Shadow Empire

Chapter 1021 The Failed Invaders

Lance stood on the high platform, his hands resting on the edge of the platform, his gaze falling on the ordinary people of Lapa before him.

There were also some local middle-class people around, who were mostly factory supervisors and a few wealthy Lapa businessmen.

They are all backed by the Lapa ruling group.

These people have all gathered here today, standing together, their eyes fixed on Lance behind the podium.

As Lance's gaze gradually moved over these people, and after looking around, he slowly spoke, "People are no different from each other."

Even if we have different hair color, eye color, skin color, accents, religious customs, and social habits.

"Humans are still humans. You are human, and so am I."

“I know that some people outside believe that I represent an aggressor led by the federal interest group. Our purpose in coming here is to invade your poor country, occupy your poor people, and try to squeeze oil out of this equally barren soil!”

Laughter erupted from the audience, mainly from the middle class and wealthy businessmen, as well as some ordinary workers.

They all found Lance's words interesting, including Lance himself, who looked at the smiling people with a not-so-prominent smile on his face.

“I can understand why they think that way. It’s like if someone breaks into my house, I’d definitely think that person has bad intentions towards me, but I’d overlook the fact that they might just want to bring me something.”

"At this moment, with so much criticism directed at me, at the Federation, and at the federal government, what have we actually brought to Lapa?"

He paused again, speaking each word slowly and clearly, ensuring everyone could understand what he was saying.

Even at this very moment, the New Federal Center Radio Station is broadcasting Lance's speech, which is not exactly a public address, to other places.

His question has prompted many people to reflect.

Of course, it's possible that some people with stereotyped prejudices might immediately hurl insults at him after hearing his words, believing it to be the intruder's sophistry. However, most people are still thinking and reflecting on his words.

Those who were truly impulsive, stereotypical, and driven, most of them had already joined the military, intending to save the country by carrying out their own ideas.

Therefore, most of those who remain are not extreme.

After about ten seconds, Lance continued, "We brought stable order, a lot of investment, advanced technology, and the spirit of freedom from the Federation to Lapa."

"After the establishment of the new federal center, the residents living here had their own houses."

"They can live in their own bright, clean, and tidy rooms, instead of living on the roadside. They have a home, a home in the true sense of the word."

“In addition to having a home, they also have a stable job, earning six or seven hundred para a month, which is almost twice their previous average income.”

"And it's very stable."

After a brief pause, Lance's tone became even more impassioned, "We also brought education!"

“We have established six elementary schools and four high schools in the new federal center, and we are committed to this.”

“High school students with excellent academic performance will receive the opportunity to study at federal universities free of charge, with all expenses covered by our new federal center management company.”

“We also brought a lot of things, the factories that are in production, the movies on the streets, I don’t know and can’t describe all the changes that have been brought to this place.”

"Too much!"

"Free public transportation buses on the streets make people's travel faster and easier."

"Those sanitation workers who sweep the streets give us a clean and tidy street and city."

"We have brought a lot of changes to this place, all of them positive changes."

"I don't think this is something an aggressor should do!"

After he finished speaking, he remained silent. He needed to give people time to think. Regions like Lapa, with their low levels of education, needed to be given more time to reflect.

These words are not fabricated; anyone who comes here and takes a stroll around will find that what he said is true.

The news about what happened in the new federal center, which is the federal concession, has been spreading spontaneously among the people.

Here, you won't go hungry, you can find stable jobs, and there are hospitals and schools. This place has almost become the image of what a country should be like in everyone's mind!

They might not have noticed these changes so clearly before, but now that Lance has spoken about them, the overall feeling has become much clearer.

“I look at you, I look at everyone here, and I ask myself this question.”

Am I an aggressor?

He shook his head. "I didn't get any answers, neither yes nor no."

"Because some things don't need answers, but rather need to be discovered—discovering what I'm doing and what life is like here."

"If you are able to live a decent life, have dignity, have a family, have income and the ability to control your income, then that is what some people call aggression."

"Then I believe that if anyone in this world were to rank aggressors, I would definitely be at the bottom."

“I am an incompetent aggressor; I have brought no destruction, no ruin, no enslavement.”

"All I bring you is happiness and freedom!"

The people in the audience began to clap slowly, and soon the applause became a continuous chorus, while those in more distant places also fell into deep thought.

“I have never heard of the Federals doing anything bad. They have been building factories, investing, and hiring locals since they arrived.”

"I also heard that they transformed the slums of Zhuolan, allowing the poor to live in apartments!"

In a more distant city, people gathered around the loudspeakers, listening to the broadcasts and then hesitantly discussing these matters with those around them.

Everyone's eyes revealed a longing and desire for the new federal center. They also wanted to go to the concession, wanted a stable and respectable job, wanted to gain respect and dignity, wanted to gain... many things!
Those who didn't know much about Lance and the Commonwealth began to think along these lines: Was Lance an aggressor?

It's difficult for people to make an assessment, and some even actively seek reasons to defend the concessions—

"He just didn't want his achievements to be ruined by some bastards in the Lapa government, so they took over that land!"

When someone's behavior leaves no reason for attack, people will start to defend that person.

Just like this moment!
Reporters kept pressing the shutter, and the flashes kept flashing. The moment the flash went off, silver light illuminated him, making that instant, and countless moments afterward, seem exceptionally sacred!

The thunderous applause gradually subsided as he raised his hand to press down. He smiled and said, "So, I don't consider myself an aggressor; I only brought happiness and freedom."

"Today, we stand here to celebrate the official completion and commencement of production at our new factory."

"This place will accommodate more than 5,000 workers and get at least 5,000 families back on track."

"In the future, we will continue to invest in more factories, build more buildings, and recruit more workers here."

"Thank you all so much for patiently listening to what I said that might not have been very interesting. Thank you."

"Now, I hereby announce that...the factory has officially commenced production. Please have our workers enter the production workshop!"

Lance himself began to clap, and nearby, the ribbon leading to the factory production workshop was unfurled, and colorful ribbons fluttered down.

With hope for the future on their faces, the workers walked into the factory with their heads held high.

They will be working at a high intensity of production for at least twelve hours a day, sometimes up to fourteen hours.

Even in the federal government, capitalists would exclaim "unbelievable!" because even with such long working hours, there was no exploitation or oppression; everything was done voluntarily.

They don't complain about the long hours of manual labor and low income, and no labor unions will proactively contact them to offer assistance or increase their benefits.

No one sees long hours of labor as exploitation and oppression; for them, not having a job is the real issue.

Those federalists, those moral saints, may find it hard to understand the situation of these people, because they have always been living in happiness.

If one day they find themselves in a hell like Lapa, just give them a chance, even just a tiny one.

Let alone working 14 hours a day, even if you add two more hours, they would still be happy!

Reporters from both the federal government and Lapa faithfully recorded everything, and soon Lance's speech and some photos appeared in federal and Lapa newspapers.

Newspapers within the Federation, such as the Federal Post, used the headline "Reflections on the 'Invaders'" and devoted a special section to explaining to the Federation people what Lance and the Imperial Chamber of Commerce had done in Lapane.

They also used many sets of data, such as employment rate, happiness index, and per capita income, to illustrate to the public that the income of Lapa natives working and living in the new federal center is many times that of Lapa people outside the new federal center.

Income, or something else.

The federal government and its citizens are very interested in this, and both are seeking greater international recognition and a sense of prestige.

Undoubtedly, bringing federal civilization to the barbaric and backward Lapa and helping the locals live a happy life is something that federal people feel very honored about.

Domestically, Lance and his activities in Lapa have gradually begun to attract public attention.

People also began to discuss Lance more.

Because gangs are an indispensable part of society in this era, and an important symbol of the times, these media outlets did not shy away from discussing Lance's identity and his past deeds.

However, most of these things were only mentioned briefly, so people didn't really dislike or even feel dissatisfied with him.

In Lapa, this propaganda was even more exaggerated, with Lance seemingly becoming Lapa's savior overnight.

Many people travel from all over Lapa toward Cholan with a sense of pilgrimage.

They wanted to see for themselves what was happening inside the new federal center.

I want to use my own ears to listen to my fellow countrymen living in the new federal center talk about their current living and working conditions.

It was not long before the Lunar New Year, but Lapa was under immense pressure. It was precisely because of this that people longed to find a dreamland where they could escape reality.

“You can start pushing forward with the plan over there now.” Lance sat in the warm room, where the understated luxury of the decor and furniture made it possible for any small item to be exchanged for several, dozens, or even hundreds of Lapa people’s lives.

The ministers and patriarchs of the powerful families in the room all wore ingratiating smiles.

They had already pledged allegiance to the Federation and had no way out. At this moment, they could only follow Lance and go all the way down this path.

Fortunately, the road is visible; it is neither foggy nor dark, and you can see at a glance the end of the road—a magnificent and huge building called "Federation".

That is their destiny.

These men, who often represent authority in the eyes of ordinary people, all seemed much younger in front of Lance, treating him with the utmost care and respect, like grandsons.

The purpose of President Diego's enactment of the Act on the High Degree of Regional Autonomy was to establish more "new federal centers," and these cities controlled by the local forces that had defected would become "voting blocs" that were loyal to the federal government.

Lance would arrange for the federal government and some capital to invest in their territory, without even considering whether anyone would be willing to do so.

Here they don't have to pay taxes, the labor force is cheap, and there's a relatively complete railway network; they have no reason not to come here.

Several investment groups are already in talks, and once an agreement is reached, these companies will soon begin investing in factories and recruiting local workers in these regions.

These locals, who are beginning to get used to stable jobs and lives, will eventually become the most steadfast supporters of the federal government.

“Mr. Lance, over here…” Minister Rabble’s face showed a hint of probing.

Lance had previously promised them that he would give them a portion of the shares in the investments made in the Federation, which is one of the reasons why they fully support Lance.

Who doesn't want a better life?
The Federation's industrial capabilities, demonstrated in the war, are absolutely world-class. If they want to gain more benefits and more stable returns, they will definitely try to join these Federation investment projects.

Local projects in Lapa will eventually be eliminated by these outside projects. If they cannot make a decision now, they will soon be eliminated as well.

Business competition is extremely fierce. In the past, they could use their power to intervene in market behavior, but in the future, it will probably be impossible to do so.

Lance nodded. "I've already spoken with those companies about this. They'll give you a portion of their shares, but!"

He emphasized his words, "You only have the right to receive dividends, not the right to interfere with the company's operations. I need to make that clear to you first."

The others immediately smiled, expressing their understanding of Lance's request. After all, they had absolutely no idea how those factories operated or about the high-tech gadgets from the Federation.

Before the sumptuous dinner was even served, these gentlemen couldn't wait to sit at the table, and as "hosts" no less.

"Mr. Lance, approximately how long will this civil war last?"

Someone asked this question, and everyone else's attention was drawn to it.

Lance thought for a moment, "It will be completely over before the first half of next year, and they don't have much time left."

The enactment of the autonomy bill effectively signifies the end for the Rapa government and the anti-government forces. They have no other choice but to continue tearing each other apart as quickly as possible to break free from their cage.

If they don't move, the increasingly tighter cage will only strangle them, not set them free.

Whether it's Diego or those anti-government forces, time is running out for them.

In the following period, Lance continued to consolidate his and the Federation's new image in the hearts of the people of Lapa, and one region after another began to build city centers with local characteristics around the "new Federation center model".

More federal businesses are starting to invest locally, creating more factories, more jobs, and giving more Lapa residents the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of stable employment.

They seemed to gradually feel the "goodwill" from the Federation amidst this happiness.

It might even give rise to a very peculiar emotion—

Even if Lapa were to be annexed by the Federation, it wouldn't seem like there's anything wrong with that.

They were happy, at least under the rule of the Commonwealth, but they were unhappy under Diego's government.

People's thoughts are sometimes very simple; they simply yearn for happiness.

The New Year arrived in this atmosphere of both tension and relaxation.

Lance returned to the Federation ahead of schedule. He spent the Lunar New Year in Golden Harbor City this year. Although the environment in Lapa was not bad, it was still much worse than that in the Federation.

Patricia and Ace have also returned from Lawrence Farm. They will spend the New Year with Lance, and then return to the farm after some time.

Little Ace was still somewhat unfamiliar with Lance, after all, the time they had been apart far exceeded the time they had spent together, but children are generally easy to get along with.

Ace is still very young. He hasn't even formed an independent personality or memories yet. Right now, he is just a "chaotic" individual.

After a few days of getting to know each other, he started to like sticking to Lance again and always wanted to be held by him.

Lance still showed some patience towards his eldest son.

Although there are some, they are few.

(End of this chapter)