Old Gods, Rapid-Fire Guns, and Prohibition

Chapter 203 [Before Leaving]

The family decision has been made.

Everything unfolded naturally from there.

Before that, Ethan went to Ned's house to talk to him about it.

They don't make phone calls mainly because they're still scared off by Joseph's wiretapping; now they're used to meeting in person to talk.

"To the capital?"

Ned was somewhat surprised, but then nodded.

"That's good. You young people really should go out and explore, unlike us, who are getting old..."

When he said those words, Ned seemed a little lost in thought, as if he was thinking about something.

But he quickly recovered and said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything here. Nothing will happen. Even if there is a problem, you can have your second-in-command come to me."

"Thank you."

“We don’t talk about these things.”

Ned waved his hand, then looked at Sophia not far away.

Sure enough, after Sophia heard that Ethan was going to the capital, she immediately offered to go too.

"Nonsense, what are you going there for? Ethan is going to hold a solo exhibition and do some business on the side."

Ned wouldn't allow it.

"I want to go, Dad!"

Sofia is being affectionate.

"What about your studies? Are you going to drop out of school?"

Although Sofia always seemed to be doing nothing, she was still studying at Winston University.

“I… I can take a break from school! Or I can go to the capital to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Ethan studied there, didn’t he? I want to give it a try.”

"Do you think I own the Kingdom Academy of Fine Arts? You think you can just go wherever you want? No way."

"You...you can't do it, I'll just go find my mom..."

Sophia suddenly stopped talking at this point, because Ned's expression instantly turned ugly.

This was the first time Ethan had ever seen Ned like this.

"Dad, I was wrong," Sophia whispered.

"I'm not going..."

The matter seems to have simply been dropped.

Ethan then began to busily arrange other matters.

First, there are business matters.

He convened another meeting with John Holt and others.

John Holt's eyes lit up when he heard that Ethan was going to the capital, and he immediately said he would go with him.

"I've wanted to go to the capital for a long time, Ethan, but I'm too scared. But with you by my side, everything will go smoothly. Take me with you!"

His current feeling towards Ethan can be summed up in two words: superstition.

He always told others that with Ethan around, everything would go smoothly.

Ethan thought about it and didn't refuse.

John Holt is a shrewd businessman with a wide network of connections.

Although Joseph tricked Ethan in the Plains Bank affair, it was Joseph's doing, so he can't be blamed.

As for their business in Winston, it has actually been stable for a long time.

It was operating normally and didn't need their intervention. This is just a matter of giving instructions.

Then came Marvin.

Ma Wen did have the possibility of being transferred, but he refused because he felt that his foundation in the capital was not stable, and he would rather hone his skills in Winster.

In that case, Ethan naturally had to return the favor.

“While I’m gone, Velen will expand into the surrounding areas, which is a great opportunity…” Although the Prohibition Bureaus in different regions have different jurisdictions, that doesn’t mean Marvin can’t handle things elsewhere. If Ethan can get those bootleg liquors from other places to him, wouldn’t he be able to get involved?

These are all thanks to individual contributions.

Not to mention, the Kingdom's Bureau of Statistics is now one of their own.

The Kingdom Statistics Bureau of Winster is the most powerful entity in the northern region.

Even after Joseph left, Ethan had already won over his men and made them his own.

It's easier to get things done if you're one of our own.

"Thanks."

Marvin thought for a moment and then said.

"I have a friend in the capital who's been through thick and thin with me. If you ever have any trouble, you can ask him for help."

Finally, there's El.

El has been doing well these days; he has finally become the rector of Winster University.

Given his outstanding performance during the Winster rainstorm, he's firmly in his seat.

He's been doing really well these days, not only reporting frequently, but also noting that the school's situation is getting better every day.

Many students from other places came to apply for admission, and even the capital city had students.

This was something that never happened before.

Winston University will truly rise to a new level under his leadership.

He was extremely attentive to Ethan's visit, not only bringing out his treasured coffee beans but also grinding and brewing them himself.

"Ethan, do you want to see this month's accounts?"

El has started working in the bluestone building that originally belonged to Loren, and he has gained considerable power, so he can naturally help Ethan with some things.

For example, money laundering.

However, after Ethan got his hands on the Sun God Bank, he didn't plan to use their accounts anymore; it was better for the school to be kept clean.

Upon hearing the news, El was overjoyed. He had been living in fear that the matter would be discovered one day, and his career as principal would be over.

But then he became worried again: Did Ethan no longer need him...?

"Don't worry, El, I just want you to do a good job as principal."

El nodded quickly.

"By the way, I'm planning to go to the capital in a couple of days. I'll be visiting my teacher, Hughes. As a member of our school, I also want to help our school to become even more successful. How about I take a few students with me for an academic exchange, so they can broaden their horizons?"

Hearing this news, El was even happier. You see, Hughes was a specially appointed professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and he had a close relationship with the president of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He also held an important position in the art world of the capital.

El was flattered when he wrote the letter of introduction, but unfortunately he didn't make the most of the relationship.

Now that Ethan has brought up the old issue again, if we can use this opportunity to establish a connection with the Kingdom Academy of Fine Arts, then Winster University will be truly different.

"Of course, of course, this is a good thing, I will definitely cooperate fully."

"As for the selection of personnel..."

Ethan couldn't bear to see Sophia and Ned's relationship sour, so he decided to help Ned out.

Anyway, we're going to the capital to take care of business, and nothing bad will happen, so let's bring Sophia along.

As evening approached, Ethan finally finished running all the places he needed to and returned home.

Just then, another long-distance call came in; it was from Pubol.

"Ethan, I just heard from Jackson that you're going to the capital?"

"Yes, have you returned to the capital?"

"It'll be soon, in the next few days. I'll also be staying in the capital for a while, so we can get together then. I'll introduce you to some people."

"no problem."

Ethan hung up the phone and looked out the window at the deepening night.

The capital city, the city of ten thousand cities, what kind of scenery will it be like there?
(End of this chapter)