Shadow Empire

Chapter 205: Group Warming and a New Order
When faced with deep-sea predators, small schools of fish will group together, making them look like a huge individual.

Although it is useless most of the time and instead allows predators to eat their fill without having to run too far, but... it should have some effect after all.

Animals and humans alike stick together to keep each other warm.

After the car got on the road, it headed southwest. Director Dell understood what the mayor meant, and he now needed to think.

Thinking takes time, and the mayor provides just that time.

He took another sip of his drink. "Why not?"

The mayor smiled, expressed his goodwill, and started chatting.

"When I first came to Jingang City, I had a lot of ideas. The geographical location of this city is so good. It will definitely become one of the most important cities in the Federation in the future."

"The first thing I did when I arrived here was to inspect Jingang Wharf, the place that created miracles."

"I come from an inland city, and I have never seen such a large and sophisticated dock. It was a late autumn morning, and there was a thick fog floating around the dock. The sun had just risen, and the golden light made it hazy. It was as beautiful as a fairyland!"

"I stood there and watched for a long, long time."

“As people started going to work and the fog cleared, a more authentic pier emerged.”

"Countless ships would come here to leave their cargo, then leave with new cargo. Every ship that docked represented an additional source of income for the city and the people who lived here."

“I’ve never seen a city like this!”

Director Dale picked up the wine glass and took a sip. He had to agree with this point. He came here by boat and he witnessed the prosperity and heaviness of Jingang Wharf.

"Yes, it's a miracle, a world miracle!"

The mayor nodded slightly. "In fact, it was only six years ago. At that time, the utilization rate of Jingang Wharf here had reached 70%."

"In other words, as long as the world economy experiences another round of growth, the Jingang Terminal will likely be able to operate at full capacity."

"So my idea at the time was that for the development of the city, we had to build a new port to cope with the economic development that could occur anytime and anywhere."

After listening to the mayor's opinion, Director Dell agreed with the mayor's point of view. "The economic level of the whole world is increasing, the population is increasing, and the wealth created is also increasing. You are right on this point."

"Yes, that's what I thought about it. I also held a town meeting and everyone smiled and told me that this is a good idea and they all support me."

"Then..." He shrugged, "They welcomed me warmly in their own unique way."

"There have been problems since the planning of the new port area was completed. They are not particularly big problems, but they keep coming."

"Either the workers were injured, or the workers went on strike, or there was a shortage of raw materials. Anyway, they always found a way to slow down the construction of the New Port Terminal."

"I gradually realized that I had touched their interests, and it was difficult for them to oppose me openly because I was a mayor appointed by the federal government, I was a member of the Socialist Party, and I also had my own circle."

"So they used this method to fight against me."

"I thought their actions were childish at the time. Would they allow me to cancel these decisions by slowing down the construction period and not letting me finish the work?"

"At that time, I didn't think they were anything special, just some city councillors, some gangsters. This is the federation, not their backyard."

"I found some investors from other places and told them my plan to build a new dock and a new living area, a new bay area, around the new port area."

Director Dell suddenly laughed. "Mr. Mayor, I don't mean to offend you. But when I heard you mention the names of these administrative planning areas, I felt that you were declaring war on them."

The mayor also laughed and said, "Yes, yes, did you see it?"

"I was telling them that I was going to dump them and that I could do what I wanted to do without them, and I didn't think I was doing anything wrong."

"I have worked with these investors from other places before, and we have a foundation of trust. We get materials, workers, and everything else from other places."

"Maybe they had never seen such a situation before, and it really caught them off guard at the beginning, and they didn't know how to deal with it."

“The new bay area…has also been partially built.”

"But soon, their revenge came..."

The mayor suddenly fell silent for a while, as if he was recalling those bloody days.

"They wantonly assassinated the investors I favored, openly discussed and did not allow people to buy real estate in the New Bay Area, so that now those houses are still in the hands of investors."

"Out-of-town workers were harassed, their food was poisoned, large swathes of workers received death threats, and soon they left."

"Even if we offered them more wages, they would not want to stay in this terrible place."

The car had now arrived at a deserted section of road, and a huge new pier stood on the coastline.

But compared to Jingang Wharf, Xingang Wharf is obviously much quieter.

Some ships also dock here because the fees are lower, but it can only attract a few supply ships.

Large cargo ships still dock at Jingang Wharf, where they not only unload cargo but also load cargo.

Most of the goods are piled up at Jingang Wharf. If they are to be transported here, it will cost another transportation fee, so some ships would rather wait for a few days than load and unload here.

The main costs of sea transportation are fuel costs and crew costs. If these cargo ships are just docked at ordinary ports or even at sea, as long as they do not start their engines, the costs will be very low.

They can use small boats to take the crew to the dock to relax, which is considered a holiday for them, thus reducing some labor costs.

Of course, most of the time Jingang Wharf is not crowded, this is only a rare case.

Compared to the bustling Jingang Wharf, this place is like a nursing home. Although it is a newly built wharf, it has an inconsistent atmosphere of desolation.

Workers stood in groups of three or five at the edge of the dock, chatting or taking a walk, and there was no sign of a tense working atmosphere at all.

The mayor sighed, "They held a dinner party and invited me to it."

"Eleven local city councillors and representatives of the five major families stood together and said to me, 'Welcome to Jingang City.'"

"I thought it was funny at the time, and I wanted to ask them whether this place belonged to the federal government or them."

"But I know that they will say in their hearts that this place is theirs, but they won't admit it out loud."

"From that day on, I understood a profound truth."

"Jingang City belongs to the people of Jingang. It does not and cannot belong to outsiders."

He picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp, then looked at Director Dale and said, "Before, I was the only outsider and I was no match for them, but now, there is you."

"Dale, don't even think about joining them. Of course, I'm not forbidding you to do so. You can try, and then you'll find that they won't really accept you."

"Because you are just an outsider after all. Unless you can marry a daughter from their family and take root here, you will never be able to integrate into this city."

"This damn city is filled with extreme xenophobia from top to bottom!"

"Before, I could only rely on myself, but now, I have an additional choice."

The car slowly stopped, and the two men got out and stood on the edge of the port. One step ahead was the choppy sea, and opposite was the New Port Pier that looked like a giant ship.

The sun was at noon, illuminating the world warmly but not scorchingly.

The sea breeze blows on my face with a salty scent, and the sea is in front of me, and that relaxed and happy feeling spreads all at once.

It seems that the world has become bigger, and our ambitions should be as lofty as ever!

Neither of them spoke, feeling the majesty of the world. After a while, the mayor turned to look at Director Dale and said, "If we don't stick together, we will never be their opponent!"

"We won't be able to move an inch here!" Director Dale actually didn't expect the situation here to be so complicated. It is obviously the most important economic engine of the Federation, but it is firmly occupied by stubborn local forces.

He thought about a lot of things, from the central government to local governments, from Congress to himself.

"You'll be leaving in two years, and after you're gone, I'll be their target."

This was not a rejection, but a negotiation of conditions, because both he and the mayor knew that they would arrange for a new mayor to come in two years.

They can still stick together.

The mayor smiled and said, "If nothing unexpected happens, I will go to the state legislature to serve as speaker of the House of Representatives. I can help you in the same way and even more."

"When the time comes, I'll be in the state legislature, and you and the new mayor will be here, and we'll form a new triangle."

"In terms of law enforcement, management, and my assistance to you from a higher position, you can do more of what you want to do, not like this."

"Dale, this is how it is when facing evil. If you can't force them to retreat step by step, then they will turn around and constantly test your bottom line and make you retreat."

"We all want to do something so that we don't regret our lives."

Director Dell looked at the sea for a while. He thought about many things. It seemed that joining forces with the mayor had become one of the few options that was beneficial to him.

The current situation can be said to be as bad as it can be, so why not give it a try?
Half a minute later, the two hands were clasped together, and Director Dell seemed a little relieved. If the mayor could really play a role, he might be able to save the situation.

This year, or this month, these two weeks, are simply the most fucking wonderful two weeks he has ever encountered in his life.

He has been constantly breaking through his cognition and has already made all the most brilliant moves in his life, but he is still failing at every step. This is the only turning point. He needs the mayor more than the mayor needs him.

"So, how are you going to proceed?"

The mayor touched his chin. His stubble was a little prickly. He needed to clean his face. "Let's start with the gangs."

"It's sometimes hard to tell who these gangs are and who these local political groups are. Sometimes they are in opposition, but sometimes they are one and the same."

"Rather than attacking people like Williams and Wade directly and triggering a series of hurricanes and tsunamis, it is better to start with these gangs first."

"They are black, and we are white. Our job is to clean them up. Even if we take the case to Congress, there is no chance that we will lose!"

"With the profits from alcohol being so huge now, there's no way they won't try to smuggle alcohol. If they do, we'll catch them!"

This is a great tone. The price of alcohol changes every day, and as the explosion at the Dangerous Goods Administration Bureau in Jingang City becomes known to more people and places, the intensity of the prohibition of alcohol has become stronger.

Senators saw this as a challenge to the authority of law and order by criminal gangs and alcoholics, and if they did not fight back hard, Prohibition would soon become a joke.

In the next few years, the prohibition situation will only become more severe, which will also make the profits of smuggling liquor higher and higher.

It is impossible for those criminal groups to turn a blind eye to such high profits. As long as they take their hands, they are likely to be caught.

Even if they cut off their arms to survive, they can't keep their arms cut off forever!
Perhaps it was because Director Dell withdrew his agents, allowing some illegal businesses to resume operations, or it was possible that he did not take any further action, allowing the "locals" to see his attitude. In short, the rumors that originally surrounded him disappeared in an instant.

People no longer laughed at him for "knowing something". Some letters of denunciation and photos were put into the safe by some people. Everything seemed to have returned to two weeks ago. Jingang City was still the glorious Jingang City.

No one could see the part of it that had begun to rot and fester in the corner.

But these things will never disappear from people's memory as if nothing had happened.

Something must have happened, and there must have been some subsequent impact, but people just can't see it now.

Soon, Lance received a notice that his people were released.

"Sorry, Lance, you know this is a decision from above and I can't refuse it," Chief Blue looked apologetic.

In the past few days, some people from the Lans family in the Imperial District were arrested for "suspected sale of smuggled liquor", but now it has been proved that these liquors existed before the Prohibition, so illegal smuggling and storage are not established.

But they still violated the rule that "the sale of alcoholic beverages to the public is prohibited", so they had to accept the fine and be detained for a period of time while waiting for the court's decision.

The court simply sentenced him to a fine and compulsory labor. After Lance paid the fine, he came to pick up his father with the document issued by the court.

Chief Bruce was a little embarrassed and a little scared because everyone was locked up here.

Lance patted his arm without any awkwardness, and didn't take it to heart. "These are minor issues and won't affect our relationship."

He then asked about something he was concerned about, "Have you made a decision about the police party?"

Chief Blue nodded, walked around Lance, went to the door and closed it.

"I have talked to other branch directors, and they want to know how this big party will be held and what benefits it will bring to us."

"There are more than 10,000 police officers in Jingang City. Who can participate and who cannot participate? All of this requires a detailed charter."

After looking at Chief Blue for a few more times, Chief Blue touched his cheek in confusion, "Is there something dirty?"

He shook his head. "No, I just think your sudden decision is a little unexpected."

"I'll have someone make a plan when I get back. Then you can invite the other branch directors and we can sit down and talk."

Chief Blue nodded, "They are also very interested in you."

Someone privately estimated that it would cost a lot of money to hold a police party.

If the money invested is too little and it doesn't have any effect, it's better not to do it.

If you invest too much..., not everyone can do it.

At this moment, someone knocked on the door. "Lance, everyone is here. We can go now."

After saying goodbye to Chief Blue, Lance left with the convoy.

This imprisonment was actually a new experience for each of them. It was not hardship to say the least, as Chief Bru did not dare to let them suffer, but it certainly would not be comfortable.

After all, there are other people inside.

Sitting in the car, the day is getting darker and there are more pedestrians on the road as it is time to get off work. The breath of life is overwhelming. It is obviously no different from the past, but I always feel that something is different.

As soon as he returned to the nightclub, Lance saw a rare guest.

Mr. Jobaf's assistant appeared here, his expression was a little complicated, especially after seeing Lance.

After the two men shook hands, they sat down and Lance asked someone to get some coffee.

After the coffee was served, the assistant said softly, "There is something I may need your help with. Of course, don't worry, it's not for free. Mr. Jobaf and I will take out a total of 20,000 yuan. I know if it's enough."

Lance raised an eyebrow, "Tell me what you want me to do first. If it's something I can't do, please forgive me for not being able to agree."

The assistant said anxiously, "You can do it!" After he said it, he realized that what he said was not right. He quickly apologized for it and then stated the reason for this trip.

"My nephew was killed by Jimmy. I want revenge. After much thought, I think only you can help us."

"Lance, I beg you to help me find Jimmy, and then I will kill him myself!"

The murder of his nephew has always been a source of guilt and torment for Jobaf and his assistants. Before Big Polly got into trouble, even the mayor was unwilling to say more about this issue.

Jobaf didn't know the reason, but the mayor knew that although he didn't talk about it on the surface, he actually felt disgusted and irritated.

There may be some locals behind any small character. It’s not that they have a strong interest connection, but when their enemy becomes an outsider like themselves, these locals, who may have been a little dirty, will unite.

But now, Polly is dead and the Brotherhood has become very chaotic. This is a good time for them to take revenge!
(End of this chapter)