Empire of Shadows

The strike in Goldport City has begun to attract the attention of some higher-ups.

In fact, it's difficult to accurately describe the changes this strike has brought to the country, because it is complex, functional, and has many far-reaching impacts.

If I had to find a metaphor that could barely describe this strike, it would be like constipation.

Yes, the kind of constipation where you can't poop.

At first, when people can't poop, they don't seem too nervous, it's just that they can't poop, it's not like they've never pooped before.

But as the time they can't poop keeps advancing and getting longer.

Finally, the poop blocking the butthole begins to affect the intestines. The intestines still speed up peristalsis, but they don't realize that if they accelerate peristalsis without finding the cause of the constipation, it will only bring worse consequences—

Faster peristalsis will also more quickly promote the intestinal mucosa to absorb water from the stool, which will become drier, harder, and… bigger!

At this time, the governor's call is like the body's natural response. He is uncomfortable and wants to do something.

"Sidney, when will you be able to resume work?"

"I don't want to urge you to return to your post, it's just that the chaos in Goldport City has spread within the Social Party. Not long ago, the senator called me to inquire about some issues in Goldport City."

"It is very important to the entire Federation, and we must ensure that it is under our control!"

The mayor was not so concerned about the governor's words, "It's already out of control, sir."

"We all know that the order of the city is on the verge of danger, but we can't pretend we don't see these things just because there are some things you don't want to do and I don't want to do."

"I'm not doing nothing, you see, I declared war on them, but what was the result?"

"The doctor said that if the bullet deviated by a few centimeters, it would have taken me to see God. This is the result I got. If you always stand at a higher place and don't want to get your boots dirty, then let it slide into the abyss!"

Behind the two people's seemingly ordinary conversation are some hidden demands. The governor frowned, "The state police will be there soon to assist you."

The mayor took a deep breath, "What I need is not the state police, you know what I mean."

"If you want to solve the chaos in Goldport City as soon as possible, the state police are not enough!"

"Several explosions happened yesterday, and the gangs have already started using explosives. If you send a group of state police, they will only let the gangs brag about how many police officers they have killed!"

"Sir, in this matter, the cost and the benefit are proportional!"

The governor had a headache. He knew what the mayor meant, "But doing so will have a very bad impact. No one knows how people will evaluate us!"

If the governor gives the order, then the Social Party, including all sectors of society, will have a lower evaluation of him.

Politicians who use armed forces to solve problems at every turn are definitely not qualified politicians. The people of the Federation and the political environment of the Federation are very strange.

They have been maintaining a very distorted and strange social operating mechanism, artificially setting up many obstacles, just like procedural justice.

Sometimes you know that a person is a criminal, or everyone knows that he is a criminal, including himself who does not deny it, but you just can't get the evidence to indict him and let him escape legal punishment.

There are many such people. After committing several crimes, they stop committing crimes. People are powerless against this type of criminal.

They insist on making things difficult for themselves when the problem can be solved very simply.

The mayor didn't speak. Silence is the most powerful language. The governor thought for a long time, "I will communicate with that side. Also, you have to keep an eye on the strike."

"I don't want to solve one problem and then have another problem arise."

Between hemorrhoids and constipation, the governor chose to solve the hemorrhoids first, rather than the constipation.

The governor hung up the phone. In fact, until now, neither he nor the mayor thinks the strike is a problem. It's just some compromise.

When he settles this city, the port management company, and the Bay Area, they will either choose to stand by his side or be crushed directly by his chariot!

The mayor reached out and pressed a button, hung up the phone, and looked at the secretary, "Soon this city will usher in peace!"

Mobilizing the militia is not a simple matter. It also needs confirmation from the state legislature.

In fact, the governor and the state legislature are like a scaled-down version of the presidential palace and Congress. Although the president has the highest military power, he needs to bear a lot of responsibility, and any long-term military action must be approved by Congress before it can be implemented.

For example, sending troops abroad, whether to help others or harm others, requires congressional approval if it exceeds one month.

Otherwise, Congress has the right to interrupt these military actions.

The same is true for the governor. If he wants to mobilize the militia to enter the city, he must get the support of the legislature.

And there are not only Social Party members in the legislature, but also legislators from the Liberal Party and the Federal Party.

It is very simple to convince the Social Party legislators. Just give them a call, but convincing the Liberal Party and the Federal Party legislators may be a little troublesome.

But these are all the governor's problems and have nothing to do with the mayor.

In this call, the secretary felt that the mayor also had the initiative in this matter in front of the governor, just because of that bullet!

It was just difficult for him to make such a decision. He didn't have the courage to face this shot!

Perhaps this is the gap between him and the mayor!

In the evening, the board of directors of the port management company announced the temporary removal of the port management company's manager from his position and is awaiting subsequent processing, but there is no subsequent processing.

They just kept calling on everyone to maintain a peaceful mood and prepare to negotiate with the company.

They seem to be actively promoting it, but in reality, they have not made any substantial changes.

Maybe the manager himself has figured out something. He ran to the board of directors to request a meeting with the chairman of the board, but it is said that he was beaten up and thrown out.

For several days in a row, the city maintained a chaotic and stable state. Chaos refers to the current terrible situation.

The citizens of the city have seen street killings more than once, and have heard explosions more than once.

During this period, there was good news, that is, Morris truly woke up.

He had woken up before, but that kind of waking up was not a real awakening, but a bit of a muddled feeling, and the clear-headed time was very short, maybe a few minutes, and then he fell into a coma again.

The doctor said that this is a natural mechanism of the human body. They don't know the reason, but they know that it is a good thing.

Because only by showing these characteristics can it show that he is recovering.

Now, he is truly awake.

The room was full of people. Lance and the others were all inside, and some others with insufficient status were in the corridor outside, and in the hospital yard.

"How do you feel?" Lance asked.

Morris licked his lips. He was refused any food. Now the hospital has prepared a nutrient solution for him, which is directly injected into the blood instead of through eating.

Part of his stomach, two sections of intestines, and a liver and a kidney were cut off. Now eating will cause a huge physiological burden on him. Only after his body "recovers" can he gradually restore some of his previous living habits.

"Thirsty, and hungry!"

"The doctor said you will feel thirsty and hungry, but these are all your body deceiving you. You don't need these now."

"When you recover, we'll treat you to a big meal."

Morris tilted his head and looked at Enio by the bed, "What about him?"

He, refers to his father.

Enio's hand touched his forehead, "I'm sorry, they weren't able to save him."

Morris didn't show that kind of intense pain. He seemed to accept it very calmly.

He even chuckled, but then a painful expression appeared on his face.

A chuckle would cause changes in many muscle groups and also cause changes in abdominal pressure. In an instant, his eyes widened, it hurt so much!

Lance did not allow the hospital to use those special painkillers, but chose some that were not highly addictive.

If he was saved but turned into someone who needed to rely on painkillers to live a normal life... no, when he started relying on painkillers, his life would not be normal!

So although it hurts, it is good for his future.

Those non-special fast-acting painkillers cannot minimize people's pain. Perhaps this is the price of artificially interfering with natural affairs.

If you want to get more comfort, you need to pay more tangible and intangible things.

"That guy... always looks like he doesn't care about people."

"Enio knows."

Enio nodded, "Yes, Uncle he... is very free and easy."

Morris glanced at him, "You don't need to say nice things, he's already gone."

"I've thought about a lot of things, between me and him, sometimes I have some fantasies."

"There are good ones, there are bad ones, many."

"But I never thought that he would jump on me to save me."

His eyes were very red. It was unclear whether it was because of his body, or because of these words, and his emotions.

"I should feel happy, because he suddenly became like a normal person."

"But I can't be happy, because the price is too heavy!"

He closed his eyes and lay down for a while, "Did we win?"

Lance walked to the bed and squeezed his hand, "We're about to win!"

"Do you need me to leave them for you?"

Maurice shook his head, "Just send them away."

Lance released his hand, "You need to pull yourself together, we still need you!"

In fact, Maurice also knew his current situation, and his mind was a little confused, "I don't know, but I will get better first…"

He was not suitable to maintain this state for too long. The doctor quickly asked Lance and the others to leave, and they would continue to put Maurice to sleep.

When he was asleep, the impact of pain on him would be reduced, and sleep could also better promote his body's self-repair.

Walking out of the hospital, Lance told the people who stayed here to take care of Maurice a few words, including to keep an eye on him and not let him be alone for a long time.

Having suffered such a big blow, if he couldn't think about it for a while, he might do something extreme.

When he got in the car, Lance asked, "When will Gallio fall?"

Enio closed the car door while twisting the key. The car buzzed and started, "Tonight!"

Lance was looking forward to it, looking forward to the day when he and the professor would meet.

Gallio is also looking forward to it now. This is his first time in King's Harbor City. If the people he brought were not a little too many, he could have arrived during the day, or even earlier.

Before entering the city, he could vaguely see the outline of the city in the darkness. It was indeed much larger than Fides City.

"The air here smells so good, not at all like the air in Fides, which smells like engine oil!"

Gallio took a deep breath and almost said, "The air here is so sweet," but in terms of air quality, the air quality here is indeed much better than that of Fides.

Fides City, as a heavy industrial city, has three things floating in the air—

Engine oil, metal dust, and dust from coal combustion.

But here, the air is so much better.

The wind blows from the sea, and no turbid air can stay here for too long, especially now that it is summer.

After every rain, the whole world will be renewed. This is the life of people by the sea.

He had not seen the sea a few times, and he was full of longing and curiosity for everything here.

The minibuses that had kidnapped him did not enter the city, but stayed in the suburbs. After their three cars entered the city, they found a public telephone booth and made a call to Lance.

Before long, Enio drove over to meet them, and then forty minutes later, they met Lance.

"You are Mr. Lance!" Gallio looked at Lance in disbelief.

Although he had heard before that Lance was very young, he thought it was just a description from Enio. In his mind, Lance might be about thirty years old.

At thirty years old, being able to become the leader of a powerful family can indeed be said to be young and capable!

But after seeing Lance with his own eyes, he realized that Enio's performance was not exaggerated, because Lance was really young.

Lance shook hands with him, and then asked him to come to the office.

"I'm sorry I can't hold a grand welcome party for you right now. You should have heard."

Gallio didn't lie, "I was shocked when I entered the city. To be honest, it's more chaotic here than in Fides. I thought King's Harbor City would be very orderly!"

Lance invited him to sit down, "Some things have happened recently, and it won't end soon."

He paused, looking at Gallio, "Mr. Gallio, you have done me a great favor, I am very grateful to you."

"And this time, I have troubled you to come here in person, I feel a little sorry."

Gallio laughed and waved his hands repeatedly, "Actually, I took the initiative to come here. I have always wanted to visit you, Mr. Lance."

"It is a great thing for all of us Imperials that an important figure can emerge in this field!"

"To tell you a true story, the city councilor in the city was still extorting me before I came."

"But when he heard that I was coming to King's Harbor City to see you, his attitude softened a lot!"

Although these statements obviously have exaggerated elements, they are not too outrageous.

Big figures in big cities have a natural suppression over big figures in small cities, not to mention that the mayor of this city is Sydney, who also left his own "myth" in Fides.

It is difficult not to compare the "big figure" in Gallio's mouth with Sydney.

Then it is conceivable that Councilor Phillip would change his strategy, so his decision was indeed because of Lance.

For someone who has been praising him, it is difficult for Lance to have any ill feelings.

"We all come from the same place, and unity is very important."

"Only when we stick together can we not be bullied by others."

"Whether it's a family or something else, that's what I think and that's what I do."

"Gallio, we are equal and also friends, so there is no need to use honorifics, it will make me uncomfortable."

Gallio smiled. In fact, he was not used to it either, but Lance was able to gain a foothold here, so he must not be an ordinary person. It is always right to be polite.

He knew that it was time to talk about things that Lance was interested in, "I have brought all of the professor's family, as well as the families of several senior cadres. I have left them outside the city."

"I don't know the situation here, I can let my people take you there."

Lance glanced at Enio, motioning him to bring the people back, then looked at Gallio, "I don't know how to thank you, Gallio."

He pondered for a moment, "Is your demand for alcohol very high?"

Gallio's heart was pounding. Although his side was not as prosperous as King's Harbor City, people's income was not necessarily much lower, and even the income of some factory workers was more than that of people here!

The benefits and treatment of workers in heavy industry have always been slightly better, otherwise it would be really impossible to find people to do it!

The growing freedom and laziness of the Federation people make them very resistant to low-wage but more heavy physical labor.

People often only notice the higher average wages in these industries, ignoring what it takes to get those wages.

The more tired you are, whether mentally or physically, the more you need ways to eliminate fatigue.

Alcohol is a very good choice.

Alcohol has made Gallio a lot of money, "Indeed, Mr. Lance."

"In addition to visiting you this time, I also hope to make our cooperation in the trade of alcoholic beverages more stable."

Lance nodded, "No problem, we will have a large batch of low-alcohol drinks coming out soon. These drinks are not expensive and are very suitable for low- and mid-end consumers."

He was talking about the wine made in the brewery, about ten degrees.

It is precisely because the alcohol content is low that people often drink too much!

Gallio had no reason to refuse Lance's proposal. Then Lance asked about the situation in Fides City and about the situation of the Imperial workers.

Perhaps the pressure of work was too great. In Gallio's mouth, the contradiction between local workers and immigrant workers in Fides City was not prominent.

The two sides get along very well, but the capitalists obviously have some discrimination against Imperial immigrant workers. The wages they give are generally two or three yuan lower.

After chatting for a while, Lance asked people to arrange for Gallio and his party to rest. It was too late, and the rest would be discussed in the morning!