America 1919

After graduating from Yale University, Robert Taft became a lawyer, witnessing his father's presidency and pondering his own potential to become the second President of the United States from the Taft family.

So, Robert Taft began his political career as an assistant legal counsel at the United States Food Administration during World War I, before becoming a legal counsel for the American Relief Administration.

After the war, he ran for office and was elected as a representative to the Ohio House of Representatives.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would, in the future, join the United States Senate!

But Robert Taft's political journey ended there, as he failed in three consecutive attempts to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee.

Donnie nodded and said, "If nothing unexpected happened, that would indeed be the case, but now the unexpected has occurred!" Your journey continues at empire

Helen asked, "What is the reason?"

Donnie said, "To become the country's largest bootlegger... Out of curiosity, don't you have any negative thoughts about this business?"

Helen shook her head and said, "Of course not, I am an opponent of prohibition. In my opinion, this command is merely an attempt to control human desires, which cannot be controlled, only guided, as can be seen from all the criminal activities occurring throughout the country due to the prohibition."

"Thank you for your understanding!" Donnie laughed and said, "To become the nation's largest bootlegger, the most important thing is to have a well-equipped and complete transport team. Especially after seeing some of my former comrades having to do menial work because they lost their jobs, I had an idea to employ these unemployed veterans in my transport team.

This way, they could contribute to the country and also add security to my fleet."

Additionally, I plan to order a batch of military hardware from Colt Company and Springfield Company to equip my transport team and prevent them from succumbing to a fate where they are killed by their own people on this country's soil, rather than having died for the country on the battlefield."

Such an action clearly touched some people's interests, so it was halted by some folks in the War Department!"

Donnie rhetorically framed the situation and relayed it to Helen.

After listening to Donnie, Helen lost the innocent cheerfulness she had when discussing the WRPA and instead displayed a touch of intellect.

"This matter, my older brother should be able to help with, but the core issue at heart is not the military hardware you mentioned, but the veterans. Congress can tolerate these veterans being unemployed or even living in hardship.

But they cannot accept these veterans reassembling on the native soil of America and possessing a certain level of armed force!"

Donnie began to see Helen in a new light. Previously, Donnie had only been interested in Helen's appearance and family background, but now, with Helen's analysis, he found her extremely interesting.

This was an issue that no one around him had noticed—not Hoover, not Marshall, and not even Donnie until after he came to San Francisco.

Now, Helen had thought of this merely from his description.

True elite education might not always produce geniuses, but it certainly doesn't churn out mediocrities!

"Indeed, but my transport team will start small, so the problem shouldn't be too big at the beginning."

"But this will always be an issue!" Helen said seriously.

Donnie nodded, not disputing Helen's point.

"I have a suggestion!" Helen thought for a moment and then said, "As a friend, I think it might be a bit improper, but as a business partner, I believe it's the best solution to your problem!"

Donnie said, "Speak, I trust friends very much!"

Helen said, "If you want to completely resolve this issue, then you must find a steadfast ally. I assume that's why you came to San Francisco this time, but Marshall is not influential enough to help you much with this. Unfortunately, the situation hasn't yet reached a point where General Pan Xing would get involved. So now, Donnie, you are in an awkward position!"

Donnie was not embarrassed by Helen's tease. Instead, he smiled and said, "I heard that your brother is now an Ohio representative. He gave up the lucrative profession of a lawyer and chose to become a representative. Maybe your brother might become my ally, what do you think?"

Helen was surprised. During her phone call with her brother the previous evening, Robert Taft had mentioned that they might become friends or even allies if the opportunity arose.

Now, Helen had only just finished her analysis based on what Donnie had said when Donnie had clearly voiced his plans, which showed Helen why Donnie had grown into a figure that even families like hers were beginning to pay attention to in a little over a year.

"An alliance requires mutual sacrifices..."

Donnie interrupted Helen and said, "I'm willing to share a portion of the profits from the transport team, but this isn't an alliance with your brother—it's with the Taft family as a whole!"

Helen shook her head and said, "My father won't come forward right now!"

Donnie nodded, "I understand that. The alliance can start with a connection between your brother and me, but the parties to the alliance must be the Taft family and me personally, not Robert Taft and Donnie Block!"

Helen thought for a moment and then said to Donnie, "I can't agree to this right now, I need to tell my brother about your request!"

Donnie nodded and said, "Of course!"

Although the Taft family shifted from its connection with the War Department to focus more on government affairs, it is undeniable that Alfonso Taft, once the Minister of War, left behind a rich network of relationships for the Taft family within the War Department.

This was evident from Helen's attendance at Pan Xing's private party yesterday!

Helen rose to call her brother, and shortly after, she returned and said to Donnie,

"My brother invites you to be a guest in Columbus!" Helen said with a smile.