America 1919

Watching Donnie's smile, Scott wished he could smash the beer bottle directly on his head.

Scott couldn't understand how, in just one day, the alcohol market in Atlantic City had undergone an earth-shattering change.

Nucky's warehouse had blown up, and the dealers had no more stock left of liquor. Suddenly, Scott found that if they couldn't find a suitable supplier soon, their own stock of alcohol wouldn't be enough to cover sales!

Seeing that the alcohol market in Atlantic City was about to experience the largest boom in history, he now found himself having to watch helplessly as the opportunity slipped through his fingers.

As a representative of a group of tavern owners, Scott couldn't accept this outcome.

At a loss for what to do, he suddenly thought of Donnie!

Two months ago, the man they called the "foolish Donnie Block."

Back then, he had procured a batch of whiskey and rum from William James. It wasn't much, but it was enough to solve their urgent need.

As long as they could get through this period, they believed Nucky would surely solve the current problem. By then, they wouldn't worry about running out of alcohol.

"Dear Donnie, you really are joking. At a time like this, I think any bar owner in Atlantic City would not sell their tavern!"

Donnie looked puzzled, "If you're not here to sell your tavern, then why have you come?"

The direct question made Scott's expression slightly embarrassed, and then he laughed, "Dear Donnie, I know that you bought a batch of whiskey and rum from William James. I hope I can buy some of the whiskey and rum from you, but rest assured, I will offer a price that you'll be satisfied with!"

With an unchanged demeanor, Donnie answered with ease, "So it's about this matter. In that case, I have to apologize to you. If I sold some of my stock to you, I wouldn't have enough left for myself!"

Scott wasn't like William; Donnie and William had only a collaborative relationship, no competition. In contrast, as fellow tavern owners, Scott and Donnie naturally had a hostile relationship.

Especially since their taverns were adjacent to each other. Before this, due to the closure of Block Tavern, all those who came to this area for a drink went to Scott's tavern instead.

If both operated under the same conditions, Block Tavern's business would definitely not be as good as Scott's.

So even though Donnie had decided to sell part of his stock, Scott definitely wasn't considered as a potential buyer.

No matter how much Scott pleaded afterward, Donnie did not agree to his request.

Ultimately, Scott could only leave Block Tavern with a displeased expression.

"Robert, show what you can do. Find some taverns outside the boardwalk in other districts, and tell them we have a batch of fine whiskey and rum. If they are willing to purchase at a price 70% above the current market rate, we are willing to part with some of it," Donnie said to Robert after Scott had left.

Robert sat there, with a flippant look on his face, asking, "I thought you would keep these stocks to sell yourself!"

Donnie shook his head, "The stock that we've bought should last us until Carl has brewed enough whiskey and rum. Don't forget, we still need to pay off the debt we owe Nucky in a week!"

Robert laughed heartily, "I think Nucky would seriously doubt his own abilities if he knew about your real plan."

Donnie smiled, "I just hope he won't focus too much attention on us right now, that would be for the best!"

"That might be difficult. By tonight, Nucky may have guessed all your plans!" said Robert.

Donnie did not respond to Robert's comment, thinking that at this time, Nucky probably didn't have the mind to focus on himself.

The sound of footsteps was heard again at the door. Just as Donnie thought another tavern owner had come to sell liquor, he turned around to find that it was not, but "Shorty" Olman instead!

"Dear Olman, I remember I've already paid this month's fee to you!" Donnie said with a smile at Olman.

Olman laughed heartily, his chubby face trembling, "My friend Donnie, I've come to congratulate you!"

Donnie looked puzzled, "What do I have to be congratulated for?"

Olman, not considering himself an outsider, took a sip of Robert's beer as if it were his own, claimed it, and sat down beside Donnie.

"Nowadays, of all the taverns in Atlantic City, yours is probably the only one which can smoothly get through this crisis. When the time comes, won't all the boozers in Atlantic City have to come to your tavern?"

As he spoke, Olman looked enviously at Donnie. He didn't know the true purpose behind Donnie's previous decision, but the result now was that Donnie would become the biggest winner of this sudden event in Atlantic City.

"If that's the case, I'll be sure to thank you properly, Olman. After all, if it hadn't been for you, I might not have been able to buy the whiskey and rum from William!"

Olman pretended to laugh generously, "Don't say that. After all, I made some money on that deal too!"

Donnie nodded, "That is true."

"Donnie!" Olman suddenly became serious and said to Donnie, "I have a party tonight, and I sincerely invite you to attend!"

Donnie considered it briefly before accepting the goodwill Olman had offered.

"Of course, I will definitely arrive on time!"

After obtaining Donnie's affirmative response, Olman showed a smile and said, "Seven o'clock in the evening, in the restaurant on the second floor of the Ritz Hotel, I'll be waiting for you!"

Donnie said, "Thank you!"

Watching Olman's retreating figure, Robert couldn't help asking, "Is he releasing his friendship, or does he have an ulterior motive?"

No wonder Robert thought so, although there isn't a saying in the United States like 'A tall tree catches the wind,' the principle is the same.

Nucky's warehouse had exploded, causing a major crisis in Atlantic City's alcohol supply, and now other taverns, hotels, and lodging apartments were all having big problems with their supply channels.

If at this time all the taverns, hotels, and lodging apartments couldn't provide alcohol, no one would say anything, but unfortunately, Donnie's Block Tavern had an ample supply of alcohol.

"Robert, you shouldn't go out during this time; I need you to stay in the tavern!" Donnie told Robert.

At that moment, Robert also put away his jocular manner and said, "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one will be able to touch anything in the tavern."

.

In the evening, Donnie walked alone to the Ritz Hotel, and when he entered the restaurant on the second floor, he saw Olman who was already waiting there, along with two other men.

"Donnie, let me introduce you, this is Eli, Eli Johnson!" Olman first pointed to a man sitting without rising and introduced him.

Eli Johnson had a bandage on his arm, clearly his gunshot wound had not yet healed, and he merely nodded at Donnie with some haughtiness.

That counted as a greeting.

At this point, Olman introduced another man who had stood up, his face carrying a professional smile, "This is David, David Jabbar, the owner of The Fuli Tavern in New York!"

"Mr. Block, I've long heard of your renowned name, welcome, welcome!" David Jabbar extended his hand, asking warmly.

By now, Donnie had already understood that the person before him was likely the main character he had to face today.

"Mr. Jabbar, hello, your Fuli Tavern has always been an example for us at Block Tavern to follow!"

The Fuli Tavern, in the tavern business of Atlantic City, belonged to the top tier, several folds classier than Block Tavern!

If one had to make a comparison, Donnie's Block Tavern was like a massage parlor in a small alleyway, whereas The Fuli Tavern was like a private club in a prime city location with an exclusive membership!

After everyone was seated, Eli Johnson spoke in an indisputable tone even before Olman, the host, could speak.

"Donnie, I know you, I heard you ordered a batch of whiskey from James recently. Now you can just transfer these whiskeys to Jabbar. He will add 5% to your original price!"

There was a hint of embarrassment in Olman's eyes, but he did not speak.

David Jabbar was still smiling at Donnie, seemingly not worried at all that Donnie would refuse.

"Mr. Johnson, you really have a sense of humor. Just as I left home today, I already had several taverns offering to buy my stock of alcohol at 70% above the original price. And now you start off making me lose 65%, which seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it?"

Eli Johnson leaned slightly forward, his face showing displeasure and a bloodthirsty expression, saying, "So you are refusing me?"

Donnie leaned back slightly, resting himself against the chair, and calmly said, "I'm not refusing you, Mr. Johnson, but rather this unreasonable price."

"Ha-ha!" When everyone thought Eli Johnson would be angry, he suddenly laughed loudly, "I heard you once earned commendation on the battlefield, but you must understand this is Atlantic City, not the battlefield, and you are not facing those inept Germans but me, Eli Johnson!"

Germany, the main force of the Central Powers during World War I, almost brought Europe to ruin, but now in Eli Johnson's mouth, they had become 'inept Germans'.

"Mr. Johnson, I certainly know that this is Atlantic City and not a battlefield, but on the battlefield, I learned a principle: never retreat, because bullets chase those who run away. On the contrary, those who charge forward often can avoid the bullets!"

Eli Johnson's smile faded, "Aren't you afraid of not being able to walk out of this room?"

Just as Donnie was about to respond to Eli Johnson, a hearty laugh suddenly came from the direction of the door.

"Ha-ha, today I was wondering when I might invite you for a meeting, Donnie, but it turns out we meet tonight!"

Seeing the newcomer, everyone in the private room stood up, including Eli Johnson, who had been sitting there all this while!