Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 71 Does he even deserve to be called the Godfather?

Varta was initially extremely surprised, then her face twisted in anger as she finally couldn't hold back the rage that had been building up inside her.

"Peace talks?!"

"After killing my people, robbing me, and ruining my business, he dares to talk to me about 'peace'?!"

"He stole it from me!!!"

Varta's anger echoed in the empty chapel.

Pedro gave a wry smile: "But that's the truth. Several of my informants have reported the same signal, so it shouldn't be fake news."

Varta sneered: "Milton is such a professional, such a ruthless man—he even built barricades in the old streets, and you're telling me he suddenly wants to negotiate peace? Even if he does want to negotiate peace, why should I agree?"

“Milton’s meaning is simple: his influence must also be a link in our chain of interests… To put it bluntly, he wants to share our resources,” Pedro sighed and explained. “He doesn’t seem to be really crazy; he’s just trying to prove his power and worth.”

"Yes, who would really want to fight and kill if they could make money peacefully?"

Varta was silent for a moment, then looked at Pedro, his tone ambiguous: "It seems you're quite interested in negotiating with him? Have you forgotten how many of your men he killed? Have you forgotten how he humiliated you at the garbage disposal plant?"

"He returned what he stole from us, compensated us for our losses, and we were already being merciful by sparing his life and letting him leave Malakan alive... And he still wants to interfere in our business? Are you really that cowardly?"

Pedro pressed his forehead: "Milton and I have only a minor conflict, nothing more than deep hatred. He has such power, why can't we cooperate? Are we really going to launch a full-scale attack on him? How many men would we lose, how much money would we miss out on?"

If Van Conn and Milton were sworn enemies, and Varta and Milton had a deep-seated grudge, then the police department and Milton could only be said to have some minor conflicts.

It was just the loss of a few police cars and a few corrupt police officers on the periphery.

Besides, Pedro also seriously injured Brandon, which can be considered revenge for the past.

There were no serious injuries or major deaths on either side.

It's entirely negotiable.

Pedro began to waver when the cost of attacking Milton outweighed the cost of sharing business with him.

Different factions within the same interest group also have their own considerations.

“Impossible,” Varta coldly refused. “If we compromise today, tomorrow there will be a second, a third, a fourth Milton… Are we going to compromise every single time?”

“Do you know what’s going on outside? They’re saying a godfather named Milton has appeared in the black market of the old streets.”

“Malakhan is a small town, too small to accommodate a so-called ‘godfather,’ let alone more.”

“Pedro, don’t tell me you’re afraid of this stinking rat that we can crush so easily.”

Pedro really wanted to say that it would be a miracle if one madman like Milton appeared even once in ten years...

It wouldn't be difficult to crush Milton if one really wanted to—spend a lot of money, utilize the network of relationships built up over many years, seek help from other forces in the interest chain, or even directly hire mercenaries.

The fact that he could act so brazenly in the small town is enough to show that the name "Pedro" represents much more than just him.

Is the cost of a relentless, all-out attack really less than that of recruiting Milton?
Economic losses, loss of manpower, loss of connections, loss of status, and even the possibility of having one's business share seized by others.

It would be better to recruit Milton.

However… after all, the checkpoint is the hub of this chain of interests, and at least in Malakan, Varta is the de facto leader of this chain. Since his attitude is so firm, there's really nothing that can be done.

“Fine, so you’re going to refuse to negotiate and just start fighting?” Pedro shrugged helplessly. “I can only send three people at most. You know the police station’s equipment isn’t good, and I don’t have many men.”

Varta suppressed his anger: "Your share isn't small, why don't you get more good equipment? Why recruit more trusted men?"

Pedro's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction: "How I use my money is my own business. Besides, you're under pressure, and so am I. If I lose too many men, do you think I can hold onto my position as police chief?"

The reason for not buying equipment is too simple—just a few good guns, some accessories, and some bullets can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Not to mention equipment like bulletproof vests.

Equipping just two or three people might cost $10!
With that kind of money, how many luxury cars could you buy, how many villas could you build, how many women could you support, and how many luxury goods could you buy?
As for equipment, a few rifles, a few cannons, and maybe two machine guns at most, that's enough to intimidate people.

If someone dies, you can just call them back. There's absolutely no need to turn your Dodge charger into a fancy gun—isn't the TEC-9 perfectly fine?
Varta was almost driven mad by Pedro's stupidity, but after his anger subsided, he actually calmed down.

"Alright, since you're so eager for peace talks, then let's talk."

Fan Kang's gang has fallen out, and the police department doesn't want to help. He can defeat Milton on his own, but the cost is too high.

"However, it is impossible for him to devour our interests."

How can we negotiate a settlement without sacrificing our interests?

Pedro perked up immediately: "How so?"

“We agreed to let him join our chain of interests, but he must compensate us for our previous losses. We told him $50 upfront, and the bottom line was $30 – he has that much money.”

"If he's not even willing to offer this much compensation, it shows he has no sincerity in negotiating, and in that case, we'll have no choice but to fight."

“As long as we can bring him into our system, we won’t need to use force to deal with him anymore. I have a million ways to slowly wear him down.”

Pedro's eyes lit up: "$50?"

Varta's forehead veins bulged: "The vast majority of this money is my loss, and I plan to temporarily hire a batch of cannon fodder to strengthen our forces for a short time. Repairing relations with the Van Kang gang also requires money, so I won't share it."

Upon hearing that there was no way to split the money, Pedro's enthusiasm waned considerably. He waved his hand and said, "Fine, let's do it your way... But are you sure this will work? What if Milton really secures his position in our group?"

“No way,” Varta said coldly. “$30 is no small sum for him; it would be a huge financial blow. Besides, if he agrees to negotiations, his team will be effectively disbanded.”

"At that time, we can deal with Milton however we want."

"Milton's ambitions are too great; he must die!"

Pedro listened and nodded in full agreement: "Good...okay, I agree, let's do it that way!"

“What you can’t get on the battlefield, you can’t get at the negotiating table either,” Varta continued. “If you’re unwilling to send someone to the negotiation site to oversee the fight against Milton, you can’t just shirk your responsibility, can you?”

If there are only a few scattered people, would a madman like Milton be afraid?

“No problem.” Pedro patted his chest. “That day, I can send three vehicles and 15… no, 20 men, all armed. If you send a few more, you won’t be afraid of failing to intimidate Milton.”

“Alright, then tell Milton that he can join us, but he has to pay compensation.” Varta got up and left. “I’m going back to the checkpoint first… I have a bunch of mess to deal with.”

(End of this chapter)