Shadow Empire

Chapter 121: Targeting, Negotiation, and Conversation

light is on.

Will touched his burning cheek, and there were some spots of blood on his fingers.

He looked up with cold eyes at the bewildered middle-aged man and the whip in his hand, and an emotion more violent than the desire for destruction in the middle-aged man's heart began to rage!
It was a very special whip, made of strips of hard cowhide--

In some leather shops, they will tan some particularly hard cowhides. Some of this cowhide is used to make the bottoms or supporting surfaces of some leather goods. In short, it is much harder than the soft cowhides.

Some of the cut scraps were less than one centimeter square. They were not expensive and had no practical use. Ennio's father brought some back, tied them together, and then rubbed them with oil.

It was very convenient to use it to hit people. Every time it hit the body, it would leave several edges that would bleed. Every time I hit Ennio with this thing, he would jump up.

He has always cherished this whip. In his dark and miserable life, this whip is the only light in his life!

The light that can redeem him!

When he swings the whip, the joy from the bottom of his heart can make him forget all his worries!

However, there is a prerequisite, that is, the person being whipped is Ennio, or his mother, not anyone else.

In this situation, he not only did not feel relaxed, nor did he feel a ray of light shining into his heart, but he felt very scared.

He was so scared that he didn't even care why a stranger appeared in his home.

Ennio's father didn't know what to say.

sorry?
he does not know.

Will stood up, snatched the whip from his hand, and whipped the other person hard in the face. Ennio's father, who was already confused, reacted suddenly.

He turned around and wanted to run outside, but two strong men coming in from outside blocked his way and even closed the door.

When he looked back again, there were two more people beside Will.

"Hold him down..." Will touched his cheek again, his eyes filled with murderous urge!

After a series of "I don't know", "I'm sorry" and "Please spare me", Will finally vented his anger and handed the whip to the men around him.

Unexpectedly, this whip was extremely easy to use and smooth, so he planned to take it back as a collection.

Ennio's father had no relationship with Will, so he was naturally unscrupulous in his actions. The head and face were the places he paid the most attention to.

Ennio's father's hands were beaten bloody. He tried his best to protect himself, but he could only suffer with his hands.

He lay on the ground, dying, but Will got what he wanted.

Some time ago, Ennio went out and never came back. Some people said that they saw him joining some street family. This made Will know who to take revenge on.

He didn't kill Ennio's father, not because he was so kind-hearted, but because he didn't want to cause any more trouble.

Last time he killed the girl that Kent was keeping, Lucard found him quickly, and he had no choice but to let one of his men take the blame.

He spent twelve thousand dollars and the case of intentional homicide was changed to manslaughter. His men did not need to bear all the responsibility and were sentenced to two years in prison - the lawyer convinced the jury that they were arguing and the girl accidentally fell from the balcony because of her excessive movements.

On the one hand, Will's men actively cooperated with the police, and on the other hand, they actively compensated and won the forgiveness of the girl's family who had not been in contact with her for a long time. In the end, the judge referred to the jury's opinion and believed that this was just an accident, and his men also actively repented and compensated.

In the end, he was sentenced to only two years.

This also let him know that Lucard's people had been watching him.

Sure enough, less than three minutes after they left, the people arranged by Lucard entered the house. They called an ambulance and sent Ennio's father, who was already unconscious, to the hospital.

After learning about the situation, Lucard did not make any extra arrangements. He asked them to prepare the materials and continue to hold Will accountable.

If he wants to find someone to take the blame, let him do it. In the end, he will be the one who suffers.

However, this time, Lugal also learned about Will's next target - Ennio.

What made Lucard feel a little bit unbelievable was that the boss of the "Lance Family" that Ennio joined was the Lance boss who he had talked to several times at the labor agency!

The next morning, Lance drove to the dock. President Scott had already arrived early. He had not slept well the whole night and had been thinking about what Lance had said to Vaughn.

Especially the sentence "People will not remember who walked across the bridge, but they will definitely remember the person who built the bridge", he felt as if his soul had been baptized!
Yes, no one will remember who walks across the bridge every day, but as long as people walk across the bridge, they will remember the person who built the bridge.

This kind of thing is very common in the Federation and even other places. He also hopes that he can be a bridge builder rather than a pedestrian passing by on the bridge.

He had the ability to build bridges, and he needed to be remembered.

After Vaughn's introduction, the two shook hands in a friendly manner, "You look very young."

"Thank you!" Lance didn't mention his age, "You look the same."

President Scott laughed out loud when he heard this. For an old man, the best thing to say about him is that he is young.

"Please, let's go to my office to talk." He asked his secretary to bring three cups of coffee and some snacks.

After the three of them sat down and the coffee was served, President Scott talked about the issue of illegal immigrants paying membership dues.

"I went back yesterday and kept thinking about it. It is indeed highly feasible, but there are also some additional problems."

"All the benefits and assistance we can provide to our members in the federal union system are based on the fact that they are federal citizens."

"For example, we will help workers fight for their legitimate rights and interests from capitalists, or we will help workers solve the legal problems they encounter."

"Illegal immigrants are not legal federal citizens or residents, and if they encounter these problems, it is difficult for us to intervene on their behalf."

"Lance, you should know that in non-criminal cases, the court can refuse to hear the case because illegal immigrants do not have basic rights."

From a judicial perspective, illegal immigrants do not actually exist because they have no entry records and no identification. Although they exist in reality, they do not exist in the judicial system.

Whether it is trade unions or other social security, they cannot make demands to certain people or companies for a piece of air.

As long as the other party's attorney points out the illegal immigration status of these people, the court will terminate the proceedings.

"What I'm talking about is exactly the most important work of the union. In other words, even if they pay dues, we can't do anything for them."

President Scott's attitude was very correct. He did not try to trick Lance into paying the money immediately, nor did he refuse. Instead, he brought up the issues he thought were problematic.

After listening to this, Lance nodded in agreement. "Yes, President Scott, you are absolutely right. Before they obtain legal status, the effect of their membership fees is indeed not as great as that of local workers."

"But, President Scott, perhaps we have had a wrong perspective from the beginning."

"The purpose of asking illegal immigrants to pay dues is not to allow them to enjoy all the obligations and rights that all local members have, but I hope to at least get fair and just guarantees in the conflicts between dock workers and local workers, at least in this area of ​​the dock."

He recounted what happened yesterday, “If we hadn’t intervened, Jamie’s clothes and money would have been stolen.”

"No one can help him, but if he pays his dues, the union will be able to show up in time to stop this kind of bullying and provide some help to Jamie, then his dues will become meaningful."

"Help him find Johnny to get back the money and clothes that were stolen from him, and protect his most basic human rights as a dock worker working on the dock."

“That’s what they want!”

“A bully-free, peaceful work environment.”

President Scott thought about it seriously for a while. He knew the situation at the dock better than anyone else. This was his territory, and he knew that what Lance said made sense.

He glanced at Vaughn, and Vaughn looked at him, and the two old partners quickly communicated with each other through their eyes.

Vaughn pushed his hair back, a gesture that marked the beginning of his speech. "Lance, the conflict between native workers and immigrants is not so easy to reconcile, and... you know, we can't keep an eye on these people every minute of every day."

His original intention was that the union wanted money, but did not want to interfere too much in the conflicts between local workers and immigrants and illegal immigrants. Allowing local workers to bully illegal immigrants is itself a management method.

Only by transferring the pain can people be less painful.

Just like Ennio's father, he transferred the injustice and cruelty of society to his wife and children through domestic violence. The pleasure he got from inflicting violence on his family would heal the scars he left in society faster.

The same is true for the dock workers. They are exploited and oppressed, but if they can bully others in the process, they will have a feeling that "there are people worse off than us."

And if they treat their lives and current situation as "abusers", they will feel much more comfortable.

Exploitation and oppression do not seem to become unbearable.

Seeing Lance frowning, considering that he would have to pay the money in the end, Vaughn continued to explain, "Lance, you work as a dock laborer. You should know better than us how boring and painful these jobs are."

“People need to vent!”

This may be the saddest thing about immigrants, they raise the lower class of society and become the underground floor, below the first floor.

Vaughan's words were cruel, but true.

With these punching bags, the workers' situation on the docks has improved a lot, and it is also easier to manage.

If you don't want to do it, there are plenty of people who are willing to do it. Pack up your inexplicable arrogance and go back to your job, or pack up your things and get out of here. Make your choice!
Then they compromise and vent their emotions. Perfect management system!
This is actually a vicious circle because this option is equally effective for illegal immigrants and immigrant workers.

If you don't do it, there are people who will do it, and they can tolerate humiliation and bullying better than you.

"This is an unhealthy management system!" Lance emphasized.

President Scott immediately responded, “But it works, and it’s efficient!”

fact!

Lance thought for a moment and said, "Changing our thinking, what if we provide other ways to vent emotions?"

"For example?" President Scott showed some interest.

"The Dockers Club!"

The Dockworkers Club is open every other week and offers a variety of food, affordable goods, and entertainment. It is indeed a great place to reduce stress and vent emotions.

But it's open only twice a month, and with unions fighting to cut funding, the workers' club has become less interesting.

President Scott shook his head. "Every time we open the market, we have to pay a large sum of money. Sometimes it's two or three hundred, sometimes it's four or five hundred."

"So it's hard to take care of your thoughts, Lance."

Lance rubbed his temple, "I have a suggestion, President Scott."

"Please say……"

"Contract the workers' club to me, and I will solve the problem of workers' stress, and you will be responsible for ensuring that my people are not bullied again. Together we will form a disciplinary patrol team to prevent this from happening."

"Your people?" President Scott caught a detail.

Lance nodded, "Yes, my people, the ones in the blue work clothes."

He no longer demands fair treatment for all illegal immigrant workers, which is not realistic, at least not yet, and then doesn't care about those who don't rally around him.

President Scott and Vaughn looked at each other for a moment, and Vaughn asked, "How do you plan to run the workers' club?"

This actually meant agreeing to Lance's condition. Lance smiled and said, "Of course..."

The talks were pleasant and, in the end, they would not have to pay any more bills for the club and certainly would not receive any revenue from the club.

Lance ensured that the club would remain open for two hours from 7pm to 9pm, Monday through Friday.

It is open from 2pm to 11pm on weekends, and there are no holidays, even on holidays.

They handed over the management rights completely to Lance. In order to ensure that Lance would not do anything wrong and that he could run the club well, he needed to pay five thousand dollars to the union account.

If he fails to perform according to the contract, the five thousand dollars will belong to the union.

The parties quickly signed a contract, and Lance represented the firm and paid dues to the union.

The payment is not made according to the work card, but according to the card number registered by the illegal immigrant in the office. Lance will also send people to join the union's work system and patrol the entire port terminal at any time.

If someone mixes up a set of clothes and then does not continue to register with the agency, they will be found by the patrol team and will be given corresponding punishment.

Make sure not one more, not one less.

After all, Lance paid for these people and their identities. If someone pretended to be someone else, it would be equivalent to stealing Lance's money!
After the negotiation, he signed a check for the money and gave it to President Scott. President Scott accepted it and it was obvious that he was very happy.

Even if nothing is accomplished in the end, just creating an extra profit of three thousand yuan is a good thing.

The workers' club is not far from the union office. Judging from its appearance, it used to be a large warehouse that was converted into a club.

The person in charge of the club took Lance inside for a tour. The place was very large and had a complete range of items, except that some items had been eliminated.

Lance already had some plans for renovation in his mind. After leaving the key behind, he planned to go back.

As soon as he left the dock, a police car blocked his way.

Through the car window, I seemed to see Officer Lucard in the police car opposite. He smiled and said hello, "Wait a moment, I'll reverse now."

Officer Lucard looked at the smiling Lance and found it difficult to associate him with the name "Lance Family".

However, he has seen all kinds of criminals, even gang leaders, over the years, so he is no longer so easily startled.

Looking at Lance's gentle and humble expression at this moment, he had an indescribable feeling.

"No, I came here specifically to see you. Come down and talk?"

Lance was stunned for a moment, but still agreed. After parking the car, he and Officer Lucard came to the shore of the dock.

The wind and waves gently pushed the rocks and concrete on the shore, seemingly not reflecting the violence of the sea at all. Seagulls circled above the port and occasionally landed on the sides of some ships.

The busy yet peaceful port and the boundless sea always give people a refreshing feeling.

"Lance family?" Officer Lucard said a very strange word as soon as he opened his mouth.

Lance couldn't help but laugh, "You heard about that too?"

Officer Lucard curled his lips and said, "I asked around. You guys have been quite popular in this area recently. I heard that you broke a worker's arm here yesterday morning."

Lance responded calmly, "This is slander and defamation."

Lugal was also laughing, "Your looks are deceiving, Lance."

"But you don't have to worry too much. I came to you today not because of what you did yesterday morning, but because you are going to be in big trouble."

"How well do you know the Camilla Gang?"

Lance probably knew what was going on. "A gang of imperial immigrants. They were a well-known criminal organization in the empire before, and later expanded to the Federation."

"Unlike other criminal gangs of immigrant nature in the Federation, the Camilla Gang's main criminal business is kidnapping and extorting Imperial immigrants..."

(End of this chapter)