American variety show: The Godfather, the Peace Ambassador, what the heck?

Chapter 168 Let's take a stage name, let's call her Amu.

Luca traveled to Detroit again.

This time, however, he traveled light, accompanied by his Uncle Marigio, as well as the Lucchese family's boss and strategist.

Marigio and Luca were in the same car, driven by Jimmy.

In the car, Mariggio talked to Luca about some of his concerns, "Luca, don't you think you've developed too fast in the past year or two?"

"Uncle, just say what you have to say."

“Victor felt threatened.”

"Is it?"

Luca raised an eyebrow. The big boss was really shrewd; he'd already discovered his ulterior motives. But the Federation hadn't even started cleaning up the New York Mafia yet, and he didn't want to take over and get beaten up just yet.

Seeing that Luca didn't seem to care much, Marigio said helplessly, "Your business and influence have expanded too quickly, and some people are worried that you will leave the family."

"Uncle, I swore an oath with my blood, and I pay the big boss such a large sum of money every month. Everyone knows how loyal I am."

"To be honest, the family can no longer control you."

Marigio shrugged. "Although I don't care, Victor is a little wary. The gasoline business is nominally under my name, but you are the one in actual control. Victor isn't stupid; it's been over a year, and he's already figured it out."

He didn't expect your business to expand so quickly, even having a gas station in Detroit. And you have a good relationship with Gambino, he even recommended you to be a referee, the Russian gang is your ally, and now you're on good terms with various out-of-town families.
"Luca, do you realize it? Your power is now on par with any small family."

Margio hadn't even taken into account Luca's connections within the Continental Hotel from his time as an assassin. If he did, he felt the boss's concerns weren't unfounded; if Luca wanted to usurp the throne, his chances of success were much higher than Joe Gallo's.

He was terrified that Luca might one day "have a change of heart" and send someone to kill the big boss.

But if Luca really dares to do that, Marigio will have no choice but to support his nephew to take over.

That would likely make him the youngest Mafia godfather in history.

Luca, upon hearing his uncle's words, fell into deep thought.

He had figured it out long ago: taking power now wasn't a particularly wise choice, because after Gambino's death, it was a certainty that the federal government would crack down on the Mafia—and not just in New York, but also in Philadelphia.

Most of the committee was taken down by the federal government, and only places far from the East Coast, such as Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans, were less affected.

If you take the position now, isn't that just sitting there and getting beaten up?
Luca was also thinking of using the federal government to "rejuvenate" the Mafia, and to support some people he favored in the future to help him become the chairman of the committee and seize a seat at the High Table.

This is Luca's envisioned path to power.

He made many allies in preparation for that day.

Before that, he needs to learn Russell's "Godfather" skills, especially the entries on avoiding "political storms" and "infiltrating the government," which will help him a lot.

After figuring out his approach, Luca decided to proceed according to the original plan.
Luca: "Uncle, don't worry, I don't have any designs on the big boss right now. He's not young anymore, maybe one day he'll be willing to step down and give way. We can learn from Zellelli and the others and retire."

Marígio: "I really don't want to see internal conflicts within the family. The previous struggle between the second bosses resulted in the deaths of many people. Fortunately, you stepped up, otherwise our family's power would have shrunk considerably."

At this point, Marigio felt a little ashamed. Including the former second boss, Dominic, all these people's deaths were related to Luca. Luca alone wiped out Lucchese's middle and upper management.

To say that Luca has no "interest" in the big boss is a bit of a stretch, Marigio thinks.
He sighed softly, "Luca, no matter what happens, I will definitely support you."

Hofa's funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon.

The reason so many Mafia bosses came to Detroit ahead of time is simply to contribute their modest efforts to "rebuilding Detroit." Luca and Marigio are in cahoots in this regard, so let Uncle worry about it.

Luca first went to see the brothers Bobby and Jerry. One of them was black, and the other was white, but they were on the opposite "path" of the underworld.

The process of dominating the East End's underworld is progressing very smoothly. Without the black gangs, the rest are a disorganized mess. With Luca's support, Bobby quickly recruited a large number of followers, both black and white, and used the gang's influence to carry out a series of operations, raiding casinos, bars, and other criminal venues, redividing territories, and maintaining his shady businesses.
Without Luca reminding him, Bobby consciously gave up the drug business. If his mother didn't want to see that stuff, then he'd just throw it away.

As for other shady businesses, Luca didn't pay much attention to them, but they were mostly much more chaotic than those in Little Italy. After all, there were too many black people in the East District. Preventing people from selling drugs had already made many black people resentful. If the restrictions continued, black people who couldn't make money would spontaneously form a series of drug trafficking and robbery organizations.

But as the gasoline business gradually took off, many Black people became more obedient. They realized that the gasoline, which was just as dark as their own, was actually worth so much money, more precious than their own lives.

“Now, almost all the gas stations in the East District are managed by gang members.”

Bobby met with Luca at home and reported the situation: "Those gas station owners have reached a cooperation agreement with us. They pay protection money and let some black people work there, and in return, we can provide them with cheap gasoline."

Bobby also mentioned other illegal businesses, such as guns, protection money, and car smuggling.

Smuggling cars is commonplace in Motor City, but it's a technical job. It used to be done by the Sweet gang, but now Bobby has taken over.

"Those cars, Sweet mostly sell to South American and East Asian countries, smuggled in through Hong Kong and sold to China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam."

Bobby frowned. "Now that Sweet is dead, there are some problems with the smuggling channels. Old Pigeon, do you have a solution?"

The image of the arms dealer immediately flashed into Luca's mind.

Yuri has strong smuggling channels; he can sell discarded Chinese weapons to Africa. Yuri can even speak fluent Mandarin.

Yuri is truly dedicated to smuggling.

“I’ve got this figured out. When I get back to New York, I’ll help you get in touch with some big-time smugglers.” After discussing some gang matters with Bobby, Luca suddenly asked, “Do you know any black rap groups in Detroit? Are there any well-known labels here?”

Bobby: "???"

Luca briefly explained the white guy Smith, and Bobby frowned after listening: "Old Pigeon, you might have really misjudged him this time. It's hard for white people to make it in the rap scene; the market doesn't recognize them at all."

"Let's give it a try; maybe he can surprise us?"

“Uh, fine.” Bobby shrugged. “I’ll protect him in Detroit. Rappers without gang connections can be dissed by other artists at will. From now on, before anyone dissssssing him, they’ll have to look at my face first.”

In the US, a diss track can easily turn into a shooting.

Bobby: "I can also help him connect with recording studios and record companies."

Bobby thought to himself that if that kid really made it big, he would make him write a song for him.

The northern suburbs, a predominantly white community.

The Smith family still lives here. He called Old Pigeon, who said there was no rush and he could move later when he found a new place.

Smith thought about his sister's future and realized that this place was clearly more suitable for her to live in, so he accepted Luca's favor.

But he didn't know how to repay it.

This has made him a bit anxious lately, and he can't even think of lyrics anymore.

This community is so peaceful and friendly; you don't hear any words like "fuck" in it, and even the lyrics have become much gentler.

Right now, he's sitting at his desk, wearing headphones and working on the lyrics:

"Mom's pasta got all over his sweater. He was nervous, but he acted calm. He was ready to rock the room, but kept forgetting that he had his mouth open and couldn't utter a single word."

After writing these lyrics, Smith felt something was off. What should he write next?

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Smith turned around and saw his sister standing there, her voice clear and bright. Behind her stood a tall, smiling young man.

Sister: "Brother, Uncle Luca is here to see you."

Luca: "."

No, I'm about the same age as your brother, how did I become your uncle?
Automatic generation addition?

Smith quickly closed his lyric book, took off his headphones, and stood up to greet him.

"Luca, didn't you go back to New York? Sorry, this is so sudden. I mean, would you like something to drink? Coke or beer?"

In front of Luca, Smith, who is usually outspoken and can verbally abuse Black people to the point of breaking their defenses, was a little reserved at this moment.

Luca just laughed it off, "Cola will do."

After the two sat down, Smith learned that Luca had brought several more pieces of good news. Luca had helped his sister get into a private elementary school in the North Side and arranged for her to attend; he was also willing to offer his mother a job as a gas station sales clerk; and as for Smith himself, he had received a "recommendation" and was introduced to the newly emerging Marcel family in the East Side—the Bobby Marcel.

These good news left Smith speechless for a long time; they were all good things, like a windfall.

Luca's next words brought him back to his senses: "This isn't a free lunch. You have to do something for Bobby. Bobby needs a white rapper to expand his influence and spread his story, just like those black gang-backed singers. If you want to release a record, he can help you with that too."

Smith understood; so that's what they valued about him.
“The choice is yours,” Luca said. “You may only have one chance like this in your life, so you have to seize it and let it change your destiny.”

As if struck by lightning, Smith was jolted awake and suddenly found some inspiration. "I know how to write the lyrics."

"Oh? Inspiration is everywhere in life."

“This opportunity…” Smith took a deep breath, his mind flashing back to the dilapidated shack and his sister’s miserable life. No, this was not what he wanted.

“Luca, I don’t want to miss this. I used to think that my future would either be in jail or be shot, but after living here for a month, everything here is wonderful. Now I want to change my life.”

"Then cherish it." Luca handed Bobby his business card. "I hope that one day I can see you shining on stage."

Smith gripped the business card tightly, his emotions finally culminating in a simple "thank you."

[Bond: Friends]

He unlocked a little skill called "hooligan rap," which is related to the emotional impact of his singing, but it's a bit of a waste on Luca.

Before leaving, Luca asked, "Have you chosen a stage name?"

Smith paused for a moment, then said, "I have considered it, such as Mannix and Eminem."

Luca made the decision for him: "Let's call him Eminem, it's a good stage name."

Smith, the future Eminem, the rogue Eminem, the Eminem, remembered his stage name at this moment.

He decided that once he became famous, he would write a song to commemorate Luca.

(End of this chapter)