Chapitre 151: Chapter 151: Los Angeles Industrial Planning
With the formation of the Los Angeles Company, Hardy and Bill had claimed dominance over a substantial portion of the city. Their territory now included the former Jewish Gang's area, the old North Shore Gang's domain, and Hollywood, previously controlled by the Bill Gang. This effectively gave them control of three-quarters of Los Angeles, encompassing the city's prime locations.
The Mexican Gang remained a minor player, operating only in the slums, while the Chinese Gang was confined to the Chinatown area. Los Angeles was now truly under their control.
In their office, Bill and Hardy were deep in discussion about the future direction of their newly consolidated empire. Hardy outlined his vision clearly.
"In Los Angeles, our focus will be on the gray industries, while keeping black operations discreet and avoiding drugs entirely," Hardy said firmly. "We'll also steer clear of violent industries—no robbery, kidnapping, or smuggling."
Bill looked puzzled. "Boss, can you clarify what you mean by 'gray' and 'black' industries?"
"Gray industries are those that are borderline illegal but still permissible," Hardy explained. "These include real estate, construction, timber processing, operating bars and nightclubs, city waste management, and transportation."
Bill scratched his head. "I get real estate and transportation, but why garbage disposal? Is that even profitable?"
Hardy smiled. "Let me break it down. By collecting municipal waste, we get a subsidy from the government that covers our operational costs. We also charge residents for disposing of their trash, especially large items. The real money comes from recycling—scrap metal, paper, textiles, and furniture."
He continued, "Los Angeles produces about 2,000 tons of garbage daily. With a few hundred workers, we can sort and recycle about 200 tons of that each day. Selling these recyclables, whether locally or internationally, can bring in substantial revenue."
Bill's eyes widened as he grasped the potential. "That sounds very lucrative. But there are already two waste management companies in the city. How do we break into the market?"
Hardy grinned. "We have the means to handle that. For instance, we could sabotage their trucks, dump the garbage into the bay, and let the media expose the scandal. The city government would crack down on them, creating an opportunity for us to acquire their operations."
Bill's excitement was palpable. "That's a brilliant idea, Boss."
They then turned to discussing black business, which includes gambling, pornography, drug smuggling, and money laundering. Hardy was clear: they would avoid drug trafficking.
"Gambling is a major income source for us," Hardy said. "We already have slot machines generating over two million dollars annually. With the properties from the North Shore Gang, we now control six casinos, a racetrack, and a dog racing track. We'll also improve the brothels by integrating and upgrading them."
He added, "We'll avoid drugs—not because of any moral stance, but because the backlash from authorities is too severe. Despite the high profits, the risks and complications are too great."
Bill nodded. "And what about the Mexican Gang? Should we deal with them?"
Hardy waved off the concern. "There's no need to eliminate them. If we have both good and bad gangs in the city, people will focus their anger on the bad ones and tolerate the good ones. But if we were the only gang left, public scrutiny would increase."
He smirked. "However, we can exploit the situation. The Mexican Gang will likely try to fill the void left by the North Shore Gang's downfall, expanding their drug business."
Bill looked intrigued. "How do we handle that?"
Hardy explained, "Remember the shipment of drugs we acquired from the Spanish Gang? We have 300 kilograms of it. We'll sell this batch to the Mexican Gang. After the sale, we'll let the police and the HD patrol handle the aftermath, creating a situation where we profit while the authorities make a major drug bust. Just make sure to avoid any unnecessary violence."
Bill grinned, understanding the strategy. "The boss is always one step ahead."
"And what about Las Vegas?" Bill asked, shifting the topic.
Hardy's expression turned serious. "I'll head to Las Vegas tomorrow. Siegel and Fred's bodies are still in the refrigerator, and they need to be buried. As for the situation there, I'll assess it upon arrival."
Bill nodded. "Be careful. The Mafia families might have already taken control."
"I know," Hardy replied. "You should also be vigilant. The Irish may retaliate. Ensure your men stay alert for any suspicious activity."
"I'll take care of it, Boss."
With that, Hardy and Bill continued to plan their next moves, preparing to solidify their control over Los Angeles and address emerging challenges.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone