Chapter 724: License and Priest

One hundred thousand is actually quite a lot.

But Lan Si's words made Mr. Joseph's heart skip a beat; he knew that what he had done was not very honorable, insisting on provoking a conflict between two people to profit himself.

Now, Lan Si's words were undoubtedly demanding that he pay the price for his own actions.

But that is money!

It's not like finding a random piece of paper and writing a string of numbers on it to make it usable as money.

That is money!

He glanced at Mr. Richard, who turned his head away in disdain when faced with the gaze cast his way.

In fact, Richard also knew why Mr. Joseph had previously stirred up the relationship between him and Lan Si, causing them to be at each other's throats.

Joseph is an unlikable guy; he possesses a disgusting sense of mercenary greed.

When you can bring him benefits, he will follow you every day.

If you cannot bring him benefits, he will turn his head and leave you the moment he can.

They had cooperated once before, and Mr. Richard had been cheated so badly he couldn't even speak, but you can't say someone is wrong for such capitalistic business behavior.

After all, Joseph had made money on his end, and only he had lost money; he could only treat it as paying for a lesson.

If given a chance, he would certainly cheat Joseph as well; this is why Joseph was so desperate to find him an opponent.

Now, his toes were already swollen.

Joseph sighed, opened his mouth, and just as he was about to say something, Xavier suddenly interjected, "I'll bid eight hundred thousand."

Joseph glanced at Lan Si, then at Xavier; he knew this was Lan Si giving him a "reminder." He couldn't bid eight hundred and ten thousand, eight hundred and twenty thousand, or even nine hundred thousand; he had to bid one million.

Thinking of this, his heart was bleeding, but... things had reached this point, and he had no other choice but to pay.

He squeezed out a smile, "How could that be?"

"Mr. Lan Si, you know!"

"I am the first person to support you; how could I look down on you?"

"In that case...", he pretended to ponder for a moment, "I will contribute one million to support your work, Mr. Lan Si. I don't care if I can be an executive committee member; as long as I can set an example for everyone, I am satisfied."

Lan Si's gaze softened quite a bit; one million, that's acceptable.

He nodded slightly, "I was just joking with you, Mr. Joseph. Don't be so nervous; I thought you were someone who could take a joke!"

Mr. Joseph had recovered by now, and he laughed twice, "How could I not? Of course I can take a joke; that was truly hilarious!"

Lan Si nodded, then looked at the other small factories he had persuaded.

These small factories, as if they had agreed beforehand, all contributed seven or eight hundred thousand, as if they really didn't care about money.

That damn amount is seven or eight hundred thousand, over a million, not seven or eight thousand, or seven or eight ten-thousands!

The representative of the Good Dream Distilled Spirits Company didn't react at first, but soon he realized that if the rotating chairman was Lan Si, and the four executive committee members were also Lan Si's people, then this industry committee might as well just be run by Lan Si!

He glanced at Richard. Richard was stunned for a moment, but under the slightly threatening gaze of the other party, he remained silent for more than ten seconds with some grievance, and then reluctantly called out the price of "one million."

Joseph was clearly not on the same side as Lan Si, and with Richard added, two against two, that was enough.

No one else spoke, and the matter seemed to be settled just like that.

Lan Si did not forget to remind them at the end that this money was to be paid annually.

Mr. Rao looked at the few people with ugly expressions, a smile appearing on his face, "Very good, our election was very smooth and achieved fairness and transparency."

"Everyone, please wait a moment; someone will come over later to explain the responsibilities you need to undertake."

Not long after, a guy Lan Si didn't recognize came into the room, but it was clear he knew Lan Si, and even took the initiative to greet him.

"Everyone might not know me; I am one of the commissioners of the Federal Prohibition Committee, Moore. You can just call me Moore."

"The implementation of Prohibition has already begun to show results. Some of the alcoholism problems existing in society are being properly resolved, and situations in factories where production was delayed due to alcoholism are starting to decrease. These are all positive aspects."

"If nothing unexpected happens, we would not agree to issue things like 'franchises' that go against our own policies."

"However, as you can see, the Federation is facing huge challenges, which are also opportunities."

"The interests of the Federation are supreme, so after weighing the options, we have made this decision."

As he spoke, he bent down to pick up the briefcase he had brought, placed it on the table, and took out one of the document bags.

The moment they saw the document bag, almost everyone's breathing began to quicken.

Mr. Moore opened the document bag and took out a franchise license, numbered "1."

This thing looked like a... beautiful poster, but it was definitely not as simple and worthless as a poster.

This franchise license used the paper of federal currency, larger paper, and they even specially made a set of plates for this thing.

The reason for making the plates was to produce the product faster. If a full plate were used, it would require more time, but with separate plates, each craftsman could be responsible for a part, and finally, they could be combined to form a complete printing plate.

The copper alloy intaglio printing, the patterns as detailed as art, and the tactile feel gave one the sensation of touching a large banknote.

It was rectangular and divided into three parts: background image, text, and explanation.

"This license does not need to be hung in the business premises. In fact, when we issued them to you, we already recorded your factory information."

"It is more of a symbol, a representation."

"The Prohibition Committee has made a major concession, so I need to remind everyone that you are allowed to industrialize and produce alcohol on a large scale within the Federation, but this alcohol cannot flow into the market."

"If discovered, we have the right to revoke these franchises."

"Considering that opening a gap for the war might cause some people to misunderstand, we need to promote these matters more and increase the intensity of Prohibition."

"... (omitted names of people who don't need to be remembered) Executive Committee member proposed a suggestion: for you, the Alcohol Industry Committee, to contribute funds to establish a special foundation."

"The main work of the foundation is to promote the advantages of Prohibition, improve public recognition of Prohibition, and also to ensure the healthy development of the industry."

"The funding for the foundation is divided into two parts."

"The first part is paid annually by the member units within the Industry Committee, only two hundred thousand per year."

Lan Si nodded slightly; the price of two hundred thousand is not much. Seventeen companies, that's only three million four hundred thousand a year. The ruthless part should be in the second part.

"The second part consists of three-thousandths of the net profit generated by various business activities of the entire industry."

"The Industry Committee is responsible for the preparation and setup of the foundation, and the specific operation will be taken over by a professional team designated by the Prohibition Committee."

"If you have no questions, we will continue. If you have questions, you can raise them now."

Some people looked left and right, seemingly wanting to say something but not daring to. They hoped that the stronger distilleries would stand up first.

Some gazes also fell on Lan Si. Lan Si shook his head slightly, and those gazes quickly retracted.

This clearly meant the Prohibition Committee wanted to set up a separate table, but he could understand and accept it.

After all, having been slapped hard in the face, if he still came to distribute these profits like everyone else, this slap would clearly be a loss.

So them setting up a separate table was within reason and not unexpected.

And the appetite wasn't too big, three-thousandths. According to Lan Si's prediction, the annual net profit is at least four or five hundred million, which means this part would be distributed to them for about one million or so.

Added to the previous amount, the foundation could have an annual income of about three or four million.

At most thirty percent of this income is used for the things they mentioned, promoting the good aspects of Prohibition, while at least seventy percent of the rest will be used for the operation of the foundation.

For example, renting houses, paying salaries, etc. The Federation has long had a mature plan to put the foundation's money into personal pockets.

For example, they rented a manor as an office location, the rent is one million a year, and then they rented some luxury cars and the like; two or three million in funds could be reasonably and legally put into their pockets.

As for the remaining thirty percent at most, it was just their method of winning over subordinates; after all, if they were full, the people below also needed to have some soup.

From the moment the politicians of the Federation were determined to follow the wrong path of capitalism, the roots of the entire government had already been soaked and rotted by the torrent of capital.

Politicians rarely consider what to do for the people; they only consider how to maintain the power in their hands and how to put more money into their own pockets.

No one raised any objection, which made Mr. Moore very satisfied. As a non-executive committee member, he could also get a share of money from this every year.

About three hundred and fifty thousand, every year; what else could he be dissatisfied with?

"It seems everyone has no opinion, so I will continue."

"The Industry Committee must exert your value in providing guidance to the industry; you need to restrain this industry."

!

"From my personal rational perspective, Prohibition will definitely come to an end one day; this is just a special decree for a special period."

"Once it ends, this industry may face a new disaster and destruction. A large amount of capital will pour in, making the market chaotic."

"At that time, it will be the moment to reflect your value. You must guard the door for this industry and set the rules. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lan Si nodded, and others also nodded one after another. Entry system, circling to eat alone, one could even see this as a form of "collective monopoly" recognized by Congress.

These people, the Industry Committee, form a "democratic collective," and then this collective monopolizes, but the core interests remain in the hands of these people.

Only monopoly can bring huge wealth. If they might not have valued the Industry Committee that much before, after Mr. Moore's words, the eyes of the representative of the Good Dream Distilled Spirits Company became somewhat scorching.

There is nothing better than a monopoly business, nothing!

Of course, this also means that if nothing unexpected happens, the Prohibition Committee will continue to eat from this.

As for whether they will continue to stare at the name of the Prohibition Committee to eat later, or change their appearance to eat, that is another matter.

Mr. Moore distributed the franchise licenses to everyone, and after giving some instructions, he exchanged contact information with these people, and after giving a few more words, he left.

After Mr. Moore left, others were not very willing to stay. The development of things to this point had actually exceeded many people's expectations, including Lan Si, who hadn't expected the Prohibition Committee to set up a separate kitchen.

But none of this is important. What is important is that he is now the rotating chairman of the Industry Committee; in front of these people, he has the final say!

Lan Si's "trip" in New Jincheng has also come to an end.

Although he is the rotating chairman, it does not mean he will stay in New Jincheng himself. After he returns to Jincheng, he will hire a professional management team to represent him in New Jincheng to fulfill his rotating chairman duties.

Actually, there is nothing complicated, or rather, nothing urgent; basically, it is just an idle position.

The biggest harvest of this trip might just be these: obtaining the franchise, becoming the rotating chairman, and becoming the father of the entire brewing industry in the future.

As large quantities of alcohol began to be transported to the front line, they received unanimous praise from the soldiers on the front line. The situation of large-scale desertion due to the emotional collapse that the Ministry of Defense had been worried about did not occur.

Lan Si was mentioned more than once in private occasions by some gentlemen; these wild ideas indeed solved a potential threat for them.

And at this time, Lan Si had just returned to Jincheng.

Although he was not very physically tired during the week or so in New Jincheng, he was using his brain every day.

Lan Si likes to use his brain; using bullets cannot be said to be the worst choice, but it is also not a very good choice.

The guy who owed the company more than five thousand dollars had already been sent to mine, and the message he left behind was also seen by Lan Si after he returned.

"A church." Looking at some information that Aierwen had obtained after receiving the news during this period, Lan Si placed the few photos in his hand on the table.

At the very top was a photo of a priest wearing sunglasses.

He was wearing simple clothes, holding a Bible in his hand, seemingly saying something to the believers.

From his demeanor, he really didn't look much like a priest, at least not a legitimate one.

Lan Si looked at Aierwen, "Do you have any plans?"

Aierwen touched a cigarette, "No very good plans. I found that many of them disguised themselves as clergy."

"If we take action against them, or take action against the church, it will definitely cause resentment or even anger among the local people."

"So this matter is not that easy to handle."

The fact that an extreme conservative radical organization like the Shengzhong Party could exist until today after the end of the slave liberation movement still has some of its powerful aspects.

Some of the strategies of Joshua (the leader of the Shengzhong Party) are very correct; extreme religious organizations can indeed help him solve many problems.

For example, "God does not recognize people of color as God's people" and the like. If these words were spoken by an ordinary person, or by a rich, powerful person, no matter what, by these people who have no status in religion.

Then it actually doesn't have much meaning, it would only make people think that the person who said these words is an extreme racist.

But if these words were spoken by a priest, the religious background endows them with innate sanctity on certain issues, and at the same time caters to the local landlord class; they will definitely have a good popular foundation.

This is also why it still exists and is still growing after so many years.

Aierwen did use his brain, but it was not enough.

Lan Si also lit a cigarette, "Actually, the simplest way is to find all of them, and then blow them away!"

Others in the room nodded one after another; there is nothing simpler than this.

A magazine of bullets can solve all problems, and it will not recur.

"But...", an expected turn, Lan Si's gaze swept across the faces of these people, "as Aierwen said, this will anger them."

He paused, "So we have to change our method this time."

His ring finger and little finger holding the cigarette tapped twice on the table, "This time, use what they are best at to crush them themselves!"

Most of the cadres didn't care what method Lan Si used; they were responsible for obeying Lan Si's instructions, but some people, such as Aierwen, were curious about what Lan Si intended to do.

Xiao En was also curious. It was still winter break, and he hadn't returned to his school yet. This was also his first formal participation in a family meeting after entering university.

He really wanted to know what kind of method Lan Si would come up with to better solve the problem of the Shengzhong Party.

They have the support of the local landlord class, and in the eyes of the local people, they are not even bad people. Solving problems with violence will only lead to unpredictable consequences.

Maybe there will be civilians helping them deal with Lan Si's people, so this is very difficult to solve.

Xiao En thought for several days and didn't come up with any good ideas.

Lan Si took a puff of his cigarette, "I remember the conservatives react very fiercely to drinking, right?"

Bodun in the corner raised his hand and said at the same time, "Yes, the conservatives are very disgusted with drinking. They think drinking is a manifestation of indulgence, and drinking too much will affect production plans. Most conservatives do not like people who drink."

Lan Si nodded, "Thank you for your explanation."

"So what we need is this: let those conservative people discover that the Shengzhong Party is not as 'conservative' as they describe themselves!"

His gaze fell on the photo on the table, "Of course, first we have to catch this guy back; he will bring us some richer information!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 725 =====