Empire of Shadows

The next day, Congressman Williams and James stayed in the hotel all day, as they didn't want to run around too much before visiting the governor.

Although Lance was also at the hotel, he met with the leader of the local Imperial gang, a middle-aged man named Rhodes.

The discrimination situation in Manteno wasn't any better just because it was the capital; on the contrary, it was worse because there were many conservatives in the state government.

Some people even said in private, "All immigrants should be sent to farms," which led to local people discriminating against immigrants.

They were at the bottom of the contempt chain, and other gangs also discriminated against them because they were all immigrant groups, which sounds a bit incredible.

Even a small gang would look down on those immigrant gangs, and the police would be more biased towards local gangs when dealing with related issues, rather than immigrant gangs.

Before Lance appeared, Rhodes and his gang were barely surviving, and their scale was not large.

However, with Lance's strong rise in Goldport City, Rhodes and his gang are now doing better and better, mainly because the unlimited supply of alcohol allows him to obtain more funds to arm himself.

The competition in the underworld, politics, and business is not quite the same.

As long as they have money, people, and weapons, then they have the power to fight.

When a gang has money and the leader is willing to spend it on the gang, then it will expand very quickly.

Now Rhodes's gang has about two hundred core members, and if you consider the outer members, it may have five, six, seven, or eight hundred people, which is considered a medium-sized gang in Manteno.

It's not that they don't want to continue to develop and grow, but the special environment here prevents them from having any good opportunities.

The reason why he took the initiative to visit when he heard that Lance was coming this time was also for this reason.

They need an umbrella.

"Mr. Lance!" As soon as Rhodes entered the door, he strode towards Lance, then slightly bent down, stretched out his hands, and shook Lance's hand vigorously.

Lance patted him on the shoulder, "Sit down and talk."

After they were seated, Rhodes said enthusiastically, "I've been looking forward to your coming for a long time. I've arranged activities…"

Lance raised his hand and stopped him, "There's no need for that. I'm not here to play."

In fact, Rhodes also knew that it was unlikely that Lance would run out to play with him, but whether people play or not is one thing, and whether he does it is another.

He had to give up this idea, "Then I won't persuade you. You must have something very important."

He paused for a moment, "Lance, we are currently encountering some problems in our development."

Lance nodded, signaling him to continue. Rhodes took out a cigarette, scratched his temple, "The chief of the Manteno Police Department is a bit prejudiced against us. He has been making trouble for us, and our development is now almost at a standstill."

He said this with gritted teeth. In this environment, small troubles may not be a problem.

Once they want to continue to expand and develop, they must have an umbrella and need someone to support their continued development.

Rhodes was powerless in this regard. If Lance hadn't supported him with alcohol and weapons behind the scenes, he would still be just the leader of a small gang.

Lance knew his intention, "You want me to help you solve this problem."

Rhodes showed an embarrassed expression. He nodded, "Although it's a bit embarrassing, that's indeed what I'm thinking."

He added, "If we can solve this problem, we can continue to expand."

He saw the power of the Lance family in Goldport City and was very excited. He also hoped that he could become a big figure like Lance, becoming the underground emperor of a city.

But he lacked the network of relationships that Lance had. In Rhodes's view, Lance's ability to quickly climb to this position was simply a miracle!

Even a miracle is not enough to describe it!

He also came from nothing, but became the most special one in everyone's eyes!

At the same time, his heart was also fiery. Like many people, he was studying Lance's rise, and he felt that as long as he moved away the stone in front of him, he might be able to do it!

Lance thought for a while, neither agreeing nor refusing, "I'm not very familiar with the local police chief, but I will help you ask about this matter, but you have to wait a few days."

Rhodes quickly said that he was willing to wait, no matter how long it took.

This was just a small episode. He left in less than half an hour.

The next afternoon, Lance and Congressman Williams came to the golf course in the suburbs of Manteno and met the governor himself.

The governor was in his fifties, his hair was already gray, he looked very healthy, not fat or thin, but slender, and his face was full of amiable smiles.

Successful politicians must be able to show their amiability to the audience. After all, votes come from the people, and even if it's acting, it must be as real as possible!

He shook hands with Lance and Congressman Williams with a smile, "The weather has been good these days. I haven't exercised much all winter. It's good that you're here, so I can sneak out of the office!"

He was also quite humorous. If you don't consider other things, just the things he showed would make people feel that he was not difficult to approach.

Lance and Congressman Williams knew the meeting place and what to do before they came, so Lance and Congressman Williams both changed into golf attire.

The three stood on the lawn, but didn't start immediately.

"I heard that you talked to the lieutenant governor."

This was nonsense, but many formal conversations often start with nonsense.

Congressman Williams nodded and said, "We met the day before yesterday."

"He also told us about those details. I don't know if you know that we have brought some new, but not surprising, changes this time?"

The governor nodded, "He told me, and your considerations are reasonable."

James walked over pushing a golf cart—

At this time, there were no such miniature golf carts. They used a small trolley, which could hold about five to six club bags and other things.

It could not be driven and needed someone to push it. Generally, this job was done by a caddie, but today's meeting was obviously not very ordinary, so James played the role of the caddie.

He also plays golf often, so he doesn't have to worry about not playing the role well.

People walked towards the teeing ground. As they walked, the governor said, "The military's garrison in Goldport City is both good and bad for us. Now it is difficult for us to realize whether it is good or bad, but it is never wrong to maintain a cautious attitude towards them."

"I personally agree with the new distribution plan you proposed."

He said, looking at Lance, "The methods and means you used to defeat the Kodak family are amazing, and what makes me even more impressed is that you don't have any other means, which left a deep impression on me."

"You are a very capable young man, smart, strong, and courageous. You should have a brighter future, not be limited to being a gang leader."

This was obvious praise. Congressman Williams explained from the side, "Lance is already engaged to the girl from the Lawrence family, in the summer."

"The Lawrence family?" The governor was a little puzzled. Did he have such a family in his "territory"?

Congressman Williams added, "Lawrence Farm."

"It's them!" The governor nodded. Lawrence Farm had a certain reputation in the southern part of the entire Licalais State.

They led the farms to resist the tyranny of the channel merchants, making the Lawrence family very influential among the farm owners in Licalais State.

The output of these farm owners meets the state's food needs and can also be sold abroad.

It would be nonsense to say that they have no impact on people's lives.

As long as they tighten the grain in their hands a little, the state's grain supply will soon have problems, and they will have to buy from other states.

But to say that they have a huge impact on the lives of people in this state is not entirely true!

Because, except for the farm owners and the people who live near them, not many people in the entire state know them.

For example, in Manteno, if you randomly find someone on the street and ask them if they know the Lawrence family or Lawrence Farm, they are very likely to be blank.

The governor couldn't help but take another look at Lance, "You have a very good choice!"

The Lawrence family has strength, but they lack channels to transform their strength into political power.

And Lance has channels, but he lacks the background of a traditional landlord class. Now he is making up for this shortcoming, which makes the governor very optimistic about his future.

"What are your plans for the future?"

Lance said with a smile, "I haven't thought about it yet. After I've dealt with these things at hand, I might go around and see the world. I still have too many shortcomings, and I need to learn new things."

The governor nodded noncommittally, a very general answer with no real content.

The group came to the teeing ground, and James quickly took out a golf ball and placed it on the tee.

"Young man, you go first!" The governor's words solved the trouble of them pushing each other.

Lance came to the teeing ground and swung hard, hitting it pretty well.

Then came Congressman Williams and the governor, and they were all okay.

They were here to talk about things, not really to play golf, so the group walked forward again.

The governor didn't immediately talk about the issue of profit distribution, but chatted with Lance about the management of the casinos, "How do you plan to operate those casinos?"

This was also a kind of consideration. After all, Lance was too young. Even with Congressman Williams cooperating with him, the governor still had some worries.

Lance, however, seemed quite composed. "The Coda family has already done a good job in this area, but it's not good enough. We can explore more avenues, such as gambling cruise ships."

"Or even host national poker tournaments."

"We can significantly increase the foot traffic in our casinos by attracting a large number of gamblers and tourists."

"And I also plan to introduce some of Estrela's (Paradise City) operational characteristics. Of course, this may require the assistance of Mayor Williams… …"