Shadow Empire

Chapter 244 Apology, Creativity and Sponsorship
The golden light shone on the mysterious veil of Jingang City, and the city with a thin layer of water vapor gradually revealed its exquisite outline behind the mist.

It awakened from its slumber and activated all the people living in this city.

Early in the morning, the Jingangcheng City Police Department held a press conference.

A large number of reporters flocked to the scene. They had received some information in advance that there would be big news disclosed today, which was related to yesterday's big operation.

In fact, some reporters have already heard some scraps of news, such as the kidnapping and sexual crimes committed by Red High Heels, and that they may affect some respectable people.

They were not very interested in the case itself; they just wanted to know how many big shots had been Red High Heels' clients and what they had gained from Red High Heels.

Chief Charlie sat in the middle of the conference room with a serious look on his face, and every police officer looked particularly solemn.

When the time was almost up, Director Charlie began his speech with a sigh.

He suddenly stood up and bowed deeply before the reporters knew why he stood up at the beginning of the press conference.

After more than ten seconds, he slowly stood up and said, "I apologize to all citizens of this city for our inadequate efforts to combat and regulate crime in this city."

"I sincerely ask for forgiveness from the general public and I promise that I will uncover every person involved."

He spoke in a way that some reporters could not understand, and then he sat back down. “What I am going to say next is related to yesterday’s big operation.”

"Yesterday we... busted the Red High Heel Club. Many people don't know, or have heard, that we are arresting a wanted criminal."

"But in reality, this is to avoid alarming their rhetoric. In fact, we have received some outrageous reports that the Red High Heels Club is suspected of kidnapping, imprisoning, injuring and killing some girls from all over the country."

"They used violence to force these girls to engage in sex transactions and provide sexual services to certain people."

"And in the process, they are harmed or even killed."

"We successfully rescued all the girls we could find and captured the main crime lords and their henchmen."

"During the surprise interrogation last night, we have begun to gradually break down the psychological defenses of some criminals, and we have learned some things from their mouths that are hard for us to imagine."

"I can't imagine what kind of darkness and hell they went through to wait until we rescued them. I feel so ashamed..."

Director Charlie faced the reporters as if he was truly ashamed, and kept expressing the emotions he wanted to express.

In fact, he had known where Red High Heels was for a long time, and had even assisted a wealthy man in the Bay Area in dealing with a corpse there once. He didn't trust the people in Red High Heels, so he left it to Charlie.

He had known about the nature of Red High Heels for about... a dozen years, but had only known about its harm and killing of the Bay Area's wealthy for about seven or eight years.

He had never done anything during such a long period of time, and even felt that the existence of Red High Heels was of great help in stabilizing the public security in Jingang City.

At least if the wealthy people in the Bay Area want to do something terrible, it won't cause panic among the people.

At that time, the girls in Red High Heels were all illegal immigrants. They were invisible people in the country. Even if they were killed, no one would seek justice for them, and it would not cause any social opinion.

Until recently, they seemed to have kidnapped several girls from the Federation. It could be that the tastes of the rich men have changed, or Sam is bolder than Liam (the previous boss).

In fact, if they were not in the center of the storm, they would still be able to continue operating, and Director Charlie would not have closed it down.

What exposes all darkness to the sun is definitely not justice, but struggle.

As the press conference came to an end, more and more people knew about it.

Some newspapers printed supplements almost at noon just to report on this news.

In order to make the supplement less thin, they also took out some old missing persons news and linked it to this news to make the whole thing look more thrilling.

Lance saw the supplement in the office at noon, and Sam and Booker became "devil-like criminals."

According to Bolton, many people went to the Red High Heels Club and smashed the glass of the club with stones or other things. Some people also pried open the door of the club and looted everything inside.

Federal people are like this, they always have ways of expressing their emotions that others can't understand.

It seems that this act of snatching is also a positive way to release emotions.

A lot of people also gathered at the police station, demanding severe punishment for Sam and Booker. People from all walks of life seemed to be publicly expressing their hope for the death penalty.

Director Charlie did not respond to this, but many people already knew the outcome of the incident—the two ringleaders committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and the notebook has been taken away by Congressman Wade.

A successful performance cannot have just one or two actors.

If it were in the past, Erwin and the others might have felt like most people, that... this was a victory for justice.

But after Lance's explanation, they finally saw the essence of the matter.

In fact, there has never been any justice or fairness, it’s just that their values ​​make them dangerous, so they are thrown out.

The best way to keep yourself safe is to always make yourself valuable while not being too dangerous.

Just after lunch, Vice President Vaughn found Lance and asked him for something.

They found a small restaurant in the Empire District, and Lance reluctantly ate a little more.

The federal people usually eat late. It may be after midnight or close to one o'clock in the afternoon.

In the evening, around six to seven o'clock is the time for most people to eat.

The two found a roadside stall and sat down. Vice President Vaughn behaved like a working class person in this respect. He was not picky about food and would eat with gusto even if it was a roadside stall.

"Scott sorted out the things you said before and sent them to the Federation of Trade Unions. The Federation of Trade Unions took it very seriously, and the Labor Federation was also very interested in your ideas."

"But...Lance, I have to apologize to you. Scott did not mention your name in this matter." Vice President Vaughn looked embarrassed.

He and President Scott are both well aware that the working class "grand competition" is definitely an event that can increase the influence of the AFL and trade unions!

The political benefits brought to them by independent ideas and borrowing other people's ideas are completely different.

If Scott reported this matter to his superiors, saying that it was someone else's suggestion and he adopted it, then the AFL-CIO and the AFL-CIO would not think very highly of him. At most, they would think that he had a sharp eye and accurate judgment, and that would be the end of it.

There are countless regional union presidents across the federation who have sharp eyes and accurate judgment, but these are not enough for him to be promoted directly to the Federation of Trade Unions.

Only when he takes all the credit for himself and claims that it was his own idea, will the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the AFL-CIO think that "this guy is a talent" and consider transferring him to the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.

As for whether he can continue to perform outstandingly in the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, it is actually not that important anymore.

It's like you've already eaten the fattiest meat. Does it matter whether you digest it well or not?
Vice President Vaughn also gained some political benefits from it. In Scott's report to his superiors, he said that he conceived the core framework, Vice President Vaughn filled in some of the details, and Lance's role was to provide funds and prizes.

The Federation of Trade Unions attaches great importance to this, but considering that they have never done such a thing before, and they are not sure whether competition among peers will cause some unexpected problems, they let Jingang City do it first.

First, a local technical competition will be held in Jingang City under the name of "Likalai State Dockworkers' Union Technical Competition".

If everything goes exactly as they want, it works great and brings more influence.

Then they will expand across the country.

The AFL-CIO also thinks so, and has been thinking about how to further refine the definition of "skilled workers". After all, some skilled workers are indeed much better than others, but there are also some people who have reached the level of skilled workers, but are always a little worse than the best.

Now perhaps they can use this method to divide skilled workers into different levels and grades.

"…So, Lance, I'm sorry that I didn't get all the benefits for you." Vice President Vaughn looked as if...he was indeed full of guilt.

But Lance knew that to presume to guess an actor's performance level was not only an humiliation to the actor, but also an humiliation to his own IQ.

"Vaughn, we are friends!" "I remember you said before that if Scott is transferred to the General Labor Union, will you be the president of the labor union in Jingang City?"

Vaughn did not deny it. "Scott also wrote my name in the report just to pave the way for me. As long as he can join the Federation of Trade Unions, I will definitely be able to take over his job."

There is no doubt about this, unless some people want to disgust a member of the Federation of Trade Unions who has just entered the core layer.

If someone from the Federation of Trade Unions does this, then Scott won't be able to get promoted, and they will prevent Scott from making progress.

But as long as he can get in, Vaughn's vice president will not be a problem for his sake.

Lance looked very happy, "Then it's all worth it, Vaughn, we are friends!"

"These ideas won't bring me any practical benefits, but if they are of any special value to you and Scott, then why should I be stingy with these things that have no value to me?"

"Just tell me that it's the result of your discussion. I won't say anything nonsense. You can trust me on this."

Vaughn was stunned for a moment. The reason he came to talk to Lance about this matter was not only because he felt a little sorry for Lance, but also because Scott had taken the initiative to give him the order.

Calm Lance down. After all, no one would be happy if they simply copied other people's ideas and applied them to themselves, while allowing them to gain huge benefits.

If Lance says something wrong, things might get ugly.

But what Vaughn didn't expect was that Lance understood what he meant so quickly. He didn't know whether Lance really understood it or it was just a coincidence.

"That's not what I meant, Lance, I trust you completely!" Vaughn also looked sincere and didn't seem to be acting at all.

He thought for a moment and said, "Someone has asked about the club recently, but don't worry, as long as I'm still in Jingang City, the club will always be yours!"

Lance's eyes rolled slightly, "Who would be interested in a working man's club that keeps losing money?"

Vaughn didn't realize the importance of this matter. He shrugged and said, "It seems to be someone from a consulting company..." He touched his pocket and said, "They gave me a business card. I don't have it with me. I can give it to you when I get back."

Lance nodded slightly. In the Federation, anything related to consulting firms must be related to politics.

He was a little annoyed, but he didn't show it.

Then Vaughn felt a little... embarrassed. "The Federation of Trade Unions didn't approve that much money for us this time. Scott and I thought that if we were going to do it, we should make it bigger."

"After all, the dock workers will be here all week, and as the host, we must show... you know, we don't want to embarrass ourselves."

“And not just people from our state’s union, but people from other state unions and the AFL will come as well.”

The union has money in its account now, but it’s not too much. If we just hold a simple union, there will definitely be no big problems.

It's nothing more than providing these people with food and lodging, and then giving out some prizes.

But Scott intended to use this opportunity as a way to break into the Federation of Trade Unions, so he must not do it too badly.

As long as he wants to stand out, he will definitely have to spend more money.

But he has no money, what should he do?
"What's your budget?" Lance picked up a beef rib and started sucking on the meat.

Vaughn scratched his head. "About thirty-five thousand to fifty thousand."

"The union still has some money in its account. We can scrape together a hundred thousand dollars."

One hundred thousand yuan to buy a way to get promoted, and it’s not your own money, so this deal can be done!
"You mean I am the only one sponsoring?"

Vaughn nodded shyly, "I hope you can provide some support. If you don't have enough, we will look for other companies to help."

Scott and Vaughn analyzed that Lance owned a lot of bars and must have a lot of money.

And he must be willing to sponsor it all by himself, so there is no need to worry that Lance won't pay.

This made Vaughn feel that Scott was plotting against Lance, and he always thought that Lance was a good young man, which made him feel a little guilty.

But only a little.

Lance was just as Scott predicted. Since he had decided to pay, it would be best for him to pay for it all.

He exhaled. He didn't really care whether this matter was planned by Scott or Vaughn, because this matter was beneficial to him.

At least he could make himself familiar to the dock workers and the AFL. Those people in the AFL knew that he could sponsor so much money at one time, and they might come to him in the future.

You have to know that during this period, the AFL and labor unions in the federal government were absolutely capital killers - not capitalists.

Their destructive power over capital is so great that Congress has actually begun to consider how to undermine the influence of unions and the AFL among the working class.

Even the current concessions made by politicians and capitalists to trade unions and the AFL are a means for them to disintegrate the AFL.

By actively avoiding them, both of them will start to become arrogant and conceited!

Arrogance and conceit are the first step towards destructive madness. Even though they may not seem so arrogant now, one day they will lose themselves in their vanity.

Just like this moment.

"No problem, I'll pay for it, but I also have a request."

Of course Vaughn would not refuse. "Tell me about it. I will try my best to convince Scott."

"First, I need to hang the Wanli Law Firm's sign in the most conspicuous place and sign it directly. I am the sole sponsor of the event."

Vice President Vaughn heard a word he had never heard before, exclusive.

But the word wasn't that hard to "chew", and he soon figured out what Lance meant, "No problem."

"Second, I need at least one seat on the podium, and as close to the middle as possible."

This was no problem at all. Vaughn agreed directly, "Okay."

"Third, if we need to present an award to the winner, then I need to have the opportunity to appear alone to present the award and distribute the prize money to the winner, and not just once."

Vaughn nodded repeatedly. It was just money, nothing else. "No problem."

"Finally, the name of Wanli Office will be printed on the certificate, and I will also give them some small souvenirs and albums."

Vaughn carefully reconsidered and confirmed that these were all reasonable requests. "I don't think there is a problem. I can agree to it. Even if Scott is dissatisfied, I will convince him."

Lance wiped his hands with a towel, then reached out and shook hands with Vice President Vaughn. "Happy cooperation!"

"Thanks for your support, Lance, it saves me a lot of trouble!"

"I promise that your investment is definitely worth it. As long as I am in Jingang City, no one can take the club away from you!"

Lance smiled widely as if he really believed it, "I believe this!"

In fact, for Lance, it was a good thing that President Scott was promoted to the General Labor Union. He owed him a big favor.

If his cooperation is needed in the future, there will be a reason and an excuse.

Of course, there is a possibility that President Scott will refuse, but that doesn’t matter.

If he really refuses Lance's request, Lance will make him understand what the consequences will be if he only wants to get benefits but is unwilling to pay!
I have to go out soon, so the next chapter may be late
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(End of this chapter)