A black-haired American tycoon
In front of John Boss's bar, there was a shoeshiner sitting, trying to attract customers.
His name was Gilbert. He always wore a hat, and his face was often smeared with shoe polish.
'For a boy, his nose is quite prominent.'
How do I know so much about the shoeshiner Gilbert?
As soon as I arrived here, I made the shoeshiners my people. After a quick glance, Gilbert nodded at me, but I pretended not to notice.
'He's my eyes and ears.'
Nevertheless, Gilbert discreetly used his fingers to indicate the number of mid-level bosses inside John Boss's bar to me.
'8 people.'
There were quite a few today.
o0o
Inside the bar.
"Peter."
The Gofather, who had been drinking with an Italian in the corner, immediately called out when he saw me enter.
The people sitting with the Godfather regarded him as an oddball. Why? Because I'm Asian. Some even call me an Indian.
"Godfather"
I walked slowly and confidently to stand beside the Godfather, who gave me a subtle look and made room for me. The first mid-level boss to acknowledge me with a nod was the Godfather's third nephew, Fabio.
I may not look like someone who fits the mafia, but Fabio, with his appearance and demeanor, seems more suited to be a priest than a mafia member.
"Hahaha, you're something else"
It seems like he’s had success.
What success?
I had suggested to the Don on our first meeting that he invest in the Unsan Gold Mine in the Korean Empire.
'The Unsan Gold Mine will be my excuse to visit Joseon later.'
If I go to Joseon? I’ll find more ways to increase the number of Koreans migrating to Hawaii. And I could do business in Joseon.
If I do business in Joseon, I'll aim to become close to influential Japanese figures.
'Gold is a ladder that can reach anywhere.'
Is there anyone who doesn’t like money? No.
Even the powerful in Japan love money.
Why am I thinking of befriending powerful Japanese figures?
'Have you heard?'
About the three "dirty" generals of the Japanese army?
'Starting with Mutaguchi Renya, the hero of the Imphal Operation.'
Then there’s Sugiyama Hajime and Tominaga Kyoji.
I'm mocking them, but without these three, Japan’s defeat might have been delayed.
If I become a significant businessman in both Joseon and Japan, I plan to become their patron.
Anyway, that’s the situation.
"I secured 50% of the mining rights from Moss. Hahaha!"
As a mafia boss, he probably used threats.
Right now, America is in the dark ages. The mafia is a source of fear for everyone. Of course, the Chicago Mafia has limits when it comes to businessmen in the U.S.
From what I can tell, Moss is one of those who fits within those limits.
"Gold has to be extracted to succeed. Actually, the ones who profited the most during the Gold Rush in the West were the ones selling jeans."
"Peter, this was your business idea. Are you giving me an excuse to back out now?"
"No, that's not it. I just want to remind you that no business can be guaranteed to succeed 100%."
"Of course, but I have high expectations. Moss told me that Joseon is the land of gold. Hahaha!"
Joseon, the land of gold?
It’s not entirely incorrect.
"It was your suggestion, and I don’t want to be disappointed"
From what I know, the Unsan Gold Mine produces 30 tons of gold annually. After production costs are deducted, the Godfather will be left with 15 tons of gold a year. Moss will cover all the production costs.
Now, that's the mafia style.
"Moss is set to start full-scale mining next month"
In that case, my Godfather will be raking in massive gold profits starting next month. In fact, the Unsan Gold Mine could extract that much gold because of pressure applied to make it happen. Also, I know a hydroelectric plant was built nearby to power the mine.
"Godfather, the gold mine is a limited business. It has an end."
But the glory of gold will last forever.
"So?"
"We need to find a business that will provide endless profit. Money is power."
This was originally said by my Don, John.
Of course, John isn't the only one who says this. "Money is power" is a universal truth.
"More business talk?"
I’m more suited to being a businessman or investor than a mafia member.
Though I’m a part of John Boss’s Chicago Mafia, I don’t manage any of his territories. In some ways, I’m in a bit of an ambiguous position. That’s why the other mid-level bosses don’t see me as a major threat. They probably just think of me as John Boss's business advisor.
"Yes"
"Why are you late, though?"
I might be the first person to ever make the Don wait.
"Peter got into a fight on his way here."
The Godfather wasn’t asking me, but Mark answered immediately.
"A fight?"
The Godfather immediately wrinkles his face.
Since I am his godson, if he touches me, it means he's touching himself.
To put it more accurately, he’s touching the Chicago Mafia.
If that’s the case, only a bloody revenge should follow.
"It was Peter who started the fight" I say.
"Peter, don't act recklessly. No matter what anyone says, you are still my godson" my godfather, John Boss, says firmly, as if emphasizing it for all the middle bosses to hear.
‘He made an Asian his godson?’
White people think of Asians as monkeys. In fact, real white people consider Italians as just another colored race. It’s precisely in this era that many Italians, after arriving in America, ended up becoming involved in criminal organizations.
To escape discrimination and contempt, they had to unite.
And when they unite, they gain power. With power comes crime. The future Americans would call this era the lawless age.
"I believe that no one should collect protection money in the godfather's district without the godfather's permission," he says.
"What is this nonsense?" my godfather asks, turning to Mark.
Mark proceeds to explain the whole situation accurately to him.
"Haha!" My godfather laughs loudly.
"Peter, why go so far? He's just a kid."
"If you don’t cut the bud, you'll have to use the axe later" I respond, quoting a famous movie line.
My godfather, John Boss, looks at me for a moment.
"You’re truly different, haha!"
Today is likely to be the day that turns Al Capone’s life from night to day.
Perhaps, from now on, Al Capone will live as an ordinary worker in Brooklyn, New York.
‘Al Capone originally started as the godfather’s errand boy.’
I’ve taken that opportunity.
‘And if you’ve taken someone’s life?’
Then, it’s very likely that I will live that person’s life.
o0o
Peter’s family home in Hawaii.
“You sent this expensive telegram?” Peter’s father exclaims.
Telegrams were expensive in this era, and Peter shockingly sent a long letter in the form of a telegram, which left his parents surprised.
"Yes, dear, I’ll read it to you since I know you’re curious about the contents."
"No, I can read it now. I’ve learned to read," his wife replies.
Peter’s father is surprised at his wife’s response.
"Really?"
"I learned from overhearing the kids’ studies. I’m also learning English now."
"That’s impressive"
Peter’s father hands the telegram to his wife, and she reads the contents, unable to hide her surprise.
"Yujin has long been the pillar of our family, and since I’ve effectively been the head of the household, I’ll follow the head’s wishes."
"Is he asking us to come to Chicago?"
"We crossed the sea from Joseon to Hawaii; there’s no reason we can't go to the mainland"
Peter’s father, whose health has greatly improved, agrees.
"Yes"
Peter’s mother also agrees with her husband’s words.
"But, dear."
"Why, what’s the matter?"
"He said Jin could bring over the children of the people here if possible. What should we do about that?"
"I’ll convince them. Who would refuse free education? They’ll just work on sugarcane farms here anyway."
Why did Peter ask the children of the sugarcane workers in Hawaii to come to the mainland United States?
For Peter, who had become part of the mafia, he needed loyal people, no matter what anyone said.
The answer lay in the children of the sugarcane workers.
"That’s true."
A smile formed on Peter’s mother’s face.
"Raising such an outstanding son wasn’t easy, haha!"
Now, Peter’s father only bragged about Peter.
"You two must never forget your brother's favor"
Peter’s younger siblings had fair skin. This kind of skin could only be obtained if one didn’t work in the fields. After Peter left for the mainland United States. Unlike the other children of the Hawaiian farm workers, his two younger siblings only studied, which proved it.
"Yes, Father"
"When I pass away, your brother will be your father."
This is, of course, a given.
o0o
"Are you going to drink no matter what? Whiskey?"
I lied to the Godfather about being 15, but Mark must have reported my real age later.
Still, whiskey?
"I’ll have milk."
At my words, the middle bosses sitting with us chuckled.
"Here, one glass of milk."
I gave the waiter instructions.
The waiter hesitated for a moment with a stunned look on his face, but then ran out of the bar. His eyes seemed to ask, "Why the hell are you ordering milk in a place like this?"
There was no way there would be milk in a bar like this.
"Why milk all of a sudden? You usually drink the Hawaiian Korean cocktail."
Normally, I would drink the Hawaiian Korean cocktail that I developed myself in Hawaii. And the slushy Hawaiian Korean cocktail is served with a little whiskey mixed in, sold at places like this.
A version of the Hawaiian Korean cocktail without whiskey is sold on the streets, usually by vendors who were once homeless and got a fresh start thanks to my help.
"Did I do a charitable deed?"
The collateral I received from them was their lives.
Whenever I asked for it, they were ready to give up their lives for me. So, when needed, they could become assassins.
'Moreover, from an informational standpoint, the homeless are useful'
I’m taking control of Chicago faster than anyone else.
"I want to talk to the Godfather about the milk business."
"Milk?"
"Did you know that milk is consumed more than whiskey or beer?"
If my proposal is accepted?
It would be the first legitimate business for both the Chicago and New York Mafia.
Of course, the operations would never be entirely legal.
"So?"
"I’ve looked into it, and the milk distribution process is a mess. There are also many bad guys who fool around with what children drink."
"Can you really make money selling milk?"
One of the middle bosses looked at me as if I were crazy.
The good thing is, the middle boss who challenged me isn't one of the Godfather's nephews. The Godfather’s favorite nephew, Fabio, is sitting quietly.
"I told you, milk is consumed more than whiskey or beer. But they sell spoiled milk too."
But the distribution process is a disaster.
Milk distributors often sell spoiled milk by coating the bottles with lime to deceive buyers.
"Are you suggesting we do something good?"
My godfather, John Boss, said this, as if he had remembered the story of the homeless people I reported.
"You're definitely suggesting a business that will make money."
"The mafia taking control of the milk distribution?"
The godfather asked me.
"It will earn more than the alcohol business. I guarantee it."
"Hahaha, hahaha!"
The godfather laughed loudly.
"Mark."
Mark was still standing.
"Yes, Boss."
"You should team up with Peter."
"Yes. From now on, I will serve Peter as my boss."
Everyone looked at Mark in surprise at his words.
The godfather looked at Mark with a satisfied expression, as Mark had understood his intentions perfectly.
‘I told you things would turn around.’
However, the other mid-level bosses were shocked by Mark's words.
‘What did the godfather intend by sending Mark to me?’
Some processes lead to results.
There’s always a reason why things must happen that way.
‘Is he finally giving me a territory?’
But, does the godfather, John Boss, have a territory left to give me?
If not?
‘War?’
Maybe he’ll take someone’s territory and give it to me.
Or?
He might tell me to start a war to take someone’s territory.
Either way, for me to solidify my position as a mafia, I need a territory that I manage. And if there isn’t one, I’ll just create it.
o0o
The next day, at Al Capone’s house.
“Is it true that you can’t see out of one eye?”
Al Capone’s father shouted at the battered Al Capone with a grim face.
“I can’t see”
“You’re fighting battles you can’t win and end up like this, you fool.”
He shouted as if he was about to beat his son.
"I—I was a mafia."
Al Capone shouted in fear.
Just then, someone knocked on the front door, and Al Capone's father looked toward the door with a terrified look.
Bang, bang, bang!
“M—mafia?”
“Open the door before I break it down.”
The voice from outside the door was Mark's.
Al Capone's father, scared, walked like a dog with its tail between its legs and opened the door.
Mark entered.
"Who—who are you?"
"Shut up, or you’ll die."
Mark's demeanor was completely different from when he was with Peter.
"Ah!"
“Send that kid to school.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll check. If I find out he’s not going to school, you die.”
Of course, Mark was also curious about why he had to say such things.
“Got it?”
“Yes.”
“We don’t lie. You know that.”
“I—I know.”
Now, Al Capone would become the model student who only studies.
"Al."
"Yes!"
Al Capone, now terrified of Mark, answered loudly.
“You need to remember what Peter said.”
At Mark’s words, Al Capone just nodded. His life would change drastically from now on.
So, who will become the godfather of the night during the Prohibition era in America?
Peter!
But the last title of his life will never be that of a mafia boss.
o0o
Chapter 6