Shadow Empire

Chapter 322 Just what I want x2
"I have a little connection with them." Lance didn't say it fully, but he didn't deny it either.

He was still not sure what Councilman Williams meant by this. If he sounded too confident, it would be difficult to refuse, but he couldn't say it either. Perhaps this was another opportunity.

Congressman Williams raised his glass and motioned for Lance to clink his glasses. After the two clinked their glasses, they each took a sip of wine.

The alcohol content of whiskey is actually not very high for Lance. To him, anything below 50 degrees cannot be considered alcohol. It is just water mixed with alcohol.

However, few people in the Federation can directly face various types of alcohol with a concentration of more than 40 degrees. They also call it "strong liquor" and need to add ice.

He did not put the glass back on the coffee table, but slowly rotated it in his hand. "The work of the port is very important. I am old and my memory is not very good, but I know that countless ships come here from all over the world every day."

“They dropped the cargo and then left after reloading it.”

"Our docks are very busy every day, day and night."

"If... you say one day, the dock suddenly stops operating completely, who will be the most anxious?"

Congressman Williams leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and put his right hand holding the wine glass on the armrest, while his left hand was casually placed on his waist. "Those ships waiting to be loaded and unloaded?"

"What companies and enterprises are related to these shipping companies?"

"A longshoreman on the dock?"

"Or... Sidney, the state government, or even Congress?"

He was looking at Lance and asking him "stimulating questions". He was not sure whether Lance was a smart kid, so he used this method to make the conversation go more smoothly.

Lance knew what he meant, but... being treated like a moron really made him laugh and cry.

"You don't have to talk to me like that, I know what you mean!"

"But Mr. Williams, have you ever considered that once the port is shut down, a large number of cargo ships may continue to head north to save costs?"

"Once these cargo ships believe that the north is more stable and reliable, these resources that originally belonged to Jingang City will flow out."

There is another port in the north, which is definitely not as big as Jingang, but it is sufficient for temporary use.

If Jingang Port is shut down for too long, it may cause a series of problems. The northern ports would definitely be happier to see this happen.

This will give them the opportunity to develop, but for local interest groups, this is difficult to accept.

Lance lowered his voice slightly, tucked his chin in and said, "Have you discussed this with the Bay Area?"

This one sentence made Senator Williams finally realize that Lance was not a fool. Although this made him not have to worry about whether Lance could understand, Lance's answer also made him a little annoyed.

Bay Area!

A special existence. In fact, Congressman Williams is also a member of the Bay Area, but he cannot represent the entire Bay Area.

He pursed his lips, which made them appear slightly pale and thinner, and his hooked nose became more three-dimensional.

He did not discuss it with the Bay Area because he knew that those people in the Bay Area would definitely not agree.

If before the meeting started, some gangsters still thought they had a choice, in fact they no longer have one.

Then the gentlemen in the Bay Area are the ones who can really choose freely.

They have huge investments in Jingang City, and their interests are complicated. Even the mayor has no good way to deal with them.

So they are the real "free federal people"

If Councillor Williams talked to them about this, given their personalities, they would simply refuse!

Because this will definitely harm their interests!
They would rather side with outsiders than continue to stand on the side of the locals.

Don’t expect any firm stance and determination from the capital. The biggest difference between them and bitches is that bitches charge very little, but they want a lot, that’s all!

Lance's words directly hit the crux of the matter. If the capitalists still have the opportunity to choose their positions and camps, then Congressman Williams actually has no chance.

Once Sidney takes control of the city, all those who once opposed him will be wiped out.

Congressman Williams himself actually doesn't care. He is old and it doesn't matter if he is no longer a congressman.

But what about James (the eldest son)?
Those Bay Area people who have sided with the "new king" will never let James have a chance to come to the fore, because they all know that once James comes to the fore, he might retaliate against them.

They can't stand this, so the best way is to completely trample the Williams family under their feet and crush them to death!

For the sake of his children, whether it is James or Arthur, he needs to make some decisions, even if it requires sacrificing the interests of these people.

He had called Congressman Wade before and asked him for the notebook, but he said it had been burned in front of everyone, so there was no possibility of negotiation, so he could only do it first and talk later.

His breathing was a little rapid, which is what happens when you get older, and you always have problems with your heartbeat or breathing.

"Don't worry about them!" He picked up the glass and took another sip. If the Bay Area could firmly confront the mayor, Sidney would actually be very sad.

But those Bay Area bastards who only see profit are not pure at all, and once their interests are threatened, they will become hesitant.

Lance pursed his lips. "Then after I finish this, there is a high probability that I will face retaliation from the Bay Area, Councilman Williams."

"I respect you, but I'm not stupid."

"If you can't give me a guarantee, it's hard for me to do what you want."

Councilman Williams licked his lips. "What do you want, kid?"

Considering his age, Lance can indeed be called a "child", and he used the word "child" actually to bring the two sides closer.

Lance thought about it for a while, then shook his head, "There are many things I want, but most of them are things you can't give me."

"Why don't you tell me, what can you give me?"

"Perhaps you can convince me."

After hearing this, Congressman Williams laughed twice. He suddenly felt that things had become interesting. He no longer regarded Lance as an ordinary gang leader, but a person with the same intelligence as himself... Well, maybe not as smart as himself, and a little bit stupid.

"Sidney is going to be gone in two years, and if our plan works this time, then I will announce my candidacy for mayor."

"He will purge the city of reactionary forces that are not on our side and provide you with the greatest convenience."

"At the same time I can assure you that I will only do this for four years."

"This is what I'm giving you, four years!"

He looked at Lance, observing the subtle changes in Lance's eyes and expression, and from the way Lance changed to a slightly forward leaning posture, he felt his satisfaction with his "chips".

In four years, with the greatest convenience, we may be able to create a monster that is more terrifying and more dominant than the five major families!

This is his reward to Lance!

And he believed that Lance also understood.

"Aren't you afraid that one day, some things will get out of control?"

Congressman Williams suddenly laughed very happily, the kind of laughter that went off in a loud voice. After laughing for a while, he took a sip of wine, and then laughed a few more times, as if he had encountered something very funny.

"Lance, I don't really want to say this."

"But you should know that without light, there is no shadow. The shadow is always under the light."

"I know what you mean. I won't worry or be afraid."

"Because no matter how big you become, you are just the leader of a gang, and we are the real rulers of this country!"

He put down his glass, clasped his hands together and made a fist, "James will be a very good successor, you two will be able to get along well."

"I have summarized our biggest problem during this period, that is, Wade and I, we have dispersed power too much. If there was no him, and only me, then the current situation would not be like this!"

"It's the same with the five major families. It seems that the five major families are very united and have jointly written the rules of the underground world of Jingang City and even Likalai State."

"But you saw it!" He spread his hands, looking helpless, "In order to continue to stabilize the casino license in their hands, the Kodak family was the first to betray the five major families."

"The Cassia family's business was too dependent on the indulgence and acquiescence of law enforcement agencies, so when Sidney's power grew, he immediately surrendered." "If it wasn't the five major families, but a certain family, then these problems wouldn't have occurred, Lance."

"I'm very optimistic about you. You're smarter than those idiots out there, including Paul and the others."

"You know that by using your strengths and advantages, you can get along well with James and you will become the best partners."

"With your cooperation, this city will be your paradise!"

For the sake of his son, Congressman Williams tried his best.

He had not originally planned to run for mayor, but now, he has changed his mind.

It was also because Wade betrayed them that he was able to have the confidence to run for mayor. From a certain perspective, it was Congressman Wade who gave him the opportunity.

After thinking about it for a while, Lance finally agreed because it would be of great benefit to him.

A four-year period in which a person who is protected by the mayor can develop unbridled!

He was able to let Councilman Williams know that sometimes, shadows can cover the sun!

"I agree!" He raised his glass and clinked it with Congressman Williams, who smiled with satisfaction. "How do you plan to arrange this?"

Congressman Williams took a sip of wine and swirled the glass. The amber liquid rolled around in the glass. There was a hint of amusement on his face. "The workers haven't had a pay raise for two or three years. Is this reasonable?"

"Of course, you can also do what you want and wait for me to call you."

Lance nodded slightly and stood up. He smoothed his clothes and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to work with you, Senator Williams."

Congressman Williams also laughed and stood up, shaking hands with Lance, "Happy cooperation!"

"I will let James contact you about the follow-up matters. You are both young people and should be able to become good friends."

He was still thinking about his eldest son. It seemed like a favoritism, but in fact, it was the only way to ensure that power could be inherited.

Rely on that idiot Arthur?

The Williams family is about to be finished!
Only James is most like him, able to inherit everything he has and develop it further.

This incident is a crisis, but also an opportunity, an opportunity to stabilize the peak of power in Jingang City!
Congressman Williams left soon, and after he left, Alberto asked Lance, "What did you talk about just now?"

Lance looked in Paul's direction, and Paul happened to be looking at him as well.

Including smiling and nodding, Lance also responded, "Nothing, just talking about some secrets that can't be told, but you will know soon."

Alberto did not force it. He knew that Lance must have a reason why he couldn't say it.

After hugging each other, the two said goodbye to each other, such as take care, and then hurriedly parted.

Paul asked Alberto what Lance and Congressman Williams said in the room, but Alberto said nothing, so he had to pretend that he asked casually and skipped the topic.

On the way back, Lance lit a cigarette, "I remember we still have two undercover agents there, right?"

Erwin nodded, "Yes, we have been monitoring them and have not let them notice anything different."

Lance took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Don't assign them long-term jobs at the end of the month. They will be needed then."

Erwin was a little confused. He didn't ask, but just looked at Lance, waiting for Lance's explanation.

Lance laughed and said, "I said that keeping them would be useful. Jingang City will be in chaos again next month, and we need them to pass some information to the Hazardous Materials Administration."

Erwin also smiled and said, "Are we going to give them another performance reward?"

In fact, Lance had already delivered two performance reports to them, so there was no actual loss, but it also gave those people in the Hazardous Materials Administration some comfort from him.

At least, they made Lance uncomfortable!

"Give them a big achievement this time!"

Alvin still didn't understand, Lance moved his lips and lip-synced "pier", and when Alvin understood, he was stunned!

The only place on the dock that has anything to do with alcohol is the Dockworkers Club!

The unlimited supply of cheap alcohol has caused the club's monthly losses to rise to approximately 20,000 yuan. Although the losses are severe, they are nothing compared to Lans' current income.

But this club has become the spiritual food for more than 10,000 workers at the dock!
If it suddenly breaks...

He shuddered. He could no longer imagine the anger of those workers!
He looked at Lance in disbelief, but Lance remained calm. "I remember we beat up a guy named Johnny last time, right?"

Erwin nodded. "Later, I visited him at his home and he compromised."

"Go find him and tell him I have something to talk to him about, and it's a good thing."

"Give him a chance this time, let him be a hero!"

“In addition, the firm may see a huge development.”

The weather has become hot, and the hot sea breeze blowing into the carriage brings a unique summer feeling.

"I'll leave this to you. Go talk to Reid and ask him to recruit more workers to help us rush out at least 10,000 more pieces of workwear."

Alvin didn't know why Lance had such a need, but he knew that there was nothing wrong with doing so.

Lance considered that simply cutting off the supply of alcohol would only make them angry, but would not necessarily make them completely obey his direct strike.

So wouldn’t it be more appropriate to create labor-capital conflicts and then take advantage of the situation to demand a wage increase?
The triple anger combined together, completely turning the dock into a mess!

Since you're coming, come hard!
In fact, the mayor also knew about today's meeting. Someone was secretly passing information to him, and he also knew what Councilman Williams was thinking.

When the message came back, he first shared the intelligence with his secretary, "What do you think?"

He seemed to really enjoy asking his secretary how he analyzed and viewed various things.

Sometimes, when he is busy or unable to respond, the secretary needs to make some decisions for him. Although this situation is rare and uncommon, it is possible.

He needs to let his secretary know how to solve these problems when they arise.

If one day he is not around and the secretary faces trouble independently, he will be able to make the right decisions.

The secretary frowned and thought for a long time, "The police are not in our hands at the moment. If things get chaotic, it will be difficult for us to handle it."

“Maybe we should reappoint a new police chief?”

"John's success made me realize that there are many locals in this city who are not on the same page as them, and we can make use of their strength!"

"As long as we can seize the police department's law enforcement power, these riots are minor issues and we can just let the police suppress them."

The mayor nodded slightly. "This is a direction that we are considering, but I don't think it is suitable for the current situation."

"The most crucial point is that after John died, that old dog Charlie and Hunter took advantage of this opportunity to regain control of the situation."

"I heard that the directors of various branches will go to Charlie's villa for a party after get off work on Friday."

“That’s the police department, not the city’s.”

“Even if we appoint a new police chief, it will take time to influence people like Charlie and Hunter again.”

"Just let Dale and his gang do it. These people are gangsters, a criminal group, and they are smuggling alcohol."

"They have always wanted to be more proactive in playing their value, so let them do it."

"Plus, we may be able to get some assistance from the state police."

"In fact, the more chaos they cause, the better it is for us."

"Williams is right. Congress will not sit idly by and watch the chaos in Golden Harbor City. When the time comes, they will mobilize the militia without us having to do anything."

"That's great. With the help of the militia, we can catch all these annoying things in one fell swoop!"

(End of this chapter)