Shadow Empire

Chapter 473 Upper Class
The door to a true upper class society has finally opened a crack, with the future of a listed company as the key!

Note that it was only opened a crack, not enough for Lance to get in. He could only stand outside the door, and feel the taste of the upper class through the breath coming through the crack and the light coming through!

It sounds like a pervert, but it is the truth. Even if he has the key, he may not be able to push the door open. It will take a long time and effort.

Unless he can deliver benefits to Congress like the Kodak family did, not only will he not be able to open the door, but the key will also be a one-time one.

When he turns around, the door will close again.

In addition to Senator Charles Liston, there are two other senators here, and the rest are some capitalists.

Lance was not familiar with their names and had never heard of them much.

The financial atmosphere in Jingang City is not as strong as that in Xinjin City. Here, even if you ask a homeless person on the street what he thinks about the stock market, they can tell you a lot of their own opinions and even recommend you a few stocks!

There are people from investment bankers, bosses of big companies, and a very special guy, the chairman of the board of directors of the Bailidi Group.

"Berman is currently in charge of the overall work of the Bailidi Group. You may not know much about it. In fact, it is similar to the Liji Group and specializes in agricultural product distribution business."

“It’s just that Bailidi started late, and I don’t know much about business, but I also know that the first-mover advantage is very important in business!”

Berman Davis smiled and nodded, greeting Lance.

The Ligi Group was dismembered by the Antitrust Law after the first antitrust investigation, and basically all early federal monopoly companies were dismembered.

According to different regions, the Liji Group has been dismembered into the three largest ones: "Liji Group", "Baili Group" and "Danong Group", as well as some new entrants and smaller ones that no longer have any advantages in the competition.

These three groups control 87 percent of the federation's agricultural product channels and are able to determine the final price and destination of these agricultural products.

Among them, Liji Group is the largest and best developed.

Currently, Bailide only accounts for 17% of the market. Although its scale is "not large", it is already very huge compared to those ordinary companies!
The shareholders of these three group companies are closely connected.

The original shareholders of the Liji Group have been gradually marginalized in Bailide and they cannot even enter the board of directors.

In fact, the so-called antitrust investigation is nothing more than a channel for capable capitalists and political families to legally suck blood from successful monopoly enterprises under the pretext of considering ordinary people!

When there is a monopoly, these companies have the power to set prices, they control the industry resources themselves, and one person enjoys all the profits alone.

But other capitalists and politicians also wanted to share in the profits, and they disagreed, so antitrust laws came into being.

For example, in some industries that are doing relatively well, it seems that the monopoly enterprises have been dismembered and divided into many companies, but the people hiding behind the scenes still control all the companies and still have the pricing power!
As long as you are willing to share your profits with everyone, there may be ways to circumvent the antitrust law.

The Liji Group was not very willing to share, or it could be said that in the early monopoly groups, not everyone was willing to give away a large portion of the money that originally belonged to them!
There are still many people who choose to fight back, and in the end these people really fall under the antitrust bill.

Berman Davis represents a group of people who want to share the money from the Liji Group but are not very successful.

When he showed up here, Lance probably knew their choice.

The servants began to serve the dishes and the conversation stopped temporarily until the dishes were served and the door of the room was closed again.

The delicious food and wine on the table did not have the style of "Prohibition" at all. Those who enacted the Prohibition were the ones who took the lead in violating it.

"Lance is a very interesting person!" After making two simple opening remarks, Senator Cleveland started today's "socializing" with this topic as a guide.

"Actually, I have thought about it before. We will discuss and come to a conclusion, and then I will let Tom or someone else call him and tell us our decision."

"But then I changed my mind because he is such an interesting guy!"

Senator Cleland looked at Lance, who smiled and nodded, expressing his agreement and interest in what he said, as well as a hint of curiosity.

"I was dealing with a workers' strike in Jingang City at the time, and it was Lance who told me that the Labor Federation was planning to launch a larger-scale strike that would affect the entire country."

The gentlemen around the table heard this inside story that they had never heard of before, and they all began to express their opinions.

Most people have a negative opinion of the labor federation. They think that these people use the working class and capitalists to fight against politicians, which gives them a headache. They can't wait to get rid of this organization, but they can't do it.

In the end, they can only hold their noses and admit all the decisions they made.

Of course, labor unions are not all bad. Sometimes they stand with capitalists or politicians to solve some problems of the working class.

But overall, this organization full of ambition and desire for power is not likable.

"Lance's message allowed us to deal with these matters in a timely manner. And as you know, the president issued a decree to provide refugees with the most basic living and labor protections. This is also due to his contribution."

"We used refugee workers to replace those striking workers, so that the labor costs of enterprises were reduced, and at the same time, those striking workers were no longer workers."

"Other workers who might be thinking about striking see what happened to these people, and they'll think more about it and end up not standing where we don't want them to be."

"During that time, he also helped me deal with some disobedient striking workers. In short, Lance is capable, and he is young and smart. I like smart people!"

A big tone was set, and Lance vaguely understood what Senator Cleveland meant. He might do more for him in the future.

He looked at Lance, "So I called you over today so that we can talk about this face to face."

"We are not that interested in the future development of the Ligi Group, but we have some ideas about some financial changes, and Berman wants to acquire a portion of the shares of the Ligi Group."

"We need to use the case you have, we need your colleagues to cooperate with us on some things, and we also need the vice president who is willing to cooperate with you to stand on our side."

"Do you understand me?"

Lance nodded. "Money, influence, shares, all of them."

Senator Cleveland immediately looked at the others with a smile on his face, "Give me the money, quickly!"

A guy who looked like a butler pushed a cart past everyone, and each of them placed a dollar bill on the red velvet mat of the cart.

Lance vaguely guessed something, but he didn't show it. Instead, he tried his best to look confused and bewildered, like an actor.

It was less than ten dollars in total, but it made Senator Cleveland very happy. He collected the money and put it in his pocket, then said, "Sorry, Lance, we just made a bet with you."

"I said you can understand what we mean very quickly. You don't need me to explain anything to you. They don't trust you!"

"They didn't believe you could do this, so I made a bet with them, and now I win!"

Being used as a tool for gambling is not a pleasant thing. Lance can feel that even though he is sitting here, the people around the table do not really treat him as one of their own.

They didn't even look at him as an equal. Deep down, these people were still full of arrogance and hidden contempt for him!

But now he is weaker than others, he will not say anything to confront, just smile and cater to, "It seems I did a good job?"

"Of course, you did a great job!"

He paused and raised his glass, "Cheers to your intelligence!"

That doesn't sound like a good thing.

After everyone had taken a sip of their wine, he continued to talk about their plans.

"Do you have a suitable lawyer?"

"You can have your lawyer apply for a punitive fine, and then we need the cooperation of the Liji Group to appeal to the Federal Supreme Court."

"I don't know much about this case, but some people do, and they say they can basically guarantee a win, as long as the witnesses don't lie." "You can definitely guarantee that, right?"

Lance nodded, "No one will say anything wrong. They will only tell the facts and what happened."

Senator Cleland was very satisfied with Lance's understanding and sensibility. "At this point, these..." He pursed his lips. "The positive things are over. Yours."

"The rest is our business."

"Then the 'flip side' thing is that you have to convince that vice president to stand on our side, and Berman will give you some help."

"Then, you have to make those who don't listen disappear."

Lance keenly noticed that when Senator Cleland said this, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

Vaguely and in a trance, he thought of Mr. Jobaf.

Is he also at a crossroads of choice now?
Should he also consider being responsible for what happens in the future?

He was in a trance for a short while, then he smiled and nodded, "It's very simple."

Senator Cleaver, Senator Liston, and others all softened their expressions.

They were not afraid of Lance at all, and at this moment, when Lance took the initiative to hand the handle to them, it meant that Lance was qualified to enter the lowest level of their circle.

Trust is the most important link in social interactions between people.

For those who have hit the ceiling, they don’t need to gain the trust of others, what they want is for others to gain the trust of them!
For example, a handle.

Although this handle may not really be able to get rid of Lance, it will definitely cause him serious injuries.

Lance didn't refuse. In fact, at this point he had no choice but to refuse.

"Then there's nothing wrong with this matter!"

He paused, "Here, try this, it's a dish I really like!"

Soon people at the table began to enjoy their food and chat about things that had nothing to do with Lance.

"…The situation in Dantra has been very bad recently. I heard that they have begun to confiscate the assets of federal merchants and expel them from the country."

Senator Cleland enjoyed his meal while exchanging unconfirmed news.

Senator Liston gave him the affirmative, "The ambassador has been expelled."

The gentlemen at the table were all stunned, as if they were all shocked by this incident!
The expulsion of the Federation's ambassador to the Republic of Dantra is a very serious and grave political incident. How dare they do this?

Facing the gazes of many people, Senator Lister curled his lips and said, "I heard that there are many big businessmen from the Federation in the Dantra Republic. They own large tracts of land, manors and properties in Dantra."

"The situation in Dantra is not very good now. Internal and external conflicts are erupting, so they use these properties belonging to the federal people to quell internal conflicts."

If the war can make some progress, good, positive progress, then the internal conflicts will be resolved to a great extent.

But now the war has not only failed to make good progress, they have also lost an important city, and more and more people are accusing the prime minister of waging war on his own will.

If the Prime Minister of the Dantra Republic cannot come up with a solution as soon as possible to resolve the ever-intensifying internal conflicts, then it is very likely that he will be finished without even having to end the war -

coup!

There are already some signs.

The easiest way to appease these middle and lower classes is to give them money, land, and visible paths to upward mobility.

He couldn't possibly take action against the wealthy people in Dantra, so he could only let the merchants of the Federation suffer.

The so-called "the Federation is aiding the enemy by providing supplies to Slade" is just an excuse. Even if they stop trading with Slade, the Dentra Republic will find a new reason to do so.

The gentlemen at the table were all furious when they heard this. "These lowly bastards should all be thrown to death!"

Senator Liston had a smile on his face. "That's true, but the one who is in the most pain right now should be our President."

"He thought that by winning these four years he could continue to consolidate his interests, but he didn't expect to encounter something like this."

“It’s going to be hard to handle this well and to satisfy everyone, and he’s going to lose a big point!”

If he is tougher, then the President will become the president who has been declared at war by two countries during his term. Even if the war does not actually break out, it will be enough to make people see how poor his ability in international politics is.

If he is a little weak, then those federal businessmen who have suffered huge losses will accuse him of being unable to safeguard the interests of the federal people, and even of not having a response plan or method after their assets have been seized.

He will be laughed at, laughed at hard!
Another senator then said, "No wonder?!"

"We have been in meetings these past few days, discussing the navy's move south, and it turns out that this is the problem."

Senator Cleland said as he cut the venison, "No, they had this plan before, but it may be faster now."

Lance's expression changed slightly when he heard this. If there was a most suitable place in the southern part of the Federation to dock a large number of warships, it would definitely be near Golden Port.

There are some of the finest and most wonderful deep waters in the Federation.

Senator Cleveland seemed to have remembered something and casually mentioned, "By the way, there is a high probability that they will be stationed in Golden Harbor."

Others asked, “How did you know that?”

"I talked to the Senator on the Armed Services Committee about this, and he said they have this intention!"

This is the "high-end bureau". While the politicians below are chatting about irrelevant things, the gentlemen here are talking about international affairs even when they are chatting during meals.

And Lance also heard a very important piece of information, that troops would be stationed in Jingang!
This is why it is said that the more prominent your background and the more access you have to high-level people, the easier it is to “start from scratch”.

A seventeen-year-old beggar and the president’s seventeen-year-old son, they both started from scratch, and the results must be completely different!

The levels, policies and opportunities they have access to are completely on different levels.

Just like now, just chatting, Lance already knows so much. This is the difference, a difference that cannot be made up for by acquired knowledge!
Their topic soon shifted to the issue of competition among the three parties. The weakening of the Socialist Party meant that the Liberal Party's chance to return to power was gradually coming.

There have also been some unusual movements in the Federal Party recently, and they seem to want to make some noise as well.

These topics were difficult for Lance to understand, but he believed that William could definitely help him explain them. All he had to do now was to remember what these people said and keep silent.

After dinner, Senator Cleveland and others left. They had a "midnight show" to attend, so Lance and Tom left together.

Compared to Senator Cleveland's arrogance hidden behind his approachable attitude, Tom seemed much better. Perhaps it was because he was a "lackey", so he did not show too much arrogance.

"This time you have caught the attention of some big shots, you have to buy me a drink!" There was a hint of envy in Tom's tone.

It took him more than ten years to complete this step, but it only took Lance one summer!
Although Lance may be just a name in the eyes of those big shots, this is the limit of what humans can do!

One day in the future, when they need him, this name will appear in their minds. As long as Lance does not do things wrong, he will definitely gradually come into the sight of the big shots.

Lance naturally wouldn't refuse, so he asked Tom to pick a place and they got drunk together...

(End of this chapter)