Empire of Shadows

The soaring prices of alcoholic beverages were within everyone's expectations, but they didn't anticipate such a rapid increase.

Other states that joined the Prohibition Alliance did experience varying degrees of price hikes, but the increases were gradual at that time because people were unsure how many states the Prohibition Alliance would spread to and whether the enforcement standards would be strict.

Taiwan Novel Net → 𝑡 𝑤 𝑘 𝑎 𝑛 . 𝑐 𝑜 𝑚

But now the situation is a bit off; it seems like it will become a formal federal law. You know, once it becomes a federal law, it means that all states will be bound by it.

Many people are privately saying that once the federal government fully implements Prohibition, the price of alcohol throughout the federation will see a new surge.

The president also mentioned at a private party a couple of days ago that he had discussed the implementation of a comprehensive Prohibition with the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader.

Although he didn't explicitly express whether he would sign to begin full implementation or indicate that he still needed to consider it, people believe that, based on his expression, attitude, and speaking speed when discussing these matters, there's a high probability that he has already signed.

The reason it hasn't been revealed is that they're waiting for the midterm election results. This is a trade, but it comes after another trade.

The results of this year's election will be announced in November. It should be a very lively "social activity," but the enthusiasm for this year's midterm elections is noticeably low.

Some grassroots groups are shouting "conspiracy," but it hasn't stirred up much of a wave.

In the four years that the president has been in office, he hasn't made the federation much better, but he has achieved one thing: he hasn't made the federation worse.

As long as he achieves this, the issue of re-election won't be too significant, unless he encounters a super-strong competitor.

And his competitor, after a series of political deals to prevent him from securing re-election through a state of war, had already withdrawn from the race in mid-to-late August.

Of course, he wouldn't say it that way. He was distracted by other matters, so from September until now, for two months, the election fervor has not only failed to increase but has actually started to decline.

That being said, the full implementation of Prohibition isn't far off.

Some distilleries in regions that haven't yet joined the Prohibition Alliance have already started frantically brewing high-proof liquor, hoping to exploit a time gap.

Records of large-scale alcohol shipments are almost impossible to track down, and many distilleries themselves are stockpiling, waiting for the arrival of the "mad moment."

In this situation, Mr. Chuboff is very tormented.

The reason for his torment is that of the hundreds of thousands of bottles of liquor in his warehouse, only about two thousand remain, and a large portion of those are not considered high-end gin.

If Arthur asks him to redeem the liquor mortgaged with him, he will be in trouble.

He doesn't want to cause trouble, but trouble always seems to find him.

"Mr. Little Williams wants to see you, Mr. Chuboff," the assistant knocked on the door, standing at the doorway looking at Mr. Chuboff.

The latter, who was dealing with the documents in his hand, was taken aback for a moment. "Little Williams?"

The assistant reminded him, "James."

Some people don't like this form of address, as it seems more like a derogatory term to federal people.

It doesn't say "This is so-and-so," but rather "This is so-and-so's son," which is difficult for federal people with distinct personalities, independent spirits, and freedom of thought to accept.

Even if the subject of that title is their father, whom they might admire.

In Goldport City, there is only one person known, and that is Councilor Williams. Therefore, the only person active in Goldport City referred to as "Little Williams" is James Williams.

However, he himself doesn't care much about this title, because it's a title that many people can't get even if they ask for it.

Not everyone is qualified to be addressed that way, like "So-and-so the Second."

If your father is an emperor or a grand aristocrat, they will call you that.

But if your father is just a factory worker on an assembly line, even if they call you that, it would at most be "Little Mud Puppy" or "Little Dog Thing."

Mr. Chuboff took a breath, hesitated for a moment, "Let him in."

Although James and Arthur are brothers, their reputations are completely different.

James is regarded as the most qualified heir to Councilor Williams. His resume is exceptionally excellent. After graduating from a well-known university, he has been working as Councilor Williams' assistant.

Especially in the last two years, Councilor Williams has often retreated behind the scenes, leaving the affairs in front to James. He has a good reputation in the eyes of Goldport City's upper class.

Humble, gentle, and well-mannered, he's not at all like his dog-son-of-a-bitch brother.

Two minutes later, James, dressed impeccably, walked in from outside the door. "Mr. Chuboff, thank you for taking the time to see me."

He handed his hat and coat to Mr. Chuboff's assistant, who picked them up and hung them on the coat rack by the door.

Mr. Chuboff said with a smile, "Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you," James sat on the sofa, and Mr. Chuboff also sat down.

"The reason I came this time is actually to tell you that Arthur has fully entrusted me to handle some of the liquor he mortgaged with you."

"I looked at the documents he gave me. It says there are about forty-two thousand bottles of Gold Standard Nabob Whiskey and three thousand five hundred bottles of gin."

Gin is not as valuable as Gold Standard Whiskey, but it's easier to sell now because the price is relatively lower.

Mr. Chuboff forced a smile. He took the mortgage documents and looked through them, even though he had made these documents himself.

"No problem, so have you brought the money?"

He returned the documents, and James didn't notice his abnormality. "You know, this is a lot of money, so it will take some time to prepare."

"At most, it will be wired to your bank or your designated account within a week."

"But before that, I want to go to the warehouse to see the liquor."

It's not that he doesn't trust his brother, it's just that Arthur is often as bad as a pile of shit. He can't just believe "he has it" just because Arthur says "I have it."

Mr. Chuboff nodded. "Of course, a reasonable request." He glanced at the assistant. "Go prepare the car."

The assistant trotted away, and Mr. Chuboff took the opportunity to chat with James about some recent events in Goldport City.

The car was difficult to prepare and took more than ten minutes. Mr. Chuboff lost his temper on the spot, and James comforted him, saying that he had nothing else to do and that chatting with a successful banker like Mr. Chuboff was a valuable experience for him.

He spoke very nicely, the complete opposite of Arthur, but Mr. Chuboff didn't dare to underestimate him at all.

Now he has a clearer understanding of the federal people than before. The more polite and well-mannered these people are,

The more ruthless they are when they stab you in the back.

The car also had the bad luck to break down on the road. Mr. Chuboff called for another car. A simple matter that should have taken twenty minutes to reach the warehouse was dragged out for more than an hour.

But fortunately, they finally arrived at the warehouse.

The warehouse number was the same as Arthur said. Mr. Chuboff pushed open the door, revealing piles of liquor.

Tens of thousands of bottles of liquor piled together do give people a shock, and at this time, they are no longer just liquor, but resources, cash!

Even James felt suffocated for a moment.

He walked to the side of the piles of liquor, seemingly asking for permission, but just informing Mr. Chuboff, "Can I open it and take a look?"

Mr. Chuboff nodded. He casually picked up a bottle, weighed it, and opened it. Gold Standard Nabob Whiskey has a very high degree of recognition.

Its bottles are all special, and there is a medal-like protrusion below the bottle mouth.

This protrusion has different colors depending on the "standard."

From the copper-brown Copper Standard, the silver-white Silver Standard, and the gold-plated Gold Standard, you can tell them apart at a glance.

He took out a bottle, shook it, and even unscrewed the cap and smelled the aroma inside.

It was indeed Gold Standard Nabob Whiskey, not counterfeit with other inferior liquor. He also had more smiles on his face.

"Is it all here?"

Mr. Chuboff nodded, and James' mood improved suddenly. Now everyone knows that this batch of liquor will have another price increase.

In other words, even if he sold these liquors to others at the current price, those people would owe him a favor.

Because he gave them the opportunity to make money!

"Is there any problem with me taking this bottle of liquor?" he asked, holding the opened bottle in his hand.

"Of course, my treat!" Mr. Chuboff said with a smile.

"Thank you for your generosity, but business is business." He looked at the assistant beside him. "How much is a bottle of Gold Standard now?"

"Eleven dollars and fifty-five cents."

He took out a ten-dollar bill, two quarters, and a nickel, put them in Mr. Chuboff's hand, and then shook the liquor in his hand, "Cash on delivery!"

Mr. Chuboff's smile was slightly stiff, but it quickly became natural again.

Federal people are like this, they seem to be very harmonious on the surface, but in their bones, they are always wary of him.

Those federal people who extorted him were like this, Arthur was like this, the mayor was like this, and even James was like this.

What made him even more dissatisfied was that he had to flatter the other party as a "noble person with excellent moral character"!

"I will redeem these liquors before next Monday, so please take good care of them with your workers these few days. I hope to be able to take them away immediately when the time comes."

Mr. Chobaf, suppressing the unease in his heart, agreed, "No problem."

After James left, he thought about it over and over, and finally made a call to the mayor.

Wasn't the reason he had poured so much money into the mayor to have someone who could shield him from the wind and rain?

But clearly, he had underestimated the shamelessness of the Federation people, especially the Federation politicians.