Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 228: One pot!

Assassination...

Brandon couldn't help but say, "Boss, do you need cannons for assassinations? In the movies, they always find a few elite soldiers to act as assassins, dress them in civilian clothes, hide in the crowd, carry the most inconspicuous weapons, and wait for the best moment to shoot and leave, right?"

Why is it that when it comes to Milton, it's all about cannon fire right from the start?
"How much do shells cost? How much do those soldiers you mentioned cost?" Milton shook his head and said, "If we can get enough information, we shouldn't risk human lives for something that can be solved with a single shell."

"The Chiapas state government has clearly not been assassinated for a long time, and its secrecy is very poor, with many officials' schedules being semi-public."

"So, just look at their public schedules, pick a good day, and give them a gift. Watch less 007; it's purely for laughs."

This is the abstract Latin America.

To assassinate an important target, one should not send elite agents to infiltrate the target, steal crucial intelligence, and then assassinate the target based on that intelligence.

Instead, quickly buy a newspaper or turn on the TV to see where the target is located recently...

Many of the so-called top-secret documents in the movie can actually be bought cheaply at roadside newsstands without arousing any suspicion.

Milton waved his hand and said, "Alright, now is not the time to talk about this... The garrison in the city still has some supplies left. Although our first attack was cut off, with the weapons and resources they have now, they can at least launch one more large-scale attack."

"It will take them at least two days to regroup their troops and re-establish communication channels."

"They most likely discovered that we have radio listening equipment, but they can't get military frequency-hopping radios in a short time, so they can only set up code words... Code words are not so convenient to communicate, and it also takes time to distribute them to the combat personnel."

Brandon glanced at the map and voiced his concerns: "Boss, I don't really think we have much to worry about in terms of our position. In two days, our various defensive fortifications will be largely in place, and it will be difficult for the drug traffickers with their shoddy equipment to break through. However, the supply routes are relatively vulnerable."

"If our supply lines are cut off, then the encirclement we have built will collapse on its own."

"What good ways do we have to protect our supply lines?"

Milton was aware of this, of course. He said calmly, "In war, the plans can be very sophisticated, but in the end, the outcome will be decided on the battlefield. It is impossible to expect to completely defeat the enemy by making some plans... This battle can only be fought head-on, there is no other way."

"I can send drones to conduct high-intensity reconnaissance to grasp the enemy's offensive posture and give the army an information advantage; I can also send planes to bomb cities to further undermine their morale."

"But no matter what state the enemy is in, we will definitely have to fight."

"This is a desperate gamble for the drug dealers in San Cristória. If they win, the entire city of San Cristória can be declared annihilated. Is it a completely hopeless situation, or a hopeless situation that the CJNG and the Chiapas state government have no choice but to step in to save the city?"

"If we fail, our entire plan in Mexico will be ruined. Not to mention oil and hydropower, we might not even be able to protect Comitan."

"This battle will influence the overall strategic situation."

"Now, let's give the soldiers a final pep talk—tell them that their names are on the latest edition of the children's textbooks."

"Everyone is grateful for their righteous efforts."

Brandon's expression was both excited and solemn: "Yes!"

He immediately turned and went out to make final preparations for the arduous and crucial battle that was about to begin.

Just then, Flora finished explaining her task and walked in through the door.

“They’re really motivated,” Flora said, sitting down in front of Milton. “But isn’t what you’re describing a bit too much? I feel that with your personality, you definitely wouldn’t want to let the soldiers really fight head-on.”

“A direct confrontation is unavoidable, but I am indeed prepared to provide maximum support.” Milton nodded with a smile, affirming Flora’s statement. “How could I possibly let the drug dealers in San Cristóbal get through these two days peacefully?”

"Their ability to hold out in the city for 15 days is conditional, namely, that no one causes them trouble."

"And it's pretty clear that it's unlikely I'll stay out of trouble for drug dealers."

Flora laughed, rubbing her hands together curiously: "What are you planning this time? Let's see your ideas?"

“Quetzaltenango and other cities must have a lot of garbage lately, right?” Milton said. “Give the workers at the garbage disposal plant a break, and we can have the drug dealers in San Cristo handle the garbage for us for the next few days.”

"Letting waste dispose of waste is a way to make the most of resources."

After Milton finished speaking, Flora couldn't help but conjure up a terrifying image in her mind, considering all the things Milton had done before.

All sorts of rotten, foul-smelling garbage fell from the sky, and all sorts of excrement carrying viruses were evenly scattered throughout the city.

Flora gasped, "That's ruthless. Before, it was just tactical strikes using vehicles, but this time it's a full-scale strategic air raid, isn't it? Is this your signature move?"

“This will not only psychologically damage the enemy, but will also significantly weaken their fighting capacity,” Milton explained. “When a city is besieged, not only is there a shortage of food, but also a severe shortage of sanitation resources.”

"Battles always produce wounded..."

“Dumping garbage and excrement full of viruses and plagues can easily spread diseases and overwhelm sanitation resources.”

Flora muttered "That's ruthless" to herself, and continued to ask, "Anything else?"

“Disrupting the power grid and polluting the water resources,” Milton continued coldly. “They certainly have generators in the city… but generators run on oil, and cutting off all external power input will only make their fuel shortage worse.”

"A person might be able to hold on for a while longer without food, but vehicles and equipment will break down immediately without fuel."

“Water is even more so… First destroy the sanitation system, then ruin their water supply, and in that way, water will be more precious than gold in San Cristo.”

"Of course they can drill wells and dig for groundwater, but if the water supply system is damaged, such sporadic water supply will not be able to salvage the situation and may even exacerbate the internal contradictions in resource allocation."

“San Cristó is an important land-based drug transit hub for the CJNG. I could try having a barbecue and filling the entire city with toxic fumes…”

"..."

This attack would reduce CJNG's fighting strength by 70%, even if each member is an iron man with unwavering will.

All of this came at the cost of exposing radio listening equipment.

In reality, striking the forces assembled by CJNG might not necessarily expose the radio listening devices directly; there could also be well-intentioned spies lurking nearby. But as long as the CJNG commander isn't an incurable idiot, he will list out all the possible scenarios and take precautions against them all.

War is never a multiple-choice question.

Besides, even if the other party is really stupid, Milton wouldn't gamble on it.

Flora imagined the hellish scenes that drug dealers in San Cristóbal would experience in the coming days, and finally couldn't help but exclaim, "You really will stop at nothing for your soldiers."

“Politicians in the rear and officers on the front lines are different,” Milton said seriously. “To politicians in the rear, soldiers are just numbers. But to officers on the front lines, soldiers are living, breathing people.”

"How many of these soldiers came all the way from Malakan to here with me? I can name many of them, and I even know where they came from, and that they have wives and children in school."

"Do you know how agonizing it is when a wife, child, or father asks me how her husband or child is beating up, whether he has disgraced Mr. Godfather, and all I can do is hand them a death notice?"

"Casualties are inevitable, and I will not change my strategy because of casualties, but I can try my best to use the tactical means at my disposal to reduce the casualties of my soldiers."

"Even if it meant exchanging 100,000 drug dealers for one of my soldiers, I'd consider it a losing proposition—do those scumbags even deserve it?"

"Do you know why I always have to stay on the front lines? If you're always sitting in the back, watching the numbers being handed to you, you'll become numb."

Flora nodded and smiled, "Who would have thought that the 'Hell Tax Collector,' the monstrous 'Khorne,' would actually say such a thing?"

"Enough talk, let's get started," Milton ordered. "In the next two days, mobilize everyone and gather everything that can fly!"

"By the way, send someone to Tustra to buy a newspaper and check the recent schedules of those officials."

"Our guided artillery shells can be put to use again."

Flora stood up and smiled: "Don't worry, got it!"

"..."

……

The following day, in Tustra Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas state.

In a luxurious villa, CJNG leader "Shooter" Julio almost roared, "What?! Milton has completed the encirclement of San Cristo and cut off the supply lines?!"

"Damn it, break out! Can't you break out? How much equipment and how many men do you have? Milton only has so few. Even if they're strong, they shouldn't be surrounded, right?"

Logically speaking, the troop strength should be at least five times that of the enemy to encircle them, right?

How could Milton possibly surround the majority with a minority? How fragile must his encirclement be, and why can't it be breached?
The CJNG drug dealer in charge of the report was sweating profusely: "Boss Nathan made a breakout attempt, but... but the other side either has a well-hidden spy or radio listening equipment... Boss Nathan firmly believes it's the latter."

"The personnel and equipment prepared for the city's defense had just been assembled and had not yet launched an attack when they were accurately bombarded by the enemy's howitzers and rocket launchers, resulting in the loss of more than 70%..."

"Now Boss Nathan needs to write up codes, regroup the troops, and familiarize his subordinates with the codes. He says there's no way to launch the next counterattack in less than three days!"

"It's all the Americans' fault, it's all the CIA's fault... such important intelligence that the enemy had radio listening equipment, and no one told us in advance!"

"..." Julio's hands were trembling—he thought about the hundreds of tanks piled up in San Cristóbal, the ERC-90 assault guns that had been smuggled in at great expense, and the nearly three thousand CJNG drug traffickers over there.

These are the elite combat personnel that Julio had to gather by integrating gangs from all over the country, swallowing up other drug cartels, and using his connections in the military to ruthlessly exploit the land everywhere!
These three thousand people are just the combat personnel; there are many, many other non-combat personnel in the drug supply chain in San Cristó...

If Julio were to be surrounded and killed by Milton, he would suffer a devastating blow.

"No, we must rescue them!" Julio said without hesitation. "Milton has fewer men and has blocked the road from San Cristo to Tustra. If we send troops to attack together with the garrison of San Cristo, we will be able to attack from both sides."

"If we can seize this opportunity, we not only have a chance to rescue Nathan, but also a chance to severely damage Milton. He is different from us; his army is composed entirely of the elite, and once it is lost, it will be very difficult to replenish it."

“Milton is gambling too! He wants to play the coward game with me, but I, Julio, am not a coward!”

"CJNG will not be intimidated!"

"Immediately mobilize all available resources and tell those incompetent people in the Chiapas state government to bring in everyone they can. Forget about hydroelectric power plants and oil and gas fields!"

"San Cristo can hold out for about half a month. Nathan will be able to rest and recuperate in 3 days. Now, gather our forces immediately. We must arrive in San Cristo in 3 days and break through Milton!"

"Notify Governor Fid, tell him how critical the situation is, tell him that this is also an opportunity for us, and tell him not to hesitate."

Julio was really anxious.

Because he knew how inefficient these bureaucrats were, how they would argue for a long time over the smallest things, and how various interest groups would try to interfere, while the situation on the front lines could change in an instant.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye!

Knowing the situation was critical, the drug dealer dialed the number and asked one last question: "Boss, are you sure you want to fight right now? We still have so much strategic depth. If we fight like this, a lot of our brothers might die."

“They’re just numbers!” Julio cursed. “It’s not like you’re going to go up there and fight. What are you afraid of? Just give them some drugs, and they’ll rush in like madmen. You won’t even need to pay them compensation.”

"Yes!"

Soon, the call went to the governor's office.

The person who answered the phone was a woman, whom Julio had met before; she was a very flirtatious secretary.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Julio. The governor is currently meeting with important guests at the Lakeside Restaurant. If it’s not urgent, you can call him later.”

"It's urgent!" Julio suppressed his anger—CJNG and the state government were still cooperating and not completely controlled by drug traffickers like many cities. "It's a very important urgent matter. Tell him to find a secluded place."

"...Okay, please wait a moment."

The female secretary dared not delay and immediately went to inform Fede.

At that moment, Fied was partying at a restaurant with the state attorney general, the state public safety minister, the state health minister, and several state legislators.

A governor is not an emperor; Fid needs to balance the interests of all parties to ensure that his power can be exercised without hindrance.

Voters are an interest group, and with the economic crisis worsening, governors are forced to rely on the high profits of the drug economy to secure votes.

Of course, the local energy giants are also interest groups.

Fide is actively negotiating to secure a larger share of the lucrative oil and gas fields.

Having oil fields that hold 40% of the nation's reserves, yet being the poorest state in the country, clearly demonstrates how much of the public interest these politicians have sacrificed for their own gain.

Although the oil fields were not taken over by foreign capital, the refining technology was still in the hands of the Americans.

Selling it was easy, but now that the money is gone, getting it back isn't so easy.

The same principle applies to water resources—Concordia, which possesses enormous hydropower resources, has actually had many of them acquired by Coca-Cola.

In Concordia, where water is abundant, residents receive only 12 hours of tap water per week, and diabetes is highly prevalent.

Fede was a little unhappy about being interrupted, but when he heard that it was someone from CJNG, he could only helplessly get up and walk outside.

With neither the oil field nor the reservoir willing to relinquish their profits, CJNG is now Fide's only lifeline.

He pulled up his trousers, got up and left the restaurant, got into his car, and asked, "'Sagittarius's' husband? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Isn't the governor's information a little too slow?" Julio took a deep breath. "You can't be unaware of what's happening in San Cristós now, can you?"

Fied didn't think it was a big deal at all, and his tone was not very satisfied: "I heard that Milton's small force cut off your rear, right? Why don't you just send some people to relieve the siege?"

"So what?!" Julio gritted his teeth. "Those are our elite troops. Once San Cristo is breached, Milton will be able to advance deep into our core territory! Aren't you worried at all?"

“Milton only has this many men, they’re at best a guerrilla force, what can they do…” Fiddle really didn’t care. “Besides, didn’t I tell you to send people to relieve the siege? The state government has already been very supportive of your actions.”

At this moment, Fide even felt a little impatient.

He felt that war was still a distant matter, just a report on his desk.

It can be solved by simply signing a name.

“Not enough!” Julio’s tone became slightly agitated. “Those are Milton’s elite troops, Milton’s main force. If we can take them down, our deal will be done, and Milton will be completely driven out. But if we lose, the initiative will be completely in Milton’s hands. Do you want to see Tustra become the front line?”

Fide finally understood: "So, you want me to send people to directly assist your offensive, right?"

"Yes."

“That’s a pity, I can’t do that.” Fiddle refused decisively. “This isn’t America. The only force I can legally deploy is the state police. The military belongs to the federal government.”

“If we cooperate, it’s possible,” Julio said in a low voice. “You know our influence in the military… If your state government does a little work, transferring a few people won’t be a problem.”

"What about the insurgent guerrillas?" Fede countered. "I'm the governor, not the emperor. Do you know how many procedures I have to go through, how much benefit I have to give up, and how long it takes for me to make such a decision? Here's what we'll do: I'll give you some more pesos, some more cars, and some salvaged equipment. That's about all I can give you."

Julio's voice became somewhat urgent: "Fid! Governor! Look at the map, look at the map! Look at what lies beyond San Cristóbal if it falls! The little strength and political resources you have left cannot be compensated for even at ten times the cost later!"

"This is war, not buying vegetables at the market, not playing house!"

“I heard you studied in the United States and graduated from Duke University. You must know how many cases of ugly military failures have been caused by political infighting... Do you want to become one of them?”

“My people are carrying the burden on the front lines. We’re all in the same boat now. Why would I want to harm you? What good would it do me?”

Upon hearing this, Fede fell silent.

After carefully considering Julio's words, examining the map, and reflecting on the terrifying legends surrounding Milton, Fied was persuaded.

“That makes sense, okay… I admit you have a point. Perfect timing, I’m meeting with relevant officials and members of parliament right now, I’ll help you coordinate right away.”

Julio still didn't hang up: "No, it's too late! I told you, our reserves in San Cristós are only enough to last 15 days, and our fighting strength will only get weaker over time... 3 days, the decisive battle is in 3 days! There's not enough time for you to go through the formalities!"

"You should declare a state of emergency."

Fide gave a wry smile: "Of course I could declare a state of emergency and streamline the procedures... but I still need to talk to the stakeholders and tell them what benefits I'm prepared to concede. I can't just go back to the government building now without telling them anything, declare a state of emergency, and let everyone else see the news in the newspapers or on television, can I?"

“‘Archer,’ I listened to you this time regarding military deployments; but don’t try to tell me what to do in politics, I know more than you do.”

"Believe me, it will save you a lot of trouble in the end than not notifying them."

Julio sighed: "Alright, then let's hurry..."

Before he finished speaking, three shells with their front and rear control surfaces deployed suddenly fell from the sky at an extremely high speed.

boom! ! !
A violent explosion destroyed the Lakeside Restaurant.

The shockwave swept up various fragments, blowing them towards Fide's car and shattering the windows and windshield.

Fede was slammed against the car door. After a while, he coughed violently twice and struggled to climb out of the car.

All around were screams, chaos, and bewilderment.

When the smoke cleared, the Lakeside Restaurant was completely reduced to ruins, and the people inside had turned to ashes.

In the cell phone, which was thankfully undamaged, Julio was practically screaming, "Fied! Fied!!! What's wrong with you?"

"Speak up, speak up!!!"

"Fuck, damn it!"

"..."

After a long pause, Federer said in a daze, "This process is getting a bit complicated..."

(End of this chapter)