America 1919

"The trip to Europe was complicated, I'll tell you about it later!"

Bruce said to Donnie with great joy, "But there's someone you should meet right now!"

Donnie looked at Bruce with some confusion, "Who?"

"It's me, of course!"

The door to Donnie's office was pushed open, and a man wearing a duckbill cap, a suit, vest, and white shirt walked in, his face bearing a radiant smile.

"Thomas!"

Upon seeing the man, Donnie immediately stood up from his chair, walked over to him, and hugged him tightly, laughing loudly.

"You're still alive, you rascal?"

"If you can become a big shot in Atlantic City, why can't I be alive?" Thomas responded with equal joy.

Seeing Donnie and Thomas together, John, who was sitting on the sofa, curiously asked Bruce.

"Who is this? I've never seen him before."

By this time, Donnie had already pulled Thomas to sit down, and then he explained to John with a smile.

"This is Thomas Gilbert from the United Kingdom. Back on the battlefield, we worked together for a while, and I saved his life!"

Thomas said with a laugh, "Didn't you forget that I saved your life as well?"

Back on the battlefield, Donnie's unit from the United States Army and Thomas's unit from the United Kingdom Army had worked together for some time, which was when the two had forged their friendship.

"How did you two get together, Bruce? Weren't you previously in the UK trying to find Billy Magini?"

Once everyone had resettled in their seats, Donnie asked Bruce with some confusion.

Actually, the person Donnie had originally wanted to contact was Thomas Gilbert, but at that time Donnie only knew that Gilbert was from Birmingham and didn't have his exact contact details, which is why he had settled for Billy Magini, whose address he had.

But unexpectedly, Bruce's trip to Europe had resulted in contact with Gilbert.

Upon mentioning Billy Magini's name, both Bruce and Gilbert showed a hint of helpless expression.

Seeing their expressions, Donnie got a bad feeling and asked, "What happened?"

With evident pain, Bruce said, "Billy committed suicide by shooting himself."

In an instant, Donnie's mind was filled with the image of that ever-smiling man whose nose he had once broken with a punch.

"Why?"

"Post-war syndrome," Gilbert said helplessly.

Subsequently, Donnie learned all the details from the two men.

After arriving in the United Kingdom, Bruce first saw Billy Magini, and then with Billy's help, he found Thomas Gilbert in Birmingham.

When comrades reunite, it's always time for a drink or two. It was during this time that Bruce learned from Gilbert that Billy Magini had never truly walked out of the shadow of the war.

Initially, Billy Magini seemed normal, so Bruce didn't think much of it. However, while they were contacting local distilleries, Billy Magini suddenly killed himself without warning one night.

After hearing about Billy Magini's situation, Donnie and the others, hardened by their own experiences on the battlefield, all showed pained expressions.

Yet, being people who had been tempered by the fires of war, they raised a toast to Billy Magini, then redirected their conversation back to the current situation.

"Donnie, you probably don't know yet, but Gilbert isn't a small fish in Birmingham anymore. The Razor Gang he's founded has become one of the most powerful gangs in Birmingham!" Bruce excitedly told Donnie.

"The Razor Gang?"

This time it was Donnie's turn to be shocked.

Donnie certainly knew very well about the Razor Gang, particularly since the BBC had even made a TV series called "Peaky Blinders," which told the story of the Razor Gang.

However, it was only after researching the history of world crime that Donnie found out that while the Razor Gang portrayed in "Peaky Blinders" really did exist, the Shelby Family depicted in the show was entirely fictional. The true story that the TV series had drawn inspiration from was actually led by the Razor Gang under Thomas Gilbert!

However, before meeting Thomas, Donnie had never linked these two things together!

"What? Has the fame of our Razor Gang already spread to Atlantic City?"

Gilbert asked cheerfully.

Donnie glanced at Gilbert and said, "A small gang that hasn't even made it out of Birmingham has the nerve to claim its fame has reached Atlantic City?"

Gilbert angrily replied, "How do you know the Razor Gang hasn't extended beyond Birmingham?"

Donnie said, "If the Razor Gang had really expanded beyond Birmingham, why would you still be here?"

Although Donnie didn't know why Gilbert had come to Atlantic City with Bruce, he understood that the other party was definitely seeking collaboration.

Since they were actively seeking cooperation, it was clear that Gilbert's situation had not taken off yet!

"Bruce, since when has Donnie started speaking so unpleasantly?"

Gilbert couldn't help but ask Bruce beside him.

Bruce chuckled and replied, "I don't know either, but it's been a while!"

Gilbert said helplessly, "Alright, if it weren't for the fact that I really had business with you this time, I mean what, I would make you relive the old days when we were in the army!"

Donnie said disdainfully, "Do you mean to reminisce about how you were taken down by me?"

Gilbert exclaimed loudly, "I already told you, I was just careless that time. After that, I've been wanting to spar with you properly, but you just wouldn't agree!"

Donnie laughed, "A winner will never accept a challenge from a loser, because there's no benefit in it for a winner!"

After the laughter and banter, Gilbert still laid out his purpose for coming to Atlantic City.

To put it simply, two things. First, he wanted to borrow money from Donnie, and second, he sought to collaborate with Donnie in the private alcohol business!

After returning from the battlefield, Gilbert united a few friends and founded the Razor Gang in Birmingham.

At first, they handled betting on races, but after one race, Gilbert got into a dispute with the largest gang in Birmingham.

Now, both sides were still enemies, occasionally clashing.

But the situation for Gilbert's Razor Gang was not good, and it was at this time that Gilbert met Bruce.

"I need some money to expand my equipment and recruit more people. Donnie, for the sake of our shared life and death experiences, I hope you can lend me some money. The Razor Gang will forever be grateful for your kindness!"

Donnie didn't talk about the loan and instead asked Gilbert, "Given how dire your situation is, are you able to get us more alcohol?"
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When it came to business, Gilbert became serious and said, "Actually, the brewery Billy was in touch with before is my connection, so you don't need to worry about the alcohol!"

Donnie shook his head and said, "This is exactly what I need to worry about, Gil. We're friends, so I'll speak bluntly. Given your situation in Birmingham, even if you can contact a brewery, I doubt whether their scale is sufficient to meet my needs.

Furthermore, can this brewery provide transport for us from the United Kingdom to the United States?"

After finishing, Donnie looked at Bruce, who shook his head towards Donnie, clearly conveying his opinion.

Bruce had stayed in Europe for such a long time this time to find more breweries that could collaborate, as with the establishment of the Family Alliance in the United States, the amount of alcohol leaving Atlantic City daily would be astronomical.

Donnie was skeptical that the output of just one brewery would be enough to supply him with sufficient alcohol.

Gilbert spoke helplessly, "Donnie, your achievements in Atlantic City weren't built overnight; there was a process of development. I've been with Bruce all over the United Kingdom, and although the Birmingham brewery can't meet your demands, if we include other breweries, they can certainly do so. As for transportation, we've given it serious thought.

I can give a sum of money to those breweries that can provide transportation, and I believe they'd be willing to send us extra alcohol!"

Donnie patted Gilbert's shoulder, "If the brewery can provide transport, they must have the capacity to meet my needs. If I were in their shoes, I would probably give you one-time help and then propose a separate collaboration with me.

So at that time, what advantages could you offer to keep me working with you?"

Faced with Donnie's question, Gilbert fell silent. After a long while, he suddenly laughed, "Of course we have advantages. Donnie, if you can help me, I believe my Razor Gang can soon make it in Birmingham. Once that happens, relying on our influence, we could purchase a brewery there or specialize in transportation.

We're friends, and as friends, our relationship isn't just about business; we can also keep an eye on the market in Europe for you.

These tasks, if you send someone else, as an American facing Europe, it won't be easy to establish a foothold.

If you cooperate with someone else, they won't be as loyal to you as we are. So collaborating with me may not be the best choice for you right now, but in the long run, it's definitely the best choice!"

Donnie laughed heartily and said, "Gilbert, now I do believe that under your leadership, the Razor Gang can truly grow and develop. As a friend, I can lend you $50,000. I hope you can use this money to quickly develop the Razor Gang into what you've described!"