The Domestic Washing Machine

For the next several weeks, Nitti headed to the Federal Court with the tear-jerking business story and evidence I had orchestrated.

Naturally, the prosecution argued that it was nonsense, but once they saw Eldridge actually blowing his trumpet in New York and Nitti managing him, they didn't drag it out and withdrew their indictment.

Of course, there was a forgery verification stage in the middle, but thanks to the organization having already taken care of everything from the age of the paper to the type of typewriter, the bastards couldn't find a gap and eventually gave up.

"Well, I suppose Frank's problem is solved for now."

"Yes, Boss. Mr. Nitti will be able to fully display his capabilities in New York as well. Including the new business he'll be doing there."

"Honestly, I didn't know you were interested in music. According to Rita, you were a nerd who only looked at books and numbers at home."

"I remembered hearing about it in passing a long time ago, so I looked into it. Fortunately, he was actually in Chicago, which made things easier."

Well, I didn't need to go as far as saying that was from my past life.

Anyway, since Nitti won't be seen in Chicago for a while, for the time being, the administrative side of the organization is effectively in my hands, along with Guzik's.

Paul "The Waiter" Ricca, who had actually been running the organization under Nitti, took over the illegal business and military side, but unlike Nitti, he was the type you could talk to, so it was a good thing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for me.

That didn't mean there was any reason not to grow my influence, though.

"And Boss."

"Hmm?"

"I thought about it after seeing Mr. Nitti's situation, and I think it would be good to make some preparations."

"Aren't you and Guzik doing that well already?"

"We are trying our best, but... honestly, it's too much for two people to plug every hole for the hundreds of people belonging to the organization."

Even if they were guys who had learned how to read and count, would they pay their taxes properly if they couldn't even write their own names?

Although it's America, the illiteracy rate isn't that high for this era, but most of the organization members were Italian immigrants.

Thanks to that, there were even guys among the members who couldn't even speak English properly, so it was a serious problem.

"And, in order for the organization to operate under the guise of legitimate business in the future, I think even the lowest-level members need to at least know how to write and calculate. Otherwise, managing the business itself could become difficult."

There was a way to assign them roles like labor or security where such knowledge wasn't needed at all, but shouldn't they at least know how the organization runs, what they can do, and what they shouldn't do?

That was the reason why we gave minimal education to soldiers in the army, where fighting was the main purpose.

"Lee, so you're saying you're going to make the members study?"

"Yes, Boss."

"Do you think that will work? This isn't a school. Gangsters studying... if other organizations find out, they'll laugh at us, Lee."

Well, I expected this reaction.

Honestly, if they had the intention to study hard, they would have gone to school in the first place, so why would they have joined a gang?

Even my father-in-law proudly talks about beating up his teacher when he was in elementary school.

Still, you can't not do what's necessary.

"So, I'm thinking of selecting only those who want to and teaching them the basics. If they can just write and count change, wouldn't they make fewer stupid mistakes?"

"Hmm, that's not wrong."

At my words, my father-in-law nodded and continued.

"If there are guys who want to study in their spare time, that's fine. You can handle the gathering of them yourself, and are you planning to teach them directly?"

"There are some guys among my countrymen who are quite well-educated, so I'm planning to pay them a fair price and have them do it."

"You'll have to make sure to keep their mouths shut so that useless talk doesn't spread."

"Of course."

Well, anyway, I got permission for now...

"And, there is one more thing I need to tell you."

It's time to move on to the next story.

"What is it?"

"I'm thinking of using a portion of the cash the organization currently has as a kind of insurance, and I need the Boss's permission."

"Insurance? Don't tell me, are you worried the country might collapse?"

My father-in-law replied with a smirk after hearing my answer.

"Yes."

I already know that the United States will collapse next month.

September 3rd was quite a dynamic day.

The latest vehicle, an intercontinental airliner, crashed in New Mexico, the Dow Jones index set a new record at 381.17 points, and a massive typhoon swept through the Philippines, so it wouldn't be an understatement to call it dynamic.

That was the same for me, who was taking care of Rita, who was about to give birth at home.

Financial Commissioner?

Independence movement funds?

What is this nonsense?

"Mr. Kim, Mr. Kang, could you please explain what this means? Maybe it's because it's been a while since I've seen Hangul, but I don't quite understand."

"Umm..."

"Ahem."

Please, stop clearing your throats and answer me, gentlemen.

What on earth is this that you're being so hesitant about?

"Well, Mr. Lee, you know what the Provisional Government is, right?"

After waiting for a long time, the first to speak was Mr. Kim Gyeong, a delegate of the Korean National Association and a quite successful businessman in Chicago.

"I know that."

I don't remember exactly what happened because I spent my past ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠life dozing off, but even so, I've lived with Korean people for almost 30 years, so how could I not know about the Provisional Government in Shanghai?

"You must also know about the National Association I belong to, and the Young Korean Academy that Mr. Kang here is in."

"Yes."

"Then, do you know about the relationship with the Comrades' Association?"

What was that... again?

"I only heard that Dr. Syngman Rhee founded it."

Mr. Park, whom I met on New Year's Day, said he belonged there, right?

Anyway, why do they keep beating around the bush like it's a game of twenty questions?

"Mr. Kim, can't you just tell me?"

The one who spoke next was Mr. Kang Young-so of the Young Korean Academy.

"That the person who would sell out the country betrayed the Provisional Government."

"Ahem, Mr. Kang! What if someone hears you?"

...What is this nonsense?

I should have read the *Shinhan Minbo* instead of just the Hearst newspapers.

"There's no one listening for now. Even if there were, they would be our organization members. So please explain."

"...It's a shameful thing to say, but it's a kind of political fight."

"Yes?"

"After Syngman Rhee was impeached from the Provisional Government a few years ago, he made the Provisional Government's American Commission, which was in charge of fundraising and diplomacy in the Americas, his own private property. He even founded a new organization called the Comrades' Association to oppose our National Association."

Ah...

Is that why Mr. Park's expression wasn't good after I donated money on New Year's Day?

I thought he had an upset stomach.

"It's not like Syngman Rhee doesn't care about independence, so he must be doing something... but from the Provisional Government's perspective, their diplomatic and financial lifelines were suddenly cut off, so it's a disaster."

"He's probably plotting to sell out the country again."

I don't know exactly what's going on, but I could definitely tell that the two of them didn't get along.

Of course, it wasn't enough to answer my question.

"So, why did I receive this? What is... Financial? Commissioner? I don't even know what this is."

"Hmm, what did the letter say?"

"It didn't say much. They just thanked me for the support and asked me to continue to work for the independence of the motherland."

At my answer, Mr. Kim thought for a moment with a serious expression and opened his mouth.

"Perhaps... they seem to have some expectations of you in Shanghai."

"Expectations?"

"The large sum of money you sent must have been like rain in a drought for the Provisional Government. So that certificate of appointment was sent as a token of gratitude first, but it must also include the meaning of asking you to work a little for the independence of the motherland. Including the matter with the American Commission."

Ah.

"So... in simple terms, you're telling me to have a showdown with Dr. Rhee in Washington? And collect money while I'm at it."

In the end, this was part of a political fight.

"If you don't fight, that would be best... but it will probably be difficult."

Well... wouldn't independence happen on its own after some time passes?

In about ten years, the Japanese kids will crash into the Americans on their own.

And as far as I know, they merge again later anyway, right?

Besides.

"And, honestly, I don't even know why I have to do this."

The opponent is a political heavyweight among Koreans, with political and legal connections in Washington D.C. and a doctorate from Princeton University.

And I am a member of a gang organization and a businessman whom politicians are afraid to even look at.

Fighting such a person because of a piece of paper I got after giving just a thousand dollars was too unbalanced, even if it wasn't profitable.

"You ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠don't necessarily have to do anything. In fact, there's no one who would say anything even if you don't do anything."

As if he expected that, Mr. Kim gave a bitter smile.

"Mr. Kim, we have to drive out that Rhee guy for the independence of the motherland! If it's Mr. Lee Jun's ability..."

"Even so, there's no need to drag a compatriot who has nothing to do with it into something that isn't even an independence movement."

Mr. Kang said something late, but Mr. Kim shook his head and continued.

"You don't need to confront the Comrades' Association or others. Just show your face once in a while during holidays and encourage fundraising. The Provisional Government will be grateful for just that."

"Well, if it's just that much..."

...Fundraising.

Wait a minute.

Uh...

"...Mr. Kim Gyeong."

"Yes?"

"If I accept, can I get something in return?"

"I wish that were possible, but... as you know, the Provisional Government or the National Association has nothing to give to a wealthy person like you. The financial situation isn't very good even now."

I shook my head at Mr. Kim, who had a troubled expression.

"Rather than money, I'm asking you to do some work for me."

"...Work?"

"The work I do isn't exactly honorable, so you might be reluctant... but I can guarantee that it will be helpful for the independence of the motherland. Of course, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I would need your permission."

Perhaps, I might be able to find a decent washing machine.

And a domestic one at that.