Empire of Shadows

Lance had already become the spiritual leader of the young people in the Empire District, because in this era, no other peer could do better than him!

Perhaps the Bay Area had some, but those people didn't have his clean background and foundation; he was a true self-made man.

There was a party that night, in a temporarily rented villa.

On one hand, it was to celebrate Ethan's repeated victories in the arena, and on the other hand, the film's small-scale screenings had been quite successful.

Many film critics had given very high evaluations. Although the film had not yet been released, it had already gained a certain reputation and status among federal film fans.

In this era lacking media and channels for obtaining information, film critics and newspapers and magazines were the only channels for people to understand unfamiliar things.

When film critics said, "This movie is full of incredible miracles," even if it was a pile of sh*t, they would buy tickets to go in and see if it really was a pile of sh*t!

And this also gave Lance more confidence in the box office split model.

That night, the entire crew was there, as well as some contracted actors from film companies. This was a good opportunity for them to have close contact with the management.

Maybe they would have a chance to lie on the bed of some manager, so as to get better performance opportunities.

This was a gathering of young people, so naturally, young people were the core!

After the motorcade arrived, the party officially began.

Lance was the undisputed core of the party. Everyone would come over and have a drink with him, but of course, he only needed to take a sip.

"Hi, Lance!" Barbara walked over quickly from a distance, her face full of charming smiles.

She held a wine glass, "I've always wanted to say thank you to you. I didn't know making movies could be so interesting."

"Thank you, thank you for giving me such an opportunity!"

"I feel like my life will change because of this!"

Before she could finish speaking, Lance exchanged her wine glass for a glass of juice, "If you don't want to wake up tomorrow morning with a few strangers next to you, you'd better drink juice all night."

Barbara was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help laughing, "I'm already an adult."

"Being an adult isn't a reason to make everything worse," Lance tapped her glass with his wine glass.

Barbara could only take a sip of juice, "Okay, anyway, I have to thank you. You helped me find a new direction."

Barbara played the heroine in the movie. Because all the actors used were young people, except for Gerald, who had made movies before, the others had only learned about it and had never actually filmed.

So there was no question of who had better acting skills.

Although movies were not a new thing, they were only truly accepted by the public after the sound film technology matured last year.

You can't expect someone who is mostly illiterate to understand the plot from a silent film with subtitles, even if some silent film actors have tried their best to remove the subtitles and use body language and plot performance to let the audience know what they are doing.

The audience of movies was still very limited.

So only after the emergence of sound films did the film industry usher in a real big explosion.

In addition, the economy was not very good now, and movies had also become a relatively cheap entertainment item, beginning to replace some other high-consumption entertainment items and becoming the mainstream in entertainment.

In this case, people were not very concerned about acting skills, or people had not yet risen to the level of appreciating acting skills.

Plays, stage plays, and operas were not suitable for movies and would appear too flamboyant. Therefore, even if Barbara didn't have any outstanding acting skills, she was still pretty good.

Moreover, her plot mainly reflected on her face and running. She only needed to constantly show frightened expressions and then run around in the woods, and finally be pierced through her body and hung up by the ditch. That was all she had to perform!

"When does the next movie start?" She was full of expectations for her new job.

Lance glanced at the director, "That depends on the company manager. I am not responsible for arranging filming schedules."

The two chatted for a few more words before separating. There were still many people waiting to chat with Lance behind them.

Everyone wanted to talk to Lance, even if there was nothing good to say, saying "Good evening, I'm very happy to be able to attend your party" was also a very good experience.

Everyone had a great time. There was no big generation gap between peers, and it was easy to play together.

Here, Lance also saw someone who surprised him, Arthur.

"Mr. Lance!" Arthur pulled Corinna's hand and walked out of the crowd, "I hope I didn't disturb you…"

Lance bumped his fist, and glanced at Corinna again. Without a doubt, this girl didn't listen to Lance's words at all.

It had to be said that Arthur was very handsome. He inherited the appearance of his beautiful mother, and also possessed the special temperament of being born in a powerful family.

He and Lance were two kinds of handsome.

If Lance's current handsomeness was that of a family leader, who had proven his value and status through killing and blood, full of majesty that made people afraid to approach him casually.

Then Arthur's handsomeness was like that of a prince!

The education he received since he was a child, his growing environment, everything he touched, gave him that kind of prince's temperament. Coupled with his handsomeness, which girl could resist falling in love with a prince?

Arthur never lacked women, from forty-five years old to teenagers, as long as he beckoned, someone would always stick to him.

Corinna couldn't resist Arthur's charm, which Lance expected, but he had already warned her, and she still wanted to jump into the fire like a moth, then there was nothing he could do.

It was easy to imagine that Councilor Williams would never allow Arthur, his favorite youngest son, to marry a female gangster with no background.

If Corinna was related to Lance by blood, or she had a background similar to the five major families, then Councilor Williams might agree.

This was equivalent to a political marriage.

But it was only possible, not 100%.

She didn't have these backgrounds and reliance now. In any case, Councilor Williams would not allow Arthur to marry Corinna.

His mother would not allow it either.

Then this also destined that the love between the two would eventually only be love. When Arthur reached the time when he needed to get married, he would walk into the palace of marriage with another person.

This was a love destined to have no results, destined to be sad.

But then again, people in love always feel that their love can change everything, which is normal.

"I didn't know you were also making movies. I'm also very curious about this. When can I visit your company?"

With the hundreds of thousands he got from Mr. Chobaf, and the hundreds of thousands he hoarded in wine, Arthur was now a veritable rich man.

However, since Mr. Chobaf passed away, he lost a good "partner". The others either couldn't squeeze out that much money, or he couldn't easily mess with them.

So recently he planned to start learning to invest, which was also what Councilor Williams asked for.

James will become the core power holder of the family in the future. Arthur is destined not to have any gains in this regard. If he doesn't want to have a competitive relationship with James.

Then the best choice is to go into business.

With James's help, his younger brother may not be able to achieve some success in business.

Moreover, Councilor Williams was very clear that when he came to power, the Bay Area of ​​Goldport City would definitely undergo a major cleansing.

Even if Arthur can't eat much, it's enough for him to squander for the rest of his life.

Lance did not reject his idea, "You have chosen a good project. I will have the manager contact you later. We do have a lot of movies in preparation. You can choose one at that time."

After chatting, he wisely hid in the corner with Corinna, hugging, kissing, and touching.

After that, some actors came over to say hello to Lance. Strictly speaking, Lance was still the top boss of their top boss.

Although these actors were all very young, they were all quite mature.

Several girls hinted that they could leave with Lance at night, and they would do whatever Lance asked them to do.

This actually proved another thing—

Living is not easy.

January passed in the cold weather, and just after the beginning of February, a major event occurred.

The Dentra Republic detained two federal freighters passing through their surrounding waters, on the grounds that they were transporting supplies to hostile countries. As a result, millions of supplies on the two freighters were confiscated, and the ships were also detained.

The companies that owned the goods and the shipping companies immediately protested to the Dentra Republic, but to no avail.

As a result, when the weather was still very cold, large and small groups of protesters had already appeared on the streets of the Federation.

This was also a feature of the Federation.

They would protest when things that were closely related to them broke out, which was understandable, using protests to convey their demands.

But even when things that had nothing to do with them and they didn't care about protesting broke out, they would also protest, as if doing so could change something.

But in fact, doing so not only changes nothing, but also makes the federal government feel dissatisfied and have more pressure!

Now the diplomatic relations between the Federation and the Dentra Republic have been completely interrupted, and it is impossible to rely on diplomatic means to get back those goods and freighters.

They can't do anything when they expel federal people and confiscate the property of federal merchants, let alone now.

Moreover, these measures of the Dentra Republic have made many people feel uneasy. Now they can detain federal freighters and goods.

Does this mean that they might actively go out to sea to plunder passing merchant ships in the future, or even plunder the ports of the Federation?

The Congress convened an emergency meeting, and after discussion, it was finally decided to establish the "Golden Port Naval Military Base" in Golden Port City, where the navy would be stationed.

On the one hand, it was to prevent the Republic of Dantera from having a feverish impulse to attack the Golden Port Wharf, which was piled high with supplies. On the other hand, it was also a deterrent to the Republic of Dantera.

In addition, the Federal government also issued a request to the public.

It required all Danterans who had not naturalized to leave the Federation immediately.

After February 25th, all Danterans who had not left the Federation would be deported!

This news caused a shock throughout the world. Many newspapers were reporting on the Federation's actions, and some media outlets were over-interpreting them.

They believed that this would become the "prelude" to war. The two sides had already expelled each other's nationals, and the Republic of Dantera had also confiscated and seized the Federation's passing merchant ships and supplies. Conflicts were constantly escalating.

Did this mean that the Federation might intervene in the war on the Tanfite continent?

The Slater ambassador to the Federation urgently contacted the Federal government and was said to be discussing an alliance. As for whether it was true or not, only the parties involved knew for sure.

Lance looked through the window at a group of young people surrounding several people lying on the ground, punching and kicking them, and some people were waving sticks at them.

The people on the ground had already been beaten bloody. Some passers-by were watching from a distance, and a police car was parked nearby, with two police officers standing not far away with their hands on their hips.

The rolling shutter door of a shop on the roadside had been completely destroyed, and there were still some blood stains and fallen goods on the ground. From time to time, people would poke their heads in or walk straight in.

There was no doubt that they were looting and using violence, and those who were being hurt should be Danteran merchants or immigrants.

The car Lance was in was not driving fast, which allowed him to notice more details.

This was not the only shop that had encountered a similar situation. In the distance, there was another similar situation occurring, with three people being beaten to the ground, and people next to them were still kicking their heads vigorously.

The three people lying on the ground were either dead or alive. Several young people each carried a large bag and rushed out of the shop, disappearing into the chaotic streets!

Similar things were happening everywhere. In the city center, Danteran goods were being robbed, and shop owners were being insulted and beaten.

The last time they encountered these treatments was with the Imperial immigrants, because of the madness of the Imperial Emperor!

Do you want someone to stop them?

Erwin, who was sitting in the front seat, asked. Lance shook his head after watching for a while, "Sometimes, creating an enemy that has nothing to do with us has more benefits for us to integrate into Federal society."

"Helping these people is easy, but it will inevitably make people think that there is something wrong with our position."

"Maintaining a hands-off attitude is the most appropriate, and besides, they really have nothing to do with us."

He paused for a moment, took out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one for himself, "How is Ethan's preparation going?"

Ethan has a boxing match in the next two days, and his coach has chosen a boxer for him who is well-known throughout the state.

So far, his record has reached the level of ten wins, two losses, and six knockouts. He is another person who completely crushes Ethan in terms of data, but who can win is hard to say now.

Erwin had blind faith in Ethan, "I just talked to him on the phone, and he told me that he still has the confidence to defeat that guy."

The convoy sped past the roadside, and the young people who were beating those Danterans looked back, and soon turned their attention back to those Danterans.

In fact, many times they may not really hate these Danterans, but they have begun to get used to and use this large-scale "hatred" to achieve some ulterior motive.

Robbery, injury, rape, extortion, blackmail…

Ugly desires are indulged at this moment, and evil will become purer!

The police's indifference, the cheers of the pedestrians, the instigation of the witnesses, they seemed to have become national heroes at this moment, instead of a group of criminals!

This makes people feel shocked, uneasy, but also feel that it is taken for granted.

The weather has been slightly better recently, and many Imperial gang leaders from within Licarri State have come to Golden Port City to see Lance.

Lance's influence in Licarri State is also constantly spreading. Now people know that there is an Imperial gang leader in Golden Port City who has great abilities.

Not only can he gain a foothold in Golden Port City, where the five major families are based, but he can also take out a large number of wines and sell them to his peers.

In a villa in the suburbs, Lance met with these gang leaders from all over the state.

With his arrival, the people who were originally sitting or standing in the living room stood up and looked at him, and soon stood in a row next to the living room.

Lance handed his hat and coat to his own people who came to greet him, and then smiled and walked towards Damon, the leader of the Imperial gang in Golden Star City, who was ranked first.

"Mr. Lance!", he respectfully shook Lance's hand and took the initiative to kiss the ruby ring on Lance's finger.

This is a symbol of absolute submission!

Damon is almost forty years old this year, and it is hard to imagine that he would actually make such a move. Some people around him who knew him also showed surprised expressions.

But for Damon, he didn't think it was too much.

Lance has already stood at the level of the five major families, and he can also continuously provide various wines and drinks. For Damon, Lance is indeed worth him doing this!

Then the second guy also took the initiative to shake Lance's hand, and imitated Damon's appearance by kissing his ring, and respectfully called him "Mr. Lance".

Everyone showed extraordinary respect for Lance, because of the strength of the Lance family, and because Lance could lead them to make money together.

The gang leader standing at the end was also a young man, who looked a little older than Lance, but not much older.

He is the leader of the Imperial gang in Creek Valley City, the leader of a new gang inspired and called upon by Lance.

He said a lot of things to Lance, about those words of admiration and admiration for Lance. He even said that he was able to become a gang leader because of Lance!

After meeting everyone, Lance sat in the middle of the living room.

Erwin stood outside the living room chatting with the confidants of other gang leaders. He couldn't help but glance at the high-spirited Lance, revealing a knowing smile.

The better Lance is, the better they will be!

This time, the main purpose is to talk about the transportation and sales of wine. With the large-scale brewing of Lawrence Farm, Lance's wine is already enough to supply the entire state.

He could endure when he didn't have the strength, but now, after having the strength, he didn't want to endure anymore.

"Wine, arms, relationships, I can provide you with convenience, and even provide you with a batch first."

"And I only have one request, let our business spread throughout the entire state!"