North America 1773: Do Britain and America even deserve to be called great powers?

Chapter 72 Corruption Under the Guise of Loyalty

Upon hearing Li Wei's question, Lieutenant Hank gently smoothed out the slight wrinkles in his uniform caused by sitting down before continuing in a loud voice:

"One part will be declared and taxed according to normal procedures to ensure that his record is in the accounts. The other part, which is also the bulk of the expense, will be reclassified in the accounts as 'transit losses for military supplies'."

"For example, if a thousand rifles are shipped from London, a few will inevitably be damaged due to seawater corrosion or improper handling. This loss rate allows for some flexibility."

"Or, it could be categorized as 'gifts to Indian tribes.' To appease those savages, the governor's office would allocate a budget each year for gifting cloth, ironware, and rum. These supplies were usually not listed in a very detailed inventory."

"Putting Mr. Hancock's rum and syrup into this category is like pouring a drop of water into the ocean; it won't attract anyone's attention."

Fiona's pen flew across the paper, recording these two ingenious schemes of corruption.

Looking at Hank's expressionless face, Li Wei saw that this British lieutenant was like a sophisticated machine, calmly devising ways for the parasites of the empire to gnaw at its edifice more efficiently and safely.

This indicates that Andrew not only accepted the deal but also sent his most professional "engineers." Given Andrew's position, it's more accurate to say that all of this was orchestrated by his backer, Quartermaster Thomas Gage.

"Lieutenant Hank's suggestion is very constructive, much better than I had imagined!" Levi praised.

"It's my duty." Lieutenant Hank nodded slightly.

"In addition, to ensure everything goes smoothly, you need to send someone to notify me twelve hours before the 'special goods' arrive at the port. I will arrange for my patrol team to appear on the specific shipping lane at a specific time under the pretext of 'sweeping away smugglers' or 'preventing piracy'."

"At that time, Mr. Hancock's ship will be 'escorted' by the King's army and will pass safely through the most easily inspected waters. Any tax ships that are not careful will be politely asked to leave by my soldiers."

He raised his head, his scrutinizing blue eyes once again meeting Li Wei's gaze.

Li Wei finally understood why this vast empire was rotting from its very roots.

For a career officer like Hank, loyalty to the King was one thing, but the King's salary was not enough for them to maintain a decent life in a place like Boston.

Necessary corruption has long been the default lubricant of this system, an indispensable part of their income.

The corrupt path leading to the heart of the empire was smoother and easier than he had imagined.

"Then it's settled." Li Wei stood up, personally refilled Lieutenant Hank's tea, and turned to look at Fiona.

"Fiona, to thank Lieutenant Hank for his hard work and the soldiers for providing nighttime shelter to law-abiding businessmen, add a new entry to the 'Tax Optimization Consulting Services' ledger: 'Security Service Fee,' set at half the total profit for each transaction. Pay this directly to Lieutenant Hank and his brave soldiers."

After speaking, Li Wei looked at Lieutenant Hank again, and the other man's face indeed lost some of its solemnity.

"Furthermore, when the next ship of the 'Black Dragon Trading Company' returns from the East, it will carry a box of fine Wuyi Mountain tea as a personal token of my gratitude to you."

"Mr. Li, you're too kind. I was just following the rules. It was all for His Majesty the King!" Hank Shao downed his drink in one gulp, then rose to take his leave.

"Indeed, it's all for His Majesty the King!"

From his arrival to his departure, he maintained the efficiency and competence of a soldier, as if he had only come tonight to discuss a routine "patrol exercise".

Soon, Hank's carriage disappeared down the manor road.

In the study, Fiona had already finished organizing the meeting minutes and handed the page to Levi.

"Sir, the risks to our accounts have increased again."

"No, Fiona." Levi walked to the window, looking at the scattered lights in the direction of Hancock Manor in the distance. "The risk hasn't increased; it's just shifted from our ledgers to the Empire's ledgers."

He tapped rhythmically on the window frame with his knuckles.

"Go and deliver a letter to Mr. John Hancock. Tell him that the first batch of 'tax-optimized' goods will be able to enter the port in three days. The location is berth number seven in the North Wharf, and the time is midnight."

Fiona nodded and was about to turn around to write a letter.

"Wait a minute," Li Wei called out to her.

"Send another letter to Mr. Samuel Adams."

Fiona stopped moving, somewhat puzzled.

Li Wei turned around, the candlelight casting a long shadow that ended precisely on the Green Dragon Tavern on the map.

"Tell him that through our new channel, the cost of purchasing the next batch of 'farm tools' can be reduced by 10%. Consider it... a small token of support from our 'Black Dragon Trading Company' to all those who love freedom."

……

Three weeks later.

In the study of Oak Bay Estate, Fiona opened several account books and pushed them in front of Levi.

"Sir, the Mutual Aid Society has been established for five weeks, and the docks have handled a total of 4,300 tons of cargo. According to the price list, the total revenue is 2,120 silver pounds. After deducting members' salaries, the reserved funds for the two funds, office operating expenses, and the 'security service fee' paid to Lieutenant Hank, the Black Dragon Trading Company's net profit is 666 silver pounds."

"The first batch of fifty boxes of 'Dragon's Breath' tea, a high-end gift tea, has been sold out. The main customers are Mr. Hancock and several members of the Chamber of Commerce he introduced. The net profit is eighty silver pounds."

"Our pilot program for 'Workers' Tea Bags' within the Mutual Aid Society and in several pubs in the dock area is selling very well. These instant tea bags, made from a mixture of tea leaves and some herbs, have extremely low costs, with a profit of less than half a penny per bag, but we sold over 5,000 bags last week. We expect this business to generate a stable cash flow next month."

Fiona's voice was cold and emotionless, as if she were stating a fact that had nothing to do with her.

Li Wei nodded, satisfied with the result. Harvesting prestige at the high end and market share at the low end—this was a strategy he had planned long ago.

"What about the farm?"

"Mrs. Martha has done a good job." Fiona pointed to another ledger on the table. On the cover of this ledger was a small oak sapling.

"The farms near the manor are now fully operational. In addition to providing daily supplies for our manor and the crew of the 'Sea Dragon' and 'Explorer', the vegetables, milk, and eggs sold through the Fanil Market last month brought us an income of fifteen silver pounds."

"Mrs. Martha also submitted a proposal suggesting that we acquire a nearby fallow land to grow barley. She said that instead of letting Hancock's brewery take all the money, we should build our own small brewery specifically for the dockworkers and sailors. She had already found a brewer from Germany."

A hint of approval appeared on Li Wei's face.

Martha was a smarter and more ambitious woman than he had imagined. She was not content to be just a manager; she had begun to think like a true capitalist.

"Approve her plan. Tell her that funding is not a problem."

Finally, Fiona pulled out a small black notebook without any markings.

This is the most closely guarded secret in the entire manor.

"Intelligence business. Last month, we provided Mr. Samuel Adams with three intelligence reports on the changing of the guard times of the British patrols, and as agreed, he paid a 'consultation fee' of twenty silver pounds."

"At the same time, we also provided Mr. Andrew Gage with two pieces of information about the entry of the French smuggling ship 'Avenger' into the port, and he also paid a 'security bonus' of twenty-five silver pounds."

"The aforementioned revenue has already deducted the information fees we paid them."

Li Wei listened quietly. The business empire he had built was expanding at an astonishing pace, its tentacles extending from the docks to farmlands, high-society living rooms, and the most dangerous gray area between the governor's mansion and the rebels.

A rough estimate suggests that a profit of over seven hundred silver pounds was made in five weeks.

This money would be enough to buy two nice houses in Boston, or a small farm with thirty acres of land in the countryside. And this was just the pure profit squeezed from a once chaotic dock in just five weeks.

Li Wei's fingers tapped rhythmically on the cover of the ledger, without even opening it to check it.

He had absolute confidence in Fiona's professional abilities.

"Fiona, how's the crew training going on our new ship, the 'Explorer'?"