Chapter 20: Godfather Tom

St. Antis, Miss.
Tom Mu and his party disembarked from the southern port. Under the guidance of a local partner, they boarded a Ford Model T.
The riding experience of an old-fashioned car launched in 1908 is definitely not as comfortable as the cars of the future in the 21st century.
But for people like Tanjiro who had never ridden in a car, the sudden change from the era of horse-drawn carriages to internal combustion engine cars was a shock that Tom Mu could not understand.
"I bought this car not long ago, and it only cost more than 700 US dollars. When it first came out, it only sold for 825 US dollars. Other cars are too expensive, and Ford is better."
The strong white man who came to pick them up was named James. He owned five factories, which was considered a small industry.
After receiving funding from the Ubuyashiki family two years ago, the development has been much smoother.
It is precisely because of this that James is quite concerned about the arrival of Tom Mu and the others.
Holding the steering wheel in his hand, James drove the car while smiling and chatting with Tomioka about some topics, trying to build a good relationship with them.
Tanjiro and the other three are obviously still children, and they still look like they have never seen the world.
As for Giyu Tomioka, who was sitting in the passenger seat with a cat in his arms and an expressionless face, looking very mature and steady, he was obviously the person in charge of their business.
If James wanted to talk, he could only talk to Tomioka Giyu.
"Mr. Tom, I heard about you in Mr. Uyashiki's letter. He said you are a very special person. When I meet you today, you are indeed extraordinary."
James communicated with Tomioka Giyu in very proficient Japanese.
Hearing this, Tomioka Giyuu dragged Tom from his lap, placed it directly between James and himself, and said calmly: "It is Tom."
"G?!"
James was stunned when he heard this.
Holding the steering wheel in his hand, he glanced at the blue and white British shorthair cat in the passenger seat and was caught off guard.
"Great people are not born great, but they show their greatness as they grow up, my friend."
Tang Mu didn't know when he changed it.Wearing a suit, with half-closed eyes and a burning cigar in his hand, he spoke to James who was driving in English with a Sicilian accent.
"I bought it!"
A cat suddenly spoke, frightening James half to death. Like a stress reaction, he suddenly stepped on the brakes and turned the steering wheel with both hands randomly!
The Ford Model T underneath him suddenly seemed to be out of control, and the wheels made a violent friction sound with the ground!
The car body was shaking wildly on the road, scaring the vehicles and passers-by on the left and right to avoid it.
Suddenly, the whole street was filled with blaring horns and all kinds of crazy yelling!
"Calm down, James. Women and children can be carefree, but men can't. You need to stabilize your mentality."
Tom Mu's low and slightly hoarse voice calmed James down.
Finally, the Ford car gradually stabilized and drove smoothly on the road again.
"Tang, Tang, Mr. Tom Mu."
James still looked very nervous and was trembling a little when he spoke.
"Just call me Tom. This is my English name, James. What's the word "Mei Na"?"
Tom Mu sat on Tomioka Giyu's lap, imitating his godfather's demeanor, and asked questions in an unhurried tone.
"Mark, my name is Mark James. Mr. Tom, nice to meet you."
James sat up straight and drove the car intently.
Tom Mu in this state gives people the feeling of a calm boss.
Although it was just their first meeting, and Tom was still just a cat, James felt that the other person was his godfather and must be treated with utmost respect.
"Very good, Mr. James, you're not so nervous now, are you?"
Tom Mu half-closed his eyes, raised his lower lip slightly, and took a puff of the cigar in his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Tom, thank you very much for your help. I feel much more relaxed now."
James lowered his head slightly to show respect for Tom.
In the back seat of the Ford, my wife Zenitsu couldn't help but complain when she saw Tom showing off like this.
"Hey, hey, Master Tom, it's not like this at all, is it? Although I don't understand what they are saying, I always feel that it is pretending. It's so strange that Tom is so lazy."
My wife Zenitsu leaned into Tanjiro's ear and whispered.
"No, Master Tom Mu has always been so proud."
Tanjiro didn't think too much. Seeing Tom Mu acting like a godfather, his eyes were full of adoring little stars. He felt that Tom Mu was particularly cool!
Now Tanjiro is just staring at Tom, and his answers to my wife Zenitsu's words are a little perfunctory.
It didn't take long before Tom Mu and the others arrived at their destination.
It can be seen that this is a factory area.
A large number of chimneys spewed thick smoke upwards.
It was clearly broad daylight, but the sun was completely invisible.
The weather is also gloomy.
At the entrance of James Factory, several managers were already waiting there.
Seeing the boss's car stopped, several of them wanted to come up and help open the door, but James jumped out first.
And trotted quickly to the passenger seat, and respectfully opened the door.
In the shocked eyes of the factory managers, a cat in a suit and leather shoes got out of the car.
With a cigar in his hand, he walked towards the factory without looking back.
Tanjiro and others behind him quickly followed suit.
"Show me the goods. You should know the purpose of our coming here."
Tang Mu's tone was steady.
After hearing this, James accompanied Tom Mu forward and said repeatedly: "Don't worry, Mr. Tom, there will be absolutely no problem, and you will definitely be satisfied."
Seeing the boss's respectful attitude toward a cat, the factory manager next to him felt that his brain was a little out of sorts.

I very much doubt whether I breathed too much gas and my brain is damaged.
The ultraviolet lamp was invented in 1904. After so many years, the technology has become much more mature than before.
Not to mention that in the past two years, the Demon Slayer Team has invested research funds regardless of returns. James is confident that their improved ultraviolet lamp will satisfy Tom Mu.
"According to your requirements, our UV lamps are divided into mobile versions and fixed versions. They are powered by nickel-iron alkaline batteries and can also be directly plugged in. The fixed version has the highest power, and the mobile version can be used handheld."
James took Tom Mu and the others to visit the ultraviolet lights in the warehouse, and turned on a few to let Tom Mu see the effect.
Tanjiro sniffed it and said in surprise: "It actually smells like the sun."
Tang Mu nodded with satisfaction and said: "The lamp is good, we want it. Have you also bought the machine gun that I asked you to help purchase?"
Seeing Tang Mu nodding, James breathed a sigh of relief and quickly added with a smile on his face: "I bought both the Hotchkes M1914 heavy machine gun and the Maxim machine gun. But you know, these are not simple goods. They need to be carefully managed. It cost a lot of money."
"As long as the quality of the goods is okay, you will definitely not be short of money."
Although Tom is a cat and not very big, he stands very elegantly.
"One last thing, you said you found a creature suspected of being a vampire. We are here for him. Do you know where he is now?"
"You know, we've been paying attentionHis movements. Now it seems that around Rhodes, he has been acting as an artist. During this period, many artists also disappeared. "
"Artist?"
Tom Mu nodded, he knew who the ghost in the intelligence was.