plumnovel Chapter 70 You call this loyalty?
Chapter 70 You call this loyalty?
The air in Hancock's study was heavy. Expensive whale oil candles burned quietly, their light illuminating John Hancock's handsome face and reflecting his ever-changing expression.
He lived for thirty-seven years, from inheriting a vast family business to becoming one of Boston's leading tycoons. He had witnessed more conspiracies and deals than the Madeira wine in his cellar.
But he had never seen such a person before, nor had he ever heard such a suggestion.
Smuggling is going against the laws of the entire empire; it's dancing on the edge of a knife.
Li Wei's proposed solution, however, was to invite him to sit on the other side of the card table and, together with the empire's tax officials, to devour the empire's own flesh and blood.
Hancock didn't know if Levi, who was still attending the party outside the study, was chatting and laughing. He only knew that he absolutely could not drink a single drop of Spanish sherry tonight.
As soon as the party ended, Levi seemed completely unconcerned about Hancock's answer and urged Fiona to return to Oak Bay Estate.
Just as he was about to board the carriage, Hancock's servant rushed over and respectfully invited him, "Mr. Li, please wait. Mr. Hancock has been dealing with personal matters and missed having a long chat with you at the party. He would like to invite you upstairs for a while longer to catch up."
Li Wei waved his hand, and Fiona got into the carriage and waited.
In the study.
Hancock sat in the leather chair, looking as tired as if he had a hangover, even though he hadn't drunk much.
"Mr. Li..." Hancock found his voice was a little dry. He cleared his throat and regained the composure that belonged to a person in a superior position.
"Why would you do this? Governor Hutchinson is your protector. You are betraying him."
"Mr. Hancock, I have never had a protector. I only have trading partners and clients."
"The Governor's House is my client. I provide him with an orderly dock where taxes can be collected steadily, and he provides me with the legitimacy to operate. It's a deal."
"You can also become my customer. I provide you with profits and convenience, and you pay me the corresponding compensation. This is also a transaction."
Levi's speech was slow and deliberate, his words precise and devoid of emotion, yet Hancock found it more impactful than any passionate speech.
"As for loyalty?" Li Wei smiled slightly, as if telling a well-known joke.
"That's just a way of maintaining the relationship when neither side can offer a higher price. In my opinion, it's not a solid argument."
"My 'loyalty' is salable as long as the price is right. Like other commodities, it has a cost, a selling price, and a profit margin."
Every word of these remarks was like a small hammer, shattering the understanding that Hancock had built up with his wealth and reputation.
He had always thought that Li Wei was an oriental hound kept by the governor's mansion.
Fierce, but chained.
Only now does he realize how wrong he was.
The person in front of him was not anyone's dog; he was a lone wolf, calmly assessing the value of every piece of meat in the forest and the price he would have to pay to hunt it.
This logic of blatantly commodifying everything, including stances and relationships, sent a chill down Hancock's spine, yet also evoked a morbid sense of familiarity.
Because he himself is that kind of person at heart.
His love for "freedom" is nothing short of a huge speculative investment.
"What makes you so sure that Andrew Gage will cooperate with you on this kind of high-stakes business?" Hancock asked the most crucial question.
"I don't need his cooperation." Levi's answer once again surprised Hancock.
"I only need him to have occasional 'insomnia' or 'misread' a decimal point on some documents. The Empire's system is vast, vast enough that an ant can bore a comfortable nest into it without the giant himself noticing."
"As for Mr. Gage's safety, that's a cost he needs to pay. And the profit he gets from this deal is enough to cover the risks associated with that cost."
Everything has a price.
Hancock fell silent.
He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of brandy, and poured one for Li Wei as well.
This time, he didn't maintain that condescending attitude, but personally handed the wine glass to Li Wei on the table.
"How much do you charge for your 'tax optimization' service?" He sat back in his chair, already in the role of a businessman.
"I'll say it again. We'll split the bill 30/70, you get 70%, I get 30%." Li Wei picked up his wine glass, but didn't drink it.
"You take the lion's share because all the goods are yours. I'll take 30% because I'll handle all the risks."
Hancock's fingers gently rubbed the inside of the glass.
This condition is quite fair, and could even be described as generous.
Li Wei not only provided him with a brand new and safe way to make money, but also took the initiative to do all the dirty work.
He suddenly understood why Levi was able to transform the chaotic Boston docks into a highly efficient money-printing machine within a month.
Because this person understands the rules better than the officials in the governor's office, knows more about violence than the thugs on the docks, and understands profit better than a businessman like himself.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Li. You're a more interesting partner than I imagined." Hancock finally extended his hand.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Hancock. I also believe you must be a very high-quality client." Levi shook his hand gently.
What was originally a tense and dangerous banquet turned into a business conspiracy to divide up profits in this airtight study.
It was late at night when Levi led Fiona out of Hancock's mansion and back into the unassuming carriage.
The wheels rolled over the stone pavement, making a regular rolling sound.
"Sir, do we really want to help him?" Fiona asked softly, her usually downcast blue eyes filled with confusion.
"This increases the risk on Mr. Andrew's side. Besides, Hancock is a member of the Sons of Liberty."
"Fiona, risk is also a kind of liability." Levi looked out the window at the rapidly receding street scene, his voice calm. "As long as the returns are high enough, we can take on any liability."
He turned his gaze back to Fiona.
"Moreover, having both 'kings' owe us favors is itself a huge intangible asset. Governor Hutchinson needs me to maintain order at the docks to consolidate his achievements. John Hancock needs me as a new channel to maintain his wealth and influence."
"One of them represents the old order, and the other represents new ambitions. By making them both feel that we are 'useful' and believe that they can control us, we are the safest."
"The interesting thing is that both players at the table think they are the winner."
Fiona nodded as if she understood, and quickly jotted down notes in her notebook.
John Hancock's name was clearly written in the "Clients" section.
On another page of the ledger, titled "Tax Optimization Consulting Services," the expected revenue can already be calculated.
……
Meanwhile, in the study at Hancock's mansion.
John Hancock stood alone by the window, holding a glass of unfinished brandy.
The initial excitement of collaborating with Li Wei is slowly fading, replaced by a deeper chill.
He reviewed the entire evening's events.
From the initial show of force to the subsequent coercion and enticement, and finally being led by the nose by the other party, a deal was reached that he had never imagined.
He, John Hancock, the uncrowned king of Boston, was completely outmaneuvered on his home court by an unknown Easterner.
The other party even used the losses from his previous warehouse raids as bargaining chips in the negotiations.
He suddenly realized a terrible truth.
Such a person is like a knife without a sheath; anyone can pay to hire them, but no one can guarantee that the blade won't be pointed at them next time.
Samuel Adams, that fool, was still gloating over getting a few boxes of guns and ammunition from Levy.
He had no idea what kind of beast he had attracted.
No, I have to see him.
Hancock downed the drink in one gulp and slammed the crystal glass down on the table.
He had to immediately remind the young liberal leader that they might be dancing with an untamable and uncontrollable monster.
He rang the bell on the table, and the butler quickly pushed open the door and entered.
"Get the car ready." Hancock's voice was devoid of any warmth.
"Master, it's so late, where are you going?"
"Go find Samuel Adams. Tell him that a new player has arrived in Boston, and if we don't figure out his hand, we'll all lose everything."