Mercer, after pondering for a moment, said calmly, "Trust me, if we join forces to take out the Voodoo Gang outside, Hansen will have to support the Animal Gang to take care of you."
Hua Tiao was taken aback, then laughed, "That's why I need your help, brother. You can at least be considered half a Netherworld Dog now... To be honest, those Netherworld Dogs who are truly loyal to Colonel Hanssen, there are only a few.
The rest... as long as the money is enough, who knows who they will consider as boss if an accident happens?"
His enticing words only drew a cold laugh from Mercer, "Sounds great, then you solve Hansen, become the boss of Dog Town, and I'll go to Taiping Prefecture to leisurely be a gang leader, how about that?"
Hua Tiao blinked, and then his excitement suddenly vanished, becoming calm again, and he smiled, "So what do you intend to do?"
"It's simple, the Voodoo Gang, if they need to be dealt with, then deal with them. I really hate that bunch who have nothing better to do than dig at the Black Wall, and I'm very interested in their Sea God Server."
Mercer paused, then said, "Partnering with you in business is fine, but the profit split should be detailed according to the different industries. For example, in the market for quick cracking, you guys handle the distribution, and we'll handle the software, with a 70-30 profit split."
"Seventy... thirty percent is ours?" Hua Tiao looked at Mercer with an incredulous expression — you're only giving us thirty percent?
But Mercer just spoke calmly, "What if I regularly update an ICE or anti-invasion program targeted at your quick cracking software... would your business still be able to run?"
Mercer looked at Hua Tiao, speaking without restraint, "I'll cut off Taiping Prefecture's public network while providing free 24-hour updates for them. Every time you update quick cracking, I'll update ICE and anti-invasion quick cracking in response..."
Hua Tiao's face darkened.
But Mercer just smiled faintly, "I haven't done that because I don't have the time. I don't need money that badly right now, but if I wanted to, no one could compete with us in this business."
He looked at Hua Tiao, his tone still flat, "Those prosthetics you're smuggling, to put it bluntly, are just cheap legitimate goods of unknown origin from the black market, cracked and optimized a bit, and then resold. As for technical content... I find it just like that.
As for the rest, selling drugs, scams, those kinds of businesses, I don't plan to get involved, nor am I interested; I hate people who rely on those means to make money."
Hua Tiao's expression brightened at that, "You mean that part of the market..."
"I'm not the mayor of Night City, can't manage you for now."
Mercer's words reassured Hua Tiao.
"Then let's... try cooperating? As long as you don't touch these industries, I'm willing to give you the main profit in the technology industries like quick cracking."
Hua Tiao cautiously tested, "So, what are you planning?"
Mercer pondered for a while, thinking over it, then started to laugh, "Don't rush, you think just taking down the Voodoo Gang will let you swallow Taiping Prefecture? We have to plan long-term."
"But... we can start collaborating on other areas first, like the quick cracking software market, and your prosthetics smuggling trade..."
As Mercer said this, Hua Tiao felt a bit displeased, but there was nothing he could do. He was at a disadvantage now and had to bow his head.
Currently, Mercer has the technological advantage and maintains good relations with Hans and Hansen, his strength is not weak, and in a real showdown, he is not confident.
As for hooking up with the Voodoo Gang outside to target Mercer?
He never considered that option from the start. He came to Dog Town precisely because he knew how idiotic those people could be. How could he move backward?
So, even if Mercer was blatantly taking money now, he could only agree, "No problem, let's start cooperating in these areas first.
But I guess the Voodoo Gang outside also has limited patience, we must hit them by surprise before they find other reinforcements."
"Don't worry, they're doomed in the fall. Let me sort out the key figures before acting, otherwise, taking out the Voodoo Gang in Taiping Prefecture would only benefit others.
You also need to reach out to the peripheral members and key figures of the Voodoo Gang outside and make sure that when we take out their core, you can quickly and painlessly take over the situation, do you understand my meaning?"
Mercer's words made Hua Tiao nod in understanding, a grin spreading on his face, "Don't worry about that, I've never lost contact with those old friends outside..."
"So, happy cooperation?" Mercer smiled and extended his hand.
Hua Tiao extended his hand and gave it a heavy shake, "That's a deal then, you handle the key figures, I'll deal with the Voodoo Gang and the local Haitians. You provide the technology, I'll provide the manpower, let's sort out Taiping Prefecture as soon as possible."
Mercer nodded, released his hand, and then, grinning, bit onto a straw in his cola, drained it, and said, "You all keep playing; I have to go upstairs."
"Upstairs?" Hua Tiao was startled, and then thought of something, his expression turning a bit puzzled, "You mean Mr. Hans reached out to meet you?"
"Yeah, he sent me a message while we were chatting, chastising me for not telling him I was coming to his territory in advance, and covering the bill for today's drinks...
So the brothers from the Voodoo Gang over there needn't be polite, drink as much as you like, tonight's tab is on Mr. Hans."
After Mercer got up, V gave him a questioning look, and Mercer just nodded to her, signaling with his palm that everything was fine, then got up and headed to the club's elevator.
Meanwhile, he sent a message to Hans.
[A: Finished talking, I'm heading up now.]
[Hans: No problem, the tea is just right, I've already spoken to the bodyguard, just head up directly.]
Mercer walked to the elevator, pressed the button, and meanwhile, contemplated in mind.
It seems that since he took up a position as director of equipment development from Hansen, the people in Dog Town have observed for a while and can't hold back anymore. They want to talk about something interesting with him.
Hua Tiao's target is the Voodoo Gang outside.
Hansen's objective isn't fully revealed yet.
And Hans?
What kind of ideas and mindset does he have in dealing with Mercer at this moment?