Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 61 Restricted Area
Milton certainly didn't expect that his battles would produce such unexpected results.

There were 15 people visiting the pharmacy, gathered in twos and threes, representing 11 nearby shops.

They were carrying either valuables or cash, their purpose quite obvious.

In the upcoming major reshuffle, only by banding together for mutual support will there be a chance to gain a foothold.

"Good morning, Mr. 'Hell Tax Collector'. We heard you've been auditing taxes lately. To avoid causing you trouble, a few of us have discussed it and decided to come and pay our taxes voluntarily. Could you please check if there's anything missing?"

Many people looked anxious, clearly confused about their future.

Milton estimated the value of these items, and each family brought about two or three hundred dollars, totaling more than three thousand five hundred dollars.

To be honest, not many.

However, the advantage lies in the fact that this tax is completely cost-free and risk-free.

Milton did not refuse the money: "Proactive, a good taxpayer, very good."

Luz, standing nearby, lowered his voice and reminded him, "Boss, these people are only trying to curry favor because they think something big might happen recently and they feel safer following you. They might have even paid protection money to Fan Kang's gang before."

"I think it's enough to just throw them out on the periphery to boost morale; we can't trust them too much."

“Of course I know that,” Milton laughed. “Loyalty can’t be cultivated in a short time, but I can cultivate a lot of enemies for them in a short time.”

Lutz was first stunned, then his eyes widened: "Holy crap... you mean they have to kill a few of Van Cam's gang members?"

“That would be too drastic, too goal-oriented. It would be creating enemies for them. We don’t need to do that much.” Milton shook his head. “When making decisions, we need to take a holistic view and think from the other party’s perspective… We think these people are disloyal and opportunistic, but does the Van Kang gang trust them and think they are loyal?”

Lutz paused for a moment: "So, all we need to do is get them to do things that don't seem so drastic to them, but are clearly hostile to the Van Cameron gang, and that's enough?"

Milton said slowly, "Yes, what can you expect from Raul, a cautious man?"

"That's ruthless..." Lutz's eyes showed awe. "Boss, what are you planning to do?"

After a moment's thought, Milton waved his hand, beckoning the fence-sitters over and giving them an order.

“Something big is going to happen in town soon. The most important thing now is to protect the old streets from being infiltrated by the enemy.”

“This is our territory, the police station, the checkpoints, and the gangs. Don’t even think about sticking your hands in here.”

“I need your help to control the movement of people in the old street by using the terrain and laying sandbag barriers or something else.”

Someone immediately asked, "What if the police come and insist on coming in?"

Milton chuckled: "Then tell him that the Van Con gang of thugs who dared to blow up police cars in the street and launch armed attacks on checkpoints are hiding in the old streets."

Then someone asked, "What if Fan Kang's gang insists on coming in?"

Milton almost rolled his eyes: "You're just going to let him in? That's a gang. If you see them, just shoot them dead and hang them on a lamppost."

“If you don’t know how to shoot, just hold them off for a bit, and my men will shoot.”

"If there's any news or disturbance, just let me know. I'll pay you according to the value of the information, it's all voluntary... Now, raise your hand if you want to join me."

No one believed the phrase "entirely voluntary," and all 15 people gently raised their hands.

At the same time, Milton glanced at the system panel—of the 15 people in front of him, 13 had been classified as informants and become teammates, while the remaining 2 had not been included.

Milton leaned down and whispered to Lutz, "Keep a close eye on the fifth and eighth from the left. If you feel threatened or think they're doing something suspicious, execute them first and then report back."

Lutz didn't ask how his boss had sensed something was wrong with the two, but simply repeated in a low voice, "I... sensed it?" "Yes, we don't have room for error."

Just as Milton was about to send these people away, a young man in the group suddenly stepped forward and whispered, "Sir, I have something else I'd like to give you."

Milton glanced at the panel, confirming that the person was still an "ally," before nodding and saying, "Let me see it."

Milton also temporarily removed the other 14 people from the room.

Soon, the man dragged in a large bag and ripped open the zipper.

Several guns were visible inside, and several round objects rolled out as well.

It was a large bag of weapons.

"Several brand-new AKMs still smelling of gun oil, with AIMS folding stocks, PSO-1 optical sights, and a whole bunch of Soviet RGN offensive grenades and RGO defensive grenades... Not bad, all good stuff."

Both types of grenades are equipped with mechanical impact fuses, detonating upon contact with the ground and giving the enemy no time to react.

The interface hasn't even opened up the exchange for these two types of "big firecrackers" yet, which shows just how powerful they are.

Its impact on Milton today is even greater!
"Now they're mine, don't worry, you'll get tax benefits that exceed their value."

The young man laughed: "They were yours to begin with, sir."

Milton looked at him for a moment, then asked, "Why?"

The young man didn't shy away from the story: "Three years ago, I had just had a child when Fan Kang's gang came, robbed my shop, and killed my wife. I called the police, and in the end, the court sentenced me to two years in prison."

“It wasn’t someone from Fan Kang’s gang who was sentenced to two years; it was me who was sentenced to two years.”

"After I was released, my child disappeared too."

“These weapons were originally intended for them. I’ve heard your story, and I believe you can use them better than I can.”

The young man spoke in a calm tone, as if he were simply recounting someone else's story.

So they were planning to die together with each other... No wonder they bought so many explosives.

Milton remained calm, but also sincerely said, "Since you've paid taxes, you have the rights of a taxpayer here... Tell me your name."

“Matto,” the young man said with a smile, “my tavern is right across the street next to the Chinese restaurant. You are all welcome to patronize it.”

Milton did not refuse: "If there is an opportunity."

Matteo then added, "Sir, there are still some people in the old street who haven't arrived yet. What are you going to do about it?"

“If they don’t make any moves, exclude them from the core area and leave them alone for now,” Milton replied. “If they do make any moves, then they’ve colluded with the Van Conn gang of thugs.”

As for the future... we'll deal with that after we've eliminated the threat from Fan Kang's gang.

Milton may not remember who paid his taxes, but he will certainly remember clearly who did not.

Milton turned and looked up, clapped his hands, signaling everyone to get moving: "Alright, get moving. Remember, the entire Old Street, Van Cameron gang and dogs... and police are not allowed in!"

Of course, Brandon is an exception.

"Oh, and remember to subscribe to the midday newspaper for me."

(End of this chapter)