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

In the 1940s, Chinese people made up five ten-thousandths of the total population of the United States, but their economic influence far exceeded their population proportion.

To protect themselves, the Chinese community exhibits extreme apathy towards politics;

However, within the Chinese community, especially among wealthy Chinese groups,

It's not that I don't want to care about politics, but that I'm afraid to care about politics.

In reality, the Chinese community is the one that cares most about politics.

Thousands of years of cultural heritage have made them inherently sensitive to politics.

There is also a natural fear of the word "government".

But this doesn't mean that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can use the government's name to blackmail the Fuxing Association.

Mr. Lai continued:

"With war raging, it's understandable that the federal government wants to raise taxes."

"You swept through several other constituencies like autumn leaves in the wind; I can see the determination of you and the government behind you."

"But in previous years, the tax amount in December was at most a few hundred thousand US dollars, and this year it's jumped to eight hundred thousand—do you really think we, Fuxing, are easy to bully?"

"The Chinese community isn't just for Chinese people. If things really get chaotic, can a lowly tax collector like you handle it?"

Tom was startled, realizing the unspoken message from Old Lai—

In previous years, taxes were collected in the amount of 200,000; a slight increase is normal during wartime.

Now you want 800,000? Is Tom trying to take advantage of this opportunity to make a quick buck?

If your selfish desires cause chaos in the East District, can you handle it?

Old Lai was right, but Tom remained calm and replied:

"I know that in previous years, the tax levied on the Chinese community was around $200,000."

"But in the past, tax collectors only cared about collecting money and didn't do anything else."

"Not only do they frequently discriminate against Chinese people, but they also refuse to do anything even if you give them money."

"I'm different, I'm very fair."

"As long as you pay $800,000 this time, I'll never refuse to help you with anything in the future."

"Moreover, the prices are fair and just, and they won't raise the price just because you are Chinese."

Tom's words caused a great stir, and everyone discussed them at length.

"Six hundred thousand dollars to buy a threshold for bribing government officials, feels pretty good."

"If I had connections with the government, I'd like to set up a few engineering companies."

"There have been too many government projects in recent years, but we don't have the necessary permits, so we can't get any work at all."

"..."

Old Lai coughed softly a few times, and the entire room fell silent. Then Old Lai said:

"Cough cough~"

"We can pay more taxes in exchange for your friendship."

"But isn't eight hundred thousand dollars too much?"

"We Chinese in America have a very hard life, and we don't have much money."

"If I paid all that money as taxes, how would our entire Chinese community survive?"

Tom's expression also turned cold. "You're a gang leader, what are you pretending to be?"

The money you squeeze from the Chinese is ten times more than the taxes I collect.

Now you're complaining about being poor to me?

Tom sneered, then said:

"So you're going to refuse a polite toast and then have to suffer the consequences?"

"Starting tomorrow, I will impose special tariffs on all Japanese communities in the eastern constituencies."

"Until we collect $800,000."

"Isn't it much more reasonable to impose tariffs on an adversary in a state of war?"

This left everyone in the Fuxing Society completely bewildered. When did a Japanese community appear on Fuxing Society's territory?

Several impatient helmsmen asked directly:

"Which street or neighborhood in the East District do you think is Japanese?"

"Explain yourself, or I'll turn around and raz it to the ground."

The conflict between China and Japan did not begin with the First Sino-Japanese War.

Since the Song Dynasty, Japanese pirates have been harassing the southeastern coast.

The hatred that Chinese people have for Japan cannot be explained in just a few words.

In particular, the Fuxing Society members who came illegally all came from places severely affected by Japanese pirates.

Old Lai rarely showed anger, and asked in a questioning tone:

"Explain yourself: in the eastern constituency, which areas are under Japanese jurisdiction?"

"You can't make jokes like that."

Tom, also looking serious, looked at Old Lai and said:

"Mr. Lai, it's the federal government that collects taxes, not me."

"Similarly, who is Chinese and who is Japanese?"

"My opinion doesn't count, and neither do yours."

"The federal government has the final say."

"Old Lai, do you understand what I'm saying?"

The members of the Fuxing Society present all looked as if they had swallowed flies.

In everyone's eyes, Tom is the "messenger" of the Finance Bureau.

Although they are greedy, the general direction must be the Finance Bureau's intention.

Now that the Pacific War has begun, given the federal government's track record, the Fuxing Society might actually be classified as Japanese.

There are only about 20,000 to 30,000 Chinese people in all of New York, but the money they have is far more than that of hundreds of thousands of middle-class white people.

Almost all of this money was extracted from the Chinese community by the Fuxing Society through various means and concentrated in the hands of the Fuxing Society.

Every husband is not guilty, and he is guilty of his crime.

Lai Lao understood that the Fuxing Society needed protection, especially from government officials.

Adults don't talk about emotions, they talk about pros and cons.

Old Lai gave a few wry smiles and said with some helplessness:

"I understand, what you said makes sense."

"Whether we are Japanese or not is not up to us to decide."

"But there's one thing you must guarantee before we, the Fuxing Society, will cooperate with you."

Upon hearing what Lai Lao said, Tom understood—the general direction was set, and the Fuxing Association could be discussed, as could America.

Tom nodded and replied:

"I would like to hear the details."

Old Lai raised a finger and said calmly:

"One hundred thousand US dollars, I can give it to you."

"But you need to demonstrate the strength to protect the Fuxing Society. An ordinary civil servant isn't enough."

Tom smiled slightly:

"No problem, I thought it was something serious."

"You may not know this, but I am actually the man of the Finance Bureau Director."

"And the head of the finance department is the niece of a New York State senator."

"I wonder if this confidence is enough to protect the Fuxing Society?"

Tom's self-righteous and arrogant attitude, which made the gangsters dumbfounded.

No, how can you be so shameless, you pretty boy?

Tom, where's your face?

What about a man's integrity?

Wait a minute—did Tom just say something about a senator's niece?

She's also the niece of a New York State Senator!

In the Qing Dynasty, she would be equivalent to the niece of the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

All the helmsmen's expressions changed, and they looked at Tom with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Some people have already decided to talk to Tom privately as soon as the banquet ends.

Tom, there were a lot of people around, I shouldn't have scolded you.

Now that my younger brother is kneeling down and kowtowing, could you please introduce me to some of the bureau chief's cousins?

Older women are fine, widowed aunts or aunts with children are also acceptable?

The younger generation is not picky; they just like to be someone else's cheap father.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lai readily agreed that as long as the relationship between Tom and the Director of the Finance Bureau was confirmed.

The Fuxing Society was willing to cooperate with Tom, who could withdraw money from the Fuxing Society's underground bank at any time.

800,000, non-consecutive serial numbers, old banknotes;

The Fuxing Society may not have much else, but it has a lot of illicit money, even more than the Corleone family.

Tom agreed, saying it was normal for Fuxing to be afraid of being scammed and want to verify things.

Anyway, quite a few people have seen Tom and Denise together these past few days.

The gang tax in the five major constituencies is now completely settled.

Only a few tough, wealthy neighborhoods remain, but Tom isn't in a hurry.

Tom planned to look at a few properties in affluent areas and scout out the locations as well.