Shadow Empire

Chapter 407 A Bad Future

Lance knows how to deal with "little characters" like Arthur, as long as you give them a little respect.

Lance gave him respect, and Arthur also felt respected, so he naturally agreed to this matter.

He would give Jack some time, and then they would sit down and talk together, and some things would be settled.

Jack left with a happy face, and the others began to move closer. No matter whether they could do some "business" with Lance now, at least they wanted to get to know him first.

Soon Jack's parents came over and after a brief greeting with Lance, they thanked him for his efforts for Jack.

They knew that maybe all Lance had to do to fix the problem was to call James and Arthur.

But the real difficulty of this matter lies in these two phone calls!
People who are not qualified don’t know the phone number, and people who are not important enough cannot call the number even if they know it. It seems like a simple little thing, but it is actually not simple.

Favors and relationships, maybe next time they will call Lance and ask him to do something.

These things are difficult to estimate directly in terms of value, and apart from thanking Lance and assuring him that he could call them anytime if he needed them, they did not say anything more.

that's enough.

Luca, who had chatted with Lance before, also came over with an empty wine glass in his hand. "You are so popular. I waited there for twenty minutes and drank two glasses of wine before I got this opportunity!"

Lance reached out his hand and shook it, "Maybe it's because everyone is still new to me and wants to get to know me better."

Luca put the wine glass on the table next to him. "You are good at talking..." He paused, "Actually... I don't know how to start."

He put his hands on his hips, which made his upper body look a little leaning forward, and even his back a little hunched, looking a little guilty.

Lance tilted his head, motioning for him to continue.

He took his hands out from behind his back, spread them out, and then dropped them again, looking very dejected. "Well, it's a little hard to say, but they actually wanted me to come over and ask if there's any job that's suitable for me."

"Are you here to apply for a job?" Lance said with a smile, "You are the first job seeker today. Tell me what you want to do?"

Luca's father runs a small supermarket. Of course, the agricultural products in the supermarket all come from their farm. Business is okay, but just okay.

The situation where one is not as good as the best but better than the worst.

Compared with those people at the bottom of society who work hard and can only earn 30 or 40 yuan a month, they can earn 1,000 or 2,000 yuan a month, sometimes even a little more, which is indeed not a small amount of money.

But compared with those real big companies and upper class society, they still have a long way to go.

Even the ceiling for the middle class is invisible!

And Luca's father thinks this job has "no future" because opening a supermarket is just opening a supermarket, and they have no real competitiveness in front of those super supermarket chains.

There may be some competitiveness in agricultural products, but there are many people in the family who rely on this for their livelihood, so the part they can get is not enough to support them to become a super supermarket chain.

They hope that Luca can find a promising job instead of just taking over their supermarket step by step. Such a life is boring and foreseeable.

When asked what he wanted to do, Luca was a little confused, "I don't know, I don't think I can do anything..."

Lance thought about it for a moment, "Are you familiar with the operation of the supermarket, including the purchase of goods?"

Luca nodded. "If you're talking about this, I am indeed familiar with it. Although from my perspective I don't really like this job, but yes, I am familiar with it."

Lance smiled a little, "I've thought of a job that must be suitable for you."

"Come to my company and we'll talk about it. You'll definitely like it."

“It’s a little exciting, you can make a lot of money, and it’s the right thing to do!”

Luca's face was already full of smiles when he heard this, "You touched my heart, I will definitely find you as agreed!"

After Luca left, Lance talked to quite a few people, including Barbara.

"For what happened last time... I still have to thank you, Lance. If it weren't for you, I don't know what my future would be like!"

According to social etiquette, since Barbara was not married yet, Lance could not shake hands with her casually unless she took the initiative.

It would be a terrible situation if a lady extended her hand to you and you refused to shake it, but Lance didn't expect that he would be unable to let go after shaking her hand.

There was clearly something wrong with the way she looked at Lance, and all Lance could do was explain, "No one can watch you get hurt, and you're Patricia's sister, which means you're my sister, too."

The smile on her face looked even more radiant in the afterglow of the setting sun. "You are really good at talking. No wonder Patricia is so petite."

Lance put his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, "Mind if I…."

Barbara then let go of her hand. It was impossible to smoke with one hand. She looked at Lance with sticky eyes.

He is handsome, rich, and has social status. Most importantly, when she is in despair, he is like an angel who saves her soul that is about to fall into darkness!
No matter what every girl was like in the past or what she is like now, her inner world was once full of fantasy and romance!
Lance satisfied all her fantasies of a man, but unfortunately, he belonged to Patricia!

In all the years of "competing" with Patricia, she has never lost, whether in terms of appearance, figure, study, or employment environment after graduation, she has always been the center of people's pursuit and under the spotlight.

But now, she would rather exchange her lifetime victories for this victory!

Lance lit a cigarette. Barbara was a little too enthusiastic, which made him feel a little funny.

"How's that case going?"

When Barbara mentioned the case, she was furious. "The money can't be recovered. Those people and their money are all gone."

"The bank said the money had been transferred overseas. We don't know how the overseas banks handled it, and no one is willing to go to many countries overseas to investigate these things."

"It's very likely that it will just drag on like this until no one wants to talk about it anymore, and then it'll be over."

It is a very common practice. In this era, it is indeed not easy to handle cases across borders, especially across multiple countries.

It is also said that the overseas seas are not very stable now, and there is war on the Tanfit continent. If it involves that side, should the investigators go or not?
So they simply had no intention of continuing the investigation from the beginning. Although it looked like they were investigating, everyone knew that they were just wasting time.

"What are you going to do next?" Lance asked.

Barbara also took out a pack of ladies' cigarettes; working in a financial company always required the stimulation of these things.

She drinks and smokes, but that doesn't stop her from being a good girl.

"I don't know. I have to consider changing jobs now, but I don't know what to do. I'm a little confused."

"They asked me to be a civil servant. I'm not saying that kind of work and life is bad, but..." She put one hand across her chest and held a cigarette in the other hand, shaking her head slightly, "I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to adapt."

Accustomed to the exciting money-making model of a financial company, she would definitely not be able to stand working as a dull civil servant in a government agency.

Her past life and experience did not allow her to do so.

Lance looked her up and down. She was indeed very beautiful, in line with the aesthetic taste of all the Federation people of that era.

People didn't yet pursue a butt bigger than the shoulders, so her body was very well-proportioned and her face was also very pretty.

"Are you peeking at me?", she blushed a little.

Lance rolled his eyes, "I have a production company. Are you interested in becoming an actor or a big star?"

"Oh my god, I didn't know you had a production company. Pat never told me about it."

"You have great qualifications!" Lance first affirmed her appearance, "And acting is very interesting. You can play different lives, go to different places, and be exposed to many stories and endings."

"You will appear on the big screen, there will be a lot of fans screaming for you, and you can make a lot of money!" Hearing this description, Barbara smoked faster, "It sounds like a great job, I can give it a try!"

Lance nodded. "I don't have time these days. I'll take you to the production company in a few days and let you be the lead actor..."

Perhaps because she saw her sister pestering Lance, Patricia was still a little cautious and vigilant. She walked over from her family and took Lance's arm, "What are you talking about?"

"Barbara wanted to change her career, and I recommended her to act in movies, a fashionable and desirable job."

Patricia showed a surprised expression, "Oh my God, you are going to be a star, Barbara!"

"Then I will tell my colleagues that you are my sister, take them to the cinema to watch your movies, and sell your autographed posters to them!"

Patricia laughed and said, "I'll sell them five bucks a piece!"

Barbara looked at Patricia and wondered if Lance liked this type.
She flipped her long hair, "Okay, I'll sign a bunch for you!" She looked at Lance and said, "See you in a few days?"

Lance nodded, "See you later."

Seeing her walk away, Patricia said angrily, "You have to stay away from her!"

Lance asked teasingly, "Are you so unsure of yourself?"

Patricia's face suddenly turned red. "It's not that I don't have confidence in myself, but... don't you think everyone likes Barbara?"

They had discussed this issue before. Barbara had an outstanding appearance and a family background that was not so prominent but not ordinary.

She has received higher education, is beautiful, has a good personality, and is very charming. She conforms to the aesthetic taste of the federal people. Who can resist such a girl?
Seeing Patricia's serious expression, Lance said with a smile, "But I only like you."

Patricia's originally serious face was suddenly filled with surprise and shyness. She didn't want to smile, but after holding it in for a while, she couldn't help it.

"You are so sweet, just like honey!"

Soon dinner was ready and everyone sat at the table, with Lance still sitting at the main table.

This time Barbara's father planned to let William sit in the main seat, but William refused.

This has been the arrangement all along. If he is allowed to sit in the main seat just because he is running for city councilor, it would go beyond the scope of family affection.

This is a family gathering, not a gathering of government officials.

Although he refused, it was obvious that he was in a good mood. After all, everyone was saying flattering words instead of arguing or mocking each other.

The dinner was very rich, and most of the food ingredients came from the farm, which was self-produced and sold, so it was green and healthy.

However, there was no concept of green, environmental protection and health during this period. Society had not yet developed to this stage and people were still pursuing relatively low-level enjoyment.

To be able to eat enough, to be warm, and to relieve stress at night.

Only when society as a whole enters the next stage and people are no longer restricted by these most basic living conditions will they consider whether eating is exquisite and healthy.

Everyone at the table was talking about the recent changes in Jingang City, and were also speculating about the parliamentary election that would begin and end next month.

And what changes these council elections will bring to the city.

Lance was often asked questions or sought for his opinions by them, and the growth of Lance's family forced people to respect his attitude.

Men, especially civil servants, often talk about scattered topics without any particular core content.

They talked about the changes in Jingang City during this period and some future developments.

"Recent reports have stated that the domestic economic development has been stuck in a slow growth environment. Is it possible that the outbreak of the Tanfit War will bring some impetus to the somewhat lifeless Federation?"

As we were chatting, someone brought up this topic.

Slow economic growth has been a particularly prominent problem in recent years. Obviously everyone has become richer and science and technology have become more advanced, but for some reason, it always gives people a very forced feeling.

Some people believe that this is a "plateau period" for the federation after a period of rapid development.

"Workers' wages have never increased much, so the market's consumption capacity cannot be activated. Commodity prices are still so high, who can afford them?"

"I heard that the dock strike was because there had been no wage increase for two years. You can imagine how many economic problems exist behind the seemingly prosperous Federation!"

"If the presidential palace doesn't solve these problems, even if he continues to issue orders, it will definitely be in a very embarrassing situation!"

Others also began to express their opinions. Lance, who was watching this scene, found it very interesting. It seemed that people from all over the world loved to discuss these things.

In the past, when he was bored in his small room, he would discuss international affairs with everyone and even argue with them.

It seems that no matter where, what era, or what cultural background, people always maintain a high level of concern for power!
After turning around, William suddenly asked, "Lance, what do you think?"

Lance was fiddling with the beef cubes on his plate. The farm veal cubes were very tender and had a high fat content.

When you take a bite, it is really juicy and full of mellow flavor.

"Domestic consumption capacity is constantly declining, but prices are rising because of things that have nothing to do with our lives, especially the outbreak of war."

"After the outbreak of war, the world's supplies will see a surge. After all, most or even all of the countries on the Tanfit Continent will be affected."

"Production will fall into a slow semi-stagnation state, material consumption will be greater than output, entering a seller's market, and prices will soar."

"But our income will not increase as a result of the war, which will result in more and more people being unable to afford the basic necessities of life."

"It's impossible for all companies to engage in import and export business. This will eventually become a vicious cycle."

"The lower-class people spend most of their income on the necessities of life, and they don't have extra spending power."

"There will be no one to buy the goods produced by so many factories in the country. The more goods are piled up, the faster the market will collapse."

He picked up the knife and fork, selected the fattest piece of beef, put it in his mouth, and even juice splashed out when he chewed.

He quickly raised his hand to cover it, "Sorry!"

“The quality of the beef is amazing!”

Some people couldn't help but ask, "If things develop as you say, won't the economy collapse?"

Lance asked back, "Why can't it collapse?"

He picked up a napkin and wiped the oil stains from his lips. "The Labor Federation just wanted to organize a massive strike, but it attracted the attention of many industry unions. This shows that contradictions do exist and are still intensifying."

"We don't have that much foreign trade, domestic consumption capacity is not going up, funds can't circulate, and the economic collapse is only a matter of time."

Listening to what Lance said and thinking about some things happening in the Federation, everyone was worried but not desperate.

Because the situation is not as bad as he said, but Lance thinks it is not far away.

The recent increase in food prices is the most obvious example. Although the price of a pound of bread has only increased by two cents, it is actually an increase of more than 50 percent!

In other words, people's spending on basic living expenses, such as food, has increased by 50 percent.

What about the future?
Other aspects?

Right now a family spends about 20 percent of their income on food, but soon it will be 30 percent, 40 percent, or even half!
The less money people have, the less they dare to spend it, and the less money will flow.

If funds do not flow, they cannot generate value and will eventually become stagnant water!
(End of this chapter)