America 1919

Donnie looked at Chris and said,

"Didn't you say that we would only deal with high-end alcohol before?" John began to doubt Donnie's decision again.

Donnie smiled casually, "The profits from high-end alcohol are the highest, but the sales volume can't compare to that of the mid- and lower-grade alcohol. Although every family has their sources for mid- and low-grade bootleg alcohol, we have our own advantages, which is that our bootleg alcohol is of better quality than theirs, yet the price is the same."

"If we can seize this opportunity, establish a cooperation with those families, and become their alcohol supplier, then our market will naturally expand!"

Robert shook his head, "That's impossible, if they have their own bootleg distilleries, even if our quality is better than theirs, due to alliance agreements, our bootleg alcohol cannot enter their markets!"

Donnie chuckled, "Then why is our bootleg alcohol still being sold in Philadelphia and New York?"

Donnie's question plunged the attendees back into silence.

In the end, it was Walker who first broke the silence, "I understand now, after our bootleg alcohol entered the New York and Philadelphia markets, the consumers have given their verdict with their mouths; our alcohol is good. Therefore, people like Meyer and Salvatore will promote our alcohol as mid-grade in the market, while their bootleg will be aimed at the low-grade market."

"So, Donnie, you mean to give up a part of the profits, making Meyer, Salvatore, and others believe that buying bootleg from us is still more cost-effective than producing their mid-grade bootleg, then they will buy from us!"

Donnie, smiling, nodded, "Exactly. Once the local booze hounds get used to drinking our alcohol, even if these people want to make their own bootleg, it will be impossible!"

Walker was amazed by Donnie's plan, realizing that if everything followed Donnie's plan, within a year, Donnie would become the nation's largest bootleg merchant, and the resulting profits... would be astronomical.

"Difficult, difficult!"

After thinking for a while, Walker still shook his head, voicing his concern, "Although your plan seems flawless, the greed of people is unpredictable. When they see the profits you're making in the bootleg market, I'm sure they will be envious. Everyone is greedy, although I can't yet think of what means they would use to deal with you, I can be certain that things like this will happen."

Donnie did not argue with Walker, responding serenely, "High risk means high return. If we give up at the sight of difficulties, then we might as well not do anything at all!"

"Exactly!" John exclaimed, "At worst, we'll just have to fight it out with them when the time comes!"

Neither Donnie nor Walker took John's words to heart; resorting to violence to solve business problems is always the last resort.

But since they couldn't think of what measures the others might take, they could only go ahead with the plan and then solve problems as they arose!

Temporarily setting that problem aside, Walker made another suggestion to Donnie.

"Donnie, if you want to expand the distillery, there are two things that must be resolved!"

Donnie looked at Walker and asked, "What things?"

"The first is the issue of raw materials!" Walker explained, "As your market share extends from Atlantic City, Philadelphia, New York to the whole country, the amount of raw materials you'll need will be massive. If you just purchase them, it will surely draw the attention of the authorities."

This triggered the second issue: Diesel was still in Atlantic City, and I knew this man well; he would definitely keep a close eye on you. In time, you are very likely to become a fat pig reared by the officials, and when they feel it's time to take away all the profits from you, they will make their move.

At that time, they won't care whether there is more evidence to prove your illegal activities or not; as long as they want to, they will definitely be able to find the evidence they need.

Donnie nodded; this was exactly why he had to pull Walker over to his side.

These issues were something Robert, John, and the others could never anticipate.

"The first problem is easy to resolve, wait until the Miss America pageant is over. I hope, Walker, you can go to the South on my behalf. By that time, we will have enough funds to buy a farm large enough to meet our needs for raw materials. As for the second issue..."

John suddenly spoke up, "Walker, haven't you always bragged about knowing a lot of big shots? How about you just leverage your connections and get Diesel transferred away? When the time comes, it's no big deal to spend a little more money!"

"Diesel must not go!"

Before Walker could take a stance, Nucky had already opposed John's suggestion.

Having Diesel remain in Atlantic City would have some impact on his own business, but more importantly, Diesel's presence in Atlantic City wasn't just his own problem, it was also Nucky's problem.

If he remembered correctly, Diesel had investigated in Atlantic City for a good ten years before he finally sent Nucky to prison.

Although Donnie was now in a cooperative relationship with Nucky, Donnie could not be sure how long such a partnership could last. With Diesel here, it was a guarantee for himself!

Walker just glanced at Donnie and understood his intention.

"If that's the case, I think I can introduce you to some of my connections, but I can't assure you that these connections will be able to help when the higher-ups want to settle accounts with you, just like they want to investigate Nucky now!"

Donnie nodded and said, "That's already enough. As long as our newspapers and radio broadcasts can become the most influential industry nationwide, they won't be able to give up on us like they did Nucky!"

The current Donnie was, in fact, pursuing a dual approach in his business development.

The bootlegging business could bring Donnie a decade of profit growth, while the media industry could add a halo to Donnie's reputation.

As long as this halo was dazzling enough, Donnie was sure to be safe.

Moreover, Donnie also believed that in the following years, he would definitely be able to use these halos to truly cleanse his industries.

In the history of the United States, which of these major financial groups didn't walk a gray path during their rise?

The DuPont Family still has its own private army on its territory to this day.

As long as Donnie reaches that point, then he will not encounter any problems in the United States!