Chapter 850 - 794: Tiago's Future
Tiago's life can definitely be called turbulent; born in a remote village in Mexico, he's had a dream of becoming a drug lord since childhood, but until the age of 15, it seemed like the world was constantly against him...
Back then, Tiago used every trick to join a gang, but no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't earn the boss's favor...
The fact that drug trafficking doesn't fill your stomach seems incredible to many, yet it's a common occurrence across Mexico, not novel at all.
Until one day, timid Tiago accidentally fired his gun, injuring the boss's brother...
To avoid punishment from the boss, 'timid' Tiago shot the boss's brother several times in the head and then chopped the corpse into small pieces, packed them into plastic bags, tied them with stones, and threw them into the river.
Following this, the 'timid' 16-year old boy tossed and turned at home, haunted by nightmares of being dismembered by the boss; thus, he stole all his mother's jewelry, bought a decent set of clothes and a bus ticket, and joined the Mexican army.
Originally, Tiago just wanted to lay low in the army, but he ended up meeting people from the Sinaloa Group sent there for military training.
From then on, his fate took a different path...
Smart kids always have more opportunities; young Tiago earned the chance to further study at military school due to his excellent performance in the army.
The people from the Sinaloa Group told him that as long as he studied and trained seriously, he could take a middle management position in the Group after retiring.
When the childhood dream lay within reach, and realizing it only required serious study, Tiago burst into a strong motivation to learn.
Not only did he complete officer school, but later joined the Mexican special forces. At 25, when he retired, he invited a few close friends to join the Sinaloa Group, quickly standing out to become the backbone of the Group.
Before being captured, Tiago was already a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Group, competing for positions close to the Group's leader, Shorty Guzman.
The drug-modified cannon fodder soldiers were supposed to be his bargaining chips, but now...
"Telling me this is useless, I'm doomed..."
Tiago sat on a bundle of hay after finishing his meal and handed the clean plate to his subordinate to be washed, then turned to General Sid beside him and said, "Whatever you plan, I'm not getting involved..."
General Sid looked at the busy yet orderly dining scene and said relaxedly: "You're indeed doomed. Even if released, the Sinaloa Group won't spare you...
Because you handed nearly 20 million in mission funds to Mountain Eagle, and you betrayed many, including several safe houses stuffed with cash.
Currently, the people from the Sinaloa Group still have patience for your family because they fear killing them might affect internal unity.
But once those cash safe houses run into trouble, once the Group suffers major losses, your family is doomed.
You manage the Group's gunmen. You know better than me how the Sinaloa Group deals with people who betray its secrets.
Think about your wife and children, and also your parents and relatives, surely the Sinaloa Group won't spare them.
The person replacing you will demonstrate loyalty by treating your family in the most brutal manner!"
Tiago clenched his fists, staring red-eyed at General Sid, said deeply: "You son of a b*tch, what exactly are you trying to say?
I understand the Sinaloa Group's operations better than you. I know clearer what the consequences are for betraying them."
Pointing to the canned luncheon meat shells on the ground, Tiago said: "My family has been sending money to that Mountain Eagle, which is why I get to eat these things. I've always been in contact with them.
So before I was exposed, my family already went to a safe place…
Using them to threaten me won't work!"
General Sid paused for a moment, then couldn't help giving a thumbs up, laughingly said: "Mate, I must admit I used to underestimate you…"
Saying so, General Sid glanced at the few vaguely guarding guys behind Tiago, nodded slightly, and said: "Maintaining your subordinates' loyalty here, you surely have measures!"
After listening, Tiago turned back, raised his fist, and bumped it with a tattoo-covered brawny man, then grinned and said: "They are my brothers, they believe I can lead them to better days…"
General Sid didn't expose Tiago's big talk…
Some things lose significance once exposed; human nature is really simple…
Feelings like happiness, achievement, dignity often come from comparison.
In tough environments, when everyone can only eat rough food, stable supply of white bread will attract followers...
Because being with you allows them one more bite than others, it's not just about eating. It ties to survival status; anywhere eating better than others naturally stands superior.
In such situations, when you're the sole provider, they will strive to uphold your status.
Only by doing so can they ensure continuous benefits from you, while also creating a sense of security and even honor through unity and loyalty, eventually developing true loyalty!
Everyone is a captive, but Tiago has family who loves him and is willing to keep sending him money...
That's why he can keep his subordinates close, protecting his status among the captives from plummeting and firmly suppressing those cannon fodders from Central America that he personally recruited.
The truth is, there's a set path to becoming the leader...
If you work on creating an image of being bold and willing to share, you can gain control over the means of production that were meant to be shared by everyone.
Then use the power derived from production relations, leveraging differentiation to maximize authority, and consolidate your power.
This approach is applicable to any system with hierarchy or class, but some people seem born with this understanding, while others need to struggle within the system for a long time to master it.
Tiago is the latter!
He might not understand the logic of power operations, but having spent so many years in the Sinaloa Group, he knows how to control his subordinates and maintain their loyalty as much as possible.
Of course, Tiago is able to do this, mostly because Mountain Eagle does not interfere with the internal operations of the captives.
The manpower at Brown Bear Camp is too scarce, and Mountain Eagle neither has the time nor the energy to manage and reform the captives like a prison.
Let them naturally self-layer internally, and then control their leaders—this way, they can be managed well.
General Sid did not expose Tiago. After a moment of silence, his single eye stared at this old friend before him and said, "Have you ever thought about how long your family can hide?
Mountain Eagle and Sinaloa have already gone to war, and their losses are increasing. Soon, someone will realize that you betrayed them.
Once the safe houses holding money encounter problems, what do you think the deranged Sinaloa Group will do?
If your family is killed, losing external supply, how long do you think you can hold out here? Will your people remain as loyal as before?"
General Sid patted Tiago's not particularly strong shoulder and said, "Everyone here is stronger than you except Chuck; you can't even protect yourself, let alone others.
At that time, you will become everyone's 'Little Princess,' and you should know that better than I do."
Tiago had been avoiding the issues about the future. Glaring at General Sid, he said, "What the hell do you actually want to say?"
......
"What? Release Tiago and let him lead a fight against Sinaloa?"
On a plane heading to Brown Bear Camp, Kate listened curiously to Daria, who exuded an aura of elite confidence, and asked, "Is this Mountain Eagle's idea?"
Daria shook her head slightly and said, "My boss doesn't give a damn about that guy. His only living value is to humiliate Sinaloa and expand their internal divisions.
But I feel, once the Sinaloa Group's losses reach a certain point, this tactic may cease to be effective.
Might as well let him out to tear apart the Sinaloa Group. This guy understands their operations and could surely be of help to you."
As she said this, Daria looked at Kate's odd expression, gave a mocking smile, and said, "Actually, you don't care about what's happening in Alaska. You're willing to come here because you think you can gain some insights from the boss...
The Bangkok Group's ostensible mission is targeting the 'Replacer,' but your real mission is to capture Shorty Guzman.
You want to participate in the Mexican drug war, hoping to increase your power by leading the process of the war on drugs.
Kate, you are a formidable woman recognized by the boss, ambitious and proactive!
My boss once told me that if you could change your narcissistic flaws, you would be an excellent female politician because you are selfish, ruthless, and unscrupulous..."
Kate shook her head and said, "I don't see that as a compliment."
Daria smiled at Kate's expression and said, "No, you know that's a compliment...
For a woman to make headway and control her own destiny in a male-dominated political system, these traits are indispensable!
But most importantly, she needs someone willing to provide sufficient support...
Money, connections, resources, opportunities...
These are all things that my boss happens to have!"
Kate paused, then shook her head and laughed, saying, "I admit Mountain Eagle is the most formidable guy I've ever met, but does he really have what you say?"