Chapter 114: Clouds of War

"Haha, well done, I knew that guy wasn't from Sicily." Back in the Corleone family's mansion in Long Beach, New York, after listening to Shen Long's report on how to deal with Woltz, the old godfather said happily, "No A Sicilian" means that Woltz is a man without a seed and cannot fight back decisively like a Sicilian.

"The letter has also been sent out. I believe we will get a reply soon." Shen Long did not wait for a reply in Hollywood. He knew the ability of that friend Shirley Temple. no one.

"His recent situation does not seem to be very good, I hope our decision this time is correct." With such an important decision, it is difficult for the old godfather to measure the gains and losses.

"He is only 50 years old this year, and he can hold power for at least 20 years in the future. Establishing a relationship with him will be of great benefit to us." Shen Long knew that the man did not retire from the stage until the 1970s.

"Okay, Fredo, you have made great progress this time, maybe you should be assigned some more important tasks in the future." The godfather nodded and said nothing more. This will be a long-term plan, and there are still more Urgent mission, "Tom, tell us about Sollozzo."

"Although everyone calls him a Turk, there is no doubt that this guy is an out-and-out Sicilian." Tom Hagen said with a pun, Sollozzo is not as easy to deal with as Woltz, "people There are two reasons for calling him a Turk, he has been in Turkey for a long time, he is said to have a Turkish wife and children, and he is also very good at using a Turkish knife."

"He has been in prison twice, once in Italy and once in the United States. The authorities think he is a drug dealer. This is very beneficial to us. If there is a problem with the business, we can completely blame him; Wife and three children, he is a family-oriented person, as long as we can help him take care of his family, he will take all the responsibilities." Tom's intelligence work is very good, and he has inquired about Sollozzo's details very clearly .

The old godfather did not directly express his opinion, but asked his child. He is fifty-three years old this year, and it is time to consider the next generation of heirs. "Santino, tell me your thoughts."

"It's a big deal, and if we just provide protection and funding and don't get involved in the specific business, we can avoid most of the risks." Santino was attracted by the prospect of the drug trade.

"Tom, what about you?" The old godfather turned his eyes to his military adviser.

"I agree, the Tattaglia family has stepped in, and if other families get involved, they can quickly make good money from it, and then use this money to buy more political resources and police, so we will be in a Passive." Tom Hagen was thinking about the future of the family.

The old godfather stood up and took a puff on his cigar, "Fredo, tell me."

"The reason why the Corleone family can stand above other families is that in addition to our own strength, what is more important is that we have more political resources than other families. Once we participate in the drug trade, these political resources We will draw a line with us immediately, and we cannot take this risk." Shen Long expressed his objection, which is also what the godfather is worried about.

"In addition, I think it's not just the Tattaglia family standing behind Sollozzo. The power of the Tattaglia family alone is not enough to manage such a big business." The Tattaglia family is the most powerful of the five major families in New York. The weakest one is mainly engaged in the skin and meat business. Behind them stands the Basini family, which is second only to the Corleone family. The old Basini hid himself very well and gave the Corleone family a hard time.

Just as Santino was about to object, he was stopped by the godfather raising his hand. He sighed, "When will you meet with that lawless guy tomorrow?"

"He'll be here at ten o'clock to-morrow," replied Tom, who thought the godfather was tempted.

"It's time for the three of you to come together.

After finishing speaking, the old godfather went to the door and said to Tom casually, "Is there something missing in your information? Before the war, Sollozzo made a living by running a brothel, just like the Tataglia family does now. "

Tom Hagen blushed. He thought this item was irrelevant, and the godfather was extremely conservative in the relationship between men and women. He was afraid that mentioning this matter would make the godfather's impression of Sollozzo worse and affect the negotiations.

Not missing a single detail, and not letting those things he dislikes affect his decision-making, Shen Long once again saw a precious quality in the old godfather.

During the negotiation on the second day, Shen Long met Sollozzo. He was a strong man with cold black eyes, and he was a dangerous person at a glance.

Sollozzo went straight to the point and put forward his own request. The Corleone family provided two million dollars in funds and political asylum so that his people could be released from prison quickly after they missed. For this, he was willing to pay 50% of the profits According to this standard, the Corleone family will be able to earn three to four million dollars in the first year, and it will increase every year thereafter.

Santino was deeply moved by this number, but the godfather refused without hesitation. The reason he gave was exactly the same as what Shen Long said yesterday. This business was too sensitive and would make him lose those precious political resources.

Sollozzo was a little disappointed, his eyes wandered all over the room, trying to get help from Santino, Tom or Shen Long, he didn't believe that anyone would not be tempted to see so much money.

"Are you worried that the two million won't be guaranteed?" Sollozzo thought he had found the reason.

"No?" The godfather shook his head.

"The Tataglia family will provide guarantees, and they will guarantee that your investment will not be damaged." Sollozzo emphasized.

Before the godfather answered, Santino couldn't wait to interject, "The Tataglia family guarantees the safety of our investment, so won't they ask us for a deposit?"

Shen Long sighed silently. Santino was too impulsive. He made an unforgivable mistake. As soon as he uttered these words, the war could no longer be avoided.

The old godfather looked at Santino with fierce and cruel eyes. He was a little puzzled, but he was still frightened by the old man's eyes. A light flashed in Sollozzo's eyes, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth for the first time. He seemed to see an opportunity.

"I spoiled my own children, they always interrupt; I wish you all the best in your business, this business does not conflict with mine, I'm sorry I let you down." The godfather asked Tom to send Solo Zuo left, and Sollozzo had no expression on his face when he left.