wide-eyed.
