Besides bullets, Tom Hagen's briefcase contained many strange parts and accessories.

There were several different models of pistols alone.

After Wayne briefly looked them over, he couldn't help but tease, "You've brought so many weapons, why didn't you bring the Brook Family's machine gun along too?"

Tom Hagen seemed to become a little more serious: "That item has already been bought, and a confidentiality agreement was likely signed.

Although the specific buyer isn't clear yet, it's at least not related to the federal armory in Springfield."

Good heavens!

Developing heavy light weapons and not selling them to a federal agency?

Wayne was slightly surprised, "Is this kind of thing even legal in Virginia?"

"If it's a private purchase, then of course it's a criminal act."

Tom Hagen's expression looked a bit subtle, "However, legally, some states also have loopholes that can be exploited.

For example, before 'successful research and development,' some states have the right to keep it confidential, using the excuse of protecting local industry and planning to use it in bids for new products for Army procurement."

"I see."

Wayne nodded, then reminded him, "Then you probably need to be careful, the design of this thing might not be reasonable enough, it might even blow up."

Hearing Wayne say this, Tom Hagen couldn't help but pick up a bullet and look at it again, "Perhaps.

But if the safety issues can be resolved, then once it's used in general firearms, the range will obviously be further, and the power will be greater."

"The recoil will also be greater."

Wayne, now a small expert with guns, casually retorted.

The firearms of this era only had so many styles; besides being used in machine guns, this large bullet could probably only go the route of bolt-action rifles, somewhat developing towards 'sniper rifles.'

If the recoil is large and accuracy is pursued, then the continuous firing performance will definitely decrease – anyone who has played shooting games knows that weapons like the AK, which are set to be 'powerful and capable of continuous fire,' have terrible muzzle climb during rapid firing.

Tom Hagen was curious about this, "As an inventor who participated in weapon research, what kind of firearm do you think can counter such a new weapon?"

Wayne answered quickly, almost without thinking: "Don't use firearms to counter it."

"Hmm?"

Tom Hagen's expression became a little puzzled.

Wayne didn't keep him guessing, "Firearms are used within close to medium range.

If you can't suppress with continuous fire, then when encountering a guy with a longer range, you should definitely get away first."

"If we must counter with firepower, can we only develop large-caliber machine guns as well?"

Tom Hagen pressed.

Wayne was a little exasperated, "No.

Don't we already have suitable weapons?

If you want to deal with a machine gun, just use artillery."

For example, Inessa; if an ordinary Extraordinary Person were to snatch her bolt-action rifle and then try to kill and rob, that might truly be the end for him.

"Artillery?!"

Tom Hagen was clearly greatly shocked by this, and then seemed a little guilty, "Wouldn't that be a bit too much?"

Look at you, you've narrowed your options, haven't you?

As a modern person, Wayne's acceptance in this regard was stronger:

"From the historical order of invention, firearms themselves are a kind of 'miniature artillery'.

Everyone uses the same type of weapon, it's not excessive."

Since they want to 'snipe each other in the middle,' then artillery also fits the characteristics of 'single shot' and 'can instantly kill people,' and shoots much further than firearms.

In this era, it is clearly more suitable for military use.

True sniping on a regular battlefield has never been about 'aiming more precisely,' but rather 'that general area.'

In the future, there will be even more exciting things, a single sniper shot flying thousands of kilometers, you won't even see the mushroom cloud.

It's not a game world; no one dictates that you must use a 'gun' to deal with a gun.

Tom Hagen jotted this down in his notebook, "Are you really not considering going to Massachusetts?

It's also about development, but I now feel that your talents might be better utilized there."

Why does everyone keep wanting me to 'immigrate' lately?

Wayne casually chatted about recently 'finding' his maternal grandfather, indicating that if there was an opportunity, he might stop by Massachusetts then.

Then the reason for Tom Hagen's postponed itinerary also seemed to emerge; he was probably collecting these relevant 'specialties,' but Wayne still subtly asked about something he had been curious about recently:

"You'll be boarding a ship and leaving Virginia when we get to the Dock Area.

Do you have any instructions to give an old friend like me?

I'm actually still very concerned about what happened at the Cathedral 'that night.'"

Tom Hagen pondered for a moment, "What the newspapers say is the 'truth'; I actually don't know any more than you do.

As for instructions... now that the Cathedral has a new bishop, you probably need to be more careful when facing various 'good intentions.'"

Hmm...

That was within expectations.

Since he wasn't allowed to ask about 'that night,' Wayne then inquired about other matters concerning Richmond and the local church.

Tom Hagen had been there for quite some time, and at this point, he didn't hide many things, such as the banker Mr. Schwartz, who, in Tom Hagen's words, was now "not a trustworthy person."

As for the old acquaintance, Senator Walter, who managed the postal system, Tom Hagen also provided a method to deal with him:

"Compared to personal attitude, he values gains and losses more.

If the resources required to deal with you are greater than the losses caused by keeping you around, a person like him will not act proactively."

As Wayne listened, he couldn't help but start making connections.

The local intelligence agency was also involved in the previous assassination attempt against Tom Hagen; since Mr. Walter was such an old fox, what was his motive then?

Thinking about it this way, Father Bazzini might not have died unjustly after all.

Perhaps the assassination of Tom Hagen was actually a rehearsal for the 'Night of Rebellion'...

But Mr. Walter was fine that night, wasn't he?

An accomplice is not the mastermind?

...

Tom Hagen's boarding location was actually in the Dock Area of Richmond.

He clearly couldn't carry all that luggage himself, and the monks of the church weren't meant for that kind of work.

However, this kind of service was already well-established around the docks; even without mentioning the part-time sailors and attendants already on the passenger ship, there were many porters at the dock willing to provide such services.

Tomorrow was Bishop Corleone's funeral, and although theoretically there would still be many dances held tonight, the Detective Agency had not received an invitation for today.

So Wayne was 'off' tonight; not in a hurry, he stood with Tom Hagen on the dock, watching his luggage being tagged and loaded onto the ship, making final small talk.

This was originally an unintentional act, but it led Wayne to inadvertently find a new 'business opportunity.'

A gentleman's servant was communicating with the ship's crew nearby, saying that he had just encountered a thief, and the briefcase containing the ship ticket had been stolen, asking if he could still board the ship in time.

Passenger ships and tickets of this era also came in various grades; some people had to have a ticket or cash to board, while others had their names recorded by the ship's company.

That gentleman, like Tom Hagen, belonged to the latter category; he was registered on the staff's VIP list and could board simply by name.

As long as there were no duplicate boarding passengers, the staff wouldn't even be too strict in verifying their identities.

Wayne couldn't help but confirm with Tom Hagen, "Cases of theft like this must be very difficult for the police to investigate, right?"

Tom Hagen nodded, "If you're not a local and need to stick to your schedule, encountering something like this probably means you can only find a way to buy another ticket on the fly.

Let alone 'investigating,' you might not even have time to report it."

Wayne pondered the feasibility while continuing to chat with Tom Hagen, "I feel like someone should be in charge of these things."