The Beginning of the Counterattack
Crawford took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down. Fear was useless, and submission was out of the question. He had to fight back, in his own way, in the United States way.
A head-on confrontation? Judging by their methods, my bodyguards probably wouldn't stand a chance. Calling the police? There's no solid evidence; they've covered their tracks cleanly, and the police are unlikely to be efficient against such well-prepared thugs, potentially alerting them. Suppressing them through business means? NLG is currently a united front with seemingly ample cash flow, so it's unlikely to be effective in the short term and could provoke more direct retaliation.
So... only that one path remains. That path, the most effective and insidious way to deal with any "respectable person" in United States.
His gaze fell on the desk drawer, his eyes gradually turning cold and resolute. He thought of someone, a relationship he had carefully maintained for years with money and interests, someone who, to ordinary people, might not have the greatest power, but was like the Sword of Damocles to any individual or company.
"Calvin," Crawford's voice regained its composure, even carrying a hint of ruthlessness, "Prepare the car, I'm going to see someone. Also, arrange for our people to go to NLG tomorrow... no, the day after tomorrow, to make contact with Lin Feng's men."
Calvin paused, startled. "Sir, you mean...?"
"So," Crawford said, enunciating each word clearly, a cold smile playing on his lips, "After careful consideration, we are willing to engage in specific discussions regarding 'deep cooperation' in defense transportation. The attitude must be 'sincere,' and the terms can be negotiated gradually, extending the negotiation period... as much as possible."
He needs time. Time to lull the other side into complacency, time to... prepare a knife that is sharp enough and legal enough.
"Understood." Calvin, though puzzled, faithfully carried out the order.
After hanging up with Calvin, Crawford didn't hesitate. He took an anonymous, encrypted cell phone from a hidden compartment in his drawer and dialed a number he rarely used, but which, whenever he did, meant there was big trouble to deal with.
The phone rang a few times before being answered. A slightly tired but shrewd voice came from the other end. "Daniel? What's up so late?" The background noise was a bit loud, like being in a club or bar.
"Richard," Crawford cut to the chase without pleasantries, his voice low, "I need your help with someone. A... a very annoying Great East."
Richard Cohen, on the other end of the phone, was a powerful figure in the Seattle area within Internal Revenue Service IRS Criminal Investigations Division. His "friendship" with Crawford was based on a substantial annual "consulting fee" that couldn't be reflected in any reports, as well as certain "favors" Crawford provided him using his logistics network.
"Great East? Tax issues?" Richard's voice sounded more interested, and the background noise seemed to have decreased, as if they had moved to a quieter place.
"He's new here, very wealthy. He acquired NLG Logistics, has a lot of cash on hand, and his style... is extremely arrogant and doesn't know the rules." Crawford gave a brief introduction, deliberately omitting the unpleasant details of the banquet and the man's dangerous background. "I think someone who suddenly enters the country with such a large sum of money and quickly acquires companies... can't possibly be without any tax issues. Perhaps, just perhaps, there are some... 'misunderstandings' or 'oversights' in the declaration."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Richard's deep laughter came through. "Daniel, my friend, the IRS's job is to ensure that every taxpayer complies with the tax law and fulfills their obligations. We have a responsibility to conduct... a thorough investigation into any potential tax violations."
These words sounded grand and dignified, but Crawford understood the implication. A "prudent investigation" could be lengthy, meticulous, and even "disruptive," especially when the subject was a foreigner, a nouveau riche who might not be so familiar with the outrageously complex details of United States tax law.
"Of course, that's your responsibility," Crawford interjected, his voice steady. "I believe that a 'newly rich' like him definitely needs a comprehensive... 'tax education.' After all, paying taxes according to the law is the duty of every citizen and resident alien."
"Education costs are not low," Richard said meaningfully.
"To uphold the dignity of the tax law, the necessary investment is worthwhile," Crawford said without hesitation. "I heard there's a high-level tax seminar in Hawaii next month; perhaps you'd be interested? Also, the chairman of the board of trustees of that private high school your son has been wanting to attend happens to be an old friend of mine."
There was another brief silence, followed by Richard's even more cheerful laughter. "Haha, Daniel, you're always so concerned about your friends. Okay, send me that person's details. As for whether there are any problems... we'll have to investigate to know, right? We'll follow standard procedure, sending out some inquiry letters first, and maybe even a friendly 'scheduled audit.' You know, procedural justice."
"Of course, everything according to the rules." Crawford hung up the phone, tossed the encrypted phone back into the drawer, and locked it.
He walked to the window, looked at the faint light shimmering on Lake Washington in the darkness outside, and a genuine, chillingly triumphant smile appeared on his face, the first of the night.
Force? Violence? That's the trick of the lowly. In this country, the real power lies in the rules, the laws, and the seemingly cumbersome yet ubiquitous tax system that can bankrupt even the wealthiest tycoons overnight and land them in jail.
Lin Feng, you can dodge bullets and threaten my life, but can you evade the Internal Revenue Service's relentless auditing? Can you explain the source of every single huge sum of money you've invested? Can you guarantee that your company is flawless under the magnifying glass and the tax provisions specifically targeting foreign investors?
Once the IRS launches an investigation, it will be a long and painful ordeal. Audits, asset freezes, hefty fines, and even criminal prosecution... it will be more despairing than any direct violence. And in the process, he has plenty of ways to make the "cooperative" negotiations for that defense transportation contract incredibly difficult, even paralyzing NLG itself.
"Trying to steal my stuff?" Daniel Crawford muttered to himself, gazing at the dark lake outside the window, his voice filled with resentment and the glee of impending revenge. "I'll show you that in United States, some games aren't played by brute force. I'll slowly torture you to death in ways you can't even imagine."
He could almost picture that Great East young man from the University of Tokyo, overwhelmed and exhausted by the endless forms, inquiries, lawyer's letters, and court summons from the IRS. And he, on the other hand, would sit back and watch the other man sink deeper and deeper into the mire.
In the study, the dim light cast his long, distorted shadow onto the medals on the wall, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, about to flick its tongue.