America 1919

"Yes!" Afterward, Donnie took out twenty thousand US Dollars from his drawer and placed it on the table, saying, "This money is for your operation with the IRS. If it's not enough, you can speak to Robert later, and he will arrange for someone to deliver the cash to you!" Archido Bowen put the US Dollars in his jacket's inner pocket, expressed his thanks once again, and then left Donnie's office. Once Archido Bowen had left, Steve Coting entered and Donnie handed him the list that Rene Mel had left behind, saying, "Give this list to John, he will know what to do with it!" After receiving the list, Steve Coting said to Donnie, "Boss, Mr. Nucky is here and he says he wants to see you!" Donnie said, "Please let him in." "Yes!" Steve Coting left, and Nucky entered Donnie's office. "Congratulations, another opponent has been knocked down by you!" Nucky congratulated Donnie as soon as he saw him. Donnie smiled and said, "It's mainly because we conduct ourselves properly and sit straight, and since we have no dirt on us, those who want to deal with us naturally cannot win!" Nucky lit a cigarette for himself and then said, "I knew that Coshek Kevin wouldn't be a match for you, but I didn't expect him to lose that quickly and in such a terrible way." Donnie leaned back in his chair: "Coshek Kevin wasn't defeated by me. I heard that his downfall was the result of in-fighting for power and benefits within their own ranks; we were just luckier!" Nucky knew Donnie would not admit anything in front of him and didn't dwell on the subject, simply saying, "With the departure of Coshek Kevin, you need to start worrying about the private liquor business, Donnie. Have you thought about how to develop it further?" Donnie looked at Nucky somewhat puzzled, feeling that Nucky seemed different today than before. "What used to be will still be. The distillery in Canada has expanded several times and is now fully capable of meeting the demand of the southern United States. The next step is to brew alcohol that better suits the tastes of the northern people!" The private liquor produced by the distillery that Bruce was in charge of in Canada was mostly sent to the southern United States. Although the Civil War had ended, there were still significant differences between the environment in the southern and northern United States. The North was industrialized with a more modern lifestyle, while the South was still dominated by plantation owners. To the Northerners, Southerners were seen as country bumpkins. Naturally, the treatment of country bumpkins was not as good as that of city folk. The privately distilled liquor from Canada was considered of medium quality in the North, but it was already high-end in the South. This portion of liquor was supplied entirely to the southern plantation owners, and the medium-grade liquor was for the southern middle class. As for the low-grade liquor, it was naturally for those slaves... Ah, now they are called workers! Every year in the South, there were news reports of workers dying from drinking large amounts of low-grade liquor, but who cared about them? Even if it made the media, few people paid attention! Nucky nodded and then said, "This matter is in your hands, Donnie. We all trust you. In the future, if you have any issues in Atlantic City, you can simply notify me, and I will ensure the matter is handled to your satisfaction!" Donnie subtly straightened up and asked Nucky with some confusion, "What do you mean, Nucky?" Nucky then leaned back on the sofa, with a somewhat carefree expression, and said, "Don't you understand my meaning? Donnie, you have reached this point where no one in Atlantic City is your match any longer. As someone who has watched you grow, I'm well aware of your methods. So, let's just lay all the cards out on the table. I need to maintain my prestige in Atlantic City from the past. If you, Donnie, can assure me of this, then from now on, you will not have any enemies in Atlantic City, neither now nor in the future!" Donnie didn't respond immediately to Nucky's words; he heard Nucky effectively offering a truce, but would someone who had been an underground emperor in Atlantic City for so many years just suddenly bow his head to him? Nucky continued, "I know you must be puzzled, Donnie, but I can assure you of my sincerity. The Bureau of Investigation has been in Atlantic City for over a year now, and although they have occasionally troubled you, their real target is still me. These people have stayed here for so long, which really means they are very serious about putting me away. In this matter, I have tried to seek help from my friends, but they all said there was nothing they could do. I know it's not that they couldn't help, but that our alliance is not as tight as it used to be. Donnie, I don't want my end to be like the Colonel's. I love Atlantic City and enjoy the power it has given me a lot." "So, you think that because I can handle the IRS problem, I can naturally solve the Bureau of Investigation problem for you as well?" asked Donnie. Nucky shook his head and said, "I will handle this matter myself. At least for now, I don't see the need for your help, but..." At this point, Nucky suddenly paused, then continued with a smile, "To be frank, I've come to understand that I cannot match you. So instead of letting you join forces with the Bureau of Investigation to put me away, I would rather take the initiative to bow to you now. I believe that as an ally, you, Donnie, are more reliable than anyone else.