A week later

Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, a week had passed.

Saint Denis, ever since that rainy night, seemed to have changed everything, yet at the same time, nothing seemed to have changed.

The streets were still the same streets, the shops still the same shops, and the pedestrians still the same pedestrians.

But now, the streets were devoid of those shifty-eyed thugs, the streetwalkers, and the high-and-mighty powerful figures whom no one dared to approach.

The shops, moreover, were flourishing, with new ones constantly opening and new owners emerging.

Even the slums no longer had poor people; they all lived in simple wooden houses built by Van der Linde, and had their own jobs and simple happiness.

"Newspaper for sale! Newspaper for sale! The Saint Denis News, with a message from Van der Linde!" Children who once survived by stealing now held newspapers high, hawking them in the streets.

Although their previous life of ill-gotten gains made them unaccustomed to such a stable existence, in order to join Van der Linde's factory, they still diligently sold newspapers, at least not falling into the path of mine workers. (Because if they committed crimes, they would be caught by Van der Linde and sent to the mines as slaves)

As for the young man who had become a child king under Bronte, he had already been sent to the mines to atone for his sins.

The new method of atonement introduced by Henry Lemieux made these Saint Denis scoundrels tremble with fear.

"Choo choo choo…" A train slowly pulled into the station being built in Saint Denis.

This was a train from Annesburg, filled with workers from Rhodes and miners from Annesburg, along with their children and families.

Their purpose in coming to Saint Denis this time was to bring their children to visit the school and complete the enrollment documents.

From now on, their children would be able to attend school for free in Saint Denis.

Everything in America was private: banks, schools, facilities, even the land beneath one's feet. The wealth Dutch had pried from several families encompassed almost all of Saint Denis, and the aristocratic schools were clearly among them.

To fulfill the public's desire for their children to attend school, and to provide sufficient talent for his factories and even the two major states, Dutch directly abolished the aristocratic schools, turning them into free schools for the children of workers within Lemoyne.

The train station became bustling the moment the train stopped.

Workers in worn-out clothes, disheveled, led their children or family members, wandering around the train station like headless chickens, not knowing where to go.

These rural workers, seeing such a massive metropolis for the first time, were awestruck by its civilization, and their hearts couldn't help but lose some composure, even feeling a deep sense of inferiority.

Where in their first half of life had they ever seen such a prosperous and vast city? This Saint Denis, with its hundreds of thousands of people, was utterly new to them, and it also reflected their poverty and sorrow.

The neat paving stones beneath their feet were already novel enough, and the dazzling lights inside the train station made them dizzy.

Looking further into the distance, wow! Towering concrete buildings blocked their view, preventing them from seeing the distant scenery and giving them a strong sense of oppression and insignificance.

This novel environment combined with their inferiority complex made this group of workers huddle together in the train station like ostriches, not daring to move freely, and even speaking cautiously.

They feared offending the powerful figures in this big city, and even more, they feared that their actions would completely cut off their children's hope of attending school.

Fortunately, the train station staff had already received a reminder from Van der Linde, or rather, they were specifically waiting for this group of workers here.

The train station staff stood behind the newly built loudspeaker on the train platform. In this era, there were no electronic amplifiers, but Marko had already broken through this technology. Although the loudspeaker was relatively primitive, fixed to the ground, and had heavy static, it still had a significant amplification effect.

Looking at the group of dusty, huddled, and timid workers and children disembarking from the train, a harsh and sharp noise from the loudspeaker echoed through the train station, making the group tremble.

Fortunately, the loudspeaker's static ended, and the staff's voice began to speak.

"Static… Oh, gentlemen, ladies. Those going to Saint Denis School for enrollment, please exit through the large gate on the left side of the train station and gather in the open space outside. Van der Linde has already arranged for reception personnel."

"Static…"

The loudspeaker's electrical static and the staff's voice repeated, finally bringing this group of workers, who didn't even know which way to go, back to their senses.

They carefully formed a line, and following the instructions from the loudspeaker, they finally exited the train station.

As soon as they left the platform, someone in the open space outside waved to them.

"Hey, ladies, gentlemen, come here! Don't be nervous, I'm also a worker for Van der Linde. Gentlemen, ladies, three months ago, I was just like you, looking at Saint Denis with fear and timidity. Back then, Saint Denis wasn't controlled by Van der Linde; it was full of hooligans, robbers, and thieves. If you accidentally bumped into someone dressed lavishly on the street, you might be dragged away and beaten to death.

But now, it's different, gentlemen. Now Saint Denis is controlled by Van der Linde, and all the robbers, thieves, gangs, and even the powerful, have all been sent to hell by Van der Linde! Saint Denis is incredibly safe now!

Hey, look at the police officers guarding the intersection, gentlemen, these are Van der Linde's gunmen. They will ensure our personal and property safety. So feel free to enjoy Saint Denis these two days; just gather at the train station by Sunday noon!

And now, I will take you to Saint Denis School to handle your children's enrollment, gentlemen. Oh, my child also attends school there; it was Van der Linde's help that gave my child the opportunity to go to school…"

A large group of people followed behind Van der Linde's worker, who was in charge of reception. He talked endlessly about Van der Linde's glory and greatness, and the reverence and adoration in his words were so palpable they could almost be weighed, possibly more than a thousand pounds.

As he spoke and time passed, the workers' apprehension and unease slowly dissipated, and they began to dare to look at the shops and pedestrians around the streets of Saint Denis.

The worker leading the way spared no effort in describing what they saw and praising Van der Linde's greatness, continuously reinforcing their high regard for Van der Linde.

"Hey, look at the crowd there, those are the poor or illegal immigrants of Saint Denis. I used to be one of them, but now, under Van der Linde's leadership, I live a wonderful and happy life!

Of course, they will soon too. Because they are applying for Van der Linde's recruitment. Van der Linde gives them a monthly salary of thirty dollars and provides food and lodging, sending them to construct roads. I think this is an excellent idea; our travel will definitely be extremely convenient once the roads are completed!"

"Ah, look there, that's Van der Linde's bakery. Smell the sweet aroma in the air, damn it, I feel like my mouth is watering!

Oh, gentlemen, perhaps you can buy some for your children and family later. Don't worry, Van der Linde has subsidized food, so the price of bread is extremely cheap now, even cheaper than a glass of beer!"

"Hey! Look there, gentlemen, that's Van der Linde's talent recruitment market! Oh, you must remember this place, gentlemen, if your children have any talent or achieve academic success, be sure to try applying here. Damn it, I heard the minimum salary here is a hundred dollars a month!

Look at the old professors gathered in front of the door, damn it, I'm sure they didn't earn a hundred dollars a month before!"

The man spoke eloquently, often eliciting gasps of admiration.

The entire group was filled with a joyful atmosphere, almost everyone cheering for Van der Linde, except for Camille Morgan, who was mixed in the crowd.

"Oh, sh*t! Dutch Van der Linde, you are truly audacious!"

Miss Camille, with a solemn expression, slowly followed the crowd towards the school. The more than thirty gunmen who had accompanied her had already dispersed, leaving only the two bodyguards she arrived with and Mr. Brown.

Some time ago, she left Valentine and did not return to Saint Denis immediately. Instead, she went to Annesburg, wanting to see if Annesburg was truly under the complete control of the New Hanover state government, as the newspapers claimed.

It was precisely for this reason that she boarded this train.

However, she couldn't enter the Annesburg mine at all because it was filled with redeemed criminals undergoing labor reform. This led to high walls already being built outside the mine, completely enclosing it, with Maxim guns set up around, preventing outsiders like her from entering.

Having no choice, she then returned to Saint Denis.

Originally, she thought Dutch Van der Linde wouldn't be so bold; even if he usurped power, he would be cautious and reserved. But looking at the situation on the streets now, he seemed to have no intention of holding back!

Everyone on the entire street was discussing Mr. Van der Linde, praising his greatness!

This situation left Miss Camille extremely shocked, even terrified!

She had never seen such a charismatic person; even in European history, the last one with such charisma was Napoleon.

But even Napoleon couldn't command such reverence from the entire populace, and the people of Saint Denis were now almost deifying Dutch Van der Linde!

She couldn't imagine how fanatical the people of these two states would become if Dutch Van der Linde gave a single command!

"Harvesting capital to give back to the lower classes, thereby seeking benefits for himself… Dutch Van der Linde, you are even more dangerous than I imagined."

Miss Camille stopped following the crowd and stood in the middle of the street, her gaze sweeping around.

The first time she came to Saint Denis, the entire city could be described as a chaotic mess, full of monsters and demons. But looking at Saint Denis now, although the buildings remained the same, the interior had been completely revitalized.

Various shops lined both sides of the street, and without Signor Bronte's protection fee collection, it undoubtedly attracted more people to open shops and develop trade.

The former vagrants were also gone, as they had all been recruited by Mr. Van der Linde and taken to the outskirts for construction tasks.

The past apathy of the lower classes had transformed into anticipation for their future lives. The middle class remained unaffected, continuing their businesses, and even enjoyed better operating conditions due to the arrest of thugs and Signor Bronte.

Clearly, Dutch Van der Linde had given the people here a better life, and the cost was the elimination of the lowest-level filth and the highest-level capital.

Miss Camille felt a chill run through her. She didn't even dare to think about what had just crossed her mind.

A large city, where the removal of the lowest-level thugs and the highest-level capital not only had no negative impact on the city's operation but instead revitalized it and gave its people more hope.

It then became evident who the true filth was, who the true Vampires were, and who was useless and brought bad lives to the people!

If this idea were to spread, then the capitalists in the East would undoubtedly face a catastrophe!

"Oh, Mr. Brown, I think we need to pay Mr. Van der Linde a visit. Go now and withdraw all the assets from the Morgan Bank in Saint Denis, and then bring me the deed to your villa.

Damn scoundrel!" Miss Camille glared fiercely at Mr. Brown, still wanting to make an attempt internally.

An attempt to make Dutch Van der Linde less radical.

Even though Hosea was still worried about whether people from the East would cause trouble, only Miss Camille herself knew that those people from the East would at most condemn them with a few words, because the true power within the United States Federal Government currently lay with the top individuals in each state.

If it were against an external enemy, and the states were in agreement, the United States Government's power would be great. But if it wanted to act within a state, the opposition from the other states alone would completely nullify the United States Government. Because the Governors and personnel arranged by each state within the Federal Government would not allow the United States to set such a precedent.

What Miss Camille wanted most now was to reach an agreement to make Dutch Van der Linde stay put in these two states and not run around.

With his methods, if he really went to the East, it would likely bring disaster to the Eastern capitalists.

Because this involved ideological liberation!

As for targeting the Van der Linde Gang, damn it, no one in America could target a leader controlling two large states under such public opinion! (The main reason was that weapons were not yet advanced, and if the Westerners really fought, they could indeed compete with the East. As for logistics, it was even simpler: just plunder wherever they fought.)

Miss Camille was trembling with fear, while Mr. Dutch Van der Linde, at this moment, was unaware that someone was so concerned about him.

He was currently sitting in the study on the second floor of Henry Manor, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, pretending to be a man of culture.

"Slurp… slurp…" Arthur sipped his coffee, sitting on the sofa and observing the refined Dutch, wearing glasses, sitting at the desk. He found it quite novel.

That damned Marston also wore a monocle and was sitting at the other end of the sofa, clipping a cigar.

His big beard was shaved, and he had changed into a gentleman's suit, though it looked as if he had been forced to wear it, as he moved with great annoyance.

"Dutch, what are you writing?" John stood up from the sofa, irritably taking off his suit and throwing it onto the sofa.

"Sh*t! I still don't understand why Abigail likes these damned clothes! They're so difficult to wear!" John's complaint made Dutch stop writing, and he calmly looked up.

"I'm writing a book, John, putting my ideas into it, so that even decades from now, after we're gone, our gang can continue to operate based on this book."

"What kind of book?" Arthur asked curiously. He couldn't imagine Dutch thinking so far into the future.

Damn it, he had thought decades ahead; this was truly terrifying.

Decades of planning! Sh*t! Dutch was practically made of ideas!

Arthur secretly clicked his tongue, his eyes full of admiration.

"My dream, Arthur, 'My Dream!'"

Dutch's gaze turned to the book, where several lines had already been written.

The first line of text was precisely this sentence.

"The highest masters and the lowest bandits in America are of no use to society. They are both robbers; one simply makes rules to rob, and the other breaks rules to rob.

All the misfortunes of American citizens can be attributed to them."

Damn it, just the first sentence of this book was enough to completely shatter Miss Camille's unspoken hopes, which had not yet arrived!

"The capitalists of the American East stand high above, exploiting the people of the entire America, drawing their blood to nourish themselves.

The Saint Denis Incident fundamentally exposed the fact that this American bourgeoisie, like horseflies, serves no purpose to the entire nation, and also provided guiding principles for the broad masses in other American states...

Today, ninety-five percent of Americans are engaged in production yet everyone lives in hardship, while less than one percent of the capital in America owns everything in the entire America. This is the most fundamental reason for the difficult lives of American citizens! This group of rich people, like Vampires, are constantly accumulating wealth but are unwilling to share even a single cent with the poor.

The world should not be like this!

Even in tribes of the barbaric era, only the person with the greatest contribution could become the chieftain. But in the current America, the person with the greatest contribution can only barely survive in a cowshed, while the parasites with no contribution lie on dollars shamelessly claiming, 'Money is not hard to earn at all'...

This is the sorrow of the era, and also the sorrow of America. The only way to solve this problem is to learn from Mr. Van der Linde's Saint Denis coup!"

Dutch sat at the table, writing furiously, his charming charisma still breathtaking even while writing.

Especially now, he was filled with a sense of madness, which felt somewhat familiar.

Dutch's plan was unchanging: establish an enemy, then strike the enemy, and finally plunder wealth. In this process, he would win over some, eliminate some, and deter some, and the deterred group would become the next enemy.

When New Hanover and Lemoyne developed to a certain extent, and his prestige reached its peak, he would be able to release this book.

At that time, the content described in the book would absolutely brainwash the people within these two states, making them his absolute supporters!

By then, New Hanover and Lemoyne would completely have the possibility of sustained warfare and rapid troop expansion, and he would leap from having to curry favor with the Eastern capitalists to them having to curry favor with him!

In reality, he could fight America now. With the name of the Veteran Club and his current reputation, it would be possible to temporarily raise twenty to fifty thousand troops. If they launched a night raid on the United States Federal Government, they would definitely not be able to withstand it.

However, behind America are Britain and France, and these two are still strong at this stage and would absolutely not allow the existence of a figure like Dutch Van der Linde.

So he still needed to play it safe.

Just as Dutch was writing his book, an announcement sounded from outside the room.

"Mr. Van der Linde, a lady claiming to be a member of the Morgan Family wishes to see you."

"Oh? The Morgan Family?" Dutch looked up, his brows slightly furrowed, then he looked at Arthur.

"I know, Dutch, it should be Miss Camille, whom we met when we first arrived in Saint Denis. Shall I bring her in?" Arthur stood up from the sofa, and John also stood up, scratching his head as he remembered.

"Oh, sh*t! Is she that cold lady? I remember she barely spoke when we saw her last time!"

"Yes, son. Let's go together, we must show proper courtesy to our guests! Damn it, why would a member of the Morgan Family be in Saint Denis at this time? Have we already incurred the displeasure of the East?" Dutch frowned and stood up from his seat, following Arthur out of the room.

Meetings should naturally be held in the main hall. When they first arrived and met Mr. Henry in his study, it was actually a typical sign of Mr. Henry's lack of regard.

Whose family allows guests to walk into the study to meet the host? This is a typical scenario when meeting subordinates.

Miss Camille's arrival was unexpected. Dutch couldn't be sure how much her perception of Van der Linde had changed. Although he was not afraid of those Eastern capitalists in name and strength, it was still disgusting.

These guy fellows always liked to play dirty, and being targeted could be very troublesome.

Dutch, Arthur, and John walked quickly towards the entrance of the manor. As soon as they stepped out of the villa, they saw the graceful figure standing outside the manor gate and Mr. Brown, who followed behind her like a subordinate.

Dutch's smile immediately squeezed out like Jack's grandmother's milk. It bloomed on his face, and he smiled exceptionally happily.

"Oh ho ho ho, Mrs. Morgan! Oh, my dear lady, it's been so long! I didn't expect you to still remember an old friend like me! Ginny, quick, open the door!

Oh, my dear lady, seeing you makes me so happy!"

Dutch walked towards Miss Camille with a beaming smile, enthusiastically extending his hand to take hers and gently kissing it.

This was a British aristocratic etiquette, but at that time, America was still under British control, so this etiquette was often seen among American high society, and was a common courtesy. (Made up)

Miss Camille smiled broadly, her face showing none of the cold arrogance from their first meeting. She was enthusiastically delighted by Dutch's warmth: "Oh, Mr. Callahan, should I call you Mr. Callahan or Mr. Van der Linde? Hahaha. Your enthusiasm makes me feel flattered! Oh, Mr. Hosea, or rather, Mr. Morgan, it's so good to see you again, and this Mr. Van der Linde, or rather, Mr. Marston."

"Oh, madam, just call me Dutch. Hahaha, you know, we did make some mistakes before, and we hope to get a chance to correct them." Dutch laughed heartily, extending his hand in a welcoming gesture, guiding Miss Camille into the manor.

His words were very skillful; he admitted to previous illegal activities, found an excuse for himself, and made it impossible for anyone to grasp a handle, which was much better than denying or getting angry.

Arthur and John, who had been recognized by Miss Camille, smiled awkwardly.

As for Mr. Brown behind her, Dutch didn't even spare him a glance.

"Van der Li—" Mr. Brown's beaming smile instantly froze. He retracted the hand he had extended for a handshake, then sighed, and followed the two into the manor.

He knew he was done for.

However, he was still better off, because Ms. Dorothea, Ann, and Alice, who had been with Mr. Van der Linde, were still imprisoned in the manor.

They would only likely be released once Mr. Van der Linde started the next Lemoyne gubernatorial election and was successfully elected Governor.