Shadow Empire

Chapter 1237 Awakening
"bad news?"

Lance nodded and walked to the window, watching the construction workers still gathering on the street. He lit a cigarette. "The federal government has established a new department, the National Security Agency, and President Porter's son will serve as its first director."

Erwin wasn't sure what this had to do with them, so he walked over to Lance and looked down as well. "This guy...does he have a conflict with us?"

In his view, this was actually quite an incredible thing, because that was the son of a president!
They might even have a strained relationship with the president, which only intensified the eccentric feeling he always had.

In his view, the Lance family may have some fame and influence, but they should not be at the level of being at odds with the president. Isn't that a responsibility that only important people should bear?
Why did it have to be their turn?

Lance took a drag of his cigarette and glanced at the glass window, where Irwin's faint shadow was reflected. "Before he became president."

Erwin frowned as well. Back in the Empire, anyone who offended the Emperor would undoubtedly suffer a terrible fate.

It's pretty much the same in the federal government. Don't be fooled by their constant praise of the federal government's advantages. If you really offend the president, and the president is a petty person who will hold a grudge, then you're very likely to end up in trouble.

The president wields too many privileges; he has many ways to make someone pay a heavy price, even without reason or evidence.

Thinking about everything they had now, their lives, and the possibility that it might all be taken away from them, a flash of rage crossed Erwin's eyes.

"How about we kill him?"

Lance shook his head. "Even if we take down one director, he can appoint a second one, and that second director will be even more relentless in his pursuit of us. It's not a good idea."

After he finished speaking, he waited to exchange opinions with Erwin, but the other party remained silent. After about ten seconds, he turned to look at Erwin with some confusion and met his gaze.

After a moment of staring at each other, Lance seemed to realize something, "The 'him' you're talking about..."

"Could it be President Porter?"

Erwin didn't speak, but just looked at Lance as before, "I didn't tell you a while ago, but my mother was sick. Fortunately, she received treatment, which cost nearly 200,000."

He suddenly brought up other things, and although Lance had some guesses, he still followed along, asking, "What kind of illness costs so much money?"

"Organ transplant. They said her kidneys were failing and she wouldn't live much longer. Then they said that if we were willing to spend the money, we could give her two young kidneys."

“I don’t really understand this, but I know that compared to the lives of loved ones, money is obviously not important, and this is not much.”

As he spoke, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and said, "She's recovering quite well now."

“My younger brother got married and had children here, and they are living a happy life, at least from my perspective.”

He shrugged and spread his hands. "There are no worries or troubles. I don't need to think of ways to fill my stomach like I did when I was a child."

"Lance, it's not just me, it's us, it's everyone!"

“I visited Ethan last month, and he plans to win the heavyweight championship belt in the second half of this year.”

"His family came too, his father and mother. His father was very proud of his achievements, and what surprised me even more was..."

Erwin chuckled twice as he spoke, "His cousin is here too."

“Hooligan, you haven’t seen that girl. She’s only this tall…” He gestured, “She only reaches my shoulder. According to Lance’s estimation, she should be over 1.55 meters tall, but less than 1.6 meters tall.”

"They got engaged back in their hometown, but they hadn't come because of some internal turmoil in the empire and, as you know, the old cobbler's attachment to his home."

“They were always worried that Ethan wouldn’t amount to anything and would have to go back.”

“This time they fully understood Ethan’s achievements here, so his family had no more reservations and all came over.”

"After he wins the boxing championship belt, he will marry his cousin."

Ethan was tall and strong, and when Lance thought about how Irwin said his cousin was "delicate," he couldn't help but laugh. "It's like a beast and a maiden."

Erwin was very certain of the description, and he laughed as he said, "Yes, a beast and a maiden, so apt! That's a damn brown bear!"

After laughing for a while, he suddenly sighed, "Brother, we are all very happy, and we are all grateful to you and our... company."

“So if anyone intends to ruin our happiness,” he glanced at Lance, “even if he’s the president.”

Lance smiled and gave him a hug. "He can't do these things, and I won't let him."

Even if he is the president!

He paused for a moment, then said, "Actually, you don't need to worry too much about this. The National Security Agency is just a way for them to balance things out because they can't control the FBI. Congress won't give this department too much power."

"It will take some time for this department to become on par with the FBI."

"The FBI has existed for a long time, and it has developed over several years since Rowland took office."

"A newly established department needs more time to fully realize the current level of the FBI, so you don't need to worry too much."

"It might be a hassle for us, but it's not that much of a hassle, you know."

“He can easily send those street kids to jail on any pretext, but he can’t do anything to people like us without enough evidence.”

"If he dares to touch us, I'll make him suffer."

He patted Erwin's arm. "Besides, even if we really have to do it, it won't be you who does it. I'll arrange everything."

Hearing Lance say that, the serious expression in Erwin's eyes relaxed a lot. "That puts my mind at ease."

"But brothers, if you ever need us, we'll fight you to the death!"

After saying that, he changed the subject, "What are your plans to do with these people below?"

Lance took a drag of his cigarette. "Get all the local gang leaders to come see me. I'll leave this to them."

"Leave this to me," Erwin said, accepting the task and turning to leave.

Lance returned to his desk and made a call to lawyer Robben. "I need you to bring your legal team to Sher, in South Yaan State."

"I'll be there in three days at most."

It takes quite a while to get here from Xinjin City, but if you're willing to travel, you can get there quickly.

Lance quickly returned to the conference room. The discussion about the investment had almost ended. After asking Lance a few less important questions, they got up to say goodbye and leave.

Their first priority now is to study the location of their new company, and then see how much money the head office can still provide. This is a rare opportunity, and if they miss it, there is a high probability that they will never have another chance to get on board.

The local police chief also called Lance, saying he had dispatched a large number of officers to maintain order and would provide assistance if needed.

The mayor and city councilors all called Lance, and even the governor inquired about the matter.

"If all else fails, we can compromise with them a little."

The governor didn't quite understand why Lance wanted to go head-to-head with the construction workers' union. In his view, whether he used union members or his own contracted workers, the result would be the same: they would all go to work.

As long as Lance doesn't pay extra wages or other costs, it doesn't matter who he uses.

Local capitalists have been using local workers for many years, and nothing bad has happened to them.

But Lance had no intention of compromising on this matter. "I'll handle it. You don't need to worry."

The governor had originally planned to say that if Lance was unable to talk to the union, he would arrange for someone to talk to the union members, but after hearing what he said, he gave up on that idea.

He didn't really care, and he couldn't gain anything from it anyway. He just felt that the sooner the project started, the sooner these achievements would fall on his shoulders. "You can decide for yourself. If you need my cooperation, just call me anytime."

Ultimately, the governor respected Lance's choice, after all, Lance was the one who paid for everything, not the working class.

When the company representatives from Jingang City left, they noticed the workers gathered downstairs. Their gazes towards these workers were not curious or inquisitive, but rather filled with pity.

These fools probably don't know just how powerful Lance is. Going after Lance is really no different from taking a knife and stabbing themselves a few times.

No one thought this would affect Lance and his plans; the people here didn't understand Lance and his "partners" at all.

The demonstrators gathered downstairs at the company building gradually dispersed around 5 p.m. Although they left, many reporters remained, waiting for Lance to appear.

However, they were destined to be disappointed, because Lance had already left in a car from the parking lot behind the company early in the morning.

The convoy returned to the manor smoothly and without incident, where more than a dozen local gang leaders had already gathered.

Unlike ordinary people, who might not know much about Lance, he might think Lance is just an ordinary businessman or something.

However, the gangsters are very knowledgeable about some things in the underworld. They know that Lance killed the Perez family, and they also know that although Lance is no longer one of the new five great families, he is definitely on par with the five great families.

How could they dare not come when summoned by such a powerful figure who could determine the division of power in the federal underworld?

When Lance entered the room, the dozen or so local gang leaders immediately stood up and looked at him nervously.

Some people even wiped the sweat from their palms on their trouser legs.

"Don't be nervous," Lance said with a smile as he walked over. The gang leaders immediately went up to him and extended their hands to shake hands with him.

Irwin introduced Lance to these gang leaders and their gangs.

After the introductions were finished, Lance sat down on his sofa and invited the gang leaders to sit down as well.

"You should already have some guesses about why I invited you here."

As soon as he finished speaking, several people nodded.

Not everyone is concerned about what's happening in the city; some people are more focused on how much money they can make and whether there are any new developments in their careers.

"It may not be known to everyone, but it's actually quite simple: the construction workers' union is organizing a demonstration, and I don't really like them."

“As an ‘outsider,’ I have no intention of disrupting the order of the local underworld. I’m not here to take over your territory or cause you trouble. I respect everything you have here.”

"That's why you're here. You need to help me deal with these people, or I'll take matters into my own hands."

“When the Lance family is fully present here, some things will change.”

Seeing the serious expressions on their faces, Lance chuckled twice. "Don't be so tense. I have no intention of taking your territory or business, which is why I'm talking to you about this."

"You must ensure the city remains stable, quiet, and under our control."

"And as a token of my gratitude, I will offer you cheaper, higher-quality drinks."

"And a promise!"

His gaze lingered on the faces of these leaders one by one. "As long as you don't cause trouble, do what you're supposed to do, and don't do what you shouldn't do, I won't change the structure of this underworld."

The gang leaders immediately nodded in agreement; they knew very well that they were no match for Lance and the Lance family.

When the Lance family and their ilk actually arrive, the entire underworld of Sher City will have a new master.

This place is not essential to the Lance family, but it is indispensable to them. Once they are driven out of here, they will probably find it difficult to maintain their current situation.

"Mr. White, please rest assured, I guarantee that you will not see a single protesting worker outside your company tomorrow!"

Even the most prestigious local gang leader made a somewhat obsequious statement.

Lance nodded slightly. "Thank you for your help. I hope we can become friends!"

"But it doesn't have to be tomorrow. You can get ready now and wait for my message."

The next morning, the local morning newspaper published this news article—"Confrontation!!".

The reporter who wrote this article used two exclamation marks to emphasize the point, as Lance ate his breakfast while reading the news article.

There wasn't much valuable content inside. These demonstrating construction workers were ultimately under the control of the union, opposing and protesting Lance's decision not to use union workers.

The vice president of the workers' union, who was interviewed, told reporters that Wanli Group's actions seriously harmed the interests of local workers.

He claimed that Wanli Group was trying to circumvent union protections for construction workers by using non-union workers, which involved some potentially problematic information that they were unaware of; otherwise, Wanli Group would not have refused to use union workers.

The vice president believes that the most important thing now is to get Wanli Group back on the right track, actively engage in negotiations with the union, work together to resolve the issues, clear up misunderstandings, and help the workers calm down.

The report also quoted some of the labor federation’s previous slogans, such as “Workers of the world are one family,” and, along with some of the vice president’s remarks, hinted that the matter might develop further and involve more unions.

If Lance, or rather Wanli Group, could resolve these issues as soon as possible, then the storm would not have occurred.

If Lance and Wanli Group continue to reject their goodwill, then a storm will surely sweep through the entire Wanli Group!

The vice president stated that in Sher, and throughout the entire South Yaan state, they are not a single entity; their united strength is something that Lance and the Wanli Group have never seen before.

The report also described some similar incidents that had occurred in the past, in which some companies refused to recruit workers through labor unions.

Because unions recruit workers by posting job information internally, they only recruit workers with union affiliations, not ordinary workers without union affiliations.

Ultimately, the two sides had a very unpleasant falling out, which led to confrontations such as strikes and demonstrations.

Under the influence of labor unions, some companies even cooperate with them to put pressure on opposing companies, and in the end, the labor unions always win.

The reporter makes some speculations about this confrontation, believing that the union will ultimately prevail.

After all, during this period, the power of labor unions was still very strong, and people were quite naive.

After reading it, Lance threw the "Morning Reading News" on the table with a disdainful expression on his face.

"The news above isn't good?" Erwin picked up the newspaper.

Lance shook his head indifferently. "If your backside is crooked, the content you publish will also be crooked. Let someone investigate who controls the Morning Reading and why they don't welcome us."

Logically speaking, local capital should have welcomed Lance's arrival to develop and build Scheer.

If Sher City develops well, they will make more money. They and Lance should be on the same side, not the workers.

Erwin nodded. "I'll have someone investigate."

He asked with some curiosity, "Why not let them make their move today?"

Lance shook his head. "I'm waiting for Robben. Once he arrives, we'll launch a joint attack on them and resolve all the problems at once."

“If you just use gangs to break them up, they can still regroup.”

"So just wait patiently for a few days..."

(End of this chapter)