Agreement Reached

Han Lin's lips curled up slightly, and he gained a new impression of this clever senator. "It seems our esteemed senator has been granted considerable authority. Since you're so sincere about talking with me, then I'll state my demands.

Hand over all of New York Harbor to me. Then I'll need some land on Long Island. I want to build an ultra-luxurious hotel that includes a large auction house, casino, and bar. You'll need to issue me a permanent casino operating license."

Han Lin's words made Michelle Lawrence suck in a sharp breath. Never mind the rest—New York Harbor alone was impossible. Privatizing the harbor was equivalent to placing all of New York's foreign trade in Han Lin's hands. The profits involved were obvious.

"That's impossible. New York Harbor handles over ten million tons of cargo every year. The taxes alone are not something you can have. And right now, all supplies headed for the European battlefield pass through New York Harbor. It's impossible for you to take it for yourself."

Han Lin shook his head indifferently and said to Michelle Lawrence, "Then there's nothing to discuss. You may leave." Han Lin rose to see her out.

The senator's face turned ashen as she hesitated before speaking. "This isn't something I can decide. I need to return and convene with the President to discuss it, but I don't think the chances are high, because this concerns the entire war effort. I can agree to give you land and development rights on Long Island. As for the casino operating license, New York has never issued one before, but there's a very high chance the first one will end up in your hands."

Han Lin was somewhat surprised by Michelle Lawrence's current response. Control over all of New York Harbor was not so easily obtained. Its waterfront was spread across eleven independent, thriving port districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken.

Han Lin could not possibly take over such a vast area entirely. What he needed was control of the independent docks in Queens and Brooklyn. That would give him a solid foundation.

That evening, Han Lin received word that Agent Carter had returned. He rushed to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret base and found the lieutenant colonel bound tightly. Han Lin had no intention of interrogating him. In a few days, these "government essentials" would become bargaining chips in Han Lin's negotiations with the government.

Han Lin asked, "How's the battlefield? Of the five bases Steve targeted last time, how many has he destroyed?"

Carter said with some frustration, "Steve feels like he can't get any momentum going. Every raid has ended without results. Each base has a large number of soldiers stationed there, and Steve has only taken down one base so far. And now the Germans no longer care about advancing the front line. They've armed every Hydra research base like a hedgehog, leaving Steve unable to make a move."

Han Lin rubbed his chin as though stroking a beard. "Wait a little longer. Dr. Zola was rescued, and the European war will change soon. When that happens, I'll head to the battlefield under another identity."

Han Lin's words made Carter's heart tighten. He saw her concern and comforted her softly. "Steve will be fine. He can keep himself safe on the battlefield. You'll be very busy soon. Those three rats confessed to every spy they knew of across the United States. I don't know whether the list is complete, but there are a lot of names, including government officials, business elites, and some mid-level personnel. I'll give the list to the government then and demand that you command this operation, so you can gain more authority within the government."

After indicating that she understood, Carter went to rest. Though she was not particularly tired from all the travel, the oppressive atmosphere of the battlefield had drained the agent mentally.

Two days later, at the Strategic Scientific Reserve's secret base, Han Lin met Michelle Lawrence again. This time, she was in terrible condition. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked as if every ounce of energy had been drained from her. She stared at Han Lin and said,

"All of New York Harbor cannot belong to you, but I helped you secure two of the eleven independent port districts. Since you asked for a large tract of land on Long Island, we'll give you all independent docks in Queens and Brooklyn. The casino operating license you requested will also be issued on the day your hotel is completed. But there are two conditions. First, half of the dock taxes must go to the state. Second, once the hotel is completed, the state will hold fifty percent of the shares. We will invest ten million dollars in the hotel's construction."

Han Lin considered it before speaking slowly. "The first condition is fine. I'm already getting a huge advantage. But the second condition gives you too large a shareholding, which does not meet my expectations. At most, I can give you twenty percent. As for the other thirty percent, I'll trade you a list of Hydra spies within the United States. What do you think?"

At first, Michelle Lawrence was somewhat angry when she saw that Han Lin disagreed, because she had offered terms the other side could not refuse. But when she heard the words "list of Hydra spies within the United States," the senator lost her composure again and shot to her feet, knocking the chair behind her to the floor.

"Where did you get the list?"

Han Lin chuckled. "Didn't you already guess? Those three rats from Washington are with me. They confessed to many things. I don't know whether it's true or false, but can't you just verify it?"

"I need to report this urgently. Unless something unexpected happens, our deal can be reached."

Han Lin smiled and gestured for the senator to go to another room and call President Roosevelt's private line. Less than ten minutes later, Han Lin looked at the visibly more relaxed Michelle Lawrence and asked with a smile, "It seems our cooperation has been finalized, correct?"

Michelle Lawrence felt as though she were in a dream. A single man had taken things of immeasurable value from the United States government without paying anything, and all he had given in return were a few sheets of paper.

But the senator had also figured out the crucial point. As long as Han Lin had something he cared about, nothing would go wrong.

Everything Han Lin had done showed that he was someone who cared about his friends. Because Howard Stark had been injured, Han Lin slaughtered the entire upper ranks of the three major gangs.

When Steve had been assigned to perform in war propaganda shows, Han Lin had personally stopped Senator Brand and disrupted the plans of the senator who had distinguished himself by selling war bonds.

On the battlefield, Han Lin was always the first to charge ahead, destroying enemy defenses without hesitation before allowing his comrades to come in and provide support.

His indifference was relative. As long as the country did not target him, he would not stand against it.

Michelle Lawrence nodded and said, "The President has agreed to your demands. When I leave, I hope to take those three spies with me."

"I'll have Carter accompany you to Washington with those three rats shortly. I have a suggestion. Would you be interested in hearing it?" Han Lin offered his suggestion.

"Agent Carter is one of the Strategic Scientific Reserve's top agents. I think she can serve as the commander of this operation. And she has another identity as well: she is the girlfriend of our European battlefield hero, Captain America. What do you think?"

Michelle Lawrence hesitated before replying, "I can propose in Congress that Agent Carter lead the operation, but I can't guarantee it will be her."

Han Lin nodded, then extended his right hand. "May our cooperation be pleasant!"

The senator had never expected the domineering battlefield Shura to have such a reasonable side.

"May our cooperation be pleasant!" Their hands clasped tightly together.

Soon afterward, Carter brought out the three Hydra spies. Since Han Lin had already decided to trade them to the government, he quietly transferred them out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. base.

Seeing that the three rats were clearly in bad condition, with bloodstains blooming across their clothes, it was obvious what kind of treatment they had received. Combined with their missing teeth, it made the senator once again feel Han Lin's iron-fisted methods. Along with the three rats, three state legislators and a major general were packaged up and handed over to Michelle Lawrence.

After Carter left, Han Lin drove to the hospital where Howard was staying. Ever since the wealthy man had checked in, he had never planned to leave. Every day, he chatted with the young nurses about their dreams, and at night, he discussed life with them. He was living quite comfortably.

Han Lin had come this time for two reasons. First, to inform him of the negotiation results. Second, to make that damned playboy get out of his hospital bed and start working.

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