Empire of Shadows

"The reporter from the 'Federal Daily' wants to come over for an interview, but these…" General Bruni looked at a worker in the crowd suddenly collapsing. The people around him lifted his arms and legs, tossed him into the shade, and then went back to work. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Lance, however, seemed very calm. "Their country is suffering from war and invasion, and their compatriots are being slaughtered."

"The Federation is a country with a sense of international responsibility. We will be at the forefront of resisting, opposing, and even counterattacking the Danterra Military Alliance."

"Whether it is for the sake of human civilization or for their own sake, this is what they should do."

"Help us build the Federation, and then counterattack Danterra."

He paused for a moment. "I will arrange for someone to accept the interview. If you have anything you want them to say, you can tell me in advance."

General Bruni nodded. "I understand."

Lance took him to visit some underground works and the coastal defense artillery clusters under construction.

Near Gold Harbour City, and even around it, there are no obvious bay or strait structures, so the role of the coastal defense artillery is basically non-existent.

If the commander of the Danterra Navy wasn't obsessive-compulsive and insisted on landing under the bombardment of the coastal defense artillery, they could simply move a hundred kilometers to the left or right to land.

Building these coastal defense artillery pieces is useless and has no military value at all!

But precisely, the construction of these coastal defense artillery pieces is also a major project.

Lance casually joked, "Your Excellency General, do you think it will still have any value when we need to rely on these things to resist the attack of their warships?"

General Bruni was a standard staff officer, but he was also a graduate of a well-known military academy. He knew what Lance meant.

When the Federation's navy has been destroyed and can only rely on coastal defense artillery to protect the security of its territory, then they have actually lost, and lost very thoroughly.

"You are a smart man, Lance, but not everyone is smart."

"Those politicians and ordinary citizens who are not clear about these things will not understand that the value of these things is only to give us more time to escape."

"They believe that these coastal artillery pieces can protect them, and the reporters also want to see powerful gun barrels."

This is actually a face-saving project. Some senators and the Ministry of Defense all need these.

The group toured the construction site. Overall, General Bruni was very satisfied. Everything was as Lance had promised: fast and good.

And this mainly depends on cheap labor.

The money to hire a Federal worker can hire more refugee workers. Without building complex buildings, just leveling the ground and pouring concrete, a large number of people is definitely an advantage.

After returning to the hotel, Lance asked the mayor's secretary to leave first. General Bruni didn't ask him to stay either. He knew that the remaining matters had nothing to do with him.

So he immediately got up to say goodbye.

When he returned to the villa, the mayor was not surprised that he came back so early, but rather asked about what happened today with great interest.

He recounted everything in detail, "I think Lance and this General from the Ministry of Defense knew each other before, and their relationship is very close, not like ordinary official business."

The mayor was a little surprised and also a little emotional. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Lance is an amazing guy. I can't see through him anymore."

"A city's gang leader and a general from the Ministry of Defense—this is simply not a relationship they would have the opportunity to come into contact with."

"His development is too fast…" He was silent for a while. "You can have a good relationship with him. Temporarily lying low in politics is not shameful."

"On the contrary, if lying low can bring you more advantages, you can completely regard him as an object you can rely on in your early to mid-term."

The mayor's evaluation of Lance was already very high, and he was also very clear that the reason he lost was because he lacked high-end power support.

If he had had a senator willing to support him back then, he might not have lost to the local forces, and then the situation would be different now.

This shortcoming exists in his political career, and his secretary will inevitably have the same shortcoming. This is also the most common problem encountered by grassroots political forces in 'pioneering'.

They cannot reach high-level politicians. If they rely solely on their own accumulation, it will take at least several generations of effort to reach the middle level of the political arena.

At this time, they need someone to rely on.

Lance is a good choice. He has someone in Congress, and he himself is capable. This is a good thing.

After the mayor's job adjustment, he will soon go to second-tier or even third-tier work and will no longer be responsible for any actual power departments or work. His political life is equivalent to ending at this moment, unable to provide any assistance to his secretary.

If the secretary wants to go further, someone must help him.

At the level they can currently reach, Lance has become the optimal choice instead.

The secretary nodded. "I understand."

The two then stopped discussing this topic and instead talked about some arrangements after the mayor's retirement.

At the same time, the secretary also had a little doubt in his heart. After he leaves, what will Lance and General Bruni do?

What will they do?

Of course, do something that is inconvenient for others to be present.

"Here are four million…" Lance gave General Bruni a bank account and password. "This is the first sum of money. Soon we will have a second sum, at least that much."

General Bruni put away the card with the account and password recorded on it. He nodded slightly. "But the quality of the project cannot be a problem. This is the bottom line."

Lance used a large number of refugees, but the Ministry of Defense priced the project according to the wages of Federal workers.

The pricing is very reasonable. For example, a worker is priced according to the current average wage of the Federation, about forty-eight yuan.

Considering that this is heavy physical labor and requires better nutritional supplements, about fifteen yuan of food subsidies were added.

Now is the hottest season of the year, and they may face medical needs due to heatstroke, sun exposure, etc., so there is also a ten-yuan medical subsidy.

Construction workers are more likely to encounter dangers than other industries, so everyone also has two yuan of commercial insurance per month.

Adding up all kinds of miscellaneous expenses, the total expenditure for each person per month is about ninety yuan.

No wonder everyone says that the Federation is a civilized and developed country, but their civilization and development are often concentrated in written work.

Forty thousand people, ninety yuan per person, is 3.6 million yuan in labor costs per month, but in reality, these refugees can only take about fifteen yuan from Lance each month.

The cost of hiring a local worker can hire six refugee workers. Similarly, with 40,000 people, merely this part of the cost can save three million yuan per month.

Four months of construction, twelve million.

Of course, Lance must also earn a little from it. Adding some unexpected expenses, the kickbacks on the labor side are about nine million.

A very suitable number, which Lance can directly manipulate.

As Lance spoke, he took out another small card and handed it over. It was still an account and password.

General Bruni looked at him with some confusion. He explained with a smile, "This is from me personally to you."

"Your Excellency General, we will have many opportunities to interact. You will gradually understand me. I am a very generous person and also a person who likes to make friends."

"You gave me such an opportunity to make money, so I must repay your kindness." He leaned his body slightly, moved closer, and lowered his voice a little, "Private matters."

As he spoke, he swung his body back, "I have always believed that if you do something beneficial to a friend, there must be a reward."

"If you helped me this time and I don't know gratitude and repayment, next time you encounter such a thing, perhaps you will not actively interfere with the result."

"In my hometown, there is a saying called 'If someone helps you, in addition to gratitude, you must also repay the other person'."

The meaning between the lines of these words Lance said was to tell General Bruni that if he has anything similar in the future that he can use him for, he can still come to him.

In addition to the official part, there is also a private thank you.

General Bruni pondered for a while and then smiled, "Call me Bruni. The title 'Your Excellency General' sounds too unfamiliar."

He glanced at the small card on the table, pursed his lips, as if looking at a rather interesting little thing that moved him. He picked it up and put it in his pocket. "Then I'll accept it."

Lance nodded. "Of course!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, and immediately felt that their relationship had become much closer, not only with Senator Cleveland as a connection, but also their point-to-point relationship became much closer.

The great power of wealth was fully demonstrated at this moment. Before this, he had never corrected Lance and accepted the respectful title of 'Your Excellency General', which implied a hierarchy.

But at this moment, they became friends.

After this little episode ended, Lance timely mentioned a small request of his own. As soon as he opened his mouth, General Bruni looked at him with his head slightly tilted.

He first pretended to be stunned for a moment, then said with a smile, "Bruni…"

General Bruni nodded. "Yes, that's right."

"Okay!" Lance maintained his smile. "There's something I might need your help with."

Demanding favors immediately after handing over money is actually a good thing for federal politicians—and a civil servant general is still a politician.

If you don't ask them to do something, they'll feel uneasy, suspecting the money or if there's a deeper issue behind the deal.

But if you ask them to handle things, they'll understand it's a quid pro quo, making things simpler.

Brigadier General Bruni nodded with a smile, "Tell me about it."

"The Coast Guard is under the management of the Department of Defense, right?"

Brigadier General Bruni nodded again, "Yes, we manage it. What's up?"

The Coast Guard has a dedicated department within the Department of Defense called the "Coast Guard Headquarters." Surprisingly, the current "Commander-in-Chief" in charge of this part is a four-star general, a civil servant of course, but also a concurrent position.

In reality, the specific work is still handled by the brigadier general of the headquarters.

Furthermore, the entire Coast Guard's positions are linked to military ranks.

"I have a friend who is currently a team leader locally. He is very responsible and dedicated in his work."

"We've talked many times, and I think he should be given more responsibility, but I don't know who to turn to for this…"

Brigadier General Bruni smiled after hearing this. It was so damn simple!

"I'll make a call."

"Please do."

Making favors obvious, no one is a fool.

Brigadier General Bruni didn't avoid Lance and directly dialed a call to Golden State in the living room. After a few words, he covered the microphone and asked, "What's your friend's name again?"

Lance immediately replied, "McCorkle."

He turned around and continued saying something, also mentioning the name.

A few minutes later, he came back and sat down, smiling, "I don't know how high your friend's rank is, but regardless, he'll become a deputy chief next week. Are you satisfied with this result?"

"If you want him to be fully responsible for the police affairs of the Goldenport City sea area, he must reach the rank of major."

Lance really didn't know about this, but he was very satisfied with having a deputy chief.

As for the chief, he is more responsible for administrative work, that is, arranging what they have to do every day, how to do it, and who will do it.

Those who are truly responsible for executing these tasks are the deputy chiefs and others.

Moreover, with the identity of deputy chief, continuing to win over and corrupt the chief is just a small matter.

"I'm too satisfied, Bruni, I really don't know how to thank you enough…" He paused, "I have a few bottles of good wine there. I'll bring them over for you to taste later…"

At this time, talking about money would be too "vulgar," so Lance changed his way of thanking him.

Brigadier General Bruni also liked Lance's cleverness and generosity.

He considered it, "The naval commander in charge here will come over ahead of schedule before the end of the year. We'll chat together then. Remember to arrange it."

Lance nodded vigorously, "I guarantee the arrangements will be very proper."

Brigadier General Bruni proactively mentioned this matter to benefit both sides. After the garrison arrives here, no matter what, there will be more contact with the local area.

Conflicts will inevitably arise during contact, and a role is needed to resolve these issues. Lance is a good candidate.

He introduced the local people who can solve problems to the naval commander, showing his control over the situation, and at the same time, he can show Lance his value and ability.

To make friends, you either need ability or money.

If you have neither ability nor money, then you can't become friends!

The news of Brigadier General Bruni's arrival in Goldenport City quickly spread. The fact that civil servant generals are equivalent to politicians is no secret. The concept that they are just "politicians in military uniforms" is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

The Department of Defense and the Brigadier General working together will be valued.

Councilman Williams held a welcome ceremony. As a member of Senator Cleveland's circle, Brigadier General Bruni definitely had to give him some face.

In addition, Councilman Williams was about to become the mayor, so he gladly accepted the invitation.

The most discussed issue at the banquet was the garrison issue.

Many of them were worried that the garrison would have conflicts with the local area. Once conflicts arose, especially during the war, many things would become difficult to control.

The people who can come here, most of their interests revolve around Goldenport City, and they don't want to see problems in Goldenport City more than anyone else.

This kind of worry is inevitable. The military is a super monster. Many times it is suppressed by the federal government, but once it is released from the cage with the arrival of the war, some things are hard to say.

Brigadier General Bruni could only appease these people's emotions as much as possible, and this was also part of his job.

It was also his arrival that made people smell the approaching war.

Brigadier General Bruni stayed in Goldenport City for about a week. Originally, he was supposed to leave in three to five days, but Lance asked for something, and he had to see the result before leaving, which also showed that he was a responsible person.

After McCorkle's order was issued to Goldenport City, he bid farewell to Lance, and Lance also sent him a box of wine.

The things were not expensive, adding up to only a few thousand dollars, but it was still a token of appreciation.

McCorkle's promotion once again allowed the interest network centered on Lance to see Lance's "strength." The Coast Guard is called the "Sea Police," but in fact, they are a solid military formation. Being able to insert a hand into the military can only be said to be something.

The more Lance had, the more enthusiastic the people around him were. Everyone hoped that they could become the next McCorkle and reach the peak of their lives through Lance.

After Brigadier General Bruni left, Lance continued to put the matter of winning over these power departments on the agenda again. He handed over the court and judge side to Lawyer Robben.

Lawyer Robben had some connections in the Department of Justice and also had a certain amount of influence in the local judicial system. In addition, he was also considered to be within this system, so these things were very easy to do.

Because of Attorney General Terry, the local prosecutors also met with Lance privately.

At first, they didn't talk about anything too deeply, but they all left a little attitude for each other, and they will continue to follow up.

Everything is turning in a good direction.

In mid-to-late September, suddenly appearing "recruitment ads" began to appear overwhelmingly in the streets and alleys of the federation. Both the Army and the Navy needed to recruit, and did not mention the specific number of recruits.

Among these recruitment policies, there is a very special policy.

That is, non-citizens who do not have legal federal status but are currently temporarily residing in the federation can obtain federal citizenship by enlisting in the army.

For a time, a large number of refugees and illegal immigrants began to actively sign up for the army to obtain this legal status…