From Gotham to Night City, my infamy is known to all.

"He took office at the beginning of this year. He was a self-taught sales manager. As soon as he took office, he carried out massive layoffs, cutting not only half of the police inspectors but also half of the patrol officers. The NCPD's emergency number was also changed to a pay-per-minute number, costing five euros per minute. Even so, the first quarter financial report did not turn a profit. The intelligence analysis department described him as 'pure incompetence'."

Leo smiled and nodded: "Maybe it's precisely because he's useless that he got this position."

Li Qixuan laughed along. The big companies knew perfectly well who the financial backers of NCPD were, and they couldn't wait for them to continue their decline.

Afterwards, Leo made a brief phone call to the new director and arranged to meet him at the Grand Empire Mall.

While waiting, he took the outgoing Li Qixuan for a stroll around the neighborhood.

Li Qixuan looked at the animal gang members who were engrossed in their work and whispered a reminder: "It's fine if you take the animal gang under your wing. But you have to be careful. These people are out of their minds from the drugs they've been given, and they're impulsive and easily angered. They're not the best candidates for workers."

“I know, I’ve also prepared other jobs for them, jobs that will better utilize their strengths. Putting that aside for now, look at this stone lion. I never expected to see Chinese architectural decorations here in Taipingzhou.”

Leo had many negative comments about the Grand Empire Department Store, but only three positive ones.

These are: the large amusement park rides at the back of the mall; the enormous building area; and this stone lion painted with copper!

Li Qixuan's gaze fell on the bronze lion, and he quickly realized something. He then shifted his gaze to his right and shook his head.

“Your guardian lion is not right. According to feng shui, stone lions must be in pairs. The left one is yang, the male lion, and the right one is yin, the female lion. You only have one female lion left, which is yin over yang.”

He does not mean that.

Leo's gaze suddenly fell on his face, suspecting that he was dissing him.

What audacity! How dare you speak so presumptuously about the affairs of the imperial family!

There are indeed more female members in the Immortal Squad, but this is... well, a coincidence of fate, not something that was caused by human intervention!

Fearing that Li Qixuan might say something inappropriate that could disrupt the harmony of his household, he immediately agreed, "That's right. I'll have someone make a new pair of guardian lions today to replace this lonely one."

Li Qixuan estimated the size of the stone lions and suggested that Kang Tao could make a pair for him, which would arrive this afternoon.

Leo declined, but then he suddenly had a brilliant idea to show off his wealth.

Middlemen flaunt their wealth to earn the respect of mercenaries and new clients. Similarly, companies need to flaunt their wealth to demonstrate their financial strength and avoid being exposed by their competitors.

With Deep Blue in hand, he can easily create some amazing new toys at rock-bottom prices!

Chapter 406 Leo: "Put a chain around the NCPD's neck!"

After spending fifteen minutes strolling around the Grand Empire Mall with Li Qixuan, Bertrand Kollridge, the current director of the NCPD, arrived late.

This is a good-looking white man, who looks to be around forty years old. His hairstyle and makeup have a style reminiscent of American Hollywood stars from the 80s.

His first impression of Leo was that he was charming and eloquent.

After both sides introduced themselves, he immediately showered them with compliments, praising not only Li Ao, but also Li Qixuan, Kangtao Company, and Xu Shiming.

When Leo pointed to the Grand Empire Shopping Mall and told him that Blue Dream Company would be opening there the next day, he showed a very strange expression for a moment.

Three parts astonishment, three parts surprise, and four parts incomprehension.

"Should we set up the company headquarters in Taipingzhou?"

Kollridge hesitated,

"Forgive my bluntness, but the security situation here isn't good. Although you've eliminated the Voodoo Gang, you can't eliminate the Haitian Voodoo cult. As soon as those people catch their breath, they'll quickly incite riots, just like six years ago..."

Leo nodded in agreement and stated frankly, "There are indeed such security risks in Pacific Island, which is why we need the NCPD's help."

Kollridge froze, his previous composure turning into utter astonishment: "Us?"

“Yes!” Leo affirmed loudly. “Blue Dream Company has already reached a cooperation agreement with the municipal government to orderly restore various municipal services in Taipingzhou. As law enforcement agencies, the NCPD is naturally an indispensable part of this process.”

"Well... well, it's certainly a good thing that Taipingzhou is back under government control, and the NCPD will give its full support. However... since the NCPD's budget was cut, it has been mired in a debt crisis, and we simply can't spare any more manpower..."

Seemingly to prove that what he said was true, he revealed from several practical angles the problems that the NCPD was facing, such as the high rate of personnel loss, the low utilization rate of equipment, and the lack of funds to maintain the number of police officers.

Finally, in a relatively polite tone, the conclusion was drawn: there was no money, because without money they couldn't recruit people or buy equipment, and because without people they couldn't expand their patrol area. In short, they had the will to kill the thieves, but no power to turn the tide.

It sounded reasonable, but it was also a tactful way of rejecting Leo's suggestion.

Leo silently shook his head, knowing that anything involving the word "private" in a law enforcement agency like a police station was bound to be bad.

That's understandable, though. Even the old American police department would prioritize protecting wealthy neighborhoods and neglect poor neighborhoods due to funding issues, let alone the real "corporate dogs" of 2077.

Fortunately, he is also the person in charge of the company and is willing to keep such a useful group of "police dogs".

"I know that NCPD officers have a tough job, having to outwit and outmaneuver lawbreakers in Night City every day..."

Kollridge nodded repeatedly as he spoke, thinking the matter was about to be resolved, but then he abruptly changed the subject...

"But Taipingzhou urgently needs the NCPD to be stationed there to reassure the anxious locals. So, Blue Dream Company is willing to become a sponsor of the NCPD and contribute to the safety of Night City and the brave NCPD officers."

Um! ?

Kohlrich's eyes lit up suddenly, and the corners of his mouth turned up in his usual habit, revealing the enthusiastic smile of a top salesman.

They are the funders!

He smelled the aroma of money!

Although he was appointed police chief with a mission, as the highest-paid person in the entire NCPD, he naturally had an instinctive desire to earn more money.

"Oh! It's so touching that you're so understanding of our difficulties! Although matters related to funding should be discussed with the business cooperation department of the police station, I still hope to reach a preliminary consensus with you first. What are your thoughts?"

The sales manager's ability to use honorifics with someone more than twenty years younger than himself truly impressed Leo.

Looking at the estimated total annual budget for the NCPD in pure white, he gave a reasonable amount: "2500 million euros per quarter, totaling 1 million euros per year. That should be enough to maintain the basic police force in the Pacific region."

Upon hearing this number, Kollridge's smile became even more genuine.

Since the city government cut funding to the NCPD, the NCPD's annual budget has been reduced to around one billion euros, most of which has been used to pay off corporate debt, maintain the operation of the Terrorist Response Team, and pay outsourcing fees.

Besides these expenses, the bureau also has more than 2000 employees to support, so it's really stretched thin.

If he could get 1 million in funding from Lan Meng every year, not to mention anything else, he and other senior police officers could advance together!

No problem, this is negotiable!

"Once again, thank you very much for your support and understanding. I wonder what your vision for the police deployment in Taipingzhou is?"

Leo knew that the other party was inclined to agree and wanted to hear his terms.

“It’s very simple. A large part of Taipingzhou’s land has been taken over by Dogtown, and the urban area is much smaller than other areas. I think having more than a hundred people stationed at the precinct is enough to stabilize the situation. My Freedom Wings is also a militia organization, and with their assistance, the police officers’ work will be much easier.”

At first, Coleridge thought that a hundred-plus people were too few and wouldn't be enough to control Pacific Island, which was known for its high crime rate and chaos. But when he heard that the Wings of Liberty would be "helping" and that the officers' job would be "easier," he understood what Leo meant.

It seems that the NCPD is just a figurehead here; the Blue Dream Company still calls the shots in Taipingzhou.

With such a group of "militia" members equipped with fully intelligent weapons, it will be very difficult to gain any benefits or make extra money in Taipingzhou. It's a tough job...

He immediately excluded his own cronies, wanting to pass this lousy job to officers with no connections and who were not well-liked, such as the old subordinates left behind by his predecessor.

Just then, Leo suddenly said, "Actually, I have someone I like, but I don't know if he's suitable."

Kollridge's eyes flickered: "Go ahead, I'll listen."

"Inspector Stings Curry."

Of all the police officers Leo knew, only this cold-faced middle-aged man had a decent personality and job.

“Inspector Stings…” Kollridge had to admit that the name was unfamiliar. “Let me look it up in a moment.”

His prosthetic eye lit up as he quickly browsed the police department's internal database.

Stings Curry, a marginalized figure with no connections and little intelligence. He served as a detective for many years and was recently promoted to inspector for his meritorious service in the operation to eliminate the Cleaners in Watson District.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the cleaner incident was related to this person in front of him, so that's when he made contact and found a backer.

What a lucky guy.

According to internal assessments, Stings was indeed a rare "good cop," but not a good subordinate—because he didn't know how to make money.

Only a young man fresh out of police academy would admire his righteous law enforcement style.

A terrible job and a useless subordinate—a perfect match!

Upon closer inspection, oh ho, this person is indeed in Taiping Continent. Only the most ostracized and unlucky souls with no backing are sent to Taiping Continent to carry out missions.

Coleridge smiled: "I never expected that the hardworking Stings would meet such a benefactor as you. Please wait a moment, he is in Taipingzhou, I will call him here right away!"

Ten minutes later, a bewildered Stings appeared before them.

L ...

That face is unforgettable.

He was accompanied by the delivery expert, but the other two were quite remarkable: the director of the NCPD and a high-ranking official from Contau.

He remembered that the two first met in Chinatown in Watson District, where the other person looked like a rich young man who had just arrived.

The second time was near a rioting nightclub, where he stepped in to help and repel the Tiger Claw gang, but he also had a female celebrity tied up in his car.

This was the third formal meeting, and the people around him had already changed to important figures from Night City…

“Inspector Stings, it’s been a long time. Jack will be happy to see you.”

Leo casually greeted him.

"Hmm...long time no see."

Stings hesitated, feeling that what the other person said was not quite right.

Didn't you see that "red-haired old friend" looking so resistant? It was practically written all over his face: "Don't talk to me, don't look at me."

Kohlrich didn't take it to heart, patted Stins on the shoulder and praised, "Inspector Stins is a veteran in the police department. He's been on the front lines of the Watson District for years, truly an elite among elites!"

"..."

Stins glanced sideways at the bureau chief, who only had eyes for the euro, and was genuinely surprised that the other party actually thought so highly of him.

After praising him at length, Coleridge immediately said that he thought Inspector Stings was capable of leading the team to guard Taipingzhou!

Leo nodded in agreement, and the matter was settled amidst the bewilderment of the parties involved.

Police Inspector Stins was promoted to Police Superintendent Stins, and his jurisdiction was transferred from Watson District to Taiping Island. He was also given a dilapidated NCPD branch office as a bonus!

Stings was stunned by the win; his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak...

The other two, however, had no time to pay him any attention. They quickly finalized the cooperation agreement between NCPD and Lanmeng Company, and the official signing would take place tomorrow on the auspicious occasion of Lanmeng Company's opening, witnessed by media reporters and VIPs!

Kollridge repeatedly assured that he would transfer the most righteous and approachable officers from the police department to this location to assist Blue Dream Company in managing Taipingzhou.

Leo was very satisfied; these were exactly the kind of "good cops" he wanted.

If we can control this group of people, we will have a better chance of changing the bad practices of the NCPD in one fell swoop.

Thus, he became a major financial backer of the NCPD, successfully putting a chain around their necks.

After chatting for about ten minutes, Coleridge noticed that Leo had lost interest in the conversation and wisely took his leave.

After he left, Leo conveyed his governance philosophy to Stins, and then sent this lucky guy who had risen to the top overnight away. He told him to first look through the police roster and find more reliable and good police officers, and not corrupt ones.

Stings came and went in a daze, completely bewildered.

What happened today was so bizarre that he couldn't immediately accept such an absurd reality.

Chapter 407 Calling for Friends and Accompaniment

After the two NCPD officers left, Li Qixuan also took his leave:

"There's trouble again on Arasaka's side. The director of the counterintelligence department has made a formal request for a meeting with Kang Tao, and the wording is very harsh."

Of course, we all know this is just a smokescreen. He probably intends to take advantage of the fact that everyone's attention will be focused on Lanmeng Company tomorrow to defect.

Leo agreed with his assessment. Counting the days, today was the tenth day of the pledge. Jenkins and the counterintelligence department only had five days left before they were all doomed. It was time for them to take action.

This also means that the V-Shock III that he has been longing for is finally coming!

The time for the convergence of the three Vs is approaching; he is only one step away from attaining immortality!

In a daze, he saw Li Qixuan off, and then V noticed his unusual emotions.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly so agitated?"

Leo snapped out of his reverie and said to cover it up, "Just thinking about all the changes that the company's establishment will bring tomorrow makes me so excited that I can't contain myself."

Intuition tells me... Pass!

V's guard lifted, and his attention shifted: "I never thought that old man Stins would rise in status along with us. Fate is truly wondrous..."

She was relieved that Stings hadn't spoken to her earlier, otherwise she wouldn't have known how to respond.

The delivery girl and the miserable detective of yesteryear have now transformed into a renowned mercenary and a police superintendent managing the entire region.

Life is truly full of drama…