"Lancer, these photos are very valuable. I need you to thoroughly investigate the identities of the people in these photos, along with their resus, family backgrounds, and so on. I feel we may need this information in the future," Hardy instructed.
Lancer naturally understood Hardy's aning and smiled as he put away the photos.
"Don't worry, I will thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of these individuals."
At that mont, Bill walked in, glanced at the money on the table without much concern, and excitedly said to Hardy, "Boss, do you have ti to inspect your businesses?"
During this period of consolidating control over the Spanish gang, Hardy had put Bill in charge. Bill was the second in command, and these matters were naturally his responsibility.
Unexpectedly, Bill had grown quickly and perford excellently. He handled various tasks with ease, leaving Hardy with no worries.
"Let's go take a look."
They first drove to the brothel building. It was a three story red brick building. They didn't go inside, but they parked the car on the roadside.
"This small building has 46 rooms. The first and second floors serve regular guests, while the third floor is for VIPs. It has a bar, a ballroom, and a ga room. Currently, it houses over a hundred girls, and business here is considered the best in this area."
"Simon says this place brings in around $100,000 in pure profits for the gang each year."
Bill looked at Hardy. "Do you want to go inside and have a look?"
"Forget it, let's go to the next place," Hardy shook his head.
The driver took them to the underground boxing arena. It was only open at night, so it was empty inside now. The facilities were basic, with a boxing ring in the center and dark brown marks visible on it.
"This place used to be a factory but was later transford into an underground boxing arena. There are three to five matches every night. Simon says the underground arena brings in $100,000 to $150,000 in profits for the gang each year," Bill explained.
Underground boxing has always been popular in the United States, with a significant market even in the 21st century.
There are two main characteristics of underground boxing, no rules and high prizes.
Underground boxing is true "no holds barred fighting." Apart from not being able to use weapons, contestants can strike opponents in any way.
Injuries are common, and deaths are not uncommon.
It is the brutality and excitent of these matches that spike adrenaline levels and attract spectators willing to pay to watch and gamble.
Most boxers in underground boxing do it for money, while so do it to hone their skills.
The two most famous underground boxers were Tyson and Pacquiao. Tyson started competing in underground boxing at 14, while Pacquiao started at just 12.
After leaving the underground boxing arena, they drove to the Spanish gang's casino.
Hardy was very familiar with this place.
Their first big deal was here. The last ti they ca, the place was lively, with luxury cars filling the parking lot. Now, it was eerily quiet.
However, the surrounding plants were neatly trimd, and the fountain still bubbled happily, indicating regular maintenance.
The group walked in, toured the lobby and bar, then walked through a corridor to the underground area. Previously, there were two tall wooden doors here, but they were blown up during a robbery. Now they had been replaced with sturdy, golden colored tal doors, much stronger than before.
"The doors have been replaced, and the interior has been renovated. We can open for business anyti the opportunity arises," Bill explained.
The two entered the casino.
The casino was spacious, with the entire hall covering five to six hundred square ters and dozens of gambling tables set up. Rows of slot machines lined both sides of the hall.
It resembled the casinos of future Las Vegas.
One notable change was the forr hut where chips were exchanged. It used to be inside the casino, but now there was a hole in the wall where money and chips were stored. A tal barrier could drop down at any ti, making it impossible for robbers to steal even if they stord the casino.
It seed that after the last robbery, Dani had learned a lesson and deliberately arranged this new setup.
"Simon told that the casino used to make over $200,000 in profits annually, which was the Spanish gang's most profitable venture after drug trafficking."
"Boss, when do you plan to open?" Bill asked.
"No rush, let's wait a few more days," Hardy replied.
The situation had not stabilized yet, especially with the issues with the authorities in Los Angeles. Opening the casino wasn't a priority at the mont.
Bill glanced at Hardy, hesitating to speak.
"What's on your mind?"
Hardy knew Bill well and sensed that he had sothing to say.
"Boss, I want to talk about Simon. Can we keep him around?"
"During this period, he has been working diligently, especially with the loan shark company. He's managing it exceptionally well. The company has over $200,000 owed externally, and he's the best at calculating interest. If we eliminate him, it will be hard to find such a suitable assistant again."
"Simon isn't loyal to Dani. When he first joined the Spanish gang, he just wanted a job, and he has been handling economic managent ever since, managing the gang's accounts well. I think he's a rare talent."
Hardy looked at Bill seriously.
"Bill, when you want to use soone, first determine if you can see through them, and second, if you can handle their betrayal."
"If you think Simon is useful and you're prepared to accept the possibility of his betrayal one day, then keep him. Using people is a profound art, you need to understand who is suited for what and who isn't."
Bill felt that Hardy's words were profound in so places.
Although he didn't understand everything, he understood that it was up to him to decide whether to keep Simon or not.
Bill took a deep breath.
"Boss, I want to keep Simon. If he ever betrays us in the future, I'll accept the consequences."
Hardy smiled. "Then keep him."
Leaving the casino, the car drove onto the main road. Bill pointed outside and said:
"The Spanish gang controls three nightclubs and 32 bars in total. These nightclubs and bars used to be supplied by the Spanish gang."
"The gang's previous model was to buy goods on the market and sell them to bars and nightclubs at a higher price, essentially collecting protection fees in disguise. Unlike the Austrian gang, which smuggles its own liquor and can sell it to bars at fair prices."
"Simon says this brings in about $100,000 in profit each year."
"For the past two weeks, I've been purchasing supplies at low prices from the Austrian gang's private liquor warehouse and selling them to them at Spanish gang prices. Profits have more than doubled imdiately. However, I plan to discuss gradually lowering prices to match the Austrian gang's prices."
"Although the unit price is lower, I believe business will be even better than before. Our inco may not decrease, and we can better retain these bars and nightclubs."
Hardy realized that Bill's thinking was very clear.
"Good idea. Proceed as you suggest." Hardy approved Bill's proposal.
"Boss, Simon also ntioned that the Spanish gang earns another inco. Lower level thugs collect protection fees from restaurants, barbershops, grocery stores, and small shops. Most of this money ends up in the thugs' pockets, and the gang only collects a small amount each year, probably only around $10,000 to $20,000."
"I think it's better to stop collecting protection fees altogether. The inco is minimal, and it's very unpopular among the public."
Hardy thought for a mont, then suddenly had an idea.
"Bill, I have a plan. We can stop collecting protection fees, but these shops still have their uses. We can use them to earn additional money."
"How are we going to do that?" Bill asked curiously.
"Set up a couple of slot machines or punching machines in their shops. Many people visit these places every day but may not easily walk into a casino. However, they might be willing to play a few rounds at these places. Over ti, this could be a considerable source of inco."
"We'll provide the slot machines and punching machines. Instead of collecting protection fees, we'll share the profits with them, give them a 20% cut as maintenance fees."
Bill was taken aback.
"Can this business be profitable?"
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