once a Thief

Chapter No.16, preparations before the war

New York (newyork) is the largest city and largest port in the United States, and the fifth largest city in the world. It is located in the northern part of the east coast of the United States and southeastern New York State.New York is one of the most famous cities in the world, the capital of international economy, finance, art and media, and the seat of the United Nations headquarters.New York City is also home to many world-class museums, galleries and performing arts venues, making it one of the cultural and entertainment centers of the Western Hemisphere.With a population of more than 800 million people (living in an area of ​​309 square miles), and a large number of immigrants from more than 180 countries, the city is often affectionately called "the big apple".In addition to these expats, the city is home to many expatriate Americans who wish to experience a more cosmopolitan lifestyle than the rest of the United States.

New York City is located in the heart of the Greater New York metropolitan area, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of 200 million.The city has five boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

In 2003, New York's gross domestic product was estimated at US$4888 billion, ranking first among cities in the United States and ranking sixth when compared with other states in the United States.If that is a country's gdp, it ranks No.16 in the world, surpassing Belgium ($4330 billion).While this accounts for 10% of US (amarican) gdp, it has only accounted for about 4.5% over the past decade, with only recent fluctuations.New York, London and Tokyo are known as the world's three major international cities.

In this legendary metropolis, some local forces occupy most of the industries. Among them, the Mafia is one of the main underground forces. The industries are spread all over North America, mainly based on arms, drugs, pornography and gambling. As a source of income, the Mafia also controls transportation, restaurants, and other businesses in New York. Its industries are so extensive that the U.S. government cannot attack them.

Connecticut—a well-known affluent area in New York, where George Brown, the contemporary patriarch of the mafia, lived in a king-size manor. At this time, George Brown was burying himself in dealing with some troublesome affairs in the family.

George Brown didn't notice Shang Wu's arrival at all, and Shang Wu didn't bother him, so he sat down on the sofa in the study, quietly waiting for George Brown.

After more than ten minutes passed, George Brown stretched himself talking to himself. When he saw Shang Wu sitting across from him, he stood up from his spot at once. He was surprised at how cold his expression was. Wu's ability, under the protection of the presidential level security, was unexpectedly easily entered by someone, and he didn't even notice it.Cold sweat broke out involuntarily, if Shang Wu attacked him just now, it is very likely that he would die now.

"Haha, Mr. Shang, you really are an expert from another world. He came to me quietly. I don't know why Mr. Shang is here?" George Brown was not annoyed by Shang Wu's unreasonableness, but laughed. Said to Shang Wu.

"Mr. Brown, why don't you buy me a cup of coffee?" Shang Wu asked rhetorically.

"Yes, Mr. Shang, wait a moment." Then he called the servant, and the servant couldn't help being surprised when he saw an oriental man sitting in the master's study room. He was already outside the door. When did this oriental man go in?But he obviously didn't ask, but poured two cups of coffee and backed out.

Shang Wu slowly sipped the coffee brought by his servants, and after a while, he said to Brown who was still standing: "Mr. I don’t know it’s your people, so I’m deeply sorry, and I ask Mr. Brown for your forgiveness.”

"Oh, Mr. Shang, let's not talk about my nephew. We are also at fault. If we hadn't killed some of you Chinese masters, we wouldn't have killed you." Furious, he knew that the master who could enter his study without making a sound, even he himself could not do it, obviously he was not his opponent, so instead of getting angry, he found a step and came down by himself.

"Then thank you Mr. Brown." He waved his hand, and seven people appeared out of thin air. These seven people were the marquis-level bats that Shang Wu had received into the space.When they came out, the first thing they saw was their contemporary patriarch, George Brown, and they all knelt down immediately, thanking the patriarch for saving his life.

When George Brown saw the seven clansmen he thought were dead, he was not surprised by Shang Wu's ability, but was so excited that he quickly helped them up, and said to them, "Thank you, Mr. Shang, for not killing me." .”

At this time, the seven little bats saw Shang Wu who was smiling Mimi, they were not at all unwilling, and immediately thanked him.Although they lived in the storage space for a month, they knew that this was an oriental spell that imprisoned them. As long as the caster thought of it, they would die.

Shang Wu shook his head, and said to Brown, "Mr. Brown, actually I came here to ask for something from you."

"Oh, seven of you go down first, Mr. Monk and I have something to talk about." Brown ordered.

After all seven people left, Brown said to Shang Wu, "Mr. Shang, is there anything you can't solve with your abilities?"

Brown is now the fifth friend, and with a strong friend, it will be easy for him to solve the family's internal power struggle.For the death of his nephew, he has no intention of revenge.

"Yes, Mr. Brown," Shang Wu said after a pause. In fact, I came this time mainly to buy some arms from Mr. Brown. Since a group of people under me did not have any arms, I thought of Mr. Brown. I hope Mr. Brown can help."

Shang Wu knew that to be the patriarch of a mafia family would not know how to weigh the pros and cons. It is better to have one more powerful friend than one more powerful enemy.

"Haha, arms? Mr. Shang, it's no problem for me to supply you with arms. The United States is very open to arms, so there's no problem. I thought it was a big deal." Brown laughed and agreed.

"Also, can Mr. Brown lend me a few people to help me with some things." Shang Wu continued to ask.

"No problem, what kind of manpower do you want, as long as Mr. Shang tells me, I will definitely do it."

"It's the marquis who went out just now. You can just borrow three to help me. I know they have no problem dealing with ordinary people." Shang Wu said to Brown with a smile.

"Okay, no problem, they can still deal with some ordinary people," Brown said proudly.

"Okay, since Mr. Brown is so straightforward, it seems that I, Shang Wu, feel embarrassed. If Mr. Brown has any difficult problems to solve, I, Shang Wu, can also help you with matters within my ability."

What Brown was waiting for was Shang Wu's words, and he laughed loudly, "Mr. Shang is really a dragon and phoenix among people. If I need Mr. Shang's help at that time, I will not be polite." After finishing speaking, the two shook hands with each other .

When Shang Wu left New York, he took away the ammunition that Brown gave Shang Wu, the earl-level big bat and two small bats that he had insulted, and the three of them had no objection to the arrangement of the family patriarch. When it came to Shang Wu, he was still a little brooding, but he knew his mission, so he didn't say anything. Shang Wu didn't want to call some foreign names, so he gave all three of them the Chinese name Shang Boss , Shang###, the third monk, for these three such earthy names, the three bats can only smile wryly.