The Creators: From Night City

Jack's family business.

"Look who's back, the great Jack Wills." As soon as we entered the door, the bartender greeted us enthusiastically.

"Okay, Pepi, my mom isn't here, is she?" Jack looked around, afraid that Mrs. Wells would suddenly appear.

"Mrs. Wells just went back." Pepi said as he was about to pour wine for Jack and Valerie, but Jack stopped him.

"The priest is there. I have an appointment with him to discuss something."

"Upstairs, the priest's driver, Marcus, is so big you can definitely spot him at a glance."

"Thanks, Peppy."

The priest's real name is Sebastian Ibarra. This former priest of the Valentino Gang, after experiencing a bloody baptism, converted to a more noble profession: middleman.

He is almost considered the most powerful middleman in Shanghai Wood.

The priest is quite old, with a Mediterranean hairstyle and wearing an old-fashioned knitted sweater almost all year round. He looks like a harmless old man, but the tattoos on his arms and neck show that he is a "ruthless man from Tongliao".

"Jack, I haven't seen you for a long time. I heard recently that you were hanging out with Anti-Entropy."

"Good evening, Father." Jack was still very respectful to the senior man.

"Just trying to make a living."

"This is the employer we're trying to gather information about." The priest looked at Valerie. "I didn't expect she's a company employee."

Valerie didn't want to play along, so she got straight to the point and said coldly, "Hello, Father, wouldn't a middleman have to verify the buyer's identity when doing business?"

"Of course not," the priest replied in his characteristic old man's drawl.

"It's just that I grew up watching Jack, and I need to be responsible to him and his mother."

"The mayor's murder is a major turbulence. Whenever politics is involved, nothing good can happen. You'd better know what you're doing, Jack." Halfway through his words, the priest turned to Jack and tried to persuade him.

"Of course, of course, we are just playing supporting role, there is no danger." Jack could only say perfunctorily.

"Heh." The priest could see that the other party was insincere, but he could only smile and shake his head.

"The information you asked for." The priest waved his hand, and the burly driver and bodyguard Marcus took out a chip and placed it in front of Jack.

"Thank you, Father. How much does the information cost?"

"1500 Euros is just some logistical support information for the city government. It's not worth much." As an old-school middleman, the priest naturally insisted on the principle of settling accounts clearly between brothers.

"If you encounter something you can't solve, don't force it, Jack. Haven't you been close to Anti-Entropy recently? Ms. Gloria's energy is beyond your imagination." The priest finally gave his own opinion, which can be said to be his best efforts.

As Jack thanked him, the priest went downstairs and the information soon reached Valerie.

"How is it? Did you gain anything?" Jack asked expectantly.

"The bartenders and the entire catering team were contracted to a professional banquet service contractor, the Night City branch of LCC (Luxe Catering Collective). They're a long-established contractor, having handled national diplomatic banquets, the inauguration of the new US president, and multinational summits."

"What does this mean, V?" Jack was a little confused by the bunch of nouns Valerie said.

Valerie's expression was grim. "This means it's becoming very difficult to obtain personnel information through conventional means. LCC's information security level is very strict. After all, their clients are all large companies and government departments."

"So what should we do next?"

"Use some unconventional means."

Jack shrugged. "That's all I can do."

"Where is this LCC?" Jack sat on the sofa and watched Valerie constantly contacting other people there.

Although she cannot use the company's resources, as the second-in-command of the Arasaka Counterintelligence Group, her connections cannot be underestimated.

"Company Plaza. This company uses our company's security plan. I'll try to get the contact information of their internal personnel through someone."

Compared to the marginal walkers who always use force to solve problems, Valerie from the counterintelligence team is more accustomed to solving problems through means such as bribery, threats, and exchange of interests. Violence can only be regarded as a last resort and cannot be listed as a common means.

Jack's hands slumped, "Your business is up to you."

Chapter 429 After the Mayor's Death

The aftermath of the mayor's assassination is still brewing. Arasaka's agents are running around the city, causing panic among the people. The NCPD's stock price, which was already extremely low, continues to plummet.

The mayor can die, but it cannot prevent everyone from continuing to make money.

So Jerry Forte, the helmsman of NCPD, decisively launched a plan to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

That means large-scale layoffs.

The first area to be abandoned was the Coronado Ranch area on the edge of the city. Of course, the NCPD could not directly admit to giving up the security and stability in this area, which was also not good for the stock price of NCPD. They simply reduced the frequency of police officers' daily patrols and calls in preparation for layoffs, although this actually did not happen very often.

However, this area did not become chaotic, nor did it become the second Taiping State. Ultimately, it was supported by the "Workers' Mutual Aid Association" in secret.

As the main recruitment area for [Anti-Entropy], the public security here is surprisingly good. The Six Street Gang gave up this territory, and the scavengers were slaughtered like pigs every day. After these two big scourges disappeared, the only ones left were some small thugs who appeared in the streets from time to time, and they were harmless at all.

Apart from the fact that the economy is still not doing well and the streets are dilapidated and look like an urban village, the living conditions of the residents are several times better than before.

At least the vast majority of unemployed workers can find a job to make a living.

But NCPD Coronado Ranch Division Chief Lakely Song has been scratching his head lately.

As a newly appointed leader with a lingering conscience, he couldn't bear to see his subordinates forced into unemployment, left without clothes or food. As a publicly listed company, NCPD's layoffs were designed to improve the financial statements, so severance pay was naturally minimal, and every possible savings was sought.

The leaders above treat the lower-level employees as ants, but he, a director who climbed up from the bottom, naturally would not do that, so he tried his best to find a way out for his brothers.

After much thought, he came up with the most effective solution, which was to seek help from Godfather Jiang Bingjiang.

He met the other party smoothly at the Coronado Farm, the headquarters of the 'Workers Mutual Aid Association'.

After some negotiations, hundreds of former NCPD police officers who were about to be laid off found new jobs. It was indeed easy for [Anti-Entropy] to place these ready-made talents.

Not to mention that the car manufacturing plant from Mr. Blue Eyes is in urgent need of personnel to fill the framework, just as the "Workers Mutual Aid Association" gradually controls most of the Coronado Farm territory, [Anti-Entropy] still needs more people to maintain law and order.

After all, the NCPD can ignore it, but [Anti-Entropy] can't just watch Coronado Ranch fall into chaos.

After all, this place has essentially belonged to [Anti-Entropy].

Jiang Bing’s idea is very simple.

If NCPD can’t pay the salaries, [Anti-Entropy] will do it. If NCPD can’t maintain the public security, [Anti-Entropy] will do it.

With these former police officers who are very familiar with the local "ecology" of Coronado Ranch, [Anti-Entropy] only needs to upgrade their firepower equipment, and they can still continue to do their old job and even do it better.

After all, when I was working at the NCPD in the past, I had to consider the impact of law enforcement, and I always had to abide by the law when handling cases. Now it’s different. Law enforcement only requires considering the intensity, and handling cases only requires paying attention to the warmth. I can guarantee that the lawbreakers will be beaten to the point of crying for their parents.

Of course, it is impossible to publicize it so blatantly to the outside world. Jiang Bing needs to set up a legal security company as a cover, just like Arasaka did before.

This will also help promote subsequent development. Perhaps when NCPD sees that Jiang Bing's social stability maintenance is good and cheap, they will do the math and outsource the basic security of the entire Night City to [Anti-Entropy].

After all, this kind of thing has happened in the world before, and as a listed company, NCPD might really do this in order to pursue profits and cut costs.

Make money, not shabby.

Just as Jiang Bing and Old Logan were discussing future development plans, an invitation to a meeting suddenly interrupted their conversation.

Xiongguo Street, super skyscraper H7 is completely different from other super skyscrapers. It is composed of three skyscrapers placed side by side. It covers a vast area, has a huge number of residents and a complex structure. It can be said to be a city within a city, a living three-dimensional city.

On the rooftop of a skyscraper, Mr. Blue Eyes stood next to a pile of abandoned pipe equipment, looking out at the busy Arasaka Industrial Park to the northwest.

"Can't you choose a place with lower terrain to meet?" Jiang Bing, who had traveled a long distance, couldn't help but complain.

"Only when you stand high can you see far." Mr. Blue Eyes said meaningfully.

"You need good eyesight too." Jiang Bing looked at the other person's blue eyes and couldn't help but teasing.

"What do you want from me this time?"

"He did a great job with Independence Hall. It was neat and efficient, achieving multiple goals at once. He was as efficient as a seasoned politician."

Mr. Blue Eyes shifted his gaze from the Arasaka Industrial Park to the Jianli Company's park further away.

"You didn't call me here just to praise me in person, did you?"

"Of course, I have something important to talk to you about."

"You still remember what I said, even though Lucius is dead, his political legacy will not die so easily."

"His most loyal lackey, Wilton Holt, has inherited much of his political legacy and is using it to try to be elected mayor and reshuffle the city council."

"Isn't this a good thing for you? I don't believe you won't take this opportunity to place your own people there."

"Risks and opportunities coexist, Sable. The secret of politics is balance. Wilton Holt is too strong, and as the successor to Lucius's faction, he is clearly unsuitable to continue to rule Night City."

Looking at the blue-eyed gentleman who had revealed his purpose, Jiang Bing said bluntly, "I'm a straightforward person. Do you want Holt to die suddenly? I can do this job, but I'll pay you more."

"The secret of politics is balance." Mr. Blue Eyes reiterated his previous point.

"Hot can't die yet, but it's best if he's just a runner-up in this mayoral election. With him in the deputy mayor position, Arasaka can stay put in the company square."

"And replace the mayor with your man, right? Jefferson Perales, who's been on TV a lot lately, is a good fit. I guess you're behind this."

Mr. Lan Yinjing just smiled and didn't answer.

Jiang Bing did not ask any further questions. After all, he always believed that if you want to truly understand a person, you should not look at what he says, but what he does.

After dealing with Mr. Blue Eyes for so long, Jiang Bing discovered that his starting point was basically to make Night City better, get rid of the control of the company, and improve the quality of life of city residents.

Knowing this is often enough.

"Javier Alvarado, former advisor to the mayor of Night City and formerly of the Valentino Gang." Mr. Blue Eyes stated his purpose.

Chapter 430: The Conflict of War

The moment Jiang Bing heard the name, his inhuman brain immediately retrieved a related memory.

"Night City is really small. I've met him once before."

"What's up with him."

"That makes things easier." Mr. Blue Eyes smiled.

"He has dirt on Lucius. I personally believe that besides the evidence of corruption and bribery against our beloved mayor, he probably also has evidence of Lucius and Arasaka's many shady dealings."

"Then he is not far from death." Jiang Bing expressed his opinion.

"A man is innocent unless he possesses a treasure (Chinese)"

The strength of Mr. Blue Eyes lies not only in his wide range of contacts, but also in his almost seamless understanding of the meaning expressed in Jiang Bing's concise words.

"He can't die yet." Mr. Blue Eyes emphasized.

"Wilton Holt wants what's in his hand, and I need it too."

"I understand. Our upright deputy mayor needs to use it to better inherit the mayor's political 'legacy'." Jiang Bing emphasized the word 'legacy' at the end of the sentence, fearing that the other party would not understand.

"And you, our dear uncrowned king of Night City, will need to use it to further dismantle Lucius's legacy, right?"

At this point, Jiang Bing thought of another possibility. "As Lucius's lackey, this Holt probably has some bad behavior. I bet Javier has evidence of his corruption and bribery."

"So, in the upcoming mayoral election, this thing will also be a good weapon for public opinion, right?"

Mr. Blue Eyes looked at Jiang Bing and said, "I thought that with your personality, you wouldn't think about these things."

Jiang Bing responded with a perfunctory fake smile.

"I hope you can move quickly. Holt has already started to act."

"I may not be as good as you at hanging out with these insects in the political cesspool, but when it comes to kidnapping people, I think you can put your mind at ease."

"That's why I came to you."

"But I have a request." Jiang Bing put forward his request.

"You help me and I help you." Mr. Blue Eyes expressed his attitude calmly.

"After this is done, I'll help Anti-Entropy run a city council seat. I may not play with you, but I'll at least watch how you play."

"I thought you were not interested in politics." Mr. Blue Eyes laughed dumbly, but still nodded in agreement. After all, there were plenty of seats in the city hall. Apart from the key positions, it would not be a big deal to take out a seat.

"Then it's a deal."

…………

Sometimes, enemies are more convincing than friends.

The night in Night City really goes well with rainy days.

The bitter and toxic rain hit the glass and meandered down the car window, distorting the neon lights coming in from outside the window into a misty fog.

"I'm so sorry, V. The boss called me suddenly, so I had to go over first." Jack sat in the passenger seat and kept apologizing.