Empire of Shadows

In the office, Lance and Vaughn sat together, both with cigarettes lit and coffee in hand.

"The prosperity of the entire Goldport City is built upon the success of the port, but now those bay area parasites have never appreciated the contributions of the dockworkers."

"They've taken countless riches from here, yet they don't even want to give the workers forty dollars more."

"This is unreasonable, Vaughn."

Vaughn glanced up at Lance, "So, have you joined some political party now?"

"These words sound like something those politicians often say. They always tell you that your life is so bad because you've put your faith in the wrong people."

"If you believe them, your life will get better."

"But the reality is, if you believe them, your life might even get worse!"

"However, you're right about one thing. It's been more than two years since we've had a raise."

Vaughn was also analyzing what Lance was saying to him. A strike isn't a simple matter, especially in a place like Goldport City. If the dockworkers' union were to organize a strike, it would definitely alarm the General Labor Union.

And they would also need to have a suitable reason to convince the General Labor Union that this strike was indispensable and necessary.

Otherwise, the General Labor Union would not provide support.

A strike with support and a strike without support are definitely different in terms of impact.

The simplest example:

If there is support from the General Labor Union, then the power that the General Labor Union can mobilize is enormous. In an instant, it can paralyze all the docks in the entire Federation and let people throughout the Federation and even the world know everything that is happening here, their demands, and the outcome.

But without the support of the General Labor Union, then this is just a local strike, and it is difficult for more people to know about it.

In this era of underdeveloped news, blocking certain news is just a matter of a few phone calls for those old men.

Vaughn still hoped to get the support of the General Labor Union, but there had to be a reason.

It couldn't be something like… 'I've been bored lately, so I want to strike?'

Lance leaned back on the sofa, one hand on his knee, "You're making the problem too complicated, Vaughn."

"The people who shouted 'Workers Unite!' didn't think about what reasons to use to convince others to fight against the forces of capital with them."

"They just felt that they were being treated unfairly and were unwilling to submit to the manipulation of the forces of capital, and then they did it."

"No one advertised for them, no one knew what was happening in that corner!"

"What we have to do is observe, promote, help, and help everyone find a balance point. This is something that happens naturally, not the result of someone's manipulation."

"I don't like this, Vaughn. The union gained power through strikes, and then it regards strikes as its own possession, not allowing ordinary workers to touch them casually. This is wrong!"

A strike is originally a right that everyone has!

You make me uncomfortable, I'm not going to do it!

This is the core of a strike: no compromise, at least not now.

Everyone can strike, but now the General Labor Union and the Labor Federation are taking this right away from the working class and turning it into a weapon for the union and Labor Federation management.

This is also a significant feature of the politicization of the union and the Labor Federation. They are trying to control the 'weapon,' a weapon with tremendous lethality.

After listening, Vaughn felt a little flushed. He first clasped his hands together, then spread them out and shook his head, saying, "We're just… uh, strikes are scary. We're just worried that the workers will be taken advantage of."

Lance didn't laugh at him, "Everyone wants to gain more power, Vaughn. I won't express my opinion, but I think you can be more flexible."

Vaughn fell into deep thought. The power of various unions and labor federations was at its peak at this time. The more it was like this, the more those standing at the top were afraid that others could also use the weapons they had built their careers on.

Politicizing and profiting from strikes is forming a problem.

The federal government and Congress have discussed privately more than once how to solve these problems. They are unwilling to see a group of interests centered on the working class grow stronger.

It's just that there really isn't a very good solution at the moment, because the 'super weapon' in their hands is indeed very lethal. A careless move could lead to a nationwide shutdown, which is unacceptable to politicians—

It's not that they can't accept the losses caused by the strike, but that they can't bear the political turmoil they would have to bear and the loss of public opinion.

They don't care whose factory can't operate. They only care about the interests that are related to them!

Seeing Vaughn deep in thought, Lance proposed another idea, "I plan to register ordinary workers, those federal workers, at my firm as well."

Vaughn looked up at him, a little puzzled, "I don't quite understand. What's the benefit of these workers joining the firm?"

Lance tilted his head, "Power, my friend."

"People are power."

"The more people, the stronger the power, not to mention such decisive power!"

As he spoke, he drank all the coffee, then stood up, "Think about it carefully. By the way, communicate with Scott. I'm not discussing with you whether or not to do this. I'm notifying you. The game has already begun."

"At the same time, as a friend, I must also tell you that this matter is absolutely only beneficial to you, not harmful!"

As he spoke, he exhaled, raised his wrist, and glanced at his watch, "I have to go. I have other things to do."

"I'll see you off."

Vaughn quickly stood up and walked downstairs with Lance, talking as they went. He even took the initiative to open the car door for Lance, "I'll consider it carefully."

Lance nodded without saying anything. He hoped that Vaughn would be the chairman when these things broke out. Vaughn and he had a good relationship, so many things wouldn't bother others later.

Getting into the car, the car slowly started. Many people on the dock looked over here.

"Do we have any companies on the dock that we have a relatively good relationship with?"

"Or are there any companies that have a particularly bad relationship with us?"

Alvin, who was sitting in the passenger seat, thought for a moment, "We have both. What's wrong?"

Lance crossed his legs and looked at the scenery outside the window. The dock was busy day after day, never stopping, even on holidays. There were still many people working here.

The working class is always the tears of the times, and at the same time, they also have very strong power and potential.

They are the most inconspicuous group of people, and also the most dazzling group of people!

"We need some representatives, role models. I'm planning a major strike, on the docks, affecting the entire Goldport (referring to the port area)."

Alvin's eyes lit up a bit. He really liked this kind of big scene!

"What do you need us to do?"

The car slowly drove from the dock into the main road of the port area. There were more vehicles on the street, and many trucks were coming and going.

"The work we have to do is to push things to become more explosive. We don't need to do the rest. You pick out a few typical ones, representative ones."

Alvin thought for a moment, "There's one guy I think is very representative. It's a trading company opened by an Imperial citizen, specializing in import and export trade between the Federation and the Empire."

Lance became a little interested. There were many Imperial citizens doing business in the Federation, but not many could build up a large scale.

There are constraints everywhere here. It's not as equal and free as they say. "Is this person good to the workers?"

This was what he could think of, but he also vaguely felt that perhaps his view was the opposite.

The fact was indeed so. Alvin shook his head and said, "He's a negative example. He hires almost all Imperial immigrants, but he treats these fellow countrymen even more harshly than the Federation people."

"For the sake of him not owing wages, some people are still willing to suffer there."

"These Imperial bosses are even more ruthless to our own people than the Federation people, because they know where our bottom line is, so they can step on it again and again!"

Lance agreed with Alvin's statement. In any period, the people who are most ruthless to their own people are always their own people, not foreigners.

It's like jerking off. A stranger will never know where the point is that can make you get there. Maybe they'll jerk you off for a long time and you still won't be able to finish today's work.

Only you know how to get it done correctly. You know yourself like the back of your hand, and this is like those Imperial capitalists.

They know Imperial immigrants as well as they know themselves. As long as they think they can endure it, most Imperial immigrants can also endure it.

Plus, they don't need to worry about other problems because of the difference in ethnicity. These people are definitely the best at exploiting Imperial immigrants!

"Then it's him. Do we have anyone working there?"

Alvin shook his head, "We don't recommend workers to him. He hires those at the very bottom."

"Contact them. The time for revenge has come."

The convoy sped past on the road. Just as they were about to leave the port area, another convoy was speeding up to overtake them.

From the rearview mirror, it could be seen that these vehicles were constantly accelerating. There were a lot of cars on the road, which to some extent hindered their pursuit.

"It's the Wolf Gang's car."

Alvin took out the submachine gun from under the seat. He stared closely at the rapidly chasing vehicles through the rearview mirror.

Lance lit a cigarette and also took out a submachine gun, but he didn't think a battle would break out, because this was already close to the edge of the Imperial District and the Port District.

If a battle broke out here, the Lance family would be able to provide support very quickly, and it would be difficult to say who would win or lose.

Sure enough, the convoy stopped at the junction of the two districts. Several people got out of the car and gave Lance's convoy the middle finger...

Lance put the submachine gun back, straightened his slightly messy clothes, "When these things are over, I will definitely uproot them."

Erwin said with a smile, "Actually, it's quite interesting. There are many people who want to kill us, but not everyone can kill us!"

After entering the Imperial District, the slightly tense atmosphere disappeared, and the car went directly back to Wanli Firm.

A car slightly blocked the road into the alley at the entrance of the alley. The driver went to find the owner of the car, and Lance and Erwin stood on the side of the road.

Passers-by kept greeting them, and some children wearing only shorts were watching them not far away.

Lance looked at the children and casually took out a small handful of coins from his pocket, one cent, two cents, five cents, and threw them over.

The children didn't react at first, but soon cheered and ran over to grab them.

Before long, everyone had at least two or three coins in their hands, and they politely came to Lance, bowed and thanked him.

People like polite people, because they can feel respect for themselves from these polite people. He talked to each child as if they were adults. He got respect, and the children also got respect.

The pedestrians on the side of the road smiled and watched this scene, and some children ran back and gave the coins they got to their mothers.

The woman brought the child over again to thank him, "Mr. Lance, thank you for your generosity..."

Because she was a woman, Lance was not easy to make contact with her, and he did not shake hands. He just smiled and responded, "The child is very cute, and I happen to have some change."

"I hope this change can bring you a good mood all day long!"

The woman bowed again, "You are a good person, Mr. Lance."

The driver ran out of the house on the side of the road, and apologized as he moved the car a little to allow the convoy to enter.

No one beat him, no one even scolded him. Everything was so peaceful, as peaceful as something that could happen on the streets every year, every day!

Many people think that gangsters spend their days eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and having fun, but gangsters also have a lot of things to do.

For example, Nick recently discovered a good piece of land. This piece of land does not belong to Jinhang City, but is under the jurisdiction of the state government. He needs to apply to the State Government Land Administration Bureau.

How to apply, how much money it will cost, and how to ensure that you get more years at the smallest cost, these need to be arranged for someone to do.

Federal land is actually easy to get, but it is difficult to do anything after you get it.

For example, some places around Jinhang City have large pieces of land that cost only one dollar. It seems like a good deal, but the government's regulations and requirements are that you must complete the infrastructure construction within the specified time, and then put it into production within the specified time and employ a certain number of people to work for you.

Otherwise, they have the right to take back these lands and look for the next buyer.

These things are almost everywhere in the Federation, which is why it is said that everyone cannot live without a lawyer.

Because if you don't consult a lawyer on some things, you will really get into big trouble.

For example, Ennio recently contacted some Imperial gangsters who wanted a stable supply of goods and were trying to make a living in other places.

They don't have any stable channels in their hands, and the bars are open for one day and closed for another. Now they are heading towards Jinhang City, wanting to get a stable supply of goods from Lance.

For example, the Navy and the Army have eliminated a batch of weapons. Some of them have been in service for more than ten years, but the magical thing is that most of these are brand new. Someone is looking for a buyer, and Lance also wants to buy some...

The situation of each bar, whether to open a new bar, recruit novices...

"Family business" is definitely not just empty talk. Sometimes Lance feels more like the president of a company than the leader of a family.

It was past six o'clock in the evening, and it was already starting to get dark, it was the kind of deep dusk... What the hell kind of adjective is that?

In short, the sky was half dark and half light, and the dim street lights on the side of the road had already lit up. The little tune playing in the window and the aroma of baked bread emanating from the bakery made people realize that the day was over.

Lance hung up a phone call, and the receiver was already slightly hot. Luigi sent another batch of goods over.

He was reluctant to give up the market here. This time he arranged for more people to escort the goods, including his nephew.

However, the price of this batch of goods is not high. The last loss made him feel pain for a long time. This time, there are only about 150,000 to 200,000 worth of goods, which may only be two weeks of sales for Lance.

This time, Lance still doesn't plan to let him go.

The phone that had just been hung up immediately rang again. Lance answered it, "Anything else?"

Alberto had just been on the phone with him. Recently, Paul has been actively preparing for a big move. Alberto told Lance that they seemed to be planning to attack the Cassia family.

The Cassia family has transferred too many gunmen over. Letting them go will make people feel uneasy. The Keane family is trapped in the city center in the war with the Bear Gang and cannot spare any manpower, so this time the Pasreto family and the Tita family are taking action.

The voice coming from the receiver was not Alberto's, but William's.

"There's something I might need to trouble you with. Do you remember Barbara?"

Lance laughed, "Of course I remember. Didn't we just see each other a while ago?"

"Barbara borrowed a usurious loan, and now those people have chased her to her house."

"They said that if she can't get the money out tonight, they will make her go out and work as a prostitute."

Lance was a little curious, "Sixty thousand may be a lot to ordinary people, but it's not much for Barbara's family, right?"

"I heard that her parents have about that much money on hand?"

William explained, "There are a lot of stocks and bonds, and it takes time to cash them out, and the other party doesn't want sixty thousand, but ninety thousand."

"They said that it was agreed at the time that they would lend her the money, and she would pay them back 120,000 in principal and interest after one year. Now they are asking to take it back in advance, so they only want the general interest."

Lance couldn't help but laugh twice, "A very rude gangster, and not very disciplined. Who are they from?"

"It seems to be from the Doug family."

Lance thought for a while, "I'll be over in a while. Are you with them?"

William nodded in agreement, "No, I was just about to go over."

"Okay, I'll be there later."