Family

"Dutch Van der Linde cannot die!"

Inside an office in the United States Capitol, a group of high-ranking American officials had gathered.

The leader was none other than a member of the Roosevelt family.

This group represented the typical political families in American politics.

As for the current president, William McKinley, he was a representative of the capital families.

Although the power of America's political families in this era was not to be underestimated, it was still incomparable to that of the capital families.

In reality, the American Civil War was fundamentally a confrontation between northern and southern capital. Northern capital versus southern landowners.

Although the power of American political families steadily increased over time, these people who played with politics could never contend with capital in a capitalist empire.

These so-called patriots were more like workers cultivated by capital to help them manage the country.

"I disagree with you. Dutch Van der Linde has set a bad precedent! He is merely a warlord who transformed from a western capitalist, and if his death sentence is commuted now due to his military power, then in a few years, America will be overrun with warlords!"

Mr. Roosevelt's words were rejected.

This group of patriots, put forward to manage, might not be of one mind, but it was undeniable that patriotism was their foundation, so even if they weren't patriotic, they had to consider issues from America's perspective.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be qualified workers for capital.

Perhaps some capital still wanted to be a bitch and put up a facade, but foreign capital was completely uninterested in various flashy performances; their ultimate goal was to accumulate resources and profits. Anyone who stood in their way was an enemy, and beyond that, they cared about nothing else.

It was somewhat like the Yuan Dynasty's tax system: as long as you paid your money, you could curse as much as you wanted.

The same was true for American capital now: as long as I can make money, you can manage the country however you want.

But if you don't want to be a tool for managing the country and want to become a part of capital? Then, sorry, you're trying to carve up the pie! That's absolutely impossible!

The essence of what these politicians were discussing now was how to confront Dutch Van der Linde in a way that would prevent internal strife in America and satisfy the capital behind them.

Dutch wanted to become new capital, or perhaps he was more rebellious, wanting to eliminate all capital and become the largest capital in America himself.

This clearly touched the raw nerve of American capital.

So, these people were now divided into two factions.

The conservatives advocated for softening the West with gentle means, gradually dismembering Dutch Van der Linde's power and public opinion, while the radicals wanted to kill Dutch Van der Linde immediately and forcefully suppress the West.

Mr. Roosevelt was a typical conservative representative.

He raised his arm and shouted, "America must never again suffer internal strife. The world is currently in a state of turmoil. If we have another internal collapse, not only will Europe seize the opportunity to extend its reach, but even Japan and the Russian Empire will set their sights on America for invasion!

Therefore, regarding Dutch Van der Linde, I advocate for using soft means to erode public opinion and will in the West, or directly acknowledge his legitimacy, use him to send troops to the colonies, drain his economy and military deployment, or even directly grant him a fiefdom in the colonies!"

"I disagree with your idea; you are raising a tiger to cause trouble! Perhaps this time, Dutch will agree to our suggestion and go to the colonies, but what happens when he develops to the point where the colonies can no longer satisfy his appetite?

Will we cede land again then?

Cede five cities today, ten cities tomorrow, and America will be entirely ceded to Dutch Van der Linde!"

A group of politicians argued loudly in the office. In reality, whether they were putting on a show for American capital or truly had their own ideas was unknown.

However, one thing could be confirmed: true pragmatists would not be found here at this moment; they would only be found in the cell where Mr. Dutch Van der Linde was imprisoned.

United States Supreme Court subordinate prison.

The United States Supreme Court is not for trying criminals, so it doesn't actually have a subordinate prison. Dutch Van der Linde also couldn't be held in a foul-smelling prison like other inmates.

He was currently held in a sealed room in the Supreme Court's basement.

Dutch sat on the bed, his face serene as he closed his eyes, resting.

The entire room had only a bed as furniture; there was nothing else.

Several hours had passed since the trial concluded. He had been held here since he was brought back, and no one had come yet.

But Dutch wasn't anxious; someone would definitely come.

"Tap, tap, tap…" A series of footsteps echoed in the quiet basement corridor.

Dutch, sitting on the bed, opened his eyes.

Immediately after, the cell door was opened from the outside.

A revolver, along with the opening door, extended inside, then gently pressed against Dutch's temple.

"Mr. Dutch Van der Linde, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Alexander Forsa. Of course, you probably don't know me, after all, how could a mere western outlaw know the true masters of this world?"

The pistol pressed against Dutch's temple slowly retracted. Along with the voice, a man wearing a black suit, glasses, appearing somewhat thin, with a long, high, slightly hooked nose, his entire face resembling a goblin Gandhi, a somewhat typical old-timer's face, walked in.

He was accompanied by four extremely burly bodyguards. If what they held in their hands wasn't guns but lubricant, Dutch might truly have panicked now.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Mr. Van der Linde, I am Alexander Forsa. A member of the American Forsa family.

Of course, I imagine you've never heard of my family, but I can tell you about its glorious history.

Our family originated in Edinburgh, England, in the sixteenth century. By the mid-sixteenth century, our family was already the largest banking family in Edinburgh.

Do you know what it means for a family to have risen since the sixteenth century, Mr. Van der Linde?

How could your efforts of less than two years compare to our hundreds of years of accumulation?

Our companies are spread across the globe! Our status is unparalleled! Our money is enough to rebuild the most massive empire in the world. We only need to speak, and the western nation you painstakingly built will completely perish due to economic collapse.

So, Mr. Van der Linde, do you feel how ridiculous you are?

In fact, I think that besides feeling ridiculous, you should also feel honored.

If it weren't for your pathetic remarks, you probably would never have had the chance to meet me in your entire life.

This is the difference in status, Mr. Van der Linde. You are a criminal in America, and I am a god in America."

It was clear that Mr. Forsa was a very proud man, so proud that he had to introduce his family history even when he came to kill someone.

Dutch was very shocked by this; he even took the initiative to ask, "So that's it, the controllers of America aren't those damned bastards sitting in the United States Government."

"Hmph, it's too late to realize that now, Mr. Van der Linde. You have no escape, and no chance for regret," Mr. Forsa said with a faint smile, seemingly losing the desire to speak again after boasting about his family, looking somewhat bored and ready to leave.

But to his words, Dutch replied excitedly:

"No, it's not too late!"

"With a family name, we won't kill the wrong person."

"Thank you, Mr. Forsa, now I finally won't kill the wrong person."