Shadow Empire

Chapter 370 If You Want to Come, Come Big

Dave and several worker representatives walked out of the dock, all wearing brand new work uniforms issued to them by Lance.

I have to say that everyone's mental outlook has changed dramatically after wearing neat work clothes.

They have not received higher education, so they don’t know how to describe this feeling. In short, they feel that they have become united and have become more powerful!
If the capitalists dare to confront them now, they can crush them with one punch!

They were smoking and walking with the wind, and they were no longer the same as before.

If anyone who knows about trade union history sees this scene, they will understand that these worker representatives are entering a special stage, a stage of transformation.

When they have completely transformed from this stage, they will no longer be ordinary working class people, and they will have greater room for development politically.

That’s how unions came about!

When the working class unites to fight against the exploitation and oppression of capitalists, everyone is together.

But only the first group of people who shouted "workers' unity" and began to formulate some charters, and who were regarded by some as fools for running around to help everyone defeat the capitalists, eventually stood out from the working class.

They formed labor unions, and another group of people discovered these problems and realized that this was an opportunity to change themselves, so the second group became the rule makers of industry unions.

By the time those workers, those workers who were no different from them, reacted, there was no place for them in either the labor federation or the industry union.

Maybe it would be impossible for Dave and his people to form a labor union or an industry union, as there would be no place for them in it.

But they are indeed transforming, and in a place that they themselves cannot see, a blank space is being released.

Johnny, who was walking in front, opened the door of the restaurant, and the others came in one after another. They soon saw Lance sitting at the table in the middle of the restaurant.

There was no one else in the entire restaurant, and Lance had booked the place for an hour.

It was not time to eat, so Lance spent twenty yuan to book it temporarily.

"Mr. Lance?"

"Someone just said you wanted to see us?"

Lance motioned for them to sit down and asked the restaurant waiter to bring some coffee.

After everyone sat down, he said, "The militia will enter the city in a few days. To be precise, the day after tomorrow."

Everyone showed an expression of disbelief when hearing this. The militia entering the city is a big deal in the federation, as it means that order has been disrupted!
After the conflicts within the federation were resolved, they formulated a series of rules, some of which were written on paper, framed, and placed in museums or political buildings to remind people of their previous commitments.

There are also some promises that they find difficult to record, so they make them verbally and promise to abide by them.

Politics and the military are separate and they should not change because of someone's will.

Seeing that the workers were getting a little nervous, Lance continued to increase his firepower, "And I have accurate information. In addition to solving the public security problem, they also have to solve the strike problem."

"Suppress the strike?" Johnny stood up in shock. This was not in the script!

The others also looked shocked. Lance nodded slowly, "Jingang City is not allowed to get into chaos. And you should know that the current chaos is actually caused by the confrontation between two interest groups."

“Locals and outsiders!”

They had heard these rumors. Workers, especially those with the right to vote, often talked about political matters, even though the closest moment to politics in their lives was when they cast their votes into the ballot box.

But they are still keen on talking about politics and people related to politics.

Of course they had heard stories about “locals” and “outsiders”. After all, there was such a large new port area, but it had not yet been completed and fully put into use.

But it is not entirely clear how deeply they understand these things.

Lance explained briefly, "The mayor may have staged a shooting that linked everything together, including the current chaotic city security issues."

"Shootings, explosions, fighting for territory, many areas are in great chaos!"

"Plus we're on strike again at this critical moment!"

"Now if you were the governor, what would you think?"

"You all should know that Jingang City is very important!"

These worker representatives were elected by the workers to become worker representatives not because they are stronger when tightening screws or can carry more things than anyone else.

It must be because they have good brains, at least better than the other workers.

They can take more things and more detailed things into consideration, so they are elected to become workers' representatives.

Fools like those will never have this opportunity in their lifetime.

So they would also use their brains to think, and based on the extremely limited intelligence information, a truth that was not correct, or at least not completely correct, began to appear before them.

"We have become chess pieces on the chessboard!" Dave roared unwillingly. He had felt the most and strongest emotions during this period of time!
His clenched fists made a creaking sound. Lance believed that if he was given a chance, he could smash the wooden table into pieces!
Other worker representatives also showed angry and unwilling expressions. Although they often talked about politics, who wanted to become a part of the political game?
Moreover, the next key node of this game involves the "militia".

"Once the militia comes in, this strike will become very dangerous." Lance crossed his legs, lit a cigarette, and patiently talked to them about the possible development of the strike.

“If we don’t compromise, we will eventually be regarded as an unstable factor that hinders the stability of the city by the mayor and some people who are eager to stabilize the city, and then we will be suppressed by the militia!”

"Or we choose to compromise, but what we get in return may be a longer period of no salary increase, no more benefits, and they will not respect us because our power is ridiculously weak!"

Lance's words made their breathing become heavier, and they felt a deep despair surrounding them when they thought that this was the near future.

"These damn capitalists and politicians never care about us at the bottom!" A worker representative hammered the table hard, and the coaster and coffee cup on the table jumped. He was startled by the sound, and then scratched his head embarrassedly, "Sorry, I didn't notice..."

Lance shook his head and took a sip of his coffee to avoid spilling it the next time they pounded the table.

He pointed at the man and said, "You are right. No one cares about us except ourselves."

"In fact, I heard from Vaughan that the General Labor Union was very dissatisfied with Jingangcheng's private strike without approval. Vaughan supported our strike despite huge pressure."

"I always believe that no one can help us except ourselves!"

Dave nodded vigorously. “You are absolutely right, Mr. Lance. Only we ourselves will care about ourselves!”

He paused, looked at his co-workers, and lowered his voice a little, "Is there any way for us to...change this outcome?"

"At least I don't like this ending. Whether we are suppressed and sacrifice our lives, or we choose to compromise and let our efforts become a joke, that's what I want!"

Other worker representatives followed suit, and their positions were simple, clear, and independent.

Lance took a puff of his cigarette. "Actually, I called you here because of this matter. I do have an idea. It may not be mature, but it is a little risky."

"If it works..." He leaned back. This was not a time when he needed to be aggressive or sit in an aggressive position.

On the contrary, the obviously calm and defensive action of moving backwards is more appropriate, which can make his words more convincing. He already has a comprehensive plan and everything is under his control!
"Mr. Lance, please tell us what to do!"

Lance seemed to be hesitating and thinking. After a while, he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll tell you about it."

“You should know that the mobilization of the militia must be the result of the governor submitting it to the state assembly for approval. In other words, this is an internal matter of Likale State.”

"Things haven't gotten much further, and maybe no one in other parts of the federation is reporting on our strike."

"I said that the Federation of Trade Unions is very dissatisfied with our decision to strike. If they don't help us convey our demands, it will be difficult for more people to know what is happening here."

"If the state government intervenes again through administrative intervention, it is possible that Congress will only know that sending out militias is to solve public security issues, but will not know that they are trying to use militias to suppress legal strikes!"

"So, my idea is, let's do something big before the militia enters the city!"

He licked his lips and paused. This required the workers' representatives to interpret, understand, and then process it themselves. They would add some details that Lance might not have said according to their own ideas, and use these details to impress themselves.

After waiting for two or three minutes, the bearded man said, "What are your plans?"

Lance nodded but didn't say anything. He looked at the others, "What about you guys?"

"Want to join?"

Several other workers represented you look at me, I look at you.

At this time, Dave slammed the table with greater force, and a lot of coffee splashed out. Fortunately, Lance had foresight and drank two sips.

"I heard a saying—"

"Victory can never be achieved by begging!"

"This sentence is just right for now. We have been forced to stand on the edge of a cliff. There are cliffs on both sides. No matter which side we go, we will be jumping down!"

"Since we're all jumping, why not choose a direction we can control, instead of the one they left for us?"

"Even if I break all the bones in my body if I jump, at least I resisted!"

His words were a little unclear, but his general meaning was clear. Johnny immediately stood up and said, "Yes, go ahead, Mr. Lance. We'll listen to you!"

The others also expressed their opinions, and Lance nodded slightly, "Actually, what we have to do is very simple."

"There are a lot of supplies at Jingang Wharf. Loot some, destroy some, and burn some!"

For a moment, everyone was stunned!

Even Johnny was a little overwhelmed!

Lance watched them and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Once there is unrest at the Jingang Wharf, it will attract greater attention, because the owners of the goods on the wharf are from different regions of the entire federation, or even the whole world!"

"When they saw us getting hurt and sad, they just clapped and laughed, thinking they were watching a farce."

“Only when they feel the pain personally will they realize how painful it is!”

“The pain will make them shout out, they will speak out, and more people will know about this unrest and this destructive strike, so that they can face up to our demands!”

What Lance said was powerful, and it was what the workers wanted to hear.

The bearded man frowned and said, "Mr. Lance, I'm not questioning your idea, but if we destroy some of the supplies as you said, will they let us go?"

The "they" he mentioned, of course, refers to the owners of the goods.

Their stuff has been destroyed, and someone must bear the responsibility and consequences. It is conceivable that they have no advantage at all when fighting against these capitalists.

Lance tapped his fingers on the table twice. "First of all, most of the dock management companies and cargo owners have purchased insurance."

"If an accident happens, they won't come to you if they want compensation, but will sue the insurance company!"

Ocean transportation during this period still involves great risks, including warehousing at ports.

A single storm can ruin a shipment and cause goods in warehouses to be soaked in water, so most port operations buy insurance.

Although Lance was not sure whether there was a clause in the insurance company's terms and conditions that required compensation for goods damaged by human factors, since the only place the capitalists could get their losses back was the insurance company, they would definitely unite and sue the insurance company.

On the contrary, those who destroyed the essence of these things, that is, the strikers and the workers, do not need to bear too serious economic compensation.

"The only risk you might face is prosecution for damaging things on the dock."

Lance's eyes lingered on their faces one by one, some seemed very worried, some seemed indifferent.

After waiting for more than ten or twenty seconds, he continued, "If they really sue you, or anyone else."

"I can assure you that I will arrange for the best lawyers to defend you and help you minimize your sentence, and through some..."

He raised his hands and turned them slightly outward, "...some technical means, you know, some technical means are very technical and challenging, but this will allow you to get out in less time."

"Only in this way can we let the Federation know that there are people like us here who need the attention of the public and the whole society!"

"Only if we do this will there be a higher power than the state government that can intervene in these matters."

"The war is about to break out. If a long-term accident occurs at Jingang City, an important material transportation node, at this time, the federal government will not be able to accept it!"

Dave uttered the word, "Congress!"

Lance pointed at him and said, "You must have read a lot of newspapers!"

Dave suddenly felt a little embarrassed. "I like to read newspapers and learn about national affairs."

“It’s a good habit, keep it up.”

Lance stroked his eyebrows, "You can go and discuss it with your friends, colleagues, and co-workers."

"But it must be done as soon as possible!"

"We must take the initiative in our own hands. Even if we have to jump off a cliff, it is our own initiative, not theirs forcing us to jump!"

"If the initiative falls into their hands, we won't have any choice. We will have to do whatever they say!"

Johnny suddenly asked a question, "Lance, our salary is about to be paid. If we make too much trouble, they will definitely not pay us. They may even use this as a bargaining chip."

He glanced at the others and said, "It doesn't matter to me, but there are more than 10,000 workers on the docks, and there are always people who need money to live."

This has long been in Lance's plan. "We can solve this problem in two ways. We can take some of the supplies from the dock."

"You work at the docks every day, so you must know better than me what is more valuable in the warehouse."

"This part can make up for some of your financial problems."

"If you still need money, you can come to me. I can lend you some money first, without interest. After we have negotiated the terms and you get paid, you can pay me back."

Johnny's problem and Lance's solution seemed to be a very good choice. The worker representatives looked at each other, thought there was no problem, and stood up.

Lance repeatedly reminded them that time waits for no one.

For the militia, it would take forty-eight hours for them to assemble and enter the city by car.

But for the workers on the dock, they may only have twelve hours, or even before tonight, to make a decision!

Soon the workers' representatives left the restaurant, quickly returned to the dock, and began to spread these ideas.

It started out cautiously, but soon more people joined in.

They felt the same as the workers' representatives when they first heard the news: either they were suppressed or they were pinned down by reality.

Otherwise, choose to compromise and kneel down again!

No matter which path they take, it is not what they want. After kneeling for too long, people will become numb.

But fortunately, there is another way, the third way!
(End of this chapter)