Chapter 16: Opportunities Are Everywhere

Inside the warehouse, rows of silver and black cars were lined up neatly.

Sixty automobiles gleamed under the cold lights, stretching before Pierre.

The hood ornaments bore familiar emblems: a blue-and-white roundel, four interlocked rings, a circle marked with three overlapping crosses — all clear signs these were German-made vehicles.

"You see this? BMW 326."

John pointed proudly at one of the sedans.

"Just like you asked — luxury cars, the best of the best."

Without hesitation, John continued:

"Sixty Mercedes, BMWs, and Audis. All for twenty thousand pounds. Before the war, that would barely buy you ten of them."

Such was the opportunity that war created.

Pierre said casually,

"Without me, they'd just be scrap metal. Deal."

As his words fell, a translucent screen appeared before his eyes:

[Exchange completed: 60 automobiles traded for cigarettes and coffee worth 5,432 USD. Including 15 BMW 326s, each valued at 1,700 pounds. Mercedes... Bonus: 115,500 experience points.]

A system reward had arrived!

Almost simultaneously, new text appeared:

[Congratulations, user! Experience points upgraded — you are now a Level 2 user. Keep up the good work!]

Level up!

Excited, Pierre barely cared about the details of the transaction anymore. He just wanted to complete it quickly.

As the boxes of cigarettes and sacks of coffee were loaded into the trucks, John, unable to contain his curiosity, finally asked:

"May I know... how you managed to bring all these goods over?"

Pierre smiled slightly.

"I have connections — with someone influential in the military. As long as we keep working together, there will be a steady stream of goods coming in. You just need to prepare funds... or rather, prepare more cars. My contact can arrange for navy transport ships to ferry the shipments over, in batches."

Dealing with the Razor Gang required caution.

By implying he had the backing of a high-ranking figure — someone who could mobilize navy ships for smuggling — Pierre made it clear he wasn't someone to be easily crossed.

This way, he could minimize the risk of betrayal.

…

The truck beds were packed full of cigarettes.

Tommy, a cigarette dangling from his lips, glanced at the goods.

To him, this was a minor deal.

Even the highly sought-after coffee beans didn't impress him much.

Still, he had shown up personally.

Spitting out the stub of coffee bean he was chewing, Tommy asked:

"All these were traded for cars?"

"That's right,"

John answered directly.

"And he told us to be ready — he'll bring even more next time."

"He mentioned he knows an important figure who can arrange shipping,"

John added,

"and transport those cars to America."

"Shipping to America? That's no small feat…"

Tommy took a slow drag on his cigarette.

"So you think... he really does have powerful backing?"

Tommy asked.

"He must,"

John said firmly.

"Ordinary people could never move goods like this."

"Exactly. If it were possible, car dealers would've already shipped their surplus inventory to the U.S. themselves. In America, even secondhand cars are in high demand."

"I know,"

John nodded.

After a moment's thought, Tommy said,

"Tell him — we want two hundred thousand pounds' worth of coffee beans.

If he can deliver, we'll keep doing business."

As if recalling something else, Tommy added:

"And withdraw the men we stationed outside the warehouse."

…

"Chengjie, you've been at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for some time now. By any chance... do you have connections in Cuba?"

At a high-end restaurant near Grosvenor Square, Louis paused midway through his steak.

He shot Pierre a slightly odd look, then said:

"To be honest, little brother, the full ambassador, happens to be my uncle."

It was thanks to his uncle's influence that Louis had secured a posting in Britain in the first place.

"Such a coincidence!"

Pierre could hardly believe it.

Ever since learning that Cuba was a major source for black-market cigarettes and other goods, he'd been keeping a close eye on it.

Or rather, he had set his sights on America — because compared to Britain, the American market was broader, richer, and full of opportunity.

If he could seize the right chances over the next two years, it would be enough to build his fortune.

And Cuba would be his first stepping stone into that market.

"Indeed,"

Louis smiled.

"If you ever need help in Cuba, just say the word. I'm very close to my uncle."

"Then I'll thank you in advance,"

Pierre said happily.

In high spirits, he ordered a bottle of whiskey.

The restaurant, recommended by Louis, catered mainly to diplomats from various countries.

Though the prices were steep, there was no need for ration coupons here — rare wines, whiskies, and fine steaks were all available in abundance.

As they ate, Pierre mentioned — without much concealment — that he had already set up a company in America.

Louis was surprised, but full of admiration.

"Ah, in times like these, if you want to make real money, you have to do business with the Americans… Just look."

He gestured around the restaurant.

"Most of the people dining here are Americans.

Some of them control the distribution of Lend-Lease supplies.

Some are officers planning bombing raids on Germany.

The number of American soldiers in Britain keeps growing."

Then, with a hint of mischief, he asked:

"But do you know who the truly powerful ones are?"

"Who?"

Pierre asked curiously.

"Those men — the ones who came directly from Washington."

Louis nodded subtly toward a group across the room.

"You know why they're here?"

"No idea,"

Pierre admitted.

"They're here to dismantle the British Empire."

"To dismantle the British Empire?"

"Exactly.

You know about the Atlantic Charter signed two years ago, right?"

"I've heard bits and pieces."

"In short, that charter is the trap the Americans set for Britain.

It declares that all peoples have the right to choose their own government — sounds noble, right?

But it's really a landmine."

Louis leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"The Americans made it very clear: if Britain wants continued American support, it must give up its overseas colonies.

They even forced India — Britain's prized colony — to sign on."

"In other words,"

he said with a meaningful glance,

"America is openly telling Britain: if you want aid, you must dismantle your empire."

Listening to him, Pierre couldn't help but see him in a new light.

Even with his limited knowledge of history, he knew that America had used World War II to erode Britain's global dominance, forcing it to surrender its colonies and paving the way for American hegemony after the war.

There was even that famous saying:

"Britain won the war, but lost the world."

"And once Britain gives up its colonies, others will follow — France, the Netherlands, all of them.

You, my dear brother, should see this as an opportunity."