While in America, the system says Roosevelt was an emperor.

Can Tom shake the FBI?

Obviously not. The FBI is an agency of that caliber; how could they possibly set up a special task force just because Tom was beaten?

But none of the mob bosses present, including Vito Corleone, dared to gamble.

He risked the lives of his entire family to gamble on whether Tom might be connected to the FBI.

Who dares to gamble?

Not everyone is like the Japanese who are struggling to make ends meet, gambling their entire nation's wealth on whether America dares to retaliate and declare war.

The Japanese got what they asked for, and they don't want to end up like the Japanese.

And regardless of whether Tom can shake the FBI, the fact remains that the two counties have the real power to levy taxes.

How could someone with this power to levy taxes possibly be a completely innocent commoner?

Even though Tom acted kindly and said he was just an ordinary person, they still didn't believe him.

Even Godfather Vito was losing confidence. How did Tom, who was so timid and bookish just half a month ago, become like this now?

Could he really be an illegitimate child of a powerful figure who was left behind?

Or perhaps Tom is the adopted child of Leonard and Penny, whose biological parents recently became high-ranking officials?

Very likely, otherwise how did Tom get into the Treasury Bureau?

A series of questions flashed through Vito's mind, and no matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn't understand why Tom had such power, simply because of Tom's face and physique.

The director of the finance bureau, a high-ranking official whose uncle is a senator, actually does something bizarre because of his looks, just like Vito's fourteen-year-old daughter.

The bottom-nest mouse can never imagine the life of the tower lord.

A single word or a moment of emotional inclination from the lord of the spire could cost the lives of millions, even tens or hundreds of millions of bottom-nest mice.

Even if you show the truth to the bottom nest mouse, the bottom nest mouse won't believe it. It will only think that you are lying to it, and that the spire master can't be that stupid.

Tom sat in the main seat, waited a few seconds until everyone calmed down, and then addressed the crowd again:

"Now, back to the main topic: the taxation issue in Brooklyn and Queens."

"My task was to collect four million dollars in taxes in Brooklyn and Queens before Christmas."

Connie's eyelids twitched. He had heard his father say that Tom's mission was for two million. How did it suddenly become four million?

Vito, however, remained calm, as if he already knew the tax amount was four million.

But in Vito's mind, his favorability toward Tom had increased considerably.

Although Godfather Vito could guess that two million was not the bottom line, Tom had certainly raised his asking price for the Corleone family.

But Tom's different treatment of different gangs made Vito understand that the Corleone family was "one of his own" to Tom.

As long as they are "one of our own," even if they are just tools for our own benefit, they are better than completely "outsiders."

Vito Corleone even felt a sliver of relief; if the Corleone family had been a mafia that oppressed its neighbors, he might have been the first to be wiped out.

Tom, unaware of Vito's ulterior motives, continued:

"For the sake of tax collection, I want to elect a representative for each constituency so that they can help me collect taxes."

"In the middle constituency, I chose to cooperate with the Corleone family, with Godfather Vito responsible for collecting $800,000 in taxes."

"I worked with the Corleone family; they were purging small factions in centrist districts, and I persuaded law enforcement bosses to submit to the Corleone family while simultaneously withstanding pressure from the police."

"The remaining four districts will be treated equally, with each district electing a representative responsible for collecting $800,000 in taxes."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that it's over $800,000. Once you control a district, it will be much easier for everyone to do any kind of business."

"You guys can't spend your whole lives doing black and gray market activities, can you?"

As Tom finished speaking, several gang leaders swallowed hard; the temptation to go legal was too great.

Tom took in everyone's gaze, and after a few seconds, he slowly spoke:

"Now that I've finished speaking, who agrees and who disagrees?"

"I object!"

Before Tom could even close his mouth, Razorfen Downs leader Tim Shelby retorted:

"Elect a leader for each constituency?"

"Mr. Tom, you've got a very clever plan."

"In both the central and eastern constituencies, only one force dominates, so the only option for electing a leader is to choose them."

"But in our western constituency, where the Razorfen Downs and Blood Lions are located, as well as in the southern and northern constituencies, there are two equally powerful factions."

"What, Mr. Tom, with just a word from you, the six of us are going to fight to the death for three leadership positions?"

"Mr. Tom, you're being far too frivolous."

Tom held up one finger and shook it, explaining:

"Who says there has to be only one person in charge? There can be two people in charge."

"And I was only responsible for the pressure from the legitimate business owners and the police."

"I don't care how your two families divide the territory, I just want $800,000 for each constituency."

Yevgeny replied with a fawning expression:

"I agree, I agree."

"We, the Holy Mother Alliance, agree to split the southern constituency equally with the Devil's Stick."

"The money will be split 50/50, with each family contributing 400,000."

"Mr. Tom's idea is excellent. Everyone should make money peacefully, not fight and kill each other."

Thomas Muller, the leader of the Devil's Stick, nodded in agreement. Who wouldn't want to clear out the opportunity for smaller gangs to expand their territory?

The Blood Lion Gang representative nodded in agreement; $400,000 for a peaceful expansion and a chance to launder money wasn't expensive.

Nikolai, the representative of the Kovic family, raised his hand and asked Tom in a respectful manner, like a student asking a question:

"Sir Tom, am I responsible for informing the Bald Gang?"

Tom didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, and replied directly:

"Do as you please. I said I only want the result—eight hundred thousand dollars."

Nikola's face lit up with joy. With the Bald Gang absent, the Kovic family could use this opportunity to completely wipe out the Bald Gang.

Although the Kovic family and the Bald Gang were roughly equal in strength, the Bald Gang was no match for them after the tax collection scheme was implemented.

They didn't know how much money Vito gave Tom, but all the mob bosses present knew about Vito's ten tax collector positions.

After all, it was difficult for news of Vito's high-profile selection of candidates to spread.

If the Kovic family can secure a spot and send these ten people to act as test-takers, the effect will be absolutely terrifying.

Even if they only end up dying, the Kovic family won't need to intervene; the government can cripple the Skinheads first.

Gang fights are gang fights, but if your Bald Gang dares to kill tax collectors, you're really asking for trouble.

Seeing the satisfied expressions on everyone's faces, Tom stood up and addressed them:

"Now, who's in favor, and who's opposed?"

Tim Shelby, still clearly unconvinced, retorted directly:

"I object!"

Tom's gaze toward Tim Shelby grew increasingly hostile. The first time was forgivable, but this second time felt like he was looking for trouble!

Tom was right, Tim Shelby was indeed there to cause trouble!

Sean Ryan is his distant cousin.