Shadow Empire

Chapter 650: Suffering a loss and being cheated and the third punch begins to accumulate power

Joshua curled his lips after hanging up the phone. He knew very well what these people were thinking.

Use him as a handy tool to kill the Lance family, and then throw him into the trash!
The ruling class in every region thinks this way and does this because it is so useful.

Using gangs to govern the lower classes of society and using gangs to govern gangs is the basic policy now implemented by the federal government. Therefore, even though gangs are so rampant that even mayoral elections are interfered with by them, the federal government still has not enacted any laws to combat gangs.

It's incredible, isn't it?

Everyone knows that these gangs disregard the law, use crime as a means of profit, and rule the neighborhoods with violence and fear.

They even had this federal gang association, and it was even reported on the news sometimes.

But why do the federal government, Congress, and the presidential palace act as if they didn't see it?

For them, perhaps the problem can be solved by just asking their secretary to write a proposal and then everyone voting on it. Why do they pretend not to see it and not deal with it?

It is because of the gangs that, for the still relatively "primitive" federal society and for the ruling class, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

That is why they are allowed to exist - to exist openly and honorably.

But some gangs have realized this, perhaps because their leaders are smart enough, such as Lance.

It is also possible that they were harmed by the ruling class, used as tools for a period of time, and then discarded.

Joshua is the latter, and he has suffered such a loss.

A thousand years ago, there were many religious organizations in the Federation. In fact, there were not only religious organizations in the Federation, but all over the world.

Because "1000" is a perfect number.

The poorly educated people at the bottom of society tend to have a fear of “perfection”, and some myths are based on a cycle of “a thousand years”.

These people who have not received higher education and do not understand time and history will panic.

They thought that after a thousand years, time would restart, the world would restart, and everything would become nothingness!
People feel fear about returning and resetting. The church can no longer comfort their souls and emotions. A lot of bizarre news has appeared in society.

For example, some people killed their entire family and then committed suicide because they didn't want their family members to suffer during the universe's restart.

Such things have happened many times, and ignorance is the biggest culprit.

But at the same time, this also gave some people opportunities. They took advantage of the anxiety of these ignorant people and did something beneficial to themselves.

Then various religious organizations began to emerge.

Some sects just want to make some money, so they come up with some heretical doctrines and tell them to their followers.

As long as you donate money, you can avoid disasters and go to heaven, where everyone can enjoy eternal happiness.

People believe this because God does the same!

But there are also some religious organizations whose founders may be madmen. They make up a set of theories and confuse themselves with them, and then want to take everyone to the creation of the world!
This resulted in a large number of folk religious terrorist incidents around 1999, which had a particularly negative impact on the entire federal society.

Originally, the federal government didn't want to get involved in these matters, but the impact was too great, so it had to start cleaning up these religions that might lead to bad consequences.

Some religious problems are quite superficial. You can tell at first glance that they are not serious religions. The federal government can solve these problems on its own.

Just find some fault with them and call the police, and the problem will be over.

But there are also some religious issues that are hidden deeper, and they don’t usually discuss them, but there are similar signs.

The Federation is a country that values ​​procedural justice and law. Without evidence, it is difficult for them to take action against these hidden malicious religions.

They did not want these malicious religious explosions that were like bombs, so they found Joshua's father, who was also the second-generation leader of the Holy Bell Party.

They asked Joshua's father to follow their instructions and eliminate potential bombs one by one to ensure the stability of the people in Likale State.

At least there were no serious large-scale incidents.

During this process, Joshua's father not only completed the task very well, but also used these things to quickly allow the Holy Bell Party to enter a period of rapid development.

The federal government provided them with a lot of resources to find the "enemy", turned a blind eye to the killings they caused, and even helped them solve some of the remaining troubles.

The Holy Bell Party immediately gained a lot of supporters among some groups, and they also gained a lot of wealth by killing folk religious groups.

At that time, the Holy Bell Party could be said to be the strongest civilian semi-religious organization in Likalai State.

If things ended at this point, then this might be another typical case of close cooperation between the mafia and the federal government.

But the problem is that the Holy Bell Party has expanded too quickly. The Likalai State Government is unwilling to eliminate those small folk religious organizations, and has created a bigger and more dangerous one.

So they used some of the evidence they already had and sent Joshua's father to prison on charges of first-degree murder.

His father did not spend long in prison because he was stabbed to death in his cell after a conflict with other prisoners.

Some other core members of the Holy Bell Party also suffered varying degrees of blows. Some committed suicide at home, while others simply disappeared.

Ponda’s Holy Bell Party was almost finished.

With the help of some remaining backbone forces, Joshua barely propped up the broken organization, reduced its size and retreated, which gave them a chance to catch their breath.

The Likale State government saw that the most threatening people were already dead, and since this tool was indeed useful, they did not continue to encircle and intercept Joshua and his men, allowing them to develop to where they are now.

Actually, it is not a long time. From the time Joshua's father was arrested to now, it has only been about twenty years.

It was precisely because the Likale State Government's move hit the aorta and because of some remaining psychological trauma that Joshua's request was very direct.

He knew very well that he couldn't refuse to cooperate with the masters just because he was cheated once.

Those farmers can indeed provide him with great help, but if he wants to go out, have a bigger stage, and go further and higher, the masters are also indispensable.

Wouldn't he, like his father, trust those masters completely and want him to work?
no problem!
But he can’t be the only one getting dirty, everyone should jump into the sewage together, then there will be no problem!
After hanging up the phone, he looked at the other people in the room.

It is called a room, but in fact it is a space similar to a chapel.

The Holy Bell Party's lair is located in a valley on the outskirts of the western part of Likale State.

This church existed before and was not built by them.

During the slave emancipation movement, there was a priest here, a good old man.

He sheltered many escaped slaves.

Under federal law, federal law enforcement officers are not allowed to use violence or force in churches for any reason.

Therefore, many fugitive slaves and even criminals would seek a church to shelter themselves.

But they don’t know that the Holy Bell Party is not a law enforcement agency and they do not abide by this law.

The Church was bloodbathed by the Holy Bell Party. It is said that hundreds of slaves were killed. They were brutally executed in the open space outside the church under the reflection of the cross.

The priest was also executed because he had betrayed the glory of God.

Since then, this place has become the lair of the Holy Bell Party.

It is located in a valley, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and relatively hidden.

Behind Joshua is a large stained glass window and a crucifixion cross.

When the sun shines through the stained glass, those brilliant colored spots will fall around him.

The dust in the church will make the colored light form beams of light, which looks particularly sacred. At the same time, the crucifixion blocks part of the light, making his seat in the middle of the "right cross".

The light from above made him look more sacred.

Although not all priests are good people, nor are they always excellent in their professions, they are very good at construction.

Sitting in the wide chair, Joshua's gentle and gentlemanly temperament makes everything look like it has a warm light effect.

"There's some Hoff and some big shots in Jingang City who hope we can help them deal with the Lance family."

"Coincidentally, we were discussing this matter recently."

The people in the church all nodded. The reasons why these people came here were varied, but now, their purpose was the same.

money.

right.

"Two hundred million!" He sighed. "Lance White is indeed a talent. He can firmly grasp the city's bootlegging business in this way."

“Even God would be tempted by such a huge number!”

"We have been thinking about how to deploy our people without alerting Lance, and looking for a suitable opportunity."

"We don't need to go through so much trouble now. Once Hof agrees to my terms, we will be able to control everything quickly."

His eyes moved through the lenses of his glasses to the "clergy" on both sides, and finally stopped at the second to last person on the right. "Rich, this mission is given to you. I hope you can bring back good news to me and God."

Richie is about 47 or 48 years old, about the same age as Joshua, and looks as honest as a farmer.

But what he did had nothing to do with farmers.

Joshua chose him because David was his man and David helped them discover this "business opportunity". In return, Joshua was willing to give Richie and David a chance to bathe in the gospel and glory of the Lord!
Richie's face lit up with excitement, "I'll bring his head back and present it to you!"

Joshua nodded, "Go get ready, you'll be leaving soon."

Richie had a dozen wives.

The teachings of the Holy Bell Party stipulate that men can have more wives, so most members of the Holy Bell Party have at least two or more wives.

Because of religious freedom and respect, their behavior is not illegal.

In the Federation, there are also religions that specifically provide polygamy or polyandry for rich people. As long as you believe in them and register, you can avoid the law and marry multiple wives, or marry multiple husbands at the same time.

Rich people always find ways to achieve things that ordinary people can only dream of, otherwise why would they have so much money?
In fact, Joshua's guess was correct. After Mr. Hof hung up the phone, he had a brief conversation with Mr. Charles and had already made a decision.

Compared to the fact that he may have a closer relationship with the Holy Bell Party, so that his position in the Socialist Party is in jeopardy, it is the Lans family and Lans who are now a greater threat to them!
Although he has lost his status as a regional opinion leader, he is still a wealthy man and can live in the Bay Area and enjoy everything that only 2% of the people can enjoy.

But if he does nothing, he may lose not only his status as an opinion leader, but also his wealth and everything he owns.

When both options are to stab yourself, the option on the left is to stab yourself with a dagger, and the option on the right is to stab yourself with a sword, then the choice does not seem to be that difficult.

Soon Mr. Hof contacted Joshua again and agreed on some of the next things. That night, Mr. Hof's convoy passed through most of the city and left Jingang City.

If anyone had noticed, they would have realized this, and Mr. Hof left.

Lance actually heard the news, but he didn't care whether Mr. Hof was leaving or not. He was sorting out the "account book" found in the Red High Heel Club, which recorded the recruitment information of various Bay Area dignitaries and some evidence of crimes.

In fact, when they reach this level, they will not completely fall off the pyramid just because they have called call girls.

But life will definitely not be easy, otherwise the Bay Area would not have been in such a hurry to silence relevant insiders so many times.

This information would make them appear to be in disgrace, for example, they would resign from their positions.

These countermeasures are essentially aimed at fooling the grassroots people, just like Mr. Charles. If a large number of scandals broke out, he would resign from his position as president of the group company and simply retreat from the front stage to behind the scenes.

No one would ask him to give away his shares in the company to others because of a scandal.

Even if they really asked to buy back his shares, he would receive a large compensation.

So these things are just for ordinary people to see, so that ordinary people, those at the bottom of society, can have an understanding that even if the masters make mistakes, they will be severely punished, and this society is fair and just.

But this is also what Lance needs. As long as they lose some of their public identities, it will be much easier to deal with them.

For example, Mr. Hof, who is now a regional opinion leader, a serious politician, and a member of the Socialist Party.

The cost of killing him would be too high, as it would arouse the vigilance and hostility of the entire Likalai State Socialist Committee.

Just as the federal government and Congress prohibit investigations into incumbent leadership, they want a sense of security too!

When Mayor Williams told Lance not to make things too ugly, he essentially hoped that Lance would not be too impulsive.

But what if he loses his status as an opinion leader?

He is no longer a glamorous politician. Public opinion has turned him into a pile of shit. Some people who were supposed to protect him even hope that he will die.

At that time, he would be finished, and the turmoil and subsequent shocks caused would be much smaller.

Even the Socialist Party took the initiative to suppress the case in order to prevent public opinion from continuing to ferment.

Lance has a lot of such materials in his hands. Since the two sides have already started a war over "interests" and "ruling rights", he doesn't need to hide it anymore.

After he sorted out these materials, he put them into different categories and then called President Vaughn.

"How's the task I asked you to do last time going?" Lance still gave a sum of money to the dock workers' union privately every month, and also gave bribes to President Vaughn and some core management.

This money is only a small part for Lance now, but it can help him maintain an entire dock workers' union.

When he communicated with President Vaughn, he was more like a friend who was slightly higher in status but not as important. He did not use honorifics, but just communicated in a normal way.

President Vaughan responded positively, “I have a list, do you need it now?”

Lance thought about it for a moment, "Come on, come to my office. We just happen to have something else we need to discuss."

Ten minutes later, President Vaughn drove over and handed over the list in the office.

Lance just took a cursory look at the hundreds of shareholders, which gave him a headache.

But this is also normal. It is said that several major federal banks have tens of thousands of shareholders!

Lance handed the list back. "There are so many. It makes me dizzy. Just tell me directly!"

"Is there anyone who has a good relationship with you and can be won over?"

"We will soon be taking action against some of these people. We need some help, some strength, and we also need to distinguish between friends and foes."

President Vaughn frowned. He took out a pen and wrote on the list for a while. "I have good relations with these people. I can talk to them. The others..."

He shook his head. Although they also relied heavily on the workers' union, the main liaison with the workers' union was the manager of the dock management company, not the shareholders.

Lance glanced at the circled names; their combined shares were less than 10 percent, but it was better than nothing.

"Contact them and invite them to be your guest, preferably tonight, and tell them that you have something very important to discuss with them."

"If they're not here, ask them to get a deputy."

"Use your name first, not mine, so as not to scare them..."

(End of this chapter)