The Council

Jiang Chuan smiled. "All these problems will be resolved after tonight. Red Hat's resources will surprise us. They have far more capital than what they show on the surface. Red Hat may have just been through our baptism of fire, but we have a huge steel market. With Red Hat's reputation and industries, selling steel won't be difficult. The profits will be outrageous!"

Kendi nodded, only half understanding. "President, wasn't the steel business entrusted to Miss Sarah?"

Jiang Chuan shook his head. "Sarah could manage it on her own, but monopolizing the entire market would be difficult for one person. After we merge with Red Hat, we'll build an even larger Steel Mill and usher Bilgewater into the Industrial Revolution. The Steam Engines on the Demacia and the Siren are perfect examples."

Kendi shook his head. "Forget it. This is too much of a headache. I'll stick to training the First Army."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Once I go inside Red Hat Headquarters, take Donahue and keep an eye on me from outside."

Kendi asked worriedly, "President, there shouldn't be any trouble here, should there?"

Jiang Chuan shook his head. "There's no way to know for sure. Pero isn't a problem, but who can guarantee his men are like him? If we don't teach them a lesson, they'll be walking all over you before long."

At dusk, Pero arrived to take Jiang Chuan to Red Hat Headquarters, dressed in clean, neat clothes.

When Jiang Chuan arrived at Red Hat Headquarters, all of Red Hat's leadership was there. They sat around a table, and not one of them gave Jiang Chuan a friendly look. They all thought Pero must have gone mad to sign such an unfair agreement with the Dark Sea Throne.

Jiang Chuan and Pero sat on opposite sides of the table. Pero smiled. "I called everyone here to discuss Red Hat's future. I assume you all know the man sitting across from me: Roland, leader of the Dark Sea Throne."

Looking at the group of fierce-looking men, Jiang Chuan forced himself to speak. "I'll get straight to the point. The Dark Sea Throne intends to acquire Red Hat. You'll become a branch of the Dark Sea Throne. I know none of you are willing to let Red Hat be acquired, so you can name your terms. If I can meet them, I will."

A lecherous-looking old man who seemed like a villain said, "Leader Roland, I have a bit of a reputation in Bilgewater thanks to Red Hat. The Dark Sea Throne is just a small gang. Those of us here are only looking for a strong gang to rely on. Your Dark Sea Throne doesn't seem to fit the description."

Pero snapped, "Holt! Watch your words."

The old man gave a sinister laugh. "Boss, what did the Dark Sea Throne give you to make you favor them so much? You're gambling with your brothers' lives! I, Holt, was born a member of Red Hat and will die one! I won't let Red Hat be destroyed in your hands!"

Jiang Chuan looked at the old man and gave a cold smile. This old fox was clearly baiting the others, and his acting was impeccable. His words had fired several men up. Old foxes like him were the hardest to deal with.

Jiang Chuan said, "Mr. Holt, surely I don't need to tell you how powerful the Dark Sea Throne is. In our eyes, Red Hat's forces are no different from a bunch of primitives! A hundred of our men defended the old Iron Anchor Gang headquarters, and not one of us was seriously injured or killed in the last battle. I don't need to remind you what happened to Red Hat. With all your men, you couldn't even get past our four streets! So, Mr. Holt, I don't think 'powerful' is the right word for Red Hat."

The man in charge of Red Hat's fighters was a burly fellow named Ralph. He said, "Mr. Roland, I'm a straightforward man. It doesn't really matter to me who I work for. We've all been around Bilgewater too long for talk of loyalty to be anything but phony. I only care whether my life will stay the same after the Dark Sea Throne acquires Red Hat. Your weapons and forces are stronger than Red Hat's. I, Ralph, have never been a sore loser. We lost, and that's that."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "After joining the Dark Sea Throne, you can choose to join the Second Army or take on other work. The specifics will depend on what skills you have."

Ralph seemed particularly interested in the Second Army. "Will I get to use your bombs and those strange guns in the Second Army?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Those are standard-issue equipment for the Dark Sea Throne. Everyone gets them."

Ralph smiled and said no more. He had made his position clear. The big man wasn't a fool; he knew what to say and what not to say in a setting like this.

Jiang Chuan continued, "I'm not here to swallow up all of Red Hat. This is just the first step. You'll keep the Red Hat name, and I'll send people to take over the affairs currently in your hands. I've always been generous to those who cooperate."

The old fox Holt stood up. "What arrogance! Red Hat is one of Gangplank's gangs! If you want to negotiate, go talk to Gangplank. I'm done here. Goodbye!"

Jiang Chuan shook his head, pointed at Holt, and said coldly, "You've insulted me several times. I've put up with you long enough!"

On a rooftop nearby, Kendi saw Jiang Chuan's signal through his binoculars and told Donahue, "That old man who just stood up. Give him a bullet."

Donahue raised the Hextech Rifle he had finished adjusting. "I really hate to waste it. These bullets are expensive!"

This was the Hextech Rifle Jiang Chuan had given him. For this mission, Donahue had brought out a long-treasured armor-piercing round. It was an accessory for the Hextech Rifle, with tremendous penetrating power. Ordinary walls couldn't stop it.

Donahue pulled the trigger. The bullet shot from the barrel and punched clean through Holt's head, embedding itself in the floor. The impact shattered Holt's entire head, splattering the people beside him with brains!

Jiang Chuan said icily, "So what if he's Gangplank? Can he save you? He doesn't have many days left, either!"

Everyone stared at Holt's headless body, hardly daring to breathe. Jiang Chuan turned back to them. "Anyone who decides to oppose the Dark Sea Throne will end up the same way."

Pero stood up and said, "Red Hat is currently a subordinate gang of Gangplank, and everyone knows how cruel he is. Mr. Roland has explained the cooperation plan to me in detail. I assure you, Red Hat will prosper more than ever!"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "The Dark Sea Throne never goes back on its promises. Think it over carefully."

Pero smiled. "It's getting late. Let's eat first and talk over dinner."

Holt's body and brains were quickly cleaned up. All kinds of food were brought in and set on the table. The others began eating the food and drinking the fine wine.