Steve

Captain Binny's face was filled with righteousness, and Steve, who had just been held up, was released from his body and the rope in his hand.

"Alright, Mr. Steve, I can give you ten minutes to say goodbye to your family, but after ten minutes, you still have to come with me.

Don't play any tricks, sir. If it weren't for your actions, we wouldn't have attacked you! I hope you'll be sensible."

Binny said to Steve while riding his horse, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, go say goodbye to your wife quickly!"

Steve, who had just been hit with a rifle butt, was stunned by Captain Binny's words.

Huh?

Go to the mine as a worker? Five dollars a month? Save up a hundred dollars in two years to own your own house?

And twenty-five dollars a month in salary? And free food and lodging, clothes, and tobacco and alcohol? And free medical care, and children can go to school for free?

Oh, sh*t!, what kind of divine treatment is this?

Two years of working at the mine can lead to such a good future?

Holy sh*t! Why didn't you say so earlier! If he had known earlier, Steve wouldn't have resisted, he would have run off happily. How could he have taken a rifle butt for nothing?

Steve, who had just been crying and wailing, stopped his cries, and his wife Antonia also stopped crying. The queue that was moving forward suddenly stopped.

The Jon City residents, who had been looking out the windows with worried and fearful expressions, all changed their faces. Their eyes, which had been full of fear, were now staring intently outside.

Seeing the surrounding Team suddenly stop and Steve suddenly become still, Captain Binny frowned and said, "What's wrong? Why aren't you going to say goodbye quickly! Mr. Van der Linde's ship is waiting. The sooner you go, the sooner you work, the sooner you get out!"

"Sir, sir, sir! Was what you just said true?" Steve and the surrounding gang members who were being escorted came back to their senses, their eyes suddenly gleaming as they looked at Binny on horseback.

Binny had also been in their state, so he naturally knew what kind of look and meaning their eyes conveyed.

He immediately laughed heartily and affirmed, "Hahaha, of course it's true. Mr. Van der Linde always keeps his word, and our correctional laborers in New Hanover and Lemoyne are living this kind of life right now. I'm telling you, in reality, I, Binny Larosen, was once just a low-level person like you. I remember clearly that seven months ago, I was still a porter at a train station in Saint Denis, America, living hand-to-mouth, and my daily wages weren't enough to support my wife and child. My son and wife didn't even have clothes to wear, and on top of that, I had to pay a sum of money to the damned gang in Saint Denis every month just to stay in Saint Denis.

I originally thought my life would be like this forever, but I never imagined that just when my life had completely lost hope, Mr. Van der Linde arrived.

He recruited my wife from the Saint Denis slums to become a glorious female worker, earning twenty-five dollars a month, and I, too, became Mr. Van der Linde's worker because of my wife's status. Oh, damn it, you can't imagine how happy I was that day. Others were transport workers, earning only fifty dollars a month, but I became a gunman with my marksmanship, earning one hundred dollars a month! Damn it, even today, I feel like I'm still living in a dream every day.

My family went from being paupers who couldn't even afford food to a wealthy family with a happy life. My son is now receiving free education provided by Mr. Van der Linde in a Saint Denis school.

Oh, Mr. Van der Linde, I will follow Mr. Van der Linde all my life. Mr. Van der Linde said he would deliver happiness into our hands, and now, we all have happy lives! Oh…"

Captain Binny spoke until he was almost in tears, his gaze turning to Steve, who was listening intently, and he said, "Alright, go say goodbye to your wife quickly. Reform well and strive to become a true worker for Mr. Van der Linde!"

Binny didn't notice at all that as he spoke, the tightly closed windows on both sides of the street slowly pushed open one after another from the inside, and some doors had even quietly opened. Figures of paupers had already appeared at the street corner, and some people were even constantly going back to spread the news.

Meanwhile, Steve, who was immersed in Binny's speech, had his thoughts interrupted by Binny's words. Listening to Binny, his eyes were already glowing with a radiant light.

"Oh, sh*t!, sir, what's there to say goodbye for? Just a word will do! Sir, let's go quickly, I can't wait to work for Mr. Van der Linde, I can't wait to atone for my sins! Oh, by the way, Antonia, I'm going to work, baby, talk to you in two years!"

Steve only felt that his waist no longer ached, his legs no longer hurt, and the rifle butt he had been hit with on his back was no longer felt. His whole body was filled with strength, and all he wanted to do now was mine.

He didn't even look at his wife, instead urging Binny with unusual urgency, wanting to get on the road as soon as possible.

Damn it, if they didn't leave quickly, it would be too late!

And Antonia, who still had tear stains on her face, jumped up, no longer crying or making a fuss. All that remained was urgency.

"Come on, come on! Quick, quick, quick, sir, let's go, Steve, work hard! You damn thing, you must save up a hundred dollars in two years!"

The gang members, who had just been full of fear, were no longer afraid. All their inner worries and anxieties had disappeared. Just now, they had wanted to walk a little slower, but now they wished they could run. Although their hands were tied, they kept urging the leader of the group.

"Quick, sir, run! Damn it, if we run too slowly, we might not get our reform quotas!"

"Come on! No need to say goodbye to family, sir, it's completely unnecessary. I think getting to work quickly is the most important thing!"

"Can you speed up, damn it, I see the paupers coming over there!"

These gang members chattered, each one incredibly anxious.

And this urgency reached its peak when a large group of paupers, whose clothes were even tattered, appeared at the street corner not far away.

"Oh, sh*t! They're coming, let's go, sir, we need to be reformed!"

However, the next moment, deafening roars erupted from the crowd of people running from a distance.

"No! Sir, they are not gang members, I am, I am!"

"Oh, sir, arrest me, I'm a robber! Please arrest me, let me be severely reformed!"

"Sir, I am the gang member, I am a desperado, take me away! I have deeply realized my mistakes!"

The riot of the paupers was unimaginably chaotic. How crazy could a group of paupers, some even with their buttocks exposed through their clothes, be under such treatment?

They were even more terrifying than zombies unleashed.

A group of people scrambled, constantly vying with each other, wishing they could describe themselves as utterly despicable, just to be arrested and then work for two years to become workers.

The doors of Jon City opened, and the residents hiding in their rooms came out. Even though the scorching sun illuminated the earth, it still couldn't stop the frantic shouts of these people.

Binny rode on his horse, the sun shining on his face, causing him to squint slightly.

Listening to the excited and fervent shouts of the surrounding crowd, a sense of pride spontaneously arose within him.

As long as they heard a hint of news about Mr. Van der Linde, even the mechanical workers on the assembly line producing weapons in New Hanover proudly puffed out their chests.

Ah, Mr. Van der Linde's radiance illuminated an entire city once again!

The mighty procession, full of joy, lined up from Jon City and headed towards the port.

Everyone's face was beaming with joy, as if what awaited them was not labor reform, but paradise.

In reality, for these gang members, it was absolutely paradise.

If the Van der Linde Gang had received such treatment after laying down their arms and surrendering, perhaps Arthur and the others would have considered surrendering.

But now, they truly had no possibility of surrendering.

"Bang!"

The cork of the red wine bottle was opened with a corkscrew, and the woman reached out to pick up the red wine bottle, pouring the red wine into Mr. Van der Linde's glass.

"Thank you, madam!" Dutch smiled and nodded, then pulled out a one-dollar bill from his pocket and placed it on the table.

"Oh, dear, you are too generous!" The woman's face lit up with joy, and she quickly took the dollar from the table.

Although Mexicans used Mexican silver dollars, US dollars were actually usable, just like during the Republic of China era when copper coins, silver dollars, legal tender, or Japanese yen could be used, similar to how Euros and US dollars are used now.

The current US dollar is at its most valuable period in history, far more valuable than Mexican currency.

Dutch took a small sip of the red wine in his glass, his gaze surveying the layout of the tavern.

Outside on the street, gang members were being escorted, and he was waiting for Hosea in the tavern.

The situation in Mexico was now considered over; Hosea could take over the subsequent matters, and it was time for him to return to Saint Denis for new arrangements.

Dutch placed the wine glass on the table, his face filled with contemplation.

Having developed to the current stage, the major internal problems have basically been completely resolved, and minor details will be self-perfected with development.

What he needed to consider now was the future direction of the Van der Linde Gang.

It was almost 1900, and the real powder keg would truly ignite in fourteen years.

But in reality, the pattern of war had already unfolded by 1900, and the powder keg had been lit, with Germany's aggressive ambition and Britain's contradictions growing increasingly. In May 1899, representatives from 26 countries held the First Peace Conference in The Hague, Netherlands. At this time, the war ambitions of the major empires could no longer be concealed.

In 1882, Germany, Austria, and Italy signed the "Triple Alliance Treaty," and the "Franco-Russian Military Convention" between France and Russia had also come into effect in 1892, with the true battle lines already laid out. The remaining Britain had become a fly in the ointment, just waiting for the final curtain call.

Dutch felt that the best time for the Van der Linde Gang to rise could not be after World War I. Because during World War I, there were Tanks and airplanes, and at that time, he would not have an advantage in firepower and numbers. His existence would inevitably provoke a war between the American West and American East.

The American East and American West were completely incomparable, whether in terms of population, economy, or development. If they waited until World War I to start fighting, their logistical production might not be able to keep up with the American East.

Even after more than a decade of development, the population size would certainly be far inferior. If they lost the ability to suppress with firepower at that time, they might fall into a disadvantage due to population reasons.

Mr. Van der Linde liked to fight crushing battles and disliked the feeling of gambling.

Therefore, for the development of their Van der Linde Gang and to gain an advantage in firepower, he believed that the East-West war should ideally be brought forward, and at the same time, World War I must also be brought forward, so that those damned empires in Europe would not have time to pay attention to what was happening in America.

This way, when World War I ended, they would suddenly realize that America had undergone a complete transformation. At that time, it would be absolutely impossible for them to intervene in America!

This was the best outcome.

Dutch sighed deeply, feeling a sense of pressure.

One cannot understand a position until one is in it; only when he truly sat in his position could he feel the immense pressure.

This was the price Mr. Van der Linde had to pay; from now on, he could no longer have an easy smile!

Arthur and the others only needed to carry out Mr. Van der Linde's orders; they had no idea how much thought Mr. Van der Linde himself needed to put in behind the scenes!

Dutch's fingers tapped on the table.

His plan had two key points: first, to develop steadily until he had the strength to contend with the American East, and second, to find a way to accelerate the decisive battle in Europe, causing the explosion between these old capital powers to happen a few years earlier.

The first point was not a concern; his armed forces and personal reputation had reached an invincible level in two states. Next, he only needed to systematically bring Mexicans to build cities for him, and then gradually annex other uninhabited states in the American West to establish resource production.

According to Mr. Van der Linde's current reputation, even if the American East-West war started now, he could quickly raise a force of at least 500,000, composed of combat-ready adult men, not useless armies with elderly, young, women, and children, as well as the entire New Hanover and Lemoyne state bunker chains.

Everyone in the American West would follow Mr. Van der Linde's footsteps, fighting for a better tomorrow for all of them.

Therefore, Mr. Van der Linde was no longer afraid of the American East, at least not afraid of the American East attacking him with legal weapons.

The American East could not now prosecute Mr. Van der Linde with various charges.

Therefore, Mr. Van der Linde's expansion and development were unstoppable!

Now, only the second problem required his operation.

How could he accelerate the outbreak of conflict in Europe?

It's simple: strengthen Germany's military power, and the German Empire will naturally target its enemies, formulate battle plans first, and challenge Europe with a blitzkrieg.

Little Mustache was truly remarkable, challenging the world twice; he was truly Mr. Dutch Van der Linde's best business partner!

Dutch's fingers tapped on the table, his Little Mustache curled slightly, and a smile appeared on his face.

Very well, his next development phase was officially established!

Vigorously develop armaments, exploit energy, then establish arms trade with Germany, sell the first version of gasoline engine Tanks to Germany, and he himself would use the profits to greatly develop his army, stockpile armaments, and await the arrival of war.

Just as Dutch was deep in thought, the tavern door was pushed open.

"Oh, Dutch, it's a mess outside right now, buddy. The people of Jon City all want to become labor reform prisoners to work in our mines! I think you need to come up with an idea."

Hosea walked quickly into the tavern from outside, his face full of urgency.

The conditions Mr. Van der Linde offered were simply too good; the poor people of Jon City swarmed in, almost going crazy.

"Then recruit all of them, Hosea. Didn't I tell you? Turn Mexico into our food reserve warehouse.

Start recruiting workers on a large scale now, separate half to cultivate the surrounding land, bring farm tools and seeds from Saint Denis to let them farm in Mexico, and let the other half build houses for their own living.

Hosea, you have full authority over all matters in Mexico; I will give you a development plan shortly."

Dutch drank the red wine in one gulp, then stood up from the table.

"Oh, Dutch, I feel like I might not be able to retire; you'll work me to death someday." Hosea said with a bitter smile.

The subsequent construction of Guarma was done by him, and now the subsequent construction of Mexico was still left to him; it was practically working him to death.

"Hahaha, then train a few deputies, Hosea, or let John, Lenny, Sean, and the others get some experience. Damn it, they can't keep up with our development, and that won't do!" Dutch patted Hosea's shoulder with a laugh, then strode out.