Pop~
Streamers scattered.
Thunderous applause.
A grand commendation ceremony was being held in Mexicali's central square.
Victor and Alejandro were awarding individuals who performed outstandingly in this "Mexicali Anti-Drug War."
"Congratulations, young man. I hope you keep it up!"
The rookie, Giancarlo, received the First-Class Mexican Combat Hero Medal and a bonus check of 500,000 pesos from Alejandro. He was so excited that his thighs were stiff when he came down from the stage.
"Awesome! Let me see." A teammate hurriedly "snatched" the medal from his hands. The medal was about two fingers wide. The front depicted Victor's portrait, and the back read: "siempre leal a víctor!" (Always loyal to Victor!)
"This is real." The teammate was surprised by the weight in his hand.
…
"This is real, Chief Victor—is this all made of gold?" a female reporter shouted.
What, you looking down on Duke Victor?
When they swept the cartels in Ensenada, they seized several hundred jin of gold. Victor took part of it, had it melted into medals, and used them to reward those with outstanding contributions.
Plus 500,000 pesos!
Faith and material reward together would deliver unexpected gains.
Victor smiled at the camera. "I know that, for certain reasons in Mexico, the police profession is despised by everyone. This is a tragedy of society. Law enforcement officers should uphold the law and justice, but in reality police often become dogs to the cartels."
"I won't allow that!"
"I will greatly improve officers' benefits and the value of honor. No officer fighting for Mexico will bow to material temptation!"
"I also sincerely invite the aspiring to join us and create a better life for the Mexican people together!"
The female reporter glanced at the cameraman. He nodded. She put away the mic. "Thank you for the interview, Mr. Victor."
"It's what we should do."
As the reporters walked away, Alejandro came over. "You really intend to reform the government departments?"
"What we need is a strong government, not a lax institution!"
"Artillery can solve root problems, but systems resolve conflicts!"
Victor was dissatisfied with how fragmented the police apparatus was. Mexico had no unified civil service assessment body; recruitment was local and autonomous, which meant many big drug lords who couldn't survive in the U.S. first came home and served as police for a while.
Gallardo, El Mencho, and Guzmán all served as police.
Was Mexico's police system a 'narco-creation camp'?
Recruits were uneven in quality, and with government corruption—do you think public security could be good?
In 1968's Tlatelolco Incident, riot police were paid 30 pesos for taking down a student, which led to a massacre that shocked the world.
Victor wanted officers with loyalty, faith, and relentless fight.
To put it bluntly, he needed centralization!
"When I return to Ensenada, I'll run a culling. All unqualified civil servants will be removed."
Victor lit a match, cigarette between his lips. "Alejandro, the new struggle already began!"
…
After this "Mexicali Anti-Drug War," destined to be recorded in history, the major cartels disappeared for a few days.
But just when everyone thought they'd lick their wounds for a while—
Juárez officially announced a merger with the Michoacán Family!!!
They publicly declared the "Juárez–Michoacán" Group.
They even shot a promo aired on TV stations in areas they actually controlled.
Under flashing lights, a dozen gorgeously dressed women danced, every movement provocative, and on the carpet beside them lay piles of U.S. dollars.
Stack after stack…
At least over a hundred million dollars.
Another shot: a team of police in ragged uniforms carrying outdated weapons gnawed on corn, smelling the scent of a mansion. One officer couldn't stand it, threw down his weapon, ran to the door, and asked to join the cartel.
In a blink, his ragged uniform became an expensive suit, his poverty turned into that of a "successful man."
He smiled at the camera: "Join the Juárez–Michoacán Group and make life more flavorful."
This ad ran in a loop across 11 states jointly controlled by both sides.
That's right…
Mexico had 32 states. They controlled 11, leapfrogging Sinaloa to become the top cartel at present.
A subordinate Hidalgo TV station director refused to air the short.
This enraged Aguilar. He sent a dozen gunmen with submachine guns openly into the station, firing at innocent staff inside.
By the time police arrived, it had been an hour since the call. As if by tacit agreement—when you come, we go.
This resulted in 19 dead station staff.
The TV station director was kidnapped.
Three days later, his head was found left at the police station door, while the body vanished without a trace.
This visibly terrified other TV heads, who could only hold their noses and loop the ad.
Who could resist those mountains of U.S. dollars and women dancing provocatively?
A 1,200-strong local military unit in Juárez directly surrendered on the spot…
From regular soldiers to the cartel's gunmen!
Damn it!
Other organizations saw this—oh, that's how you do it—and all played the public opinion card: some hired young models, some hired adult stars, some even planned to hire Hollywood directors to make their movies.
Really… old sparrows pouting for the sweet taste.
It fully proved that as long as cartels were willing to spend, a lot of people could be recruited in the short term.
From April through early May—
Nearly 20,000 active soldiers and officers across Mexico were "reorganized" by the cartels.
Is this Mexico… still a country?
For a time—
Killing everywhere!
Security plummeted.
Of course, some refused to surrender to cartels. These fled with families toward Baja California, while cartels wouldn't allow them to run.
Cartels also knew population was a key asset. If they ran, who would plant? Who would transport?
So they tried by all means to block them.
For a while, the Baja–Sonora border zone became a standoff front.
The smell of gunpowder was thick.
At this moment, Victor was at his home base—Guadalupe Island.
Holding the "Victor Statue" unveiling ceremony.
That's right—his beloved islanders spontaneously raised funds to erect a statue for their beloved police chief.
About 3 meters tall!
Placed at a high point in the center of the newly dedicated "Victor Park."
He stood there, gazing out over the Pacific, as if blessing Guadalupe Island's peace.
"This is too extravagant. No need to make the people spend this money."
Seeing the boss's happy face, Casare knew what to say. "In the new quarter, Guadalupe Island's per capita disposable income is 600 pesos/month, an increase of 120% over last year. You improved people's lives, so they're willing to chip in."
Victor felt very comfortable hearing that. He looked at him—worthy of being his confidant. "Do you want to be Guadalupe Island's first mayor?"
"???" "Fat Tiger" was dumbfounded. Flattery flying that fast?
"Th-this… mayor?" Casare's tongue tied. "Is that okay?"
Victor patted his shoulder. "Here, there's no 'can or can't,' only 'are you willing!'"
The mayor had to handle many trivial matters—perfect for Casare to get practice and be pushed up later.
With Victor pushing from behind, even if you were a dog, you could sit high.
"As long as the boss wants me to be, I'll be!"
"Then you start tomorrow."
A smile spread across Casare's face.
Sure enough, following the right person mattered more than any choice.
"What do I do first, boss?"
"Contact Mexicali and apply to make Guadalupe Island's tax autonomous!"
(End of Chapter)
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