America 1919

"Nucky's warehouse has been blown up!"

Even the usually jovial Robert was shocked as he conveyed the news.

Upon hearing this, Donnie also showed a shocked expression, but then a radiant smile spread across his face.

"Whoever did this, I have to give them a big thumbs up!"

When Prohibition could not be enforced in Atlantic City, all the upper echelons frantically bought up all the whiskey and rum available in the city.

Behind these people was one unified big shot, Nucky!

That is to say, at least two-thirds of the whiskey and rum in Atlantic City were in Nucky's hands, but now Nucky's warehouse had been bombed, which meant that, after Prohibition kicked in, Nucky would not be able to supply his stockpiled rum and whiskey to all the bars, hotels, and boarding houses in Atlantic City!

Donnie didn't care to think about what would happen to Nucky, but he understood that even though Atlantic City would no longer enforce Prohibition, the rest of America would, meaning from now on there would be no other place to supply Nucky with rum.

Historically, Nucky's warehouse explosion had never happened, but after Prohibition was enacted and Nucky had exhausted all his reserves, his main source of bootleg liquor was rum and whiskey smuggled from Europe and Canada.

Now, Nucky had no time to arrange for spirits from overseas.

Atlantic City would face a situation with no alcohol to offer!

"John, go home right away, have our father process the rum and whiskey we've bought. I want to double the stock of rum and whiskey we have on hand!"

Donnie instructed John.

John looked surprised, "If we do that, the quality of the liquor will definitely decrease!"

To that, Donnie was indifferent, "When the people of Atlantic City can't get any alcohol, they won't care about the quality of what they're drinking!"

Drinking and smoking are alike, an old smoker, under normal circumstances, will smoke whichever brand he wants, but when there are none available, like when playing mahjong or cards deep into the night, he'll gratefully accept even the cheapest cigarette you offer.

If Donnie were a bit more ruthless, he could even mix some industrial alcohol into the whiskey and rum for these people to drink.

But that was destroying his own brand and amounted to a one-off deal, something Donnie would not do.

"Alright, I'll go back now!"

Donnie warned, "Get more people in Elwood Village. Nucky's warehouse explosion is an opportunity for us, but it will also become a hurdle in our future transportation process!"

John understood Donnie's meaning and replied, "Don't worry, if anyone dares to touch our booze, I'll send them straight to hell to meet Satan!"

After saying this, John wasted no time, grabbed some of his belongings from the second floor of the tavern, and left at once.

The bombing of Nucky's warehouse was a huge deal for him; Donnie didn't know how Nucky would deal with it, but Donnie understood his own good luck had arrived!

The first to arrive at Donnie's tavern was William James, the man who sold him whiskey and rum before.

"My dear friend!" William James embraced Donnie warmly upon seeing him.

"As a friend, I really have to congratulate you this time!"

Donnie wiggled free from William James's embrace, not at all touched by it, remembering that the moniker "Stupid Donnie Block" had spread from him.

"William, shouldn't you be at home counting your money at this time? What brings you here?"

Donnie asked, although he already knew the answer.

William James showed a bitter expression, saying earnestly, "My friend, I have come seeking your help!"

Donnie, composed and relaxed, sat down and replied lightly, "Of course, we are friends after all. If I can help, it would be my honor!"

William James immediately showed a delighted expression, "I'm willing to buy back all the whiskey and rum I sold you at a price of 700 US dollars!"

Originally, Donnie had bought whiskey and rum from William James through Olman for 500 US dollars, and now, before he had even opened the barrels, William James was willing to pay an additional 200 US dollars to buy them back.

In other words, if Donnie agreed, he could make a profit of 200 US dollars in just two months!

But there's no way Donnie would agree to this!

"William, are we friends?" At this moment, Donnie was sitting there, looking seriously at William James.

William James immediately nodded, speaking somewhat eagerly, "Of course, we are the best of friends!"

At this point, William James had no choice but to be eager. As one of the liquor suppliers in Atlantic City, William James used to have quite a stash of alcohol.

But before this, he had already sold a batch at a low price, and then the rest were taken away by Nucky and other Atlantic City elites.

It can be said that William James had almost no alcohol in stock. With the bombing of Nucky's warehouse, the sensitive William James realized that once Prohibition started, the price of alcohol in Atlantic City would absolutely double.

At this time, whoever had more alcohol in storage could make a leap in class and become one of the elites of Atlantic City.

He had to seize this opportunity!

Donnie shook his head, "I thought we were friends, too, but from your current actions, I can't see any feeling of friendship between us, William. Don't tell me you think I'm completely oblivious to the current situation in Atlantic City.

Under these circumstances, I believe that in three days, the price of alcohol in the entire Atlantic City will at least double, but now you only want to purchase my stock at a 40% markup. In this matter, I only see deception common in business, not the feelings between friends."

William James felt somewhat ashamed by Donnie's words, but still forced a smile and said, "This is my fault for not making things clear."

At this, William James spoke with genuine sentiment, "Donnie, my brother, while I admit the situation you describe, it's not as simple as you say. The price of alcohol is definitely going to rise, but not as insanely as you think.

Although Nucky's warehouse has been blown up, I know that Nucky has already contacted his overseas connections. At the same time, he has also reached out to LeBron to have LeBron's factory work at full capacity. I believe that within 7 days, Nucky will be able to get out of his predicament, and at that time, the price of alcohol will certainly stabilize!"

"Are you and LeBron brothers?"

Donnie didn't answer William's question, but instead asked him in return.

William James felt like he had been severely insulted, and said, "Donnie, are you humiliating me!"

Only then did Donnie remember that William James and LeBron James, although sharing the same last name, were one white and the other black; it was impossible for them to be brothers.

"That was my mistake, I apologize to you!" Donnie said insincerely, "But you've missed the main point of this issue!"

Even though Donnie had no particular liking for Williams, what he needed to do now was to increase the number of people by his side, not make enemies over some ridiculous reason!

Sure enough, after hearing Donnie's words, William James showed a puzzled expression.

"Where is the mistake?"

Donnie asked Robert to serve a bottle of beer to William James, then said, "Seven hundred dollars' worth of whiskey and rum will keep you going for three days at most. What about after three days? What will you do then?"

William James had a vague feeling that Donnie had something more important to tell him, but couldn't catch on right away and could only follow along with what Donnie was saying.

"By then, I'll naturally reach out to some underground breweries and overseas contacts."

After hearing William's response, Donnie shook his head and said, "Dear William, you're oversimplifying things. I dare say that after Prohibition starts, Atlantic City will become one of the key cities in America for bootlegging. At that point, the bootlegged liquor moving out of here daily will be in the tens of thousands.

Faced with such vast numbers, do you think Nucky and the others will let you have a piece of the cake in this matter?"

Continuing, Donnie said, "Anyway, if I were Nucky, I would definitely seek to work with LeBron James, with whom I have a better relationship, rather than with you!"

William James furrowed his brow. He hadn't thought of this before, entirely blinded by the immediate benefits, but now, hearing Donnie analyze it this way, he knew he had been too simplistic.

He also understood that Donnie must have more ideas, otherwise he wouldn't be sharing this with him.

"Donnie, do you already have a plan?"

Donnie shook his head, "It's just some thoughts for now, William. If you trust me, wait two more days. In two days, I'll give you a definite answer!"

William didn't want to go back like this, but no matter what he said afterwards, Donnie didn't share his plan with him. In the end, William had no choice but to reluctantly leave.

Just after William had left, Scott, the owner of the nearby tavern, came in with the same obsequious smile he had when William James first came in!

"Dear Donnie, my good friend, we should have a good talk now!"

Scott sat down across from Donnie with a sycophantic smile.

Donnie smiled, "So you've agreed to sell the tavern to me?"