Empire of Shadows

"Lance!"

"Over here!"

Councilman Williams stood in the crowd and waved to him.

Senator Cleveland found it inconvenient to talk to Lance at close range, but Councilman Williams didn't care at all.

He wasn't planning on going to Congress, nor was he planning on standing under a magnifying glass and being scrutinized by the entire country, or even the world.

In Goldport City, no one could stop him now, so he didn't care if others would say he was with someone like Lance, and even acted like they were very familiar.

Lance, holding his wine glass, temporarily said goodbye to Williams and walked over.

"Let me introduce you, this is Brand, Brand Jeffrey, the Secretary of State."

Lance placed his wine glass on the tray of a passing waiter. He took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands with the Secretary of State, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Jeffrey."

Brand maintained the politician's signature fake smile. He shook Lance's hand a couple of times, "I've heard of you in the capital!"

This was obviously a lie. Lance's influence hadn't expanded to the capital yet, but in such social situations, especially positive social interactions, one had to say something pleasant.

He couldn't possibly say, "Who the hell are you? I've never heard of you before, and I'm not particularly happy to meet you," because that would ruin everything.

Appropriate hypocrisy helps social interactions proceed effectively.

Lance returned a warm smile, "It's my honor that the bigwigs in the capital know my humble name!"

Councilman Williams, holding his wine glass, watched the two of them being mutually hypocritical, their faces full of smiles, "Alright, alright, let's talk business."

The three walked into a corner, and the people around them took the initiative to avoid them, to avoid misunderstandings.

In today's social setting, there was no doubt that Senator Cleveland had the highest status, but the Secretary of State's status was not low either.

He was the third most important figure in the State of Licalai, second only to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and if nothing unexpected happened, he would continue to work here for a few days, and might even have the opportunity to become the Lieutenant Governor or even the Governor.

Guests, no matter how strong, are just guests. Only the owner of the house can decide the living conditions of the people in the house.

"I heard you have a very interesting company called Wanli Labor Agency?"

The men walked into the corner and naturally lit cigarettes.

Lance nodded in agreement, "We are trying to solve some employment problems and conflicts between local workers and immigrants. You know, not everyone likes immigrants."

Secretary of State Brand nodded in agreement, "That's right, they always think that the bad social environment is caused by immigrants."

"Immigrants are taking away their medical resources, taking away their educational resources, and also taking away their job opportunities, and even preventing their wages from increasing!"

"However, we have found in some studies that this is just an excuse and reason for their laziness."

"I have seen immigrants who work three jobs but only earn thirty dollars a month, and I have also seen federal employees who get angry after working five minutes more each day, while earning the same salary."

He paused and said, "I am very interested in your business model, perhaps we can cooperate in some areas."

Councilman Williams said from the side, "We have many construction projects, but the labor costs of federal native workers are relatively high, while those refugees…"

He seemed to be looking for how to describe this problem. After thinking about it, he found a more mainstream word, "May involve ethical risks, if we use them directly."

People fled to the Federation as international refugees because they trusted the federal government.

As a result, the federal government sent them all to do the hardest, most tiring, and even dangerous work, which would create certain ethical risks for the federal government in the international community.

Simply put, they don't plan to hire these refugees themselves. They plan to "blindly" use a less compliant company, and then this company hires these refugees.

If something goes wrong, it has nothing to do with the state government.

Lance thought for a while, "Why me?"

"Many people can do this, and we all know that there will be a lot of profit in it!"

The profit mainly comes from the labor cost difference. The state government pays according to the federal average wage, but in reality, Lance may only need to pay half the cost to those workers, which saves more than twenty dollars in labor costs.

Ten thousand people, two hundred thousand dollars a month in difference. If you add the deductions from the food, even if you are not that black-hearted, you can put three hundred thousand dollars into your pocket every month.

Anyone can do this. Lance wanted to know why they chose him.

Councilman Williams showed a smile on his face, "We plan to start the construction of the New Port District. Before that, we need a more mature team."

"New Port Wharf?" When Lance said this name, Councilman Williams smiled.

"Yes, New Port Wharf."

The New Port Wharf and the New Bay Area are the core of the disagreement and conflict between the mayor and the local forces, but this does not mean that the people in the Bay Area really cannot see the necessity of building the New Port District and the New Port Wharf.

The mayor's biggest mistake was that he hoped to introduce other capital, so that more people could also share some of the benefits from the rapidly developing era of Goldport City.

Therefore, the investors in the New Port District and the New Port Wharf are basically foreign capital, which seriously damages the interests of the local capital.

Originally, they could eat 90% of the profits, but if the New Port District is completed and forms a competitive relationship with the Goldport Wharf, then they may only be able to eat 45% of the profits.

The other 45% of the profits will be eaten by the New Port Wharf, and this is inevitable!

Those long-distance spreaders definitely want to replenish supplies faster and then leave. For these ocean-going freighters, they face huge maintenance costs every day. Being able to unload and load goods faster and earlier means that their profits may be more.

Now the Goldport Wharf has begun to operate close to full capacity.

The war on the Tanfitte Continent has rerouted many international trade and transportation routes. It is foreseeable that as the intensity of the war increases and more areas are affected, the volume of business at the Goldport Wharf will also increase.

Drive the mayor away, and then they will eat the New Port District and the Goldport Wharf themselves, and continue to keep the profits in their mouths. This is the result of the consultation between Councilman Williams and some people in the Bay Area.

They will fully support Councilman Williams in winning the mayoral election. Similarly, Councilman Williams must also ensure that at least 60% of the profit distribution in the New Port area remains local.

The state government has some interest transfer problems, and they divide the remaining 40%.

This is a result that both parties can accept.

Some people may think, how can 40% be enough for so many people?

Having this kind of thinking is actually wrong, because this 40% does not have so many people. Only after the interests of the top level are satisfied, will there be excess scraps falling to the bottom.

Once the interests of the upper level are satisfied, the people at the bottom, apart from complaining, will not really do anything.

They can't smash the master's dinner just because they are not full, right?

There wouldn't really be anyone that stupid, would there?

If it was a local project in Goldport, then Lance could understand why they were looking for him.

Seeing that he was still thinking, Councilman Williams took the initiative to say, "Lance, you have put in a lot of effort in this matter. You have maintained the common interests of all of us."

"So…" He glanced at the Secretary of State, "You also have a share in the New Port Wharf!"

Lance became a little interested, "How much?"

"One percent."

"No, three percent." Lance directly rejected the ratio proposed by Councilman Williams, "I don't know how much one percent is, but I don't like this number!"

"It is the smallest in percentage, and I…" He glanced at the Bay Area elites who were socializing around him, "Can do no worse than them!"

Councilman Williams may have been moved by him, and added a little, "One point two percent, just this little bit, will bring you millions of dollars in income every year!"

Lance shook his head, "Two percent, I have already made the biggest concession."

Councilman Williams frowned and thought for a while, "Every cake has already been decided who can get which piece before it is served."

"Everyone is like this, it was decided from the beginning!"

"If you want to get more, someone must give up their interests to you. This is not a small number, no one will give it to you so easily."

Lance still maintained his position, "I can accept that you don't give me anything, but I can't accept that you give me so little, I am not a tramp, Councilman."

"And I believe that my role and my value are much more than these people who only know how to spend money!"

Councilman Williams' gaze lingered on Lance for a moment, "I will take out my personal three percent, one point five, no more."

Lance also showed a smile, "Deal…" He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, "Whether in Goldport City or in Licalai State, if the state government needs labor, contact me anytime, anywhere."

"Including the issue of dealing with strikes this time, I can also help you solve it."

Licalai State does have some construction tasks. As the largest port in the Northern Hemisphere, Goldport City also faces great pressure and potential risks.

After discussion, the congressional side decided to station troops in Goldport City, so naturally there are also a large number of construction tasks.

There's also the possibility of war affecting the East Coast and Southern coastal areas of the Federation via the East Ocean, making it necessary for Licale State to prepare for a passive response to war.

Some defensive fortifications, although it's not certain anyone would provoke the Federation, let alone be able to strike the mainland, but what if?

All of this requires people to work, and if the state government wants to save money, it can only use cheaper labor.

After confirming this matter, the two exchanged business cards, and then the Secretary of State took the initiative to leave.

Councilor Williams said to him, "After the state government's orders come down…"

He looked at Lance, not continuing, but Lance understood his meaning.

The profits generated from government orders certainly couldn't all be his; if he couldn't even understand something so simple, then he wouldn't be qualified to live in the small room.

"How much can I take?"

Councilor Williams revealed an admiring expression, "Thirty percent, but I personally suggest you keep only twenty percent, or even fifteen."

"Various large-scale constructions will definitely have your share; although your profit may not be high from a single project, there will be many of their projects."

Although Lance knew this, he still nodded and thanked him, because most people would never tell you these things.

Even if they wanted to tell you, it would definitely be after you had taken a hard fall, and then they would run out like a good person, telling you what you should do, instead of before you fell and got hurt.

If you haven't been hurt, their advice and experience won't be as valuable, and the effect won't be as good as telling you after you've been hurt.

Councilor Williams being so straightforward showed that he was continuously laying the foundation for James, or rather, for the Williams family.

"Thank you for imparting your experience to me, Councilor Williams."

Councilor Williams laughed heartily, taking two glasses of wine from the waiter's tray, giving one to Lance, "Pleasant cooperation, Lance."

"Pleasant cooperation!"

On the way back, Lance saw William chatting with Charlie; they greeted him when they saw Lance walking over.

Hunter shook hands with Lance, and then Charlie did too.

"We cooperated well this time!"

Hunter's face showed some smiles; they had resolved this terrible riot, and Senator Cleveland had praised the Goldenport City police system's execution capabilities.

Charlie's face was full of smiles, "I just chatted with William, exchanging some心得 and experience."

"This election for city councilor is a rare opportunity for us, Lance."

He glanced at William, "You, me, William, we are all…"

He lowered his voice a bit, "People who originally weren't qualified to enter here; they may not be willing to accept us in their hearts."

"So we have to unite; we don't intend to harm anyone, but we can't be harmed by others either!"

Lance nodded, "Yes, you're right."

He seemed to agree with this view.

Charlie's face was full of smiles, "You, me, we cooperate together, and we can definitely build a stable Goldenport City!"

They didn't chat too much; Charlie and Lance didn't really have that much to say.

After they left, the smile on William's face faded, "I don't like him like that; he's not likable."

Lance quite agreed with his view, "Charlie was a dog in the Bay Area for too long, to the point that he doesn't quite know how to be a person now!"

"Even if he succeeds in the election, he won't be able to hold on for too long."

William became a little curious, "Do you have some inside information?"

"I just saw you chatting with the Secretary of State and Williams over there."

His eyes revealed a kind of amazed look; he was very clear about Lance's situation; a year's time had changed everything, even allowing him to stand in front of the Secretary of State and the next mayor for equal exchanges!

This young man had a kind of magical power that he couldn't describe!

Lance shook his head, taking a sip of sparkling wine, "Because I want to rectify and integrate the entire Goldenport City police system, and Charlie will be a stumbling block in my plan."

"When you encounter a stone blocking your path, the only thing you'll do is move it away!"

William's slightly open mouth didn't know what to say; he could only raise his glass and clink it with his, "I wish you… uh… achieve your wish!"

Two "small figures" stood in the corner, looking towards the hall; under the brilliant lights, these upper-class ladies and gentlemen stood together in groups of three or five.

In their constantly opening and closing mouths, exchanges concerning interests were reached.

This scene happened in every corner here; countless interests were exchanged and arranged at this moment; it's difficult for ordinary people to imagine, but the operation of society isn't actually that complex, because many things have already been decided within these exchanges of interests.

This party was held very successfully; although the Labor Federation and the Dockworkers' Union were still protesting to the federal government, their hope of instigating a nationwide strike had been shattered.

This matter will definitely have aftershocks, but the destructive power caused by the aftershocks is within acceptable limits.

Senator Cleveland still had a lot of work to do; he was a member of two committees and was very busy.

The morning after the party, he boarded the train back to the Special District and left.

The entire city seemed to have become a bit more relaxed because of this.

The state troopers on the streets were also constantly withdrawing, and the city's order seemed to be quickly "recovering."

At this time, Lance had already taken over most of the port area; there were still some people with unclear minds in the remaining territories.

After returning to the office, he first dealt with some work matters, and then he called Hiram over, telling him that it was time to make a move…

The leisurely afternoon sunlight sprinkled on the streets; on a street near the Triangle District, a small gang leader and his subordinates were sitting in front of a deli, playing cards.

There were also seven or eight people watching, trying to make some money.

Each person had a small money box in front of them, mostly filled with five and ten cent coins; twenty-five and fifty cent coins were less common.

Sometimes the surrounding onlookers would also take out a dollar or two to participate, watching for a while after losing before leaving.

The leader drew another bad hand; he didn't know why, but he had been losing money ever since lunch, never drawing any good cards.

Sometimes he drew good cards, but someone always had a bigger hand than his, which annoyed him.

It wasn't that he couldn't afford to lose this much money; this amount might not be small for ordinary people, but for him, it was just a drop in the bucket.

What he hated was the frustration of losing money, not the money lost!

"I must have caught God's shit with these hands; I can't win a single hand!"

The round ended, starting again.

When he received the cards in his hand, a smile finally appeared on his face that had been depressed all afternoon.

This time, it was a good hand.

So good that he couldn't even hear the sound of car brakes that rang in his ears!