Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 108 The Price of Tax Evasion

Crack, crackle, crackle...

Light rain pattered against the helicopter's windshield, and from the sky, a ball of orange-red flame could be seen burning on the ground.

The bombing operation went more smoothly than Milton had imagined.

"I thought we'd get a few shots from the heavy machine guns during the ascent, but they didn't even fire a single shot? They just let us go?"

"If you hadn't told me, I would have thought this place used to be a French colony."

“Our operation was very sudden, and the enemy was completely unprepared,” Milton said casually, looking at the raindrops hitting the window. “They had their guns pointed at the people below, and they never imagined that our so-called news helicopter was the real threat.”

Brandon added, "Moreover, the armored vehicle that was guarding Pedro was destroyed immediately."

“Phew…” Flora let out a long breath and shook her head. “'Tax collector,' that was a live broadcast on the news channel. Do you know how many people were watching TV and saw what happened today? It’s insane. I’ve never seen anything so crazy.”

“I dare say, even drug dealers in Mexico would have to admire your madness if they saw this.”

“What’s there to be afraid of?” Milton shrugged, completely unconcerned. “I didn’t say I did it before the bombing, and I didn’t yell ‘Hell’s tax collectors are here!’ As for the helicopter? I’ll just get a new paint job when I get back. Who can say that the one on TV is mine?”

As for sending someone to investigate...

Just kidding, in Malacan, who can investigate Milton?

Only Milton can investigate himself; anyone else who comes will die, just like the US military's auditing helicopters—it's a matter of whether anyone dares to come.

Flora, piloting the helicopter, said, "That's perfect! I'll take tomorrow off and have a proper celebration! A few drinks, please!"

“No problem.” Milton nodded. “After your vacation, you can see if you can recruit some people in the company’s name, preferably with combat experience. I’ll oversee their loyalty.”

“It’s time for your small company of three people to expand. There are many projects in town that need to be done, and you can’t handle them without more people.”

"And as you said, I need a team of people who can operate across borders to deal with the crisis coming from Mexico."

"Now that we have control of the entire town, it would be best to recruit more locals to join the team if conditions permit."

Flora sighed: "Actually, we have a small office in Europe that handles our logistics. It's not just three people; including the three of us, there are probably about ten people."

"They can't get here..."

“It’s not like they can’t get over at all.” Flora glanced back. “When are you going to build a fixed-wing airport runway? I could actually get them over here.”

Milton considered his points and cash, then shook his head: "I don't have that money right now, and it wouldn't be of any use to them anyway, since they're not combat personnel."

"Too……"

Brandon leaned against the helicopter door, looking down through the glass with a touch of emotion. "Boss, this is my first time riding in such a high-class thing as a helicopter... If it weren't for you, I probably would never have had the chance. So, what's our next move? Are you planning to just stay in this area, or are you going to continue expanding to other places?"

“Of course, it’s impossible to just occupy this one area.” Milton shook his head. “This town is completely unable to be self-sufficient. Its economic model is too singular, and it only has one import channel, leaving very little room for error.”

“Next, I plan to expand further south—I need to control more checkpoints, a port city, and, as ‘Bottle’ said, an airport.”

"The Air Force and Navy are very important."

"And coincidentally, our mine is also in this direction."

Brandon nodded slightly: "Boss, and I think there are still things that haven't been resolved, even in our town... like that private hospital, you remember? We felt something was off about that morgue before. Yesterday I sent several officers to keep an eye on it, and if there's any movement there, they'll make arrests."

“I know.” Milton nodded. “Several of our projects are ready to start, and we can begin dismantling these junk industries. As for this hospital, I’ll reluctantly acquire it.”

"It's great to have your own territory! By the way, boss, which businesses are you planning to destroy? I'll give my orders to the men when we get back."

“First, a complete ban on drugs. That’s non-negotiable,” Milton said without hesitation. “Then there are casinos, which are an industry that completely drains resources and must be eradicated.”

"As for gun shops, I will issue legal business licenses to a small number of people like 'Ghost Wolf,' but in the future, the procedures for purchasing weapons must be complete, and the control must be strengthened. For example, such people must not have a serious criminal record."

“Ordinary criminal records are fine, after all, in the old town, people who didn’t commit crimes couldn’t survive.”

Brandon asked, "And what about the sex industry?"

“A large portion of the people there are forced into this kind of work out of necessity, so I will provide them with jobs,” Milton said slowly. “After that, I will completely destroy this industry… Brandon, you may think that prostitution is less serious than drugs and gambling, but that’s actually a mistake.”

"Because this industry has always been involved in black market activities such as organ trafficking and human trafficking, and these industries are linked to the two businesses mentioned above."

"Perhaps we can't completely ban it, but at least legally, it must be prohibited. There's no such thing as taking too big a step."

Brandon nodded: "Boss, I understand."

After a while, the group saw the town of Malakan from the air and also the checkpoint in the distance.

"Putting everything else aside, the terrain of this town is at least quite easy to defend and difficult to attack," Flora said. "Let me set up the defenses. Even if tanks come, we're not without a fighting chance... The battle in Afghanistan proved that."

Milton glanced at her and nodded, saying, "Yes, I suggest you get a dozen or twenty Javelin missiles. I think we can even rely on the terrain to wipe out an entire brigade of their armored vehicles."

"A dozen or twenty sets?! Are you crazy?" Flora's eyes widened. If she weren't piloting the helicopter, she would have turned around by now. "Don't even mention a dozen or twenty sets. Do you know how much risk and trouble I'll be taking to fire just one set?"

"The US military hasn't even officially started using this yet!"

"Let alone a dozen or twenty sets, I can't even keep my current stock. Once I use up all of this stock, it'll be gone."

"It's no exaggeration at all. The Javelin missile I launched last time was worth at least tens of millions of dollars."

Milton waved his hand: "Okay, okay, I'll approve the project for you."

As the group chatted, the helicopter finally returned to the checkpoint and landed on the helipad.

The space in the light helicopter was really cramped. After landing steadily, Milton couldn't wait to open the door and jump out, stretching his body.

"Call that painter over and tell him to change the helicopter's paint job right away. Also, fill up the helicopter with fuel."

"Hmm... it's about time now, we can go back and have a celebration banquet."

"go!"

The three of them got off the helicopter, especially Brandon, who was completely disillusioned after taking a helicopter ride once.

It's really uncomfortable; it's not as comfortable as my own police car!
Soon, the three left the checkpoint and returned to the town.

But... Milton discovered that in just a few hours, the atmosphere in the town was somewhat different from when he arrived.

For example, some people instinctively duck when they see Milton's car on the street, and some even instinctively kneel down.

For example, some people who clearly did not live near the old street, were terrified of Milton, and had serious stereotypes about him actually stood on the roadside and cheered for him.

what's the situation?
Milton, confused, turned to Brandon and asked, "What's wrong with these people? Did you do some kind of publicity?"

"Not yet." Brandon shook his head, a little confused. "We don't plan to let the police department do the publicity directly. It's better to leave this to the media and let them spread the word gradually. I understand that."

People subconsciously dislike didactic propaganda, but can immerse themselves in narrative propaganda.

Some forms of propaganda work by telling stories that gradually resonate with people, rather than by simply repeating material like a machine.

First, you need to give people the feeling that "what you said seems to make some sense," and then present the final conclusion. This way, it can be more widely accepted.

"strangeness."

Brandon thought for a moment, then asked, "Did they all watch it on TV? Do they think we set the fire at the trial?"

“That’s even less likely.” Milton shook his head. “They only knew there would be a public trial and apology today, but they didn’t know we would come to attack. This plan is top secret.”

As for the possibility of seeing a helicopter fly by, that's utter nonsense. A thing that's nine meters long, two meters wide, and three meters high flying at an altitude of 3000 meters is practically like a speck of dust; no one can see it or hear it.

To maintain maximum secrecy, the helicopter took off from the checkpoint and flew to a certain altitude before heading to its destination, without conducting any low-altitude patrols.

"Yes, why is that?"

Flora began, "Is it possible that they were very grateful to you for waiving the first month's taxes last time?"

“…It’s not impossible, but this explanation feels far-fetched.” Milton shook his head. “Never mind, I won’t think about it too much. I’ll ask again when we get back.”

A few minutes later, the group arrived near the town's busiest central church and then near a relatively upscale restaurant.

This is where the victory celebration banquet was held.

As soon as Milton jumped out of the car, he felt the gazes directed at him—most of them filled with deep awe.

What's wrong with one or two of them?
Am I that terrible?

Milton thought to himself, and after Flora got out of the car, he walked with her toward the restaurant entrance.

The waiter standing at the door looked up, a deep fear flashing in his eyes, then turned and ran into the restaurant, exchanging a few words with the restaurant manager.

The restaurant manager's expression changed drastically, and he immediately called out several relatively attractive female waitresses to the door.

“‘Hell Tax Collector’, welcome! The esteemed guests are already in their rooms. Today, the restaurant is exclusively for you. Please come in!”

Milton couldn't stand this attitude any longer and took a breath: "No need to be so pretentious. I remember your shop paid my taxes. I won't make things difficult for you. Just do what you're supposed to do, be normal, okay?"

"I understand, I understand!" the manager said, but he was clearly even more frightened. His hands were trembling. "I'm sorry, sir, I was too talkative."

What an idiot!

Milton rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay him any attention, and headed straight for the second floor of the restaurant.

Insiders including Matteo, Luz, Veronica, and others were already seated.

As agreed, several bottles of fine wine, including champagne, were kept in the refrigerator. Judging from the manager's attitude just now, the food was unlikely to be cold.

What about Wenzhou cuisine slaying Pedro...?

All of these people had their eyes on the color television until Milton got very close and they didn't notice it.

Luz, and even Matteo, looked strange.

"Hey boss... boss, you're awesome!"

"We saw the live broadcast on the news. To be honest, I thought I was watching a movie. No, even watching a movie isn't this exciting."

"Pedro might as well just stay in the police station and wait to die."

Milton sat down at the head of the long table, looking at them strangely: "You all know the plan, so what's with all those expressions?"

"Also, the expressions on those people's faces outside are strange, and their attitude towards me seems a bit odd too? Could it be that one of you let the plan slip?"

Flora sat to Milton's right, glanced at the empty wine glass in front of her, rubbed her hands together, and said nothing.

Lutz shook his head abruptly: "Boss, how could we possibly let something this important slip out? It can't be!"

At this point, the restaurant staff were already busy serving appetizers and pouring aperitif champagne into everyone's glasses.

The scallops looked to be grilled very well—this celebration banquet was truly top-notch, with the appetizers being grilled scallops, cream soup, and escargot in red wine.

The main courses also include hearty Western dishes like lobster and steak...

Just by looking at the menu on the table, Milton was very satisfied with the celebration banquet.

Of course... there was also a wine list containing more than a dozen kinds of wines, but Milton wasn't particularly fond of drinking, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

Flora downed the wine on the table in one gulp and waved to the waiter to refill it.

Milton ignored her, slowly ate his scallop, nodded, and said, "So, you know the reason?"

Matteo glanced at the others and nodded, "Uh, I know... Boss, how about we wait until we finish eating before we talk about it?"

Milton waved his hand: "It's not bad news, why are you so serious?"

“Okay.” Matteo gave a wry smile. “Boss, well… the fact that you took a helicopter to the court and burned Pedro alive on the spot will probably be known throughout the country very soon. I suspect it might even reach Mexico.”

As expected... the secret was leaked.

Milton wasn't discouraged and said, "Why? Which part went wrong? We'll try to improve it in the future."

"It's not a problem with any part of the process..."

Before Matteo could finish speaking, an urgent news report was interrupted on television.

The host, with a serious expression, said, "This afternoon, an extremely heinous attack occurred, severely challenging the sanctity of the law!"

“A person who had already been tried in court was attacked with napalm outside the courtroom during his apology speech and burned alive!”

"An unidentified helicopter disguised as a news helicopter flew over the podium and dropped napalm, causing the deaths of more than a dozen people and severe burns to more than twenty others."

"The judge strongly condemned the organizers of the incident, saying that such uncivilized behavior as lynching has long been eliminated by the civilized world."

"Let's take a look at the live recording..."

Milton watched with interest as the host and judge farted, until they switched the camera to a pre-recorded broadcast.

The more unrepentant these people are, the happier Milton will be when they are burned at the stake.

It must be said that Pedro was quite a sight to behold when he was being grilled.

As he lay dying, he knelt on the ground and roared in despair, "'Hell's tax collector! Milton!'"

"Ah this?!"

"Holy crap!" Milton finally lost his composure. "Why did Pedro call my name before he died?! No wonder everyone outside was acting like they were going crazy, so that's why."

During the live television broadcast, the bureau chief who had once terrorized them was under heavy protection, including legal protection, and was about to escape punishment. Just when everyone had given up hope, a sudden fire broke out and burned people to death in the rain.

Finally, the person who was burned to death cried out a name in anguish and despair...

This impact was particularly profound in areas where many people are Catholic.

Maybe some people really do believe that Milton came from hell!

Even criminals who have already been tried and are about to go to prison will pay a heavy price if they don't pay taxes!
In the "Hell Tax Collector" household, taxes are above all else.

No wonder he was so scared!

Brandon stared in disbelief at the scene, and it took him a long time to recover before asking, "Boss, what do we do?"

“What else can we do?” Milton shrugged. “It’s come to this, let’s eat first. A criminal’s last words can’t be used as evidence to arrest me.”

"However, they might use this as an excuse to send people to investigate us, or even send an investigation team. What should we do then?"

No sooner had he said that than Milton received a message on his screen.

[Two individuals were discovered carrying smuggled goods into the host's controlled territory.]

[Includes Category III prohibited items: smuggled clothing]

[Includes Level 1 prohibited items: unregistered firearms]

Only two people? They look like they came from nearby... probably just members of that investigation team.

Great, let more in, and take this opportunity to wipe them all out!

Milton wiped his mouth and chuckled, "I don't care who they are. As long as they come here, they have to pay me taxes, even if it's an investigation team."

"I'd like to see if they dare to evade taxes."

(End of this chapter)