Empire of Shadows

Lars woke up in the afternoon of the next day, and all the wine had been sent to the farm in the suburbs for storage.

The situation in the city is a bit complicated now. The Dangerous Goods Administration is biting people everywhere like wild dogs, and their reporting system is indeed very attractive.

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Although Lars or others have shown people the fate of traitors, in the face of high rewards, some people will always be willing to take risks.

Until July, three bars on Lars' side had been discovered and sealed up by them, but the loss was not very big.

The bail money for the personnel has become the biggest output, rather than the loss of the wine.

After eating some of the food they bought back, Lars contentedly lit a cigarette.

People who don't smoke will never be able to experience the joy of eating their fill, finding a comfortable place to sit, and then lighting one up.

The newspapers on the table were stacked together, and Lars casually picked up one, the "International News," he curled his lip.

This newspaper can be said to be "infamous" internationally, because the fabricated international news has made many countries mentioned feel very dissatisfied.

What's even more excessive is that they always concoct some vulgar jokes about leaders of other countries, such as so-and-so prime minister may be impotent, or a certain royal family member is a slut.

Some news figures who have been fabricated have more than once publicly stated that the existence of such a media that distorts the truth is a regression and shame for the entire Federation civilization!

But the "International News" doesn't care about these things. They don't care whether they have regressed the Federation civilization, they only care about sales.

And the readers love to read it!

They just like to read the stories of the Queen and the Prince, and they just like to read the stories of the Prime Minister and his son and wife.

The headline on the front page of the newspaper was about the upcoming negotiations between the four countries. This time, they used a very serious tone and relatively truthful vocabulary to describe this multilateral meeting.

The editor who wrote this report believes that this may be the last hurdle for peace to descend again, or to ignite the flames of war.

If the four countries can reach an agreement and put down their armed confrontation, then peace will continue.

If they refuse to negotiate, then war will come soon.

It also introduced the reasons for the constant friction and escalation of military conflicts between the four countries, geographical issues, resource issues, political culture, and even racial issues.

It also talked about the future trend of the Federation if war really breaks out.

It was a rare piece of news that didn't talk nonsense, and Lars was very satisfied with it. This kind of article that can make people think is one of men's favorites.

Another type is like "Chao Bao," which is full of naked girls and escort phone numbers.

In this newspaper, it was also mentioned that the Emperor of the Empire was once again driven into a panic by the rebel army, as if annihilating the remaining power of the Emperor of the Empire was something that all the rebels could do at any time.

Lars threw the newspaper aside and went to look at other newspapers. It just so happened that Mador came in from outside at this time.

He will be Lars' bodyguard during this time until the situation stabilizes.

"Have you eaten?", Lars pointed to the food on the table, cooked beef and bread, as well as ham slices and bacon, "I can't eat so much."

Mador shook his head, "I've already eaten. Actually, it's not good for people to eat too much. You'll get sleepy when you're full."

Lars nodded slightly, "You're right... Since you've eaten, then I still need to eat some."

Mador said that he didn't need to be concerned about him. As he spoke, he walked to Lars' side and stood, but his eyes inadvertently saw the newspaper on the table, "They're all talking nonsense."

Lars turned his head and glanced at him, "Who's talking nonsense?"

He pointed to the newspaper, "These reporters and editors are all talking nonsense."

"Tell me about it?", Lars became a little interested.

Mador didn't know where to start for a while. After waiting for about ten seconds, he said a little sullenly, "The domestic situation has begun to become clear. Three rebel armies have been wiped out, and the Emperor has begun to consider going north to recover all the regions."

"But in their description, it's as if the Emperor is about to fail. This is all fake!"

Lars ate the bread while sighing, "He was almost besieged and killed by the sea some time ago, but now he has taken back most of the country. Although I don't like him either, I have to say that he is indeed a qualified Emperor."

Mador wasn't very interested in the Emperor either. He, and most Imperial people, believed that the current problems of the Empire were caused by the Emperor and the royal family.

But he couldn't really turn a blind eye either. Everyone knew how difficult this was, and that absurd tyrant did it.

"Your former... that rebel army, are they still fighting?"

Mador nodded, "Yes, they are still fighting, but the current situation may not be very good."

"Lack of funds, lack of weapons, lack of ammunition, lack of recognition."

"They had already gotten the key and inserted it into the lock, and opened the lock. They were only one step away from pushing the door in, but it turned into this. Sometimes I really don't understand whether the Emperor is too smart, or they are too stupid!"

The Emperor's power is getting stronger and stronger, and the royal family has the capital to return to the negotiating table.

Without the support of the nobles, these rebel armies can't pose any threat to the royal family at all.

Therefore, the internal strife of the Empire is not actually a conflict between the rebel army and the royal family in the real sense, but a conflict between the nobles and the royal family, which is expressed through another method.

Mador gets angry whenever he talks about this. Lars thought for a while and commented, "Those rebel leaders are too greedy."

"What they want is not just to overthrow the Emperor's rule!", Seeing Mador's somewhat confused eyes, Lars didn't mind saying it a little more deeply, "What they want is to be the Emperor themselves!"

They ignored that they were actually puppets of the nobles, and only thought that if they could overthrow the Emperor, they could become the next Emperor.

In a country with feudal rule, without the support of the great nobles, the first step of the rebel army would not be possible.

They have no money, no people, no weapons and equipment, how can they rebel?

This world has actually always been like this. Power is always rotating in the hands of some people.

The Emperor's son is still the Emperor, just like the President's son is either a Senator or a President.

Everything, from the beginning, was already doomed!

Mador didn't understand a little, or rather, he couldn't accept it a little, "So, we were never going to succeed from the beginning?"

Lars thought for a while and said, "If those people in the country are always waiting for others to save their lives, then they are destined to fail."

"There is no savior in this world, only people who can't bear it and finally stand up to resist."

Lars stuffed the last small piece of bread into his mouth, clapped his hands, "But these are too far away from us. What we have to do now is to make our lives at least look not so bad!"

There was nothing too big going on at the office. The Wolf Gang's bar was strafed once and then entered a state of renovation, and there was no movement for the time being.

Near dusk, William called, "Did you buy financial products from Balz Investment Bank?"

This question was a bit abrupt, but Lars immediately realized where the problem was, "No, did Barbara say that?"

"Yes, Barbara said that you also bought a lot of products, so they are borrowing money and planning to invest it all at once."

"Lars, do you really think this is a good investment project?"

"Last time you said its return was a bit abnormal."

It can be seen that William was also tempted. After all, a 15% rebate per month, if you count the introducer's fee, you can get the money back in half a year, and then it's pure profit.

In two years, 400% profit is enough to drive many people crazy.

Lars quickly stopped him, "It's indeed abnormal, and I haven't invested a penny."

"William, use your brain and think about it. If these businesses are real, do you think those big capitals would pretend they didn't see it?"

"Capital flows to whatever makes money."

"I heard a very correct saying before, if hard work can lead to success and wealth, then the threshold for hard work will be so high that ordinary people can't touch it!"

"Capital is always many times faster than ordinary people, many steps ahead. If they can really stably provide such a high rebate, then you, me, and others, it is impossible to know about this matter. Its so-called share will be eaten up."

"Think about it, why is Balz Investment Bank so famous, but the rich people in the Bay Area don't buy it?"

"Is it because they really have too much money?"

"Or are they already aware of what this is?"

William is not a dull or stupid person. Lars' few words made him feel a chill, "You mean... the Bay Area is also involved."

What he said about participating certainly didn't mean investing, but participating behind the scenes.

Lars didn't speak, "You can chat with them, but if they insist on investing, then let them do it."

He said that, but William certainly wouldn't let them do this, "I will persuade them."

He hung up the phone quickly.

Then Lars received several more calls, including Roger's call.

He was also asking Lars about Balz Investment Bank.

"I heard from my son that they can give us a very large rebate..." Rogerov had never been so wealthy in his life.

He, and some others, gradually tasted the wonderful benefits of "investment," and they were now a little eager to find new projects.

Lance had no time recently, so they had to come by themselves. Barz Investment Bank seemed to be prepared for them.

However, Rogerov, the old man, wasn't very brave. He felt that it would be best to ask Lance about this kind of thing, after all, Lance was a "big shot."

Fortunately, he asked.

"That's a scam, Rogerov. You can tell the others in the chamber of commerce not to touch anything related to Barz Investment Bank, anything!"

"If you can't convince them, you don't have to make them listen to you. I can only say that it's a bottomless pit. No amount of money is enough to lose..."

Barz Investment Bank's final frenzy made their name spread even faster, affecting a wider range and social class.

In the evening, William invited Lance to dinner, and he didn't refuse.

As usual, Emily was in the kitchen cooking dinner, and William was sitting on the sofa.

"Patricia went to play tennis and may be back a little later," William explained. There were tennis courts in the community, and they played there.

This was the daily life of the federal middle class. For the lower class, it cost money to rent a tennis court, but in the middle-class community, it was free, and it was indoors.

There were also basketball courts and swimming pools available to residents for free. It was said to be free, but it was actually all in the bill, but no one cared.

Lance smiled and sat on the sofa with William.

"These days, Chobaf has been preparing for free clinics and microloans. I want to get some people from you, Imperials."

If many non-Imperial immigrants caused trouble in the municipal elections in the Imperial District, it would easily create the opposite effect.

So he could only ask Lance to do this, and Lance naturally wouldn't refuse. The higher William climbed, the more he, as the actual beneficiary, would gain. He agreed without hesitation.

"What's your plan?" he asked.

William stroked his stubble, "A very simple plan. Just arrange for some people to stir up trouble during the free clinic activity."

"You know, I'm not disparaging ordinary people, but they really don't have much brains."

"Stirring up emotions can make his plan fail completely."

"As for the microloan thing..." he showed a smile, "This is what I most want you to help me with. Mobilize some people to take out loans."

"If it succeeds, there will be less money in his bank."

"If it fails, you can also publicize that he is just putting on a show and doesn't really want to give loans to people. In any case, the one who suffers in the end is him."

Lance didn't refuse. They were all simple things.

Before dinner, Patricia came back from outside, slightly out of breath. Her face was red with health after exercise. She seemed very surprised when she saw Lance, but considering that she was covered in sweat, she simply hugged Lance and went back to take a shower.

She changed into a set of home clothes and returned to the living room after a while, only then asking why Lance had come.

At the dinner table, everyone was talking about lighthearted topics. As they talked, William mentioned Barbara and her family.

"They have already mortgaged their house in order to buy the financial products from Barbara's workplace."

"I remember you said last time that these are scams, right?"

William had also been tempted, but he was persuaded by Lance. He believed in Lance and ultimately overcame his own greed.

Before Lance could answer, Emily interjected, "Barz Investment Bank?"

"Many families here have also purchased their financial products. The rate of return is amazing."

"Recently, they have held many lively events, all of which benefited people," she said, scooping the cream soup in her bowl into her mouth, while talking about what was happening in the community.

William frowned, "Many?"

Emily mentioned the names of several ladies who were on good terms with her, "They also wanted to pull me in to invest. They were willing to split the commission with me fifty-fifty, but I didn't agree."

"There are too many people playing this game, and there are many who have bought it but are unwilling to say it. This is normal."

She looked at Lance, "I remember you said they were scammers last time, but can scammers last this long?"

Lance nodded, "We talked about it. Using the principal to pay rebates, even if you give them a 20% rebate, the money you give them is enough for them to last half a year."

"As long as others participate during these six months, they will have a constant stream of funds to pay rebates until they think the Ponzi scheme is big enough."

"This time they have set a deadline of the 25th of this month, which is actually a sign that they are preparing to run away with the money."

"Maybe some of them have already left."

The Lawrence couple both felt it was a bit unbelievable listening to this. Patricia looked at Lance with admiration. In her eyes, Lance was a very capable person.

Whether it was an illegal business or a legal business, he could play it very well.

The 20,000 yuan monthly income from the firm was already the ceiling in the same industry, not to mention that he had other industries.

Legal and illegal.

At this time, what Lance cared about was, if so many people bought Barz Investment Bank's products and they suddenly ran away and the money was gone, what would these investors do?

March, demonstrate, outside the city hall.

He seemed to be able to feel that day coming. Was this a counterattack using their strength?

After dinner, Lance and Patricia went to her room. The girl's room was always clean, tidy, and fragrant.

The girl leaned in Lance's arms, talking about what she thought was interesting. As she spoke, Lance kissed her.

Her face was always red, her earlobes were also red, and her neck was also red.

At first, she was a little uncomfortable, but she quickly began to respond enthusiastically.

The Lawrence couple had already left. They went to talk to Barbara's parents again. Although William sometimes didn't like Barbara's father, they were brothers after all.

He couldn't sit idly by and watch his brother go bankrupt. He would try to persuade him if he could.

At this time, only Lance and Patricia were in the house. This time, they didn't have to be afraid of others disturbing them.

The girl already had some experience with kissing, but she was a little inflexible with other things. Lance had to teach her little by little.

This was actually not an easy thing. You had to take into account your own and each other's feelings, so Lance came very slowly, very carefully, and very gently.

After a arduous and decisive battle, Lance finally got his wish.

Patricia hugged Lance's waist, "Do you like me?"

Lance nodded, "I like you."

"Then what do you like about me?"

"Pretty!"