Shadow Empire

Chapter 311 Methods and Phone Numbers

Mr. Qiaobaf was sitting in the car. The driver asked him several times before he realized that the other party was asking him "where he was going".

"Take a walk around," he said.

He took out a cigarette and lit it, looking out the window at the children running and laughing on the street, at the young men and women with smiles on their faces, and at the old people sitting at round tables on the side of the road drinking coffee and chatting.

Time seemed to suddenly slow down in a way he couldn't understand.

He inhaled the cigarette, and the smoke went down his throat into his lungs, and his entire lungs felt like they were soaked in warm water.

Nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membrane and sent into the blood. After seven or eight seconds, nicotine penetrates the blood-brain barrier and acts directly on the brain. The brain begins to secrete hormones, making Mr. Jobaf feel a little more relaxed.

He didn't know when it started, but he hadn't taken a good look at the streets of the Empire District.

In fact, this place is like his second hometown. He came here when he was very young and devoted himself to work.

He and his wife had no children, and he did not remarry after his wife fell ill and died.

He once thought about remarrying and having a child, but later gave up because he gradually felt that this city and this country were unfriendly to him.

He began to struggle, work hard and fight. He hoped that through some changes he would make people look up to him and respect him.

If he has a child in the future, the child will not have to bear the same heavy things that he has to bear.

By the time he had achieved that, but not all, he had already missed his chance.

Fortunately, he still has family members, and he can also set up a foundation...

It had been a long time since he had looked at the streets here so calmly, because the harder he was oppressed, the more he wanted to stand up and tell those people that he could do it, too.

When did life change?

Start chasing work?
He didn't know, maybe he had been like that since he was looked down upon by others, but he didn't know it.

Now that his mind was empty, he suddenly felt that what he was doing seemed quite boring.

Does it matter whether others respect him or not?
He is rich and respected by people, and he doesn't need to care about what those people think of him.

He had the idea that he was ridiculous.

He was a little envious of Lance, because he could easily achieve what he wanted but couldn't do. The envy turned into jealousy, and even some hatred and disgust.

He couldn't smoke the cigarette in his hand any more. He suddenly realized what people often say -

When you think you are a very smart person, the worst thing that can happen is that you meet someone smarter than you!

This is his current situation. He feels that he has actually achieved the limit of what an imperial immigrant can do, but Lance has done better in a shorter time and at a lower cost.

His stomach suddenly felt uncomfortable and he wanted to vomit. He quickly threw the cigarette out of the car window and said, "Let's go back."

The driver changed direction and the vehicle quickly merged into the traffic flow.

When it blends in with other vehicles, no one can tell which car holds the big shot and which one holds the little guy. Perhaps this is one of the few moments when everyone feels the same!

After returning to the office, the head of his campaign team pulled him aside and they all held a meeting together.

"Joe, the situation is very bad for us now. You must be prepared to fail." He was very pessimistic, which made Mr. Jobaf a little depressed.

Seeing that the client did not want to talk, he, as the party providing the service, could only continue, "From the perspective of campaign strategy, our strategy is completely fine, but from the perspective of campaign means, we are far behind."

"You can't get the support of local gangs. Even if we make it to the final voting day, how many voters can you guarantee to be on our side?"

He sighed and said, "I don't want to sound so pessimistic, but this is the fact."

It was not the first time that Qiaobafu valued Lance so much. He valued Lance to a new level. He could not help but ask with some envy and jealousy, "If I don't get their support, I can't become a member of parliament?"

"How they can do this, I don't understand!"

The team leader gathered his thoughts before saying, “They may not have that much influence politically, but they can disrupt our elections and campaigns.”

"They can also threaten people not to vote for us, or even do something more extreme."

"The lower-class people in every district hope to have a stable and safe life. I heard that the Lance family has done a good job in this regard."

"They are not just any gang, they are a gang with social influence and political influence."

"Within the rules of the election, we are not necessarily their opponents, let alone now that they are using means outside the rules."

The meaning of his words was clear and direct. Now the Lans family began to disrupt their campaign. If they couldn't curb their behavior, all their campaign plans would be a joke.

Qiaobaf was somewhat unwilling to accept the fact. He had paid such a high price to get to where he is today.

Now he was only one step away from entering the upper class society of Jingang City.

why?
Why can't he understand himself?
Why can't he choose next time, or later, but now?

Mr. Jobaf was so annoyed that he clenched his fists, but then quickly unclenched them.

"What if... I mean what if, the mayor can say a few words for me?" This seemed to be his only solution. He looked at the head of the campaign team with a glimmer of hope.

The latter still shook his head, "It can't be done, Joe. The mayor is not from Jingang City. He doesn't have that much influence."

“It may even have the opposite effect.”

"The best way now is for you to convince the Lance family to have a fair election with you."

"Either you give up the campaign, or convince them to give up the campaign."

"Besides these solutions, I really can't think of any other way."

Jobaf pursed his lips, "What if we hire a security company to protect our campaign?"

He never thought that one day he would have to do such a thing.

He had only read about it in the newspaper before, and at that time he didn't quite understand why multiple candidates for the presidential election participated in the campaign, not only with the cooperation of local police and state police, but also with the involvement of military personnel.

Aren’t their opponents in the election all federal officials? Some of them may even be acquaintances or friends. Why do they still do this?
Now, Mr. Jobaf has more or less understood a little.

The temptation of power is too great. Even if they are friends or even one of your own, if a bullet can solve the problem and bring you the final victory.

Those old men never spared a nickel to put a copper bullet into the other man's body.

The head of the campaign team thought for a while and said, "This is also a good idea. I know a security team. I will contact them first."

He made a phone call in the presence of Mr. Jobaf and explained the situation.

When the other party heard that the family that might cause trouble might be the Lance family, he refused to take the job.

The reason was that they didn't have enough staff to support them in taking on more work, which was different from what they had just discussed on the phone.

The person in charge made another call without giving up, but the other party still refused.

They are unwilling to stand on the opposite side of these gangs who are capable of fighting in the streets with submachine guns. They just want to make money, not lose their lives.

"I'm going to see the mayor!"

Mr. Jobaf left the men behind and went straight to the mayor's office.

He's done so much for the mayor, now he needs help.

If the mayor is willing to help him, then he will still be the mayor's best follower.

If the mayor was unwilling to help him, then he would not... do anything drastic, but would just quietly return to his correct position.

He has given so much, but the mayor is not willing to treat him as one of their own. So it doesn’t really matter whether he is one of their own or not.

The mayor is still working at this time. Recently, many people have come to Jingang City to check out the investment situation here.

It sounds incredible. The city’s order is clearly in chaos, so why would anyone come to check out the investment environment?
In fact, this is the environment that capitalists like best.

Like the former Jingang City, the order was stable and the classes were rigidified, and no one could easily change the status quo.

Almost all the profitable industries are firmly controlled by locals, who have ways to force investors to hand over everything and then leave in disgrace. Jingang City is safe and peaceful, but it is not a good place to invest!
Large buildings already stood there, leaving no room for newcomers, but now it was becoming different.

Large areas of ruins also mean the opportunity to build your own skyscrapers!
The secretary came out of the office and said to Mr. Jobaf outside, "The mayor is waiting for you, Mr. Jobaf."

Mr. Jobaf liked this secretary very much. She was young, energetic, sensible, and first-class in her interpersonal skills.

When you are with him, you will feel respected and valued, and you will not feel that you are being neglected.

He nodded and smiled, then went into the mayor's office.

The mayor twisted his wrist and there was a crackling sound in the joint. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Jobaf sighed softly, "I ran into some trouble with my campaign."

The mayor placed his hands on the edge of the table and leaned back in his chair. There was no wavering in his eyes. "So, what's wrong?"

Mr. Jobaf told the mayor all the troubles he had encountered. Listening to his troubles, the mayor yawned. He was a little tired.

He didn't have much rest at noon, so he felt a little sleepy. He reached out and pressed the button on the phone, "Please bring me a cup of strong coffee."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Mr. Jobaf again, "Didn't you hire a bodyguard or security company?"

“I looked for them, but they didn’t want to take my job.”

The mayor was also stunned for a moment. He chuckled a few times and said, "It seems that your fellow countryman Lance is very famous, at least more famous than you."

This is a fact. Mr. Qiaobafu has nothing to argue about. He just feels a little uncomfortable in his heart.

This kind of discomfort and dissatisfaction is actually very normal when a person has been leading in the field he or she is good at for a long time and is proud of it.

Suddenly one day someone breaks his lead in a very short time, and he will feel dissatisfied.

He didn't say anything, just remained silent.

The mayor frowned and said, "The situation in Jingang City is indeed a bit chaotic now, but I believe it will get better soon."

He paused and observed Mr. Jobaf's expression, "I know Lance and the Lance family. We have come into contact with them. They are indeed very arrogant."

"They bribed the police from the Imperial Branch and the local residents. It's normal that no one wants to take your job."

"Because those guys are just bodyguards, security guards, they are not gang members who are used to fighting."

"If you want to find someone who can fight against him, you have to find another gang that is similar to his."

Mr. Chobaff shook his head and said, "I don't know that many gang members. I have heard of them, but there is no connection."

"The only gangster friend I knew was also killed by Lance when he was dealing with the Camilla gang."

The secretary came in with coffee and placed it on the desk. The mayor said thank you and took a sip.

It was bitter, but it was indeed refreshing, "Do you know the Wolf Gang?"

Mr. Jobaf shook his head, "I don't know much about these gangs, but I do know something about the five major families."

The mayor did not talk to him about the Five Great Families, but focused on the Wolf Gang. "There are some conflicts between the Wolf Gang and Lance and his gang, and the friction between the two sides is escalating."

"You can ask for their help."

"You still have a certain influence in the Empire District, and you also have a popular base, which is what the Wolf Gang needs."

"If you can work together, you can contain Lans to a certain extent. At least when it comes to the election, they will become cautious again."

The mayor stopped talking at this point and said, "That's it. Think about it. I'll have my secretary give you a number. You can call this number when you make a decision."

He picked up his coffee and took another sip, then looked at Mr. Jobaf and said, "I'm going to work."

Mr. Jobaf also bowed slightly and left the office, and got a number from the secretary.

On the way back, he kept hesitating about this matter. Should he do as the mayor said?

He is very conflicted now. This is an internal matter of the Empire, and he believes that external forces should not be introduced.

But...Lance did ruin his campaign and made him move further away from his dream.

This intense contradiction and struggle made it impossible for him to make a decision.

After returning home, he couldn't make any good decision until late at night.

The next morning he came to the office and talked about the matter with the head of the campaign team. After listening to Mr. Jobaf's troubles, the head asked him a question.

"You feel that this is a conflict between you and that the problem should not be escalated."

"But, Joe, did Lance and the others communicate with you in a friendly manner?"

"They were the ones who escalated the conflict first, not you!"

"You are no longer friends, why do you still care about things that only friends would consider?"

"If you really want to treat him as a friend, then you might as well give up the election!"

"Sometimes I think Lance and William are the right politicians. They will do anything to win, but you can't!"

His words made Mr. Jobaf fall into deep thought, and his heart was full of contradictions.

On the one hand, he didn't want to completely break up with Lance, but on the other hand, he was willing to give up everything in his pursuit of victory.

Maybe it's time to make a decision!

The person in charge did not continue to persuade, but left quietly. What Mr. Jobaf needed at this moment was quietness.

Just as he was thinking about whether to make a complete break with the past, the mayor and his secretary were also discussing this matter.

"Do you think Jobav will call the professor to teach them?" the mayor asked his secretary while writing a document, as if he was giving the secretary a "test".

The secretary thought for a while and gave an affirmative answer, "He definitely will."

The mayor showed some interest, "Why are you so sure?"

"I heard that Lance and Jobaf had always had a good relationship until he was about to run for the Imperial District Municipal Councillor, and then they had a quarrel."

"But these contradictions are not absolutely irreconcilable. How can you be sure that he will call?"

The secretary smiled slightly, "Because he has no way out."

"In the past, even after he retired, he was still the respected Mr. Jobaf."

“But now people obviously look up to Lance more than he does.”

"He has no money, no reputation, no status. He has lost everything. He has no other way out except becoming a city councilor!"

The mayor was very satisfied with the secretary's answer. He smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Your analysis is very thorough. Yes, he has no way out except to keep running forward."

"The longer he hesitated, the more determined he became!"

The mayor had no doubts about this. It was like those scams. Sometimes when the scam was halfway through, some people had already realized it was a scam.

But the sunk cost is too high, so high that even if they know it is a scam, they will definitely be deceived again and beg for what they lost!

Just like Jobaf at this moment, if he doesn't give in, everything will still have a chance and he can get back everything he wants.

But as long as he gives in, everything will be completely over!

Some people cannot see through this point, which is why many scammers start from tens or hundreds of dollars to thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands.

They have figured out human nature thoroughly!

The mayor felt the breeze outside the window, a look of satisfaction on his face, "Wade will be transferred soon."

"We don't have many enemies left!"

(End of this chapter)