Billion Subsidy

"Good. I've been wanting to hear your strategy. Getting the Blood Clan to integrate into human society won't be easy!"

Hearing Wang Bert's words, Carter nodded and sat down beside him. Mercury glanced at Blade, signaling that it was time for him to leave, but Blade did not budge. "First is the Blood Clan Police Department plan. It definitely has to be carried out, and skilled people must be assigned to it!"

Wang Bert said, "Also, to ensure that the Blood Clan obeys the law, the police department must register information on every member of the Blood Clan. Simply put, a population... uh, vampire population census."

"That's unrealistic!"

Mercury immediately objected. "The Blood Clan has always valued freedom. No one will be willing to register, and once they do, their information will fall into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hands!"

As she said this, Mercury glanced at Carter. Carter merely smiled calmly, pretending not to notice.

"I know many people won't want to register, which is why we need to implement the Billion Subsidy Plan!"

Wang Bert said, "All registered members of the Blood Clan will get a ten percent discount on blood bags, maybe even twenty percent!"

"The Billion Subsidy Plan?"

Everyone was stunned. After thinking for a moment, Carter said, "That would indeed increase the registration rate, but the expense won't be small. It might really require tens of billions in subsidies!"

"It's fine. I have more money than I can spend! Besides, blood bags are already overpriced. The Purebloods have been making money off this all along. At most, they just won't profit anymore."

Wang Bert spoke indifferently. Mercury secretly gritted her teeth. Of course you don't care. That's all our Pureblood money!

Blade voiced his approval. "It's a good method. Not only will it get vampires registered, but with enough blood, vampire crime will definitely decrease considerably!"

"Exactly. That's what I mean!"

Wang Bert nodded and continued, "Also, we need to build several factories and hire vampires who can't find work. Put them in Hell's Kitchen. It's close to Midtown, easier to manage, and Blood God Group's headquarters will be located there too!"

Mercury said, "The problem is that Hell's Kitchen is chaotic. There are shootouts every day."

Wang Bert sneered. "Are we vampires afraid of chaos? If they dare come looking for trouble with us, we'll be making a contribution to public safety."

"Hell's Kitchen is a good choice. Land prices are low there, and it's on Manhattan Island!"

Carter glanced at Wang Bert. He had likely chosen this place so humans would hesitate to act—no one would launch missiles at Manhattan Island! Wang Bert ignored her gaze. Remembering something, he said, "Oh, and remember to buy insurance then. Alien Invasion Insurance and Monster Attack Insurance!"

The three of them stared at Wang Bert in astonishment. What was the point of buying that kind of insurance? Could aliens really invade?

"Just buy it!"

Wang Bert shrugged and did not elaborate, directly changing the subject. "Ms. Carter, next, the group must establish a blood research department as quickly as possible and develop Artificial Blood. That is the highest priority!"

Carter nodded first, then asked, "No problem. I'll form the blood research department as fast as possible. But speaking of which, why do vampires have to drink human blood? Why won't animal blood work?"

"How would I know? I've only been a vampire for a little over two months!"

Wang Bert spread his hands and turned to Mercury. Mercury shook her head. "I don't know either. Animal blood is useless to us. We can only drink fresh human blood to satisfy our hunger!"

"We'll research it together later. Artificial Blood must be developed. Otherwise, the Blood Clan will never be able to integrate into humanity!"

Wang Bert said, "That's the general framework. Once we've consolidated the Blood Clan's resources, we'll gradually fill in the details."

"Yes, we need to consolidate the resources first. The Speaker and the Twelve Elders are all dead. They left behind too many resources, scattered everywhere. It'll take quite some time to sort it all out!"

Carter nodded. Seeing that Wang Bert had said nearly everything, she gave him a meaningful look. Wang Bert turned to Mercury and said, "Mercury, tell the other members of the Blood Clan that we've reached a ceasefire with S.H.I.E.L.D. Also, leak a little of our plan. No need to go into too much detail!"

Mercury asked, "If we leak it in advance, aren't you afraid people will run?"

"If anyone wants to leave, let them leave. It doesn't matter. If some go, others will come. I believe there will be plenty of vampires willing to obey the law. But if anyone wants to resist, they must all be eliminated!"

"Alright!"

Mercury nodded and rose to leave. As Wang Bert's assistant and Captain of the Guardians, her position was extremely important. After all, she represented the interests of the Purebloods.

Wang Bert turned to Blade and said, "Blade, go talk it over with Whistler too. As for whether you stay or leave, that's up to you. I'm looking forward to having you join us!"

"I'll consider it!"

Blade nodded and got up to leave. Seeing that he had taken the badge with him, Wang Bert could not help smiling. It seemed the Director position had been settled!

Once everyone had left, Carter impatiently asked, "You once said you would give me evidence. Where is it?"

"Which evidence do you mean? The one where Captain America returns, then passionately kisses your niece after your funeral?"

Wang Bert knowingly asked. He had once told Carter this as a joke, intending to test whether Captain America had returned. From the looks of it, the future had likely changed.

That was a good thing. What was the point of being a transmigrator if he did not change the future? "I told you, I don't like people making jokes about Steve. And he isn't the kind of person you described!"

Carter was somewhat displeased. Remembering something, she sighed. "If he really can return, I wouldn't care even if he did something with Sharon!"

"You're very open-minded."

Wang Bert secretly laughed. When Captain America came back, there would be quite a show. He stood up, took a document from the cabinet, and placed it on the table. "This is the evidence you wanted!"

Carter eagerly opened it. Inside was a personal file—Daniel Whitehall's personal file!

When she saw the man's photograph, Carter froze. She asked, "Who is this person? Why does he look so familiar?"

Wang Bert asked, "You don't recognize that name, but what about Werner Reinhardt?"

"Werner Reinhardt? That's impossible. He's already dead. And even if he weren't dead, there's no way he could be this young!"

Carter spoke in shock. Werner Reinhardt had been a Hydra scientist. Before she left S.H.I.E.L.D., he had been imprisoned. Later, someone informed her that he had died!

"This man is Werner Reinhardt. As for why he's still alive and so young, investigate it yourself. He's the chairman of a company, so he won't be hard to trace!"

Wang Bert said, "I'll say it again: S.H.I.E.L.D. can no longer be trusted. Come to think of it, you agreed to help me so readily because you'd already noticed something, hadn't you?"

Carter fell silent. She had indeed noticed something. Howard Stark and his wife's deaths had been full of suspicious details. Just as she was about to investigate, she was forced into retirement.

But Carter had never imagined that it was all because of Hydra. Not until Wang Bert came to her and used this as leverage to make her the Blood God Group's President!

Carter did not fear death, but she could never accept that Hydra had not died and was still lurking inside S.H.I.E.L.D.—the greatest achievement of her life had been defeating Hydra. And now someone was telling her that Hydra had never died. How could she tolerate that?

Carter put away the file and said, "I'll investigate. But I want to know, how did you learn all this? Fury investigated you. Before you became a vampire, you were just an ordinary person!"

"I am the Blood God. When I consume blood, I can obtain some of the other person's memories!"

Wang Bert said, "One of the Blood Clan elders once worked with Whitehall. In truth, some organizations have long known that Hydra exists. From beginning to end, the only ones kept in the dark were S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

Carter narrowed her eyes. If that was true, then the problem was serious. It meant Hydra had already risen to high-ranking positions within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Carter said, "I hope you aren't lying to me. Otherwise, even if you are the Blood God, I'll make you pay the price!"

Wang Bert smiled. "Don't worry. I never lie. And even when I do, I won't let anyone find out."

"That's so reassuring," Carter mocked.

Wang Bert smiled. Remembering something, he warned, "Be careful when you investigate. Don't let Hydra notice you."

"I know. I won't alert the enemy!"

Carter left with the file, troubled and worried. Wang Bert watched her back, his eyes flickering. Until Hydra was dealt with, Carter was still useful. Once Hydra was gone, it would be time to let her and Captain America live together happily.

Besides, Wang Bert had not made Carter President because he intended to hand everything over to her. Carter was merely a pawn for seizing power from the Purebloods and influencing Captain America!

After thinking for a moment, Wang Bert had a maid summon James.

"While gaining the Blood Clan's wealth and influence, I've also become bound to them. Still, with this much money, being bound is fine. The most important thing in life is to live brilliantly! If I truly can't handle it someday, I can just abandon the Blood Clan and run off on my own. It's not like I can die."

Holding a glass of red wine, Wang Bert smiled faintly. If not for a brilliant life, why would he have planted roots in Manhattan? The first alien invasion would happen here.

James arrived quickly and respectfully asked, "Blood God, what are your orders?"

Wang Bert said, "I need you to do something for me. It must be kept secret. No one can know, including Blade, Carter, and Mercury!"

"No problem. My lips are sealed!"

James said happily. He truly was a trusted confidant. Such a secret task had not been given to anyone else, only to him.

"Good!"

Wang Bert nodded, raised a hand, and blood-red light surged forth, forming the image of a man in purple. "Find this man for me!"

"Find someone?"

James was a little disappointed. It was such a minor task. Naturally, he did not dare refuse, and asked, "Blood God, where is he? Do you have any other information?"

Wang Bert said, "His name is Kilgrave. He should be in the city. Look for him first. If you can't find him, keep an eye on Jessica Jones. He has a lot of entanglements with that woman!"

James complained, "Kilgrave? Kill-grave? Who gives themselves a name like that?"

"Obviously, a freak!"

Wang Bert copied the blood shadows of Kilgrave and Jessica Jones onto a sheet of A4 paper. Then, with a solemn expression, he said, "James, listen carefully to what I'm about to say. Don't miss a single word."

James's expression turned serious. "Please speak, Blood God!"

"After you find that man, do absolutely nothing. Do not approach him. Notify me immediately."

Wang Bert instructed, "Remember this: notify me immediately. If I find out you did anything unnecessary, your blood will no longer belong to you. Do you understand?"

Wang Bert spoke very seriously. His eyes even turned blood-red, making James feel as if he could die at any moment. He hurriedly said, "I understand, Blood God. I'll notify you immediately."

"Very good. In a moment, I'll write you a three-million-dollar check to fund your search for Kilgrave!"

Wang Bert's eyes gradually returned to normal. He said, "Also, you can use the Blood Clan's resources and select helpers from among them, but take precautions. Don't let anyone leak this matter!"

James nodded. "Understood. I'll try to choose Half-bloods I can control to help. If they dare leak the secret, their families will die."

"Handle it as you see fit. I only want results!"

Wang Bert waved his hand and said, "Next, I'll establish an intelligence center. If you handle this well, you'll be in charge of it!"

"Thank you, Blood God!"

James was overjoyed. He said, "Gathering intelligence is what I'm best at. When I passed by Blade's room just now, I even heard him arguing with that old man!"

"That's gossip, not intelligence gathering!"

Wang Bert mocked. "I'm putting you in charge of the intelligence center because I trust you. But you have a lot to learn. Just like me—I also have many things to learn!"

That was the truth. Wasn't the reason Wang Bert had sought Carter's help because he had no experience managing a group? James immediately declared his loyalty. "I will never let down your trust, Blood God!"

"Of course I trust you. Go find that man for me. Also, find me two virology experts—ones whose deaths would be no great loss. Remember not to leave any loose ends."

Wang Bert patted James on the shoulder. A drop of blood seeped from his clothes into his skin, then remained within his bloodstream.

"Understood. Leave it to me!"

James took the check Wang Bert gave him and left excitedly!

Wang Bert closed his eyes and waited for a while, then secretly shook his head. "My strength is still a little lacking. Beyond a certain distance, I can't sense blood anymore. Fortunately, the police department I establish next will bring me a great deal of blood!"

Blade had not been wrong. A large part of why Wang Bert wanted to establish the police department was to obtain blood!

Killing them one by one was too much trouble, and the Blood Clan would resist. Now that someone would do the work for him while he reaped the rewards, how wonderful was that!

James's intelligence had been correct. Blade and Whistler really were arguing. Whistler cursed, "Have you lost your mind? You believe what vampires say? That brat is just stringing you along. How could vampires possibly stop drinking human blood? It's ten thousand times less believable than me saying I don't like alcohol!"

"I believe Bert. Even if we take ten thousand steps back and he has other motives, so what? We're killing vampires either way!"

Blade stubbornly said, "Whistler, the situation in the Blood Clan has changed. I need to learn more information—information about the Blood Clan and information about Bert!

"If Bert isn't lying, then I'll be a good Director. His ideas may be somewhat unrealistic, but they are very beneficial to us humans.

"If Bert is lying, then I can use my position as Director to get close to him, and then kill him!"

"I absolutely will not stay in a vampire place. It's disgusting!"

Whistler's tone softened somewhat, but his hatred for vampires ran too deep. There was no way he would work for them.

"I wasn't planning to make you stay. I need you to provide me with backup and investigate things that aren't convenient for me to investigate!"

Blade smiled. Then he said somewhat awkwardly, "Also, I need you to help take care of Vanessa!"

Whistler did not understand. "Who's Vanessa? A woman you found?"

"My mother!"

"Wasn't she dead?"

"She isn't!"

Blade said with a headache, "She's a little troublesome. Keep an eye on her. Don't let her go out and drink human blood. I don't want the first vampire I kill after becoming Director to be her."

"Blade, you've gone soft."

Whistler glanced at Blade, then said, "Leave it to me. I'll pull her fangs out and see how she drinks blood then!"

Blade was speechless. He vaguely felt that this was an extremely terrible idea!