182 Time to Stir up Trouble (1/2)

The Syndicate is a crime organization lead by Jimmy and Johnson when they had officially left Hydra a couple of decades earlier. Even so, both of them are allowed to keep their memories, experiences and social connections that they managed to form with other members.

There is actually no need to erase their memories and severe their connections with Hydra and any of my organizations, public and private. This extends to the members of those organizations as well.

It is better not to, considering that their knowledges and experiences assure their undying loyalty.

In addition, it will also make absorbing their assets or dismantling their organization much smoother in the future. And yes, I will have to dismantle their syndicate eventually, or at least, transforming the organization into something more legal.

Legality is subjective, as laws are created by people and not necessarily for the people.

Johnson was actually from Shield initially, but he requests a transfer to Hydra due to becoming friends with Jimmy, who was one of the first batch of people that I had recruited.

Honestly, it wasn't really a recruitment. It was more like ”do what I tell you or I will make you dead.”

That sorts of thing.

Seems incredibly effective, at least at the start. But I learn that fear doesn't instill loyalty in my people, but fear is still a very good motivator, especially for people I have just met. Or people who I will dispose of as soon as their usefulness runs out.

Then again, everyone has their usefulness even if they do not know it themselves. Being dead also has its usefulness in my opinion.

”The Syndicate? What would a west side organization have anything to do with us?”

The man questions in Chinese. His real name is Mo Shu, but he goes by Mr. Shin within the organization here in Pittsburgh.

Actually, the Triad is mostly connected throughout the United States.

And their main headquarter is in New Jersey, having been driven out of New York by another group a few years earlier. Their standing within the Unite States isn't that bad, considering they do have a lot of backing.

I smile at the question and decide not to answer that.

Everyone within the Triad knows that it is due to the Syndicate that the Triad are still stuck on the east side of the United States. It is the same reason to why the Mafia and the Yakuza are unable to expand their operation outside their initial holding.

Jimmy and Johnson are quite brutal when dealing with rivals, and I approve of their tactics, considering they keep the drugs off the street and out of the hands of kids. Their revenue is in gambling, which is as addicting as drugs, but at least it targets mostly the wealthy upper class.

Something that I also approve. Money needs to be put back into the economy, preferably through my organization. People works for me need to be paid, and I cannot just print or create money myself for obvious reasons.

Mo Shu takes note of my smile and smartly decides not to pursue an answer. Instead, he shows me a waiting room and requests me to stay until someone can gather the other bosses.

I call them bosses generally, but they do have their own ranking and title within their hierarchy. Their ranks have something to do with mountains and bandits. This is mostly due to the origin of their crime organization.

As for their affiliation with the Chinese government despite being a criminal organization, it is actually more of a business venture. A mutual agreement of sort.

There is no need to waste precious time and resource to kill each other when the power vacuum would result in emergence of another rival. Sometimes it is better to join them than to fight them.

A good tactic.

In any case, their business connection is something that I can take great advantage of, especially when everything is so secretive. The Triad obviously assumes that I was sent from the Party in China.

”I truly apologize for the hospitality.”

Mo Shu tells me respectfully once a few men bring out refreshment. Basically, really strong alcohol. It is due to our accelerated physiology. Their accelerated physiology to be more correct.

They can still get drunk if they drink a lot, unlike me, who cannot really get drunk.

As for what he is apologizing for, it is due to lack of attendants as it is very late at night.

It is almost 1am actually.

Therefore, most of the bosses are asleep. Those that aren't are probably nocturnal like Mo Shu.

”That is fine. It is an unexpected visit after all.”

I response and enjoy my drink. Even if I cannot get drunk, I can still taste the alcohol. It is not that good to be honest, but still, it is enjoyable. Plus, I kind of like Mo Shu due to his respectful nature. Absolutely no sign of arrogance in his words, but that has more to do with him being raised in America.

It would be a different matter if he was born and raised in China.

Mo Shu accompanies me since he doesn't really have anything more important to do. That just means I am more important than anything he had in mind.

”Yes, it is. Rarely someone of your caliber is send here personally. Most of the time, we have to make do with the couriers. They can be so needy sometimes.”

Mo Shu responses, making me chuckle. It isn't sometimes, but most of the time. Chinese are not only arrogance to non-Chinese. They are arrogance to each other as well, especially when they hold a much higher position.

”I also need to apologize for what happens before. We usually have a good understanding with those Japs and staying out of each other's way, so it wasn't a common occurrence.”

Mo Shu adds, referring to Melvin and his siblings causing a scene.

”Not at all. He is just a kid, so I give him some leniency. Otherwise, I wouldn't let him go like that unless he leaves at least a hand behind.”

I response casually, making Mo Shu smiles faintly. It is a bit extreme, but it does build my character as I am supposed to be superior to most people. All of the people in this establishment to be honest.

It takes a good 10 minutes or so for another boss to enter the room. An extremely buffed dude without any hair on top of his head. He didn't have his head shaved. It is actually a side-effect.

He is also mostly naked. Every inches of his body are tattooed.

Most criminals do not tattoo their body because it looks cool. It is basically their resume, and from the analysis by Selene, his rap sheet is extremely long. Murder. Kidnapping. Raping. Arson. He has a hand in pretty much everything.

”What is going on here, Shin? Why did you have your men wakes me and the girls!? Do you know what time it is?”