Shadow Empire

Chapter 216: Conversation with Mr. Jobaf

"Lance, do you know Ruth?"

This was the second time Lance heard this name from someone else's mouth.

The first person to talk about Ruth was William (Patricia's father), and his tone was full of sarcasm when he said that the Imperial District Councillor was not a smart guy.

This is also one of the reasons that prompted him to plan to run for election in the Empire District.

It is definitely better to deal with a Liberal Party member who has no strong backing and whose political views are radical than to deal with the Socialists who have complex local interests.

Lance supported his decision. William's coming to power would bring him some practical benefits. At least he would be able to get some information earlier before changes in policies and other aspects occurred.

But Lance would not show that he actually knew and understood a little bit of this person's thoughts. He shook his head and said, "I haven't heard of it. It sounds like the name of a loser in the corner of the bar."

Mr. Jobaf raised the corner of his mouth slightly, "It's a very interesting statement..." He liked Lance's evaluation. Doesn't it mean that he has more opportunities?
"He is the alderman of the Empire."

"uh-huh?"

“I plan to run for city councillor in the Empire District next year.”

Lance looked at him a little... confused, "Why did you suddenly think of doing this?"

Mr. Qiaobafu made some small movements with his hands, he was actually hiding his true thoughts, "I've read some books recently, about ideals and redemption, and you know, we all hope to do something for the people of the Empire."

"I found that being a banker couldn't solve people's problems, but by becoming a city councillor, maybe I could help more people solve more practical problems."

Lance frowned. "Noble ideals, but that's not very like you, Mr. Jobaf."

"Not quite like me?" He didn't understand what this meant. "What do you mean?"

In all aspects, people's impression of Mr. Jobaf is that of a generous banker who does not interfere in other people's lives and does not mind providing help to others.

But only part of the help!

He had never done anything great for the people of the Empire as he said he wanted to do. He was just a celebrity with a certain reputation in a certain area. There must be a reason why he suddenly had to make some changes.

And the reason is the mayor.

Lance didn't elaborate. This was something that went against his will, just like people don't like being labeled by others and having their image rigidified. If you think he is this or that kind of person, it will only make him feel that you are objectifying him, and thus deny all "opinions".

"Is it because of the mayor's pressure?" Lance skipped over the topic and went straight to the core of the matter. "Because the mayor thinks you have a certain influence in the Empire District, so he hopes that you can become a member of the Empire District Council and provide him with some political support?"

Mr. Jobaf was amazed at Lance's keen sense of smell. He smiled reservedly and did not deny it. "Part of the reason is that I am trying to get into the upper class circle, Lance."

He finally couldn't hold it back and laughed.

The mayor talked to him and said he would support his campaign for city council member in the Empire District. He has an inherent advantage in running for election in the Empire District.

He is an immigrant from the Empire, and one of the better-off ones among them. He is also a banker and has relatively complex social connections in the Empire. People will vote for a real character whom they can get in touch with and who will usually help them.

Rather than being a radical politician who does not care and just has a more moderate attitude towards immigrants.

In the mayor's view, Mr. Jobaf's defeat of Ruth was as easy as a man approaching a urinal, unzipping his fly and taking out his thing, and it would be a natural and seamless process to accomplish the entire task.

If he wants to dismantle the local interest network formed by local people, perhaps one more or one less municipal councilor will not play a crucial role, but it can build momentum for him.

The people are stupid. They cannot see clearly the realities hidden behind the appearances. They cannot understand the "conversion method" that three or four useless congressmen are not as good as one congressman Wade or one congressman Williams.

They simply think - "Oh, there are just as many aldermen who support the mayor as against him!"

As long as it doesn't make it look like "almost all the city councillors are against the mayor."

But for Mr. Jobaf, this was the first time he had truly taken a step into the upper class after coming to the Federation for decades!
From now on, people would no longer call him "banker" with a slightly mocking tone that he thought he could not hear, but "Congressman Jobaf", and the upper-class circles were opening their doors to him.

Lance could understand his feelings, after all... this was his dream, but at this critical juncture, he didn't know whether to say that Mr. Jobaf was unlucky or unlucky or unlucky.

"Things have been a little bit unsettled in the city lately." Lance looked at him and didn't respond to his statement that he was trying to break into the upper class.

Mr. Jobaf responded, "Yes, it's a little bit uneasy. I heard that there were some misunderstandings between you and the mayor. Do you want me to help you talk to the mayor?"

He also heard that the manager of Empire Nightclub had been replaced. He actually hoped that Lance would stand with him, so that they could cooperate with each other and become indispensable talents for the mayor, and their positions would be more stable.

He looked at Lance expectantly, but Lance didn't respond to the question, "The locals are at war with the mayor, Mr. Jobaf."

“This is not a suitable node. Whether you squeeze into this circle or not, you are the one who is not blessed.”

Mr. Jobaf's smile faded a little. "What did you hear?"

"A lot. What do you want to hear?" Lance took out a cigarette and gave it to him. The two of them came together and lit it.

"Everything!", Mr. Jobaf said what he wanted to know while puffing out smoke.

Lance was silent for a while, "You should know more about the local forces than I do."

Mr. Jobaf nodded. He had been here for decades longer than Lance, so he must know those local noble families. At the same time, he finally realized what Lance meant. "You mean, the mayor is no match for them?"

Lance shook his head and said, "Whether the mayor is their opponent or not, he will leave here. What about you?"

"Can you get out of here?"

The mayor will leave the Golden City after his term ends in two years. Whether he goes to the state legislature or the state government, or does not return to his party position, he will have a place to go.

As long as he does not leave in disgrace, his position in the Socialist Party will not be shaken, and his identity as the "former mayor of Jingang City" will be of great weight when competing for other nominations.

But Mr. Jobaf cannot leave here because his "base" is his identity as an "old imperial immigrant."

He is not as rich as the capitalists outside, nor does he have as many connections as the politicians outside. He is actually a local, but he stands on the mayor's side.

Lance felt that all the locals who were now on the mayor's side were idealistic speculators who believed that the mayor could defeat the entrenched local forces and gain a share of the land.

But...how is this possible?
No one can guarantee that the next mayor will have the same abilities as this one, and no one can guarantee that every successor will be able to preserve the fruits of victory.

As long as there is a mayor who is not so outstanding, the local forces will fight back and all the locals who stand on the side of outsiders will be purged.

Lance talked to him about the struggle between the locals and the mayor. "Mr. Jobaf, the mayor will leave Golden Harbor City in two years regardless of whether he wins or loses."

"To bet on whether he can do in two years what he couldn't do in the previous six years, I think it's too much of a gamble."

Mr. Qiaobafu kept smoking. He thought for a while, "Do you think I should give up?"

Lance gave him a more euphemistic answer, "You should choose to wait and see."

Mr. Jobaf looked up at the clear sky. "The locals don't like us."

A fact.

He has been thinking about currying favor with the powerful for decades, and it is not just this year. In fact, he has done so before.

He was blackmailed by Arthur and others, and he actually wanted to form some interpersonal relationships with the locals in this way.

He has money, is willing to make friends, and doesn't mind being blackmailed by Arthur if Arthur is willing to be friends with him.

If he could get to know Congressman Williams in exchange for some money, he would definitely give the money to Arthur willingly.

But the problem is, Arthur never mentions it, nor does he mention it to Congressman Williams.

He couldn't say he was out there blackmailing some immigrant capitalists, and then they wanted to meet with Congressman Williams, right?

He was afraid that he couldn't beat his dad anymore, and that James would come back and beat him!
The locals did not accept him, only the mayor accepted him now, and also showed him the channel and ladder to move up. What he wanted most in the past few decades was now within his reach! Listening to Mr. Qiaobafu's somewhat depressed tone, perhaps this was his greatest helplessness!
Although he made money, he never understood that this federation, which claimed to be a civilized society, was essentially a jungle society that was darker than the imperial society.

You have to be strong and aggressive for people to respect you.

If you are just big but not aggressive, then you are a mobile granary to the predators hiding in this jungle!
Lance took a final puff and dropped the cigarette butt onto the lawn.

The wet grass and soil buried the tiny cigarette butt. Even though it was emitting sparks, it couldn't ignite anything on this lawn full of vitality.

"I have a girlfriend."

Mr. Chobaff came back to his senses, "It's a good thing, everyone goes through this stage, is she here today?"

Lance shook his head, "She's not here. She's a local."

His expression became a little strange. Mr. Jobaf vaguely sensed something, otherwise Lance would not have said such a thing at this time, "Then her family..."

"Her last name is Lawrence, and her ancestors were farmers in this area."

“Maybe not as prominent and powerful as the Wade family and the Williams family, but definitely not an ordinary family.”

"Their family members are involved in all aspects of the political system of Jingang City, and her father is also planning to run for the Imperial District Councillor."

Mr. Qiaobafu's expression when he looked at Lance was very difficult to describe: envy, jealousy, sighing, admiration, annoyance...

A lot of emotions were mixed together, and even his expression was slightly distorted from Lance's perspective!

This may be the most true portrayal of Mr. Jobaf's inner thoughts at this moment.

He was already married when he first came to the Federation, and when his children grew up, he never thought of looking for a local "family" to marry into, because at that time his understanding of the Federation was still superficial - as long as you work hard, you will definitely succeed.

By the time he began to understand something, it was already too late. Over the past decade, he felt increasingly constrained everywhere.

Meanwhile, Lance, a young man who was… he was not sure if he was twenty years old, was talking about his upcoming marriage with a local family.

This made him feel like he had been living a dog's life all his life.

"I..." He wanted to say something, but his emotions were collapsing. He forced a smile first. He wanted to say congratulations to Lance, but his emotions made it impossible for him to maintain a natural smile, so he returned to that ordinary, even a little indifferent expression.

But he soon realized that it was not a good idea to show this expression after hearing the news, so he could only force himself to look more kind.

It’s not that he doesn’t like Lance or the news, it’s just that he’s emotionally broken right now, and all the doubts about his past make it impossible for him to laugh.

"This is really good news, congratulations on finding your home." In the end, he still maintained his dignity.

After some psychological preparation, I said something that was a bit against my will.

Especially when a young person, a latecomer, whose foundation is even worse than his own, finds the right direction in a very short time and has the possibility of surpassing himself.

He began to question all his past efforts and results!

He even questioned his own personality!

Lance shook his head, "Thank you, what I want to say is, Jobaf, we can unite."

Mr. Jobaf was a little dazed. He understood what Lance meant, but he didn't accept it.

"I'll think about it," he answered Lance, but it was understandable.

On one side is the city's nominal ruler, the mayor of Jingang appointed by the federal government, and a series of forces and backers behind the mayor.

On one side is a gang leader who comes from the empire's hometown and is still a regional gang. He makes a living by relying on some legal or illegal businesses but says he has a bright future.

Even if Mr. Jobaf thinks that what Lance said is very good, he is very likely not to choose Lance.

I've opened more than ninety small ones in a row, this time it should be a big one!

What's more, Lance wanted to support his girlfriend's father to become a congressman, not to support him.

He didn't want to go around in circles and end up back at the end. He wouldn't agree with Lance's choice, nor would he accept his invitation.

Seeing that Mr. Jobaf refused without hesitation, although he used the word "consider", Lance knew that he refused and could only feel helpless about it.

"Okay, I respect your choice, Mr. Jobaf, and I hope we can still be friends."

Mr. Jobaf forced a smile and said, "This has nothing to do with our positions and relationships as friends."

"We will always be friends!"

Lance extended his hand and shook it with Mr. Jobaf, "They're waiting for me over there."

"Go ahead and talk to the young people. They need your advice."

"Good-bye, then, Mr. Jobaf?"

"Bye, Lance."

The two let go of each other's hands and walked in two completely different directions, just like a fork in the road of life, each of them made and confirmed their own choices.

When they came to the young man, they quickly surrounded him.

Lance and the Lance family are damn famous in the Imperial District. Moreover, unlike the Camilla Gang, they neither charge fees nor extort their fellow villagers. They have a very good reputation among the Imperial immigrants.

Everyone rushed to greet Lance. This was a very meaningful Saturday for them, and it was like this every Saturday.

They can tell other peers that they know Lance and have talked to him, and these can become topics of conversation at school.

Due to the rain and snow some time ago, the gatherings at St. Naye's Cathedral had been suspended for many sessions. This was the first time since the beginning of spring, and many people came, much more than before.

Many people came here because they wanted to get close to Lance. When Lance showed that he didn't mind interacting with everyone, people also responded with great enthusiasm!

It can be seen that he is very popular among young people.

Rob, who was talking to people in the crowd, became uncomfortable when he saw Lance appear.

Even though he told his family that he had gotten over his breakup with Selena, he still felt unhappy when he saw Lance, whom he believed was the culprit behind the breakup.

"Look at how proud he is!" He glanced at Nancy beside him, but Nancy was lifting her hair and looking at Lance in the crowd with a smile.

This made Rob feel a sting of betrayal, "Don't fucking tell me you like this guy too!"

Nancy asked back, "What's wrong with liking him?"

"He is good-looking, rich, and has status. Everyone likes him..."

"I just don't like him!" Rob reiterated his position, but did not get Nancy's support.

She sneered, "Okay, brother, you don't like everyone who is better than you. We all know this fact. There's no need for you to keep emphasizing it to me!"

"Fuck!" Rob cursed under his breath, "I'm leaving. Do you want to come with me?"

Nancy hesitated, but eventually left with Rob because he had a car.

He said it was a company car, but it was still a car!

(End of this chapter)