Shadow Empire

Chapter 393 Umbrella Project

In the beginning, it was not the police who took the initiative to collect the money, but the business operators who gave it voluntarily.

The gang iteration speed is so fast that after paying protection fee in the morning, the gang is gone in the afternoon, and then the new gang requires all shops in the area to pay again.

No one can withstand such ordeal. In an era when the police were still able to stop evil, people could only place their hopes on the police.

They take the initiative to give the police some benefits, such as tobacco, alcohol, or cash, so that the police will take better care of them.

Over time, this behavior of actively bribing the police has gradually developed into the police actively approaching merchants to collect fees.

You can refuse to pay them, and then they will spread the word and let people know that a store has not paid the fees, and the police will turn a blind eye to the criminal behavior against this store.

The change and twist in the relationship has made people less willing to pay, so collecting this money is actually not a good job. Some policemen themselves are very resistant to this, but this is also part of their job, to extort merchants.

But if we completely stop collecting it, as Director Blue said, it will disrupt the rules that everyone is following now and make everything... out of control!
No one likes this kind of uncontrolled change, and they don't have to do it!

Lance looked at the two of them, "The Attorney General was here this time, too. I talked to him, and you should know about it."

"They will send some internal affairs police to investigate some illegal operations, including accepting bribes and various forms of illegal profits."

"I don't want to discuss whether you have accepted bribes, or whether ordinary police officers have accepted bribes. It's just that you have all made illegal profits."

"This investigation must set some examples. The security problems in Jingang City have spread throughout Likale State. In order to ensure the purity of law enforcement agencies, someone must make sacrifices."

"And as society develops and progresses, this kind of thing will become increasingly intolerable and unacceptable to society."

"We just chose to run faster than the times instead of being left behind by them. You will find this out when this torrent starts to sweep everything away."

"Others are still worried about being swept up by it, but we have already entered the next version."

"I don't know if you can understand what I'm saying, I can only say that this is actually for all of us."

Every era has its own changes, and perhaps at this time corrupt money and corrupt police are everywhere.

But as society develops, this situation will eventually become less and less common. The more developed the society is, the more the federal government will care about the purity of grassroots governments and institutions.

Rather than having to deal with a pile of poop in the future in a hurry, it is better to wash your butt and go ashore directly now.

This internal inspection is actually very helpful to Lance, as it can help him push for some rule changes in the two regions.

Let him get more attention and support from people!

Attention and support is a kind of power, a very powerful power!
Chief Blue said softly, "We have heard about this matter, but we don't know how far it will develop."

Lance told them without hiding anything, "At least two or three of them must become role models."

"I'm not sure if Charlie's relationship with them is strong enough to provide shelter for his people. Jingang City has eleven administrative districts. When you two are together, you already have a two-eleventh chance of being selected."

"If he can put his people on the protected list in advance, then the probability of you being selected may be a few tenths."

His eyes fell on Chief Blue, who had told him last time that he no longer attended Charlie's private parties because Charlie was excluding him.

"I..." Chief Blue glanced at Duke beside him, and finally looked at Lance again, "I support your idea."

Duke was also a little hesitant. He was not Charlie's man. He had a good relationship with Hunter, but he was not sure whether Hunter would protect him.

He hesitated, "What are you going to do?"

"We will set up a new investment company in the county. All of you who participate in the plan will invest a sum of money first. It doesn't need to be a lot. Five or ten dollars per person will be enough."

"Then, every month, we will pay you this money legally and reasonably in the form of investment rebates in accordance with our new rules."

"You can pay taxes with this money and use it in a fair and just way. If you understand the local laws, you should know that you only need to pay very little tax on investment income!"

"There is no illegal behavior, no moral hazard, and no causal relationship between you and the merchants."

"Then I will arrange for another company to collect the money from everyone at a uniform rate, and I believe they will be happy to pay it because it will be less than before."

At this point, Lance had a smile on his face. When the police from two administrative divisions needed the "investment rebates" in his hands, everyone's interests would be highly tied together!
They would not want anything to happen to Lance more than anyone else. After all, the money was so clean that it was unimaginable and there was no risk involved.

After listening to Lance's introduction, although Chief Blue decided to join from the beginning, he still felt indescribable excitement at this moment.

He glanced at Duke again and said, "I think... it's pretty good. I'll join!"

After listening to this, Director Duke had to admit that this plan and the new rules were very attractive, and he could not find any reason to refuse.

However, he also raised some questions, "In addition to these, we also have some small treasury to deal with emergencies..."

This is even more of a bullshit!

Once these people join the plan, it means that Lance has obtained the privilege of "legal crime". All his criminal businesses will not be investigated, and he can make huge profits openly!
He gave Director Duke a reassuring look and said, "I will set up a special foundation for this situation. It only costs one dollar a month, and I will solve all the worries for everyone."

"Serious injuries, even death, including the children going to college, not having enough money to buy a house..."

He crossed his legs and spread his hands, "All the problems you have where you need money but don't have enough money can be solved by me."

"Give you some subsidies directly, or give you a low-interest long-term loan!"

Duke could no longer refuse. He knew that once people knew that he had rejected these proposals, the grassroots police officers in the branch would definitely make it impossible for him to continue to be the branch chief.

"If it's really as you said, then I'll join in too!"

Lance smiled even more clearly, "You made the best choice in your life!"

He paused and said, "When you go back now, collect some information and tell me how much each person, from the lowest-level patrolman to the sheriff, can get from this black money. Give me a rough figure."

"I will also arrange for someone to investigate these. We need to conduct a statistical analysis to ensure that every police officer in the program can enjoy fair and just treatment and benefits!"

The two of them nodded repeatedly after hearing this, "This is what we should do!"

Chief Blue asked with a smile, "Lance, this plan... I mean the overall plan, does it have a name? This way it will be easier for us to explain to them when we make some adjustments."

"Instead of telling them you have a 'whatever plan we don't know the name of' that needs them, what do you say?"

Lance nodded slightly, "Yes, it's called the 'Umbrella Plan'. We are each other's umbrellas, protecting us from the heavy rain!"

"It's very vivid. I can already imagine people's joy and excitement when they hear about it!"

The two left with satisfaction. There was no way they couldn't be dissatisfied. Even if their identities were changed, Lance would not refuse.

This plan has only benefits and no disadvantages for everyone - Lance may have to invest a lot of money every month, but in exchange for this money, his business will at least not face any resistance from the police!

Law enforcement officers and criminals will become the closest partners!
The Hazardous Materials Administration will only be in power for a few years. When their popularity is over, no matter whether it is the future FBI or any other law enforcement agency, they will be inferior to the increasingly large grassroots law enforcement agencies.

So the money invested is well worth it!

And Lance believed that it would become a huge umbrella that could even cover the entire federation, and no one could refuse to turn illegal income into legal tax rate investment income! The next morning, prestigious people on every street in the port area also came to a cinema according to Lance's request.

Lance booked the theater, but didn't play any movies. They sat in their seats, discussing in low voices, waiting for Lance to arrive.

Many people were a little nervous because the previous gangs were not easy to talk to. They always collected various protection fees for various reasons.

Even if you pay protection money, they may still extort additional money from you. After all, for these gangsters, this is how they make money.

However, the Lance family is different. They have long heard that the Lance family has stopped collecting fees in the Imperial area, which makes these people a little excited.

After all, a person's prestige on a street is definitely not because he is old enough!
In a capitalist society like the Federation, if you want to have prestige and be respected, you must have some "hard power", that is, be richer than others.

So these people often run their own businesses, running small businesses or even running family factories.

They can be said to be middle class, or close to middle class, living in a poor area, so they have prestige, because of the money!
At about half past ten, Lance arrived at the cinema. He didn't know anyone here, but many of them knew him.

Watching him walk onto the stage under the big screen, everyone stood up one after another.

He raised his hand and sat on the chair that had been prepared earlier. "Please sit down, everyone. I'm not the mayor, and you're not my subordinates. We don't need to be so formal and serious."

He paused, "I called you here this time because I have a few things to inform you of, and I also need you to help me pass them on to the people in the port area."

"You are more familiar with this place than I am, and people are more willing to trust you. This is a bridge built between me and them!"

"First of all, starting today, we will stop collecting all fees in the port area..."

Before he could finish his words, voices like "Oh my God", "Oh my God", "Is this true" were immediately heard from inside the theater.

It was very noisy, and he waited for them to release their emotions before raising his hand again and pressing lightly, signaling them to be quiet.

“Some people are asking if this is real.”

"Of course it's true!"

"We have also stopped accepting payments from the Empire District, and it seems like everyone is willing to accept this result!"

He smiled and said, "If anyone really feels uncomfortable not paying, they can donate the money and I will help them give it to people in need."

He paused for a moment and lit a cigarette. People need time to accept this fact and think about it.

In fact, human beings are sometimes very contradictory. For example, if you suddenly give a good meal to a criminal in prison, he may not show any happy expression. Instead, he will cry and beg you. He has realized his mistake and is actively correcting it.

People need time to accept and understand things that don't follow common sense, and they need to think clearly about whether there are any other traps involved.

Fortunately, with the Imperial District in the lead, they accepted it very quickly.

The noise of discussion did not last long, perhaps just a minute, and then it gradually quieted down.

Lance held up two fingers. "The second thing is, I have talked to the chiefs of the two district police stations. There will also be a reform in the fees collected by the police."

The theater, which was originally filled with some discussions, suddenly became quiet, with only the sound of people's heavy breathing remaining!

Lance smiled as he looked at them. "Just like some of you think, the portion you pay to the police every month will be reduced a lot."

"Ordinary stores may only need to pay a five-yuan fee."

People started praising God again. Lance smiled and said, "This matter was not actually God's decision, but my decision. I am a little sad to hear you say that!"

People's attitude changed and they quickly began to praise Lance.

The two regulatory fees are the biggest challenges facing the grassroots merchants in Jingang City now. Most of their profits are taken away by gangs and police.

They need to bear business risks and may end up not being able to pocket even a third of their income.

If Lans releases these two parts of pressure, the entire port area will become prosperous, and people will become more enthusiastic about starting a business because they have greater ability to resist risks!
The more prosperous the area becomes, the higher Lance's income will naturally be!

There will be a huge gap in consumption between a region where the per capita monthly disposable funds do not exceed ten yuan and a region where the per capita monthly disposable funds exceed thirty yuan!

"In the future, the police will no longer collect the fees themselves. We will set up a company to collect the fees and give you a receipt, which will probably be similar to... business consulting."

"If gangsters or police try to charge you extra fees, that's extortion. You can call the police or give them the money first, but remember their appearance and identity information."

"It will be convenient for us to get your money back!"

"The third thing is that my people will appear on the streets and take charge of some of the law and order issues in this area, just like the Imperial District."

"If you have any questions, besides going to the police, you can also go to my people."

"If you pay me, I have the obligation to protect your personal safety and business safety!"

The news quickly began to spread, and soon Roger (the old man from the Imperial Chamber of Commerce) called.

"Mr. Lance, we haven't seen you for a while and we all miss you..."

When Lance heard his words, he knew what their purpose was. "Don't say you miss me, you're thinking about the new rules."

He laughed twice and said, "Old man, I am from the Empire. How could I miss the Empire area?"

"Even if you don't call, I will notify you. The same goes for this side."

"The police will stop collecting fees. I will arrange for someone to collect them later. We will definitely have a meeting before that. There are some things that we still need to negotiate and resolve."

"As for meeting, I don't think it's necessary now. I don't have time recently. Let's talk about it when I'm free."

Roger didn't force it. Since what he wanted, or what everyone wanted, could be achieved, he would not bother Lance. "Of course, Mr. Lance, you go ahead and do your thing. I will tell everyone, and everyone will definitely understand you!"

"Please forgive me for saying a few more words. You must take good care of yourself. We all hope that you and the Lance family can exist for a long time!"

The more benefits these lower-class people gain from these practical rule changes in Lans, the more difficult it will be for them to leave Lans, and they will also become part of the "Umbrella Plan".

Many people heard about this matter. After all, Lance didn't expect to hide this kind of thing from everyone.

People will spread the word, just like everyone knows now that the Lance family does not charge protection fees.

If there were some favorable changes in the police fees for him and the police, both the public and the police would publicize and communicate with the outside world, so he didn't expect to hide it, and he didn't hide it.

After the news spread, different people reacted differently. The five major families were busy fighting and could not care about this for the time being.

The one who reacted most strongly was Charlie, who was preparing for the election.

The police are his base, and now Lance is trying to undermine his base. How could he not react at all?

I was in the hospital most of the day today. I was too tired when I came back, so I took a nap. I'm a little late. Sorry.


(End of this chapter)