A Red Dead Redemption Story

Chapter 21 I have a plan

After listening to the conversation between Hosea and Dutch, Arthur is now making his bed.

To be honest, Arthur feels that there is nothing wrong with what Hosea said or Dutch's answer. It's just that the two have different concerns. The core of the difference lies in the subsequent impact of the failure of Blackwater Town. According to Hosea, it will have a long-term bad impact on the gang and even put everyone's life in danger.

In Dutch's case, it was just an ordinary failure among his many robbery plans. Even if it was a little more complete, in terms of results, they had already passed the worst time. The crisis had passed. It was no big deal. Everything is still the same as before.

At least that's what he really thought.

Arthur sat down on the bed he had made. In his opinion, since things had happened, it was better to find ways to solve the actual problems than to argue.

With sharp eyes, he noticed that Strauss was walking towards Dutch's tent. Arthur, thinking of something, stood up from the bed and walked towards the two of them.

Strauss came to Dutch holding a clipboard and said:
"Gentlemen, I'm going into town, um, you know, I'm going to see if I can do a little business."

Dutch nodded and said:

"Of course, go ahead, Mr. Strauss."

Seeing what he thought, Arthur quickly followed Strauss and said:
"Mr. Strauss, I wonder if it would be convenient for me to go with you."

Faced with Arthur's request, Strauss seemed a little surprised.

He was going to lend money, why did Arthur want to be with him?
After all, he also knew that the people in the gang did not approve of the loan sharking business he was engaged in. After thinking for a while, Strauss said:

"Of course, Mr. Morgan, but please keep some distance from me when I am working. After all, a lender has a strong thug with him. This may be good for debt collection, but it is very detrimental to my ability to transfer the loan." Let it out."

Listening to these words, Arthur complained silently in his heart. Good guy, he actually directly acquiesced that he was his thug. He always felt that other people hated Strauss not only because he was engaged in loan sharking, but also because he obviously had big problems with his emotional intelligence. .

Arthur remembered that Dutch once said that he preferred robbery to loan sharking. Somehow, it seemed more dignified. That was probably what he said. Although it was all nonsense, his attitude towards loan sharking was very clear. .

After agreeing to Strauss's request, the two originally planned to ride horses, but after Pearson learned that the two were going to town, Arthur was asked to help buy some food back, so they changed to a carriage.

Originally, several girls also made a fuss and said they wanted to go with them, but unfortunately they were all stopped by Susan, saying that the camp was not packed yet and they were running around, that's what they meant anyway.

Finally, Arthur drove the carriage, with Strauss sitting behind, and set off towards Valentine.

On the way to Valentine, it seemed too quiet, even for Strauss, so he spoke to Arthur about Valentine:

"It is said that Valentine is a nice place. I once heard someone say that it is full of idiots."

Arthur was actually thinking about how to talk to Strauss at this time to make him change his lending ideas. There is no doubt that in Arthur's view, Strauss is a useful person and he has a smart heart. After all, not everyone can lend their heads to usury. Although it is not glorious to say, Strauss can always use his clever tongue to trap his prey, and then accurately squeeze out the last bit of every borrower. value,.

Now that Strauss had opened the topic, Arthur thought for a moment and quickly thought of a suitable entry point. He said while driving the carriage:
"Valentine sounds like a good place. By the way, Mr. Strauss, I remember you once said that you came to the United States with your uncle?"

Strauss did not expect Arthur to talk about this. Although it was a bad memory, it did not make him feel sad to mention it again after the incident passed. He replied:
"Yes, I remember it was 1863. My uncle and I came to the United States from Austria in order to make some money in this land like others said."

Arthur continued:

"It seems that your plan to make a fortune is not going well?" Strauss nodded and said:
"Indeed, we were a little unlucky and caught up with the Northern Alliance conscription bill. I can't remember the rest clearly, but I remember it very clearly, $300. At that time, only those who could afford $300 were exempted from serving, so except for those Rich people and everyone else will be sent to the battlefield. You may not have the idea that this is a lot of money. You must know that most ordinary people at that time only had cents in face value."

Although Arthur mentioned Strauss's past in order to lead to a later topic, at this time he was indeed attracted by what he said. He said in confusion:
"Aren't you Austrians? What does conscription have to do with you?"

Strauss went on to explain:
"At that time, wherever there were Americans, everyone living here was considered an American. Because of this bill, riots broke out in New York. People rushed to the streets, raised guns, confronted the military, and shot each other. I saw it with my own eyes. No. A few people were beaten to death and hung in the street. There were fires everywhere. It was very unfortunate that my uncle and I happened to catch up with them."

"In the end I was the only one who survived by chance, and before I met Dutch, I made a living by running some small businesses."

"Okay, Mr. Morgan, that's my story. Although I don't know why you suddenly care about my past, but if you have something to say, I think we can talk about it directly, what do you think? "

After Strauss realized that he had something to say, Arthur did not mince words and said:
"Mr. Strauss, I'm going to do a business deal with you."

Hearing the business, Strauss showed a weird smile. Arthur didn't know how to describe it. In short, it was weird.

"Tell me more about this business."

Strauss sat up more upright, leaning forward with interest.

"You must also know that lending money to poor people at high interest rates cannot really make us much money. I hope you can give it up."

"And I plan to find a place in Valentine to set up a high-end Texas Hold'em game. I hope you can take charge of the operation there and lend money to those gamblers who lose red eyes. Don't worry, I will be responsible for strictly selecting us. We only do business with wealthy customers."

After Arthur roughly finished his plan, Strauss did not immediately agree. After thinking briefly, he made several suggestions:

"Ignoring whether you can attract these rich people, in your plan, first of all, we need a skilled dealer, and then, we also need to spend money to prepare the best drinks and cigars. You may We also need to talk to the girls in the camp and find some service staff for us..."

"Well, all in all, I believe that if the plan works, it will bring in a good income. However, should this not conflict with my continuing to help those poor people who can't make it?"

Seeing that Strauss discovered his intention, Arthur said straightforwardly without beating around the bush:
"Abandoning loan sharking is just my suggestion. Although it is natural to repay debts, lending to those who have no chance of repaying on time is tantamount to forcing those poor people who have long been desperate to die. It is no different from killing them. I hope we are just looking for money and not harming our lives."

Strauss raised his glasses and said seriously:

"I have to say, I generally like to call this banking. You know, this job of mine feeds the women and children in the camp. Mr. Morgan, it's all legal. I never force anyone else to borrow money." I don't force them not to pay back the money. Anyone who owes a debt should go to jail. I'm just helping them.

"And in this situation, I think we who are actually still on the run don't have any other options? We need money."

Arthur couldn't refute Strauss's words for a moment, could he?Banking, it’s really ironic when you think about it.

However, Strauss did not say anything to death, because he actually understood that everyone did not like his banking business. If he could have other careers, he could accept it. After all, he was good at limited things. He thought thought, and said:

"However, I think I still understand what you mean, Mr. Morgan. Anyway, let's give it a try first and talk about the rest later?"

Seeing that Strauss did not directly refuse his request to stop loan sharking, Arthur also understood that this kind of thing could not be changed by just talking, and he had to wait for Arthur to take action to convince him.

So Arthur said no more, pulled the reins in his hands twice, and headed towards the town of Valentine.

(End of this chapter)