Shadow Empire

Chapter 152: Bottom Line and Recruiting People and Generosity
Mr. Jobaf had heard of the red high-heeled business and even had some understanding of it.

The girls they sent out were all alive and well, but the ones they brought back were not necessarily intact, with some missing limbs or even dead bodies.

You will never figure out what kind of habits those seemingly glamorous big shots have!
There was a girl who once served a big shot. Because she said a few words, her companions were worried that she was abused, but she said that she entered a house, changed into special clothes, whipped and injured an adult federal man, and was rewarded, and then disappeared overnight.

The bigwigs know about the existence of Red High Heels and have acquiesced to its existence. It is obvious that it is not that they are unable to shut it down, but they are unwilling to do so because it also has value in existence.

There are many big capitalists and politicians in the federal upper class who like hunting.

But do they really hunt so often because they love hunting?

No, they don't like the competitive process between hunter and prey, they just want to kill.

There was once a governor in the Federation who liked to be a butcher on the farm when he had nothing else to do.

Some people regard his behavior as a manifestation of his loyalty to the landowner class, while others say that even though he has become governor, he has not forgotten the traditions of farmers and slaughters pigs, cattle and sheep himself, which is a kind of inheritance.

This won him a lot of votes from local farmers and landlords, as well as political donations.

The public and the media believed what he said, thinking that he was just maintaining some traditions of the farmers and doing it to get more votes.

It was not until a missing case suddenly broke out that all the clues finally pointed to him. People then learned that in addition to slaughtering pigs, cattle and sheep, he had other similar hobbies.

Of course, the person who exposed this matter may not be doing so for the sake of justice. In the upper class of the Federation, there has never been the word "justice", only "interests".

Human desires are like this; some can be controlled, but some, as they continue to accumulate, gradually become uncontrollable.

Instead of losing control and causing huge destruction, mainly self-destruction, it becomes a good choice for them to spend some money and release stress through some "non-illegal" ways.

From a judicial perspective, those illegal immigrants are transparent and do not exist.

After they disappeared, no one would call the police, no one would contact the media about their disappearance, and no one would think about doing anything for a group of people without identity.

So this becomes a safe method. Only by releasing their desires and pressures can they better serve the society.

It is seen by Liam and even Heller as a ladder to the upper class, a shortcut.

This does allow you to come into contact with many important people, church pastors, respectable people in the Bay Area's upper class society, celebrities, and politicians.

When they have desires and requests, they will definitely contact Red High Heels, because it is one of the few places in Jingang City that can satisfy their special fetishes.

Having these people's contact information and connections is indeed very tempting for ambitious people at the bottom of society.

Mr. Jobaf's eyes flickered a little, and Lance reiterated his position, "I don't do this."

"Whoever of you likes to do it can do it, but I won't do this."

"Mr. Jobaf, I also advise you not to touch it."

"You thought you had a more private connection and a closer relationship with those big shots because of this kind of thing, but to them, you are the only eyewitness who has evidence of their crimes."

"When they need you, they will naturally feel that you are a reliable person."

"But when they don't need you anymore, they start to worry about whether you will expose their affairs or trade them away."

"It doesn't matter who did this, it doesn't matter who he is."

"I believe that when the news of Liam's death suddenly spread in society, his clients might be happier than I am!"

Mr. Jobaf looked at Lance and listened to what he said. He finally realized that he was a little impatient. "You are right. I shouldn't think about these things."

Lance nodded. "Your value does not lie in this, Mr. Jobaf."

He did not continue to talk about this matter. After all, it was a shameful thing. "I will tell the mayor the truth."

The serious topic was over, and Mr. Jobaf's face became less serious and more gentle. "That person has been under a lot of pressure recently. Lance, what do you think I should do next?"

He admired Lance more and more and wanted to hear Lance's opinion.

Lance gave him a piece of advice, "Keep using your strengths, Mr. Jobaf."

"The richer you are, the more they can't live without you. That's where your value lies."

“When you have no money, that’s when you lose value.”

"If you want more respect, get richer!"

Mr. Jobaf left very quickly. Sitting in the car and looking at the bustling office, he felt more and more strange.

It's like... observing the entire process of a volcanic eruption. Maybe now it's just emitting a puff of smoke without even spewing out a tiny spark, but the rhythm of the earth generated by it hidden beneath the ground can already be clearly grasped by people.

When he heard from the mayor that Lance could provide 20,000 votes, his first thought was that it was impossible.

Even though there are hundreds of thousands of imperial people in the imperial zone, not many of them have votes and the right to vote.

But now he understood that those 20,000 votes were not all from the Imperial District.

After returning to the mayor, he immediately went to see the mayor. He was already quite old, but when facing the younger mayor, it seemed that he did not get the respect that he deserved at this age.

Of course, he himself has no need for respect.

"I've met Lance. Lance agreed to both proposals, but he said that he would not do business with red high heels." He has been standing by the door since he entered.

Although the decoration in the room is not luxurious, it is definitely not shabby.

There was a simple sofa and three chairs opposite the mayor's desk, but the mayor had no intention of letting Mr. Jobaf sit down, and he himself did not take the initiative to go over.

During this period of time, he felt that the strict hierarchy in the Federation was even more terrifying than that in the Empire!
Those nobles would sometimes put their arms around your shoulders and joke with you, but here...

The mayor put down the pen in his hand and said, "I am not familiar with Red High Heels, and I don't intend to learn about it. All I need is the stability of the Empire District and the votes he can control."

The mayor frowned slightly and thought for a while, "Sometimes you should learn from him!" This sounded like a comment, or it might be a sentence with some other implication, but Mr. Jobaf didn't seem to hear it.

"Well, I still have a lot of work to do. Go do your thing. Don't always stand here. If others see you, they will think I don't respect the elderly."

Mr. Qiaobafu bowed slightly and said, "I am old now, and the doctor advised me to move more. Sitting for a long time is not good for my waist."

The mayor's mouth curled up slightly. People all like power. This is the charm of power.

Even if you point to a pile of shit and say that eating it will be good for you, there will be people rushing to put it in their mouths!

He raised his hand and made a "get out" gesture, and Mr. Jobaf left the office directly, while the mayor started to get back to his work.

As the nominal and actual ruler of this city, how could he not know about Red High Heels?

It’s just that his future is destined to be in the presidential palace or on Capitol Hill, so he would try not to touch these things if possible.

But he hopes that there is someone of his own who can accept it. Maybe it cannot be used now, but one day, it may be useful.

The next morning, on the dock, a large group of people stood around Erwin.

Most of the people here have heard about what happened during this time, and the information on the dock is very well-informed, but no one would think of doing anything to help Lance.

It's not that they are ungrateful, it's just that to most of the blue work uniforms, they are just ordinary illegal immigrants. Maybe if Lance falls, their job and survival problems will become more serious.

But all these don't mean that they can't survive here. Lance just gave them a job so that they can barely fill their stomachs and have a little hope.

It doesn't mean that they have to fight with a "famous" gang just for a dozen dollars a month.

Now the gunfight seemed to be over and the Camilla Gang had become a thing of the past, and when Erwin arrived at the dock, these men in blue work clothes immediately surrounded him.

They asked a lot of questions about what had happened during this period, such as why the war started, whether there were any losses in the battle, and some follow-up questions.

Erwin is here to recruit some people today. Lance said at the meeting last night that the higher-ups mean that the Empire District needs to be stabilized as soon as possible. The Camilla Gang has been removed, so a new mountain must be built to replace it.

This mountain is not entirely designated by the bigwigs above. It is also a "test". They must solve the problem of neighborhood families and small gangs on the streets as soon as possible, which may lead to a decline in law and order.

Twenty or so people to manage an administrative district is obviously too much, and they need some peripheral members.

"…It's definitely more dangerous in the gang than on the dock. Seven of us died this time…"

When Alvin said this, it was obvious that some people who had been enthusiastic just now began to think and even retreat.

Death is always a terrifying thing, and seven deaths at once made them consider whether it was worth it.

Of course, there were people willing to join, but Erwin didn't agree immediately. "I'm just telling you now, we need about 100 to 200 people, and each person will be paid 35 dollars a month."

"In addition, we will ensure that you have food and shelter. If you are injured in any conflict, we will also provide you with treatment."

"But actually, these conditions are very good, and Lance told me that when our situation improves, your income will gradually increase."

"Ordinary members can earn about 45 to 60 yuan a month, and core combat members can earn about 80 yuan."

"We will be very tired recently because we plan to take over the territory of the Camilla Gang in the Empire District. There will definitely be some people who want to compete with us, so there will definitely be some fighting."

"But you don't have to worry too much. It's unlikely that there will be a large-scale exchange of fire. And if there is a real exchange of fire, we will also participate."

Erwin said a lot, and some people backed off for fear of injury and death.

Some people also think that being on the dock is not a big deal after all. As long as they cannot solve their identity problem, they will not be able to get their full salary.

It would be better to join a gang and give it a try.

People have to do something for themselves!
Alvin asked people to spread the news that not everyone would join, they only needed the elite!
Lance, who was far away, saw this, turned around, threw his cigarette butt on the ground, crushed it with the toe of his shiny leather shoes, and then went to the office of the Dock Workers' Union.

He came to see Vaughan (one of the vice presidents of the Dockworkers' Union). He didn't want the rumors on the street during this period to cause unnecessary trouble and thwart his plan to control the dock area.

Vaughan is here, and although he doesn't look working class, he has a strict working-class schedule, which may be one of the few things he does have that's close to the working class.

Lance knocked on the door. Vaughn was looking at some documents. He was a little surprised to see Lance. Then he immediately stood up, walked around the table and came forward. He shook Lance's hand and said, "I didn't know you were coming."

The two entered the room. The New Year was coming soon and the temperature was already a little low.

Lance took off his windbreaker and hung it on the hanger along with his hat. "A lot has happened during this time, and I wasn't sure what I was going to do most of the time."

"Did it delay your work?"

Vaughn took the initiative to have two cups of hot coffee brought over. "No, some things about the Federation of Labor Unions." The Federation of Labor Unions he mentioned refers to the Federal Longshoremen's Union.

Lance sighed, "You must have heard something about me."

Vaughn nodded. "I couldn't believe it at first."

No one could have imagined that the young man who was working with him could suddenly overthrow the long-established gang and step onto the stage of the times.

Moreover, Lance and the Lance family began to appear in front of people, which made Vaughn a little overwhelmed.

Collaboration between the dockworkers' union and the mafia, or families?
he does not know.

Lance took out a check for one thousand dollars from his pocket and put it on the coffee table.

He looked Vaughn in the eyes and said, "I have to go to Yalan to inspect some factories in a few days. I really can't spare the money this month, so I'll just give you two months' donations at once."

Vaughn subconsciously glanced at the check, which was for one thousand dollars.

This was not the price he and Lance had agreed on before.

Perhaps he saw Vaughn's confusion, so he explained that he could use the extra two hundred yuan to buy some small gifts or something to bring more smiles to everyone. After all, the club will be open after the New Year, and I will still rely on your care.

This sounded like a joke, but it was also a test. If Vaughan said "this matter is not easy to handle", it meant that something unexpected happened with his rental of the club.

If he doesn't say anything, it means there is nothing unexpected about this matter.

Vaughn's mind was racing. The three hundred dollars in the small account was still in the safe, and now there was another one thousand dollars.

He suddenly felt his scalp getting a little hot and itchy, and he couldn't help scratching it, "Lance..."

"Are you having trouble?" Lance asked.

Vaughn took a deep breath. "They heard that you were..."

"Gangster?"

Lance pointed it out directly, "Do you think we are?"

Vaughn shook his head and said, "I don't think you guys are..." As he was speaking, the secretary knocked on the door and brought in two cups of coffee.

After the two of them said thank you, the secretary was considerate enough to close the door when she left. At the moment the door was about to close, her eyes stayed on the check on the table.

"Vaughn, we never blackmail anyone. We can say that the money we earn may not be legal, but it is definitely acceptable in our conscience."

"If they hadn't forced us to die, so many things wouldn't have happened. We were just resisting under pressure."

“No one wants to be in this business, but the world doesn’t allow us to do anything else.”

"I can guarantee that the dock will still be yours, and no one will interfere with your work."

"Besides, if you feel that our cooperation is not suitable, you can call a halt anytime and anywhere. I just hope that our people can have a better working environment and atmosphere at the dock, that's all!"

"All my efforts are aimed at improving their circumstances. I have no other thoughts or intentions."

He leaned forward slightly, "Give me a chance, and give yourself a chance."

Vaughn looked at Lance for a while, then at the check, and finally convinced himself, "Okay..."

"Coaster's side?"

Vaughn put the check away and said, "I will go and convince President Coster."

Lance thought about it and took out another check with a number on it: two hundred dollars.

He handed the check to Vaughn, and seeing the confusion on Vaughn's face, he smiled, "My thanks!"

"Don't refuse. Aren't we friends?"

After accepting the first check for one thousand dollars, the second check for two hundred dollars didn't seem so difficult to accept.

He finally put it in his pocket, "You always make people feel embarrassed like this, Lance."

Having said that, from the smile on his face, it can be seen that he likes this gift.

The New Year is coming soon, and he can buy his wife a beautiful dress and give his children some pocket money. They have reached the age of dating, but they always complain that the money is not enough.

Could Vaughan also buy himself that designer razor he'd always wanted, or a new pair of leather shoes?

He has a lot of options, based on the fact that he has more wealth to spend freely.

Only those who reach his level, or those who have understood life, will understand what "family income" and "disposable wealth" mean.

Sometimes your monthly income does not represent the money you can freely spend!
Mr. Lance, he is so generous!

(End of this chapter)