Rewritten Passage
"Since you are reborn in this era, why not seize the opportunity to become a trendsetter of the times?" Li Zitao muttered to himself as he trudged through the wilderness, a spark of ambition igniting in his heart.
Turning to Wang Dagou, he asked curiously, "Big Dog, are there many Chinese people in America now?"
"I'm not sure," Wang Dagou replied, slightly embarrassed. "I only know there are a lot in our town. As for other places, I've never been there."
"Do you know where the nearest city is?" Li Zitao pressed.
"Chicago," Wang Dagou said, pointing ahead. "That's where we're heading now. It's the only other place I know besides our town."
Wang Dagou's mind drifted to his late friend Jack Chen, who had often spoken of escaping to Chicago. Jack had dreamed of making enough money to settle there and never returning to their harsh labor conditions.
Thinking of Jack, Wang Dagou felt a pang of sadness. But in this ruthless land, even friendships could fall prey to the fight for survival. Here, people killed for a few cents, and for Chinese immigrants without any legal standing, life was even harsher.
"Chicago," Li Zitao repeated thoughtfully. The city's name conjured vivid images in his mind. He recalled the 1886 May Day labor strikes in Chicago, where hundreds of thousands of workers had fought for an eight-hour workday, a pivotal moment in labor history.
Beyond that, Li Zitao's thoughts turned to a notorious figure from Chicago's history—Al Capone, the infamous crime boss. He remembered reading online that Capone's reign had peaked with the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre, a brutal event that marked him as the kingpin of Chicago's underworld.
At present, Capone and his Italian Mafia were likely operating out of Cicero, a small town near Chicago. Federal authorities and the IRS were relentlessly pursuing him and his associates, forcing them to direct their operations from the shadows. The massacre had wiped out rival Irish gangs, cementing the Mafia's control over the city.
In three years, Charlie "Lucky" Luciano would emerge as a pivotal figure in organized crime, creating the Mafia's National Commission to unify and manage the various criminal families across the United States. For now, though, the Italian Mafia's power was consolidated in Chicago under Capone's iron grip.
If Li Zitao wanted to carve out his own path in this city, he knew it wouldn't be easy. Yet, despite the challenges, his heart burned with determination.
"Big Dog," Li Zitao suddenly said, his voice steady, "do you believe in me?"
"I believe in you," Wang Dagou answered without hesitation. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have run away from the factory with you."
Indeed, Wang Dagou could have easily turned on Li Zitao to protect himself, delivering him to their brutal overseers. Instead, he had chosen to flee with him, seeing Li Zitao not just as a fellow countryman but as a younger brother.
"In that case, let's make our mark in Chicago," Li Zitao declared, extending his hand with conviction.
"Alright! Let's create a life here in this land of white-skinned ghosts," Wang Dagou replied with a hearty laugh. He admired the transformation in Li Zitao, who now seemed to radiate confidence and purpose.
Unbeknownst to Wang Dagou, the man he knew as Li Zitao had been reborn with a new soul. The cowardly, timid Li Zitao of the past was gone, replaced by someone who carried the knowledge of another era and a vision of what could be.
By the time they reached the outskirts of Chicago after a day's walk, their excitement was palpable. The dusty roads of the countryside gave way to paved streets bustling with activity. Four-wheeled carriages clattered along, raising plumes of dust, while cars roared by on the smoother urban roads.
The sight of Chicago in the late 1920s was breathtaking. Elegant women strolled by in wavy skirts and chic hats, their laughter filling the air. Men dressed in overcoats and stylish top hats exuded charm. Skyscrapers towered above, casting long shadows over the bustling shops and crowded streets.
"Chicago, I'm here," Li Zitao murmured, spreading his arms wide as if embracing the city. In that moment, all traces of doubt vanished. His heart swelled with ambition, and a vision of conquest took hold.
"The tiger in my heart has been unleashed," he thought. "No one can stop me now."
Unlike his former frail self, Li Zitao felt a newfound strength coursing through his body. During their journey, he had tested his power, leaving deep footprints in the ground with minimal effort.
"What should we do now?" Wang Dagou asked, his confidence faltering as they stood amidst the unfamiliar chaos of Chicago.
"First, we find someone to meet," Li Zitao replied calmly. "And from now on, call me Li Zitao. My English name is Charlie Lee. You'll need an English name too."
"Jack Wang," Wang Dagou said without hesitation, adopting the common name of "Jack" as his own.
Li Zitao knew their survival in this harsh world would depend on more than just grit and determination. A simple, honest life wasn't an option. To make their mark, they would have to embrace the city's darker side.
"As long as I'm alive, I'll carve out a future for us," Li Zitao thought, his resolve hardening.
The duo found a cheap hotel in the slums to stay in. Barely twenty minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. When Li Zitao opened it, he was met with the disdainful gaze of a streetwalker.
"Damn it, a yellow-skin," she spat, her smile vanishing.
Without hesitation, Li Zitao drew his pistol and pressed it against her mouth. "Climb in if you don't want to die," he growled.
Terrified, the woman obeyed, her body trembling. Li Zitao ordered her to kneel and began questioning her. She revealed the location of the Chinese neighborhood on the 22nd block and confirmed that William Dover was Chicago's current mayor.
"Who's in charge of the Italian Mafia?" Li Zitao demanded, his voice icy.
"I… I don't know!" the woman stammered, her fear evident. Tears streamed down her face as she begged for her life.
Li Zitao dismissed her, his mind already racing with plans.
"I will become the shadow king of Chicago," he vowed silently. "Everything in this city will belong to me."
Despite the arrogance of his dream, Li Zitao clung to it. After all, without ambition, what was life worth?