Shadow Empire

Chapter 269 Grading and Weekends
The vice president of the state labor federation was named Brian, a very ordinary name.

Most people in the Federation have common names, and it is those with strange and weird names that are abnormal.

He was very interested in the classification proposed by Lance. What they had just talked about was the "scoring system", which was to give skilled workers a score by judging their performance in professional skills.

From one to one hundred, one point is just the beginning and one hundred is the best technique. Theoretically, no one can reach this level.

However, there are some problems here that need further discussion, and the grading system proposed by Lance has aroused some interest in him.

"Mr. Lance, you can tell me about it and we can discuss it."

Lance didn't show any modesty and said directly, "We use different technical difficulties as different levels, for example... welders."

“If they are just proficient at using the tools and welding, then that’s a journeyman.”

"Being able to weld two incompletely connected materials together smoothly is a first-level skilled worker."

"If the cracks continue to increase, or the material becomes more difficult to process, then the level of technology will increase accordingly."

"In the end, if they can weld two materials that are at least ten centimeters apart together and meet all process standards, then this is the highest level of professional skill."

"Of course I'm just giving an example. I don't know if the difficulty of doing this can be measured, but I think it's more reasonable than giving a score."

"Because we can't give a grade for every skill, but we can judge whether they are qualified based on whether they can do something."

Lance's words seemed to open a door, allowing them to see a new world.

"Mr. Lance is right. Sometimes when we select workers, we tend to recommend them based on the criteria of 'whether he can do something'."

"This is actually a grading system that we already use, but no one has figured it out!"

"Mr. Lance, you have a smart mind. This method is very convenient and intuitive."

The more Brian thought about it, the more he felt that it was very feasible. It not only solved some of the drawbacks of the scoring system, but also completely divided the levels.

He couldn't wait to share this achievement with the people of the AFL!
"I think this method is very feasible," President Scott echoed, as if he was really thinking about the meaning and value of doing so.

He glanced at Vaughn, then at Lance, and asked in a tentative tone, "Why don't we try it out here first? What do you think?"

The trade union commissioner also nodded continuously, "This is a good suggestion. Let's implement it first. If there are any problems, we can find them in time, which will facilitate the brothers of the Federation of Labor to improve and adjust them."

Brian knew very well that their purpose in doing so was nothing more than to gain a "first-mover" advantage, thereby bringing them a better resume.

Moreover, this grading system is likely to become the grading system used by the AFL-CIO. Then they can completely label themselves as the "founder of the grading system" and gain a lot of political benefits from it.

Although it is true that thinking this way is a bit...inappropriate, how can one harbor malicious intent towards his fellow workers?

But there is indeed some corruption among some of the current labor federations and union managements. Their power is so great that even capitalists have to make concessions when necessary.

This makes them vulnerable to corruption by capitalists, and the methods used by capitalists are so extreme that not everyone can resist this temptation.

Bryan thought about it for a while and decided to hand it over to the AFL for discussion. "I think it would be better to have a unified approach..."

He rejected President Scott's decision. Although President Scott was the president, he did not have equal status in front of the vice president of the state labor federation.

The third day's competition ended in the morning. Vice President Brian gave a closing speech. He talked about many things, especially about workers' skills.

Perhaps because it was safe after the second day, a lot more people came to watch on the third day.

He gave some examples of successful workers who had realized the federal dream.

These workers are actually not a minority, it’s just that some of them quickly disappeared from people’s sight, but that doesn’t mean they are not a minority.

Most of these people have one thing in common: they are very passionate about their work skills and will continue to study their work skills even after get off work.

When you do something to the extreme, you will discover a new world.

These people either improved the production process or invented some patents, which gave them the opportunity to make a class leap.

Although some dock workers in the audience rolled their eyes and complained to their colleagues that they would never achieve any patents in mopping decks in their lifetime, the boat cleaners around them couldn't help but start making jokes.

This kind of speech that nourishes the soul is at least not annoying!

When Vice President Brian was about to leave, Lance went to him with a cowhide bag. The two of them closed the door and chatted for a long time, and then Lance left empty-handed.

When Vice President Brian came out, there was no difference on his face, as if what had just happened had never happened, and Lance had not left anything for him.

The three-day imperfect competition finally came to an end. What was strange, but not strange, was that not many media reported on the shooting at the pier.

There was no report on the increasingly chaotic Jingang City.

Bill called Lance these two days to apologize to him and invited him to join him in eliminating the Wolf Gang. However, Lance ignored him on the grounds that he "needed to manage the Empire District well."

In Lance's plan, when he is ready, he will take out the Red Dog Gang as well!

He attended the weekend party on Saturday, but this time he didn't come alone, he brought someone with him, William.

Many people in the empire knew William, and some even took the initiative to greet him. This was also the first time that Lance attended such a formal occasion with William. Everyone who saw this scene understood what Lance meant.

He supports William to become a member of the Imperial District!
"Patricia and I are in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. If nothing unexpected happens, I will most likely marry her."

"So William will be the father of my wife, so it is only natural that I should support him instead of Mr. Jobaf."

"From my perspective, I believe William knows better than Mr. Jobaf how to help us achieve some of the goals we have always desired but have not been able to achieve."

"For example, problems with schooling and employment..."

These are issues that the public is very concerned about. Those who can attend the gathering here on Saturday are those who have a little influence, but not much.

It can be said that a considerable number of them are middle class in the Empire Zone. This description sounds a bit strange, like the role of selecting generals from among dwarfs.

But the fact is that, except for those who come here to eat and drink for free, everyone else can come to socialize, which means that they at least have a stable life and a basic environment for socializing.

William knew it was time for him to speak, so he stepped forward and began to present his views to the people.

Regarding the establishment of more high schools and how to improve the employment rate, everyone is very concerned about these issues. He became the focus of people's attention in a short time...

This was not a political gathering, so William did not say much. He simply outlined a few of his core views and then ended his speech.

Many people agree with his views because they are based on reality. On the contrary, some of the very general concepts mentioned by Mr. Jobaf do not arouse their interest.

"It can be seen that people respect you very much." William, who was thirsty, came over with a glass of juice. The prohibition made it impossible to drink here, but people had nothing to complain about.

Drinking in the morning is not a good habit.

Lance seemed very calm. "When you don't do things that hurt others, they will respect you. If you do something good for them, they will respect you."

It was a very ordinary dialogue, but it made William feel something different, like a very plain truth.

It may sound ordinary at first, but after chewing it for a while, a flash of lightning will appear in your mind!
William felt that Lance was a very interesting person. He was like a treasure. As long as you kept digging, you would always find some surprises.

When the party was about to end, the priest came over, and he obviously had something to say to Lance. William found a reason to leave temporarily, which was the most basic social etiquette.

"Mr. Jobaf did not continue to replenish the funds needed for the party, so... I don't know what to say." The priest seemed a little embarrassed, after all, he came to ask for money.

Lance was stunned for a moment, "Did he forget?"

The priest shook his head. "In fact, he has not come for three weeks in a row, and he has not discussed the issue of fees with me. He used to transfer money at the beginning of every month, but now it is almost the end of the month, and he has not mentioned this matter."

He glanced at Lance cautiously, "It is rumored that he has fallen out with many people, including you, Mr. Lance..."

In fact, he didn't need to be so cautious and could confidently dispel the "rumor" that Mr. Jobaf had a falling out with Lance.

The conflict between the two sides could not be resolved. In order to cope with the bank run caused by distrust, Mr. Jobaf sold some bonds in advance, which caused him to lose a lot of money.

The current situation of Jinda Bank is not optimistic. If it happens again, it may not be able to bear it.

It seems that he has no way back now and can only go on in one direction. During this period, apart from accompanying the mayor on social events, he has been giving speeches everywhere.

He has seen becoming a city councilor of the Imperial District as his chance to turn things around. There are many members of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce at the party, but he doesn't care about the party at all and simply doesn't come.

Lance took out his checkbook and signed a check to the priest. "Next month's fee, some venue usage fees, and fees for disturbing God's rest. I hope God won't think it's too little."

The priest looked at the check with his eyes narrowed, "You are a devout believer, God will understand you, Mr. Lance!"

Lance said sarcastically, not with malice, "Can God understand what the numbers on a check mean?"

The priest smiled nonchalantly and said, "God is omnipotent, Mr. Lance!"

As he spoke, he put the check into his pocket. If there really was a God, and if God was truly omnipotent, he should send down a bolt of lightning and kill the priest.

After this little episode, Lance left with William. Today is the weekend, and Lance wants to spend it with Patricia.

Emotions are a strange thing. Why do so many men or women prefer their significant other to be simpler?

It’s not that they think simplicity is necessarily good, it’s just that simplicity is easier to deceive.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Lance is lying to Patricia. He really likes this simple girl. When the two of them are together, they don't seem tired, but rather relaxed.

This is what you need in your emotional life. If you become miserable and exhausted because of falling in love with someone, and have to rack your brains all day long to think about how to please the other person,

Then you are just a simple bootlicker, and this is not love, because bootlickers cannot have love!

Lance had lunch at William's house, and Emily prepared a large table of dishes.

Recently, many talkies have been released in batches, and Lance and Patricia's afternoon schedule includes going to the movies together.

"I heard you also invested in a movie?" Emily was very interested in this. "Do you think I can act in the movie?"

She also struck a few poses, imagining herself as an actress.

Lance took a look and nodded, saying, "You have great qualities, Emily. You are beautiful and in great shape. If you are willing to make a movie, I believe there will be people who will watch it."

"But I'm not sure whether I can become a star. For those who can become stars, besides their own efforts, luck is more important!"

Emily repeated, "Luck?"

Lance nodded again. "There are a lot of movies being filmed in Valley City right now. You can see beautiful girls or handsome men when you walk down the street, but most of them will eventually become ordinary actors, not stars."

"Even if they are both very beautiful, some of them you will like after just one look, but some of them you won't find pretty even if you look at them more than once. That's the truth."

"You have to appeal to the audience. It has nothing to do with whether you are good-looking or have a good figure. When they see you for the first time, they decide whether they like you or not."

Patricia looked at Lance in admiration, "You know so much!"

Lance shrugged, "I'm just speaking from a spectator's perspective."

William put down his knife and fork. "I said, you're not really suitable for acting in movies."

Emily was unwilling to give up. This was one of the few times in recent years that she was so enthusiastic about something. "I still want to try it."

Lance agreed this time, "No problem, after my movie comes out, I'll plan to make the next one."

William felt a little strange, "Are you so confident about the box office of the movie?"

Lance smiled mysteriously, "More than just confidence?"

William could sense that there was more to Lance's words, but he didn't know what it meant.

After lunch, Lance left home with Patricia and went to the cinema as planned. There was a cinema not far from the community where the Lawrence couple lived, and they walked there.

"Do you think... I can also make a movie?" Patricia, like most girls, has all kinds of dreams.

Lance ruffled her hair, "Of course, you'll be a screen goddess!"

"You make me shy, Lance. I feel embarrassed if you always praise me like this." Although she said that, it can be seen from the bright smile on her face that Lance's praise made her very happy.

Who can resist nice words from someone they like?
"I'm just telling the truth. I don't like lying."

The girl hugged his arm happily and said, "My colleagues want to treat you to a meal. They all want to meet you."

Lance went to pick her up several times, and Patricia's colleagues had seen him, but they didn't know who Lance was, and Patricia didn't tell them.

On the one hand, this is her private life and she doesn't want her colleagues to get involved, even if they are good friends.

On the other hand, she didn't communicate with Lance either.

Their relationship has been heating up rapidly recently, and has already developed to the point of being close friends, so some of her ideas have also changed.

Lance agreed, "I'll treat them to a meal. After all, they took good care of you and waited for me."

"You pick a place and don't worry about the cost. You know, money is just a number to me."

Lance is not bragging. In this era when the average monthly income is only more than 40 yuan, his daily income is hundreds or thousands of times this amount.

Even if the meal is very good, a few hundred or a thousand dollars is just a small amount of money.

Sometimes, time goes by very quickly at certain times, and before you know it, you are already in the cinema.

After buying the tickets, the two found their seats and began to enjoy the movie.

There were a lot of people in the cinema, almost all of them were occupied. Compared to Patricia who was focusing on the screen, Lance was thinking about pushing for the acquisition of the cinema as soon as possible.

He has acquired several plots of land and is currently building them, but this pace is far from enough. He must acquire more cinemas more quickly, preferably finished cinemas that can be used directly.

The movie came to its finale, a tragic ending, and Lance heard the sobbing of many girls.

To him, this fifty-minute movie seemed a little confusing, but perhaps it was not meant for people like Lance.

(End of this chapter)