Friday, Governors Island.
Today marked the final stage of Allen's entire plan.
But in his office, Allen was handling the company's daily affairs as usual, as if today were no different from any other day.
Catherine placed a new sales report on his desk.
"Sir, Mr. Tilford's trading company just placed another urgent order for five hundred cases of the Gold Label series. He complained that your advertising has given all the ladies in New York 'lead poisoning phobia,' and now they only recognize our shield logo."
"This is good news."
Allen carefully reviewed the order contract and, after confirming there were no issues, approved the order.
"Let his people pick up the goods this afternoon. The more cash flow we have, the better."
A hint of worry was in Catherine's tone.
"Sir, on Governors Island… will there really be no accidents? Lieutenant Carter, he…"
"The piece has been played, Catherine."
Allen looked up at her azure eyes.
"Now, we are no longer the players. We just need to wait patiently and watch our opponent walk into the trap we've set for him."
…General Reed of Governors Island had just finished a headache-inducing front-line supplies meeting.
Distraught, he brought Lieutenant Carter, whom he rarely saw, to his favorite reading room, hoping to find some peace in the war history of ancient Rome.
"General."
The reading room's administrator, a veteran, saluted him respectfully.
Then, following Lieutenant Carter's instructions, he spoke of the planned event.
"A few days ago, a food company from New York donated a very exquisite set of 'Commentarii de Bello Gallico' to the reading room. I placed it in your usual seat."
"Oh? Is that so?"
General Reed showed some interest.
He walked to his exclusive window seat and, indeed, saw a brand-new set of hardcover books, still emanating the scent of leather and ink.
Next to the books was a very distinctive wooden box, also bearing the shield logo of "Williams Food Company."
A card was attached to the box:
"A tribute from a patriotic businessman in New York. For Federal officers who need to replenish their energy during reading breaks."
"Williams…"
General Reed murmured the name. He remembered that Senator Clark's inquiry letter a few days ago had mentioned this company.
He opened the wooden box with some curiosity.
Inside were several cans of "Premium Gold Label" stewed beef, packaged like works of art.
The General looked out the window; it was still an hour until lunch.
He did feel somewhat hungry at the moment, so he called the administrator to find a can opener and a plate.
When the can was opened, the rich, mellow, and complex aroma instantly filled the entire quiet reading room.
General Reed took a bite.
The next second, an expression of disbelief appeared on his face, which was as firm as a rock from years of military life.
Although the canned food hadn't been heated, it still tasted excellent.
He had served in the military for forty years, from the western wilderness to the Mexican desert, and he had eaten many terrible foods.
But he had never imagined that a canned food could be so delicious.
In his eyes, this was no longer just food; it was a weapon that could boost morale!
He silently ate the entire can of stewed beef clean.
Then he stood up, his face devoid of any expression.
But the administrator could feel a suppressed rage, like a volcano before an eruption, building up in the old General.
"Someone!"
The General's voice was not loud, but it was filled with unquestionable authority.
An orderly immediately rushed in from outside the door.
"Go, call Colonel Hudson of the Quartermaster Department to me. Also, go to his office and bring me all samples and documents related to 'Williams Food Company' from his files, without missing a single one! I'll wait for him here."
"Carter, you go invite the person in charge of Williams Company over."
Fifteen minutes later, Colonel Hudson walked into the reading room, burping and smelling of alcohol.
"General, you were in such a hurry to see me?" he asked with a playful grin.
General Reed did not answer him.
He merely pointed to the empty golden can on the table.
"Hudson, tell me, what is this?"
"A can, General."
Hudson replied, bewildered.
"I know it's a can!"
General Reed's anger began to rise.
"I'm asking you, why does such a can appear as a donation in my reading room, and not on my desk, in an emergency procurement report signed by you?"
"Uh… this…"
Sweat began to bead on Hudson's forehead.
"Reporting, General, this company did submit samples. But as you know, the process… the process is very complex. Our review takes time…"
"Time? Will war give you time?!"
General Reed's roar made the windows of the entire reading room hum.
Just then, an orderly walked in, carrying a box of "Standard Red Label" substandard samples.
"General, the samples from Colonel Hudson's office have been retrieved."
"Open it!"
As Hudson's gaze grew increasingly confused, the wooden box was opened.
A red can was presented before the General.
General Reed's expression was serious, his voice as cold as ice.
"Hudson, taste it yourself. Then tell me, is this official sample, which you personally received, the same as the one I just ate?"
Hudson's hands trembled as he scooped a spoonful into his mouth.
The next second, his face changed.
The taste was clearly different from the aroma he had just smelled.
"This… this…" He stammered, unable to speak.
"Can't you say it?"
In General Reed's eyes, there was only disappointment and rage left.
"Can you give me a reasonable explanation now? Why is it that samples from the same company, delivered through two different channels, have such a world of difference in quality?"
"I… I don't know, General! I swear! What I received tasted like this."
Hudson was truly panicked.
"Of course you don't know." General Reed completely erupted, "Because you don't care at all. In your eyes, these are just tools for you to get rich; you don't care what our soldiers are eating on the front lines!"
"No, General, actually I…"
"Enough! I don't want to hear another one of your lies."
General Reed's roar interrupted his excuses, his words filled with the finality of a verdict.
"Guards!"
Two fully armed guards immediately rushed in.
"From now on, suspend all of Colonel Hudson's duties! Arrest him immediately and await trial by court-martial! I order Lieutenant Carter to temporarily assume the role of Quartermaster Department supervisor!"
Colonel Hudson collapsed to the ground like a pile of mud, then was mercilessly dragged out.
Silence returned to the reading room.
General Reed turned his gaze to Allen, who had been standing at the door, witnessing everything.
This young man had come to "assist in the investigation" at Lieutenant Carter's urgent request.
"Mr. Williams."
The General took a few deep breaths, composed himself, and his tone had returned to calm.
"It seems there was a big woodworms in my army, and you found him for me in a very special way."
He looked at Allen, the young man who had acted like an innocent victim throughout.
"I don't care what happened between you and Hudson. Now, let's talk about business."