Chapter 30: Extortion

"Lock him up?"

Carlo said somewhat helplessly.

"His father-in-law is a senator. How can we lock him up? Even the president has to give him some face."

So it turns out that America is also a society built on connections! People there also rely on their dads, or in this case, their fathers-in-law!

After sighing, he listened to Gambino continue.

"Actually, he can't really be considered a Nazi. 'The American Virtue League' is an organization developed by Nazis in the U.S. before the war. That guy is a key member of the New York branch. Even though he wasn't interned as an enemy alien because of his father-in-law's influence after the war broke out, his factory fell into trouble. He couldn't hire workers or get orders, and even the banks refused to provide loans. The Jews are like a bunch of greedy vultures, waiting for him to declare bankruptcy so they can buy his factory at a low price..."

Obviously, in Gambino's eyes, Jews were not good people either. This wasn't surprising, considering how few people from old Europe liked Jews. They all had a long history of anti-Semitism.

While internally criticizing these hypocritical white people, the car had already stopped in front of an expensive-looking factory. Judging by the factory gate and the four-story building next to it, one could imagine the factory's former scale.

"2457 various metal cutting machine tools! This is my factory, founded by my father half a century ago. Now, those Americans want to drive it to ruin, and those damn Jews want to grab it at a scrap price..."

Hermann von Karl said angrily.

"Damn Americans, they will never understand our love for our homeland as a nation-state. Am I right?"

Karl looked directly at Li Yian and asked bluntly.

"I totally agree with that. The homeland is a bond we can never let go of in our lifetime. That deep feeling ingrained in our flesh and bones is something Americans can never understand."

His answer made Karl initially stunned, then somewhat excited.

"Exactly, exactly. They will never understand, never understand..."

Americans do understand. For a country built on immigrants, they need you to forget your homeland and integrate into America, becoming so-called "Americans." But in reality?

It's just self-deception.

"Like those Jews, they have no homeland, so they never know how we feel. They are a bunch of greedy hyenas. They try to pounce on my corpse and tear my flesh. That's impossible. I would rather sell my factory to anyone but those inferior goods..."

Appearing to be noble and righteous, Karl continued.

"One hundred fifty thousand dollars! For just one hundred fifty thousand dollars, everything in Karl Metal Company, from the land to the machines and all other assets, including the patents held by the company, will be yours. Li, this is definitely a great deal. Just the plant and the machines are worth more than that."

Glancing at Karl, Li Yian didn't agree. He thought, "I don't believe you at all."

At this moment, the system screen flashed.

"Do you want to enable cost accounting?"

"Enable."

Instantly, the screen flashed with numerous words.

"Karl Metal Company was founded in New York by old Hermann in 1886. The company covers an area of 2.7 square miles, including the plant area..."

After a moment, Li Yian, who had fully understood Karl Metal Company, glanced at Karl and then turned to leave.

"What's wrong, Li?"

Gambino asked in confusion, and Karl followed.

"Mr. Li, what's going on?"

"I don't want to cooperate with a liar!"

Li Yian said bluntly.

"What?"

Gambino looked at him puzzled, while Karl's face turned furious.

"Mr. Li, what did you say?"

"First of all, let's not mention that half of the machines in your factory are old goods purchased during World War I. These machines are worthless scrap iron! Just talk about your land and property being mortgaged to the bank for a full twenty thousand dollars! You chose to hide this debt!"

"Mr. Li, I, I just haven't had a chance to mention the company's debt!"

Before Karl could finish, Gambino snorted coldly.

"Really? Mr. Karl!"

"Mr. Gambino, I, I swear to God!"

"Mr. Karl, I brought my friend here not to be deceived by you. You should know how I treat friends and also how I treat those who betray friends."

Gambino's threat made Karl shudder, and he quickly said.

"No, no, Mr. Gambino, you know I had no intention of hiding anything. Li, isn't this how business works? I quote a price, and you can bargain, right?"

Looking at this guy, Li Yian said directly.

"Mr. Karl, how can I bargain? First of all, your land and property are worthless since they have been mortgaged to the bank. This means I would take on over twenty thousand in debt. Secondly, your machines, most of which are from twenty years ago, are just scrap iron. Maybe during the war, they can still produce some products, but after the war ends, the high labor costs will render them worthless. Scrap iron, no, they are a pile of money-wasting junk. As for the remaining machines, how much are they worth? Twenty thousand? Ten thousand? Karl..."

Staring at him, Li Yian said bluntly.

"Those Jews may be a bunch of greedy hyenas, but the problem is, your company is already a worthless corpse to them..."

Pointing at the plant, Li Yian sneered.

"The only valuable thing is this piece of land, but after deducting the bank loan, how much value is left? Fifty thousand? How much?"

Exposed by Li Yian's words, Karl's face turned ugly, and cold sweat kept dripping from his forehead. He initially thought he could take advantage of a foreigner to make a fortune. As for Gambino... could he really kill him?

But now, looking carefully, Karl found things weren't as he thought. Gambino acted like a follower in front of this foreigner, always staying behind him.

What was this guy's identity? Why did Gambino respect him so much?

Thinking of this, Karl panicked.

"Sir, sir, I, I..."

Seeing Karl stammering, Li Yian said bluntly.

"No, in the end, the Jews will use their control of the banks to squeeze you dry. You won't get a penny, and you'll have to be responsible for the remaining debts of the company! By then, you'll lose everything and become a true pauper!"