Empire of Shadows

Humans may not be the first animals in nature to learn to use tools, but they are definitely the first species to develop a high-level civilized society.

Through science, weapons, and other things, humans have already stood at the top of the food chain!

Even if the inherent qualities of humans are not as good as those predators in nature, humans are still at the top of the food chain!

However, sometimes, even though humans have already stood at the top, there are still people who yearn to be dogs.

It sounds a bit outrageous, and what's even more outrageous is that sometimes you want to be a dog, but you can't always be one!

Paul's words shattered the last illusions of some people, who fantasized that as long as they were willing to lie down and wag their tails around their new master, they could have a beautiful and bright future.

They won't participate anymore, they won't confront the mayor, this outsider, they surrender, isn't that enough?

As long as there is a way out, people can often convince themselves to choose what they may not want to choose, and they can't make the most decisive decisions.

Until this moment, Paul shattered their hopes, shattered their retreat from not wanting to resist.

Those who are qualified to be dogs have already received invitations.

And those who have not received any invitations don't even have the qualifications to be dogs.

The more bloody the words, the more real they are, and silence becomes the only theme in the room at this moment.

Without a way out, it seems that confrontation is the only option left. The momentum of those who were originally somewhat hesitant is changing, which is the change that Paul and the other two major families want.

After two minutes, the atmosphere became so heavy that it was almost solidified, and Lance frowned slightly.

He came to listen to what they were going to do, not to watch Paul playing tricks. Everyone's time is precious!

He raised his hand and knocked on the table, and the sound of knocking on the wooden table drew people's attention to his hand.

At the same time, the heavy atmosphere also eased a bit, not like just now, which almost made people unable to breathe.

The ruby ring reflected a gorgeous glow, and Lance retracted his hand, "Paul, what are you planning to do?"

Paul glanced at Lance and leaned back in his chair, "I heard a piece of news that the old dog Dale is going to increase the inspection of smuggled wine soon, mainly targeting us."

"They plan to cut off our main source of funding, and then let those gangs that have become their lackeys grow rapidly, and then eradicate us."

"So, we have to fight for more living space for ourselves before they do this!"

Someone was already very impatient. Bad news came one after another, "Mr. Pasreito, say something meaningful. You are not a politician, there is no need to beat around the bush with us!"

Immediately someone echoed, not everyone can understand these things, they only know that they seem to have no way out now.

Paul glanced at the man. If it were during the heyday of the five major families, how dare this little character interrupt his speech like this?

This is actually reminding him of a cruel fact: the influence and deterrent power of the Pasreito family are rapidly declining.

Alberto sat next to Lance and asked him, "What do you think of this problem?"

Lance crossed his fingers and pressed his arms on the armrests of the chair, his hands resting on his legs, but not touching them.

"We are not the mayor's opponents."

His words made Alberto frown.

He thought Lance would say something like there was still hope, but he didn't expect that as soon as he opened his mouth, it seemed that he had already seen the ending.

Alberto asked somewhat unconvinced, "We have so many people here. Even if the Coda family and Casia stand on their side, and there are some small and medium-sized gangs, at least the Bay Area is still on our side."

"In terms of strength, there is not much difference between us!"

Lance glanced at him, "I thought you would be a little smarter."

Alberto reacted after a few seconds, "Are you mocking me just now?"

Lance waved his hand, "No, just a sigh."

He didn't believe it and looked at the person next to him, "Did you hear that?"

"Was he mocking me just now?"

The person next to him said very seriously, "No, I didn't hear it."

"Okay, whether you are mocking me or not, tell me why."

Lance lit a cigarette. Many people were smoking at the scene, and the room was filled with smoke, "Because our opponent is the mayor. He can maintain a balance with the power of this city in a place where he has no advantage at all."

"When he has the advantage, do you think you can still maintain the balance?"

Alberto was thoughtful, "Why not 'us'?"

He was catching the small loopholes in Lance's words. Lance smiled and didn't discuss this with him, "We lack decisive power, Alberto."

"As long as the mayor does not die for a day, he can exercise his power as the legally recognized ruler of this city to target us at all times."

"Unless someone dares to kill him, everything may end, but it may also get worse!"

Alberto asked Lance for a cigarette. He took a puff somewhat gloomily, "Why?"

"Because the ruler found that some mud-legged dogs in Goldport City are trying to get rid of the ruler's rule. This is like one of your bar managers suddenly breaking away from you and starting his own business. What would you do?"

Alberto said in a muffled voice, still unhappy, "I would hang him."

"Look, do I need to say more?"

He was a little unconvinced, "Are we just going to admit defeat?"

Lance shook his head and didn't continue to speak. It could only be said that the mayor was willing to go all out.

In fact, most of them only know that Councilor Wade is leaving, but they don't know how much favor and relationship the mayor has used behind this.

He is determined to completely take down Goldport City, and it is already difficult for anyone to stop him!

As for the future?

Who knows?

During the time they were talking, some people in the conference room could also understand this point. When the official power could not compete with the mayor, they would continue to fall into a disadvantage.

Seeing that there were signs of noise again, Paul decisively patted the table to make everything quiet again.

He looked around and said, "I brought you here not to let you quarrel. In fact, we are not without a solution. I need to introduce you to a new friend."

As he spoke, he stood up, and the people from the other two major families also stood up. The side door of the conference room was suddenly opened, and an old man who looked more than sixty years old with silver-white hair walked in from outside the door under the protection of two bodyguards.

Someone immediately exclaimed, "Councilor Williams?"

One after another, people began to stand up, and Lance also stood up.

Councilor Williams looked very "kind", if it weren't for his hooked nose that made his features look a bit stiff and his smile a bit like a malicious smile, then he would still look very kind.

He raised his hand and nodded constantly to greet the people at the conference table, and then Tita family Boss Salifu Tita moved a position to the side to give way to Paul.

And Paul's main seat was given to Councilor Williams.

"Hello everyone, I am very happy to see you here."

"Some of us have met before, dealt with each other, and some are new faces. We can chat separately later!"

He walked to Paul's previous position and did not sit down directly, but said this sentence.

It is undeniable that although his appearance is very stern, he does speak with great affinity, which is a skill that politicians must master.

Councilor Wade also speaks with great affinity, and in fact, the mayor is also very affable. Lance had contacted him before, and he could even personally and proactively invite Lance to join his camp.

So affinity is a core element that a successful politician must master!

"It is the step-by-step pressure of an outsider that has brought us together here today."

"At the same time, it is Wade's betrayal of this city that has brought us together today."

"I don't want to mention that bastard too much. Mentioning him makes my stomach hurt, so we won't mention him today."

As he spoke, he propped his hands on the table and slowly sat down, "What we are going to talk about today is how to solve the current predicament."

"Before that, I would like to ask, does anyone have any brilliant ideas?"

"Don't say those messy ideas. What we want is something that is feasible, not random."

Everyone closed their mouths. Councilor Williams, like Councilor Wade, also has a lot of weight and influence in people's minds.

Lance also closed his mouth and watched him quietly.

Seeing that everyone was not speaking, Councilor Williams nodded slightly, "Very good, then let me talk about my thoughts."

"If you read the newspapers, you should notice that the whole world is about to be in chaos. The party has already begun to discuss some possibilities in case a war breaks out."

"Goldport City, as the largest port in the Northern Hemisphere, is geographically very important."

"The closer the clouds of war get to us, the more important it is that this place does not become chaotic. The eyes of the gentlemen in Congress are focused on this."

"Sidney may have some connections in Licarai State, but in terms of Congress, in the eyes of those bigwigs, a mayor and a city councilor are actually no different."

"And I also have people behind me, in the state government, in Congress, there are people."

"This has created the basis for our cooperation. None of us want Sidney to become the real owner of this city. It should belong to everyone present, not outsiders!"

After he finished speaking, Lance clearly felt that the morale in the room had been somewhat boosted again. Councilor Williams was indeed a seasoned politician; he knew how to communicate with all kinds of people.

He paused for more than ten seconds, allowing people to fully interpret and understand the meaning behind his words.

Then he continued, "So, we need to make this city chaotic!"

Looking at the astonished, puzzled, and disbelieving gazes, Councilor Williams' smile was still so kind, without any of the impatience he showed when meeting with fools.

He scanned the faces of those people because he would be working with these idiots for a while.

If Wade hadn't betrayed this city, how could he possibly have to work with this bunch of fools?

The thought made him sick, but the more it did, the less he would easily show any concern for these sewer rats. On the contrary, he exuded an almost overflowing friendliness.

Until his gaze fell on Lance, their eyes met, and this time it was his turn to be a little surprised because Lance was so calm, as if he hadn't heard what he had just said.

Was this person too stupid to understand his words, or was he too smart and had already figured something out?

Councilor Williams decided to ask Paul about this person later. Who was he? But now, what he needed to do was to resolve the confusion in people's minds.

"Once this city becomes chaotic, the congress will start paying attention. I will withstand the pressure and have the people behind me step in to solve our problems. As long as he withstands the pressure, Sidney will definitely be severely criticized by the congress!"

"The stability of Goldport City will become the top priority. Whoever can restore the stability of Goldport City will be more important to the congress!"

"Gentlemen, this is an opportunity. We are not only fighting against that son of a b*tch Sidney… Sorry, I cursed."

"This is also an opportunity for you to show your muscles to the higher-ups!"

Lance noticed that Paul's eyes were shining, and so were Sarif's next to him, and the people from the Keane family!

They obviously knew more!

He knew it. Councilor Williams' appearance was not that simple.

"Political struggles have always existed. What I'm saying might be a bit too complicated for you, but you just need to know."

"If someone supports Sidney, there must be someone who opposes him. What we need to do is to let those who oppose him find reasons, excuses, anything to attack him."

"At the same time, we need to allow those who support us to find reasons to strongly support us!"

"As long as we can do this, even if Wade leaves, we can still contend with him in terms of real strength!"

"In fact, there are still eighteen months, gentlemen. In eighteen months, he will leave with his regrets, and this city will still belong to us!"

His resolute words made people seem to be able to see the embarrassing scene of the mayor being driven out, and smiles appeared on their faces.

Alberto was also smiling. He nudged Lance with his elbow, "What do you think of what Mr. Williams said?"

"It's good. This might be the only way now."

"That way, I don't have to prepare to run away."

"Run away?!"

Alberto looked at Lance in shock, "You didn't tell me about this!"

Lance tilted his head and said softly, "I did. We had no hope just now. If Wade hadn't left so decisively, we could have dragged it out until the mayor left."

"Although it's only a year and a half, it allows him to grasp the core power of this city. We have no other good options besides running away."

"But now…"

He nodded towards Councilor Williams, "Hopefully, the people behind him are reliable!"

Then Lance actively raised his hand, "Councilor Williams, what kind of chaos are you talking about, and to what extent?"

"Allowing subordinates to loot on the streets is a kind of chaos, destroying factory production is a kind of chaos, and completely disintegrating urban order is also a kind of chaos. What do you want, and what can we do?"

Councilor Williams looked at Lance, "You are?"

Paul immediately introduced him to him, "This young man is Lance, Lance White. You should have heard of the name."

Councilor Williams immediately showed a look of realization, whether he had really heard of it or not, but as far as Lance was concerned, his expression gave him a certain degree of pleasure.

It was like "Even the president has heard of your name," which could make people feel a sense of glory.

Councilor Williams continued, "I've heard of you. You've done well in the docks."

"The topic that the president and the congress are currently discussing is also related to you."

"Regarding the issue of illegal immigration."

After he finished speaking, he listened for a while, allowing the topic to return to the original question, "The question Lance raised is very meaningful. This chaos has certain requirements."

"We need to make this city receive attention because internal security and riots affect its operation, but we cannot let the riots turn into violence. That would not be good for either of us."

"I have a few ideas."

"I heard that the mayor's side has also recruited some gangsters, so let's start a war with them, and make it big."

"Burn down some of their buildings, warehouses, and let more people die."

"Let people live in fear, affecting the city's daily work. Do it a few more times, and the congress will notice."

"As the mayor, he is naturally the first responsible person!"

A simple but practical strategy. At this special and critical moment, the largest port city must not be chaotic.

Once it is chaotic, it must be the mayor's responsibility. The relationships that Councilor Williams can find will have reasons and excuses to attack the mayor, which can force the mayor back to the negotiating table.

Simple, effective, is the best way.

When people have direction, they have motivation and energy. Then everyone prepared to leave to do their own thing.

Letting gangsters do construction is probably something they can't do.

But letting them do destructive things is too easy!

Lance was about to leave when Paul called him to stop. Councilor Williams wanted to see him.

Although Lance wasn't quite sure why Councilor Williams wanted to see him, he was willing to communicate with such a guy.

Soon, in the hotel suite, Lance met Councilor Williams.

"Please sit down."

Councilor Williams was pouring wine, "Whiskey or brandy?"

There was wine in the suite. Everyone knew that, including the Hazardous Materials Administration.

Just like they also knew that the congressmen were drinking, they never avoided it, but they would never bother the congressmen either.

No one would be foolish enough to cause trouble for the Apex Hotel. Behind it stood even bigger monsters!

"Whiskey, not too much."

Councilor Williams came to him with a glass of wine, put the glass on the coffee table, "I heard that you have a strong control over the dockworkers?"

"Even the dockworkers' union is not as good as you?"