Empire of Shadows

In the morning, the members of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce gathered at Lance's place because today was the day to distribute the money.

Actually, they had some concerns before, wondering if it was really reliable to invest so much money.

However, Lance took some representatives with him throughout the process to negotiate and sign contracts together, which completely put their minds at ease.

After all, they could also check on the Ligee Group themselves, and they didn't believe that such a large enterprise would collude with Lance to defraud them of such a small amount of money.

Moreover, Lance himself had invested a large amount of funds, which made people even more reassured!

It must be said that ordinary people in this period, who had not yet experienced rounds of bombardment by scammers, were really too simple and honest.

Of course, Lance didn't deceive them either.

Now, it was the season of harvest. Although it might deviate somewhat from Lance's predicted plan, they were more than satisfied to obtain a return of double their investment in just over two months.

The location was in the St. Naya Cathedral. Perhaps discussing money in front of God was a bit vulgar, but Lance also expressed his piety to God—a check for two hundred dollars.

The priest smiled so widely that he couldn't close his mouth as he put the check into his pocket. Sometimes their actions did make people wonder if God really existed, and who was the true God!

Soon, the cathedral was filled with people. As the largest cathedral in the Imperial District, St. Naya Cathedral could accommodate more than 300 people, but at this time, it was not only filled with people, but the aisles were also full, with at least 500 people coming.

They were willing to bring their families to such an event of distributing money. This might be the first "investment" and return they had ever encountered in their lives, and they would definitely value it very much.

Perhaps feeling a little guilty for receiving two hundred dollars on behalf of God, the priest was repenting for his mistakes by working. He was helping to maintain order and chatting with the parishioners.

As more and more people arrived, Lance asked the priest to close the door, but the priest not only didn't leave, but instead stood back behind Lance.

This made Lance feel a little inexplicable, but he didn't say anything and allowed him to stand there.

At this time, people's faith had not yet been damaged by the impact of internet information. They still firmly believed in God and abided by the teachings.

Having a priest standing on his side actually increased the credibility of Lance's words.

Erwin pulled a chair for Lance, and Lance sat on the podium beneath the statue of God. Next to him was a small round table with a notebook, some coffee, and pastries on it.

Lance raised his hand and gestured for silence, and the somewhat noisy cathedral immediately quieted down.

"Previously, I communicated with Roger (an old member of the Chamber of Commerce) and other representatives. The Ligee Group does not intend to honor our contract."

"I talked to a lawyer, and even if we were to sue, we could win, but we are no match for them if they insist on doing so."

"Even if they invest all the profits generated from breaking the contract, and even pay more, they will try their best to prevent us from earning even a penny from this contract, and even cause us to lose a large sum."

"This is the method of the capitalists. They regard us as a challenger. When they do this, the conflict between us and them is no longer the issue of how much profit the contract can bring to us or them."

"But rather, it is the attitude of a vested interest group in the face of a challenge."

"So they will do everything possible to drag us to death in this lawsuit. I can already foresee the possibility of them fabricating and forging evidence and witness testimony. This is normal."

"So, after communication, I have already talked to Jonathan, the vice president of Baihui Bank. We mortgaged the contract to the bank for a price of 2.75 million."

"Now, this money is in my hands…"

In an instant, many people in the cathedral stood up. They looked at Lance with burning eyes, and some even shouted Lance's name.

Lance continued to raise his hand and gestured for them to calm down again.

"In fact, I believe that this contract could eventually bring us profits of more than 3.5 million, but because of them, we lost a large sum of money."

"I am very sorry for this."

"I didn't expect the capitalists of the Federation to be so greedy, so terrible that they would reach out and plunder even when they knew they were not justified!"

As soon as Lance finished speaking, someone shouted, "It's not your fault, Mr. Lance. You have done everything you could!"

Soon, people echoed, although not earning more money was a bit… regrettable, the doubled profits already made them very happy.

Moreover, money is only truly valuable when it enters your own hands, isn't it?

Lance nodded, "I have tried my best to work on this matter, but there is no possibility of reversing anything, so I no longer hold any hope. I have invited you here today to distribute the money to you."

He picked up the notebook on the table, "This records the total amount of investment for each of you. According to calculations, your return rate is 220 percent…"

Before Lance could finish speaking, the priest behind him shouted "God" and made a gesture.

Lance turned his head and glanced at him strangely. The priest immediately showed some smiles, tilted his head slightly, and bent his waist slightly, as if to say that he would not make any more noise.

Lance withdrew his gaze and opened the notebook, "I will now call your names according to your ranking. Those whose names are called, come to me, and I will give you a check. You can go to the bank to get your principal and profits."

"However, I suggest that after you get the money, don't deposit it in Jinda Bank. I don't want to talk about some of Mr. Qiao Bafu's… you know, I don't like discussing others behind their backs."

"But since he followed the mayor, he has been spending money like crazy. I am very worried about whether this money is his own or the depositors'."

The members of the Chamber of Commerce were not too concerned about this news at first, but when Lance said this, they vaguely realized something was wrong.

Because they had heard before that Mr. Qiao Bafu had invested in a railway and two factories, spending a total of 500,000 to 600,000.

Plus some rumors they usually heard, it was possible that Mr. Qiao Bafu had spent millions in the past six months!

There has never been a conclusion about how much money Mr. Qiao Bafu actually has, but at least one million is the consensus.

Thinking about it carefully now, has he already spent one million? Then how much money does he have left, and how much money do I have left?

Roger (an old member of the Chamber of Commerce) couldn't help but stand up, "Mr. Lance, are you implying that… Mr. Qiao Bafu's bank may be in some danger?"

Lance directly denied it, "No, I didn't say that. I'm just worried, after all, it's not easy for you to earn money."

"The money deposited in the bank may be the savings of your whole life, or even two or three generations."

"Compared to larger banks like Baihui and Botong, I still trust them more."

"I'm not saying that I don't support Mr. Qiao Bafu and his career, I just hope my money can be safer."

"Okay, let's not talk about this. First, Mr. Roger, you invested four thousand… dollars, so you will get nine thousand… dollars."

Lance casually signed a check, "I won't give you the thirty-three cents left over, I hope you don't mind."

Roger didn't even need his cane anymore and strode onto the podium, respectfully taking the check from Lance's hand, looking at the numbers and Lance's signature on it.

He trembled with excitement, his beard quivering, "Mr. Lance… I don't know what to say…"

"This is the savings of our whole family's life. I never thought that it… would become so much so quickly. You have made me question my understanding of this world!"

Lance said with a smile, "I hope it's a good question, not a bad one."

Roger nodded repeatedly, "It's good, it's good!"

"I hope that next time there is a good project, you must notify me. Making money with you is really too enjoyable!"

Is it little that a family saves four thousand dollars in a lifetime?

It sounds like it's just the total salary that a person doesn't eat, drink, or use for ten years, but in reality, this money is not easy to save.

And this is not a small amount of money, it can buy two detached houses, it can buy three smaller apartments, it can buy two mid-range cars, it… is the dream of many ordinary families!

But now, a lifetime of savings has doubled in less than three months. Perhaps this is where capital and finance are like a deadly poison but can still attract people!

When you start to taste the wonderful taste it brings you, it means that you can never leave it again!

Making quick money is as addictive as masturbation, and the pleasure it brings is countless times stronger!

Seeing that Roger still wanted to say something, Lance rolled his eyes, "The people behind you can't wait to swallow you alive now, you better go back and sit down first!"

The people behind showed some embarrassed smiles. His eyeballs were indeed about to pop out. The cathedral was also filled with happy laughter.

This part of the money is the income after deducting 10% for "sharing" and 5% for "membership fee". No one can be dissatisfied with this income.

"Next one… Mr.… let me see, your total investment is 770 dollars. I have to say you missed an opportunity to get rich."

"This is your 1,694 dollars. I hope it can heal the wounds in your heart!"

Lance signed a check and handed it over. The gentleman took a deep breath, said thank you, and then excitedly took the check, as if it were his first wedding.

In an exciting segment, people spontaneously maintained order. Lance distributed the money quickly, announcing each person's name and telling everyone how much they had invested and how much they had received in return.

People envied and were jealous of those who invested the most, like Roger, because turning over four thousand dollars into nine thousand dollars was enough for them to move to Prussia and find a nice middle-class neighborhood to live in.

In fact, buying a house is also an obsession for the people of the Federation. They hope to move to better houses, associate with better neighbors, and develop more connections.

Many people of the Federation, after earning money, the first thing they do is to move to a community that helps their work, rather than anything else.

Of course, for the lowest class of society, enjoyment may be more important than buying a house, because they have no ambition in the first place, and enjoyment is their greatest pursuit in life.

The whole process lasted more than two hours. When the last gentleman somewhat awkwardly took the check for four hundred and forty dollars from Lance and vowed to bet everything, even sell his house, next time, the money distribution meeting ended.

In fact, Lance still had money-making businesses, but now, he needed the whole situation to ferment a little more.

"I know you're all itching to move, so...go to the bank to cash the checks. But I still say, it's best to deposit the money in a large bank. The recent economic situation is a bit strange, and we need to take precautions."

"When there are good projects in a while, I will have someone notify you."

He then announced the adjournment. Led by Roger, everyone lined up to shake hands with Lance and thank him for everything he had brought, before leaving.

Even though they were eager to turn the checks into cash at that moment, no one left early.

The priest standing aside felt a little numb and had goosebumps all over his body, because it was all too "ceremonial."

If he hadn't witnessed the whole process with his own eyes, he would even have thought that Lance was the master here, and might even be a patriarch or something!

When the last person left, the priest couldn't help but walk over, "Mr. Lance..."

Lance was tidying up his notebook, then looked at him with some curiosity, "Is there anything I can do for you, Father?"

"It's like this, Mr. Lance, if I want to join your...Imperial Chamber of Commerce, is it possible?"

Lance showed a matter-of-course expression, "Of course, Father. You have served us in the Imperial District for so many years, we have long regarded you as our own family. I welcome you to join on behalf of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce."

The priest was overjoyed and took the initiative to shake Lance's hand, "Then your next investment..."

"Will come soon!"

The priest shook his hand vigorously, "God just told me that you can use this place anytime, anywhere for free from now on!"

This was an interesting priest. Lance did not refuse his kindness, "Say hello to God for me, and thank him for his generosity."

The priest didn't know whether God was generous or not, but Mr. Lance must be generous. He smiled happily, as if God had really descended a divine revelation, smiling from ear to ear.

Lance had greeted Jonathan in advance, so when a large number of people came with checks, the bank did not stop them from cashing them, but actively cooperated with them in opening accounts at Parkway Bank.

Although some people took out some cash, most people still deposited the money in Parkway Bank.

And these more than five hundred new customers are also Jonathan's "performance."

This matter quickly began to spread to a limited extent within the Imperial District, because the money in the hands of these investors did not come entirely from themselves.

Some of the bolder ones even borrowed money from relatives and friends. Now that Lance had fulfilled his promise, they should also fulfill their promises.

When the relatives and friends of these people saw them come back with the agreed interest and principal, everyone showed surprised expressions.

In fact, some people didn't even think they could get the money back when they lent it out, but not only did the money come back, but the interest was also a lot, so they became curious.

Curiosity drives the development of the world. Their curiosity may not change any historical process, but it will make them ask their questions.

Where did this money come from?

When the news that "the Chamber of Commerce can make money, and make a lot of money" quickly spread, those merchants who had not participated before began to inquire whether they could join.

Lance stipulated very strictly that three members can only recommend one non-member to become a member every two years. In other words, if they give the opportunity to others, it means that their relatives have no chance.

They are not sure what the Chamber of Commerce can do besides making money in the future, but they have realized that the importance of the Chamber of Commerce may not be just as simple as making money.

This made some people regret it so much, if they had known, they would have joined, isn't it just five dollars a month...

In addition to this news, rumors that Mr. Chobaff's Jinda Bank might have problems also began to spread along with these news.

Don't underestimate the social nature of these people. Soon the old men on the street calculated Mr. Chobaff's various investments in the past six months through various channels, which is about nine hundred thousand.

There are some people among the people who know that Mr. Chobaff was extorted. When processing this information, they will add some subjective opinions. Maybe they will feel that the amount of extortion will be very huge.

After all, that is Mr. Chobaff, and it would be a bit unworthy of his status to extort less.

So a message that "Jinda Bank may be in deficit" began to spread within the Imperial District.

This news actually has little impact on the people of the Federation, because the people of the Federation will not deposit money in such a private bank with obvious regional characteristics.

Only the people of the Empire will really deposit money here.

Now, their money seems to be unsafe.

Mr. Chobaff knew about this in late April. His assistant is not by his side now. He has hired a new person from the Federation, who is said to be a graduate of a famous alliance school, in his thirties, and has some connections in Licarai Prefecture.

This guy is not from the Empire, nor does he live in the Imperial District, so he couldn't tell Mr. Chobaff the news very quickly.

When he knew about this, his expression became a bit more murderous than before.

The mayor's experience made him truly accept people like Mr. Chobaff, so Mr. Chobaff also participated in some deeper decision-making.

His aura and temperament are changing. Through the analysis of some rumors, he knows who is playing tricks behind the scenes.

He thought for a while, picked up the phone, and called Lance.

"We need to talk..."