Chapter 757: Handle them

Aierwen stood opposite Lanse's desk, watching him, waiting for his instructions.

With just one word from Lanse, he would find a way to stop these goods from entering Liklai State.

Have the state police cooperate, give them a heads-up whenever they discover trucks transporting these solid grape juice bricks, and then have them play the role of the Angel of Death, overturning all these trucks halfway.

To Aierwen, and to the Lanse family, this was just a very ordinary matter; they were, after all, a gang, weren't they?

You can't expect a gang to follow the law to get things done; if they did, they wouldn't be a gang, they'd be a damn charity organization!

Lanse knew what he was waiting for, but at this moment, he shook his head. "Just stopping them from transporting it isn't the solution. They will definitely have other ways to get these things in."

"If they don't take the interstate highways and take back roads instead, or even get some bigfoot trucks or tractors that can travel off-road, we still won't be able to do anything about them."

"Wait for me to make a few calls."

As he spoke, he picked up the phone and dialed the number for the Lawrence Farm. The person who answered was Diensi, who was one of the younger members of William's generation, already thirty-nine years old this year.

He was the manager of the Lawrence Farm and the Lawrence family's agricultural product stores in New Jincheng and surrounding cities, responsible for the sales of agricultural products from the Lawrence Farm and surrounding farms.

However, as the liquor business fully expanded, the sales of agricultural products had been handed over to others, while Diensi was now responsible for the liquor transportation link at the farm.

He had rich experience in this area; previously, the vegetables, eggs, and milk produced by the Lawrence Farm, which had time limits, were all transported out through his hands.

So, the three old masters and Lanse were all very at ease letting him be responsible for this aspect of things—

It is worth mentioning that the team responsible for transportation was entirely made up of cowboys from the Lawrence Farm. These cowboys usually seemed very easy to get along with on the farm; they regarded the Lawrence family as their "lords," and they were the commoners living in the fiefdom.

So sometimes they would call the young girls of the family, like Patricia, "Your Highness the Princess."

But outside, they were not such easy people to approach. Everyone carried at least one handgun, and some might carry two handguns and then carry two long guns on their backs.

It wasn't that no one had designs on them, it was just that those people had completely disappeared. These cowboys were more skilled at dealing with corpses than Lanse and his men; they knew the wilderness too well.

They knew where to put a corpse so that it would soon be torn to pieces by predators in the wild.

Upon receiving Lanse's call, Diensi seemed very happy, because the changes Lanse brought were real. Every member of the Lawrence family had benefited from them, and they were sincerely grateful to Lanse.

And the better Lanse developed, the better their future development would be.

Lanse had no family here; he was all alone, so whenever someone needed to "step up," they would often choose someone from the Lawrence family.

This was also one of the reasons why the three old masters trusted Lanse so much.

"How do you have time to call me? Are you wanting to ask about the liquor production for this quarter?"

It would be June soon, and perhaps Lanse had thoughts in this regard. This was definitely a month of explosive production; the newly built distillery had already started production.

After the three old masters and Lanse discussed it, they allowed the surrounding farms to brew some base liquor themselves, and then had them send the base liquor over.

They would complete the addition of flavorings, thickeners, and pigments here, turning some liquor that didn't look very valuable into liquor that was slightly more valuable.

However, the premium plan hadn't been abandoned either; every batch of liquor would have a portion put into the cellar to age, and the quantity would be increasing.

He thought Lanse was concerned about the data in this regard, so he intended to report some good news to Lanse.

But Lanse interrupted him. "No, tell me after July. I have a question: do you know the vineyards within this state and their owners, as well as the vineyards in the neighboring states?"

"The large-scale kind!"

Diensi was a bit curious. "I don't know much about this aspect. You have to ask Shute; he likes to run around everywhere and knows many people."

"By the way, what's wrong?"

"What happened?"

Lanse glanced at the grape brick on the desktop that had a corner broken off. "Someone is sabotaging our business."

"Are you saying that's true?"

"Fuck, these people really deserve to die. Who is it?"

Just through the phone, Lanse could imagine Diensi's anger at this moment. He comforted him a little. "I'm looking for them. Once I find them, I will definitely make them look good."

"Is Mr. Shute at the farm right now?"

"Yes, he is. I saw him this morning."

"Good, I'll call him. We'll be in touch if anything comes up."

After Lanse hung up the phone, he dialed another number. It took a long while for someone to answer, and it wasn't Shute, but one of his old partners.

A role similar to a butler, an old cowboy who had been working for the Lawrence family his whole life. When he got old, he started doing things within his power.

No one would look down on him, look down on this kind of person. There were many such old cowboys on the farm, and they were also a force!

After another four or five minutes, Shute's voice finally came through the receiver. "They said you were looking for me for something?"

Lanse repeated what he had said to Diensi. "I need specific information on our local vineyards and the vineyards in the neighboring states."

Shute asked, "How do you plan to deal with them?"

Lanse didn't hide it. "If they are willing to talk to me properly, I will speak to them properly and can contract their grapes."

"After all, our demand for liquor is getting higher and higher, which is equivalent to everyone making money together."

"But if they don't listen, I won't be merciful enough to let them continue doing so when I know they have offended me!"

Shute laughed twice. "I just like your directness, Lanse, much cuter than those little bastards!"

"These people should be taught a lesson, let them know whose cheese they've actually moved, fuck!"

He cursed twice, then let Lanse take notes.

The south of the Federation is in the subtropics, so many places throughout the south are suitable for growing grapes, with a pleasant climate and dryness when necessary; this place has such a climate.

After hanging up the phone, Lanse glanced at the information on more than a dozen vineyards he had recorded and handed it to Aierwen. "Handle them!"

Lanse concluded that these grape bricks were highly likely to be from the local area or the surrounding regions.

Because the price was too cheap.

Three dollars; if the distance was too far, the shipping cost would increase, and three dollars wouldn't make any money at all, so they must be local or in the surrounding area.

Aierwen took the note and nodded. "I will arrange it as soon as possible," he said, and left the room.

Lanse glanced at that grape brick, broke off some more, and rubbed it apart.

He discovered that inside, there were actually not just grapes, but also some other assorted fruits.

The price of grapes now is not cheap at all, about ninety cents a pound, so if this thing were really pure grapes, the vineyard owner would definitely lose money.

But if some other cheap crushed fruits were mixed in, they could make at least one dollar per brick.

It doesn't seem like much, but think about it from the other side: this method doesn't require any complex technology or craftsmanship, doesn't require brewing time, doesn't require distillation, doesn't require canning.

It doesn't even need a beautiful shell; it just needs to be wrapped in this oil paper and added with a little glue.

And brewing doesn't require high-quality fruit; it might be those poor-quality fruits that can't be sold. The cost of three tons is only seventeen or eighteen hundred dollars. Adding this oil paper and cardboard boxes, let's say two thousand dollars, it can sell for about seven or eight thousand dollars, a profit of three or four times!

Most importantly, damn it, this thing is actually legal!

This is enough to make some businessmen crazy!

What Lanse is not sure about now is whether channel merchants like Liji, Bailide, and Nongda are involved.

He picked up the phone again and called Mr. Boman (CEO of Bailide, who had cooperated with Lanse to blackmail Liji). As the most important deep-water port in the Federation, New Jincheng, Mr. Boman had always maintained a good personal friendship with Lanse.

When he answered the phone, it was almost the same as what Diensi said!

"How come you suddenly thought of calling me?"

"Is there any good thing to take care of me?"

The hearty laughter and upbeat tone made people full of favor for this voice. After Lanse chatted with him for a few words, he asked about this matter.

"Recently, I discovered someone selling mixed fruit bricks here in Liklai State," he didn't make things too clear at once. "It's the kind where a lot of fruit pulp is mixed together, saying that the fruit juice can be restored after stirring with cold water. Are you involved?"

Mr. Boman immediately uncovered the content Lanse wanted to ask. "Actually, you want to ask about the grape bricks, right?"

Lanse coughed. "Yes, I just don't want us both to be embarrassed."

Mr. Boman sighed with a smile. "Lucky guy!" What he said actually referred to Lanse being able to get the franchise.

However, he also knew very well that this couldn't be done by luck. There were many things happening behind the scenes that he didn't know about, and it involved the Congress.

"We didn't intervene in this business, but I know a little bit."

Bailide didn't have its own factory; they only had various warehouses and channels. If they also wanted to do the grape brick business, the scale definitely couldn't be small, and the initial investment would also be very large.

Now the Prohibition Committee might not be very clear about this matter, or perhaps the level of small-scale trouble wasn't in the eyes of the Congress.

Once an industry-monopolistic enterprise like Bailide also started to join in, the Congress would likely adjust its strategy.

For the senators, they only need someone to say "I think we should do this..." first, and then others nod without objection, and they can make their investments go down the drain, and possibly be fined.

So they don't intend to rashly intervene in this cross-industry business.

He briefly stated some of the situations he knew. Now some places are indeed doing this, and some people are getting goods from them.

"My quote to them is mixed fruit, containing at least thirty percent grapes. The price per ton is close to eight hundred and sixty dollars."

Lanse knew clearly in his heart when he heard this number.

Not to mention a ten-fold profit, an eight-fold profit is enough for them to take risks!

"It's not entirely vineyards doing it, there are also some businessmen." He stopped here. He knew what he was waiting for, and Lanse also knew what he was waiting for.

He was waiting for Lanse to speak first, so Lanse would owe him a favor.

Don't think that doing this is... bad. This just shows that Lanse's current market is good, so his favor is very valuable. Even a big shot like Mr. Boman wants to get his favor!

After the Liji Group had its backbone broken, Bailide is now the industry leader. Although its market share is similar to that of the Liji Group and Nongda, the leading advantage is very weak, but it is still leading.

Lanse laughed twice. "Come on, this is just a small matter!"

He paused. "Alright, I promise you."

Mr. Boman laughed twice, happy to have obtained a favor from Lanse. Although he knew this favor wouldn't be too heavy, at least it was one.

He gave Lanse a list of several businessmen in Liklai State who were getting goods from him, then chatted for a few more words and hung up the phone.

Having obtained another list, Lanse picked up the phone. "Let Allen come in."

Soon Allen walked in. "Boss?"

Lanse signaled him to come in front of him, then handed him the list in his hand. "Handle them."

Allen nodded after taking a look. "I will as soon as possible."

These people knew that the liquor market in Liklai State had been controlled by Lanse, and they were still playing this edge-ball game, which was a gamble.

Gambling that Lanse wouldn't take action against them. After all, an eight-hundred-percent profit is enough to make them crazy.

At the same time, they must have also prepared themselves mentally for what they should do if Lanse came to trouble them.

Since they have already prepared to bear Lanse's anger, let them enjoy it well.

The appearance of grape bricks soon caused quite a lot of vibration in Liklai State. For alcoholics, although the alcohol content of wine isn't very high, this thing has a large volume.

What is the concept of five liters? Using 750ml bottles, it's six and a half bottles. Even if it's six bottles, the average price of fifty cents a bottle is definitely much cheaper than drinking in a bar!

Many people have purchased grape bricks. They are buying, and they are also discussing, all looking forward to the moment when grape juice turns into fine wine!

There is a city called "Le City" to the east of Manton. It is a satellite city of Manton, just like Creek City is to New Jincheng, responsible for being sucked dry by Manton.

The whole Le City is not happy at all. Manton's siphon effect makes the surrounding cities constantly transfuse blood to it, which also leads to the continuous shrinking of Le City's scale.

Twenty years ago, there were about 300,000 permanent residents here, but now, there are less than 100,000 people.

Most people have gone to Manton not far away, where there are more job opportunities.

Having seen the prosperity of the big city, those young people would not be able to stand it if they returned to the slow-paced small city.

The places they once regarded as advantages here have all become disadvantages in their eyes now.

However, for some people, such a city is actually very good.

Convenient transportation, convenient shipping, accessible in all directions, and most importantly, labor is cheaper than in Manton, and it is also very empty.

A city that once had 300,000 people now only has tens of thousands. Except for the city center and some areas with relatively more elderly people, there are not many people in other places.

In the suburbs, there is a factory area where trucks come in and out every day, looking very busy.

The area around the factory is filled with the fragrance of fruit. Some say this is a beverage factory, and some say they are operating feed or something; no one knows.

Anyway, a large amount of fruit is sent in every day, then crushed, mixed together, and after simple dehydration treatment, squeezed into shape, packaged, and sold to various regions.

All the assembly lines have been fully loaded. In the factory manager's office, the factory manager, the manager, the boss, and some investors are excitedly watching those workers constantly packing the fruit bricks and then putting them into cardboard boxes.

"Yesterday alone, more than 80,000 boxes were produced!"

The factory manager said this number with some excitement!

Twelve dollars a box, the profit is about fifteen dollars.

More than 80,000 boxes, that's 1.2 million.

After deducting all expenses, taxes, etc., the net profit is about 600,000 to 700,000!

One day!

600,000 to 700,000!

The manager was also very emotional. "Where are these fruit bricks? We are simply printing money!"

"Even printing money is not as fast as we are printing. Most importantly, these are all legal businesses!"

Others couldn't help but laugh. Like the factory manager, he holds 20% of the shares. The daily income of more than 100,000 makes him feel that he has reached the peak of his life!

The manager also has 10%, and also has a daily income of tens of thousands, and this number will be more and more.

The boss has the most in his hands, but he also has to share with others, because he is not the only shareholder.

"I suggest we have a drink!" The boss invested 500,000 to do this, and the facts proved that this gamble was right!

It only took two days for the investment to come back, and the rest is pure profit!

Others did not refuse. He picked up a bottle of Golden Lion Five-Year Aged Whiskey and poured the liquor into everyone's glasses.

His face was abnormally red, but at this time, who would care about these?

"There is a prophet in Manton who once told me that the turning point of my life is this year!"

"I have never been sure what the turning point that changed my life is. Now, we understand!"

"Wishing our fruit bricks to be explosive and sell well, wishing our daily net profit to exceed one million, wishing each of us to become a big tycoon, cheers!"

Everyone's face was full of excited red light. They clinked glasses hard and drank heavily. The beautiful and bright future seemed to be in the wine in the glass!

They held their glasses high. "Cheers!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 758 =====