Chapter 328: Co-opting

"I want to ask, are you still short of suppliers?"

What Louise Lindon said was completely unexpected to Li Mochen: "If possible, our Lindon family would like to join your ship convoy. We can contribute four armed merchant ships."

"Your Lindon family?"

Li Mochen was puzzled: "This is an arms smuggling business, Louise, are you sure?"

If it were just transporting ordinary daily necessities, the American Federation did not prohibit it. But their business included contraband banned by both America and the United Nations.

Due to the war and bloody massacres that broke out on the continent of Antoria more than thirty years ago, the United Nations strictly forbade the shipment of any lethal weapons to Antoria.

Besides, many of the goods they shipped out of Antoria would be subject to heavy tariffs if they entered customs through normal channels.

Of course, the American government, driven by national interests, mostly turned a blind eye to voyages to Antoria, and even encouraged them during certain special periods. For instance, the Coast Guard almost ignored the arms trade. But it was still a dishonorable business, and Li Mochen found it hard to believe that a prestigious family like the Lindons would want to get involved.

"Of course!"

Louise Lindon gestured for Li Mochen to walk alongside her: "Hard to believe, isn't it, Amo? But our family has indeed faced severe financial difficulties in recent years. The economic crisis three years ago, though not as severe as the one in the sixties, has made the income from our conglomerate's various industries unsatisfactory."

"Is it that serious? You control the second-largest bank in Atlanta by savings rate."

Seeing Louise's solemn expression, Li Mochen didn't press further: "But with the Lindon family's strength, you could form a convoy on your own without any problem."

"It's not that easy."

Louise Lindon spoke frankly: "To form a convoy independently would require at least five billion gold shields in capital, plus navigating various relationships and building a security team. It's very troublesome and carries immense risk. Getting a ticket to Antoria isn't that simple. Unless we form our own hunter group, but that's even more troublesome. It's better to join an established convoy to save capital and manpower."

She turned to look at Li Mochen: "Of course, we understand the rules. We hand over thirty percent of all profits, right?"

Li Mochen nodded slightly. One-tenth was his commission, and the other two-tenths went to the public fund for the convoy's various expenses.

"Besides, we can also supply whatever goods you need. Our Lindon Trading Company can provide everything you want."

Li Mochen's eyes lit up at that. He wasn't worried about arms. The Nathan Sports Group, backed by the Nathan Military-Industrial Complex, was a large arms conglomerate. He could get goods directly through Mr. Peyton, and at below-market prices.

"Your Lindon family can join, but my requirements are that the ships must be over ten thousand tons, with defense and firepower at average levels. The escort force must include no fewer than sixteen Outlaw-level combat squads, with no fewer than forty-eight Outlaw-level individuals, and at least two high-level Outlaws of level seventeen. Is that acceptable? As for the Lindon Trading Company's supply, I'll need to think it over."

Li Mochen was quite welcoming of the Lindon family's participation, as they were well-known to him, and he had a good relationship with Louise Lindon.

Her fleet was also trustworthy. Once they joined the convoy, it would greatly increase his strength and influence within the Wings of the Alliance.

So when he got into his car, he asked Alisa: "Alisa, could you ask your clansmen these few days if they're interested in joining our convoy?"

"Your smuggling convoy business?"

Alisa hesitated: "Some are certainly interested, since it's profitable, but they're constrained by funds and also worried about losses."

Li Mochen knew the situation of the Targaryen family. Apart from the main branch's thirty billion gold shields, the family's wealth was very dispersed and thin. Their continued status among America's prestigious families relied entirely on their thousands of clansmen.

The Targaryen descendants were almost all gifted with strong hunter talents. With just a little effort in their youth, they could become Outlaws above level eleven.

And due to their professional characteristics, magic energy hunters were highly sought after in this era. They were extremely scarce in the military, police, Coast Guard, and CIA.

This led many family members to enter government agencies. To date, nearly three thousand served in government, customs, police, FBI, military, and CIA; no fewer than six hundred Outlaws held mid-level or even high-level positions in various agencies. Among them were three active-duty lieutenant generals, and countless police superintendents, chief superintendents, and special agent directors in major cities. Thus, the Targaryen family had a vast network spanning all of America, so much so that no power in America dared to underestimate them.

"If they're short on funds, they can find a way to pool together. I can give your family slots for three ships."

Li Mochen finally added a heavy bargaining chip: "You can tell your clansmen that for the first voyage, if they make money, it's theirs; if they lose, I'll cover it."

Alisa's eyes lit up: "Then the slots for three ships are far too few."

She was sharp and understood Li Mochen's intention: "Don't worry, I'll prioritize inviting clansmen from the Coast Guard and the Atlanta Police Department. You need a safe smuggling channel, right, boss? But I have a condition: you need to lend me ten million gold shields."

She thought she had to find a way to make some money quickly, otherwise, with all the gold shields she owed Li Mochen, who knew when she could pay them back?

"Agreed!"

Li Mochen agreed readily, glancing at Alisa with a hint of a smile: "You can go to Huangfu Enda today and get a check for ten million gold shields from him."

Alisa was overjoyed: "Then let me help you gather the goods, okay?"

Li Mochen shook his head and ignored her. By then, their armored vehicle had driven several hundred meters and stopped across the street.

Li Mochen didn't get out, but when the door opened, he felt a gust of wind, and a shadowy figure suddenly stopped at the door—it was Hazel.

Alisa's eyes showed admiration: "You've even taken off the sealing armor on your feet? Hazel, you've improved so fast!"

The progress was indeed astonishing. Just over ten days ago, Hazel had needed a full set of sealing armor to restrain her power. But now, after just over a month of training, the girl had begun to gain initial control over her body.

Just from her sudden stop after high-speed running, one could tell her control over speed had even surpassed ordinary people.

"Fast? But I feel it's not enough!"

Hazel shook her head, then blinked her big eyes at Li Mochen: "We're going to the Red Sparrow Club, right? You promised me."

Li Mochen couldn't help but laugh: "Get in the car quickly."

A place like the Red Sparrow Club wasn't really suitable for a child like Hazel. But after her repeated pleas, he had agreed.

This was because he knew well the pain and hardship the little girl had endured during this time.

Of the fourteen hours Hazel was awake each day, nearly twelve were spent practicing the 'Guan Yi Ben Yuan Step,' running and dashing in extreme pain. She had forcibly raised the success rate of the Bing Xin Ba Hai Technique from thirty percent to ninety percent, and in just half a month, advanced the technique to the fifth level.

So whenever he had time, Li Mochen tried every means to let Hazel relax from training. Unfortunately, the little girl had few interests now.

Only Li Mochen's explanations of techniques and combat skills could calm her down. Then there was the legendary Red Sparrow Club, which had always piqued her curiosity.

Li Mochen thought, what did it matter? Although Hazel was only eleven, she had already seen part of the darkness of this world. The Red Sparrow Club couldn't be more filthy and vile than the blood sacrifice site of the Dragon Witch Cult.