The VIP Carriage was on the move. Neo sat in the back, pouring himself some red wine. It was expensive wine, confiscated when he had led a raid against Black Market smugglers some time ago. When the contraband was being disposed of, he had asked Muli to spend vouchers to buy it back for him, at a much lower price.
In the past, there would have been no need to go through this process. He would simply have pocketed whatever he wanted. But things were different now... before, he had been embezzling public property; now, he would be embezzling Kallen's property.
In the past, Neo had taken Kallen along to embezzle funds, teaching him all sorts of tricks for skimming off the top. Now look what had happened: after becoming District Chief, Kallen had used the wealth of experience Neo had taught him to implement numerous specific reforms, plugging plenty of loopholes.
For example, numerous restrictions had been placed on reimbursements for products such as tobacco and alcohol at the district's Guest Hotel and on official business trips. The old trick of charging tobacco and alcohol to the account every day, then stockpiling them for resale, was no longer possible. The dragon slayer had become the dragon.
"There are more people wanting to join, right?"
Neo asked as he savored his red wine.
Ventura, sitting in the front passenger seat, said, "Yes. Bart, Blanche, Mars, Aisili, and Richard."
"Richard?"
Neo could understand why the others wanted to join. After all, they had been Kallen's original core team. Although some had moved into secondary roles now that he had his team of Believers, they would naturally get first consideration when good opportunities arose to build experience and polish their credentials.
But Richard was going too?
Ventura said, "Because Richard's parents are