Chapter 295 Inspection

"This ride of yours is really something. The modifications must have cost 4 million, right?"

Edmund Bedman patted the leather seat beneath him, answering the question indirectly. Few armored SUVs could balance defense and comfort so well, but this 'Crusher' from Norfolk Company did. Besides that, he could see that the vehicle's exterior looked no different from a civilian armored car, yet it concealed numerous weapon systems. In addition to three remotely controlled cannons on top, there were even two rows of micro-missiles.

But such a powerful armored vehicle must have cost a fortune.

"You've made me curious, Andre. How much is Norfolk paying you for the endorsement?"

"Jeffries got me 15 million gold shields a year, plus this car. Norfolk still has doubts about me; they're just testing the waters for a year. They only asked for the first right of refusal on my vehicle endorsements next year."

Li Mochen replied in a casual tone: "Emm~ I forgot you don't know Jeffries. He's the founder and executive director of Navigator Elite Talent Agency."

Bedman shook his head, his face full of envy: "People like you are really enviable. With a handsome face and extraordinary talent and strength, you just have to crook your finger, and countless people will put money into your pocket."

"Mr. Bedman, are you dissatisfied with your salary?"

Li Mochen chuckled: "If that's the case, you could consider joining our Rising Sun Company. You should know that our company's Chief Security Officer position is still vacant, waiting for the right person."

"Your Rising Sun Company? Forget it. Two wars in less than two months—I can't handle that."

Bedman snorted before finally steering the conversation back on track: "Speaking of war, you sure know how to stir things up. You just took down Antonio, and now you've provoked the Cardiven Group. Mr. Wiltonshire, do you know how I feel right now? I was chasing those scumbags from Fenrir day and night, and suddenly I get reassigned to guard you. You complain that we failed to capture the Fenrir Wolf, but I feel like I've been stabbed in the back by my own people. I was so close to success, almost had the guy's tail, but I had to hand over all my work to another colleague. It's a terrible feeling."

"I understand."

Li Mochen nodded, looking sympathetic: "If I were you, I'd have just disobeyed the order. Nothing major would happen on my end anyway. I'm a law-abiding citizen."

"Oh, really?"

Edmund Bedman sneered: "But they're worried that before the Fenrir Wolf is found, you, the self-proclaimed law-abiding citizen, will have already turned this city upside down. You know, Andre, your name, Andre Lee Wiltonshire, is now listed as one of the ten most dangerous people in Atlanta by various departments in our branch."

"That's going too far, Mr. Bedman. I haven't done anything illegal, have I? And it's always others who start trouble with me first."

Li Mochen shook his head: "My personal principle is: if others don't bother me, I won't bother them. I'm definitely not someone who likes trouble. But—"

"When a new king rises, war and bloodshed are inevitable."

Edmund Bedman snorted: "So don't feel wronged. That's your sin, Mr. Wiltonshire!"

After that, he put on his eye mask, leaned back in his seat, and fell asleep, refusing to talk to Li Mochen anymore.

But Li Mochen's convoy soon arrived at the office building of Richard Publishing Company—the 'Landau' Center. As one of the former properties of the Landau family, Richard Publishing Company also had a place here.

However, after inspecting the company, Li Mochen's first decision was to relocate to the newly purchased building at 22 Anfak Street. This nine-story building, built fifty years ago, could not only accommodate the former Blood Hand Security Company but also had enough space for Richard Publishing Company's offices.

That area could be considered his turf. Nearby, there was a storage center about to be converted into a semi-military base, and it was adjacent to the Blood Hand Gang and the Teutonic Cross, making it very safe.

The key point was saving money. Renting an entire floor there cost only 50,000 a year. But in the 'Landau' Center, 500 square meters cost 700,000 gold shields.

"BOSS, I think this is very inappropriate. Anfak Street is close to the suburbs. Many of our employees have been working here for over thirty years, and many of them have built their families around this area."

"If anyone finds commuting troublesome, they can voluntarily resign. I'll give six months' salary as severance. As a BOSS, I'm generous enough."

Since he owned the company outright, Li Mochen was blunt when facing the management of Richard Publishing in the meeting room.

"Don't try to fool me, everyone. Land near the Landau Center is extremely expensive, but on Anfak Street, you can easily own a comfortable property. There are also several nice communities there. So I really can't see a reason not to move the headquarters. We only own a small newspaper, and the publishing business has been operating at a loss for years, hasn't it?"

The few people present exchanged glances and fell silent.

"As for this printing plant, Mr. Bartram, find a suitable person to sell it. You should have the connections in the publishing world, right? I'll give you a ten percent commission. The same goes for everyone here, if you can help me in this regard."

"But sir—"

A middle-aged man with thick glasses frowned: "If we sell the printing plant, how will we print our publications?"

"We can outsource."

Li Mochen spoke confidently: "I've noticed this model is quite common in the publishing industry. As far as I know, there are two printing plants in the east of the city with good reputations and technology, and their equipment is new. They can take our orders."

Someone else raised a hand: "BOSS, the union might cause trouble. They won't agree and might get city councilors involved."

"That's why I'm asking for your help. I think if the plant doesn't relocate and doesn't lay off workers, the union at the printing plant should have nothing to say?"

Li Mochen knew that in American business, unions were organizations to be wary of—they were a cancer in the eyes of all capitalists.

But the printing plant had fewer than sixteen workers in total, so Li Mochen didn't take them too seriously. Of course, unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't choose to directly shut down the plant and sell off the equipment.

"I'm very dissatisfied with the expenditure on office supplies. The operations department needs to tighten management on this. My requirement is to save at least 100,000 gold shields a year."

"Then there's the company's staff—"

Li Mochen hesitated for a moment before making up his mind: "I want to lay off twelve people while retaining all key personnel, and then increase salaries by ten percent."

When he said 'lay off,' the executives present instinctively reached into their pockets, but when he mentioned the salary increase, their expressions turned strange.

Still, two people stood up and placed their resignation letters in front of him: "We're sorry, BOSS, but we may not be able to work for you."