Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

“To be honest, if it were me, I couldn’t think of anything better.” Igor sighed and waved the papers in his hand. “When fighting against such a behemoth, following the rules is definitely a no-go. They set the rules, and in northern America, these rules have become ingrained, making it impossible to break through. Only in the south, where the regulatory oversight is less stringent, is there still room for us to maneuver.”

After much deliberation, Igor finally made his decision, slamming the paper on the table. "Alright, Lao Zhang, let's split up."

"Separate?" Zhang Renfeng's eyebrows twitched.

“Given the current situation, there’s no point in gathering together.” Igor’s tone was extremely confident. “We gathered together before because the Red Center Gang is a gang that could face battle at any time. When our people are together, we can maximize our combat effectiveness.”

"If you really want to start a company from scratch, you need to consider revenue, profit, expenses, business model, and so on. Your ability to defeat ten thousand people won't be of much use in this regard. It's better to split up and do your own thing well."

Igor's tone was somewhat complicated, but with such a big matter at hand, he still displayed the composure expected of a strategist: "Simply put, I'll do my job well, and you do yours."

“Those…the people in the gang…”

“This is not a disbandment.” Igor’s tone was very firm. “The Red Center Gang has not disbanded, and as the gang leader, you must insist on this.”

"So, the establishment of the timber company is almost finalized?" Zhang Renfeng couldn't help but ask, "Who's involved?"

“People aren’t the problem. There are plenty of migrant workers without stable jobs in Sanma Town. We can easily make them company employees.” Igor changed the subject. “What’s really giving me a headache is… who should be the head of the company?”

"What's there to hesitate about?" Zhang Renfeng shrugged and said irritably, "Why don't you just go for it? After all, the company's future actions will be entirely up to you, won't they?"

"According to your captain's script, our timber company will one day replace the famous [Abi Timber Company] and become the timber overlord of the South. That will cause quite a stir. In case the Illumination Faction in the North becomes alert... In short, even just to avoid suspicion, the company's leaders should have as little overt contact with the Red Center Gang as possible."

However, considering practical factors, the timber company is their most important next move, and Igor cannot really hand it over to an outsider.

What he wanted was a puppet leader who, on the surface, had little connection with the Red Center Gang, knew some inside information, wouldn't hinder him, and was 100% obedient.

……

"I've got another idea!" Zhang Renfeng slapped his thigh.

Chapter 586: Unlimited Wealth

Kraken frowned immediately after smelling the sample handed to him by his apprentice. He removed the pile of dissected abdominal cavities and set aside the yellow fat layer wrapped in coarse cloth. "Why doesn't it smell of alcohol? Didn't I say to soak it in moonshine for a few minutes?"

“Uh…I…” The apprentice’s excited expression froze instantly. He scratched his head. “I forgot, Mr. Kraken.”

"If this part is slightly off, or that part is slightly off, the final product will be of much lower quality."

Kraken didn't say much. He picked up the pool of snake oil, rolled it up in a coarse cloth, tied a tight knot, and soaked it into a large vat of moonshine. There were already several similar packets of snake oil in there, and the oily components had seeped slightly from the packets, making the moonshine even more cloudy.

“You all need to remember, not only these details, but also the heat. You must strictly follow my instructions. I’ve been saying to use a low flame, a low flame! You don’t need a large quantity of snake, just throw in some wood chips and simmer it over a low flame. You can’t extract much oil from an adult snake to begin with. If you turn the fire up, won’t it all boil over?”

"Even after cooking, it's only a semi-finished product. Some people pour it in directly, which will cause a lot of impurities to appear in the snake oil. In that case..."

The apprentices' expressions suddenly changed, a mixture of astonishment, admiration, and disbelief washing over them, their facial muscles nearly overloaded.

"Why are you all suddenly making that face? Don't stop using those weapons, you guys..."

Kraken seemed to sense something, turned away, and swallowed the rest of his words.

Standing at the entrance, Zhang Renfeng surveyed the newly built factory, a look of satisfaction unconsciously appearing in his eyes. All this fighting and killing had finally created some value along this bloody path, and had genuinely helped some people.

The original Sanma Town was nothing short of a den of thieves. Children who grew up there were either recruited by the Thunder Fury Gang and became murderers and arsonists. The next step was to become vassals of the Zola El family to live a slightly more respectable life. Otherwise, they would face the same fate as the vast majority of people in Numa Town, spending most of their lives trampled underfoot by this bloodsucking family.

The appearance of Hongzhong changed everything.

At least now, they don't have to force themselves to choose between being bad and being even worse.

"red……"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Renfeng put a finger to his lips as a shushing gesture, walked in, looked around, and said with a smile, "I heard from Logan that the snake oil you produce here is almost sold out these days."

“Product quality is secondary. I’ve been making snake oil for so many years, and I’ve always used the same techniques. The brand effect… is the real reason for its popularity.” Kraken suppressed his excitement and quickly ran up to Zhang Renfeng, bowing slightly as he ushered him in with great enthusiasm.

In a sense, this man is a true angel investor. Without him, he might still be on the train, shamelessly trying to sell his hot pot base. This heartfelt gratitude is evident in the details of his body language; when facing Zhang Renfeng, he adopts an exceptionally humble posture.

Zhang Renfeng saw through his gratitude and humility.

"I've never seen this before. Snake oil... so it's all boiled down in huge pots like this?"

“Oh, oh! I’ll give you a detailed explanation right away!” Kraken immediately understood what he meant, and with another wave of his hand, he dispersed his apprentices. “Don’t just stand there, keep working!”

----

“A mature snake, cut open its abdominal cavity, and take out the fat layer. Then… according to the procedure, it is first soaked in moonshine for a while.” Kraken pointed to the glass barrels placed on the ground next to him. “This moonshine is originally produced locally, so the cost is not high, and of course, the quality is not very good. But it is more than enough as an auxiliary ingredient.”

Brewing bootlegging was one of the sources of income for the Thunder Angry Gang. Long ago, Zhang Renfeng had even wiped out several of their bootlegging camps.

Now, times have changed. Among the former members of the Thunder Fury Gang they recruited, many knew how to brew bootlegging. These liquors were relatively inexpensive to produce, and some of the less appealing ones were simply recycled and became a step in the snake oil production process.

"After that, put the soaked snake oil fat into the iron pot and mix it with beef tallow in a ratio of one to three. If it is just snake oil, the yield is too low. This ratio is the most suitable one I have obtained in my many years of experience."

“Simmer the snake oil in a low flame with sawdust for about 6 hours, then pour it out and filter out the impurities. This way, you get pure primary snake oil.”

"This is only the beginner level?" Zhang Renfeng asked curiously. "Judging from the process, it's not simple at all."

"Then, the primary oil is poured into a copper still, and aromatic plants such as peppermint leaves and sage are added. This step wasn't originally there; it was the chief in your team who added it for me. I must say, after getting those herbs, the taste of the snake oil really did improve dramatically, much better than what I used to produce myself."

Kraken tapped the surface of the still twice. "Then, we use steam distillation to collect the condensate and separate the clearer oil. This process adds a wonderful herbal flavor to the snake oil and removes the fishy smell—a win-win!"

"After this process is completed, a little bit of mixed chili is added, crushed and dissolved, and then applied to the skin to produce a warming sensation. Of course, not too much is added. It's the same principle as adding herbs before. If it's pure snake oil, it's hard to define whether it has any 'therapeutic effect'. In my experience of selling snake oil for so many years, people are only interested in products that can have obvious effects."

"Add turpentine to enhance skin penetration. If needed, you can add a little honey to increase the viscosity of the snake oil. Ideally, adjust it to a liquid amber consistency, so that it feels viscous when poured out."

"The final step is coloring the product... We usually use absinthe, just a few drops. After adding it, the snake oil will be dyed a yellowish-green, which will give it a very high-end look. Then, put it in the Hongzhong brand packaging, and a bottle of Hongzhong brand snake oil is complete!"

Zhang Renfeng couldn't stop applauding him.

He always held great respect for people with specialized skills. Kraken delivered this detailed report in an orderly manner, which was unlikely to be impromptu; he must have rehearsed it countless times behind the scenes. Zhang Renfeng was not only his investor but also the direct superior of his direct superior. In this well-prepared report, his professional skills and attitude were impeccable.

Therefore, this snake oil vendor, who was originally about to be eliminated by the red ocean of the industry, successfully seized the wealth that fell into his lap.

"Oh, by the way, there's a snake farm not far away. It's a bit damp there, though, but if you don't mind, you can stop by there too..."

Zhang Renfeng raised his hand, stopping him from speaking.

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Kraken. Very thoughtful indeed.”

"You come with me first."

Chapter 587: Excellent Lawyers Study Law, Top Lawyers Study Law

"Jury...screening...handbook?"

Amy half-squatted down, rummaging through a pile of official documents, blinking her bright eyes curiously, and asked, "Isn't a jury just a jury? Do they need to be specially selected?"

"Hey, little girl, your bowl of water is still a little too shallow."

Jimmy, on the other hand, left empty-handed, handing everything over to his new sidekick.

He seemed to enjoy the feeling of being a teacher, shaking his head and swaying his nose so much it almost reached the sky.

Jimmy picked up the luxurious crocodile-skin briefcase and took out a clearly aged handbook. The cover was worn and rough from years of use, and colorful sticky notes were tucked between the yellowed pages.

He waved the handbook in front of Amy and explained, “The blue labels are for cotton mill owners, and the red labels are for veterans—remember, teachers and pastors, by whatever means, must be eliminated first.”

“But Mr. Jimmy, shouldn’t the jury…”

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Jimmy even anticipated what she was going to say. Before she could speak, he raised a finger and shook it up and down. "Wrong, terribly wrong. Don't believe any oaths taken before going to court. Don't believe a single word of them. Every person has their own stance and thoughts. The courtroom is a battlefield. Those who share the same stance and thoughts as us are very likely to become our comrades. The more jurors like that, the better!"

"Look what's inside... See it?" Jimmy poked at a name that had been circled three times and chuckled, "This guy, old Cartwright, his factory was just sued by the union last month for child labor overtime. Do you think he'll go easy on him in the labor compensation case?"

“Just two years ago, the Jefferson Teachers’ Jury ordered the railroad company to pay damages to Black laborers! Guess where those guys are now?” Jimmy flipped through a few more pages of the notebook and said in a deep voice, “The grass on their graves is already over three meters tall!”

"Teachers are a group that is prone to having some idealists who will break some established rules. Unfortunately... this world doesn't care about ideals, it usually cares about money. People like our boss are one in ten thousand."

Amy's expression was somewhat complicated.

Even after Zolael's family rule ended, she didn't leave. Instead, she stayed and watched as Three Horses Town gradually improved. Although the money came in a bit slower than before, at least it was all earned through business, no longer money stained with blood.

Wherever the red cypress grows, it does not leave nothing but barren land, contrary to rumors. On the contrary, it fosters a vibrant life.

"And these widows are even more effective than lie detectors." Jimmy grinned sinisterly as he flipped the back of the book. Twenty-seven names were listed, each followed by the deceased husband's occupation. He began to recount, "Those whose husbands died in factories, we'll put them in product liability cases; those whose husbands were robbed by black men, we'll put them in violent crime cases..."

"In last year's lynching case in Cobb, nine out of twelve jurors were in mourning. In less than fifteen minutes, the death sentence was pronounced on the spot, and they were dragged out and hanged."

"This is so complicated..." Amy couldn't help but mutter.

"A truly good lawyer doesn't wait until they're in court to start their attack. All the preparations are made well in advance, long before the trial begins. In court, they simply use scathing arguments and meticulous logic to utterly defeat the opposing side, just like this!"

Jimmy once again made his classic "flirting" gesture, laughing as he said, "Treat the courtroom like a stage and just give it your all."

“But Mr. Jimmy, doesn’t that mean we have to study the relationships between people in every new place we go?” Amy noticed a blind spot. “Who can be on the jury and who can’t, shouldn’t all of that be investigated beforehand?”

“Of course.” Jimmy nodded. “You expect this information to magically appear in your notebooks without you investigating? Let me tell you, I filled several notebooks like this before I went to Scar Village. Later, when I was moving things with the library, I lost them all.”

"Little girl, remember this..."

Jimmy suddenly slapped the manual on the young man's chest, the sheepskin cover rubbing against the brass buttons with a creaking sound.

"Good lawyers study law; top lawyers study people."

……

Applause came from the doorway.

"Not bad, lawyer." Zhang Renfeng slowly strolled out from the door frame and said with a smile, "It's only been a few days, and you've already brought in a new person."

"Huh? Boss?" Jimmy's expression changed, and within a few seconds, his expression became very vivid, like a scrolling screen.

Surprise, unexpectedness, concerns, and confusion all rolled through my mind.

Regardless, Amy had once belonged to the Zolael family and was someone close to Rancho. Now, she was his assistant, a fact he hadn't formally discussed with Zhang Renfeng yet. Jimmy had originally intended to find an opportunity to write a letter explaining the situation. However, given his recent involvement in the Lagras war, as a competent subordinate, this matter didn't seem worth Zhang Renfeng's further attention.

It was delayed again and again until now, and the person in question finally caught it.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Renfeng asked calmly, "I haven't even said anything yet, why are you sweating so much?"

“Well, boss, this girl…” Jimmy stammered as he explained, “I saw that she was quite interested in legal knowledge, so I kept her around as an assistant.”

"Ah."

Zhang Renfeng looked at Amy with a slightly puzzled expression.

Jimmy thought it was a significant achievement that he had taken in Amy, an assistant with a somewhat sensitive background, without informing his superiors, and even involved her in the reconstruction of Sanma Town. However, from Zhang Renfeng's perspective, with so many things to worry about, he had almost forgotten who Amy was. Therefore, when faced with Jimmy's cautious probing, he only offered a polite smile, accompanied by a look of confusion.

Amy couldn't stand it any longer and stood up abruptly, confessing, "Have you forgotten? Back in the Steppenwolf Tavern, I stabbed you in the throat with the Swift Sword."

……

"Oh~~~~" Zhang Renfeng's eyes lit up. "It's you! I was wondering why you looked so familiar. I even had your name on the tip of my tongue. What's your name again..."

"Huh?" Jimmy immediately broke out in a cold sweat, glanced back, and his lips were trembling. "You...you didn't say that before..."

"Amy."

“That’s good, that’s good…” Zhang Renfeng walked into the room, looked around, and saw all sorts of official documents piled up on the floor. Suddenly, he asked, “Does this girl get paid to work as your assistant?”

"Huh?" Jimmy was stunned. "Boss, she... she stabbed you with a sword..."

“Mike stabbed me with a dagger too, so what?” Zhang Renfeng shrugged, then changed the subject, “You wouldn’t expect this young girl to work for you for free, would you?”

"How could that be? I... of course I pay her a salary, it's just... her position is a little sensitive. She used to be Rancho's secretary, and if I openly paid her too much, I was afraid people would gossip, so..."

"How much exactly?"

"$3 a month."

“…” Zhang Renfeng’s lips twitched.

“I’m just an apprentice now, so I don’t need too much money,” Amy said, helping to make change. “Even 3 dollars is…”

"Are you kidding me? That's too little. This girl is willing to work with us now, so we have to treat her well, you hear me? Give her a raise. If anyone goesssips, just say it was me who said it." Zhang Renfeng made the decision unilaterally, "Since she was involved..."

"You two come together."

Chapter 588: Sanyuan Timber Company

The Zolael family mansion was completely destroyed in the fire, vanishing from the world forever. For some commemorative reason, the ruins have remained untouched, deliberately preserved as they were. In this way, future generations can be reminded of the story that unfolded in this town.

With the fall of the Thunder Gang, many luxurious mansions in Rongma Town became vacant. The largest one was requisitioned by Logan to serve as the new mayor's office. Since it had plenty of rooms and luxurious decor, a little tidying up would allow outsiders like Jimmy, who didn't own property in Sanma Town, to move in immediately.

Interests are the best adhesive.

After several months of adjustment, the local faction, represented by Logan, and the central faction, represented by Jimmy, were basically united. He had indeed recruited many experienced legal professionals from his network. Initially, when they heard it was Sanma Town, no one was willing to come to this remote, desolate place.

But upon hearing the salary figures, they all expressed their willingness to overcome difficulties and travel from afar to form the initial team for the Sanma Town government. The renowned Jimmy McGill naturally became the representative of their faction.

However, even on such an occasion, the group he "represented" was not invited. Therefore, he knew that this meeting involved the core interests of the Red China Gang, and only core members could attend.

"Logan's here too? He usually doesn't participate in meetings like this." Amy walked behind Jimmy, curiously looking at everyone in the room. "Who are those people over there? They look really impressive."