Empire of Shadows

Golden Port City also had offices for the Labor Federation, but they weren't very large.

A city like Golden Port City, which mainly relied on freight and docks, as well as tourism for profits, had almost no heavy industry. Its industrial sector was basically dominated by light industry.

The core strength of the Labor Federation was skilled workers in heavy industry. Although skilled workers in light industry were also important, their influence in society, the "destructive power" and "deterrent power" they wielded, were still inferior to those in heavy industry.

Therefore, the Labor Federation's office here wasn't very large, to the point that the conference room seemed a little cramped when Lance arrived.

When Debbie saw Lance, she proactively stopped talking to others and walked over to shake his hand.

His stock had been steadily rising, so Debbie was willing to deepen their connection, as she might need Lance's help someday.

When others saw Lance, most of the locals proactively greeted him.

The general representative of the Labor Federation also walked over, and Debbie proactively took on the role of introducing him, "This is one of our Labor Federation's general representatives..."

Actually, the term "general representative" wasn't very accurate. The accurate term should be "representative elected by representatives of all industries in the Labor Federation."

Here, "all industries" was simplified to "general," and the term elected representative was retained.

He was a representative elected by the Labor Federation representatives, so he was called the general representative.

There were quite a few people with such titles in the Labor Federation, so it wasn't a particularly rare role, but the status was indeed not low.

At least he could represent all the skilled workers in the industry he was engaged in.

Like Vaughn and former Chairman Scott, even though he came from a working-class background and had only transitioned from a worker to his current position in a few years, that working-class temperament in him had completely disappeared.

He wore a very well-fitting suit, his fingernails were meticulously clean, and the cuff of his sleeve that naturally slipped down when he raised his hand would reveal a gold watch hidden beneath the sleeve.

The smile on his face was full of confidence, even with some arrogance.

In fact, it wasn't just him; almost everyone in this room was like that.

They came from the working class, represented the working class, but were also the least like the working class!

"Just call me Peyton," Peyton directly interrupted Debbie's introduction and shook hands with Lance, "The Lance White rating method has been proven by us to be very effective, simple, and scientific."

"Moreover, it has helped us win more reasonable benefits from the capitalists, and you played a key role in this!"

Previously, skilled workers were just a general term, and no one knew exactly how skilled this "skilled" really was.

But as the Lance White evaluation method began to be implemented, they now divided workers into nine levels.

Levels one and two were ordinary workers, level three and above were skilled workers, all the way up to level nine.

Previously, capitalists only needed to pay a level three worker's salary to a level nine skilled worker to hire that level nine worker.

Of course, capitalists might pay more, but this was something without any standards or references; they would give as much as they were willing to give.

But now it was different.

The Labor Federation began to propose some salary requirement standards. The salary of a level three skilled worker was at least 120% of the salary of a level two worker, and then it increased level by level, with the increase becoming larger and larger.

For example, those at level seven or above basically had to receive twice the salary of a level two worker, and level three skilled workers had to receive more than three times the salary.

This rating method and salary structure were immediately supported by all members of the Labor Federation, including industry trade unions, which also began to fully support this rating method.

The workers supported it because these skilled workers in the Labor Federation could obtain more benefits from it, earning at least 20% to 30% more than before.

Some could even double their income!

The trade unions supported it because they themselves represented the interests of the workers. This obvious contradiction that needed to be mediated would also make the existence of the trade union more important.

This was a long and protracted process. It wasn't that the capitalists would acknowledge it just because they were willing to rate and count in this way.

Therefore, the power of politics was needed to promote this matter. And what could be more suitable than a strike or even a general strike?

As for Lance, he couldn't say whether he liked it or not, but the suggestion Lance provided was really good!

Lance smiled reservedly and shook hands with him, "I don't know what this has to do with the capitalists; I just want the workers to have a clear comparison and know how capable they really are."

Peyton laughed heartily, "In any case, you have made a very constructive suggestion!"

He paused for a moment, then looked at the president of the local Labor Federation, "Has everyone arrived?"

The local president looked around and nodded, "Almost everyone has arrived."

Peyton walked back to his seat and sat down, "Good, since everyone has arrived, then we can talk about these things."

"To be honest, I was very shocked when I heard about this. What era is this? There are still people so cruelly exploiting our worker brothers?"

"Even using violence and the threat of dismissal to force our worker brothers to obey their demands?"

"Not only me, but all the representatives are very indignant. They have seriously hurt our feelings and our interests."

"I think this matter is not over yet. Not only that, but we also need to expand the scope and let more worker brothers know about these things and let them support us."

"Only when more worker brothers start to speak out and let the capitalists realize that we are united as one, can our interests be guaranteed!"

Then, he said a very famous sentence, even Lance, who was originally a little absent-minded, couldn't help but sit up straight, "Although slavery has been abolished and the slaves have been liberated, the slave owners are still there!"

See, this was the difference between politicians and workers. Those workers working on the docks couldn't say such sophisticated words, nor did they understand these sophisticated words, but this Peyton worker representative could say them.

For some reason, Lance, who was sitting in the back row at this time, looked at the entire venue and suddenly had a feeling of overlooking a "small congress," which was very comical.

Vaughn was sitting next to Lance. He turned to look at Lance, his eyes filled with shock and some inquiry.

Lance shook his head slightly, signaling him not to speak.

There were ears everywhere; people would hear them.

This small meeting didn't last too long. In summary, it was just one thing—continue to expand the conflict and escalate the conflict!

Not only did the Labor Federation plan to get involved in this matter, but other industry trade unions also planned to follow suit. Now, the situation here was getting more fierce, and then various industry trade unions would provide support and conduct strikes of a supportive nature.

Then, the leading role in the negotiations would be transferred from the Golden Port City dockworkers to the Labor Federation General Council, and the Labor Federation would negotiate with the federal government, various local governments, and capitalists.

To resolve the strike and make them accept the wage grading system.

The workers weren't purely fools. If they were inexplicably asked to strike without a reason, they wouldn't be willing to do it.

But as long as there was a suitable reason, it would be possible to incite some industry trade unions that already had demands but had not yet been satisfied. The great unity of the working class would be achieved all at once!

After the meeting, Lance left directly on the pretext of having something to do, and Vaughn also left with Lance. This matter would take time to implement, so they didn't pay too much attention to it.

From the perspective of Peyton or other general trade union representatives, both Lance and Vaughn must be standing with them.

"There's a saying in my hometown called 'idiot,' which is what they are talking about," Lance gave Vaughn a cigarette and lit one for himself. He really couldn't help but say this word.

"Idiot?" For some reason, even though Lance didn't explain the meaning of the word, Vaughn knew that this description was definitely not a good thing.

Lance explained it softly, and Vaughn couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Very vivid!"

But after laughing, some things still needed to be faced.

"They plan to use us to help them accomplish their ideas. I don't like these things. There's no benefit to us at all; on the contrary, it will make us stand at the forefront."

He raised his left hand, making a gesture of holding up, "They get the benefits..." Then he extended his right hand, making the same gesture, "We suffer the losses!" and repeatedly lowered it, like a scale rising and falling back and forth.

Vaughn could understand his meaning, "We ditch them?"

Lance touched the business card in his pocket, "At least we can't follow them!"

"Remember, don't agree to anything first!"

After he sent Vaughn away, he returned to the company.

Now the family was still constantly recruiting people. As large areas of the port area were brought into the fold, the family also needed more people to cope with the situation in various regions.

This also made the company seem particularly lively. Many people heard that the Lance family was going to recruit more people again and wanted to try their luck.

Borton's group of old men did make a lot of money from Lance, and honestly, although there was some risk, at least Lance really gave money, and gave a lot of it.

For many young people, instead of letting them go to the factory to do a lifetime of work without any hope of advancement, it would be better to join the Lance family. There was money, face, and actual economic income.

This was actually a very bad era. If it was really as beautiful and modern as people, as posters, as magazines said, then this kind of thing wouldn't have happened!

As soon as he got out of the car, Elvin came over and said, "Alberto is here, seems like something big is happening."

Lance nodded and got out of the car, handing his coat and hat to Corinda, the girl at the door.

Today was a very formal occasion, even the senators were wearing full attire, so he had to dress up as well, otherwise it would be disrespectful to others and to himself.

At the office door, he saw Fordis smoking a cigarette in silence.

The two bumped fists, "What's wrong?"

"Paul is dead."

Lance looked surprised, "Did the Cassia family do it?"

Fordis hesitated, finally lowering his voice, "It was Dover."

Lance looked at him, feeling like he was telling a story, but his expression gradually became serious, "When did it happen?"

"Two days ago."

Lance nodded, sighed, and pushed the door open.

Alberto looked a little haggard, and when he saw Lance, he couldn't help but curse, "That son of a bitch actually did this to Paul, I should have killed him a long time ago!"

"I want to skin him and make a drum out of it, and beat it for Paul every day!"

Lance walked to his side and patted him on the shoulder, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"He ran away!" Alberto cursed incessantly, "Someone told me he ran back to Sumuri Island!"

Lance sat down beside him, "That's a good thing, at least he didn't become the new head of the family."

Alberto sneered, "Based on him?"

He didn't shake his head, he tossed his head, "Unless the Pasreto family is almost completely dead, it won't be his turn, there's no way it'll be his turn!"

"So he ran away early!"

The inheritance of the Pasreto family has rules, not just anyone can become the head of the family. After Paul's death, even Muller was not qualified to become the head of the family, even though he was also dead.

Only his son can inherit the position of head of the family. If his sons are all dead, completely dead, then his wife will temporarily take the position of head of the family, but will not really exercise the responsibilities of the head of the family, it's just a symbol.

Then the remaining members of the Pasreto family, such as Paul's cousins, will hold a competition.

The four people who get the most support from the family members will hunt down Dover.

Whoever kills Dover will be the next head of the family.

So there's no way it would be Dover.

Before, he thought it could be his turn because the militia would enter the city, but now that the militia is not entering the city, there is no way for him to be recognized by the Pasreto family, let alone inherit the position of head of the family, he can only run, run back to Sumuri.

Paul's refusal to be conscripted by any of the four major families on the island had already angered the four major families. To them, protecting Dover was equivalent to slapping the Pasreto family hard in the face.

At the same time, it can also warn those outside who are unwilling to come back that this is the consequence.

Although it was not they who orchestrated it.

But it can always scare some of the timid.

Hearing this, Lance didn't know how to comfort him, "Is there anything I can do?"

Alberto nodded, "Yes.", he turned to look at Lance, "Cisco will inherit his father's position, but he's young and has a bit of a… You know, those people are either his grandfathers or his uncles, or aunts or something, he may not be able to suppress these people."

"Plus… with the current battle, the strength in the hands of his grandfathers and uncles is stronger than his, he needs me, and I need you!"

Francisco Pasreto is Paul's eldest son, even younger than Lance.

Paul married late and had children late. Francisco is only seventeen years old this year.

However, he also has an older brother, but that older brother is an illegitimate child, a child born to Paul and a dancer.

At that time, Paul was still very young and could not resist these temptations, leaving behind a seed.

Fortunately, this illegitimate child does not have the right to inherit. According to the customs of the Sumuri people, he can become a family member, but he cannot become a leader.

However, Alberto is not very relieved. Who knows if Francisco's grandfathers and uncles will eventually go crazy.

"In this life, I owe Paul a lot of favors, I can't repay them all!"

"Now that he's dead, he hasn't left anything behind. The only thing I can do is help him take good care of Cisco, let him grow up, and take over the power of the Pasreto family."

"There aren't many people who can help me, you are one, and the most important one, you have to help me, Lance!"

"Help me this time, and you won't owe me anything!"

Lance punched him, not hard, "We're brothers, don't talk to me about owing or not."

"From the beginning, you didn't owe me anything, but you've always been helping me. Are you looking down on me, that you think I'll only help you because 'I don't owe you'?"

Looking at Lance's somewhat angry eyes, Alberto's mood improved slightly, "Come on!", he moved forward and hugged Lance, slapping him on the back a couple of times.

"I'll give you a call when the time comes!"

Lance nodded, "Anytime, anywhere!"

Alberto didn't stay any longer, he had to go back as soon as possible to help Francisco, to deal with those grandfathers, uncles, and aunts who may already have other ideas.

Before leaving, Fordis also greeted Lance again, he was also very grateful for Lance's contribution.

After the two left, Elvin came in, "What's wrong?"

He didn't know what had happened.

Lance explained the matter, and he also found it incredible, "How could this happen?"

Lance shrugged, "He didn't go into detail, but it happened. Now the only good news is that the mayor's plan is over, and next is our time."

"Recruit more people this time, where's Mador?"

"I'll go get him."

Soon Mador came over, "You're looking for me?"

Lance asked him to sit down, "We need more veterans, as long as they're reliable, I can afford to support them."

Mador considered it and nodded, "I'll ask around, how many people do you want?"

Lance looked at Elvin, "About three to five hundred people."

"So many?" Mador widened his eyes, "Are you planning to attack Goldport City?"

Lance chuckled twice, "Very funny.", he paused, "We now have two of the largest territories, although they are also the poorest, but we need so many people."

"The mayor is finished, those people he brought will soon be cleaned up, and then the Cassia family will also be cleaned up, and the Starlight District will be vacated."

"Paul also gave me a bar before, I have to protect my bar's safety, and that requires manpower."

Listening to Lance's ideas, Elvin sighed softly, "Times have changed, the era of the five major families is coming to an end."

Lance nodded, "No one can rule for long, one era is crushed by another era."

"In the end, these fragments form history, we are creating history, brothers!"