CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: SO LIVELY

It wasn’t until Ethan arrived at the underground of the Hotel of the Beautiful Shell that he finally understood why the Corleone family wanted to swallow this not-so-prominent hotel in the North District.

It’s definitely not as simple as taking advantage of the chaos.

What unfolded before Ethan was a massive private alcohol manufacturing plant.

The Bolita Clan already had fake alcohol manufacturing operations, which was previously just a way to mix and make a profit.

Now, this factory has become the strongest heart of the bootlegging business.

Endless streams of bootleg liquor would be produced from here.

No wonder the Corleone family was envious.

Their family had been established in Wenster for many years, nearly washed clean, and had abandoned many businesses, such as fake alcohol, which they previously despised. Their luxury hotels were known for serving only genuine and famous wines.

Now, they are somewhat regretting it.

No one predicted the prohibition would be enacted.

After Francis was eliminated, this place was handed over to Virel for management.

He was originally involved in tavern operations, so taking over this business was quite a natural fit.

Regarding the dockyard business, he intends to personally manage it for now.

During this era, a dockyard is the key to unlocking the door to golden riches; whoever owns the dockyard can reap enormous wealth in this bootlegging wave.

"How much money do we have in the account now?"

After a bloody storm, the real issue is the core.

And this core is money.

Making bootleg liquor costs money, settling various relationships costs money, arming more gunmen costs money—there are simply too many places that require money.

"One million three hundred thousand Golden Rye, we can hold on for the short term, but if we want to increase production and distribution later, it might be tight."

Golden Rye is the official currency of the Antustat Kingdom, named after the first King of the Kingdom, whose portrait is also printed on the coins.

"Doesn’t my father have several properties in the Royal Capital? Sell them all, as long as we can ship out the first batch, money will come flowing."

Ethan thought for a moment. He couldn’t go to the Royal Capital in the short term, so rather than leaving those properties idle, he might as well sell them.

He can buy back more in the future.

As Ethan inspected the bootlegging factory, he casually picked up a newly produced bottle of alcohol and took a sip.

The taste was indescribable, akin to poison.

He spat it out directly, saying, "Will this stuff really not kill people?"

"Don’t worry, Mr. Bolita, absolutely not. I swear on my mentor’s name, at most it just tastes bad. No one would drink this stuff before, but now, as long as it’s alcohol, someone will definitely pay for it, right?"

A middle-aged man with a sly appearance, a few strands of hair left on his bald head, oversized teeth, and a skinny physique, rubbed his hands with a flattering smile and looked at Ethan.

This man is the head of the bootlegging factory, Walt Jones. Although he doesn’t have notable looks, his level of making fake alcohol is very high. He was reportedly a top student at a well-known university.

"Is there no way to improve it?"

"Currently, this flavor is the only option due to cost. To taste better would require more money."

"Make efforts to improve it, Walt. If you can make the alcohol taste better at low cost, I will give you a three percent cut of the profit per batch."

For now, any alcohol can sell, but as more people enter this business, the taste of the alcohol is surely a critical factor. Good tasting and cheap will be the ultimate answer.

Ethan doesn’t have a better solution for now. In his previous life, he wasn’t a brewing expert himself, so he could only hope for this sly bootleg master.

"Yes, of course, Mr. Bolita, thank you for your generosity. I will do my best!"

Walt listened with glowing eyes and couldn’t help rubbing his hands.

After leaving the bootlegging factory, Ethan took a car towards the dockyard.

The dock has not been operative since Tony’s death, and today he is going to deal with this matter.

He has already assembled everyone at the dockyard, the power has been established, now it’s time to show favor.

"Is the money ready?" Ethan looked out the car window and asked.

"Four hundred thousand, all ready. It’s enough for their year’s salary," Anya answered without hesitation.

She is indeed an exceptionally competent assistant; she can always complete any task assigned by Ethan with utmost efficiency.

"How do you feel? Any insights?"

Ethan’s question was about her true name, the Black Butler.

Anya understood immediately. She thought for a moment and said, "Speed and reaction have improved, strength has increased, and most importantly, I’ve mastered many techniques I couldn’t figure out before. I can now eliminate ten of my former selves."

"Keep summarizing; I need to know more detailed information."

Ethan himself knows little about true names, but now with Anya as a reference, he certainly intends to make the most of it.

Soon, Dock No.13 was reached.

A lot of people had already gathered at the dock, and upon seeing Ethan’s vehicle, they automatically made way.

The car Ethan drove had become quite famous, ’When a car resembling a long spear arrives, it means Ethan Polleta has arrived,’ described a very popular paper in Wenster.

When Ethan stepped out of his car, the noise outside quieted down, and many people lowered their heads subconsciously.

There was no other way; Ethan’s fierce reputation was too notable.

Just a couple of days ago, their boss Tony died right in front of them.

No one knows how this new big boss will treat them.

Fortunately, they soon found out the answer to the question.

As they stepped into the largest warehouse at the dockyard, the new big boss who had been a figure of great influence recently in Wenster opened a box, revealing it filled with money.

"Everyone, first I must apologize to you; the family encountered some issues recently, causing the dock to stop working, and everyone has been suffering losses. That was the family’s fault. Fortunately, those minor issues have been resolved, and now, good days are here again. I promise that operations will start today, and I will compensate everyone for these days’ losses in the family name. Now, come and collect your money."

Ethan spoke and poured out all the money from the box onto the table, then uncharacteristically boldly stomped on the table with a rough demeanor.

This action instantly reassured the members at the dockyard in the warehouse, making them feel at ease.

Soon, someone stepped forward to take the money Ethan handed him. He only glanced at it and started breathing heavily; it was an amount he couldn’t earn in a year.

He couldn’t help shouting out with the money raised in his hand, "Start work!"

Ethan shouted along.

Soon, the entire warehouse was filled with chants like ’start work,’ ’Bolita,’ and ’long live,’ echoing throughout.

The atmosphere was extremely heated.

But at that moment, the warehouse door was suddenly forced open, and someone said in an eerily sarcastic tone, "What a lively scene."