Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

Chapter 169 The High Table

As soon as Gin finished speaking, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became silent.

Everyone was thinking in their own minds. Although they had a general understanding of the rules of the Continental Hotel before coming, they couldn't help but feel complicated after hearing Gin personally explain these strict rules.

This provides great convenience, but it also creates an invisible network that restricts everyone's actions.

Benjamin Gambino took a deep drag on his cigar, a scrutinizing look in his eyes. He exhaled a cloud of smoke that filled the air, as if to obscure his inner thoughts.

He fixed Gin with a slightly cold gaze and said casually, "Mr. Kurosawa, what makes you think we will agree to this plan?"

His voice was quiet, but it carried an undeniable pressure. "You have to understand that doing this is undoubtedly hanging a sword over each of our heads. While the hotel provides convenience, the limitations within are what we really need to worry about."

"And..." Vito Ferro raised the corner of his mouth slightly and took over the topic, his fingers casually flipping the matchbox in his hand, his movements lazy and elegant.

His eyes occasionally swept towards the stage, as if searching for some amusement. As the topic changed, his eyes inadvertently drifted to where Chen Shuo was.

His tone was casual, but it carried a hint of provocation that could not be ignored: "Making rules, issuing currency...Does the Continental Hotel really have the ability to do this?"

As he finished speaking, a contemptuous smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and a subtle light flashed in his eyes.

Vito Ferro is the head of the Italian Mafia. He has always been well versed in the ways of power and deal-making, and there is obvious distrust in his words.

How can a hotel dominate the rules and economy of the underground world?

Faced with the undisguised questioning of the two mafia godfathers, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly stagnated.

Everyone turned their gazes to Chen Shuo, their eyes filled with varying emotions—curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of anticipation. Even though Gin was explaining the situation at the front of the stage, everyone knew he wasn't the real boss.

"Gin? He's just an errand boy."

This is an unspoken thought in many people's minds.

Chen Shuo's performance did not disappoint. He stood up slowly, his movements neither hurried nor slow, his face still etched with that inscrutable smile, as if he didn't care at all about the pressure on the court.

His calmness and composure eased the tension in the air a little, but also added a hint of majesty that was hard to ignore.

His gaze swept around the conference table, finally settling on Vito Ferro and Benjamin Gambino. He didn't shy away, even with a hint of joking: "The questions raised by the two Godfathers are very interesting. They are also questions I asked myself a long time ago."

Chen Shuo smiled slightly, his voice low but clear, each word as if carefully crafted. "I know very well that this plan is not something that can be taken on by one person, or even one faction, alone."

He paused briefly, seemingly giving everyone time to digest his thoughts. Then, he turned and gently pressed the projector's remote control. A world map appeared on the screen, marking several key areas. These areas clearly overlapped with the territories of the various forces present.

"So..." he continued, his tone revealing a sense of determination and confidence. "I don't intend to take on this plan alone. I invited you all. Because only you can make the 'Continental Hotel Project' truly operational and become the cornerstone supporting the future order of our underground world."

He turned back, glanced at Vito and Benjamin, then looked around the entire conference room. His tone was calm, yet it carried unquestionable power: "This plan is a plan shared by all of us. It is not someone's tool, nor is it the private property of a certain force. We all abide by its rules; we all share its benefits. And here..."

Chen Shuo pointed to the map behind him, a meaningful smile on his face: "Every area and every rule will become unbreakable because of the cooperation of everyone here."

Zhou Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, with his usual warm smile on his face, and tapped the table lightly: "Oh? Mr. Wuchen, what you said sounds very interesting.

Let's be more specific. What role do people like us occupy in this 'Continental Hotel Plan'?"

His tone was soft, with a hint of tentativeness, clearly unsatisfied with what Chen Shuo had just said. He seemed relaxed, but his eyes were fixed sharply on Chen Shuo, as if trying to discern more clues from his every move.

Chen Shuo, still maintaining a calm smile, slowly stood up and glanced at everyone present. Everyone's eyes held a hint of inquiry, some obvious and some subtle, but he didn't shy away from it. Instead, he calmly met the scrutiny.

"Since Mr. Zhou has mentioned it, I might as well be more straightforward." Chen Shuo spoke slowly, his voice low but persuasive. "The core of the Continental Hotel is order. And the core of this order is the 'High Table'."

After pressing the projector remote control, a pattern of a round table appeared on the screen. Several chairs surrounded the table, and each chair was marked with a symbol of different power, corresponding to the person sitting there.

"The 'High Table' will become the highest authority in the Continental Hotel. Everyone here is a member of the High Table. As a member of the High Table, you are not only the leaders of your respective factions, but also the true controllers of the global underworld."

When he said this, his eyes stopped at Zhou Sheng and he smiled slightly: "You will not only have the power to make rules, but you will also be able to stabilize your position and expand your interests through this system.

The existence of the High Table will bring order to disputes between factions, make cooperation more efficient, and achieve an unprecedented balance in the distribution of resources in the underground world."

He glanced at the others, his tone growing firmer. "The High Table isn't a restriction, but a platform for sharing power and interests. Your past struggles were simply a fight for greater resources and a more stable position."

Through the High Table, you will have the opportunity to maximize your own interests under a unified order while reducing unnecessary consumption and conflict."

The surroundings were silent, and many people began to fall into deep thought. Chen Shuo continued, his tone slightly slower, but every word struck a chord: "I know very well that you are all powerful figures in the underworld and will not easily succumb to any restrictions.

But the High Table isn't about control; it's about win-win situations. Through the High Table, we will jointly determine the rules, profit distribution, and future direction of the underworld. And the Continental Hotel will serve as the bridge and executive arm of all this."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room again. "Simply put, the High Table isn't a sword hanging over your heads, but a blade in your hands. Whether you're willing to join the High Table and decide the future of this world, I believe you all already have the answer."

Zhou Sheng's lips curled up slightly, and he clapped his hands twice. "Mr. Wuchen is truly amazing. His words are flawless and impeccable. This high table does sound very interesting. I'd like to see how far it can go."

Vito Ferro chuckled and leaned back in his chair lazily. "The 'High Table'...if it really works as Mr. Wuchen said, it's a good idea. However, I'd like to know what the High Table will do if someone breaks the rules."

Chen Shuo looked at Vito and smiled faintly. His tone was calm but chilling. "Then let all members of the High Table decide his life or death. Those who do not follow the rules will naturally have no place to stand."

Silence fell over the meeting room. Everyone lowered their heads in thought, clearly weighing the pros and cons. At that moment, they realized that the High Table's proposal might truly change the landscape of the underground world.

---

The atmosphere in the conference room gradually calmed down. As the last big boss disappeared at the door, Chen Shuo leaned back leisurely in his chair, holding a cup of warm coffee in his hand and took a sip.

There was still a faint smile on his face, and the tense atmosphere just now did not cause any pressure to him at all.

In stark contrast, standing beside him was Sonoko. She had been maintaining a calm demeanor, but now her strength completely drained away. Like a limp ball of fabric, she slumped against the table, her hands supporting her forehead as she let out a deep sigh. "Really... As expected of a top boss..." Her tone was tinged with helplessness. "Even though you're all smiling, the pressure is immense."

Mao Lilan stood nearby, patting her chest, her face still slightly pale. It was obvious that the atmosphere just now had a great impact on her: "Yeah, I even got goose bumps."

She paused, her eyes involuntarily glancing towards the door of the conference room. Her brows furrowed slightly, her face filled with uneasiness. "They didn't say anything when they left. Did they agree or not?"

As soon as the words fell, a clear, childish voice suddenly rang out in the originally quiet conference room: "They agreed!"

Everyone turned around and saw Conan, hands in his trouser pockets, walking out of a small room deep inside the conference room. His voice was clear, revealing an unquestionable confidence.

Gin stood aside coldly, and caught a glimpse of Conan's pretentious look out of the corner of his eye, and felt unhappy.

Although he had to admit that Conan did have extraordinary observation and reasoning abilities, he was arrogant by nature and just couldn't stand this guy who wanted to be his boss.

"Hmph!" Gin said in a cold voice, interrupting Conan's pretense: "In fact, it's nothing more than a question of power and profit. The structure of the underground world has always been guided by these things."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience. "Just like you asked, 'They left without saying anything,' it's actually very simple. Not saying anything means they've already made their choice. This choice was made the moment they stepped into the conference room."

Gin raised his chin slightly and continued to explain expressionlessly: "In the underground world, anyone who can sit firmly on the table will eventually be inseparable from power and interests.

"The High Table's proposal gives them a completely new structure of interests and more control," he continued lightly. "As long as we can ensure maximum benefits, any constraints on power are not worth mentioning."

What the 'High Table' can provide is unity from top to bottom, and all participants will receive the greatest protection under this system."

Conan, who was interrupted from pretending to be cool, looked at Gin with some displeasure, and ended up opening the conversation: "These people, no matter how calm they seem on the surface, in fact, their decisions have long been guided by interests and rules.

Once the rules of the High Table are implemented, everyone will be on the same page. How to respond, how to allocate resources, and how to gain more power will ultimately be in their own hands.

At this point, Conan smiled confidently again: "Don't worry about their decision. Everyone knows what the true rules of the underground world are. All choices will ultimately lead to only one result: standing on the high table and reaping the benefits."