Empire of Shadows

A little after eight o'clock, more and more people arrived at the restaurant. Erwin casually picked up a newspaper that Lance had been reading and opened it. His relaxed expression immediately turned serious.

He also read newspapers and books. In the few years he had been with Lance, he had realized something he had never been aware of before.

This society, this world, is constantly moving forward, relentlessly!

For him in his younger days, the so-called "past" was just a glance back, and the future was just words like "tomorrow," "the day after tomorrow," and "the day after that."

He couldn't see any changes, nor did he consider growth.

But now, not lacking wealth or status, he began to consider more. He also began to require himself to read newspapers, listen to the radio, and occasionally read books.

Taiwan Novel Network → 𝙩 𝙬 𝙠 𝙖 𝙣 . 𝙘 𝙤 𝙢

Humans are a very interesting species. When ignorant, they are fearless, full of curiosity about the world, exploring various emotions, with the sole exception of fear.

There is no problem that a bullet can't solve. If there is, then use a burst of fire.

But now that he knows more, he understands that even Lance is powerless in many situations.

Both men were focused on reading the newspaper. Ennio Helaam couldn't help but ask, "Is there a 'Tide News'?"

The people around him were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter!

Someone joked at him, "Besides understanding the boobs on the 'Tide News,' what else can you understand?"

Helaam was still a little unconvinced, "Don't you like to look at them?"

The guy who was teasing him was momentarily speechless, but he honestly answered the question, "Who doesn't like looking at free boobs?"

These people…

Lance shook his head with a smile. He put down the newspaper, "There's going to be a war."

The people in the carriage suddenly quieted down. Before, Lance always said that a war would break out, but he had never told them so accurately as he did today that there was going to be a war.

"So soon?" Helaam, who was joking with his friends, also restrained his playful expression and became serious.

No one knows what the outbreak of war will lead to. Everyone's heart is filled with fear of war.

So are they.

They came to the Federation because of the internal strife in the Empire. That was just an internal problem, and it had already torn the earth apart.

Not to mention that the war that is breaking out now is between multiple countries. The world will become a hell!

Lance threw the newspaper over, "A Federation freighter was sunk by the Dantla Republic's navy in the East Ocean, killing thousands of people and causing tens of millions in losses. They have already sounded the horn of war."

Erwin asked from the side, "What if Dantla is willing to compensate?"

Lance shook his head, "There is no such possibility, not even one percent."

"After the outbreak of war, the passenger flow in Jincheng City will definitely decrease sharply, and the business of casinos will become difficult, but there is no need to worry too much about income."

"The tense atmosphere of war will make people more dependent on alcohol. Those who didn't drink before will now consider having a drink."

"So the income from alcohol will only increase, not decrease."

"After returning, control the development of the gang situation in the entire city. We don't need so many gangs now. Let some small gangs disband and find them a job."

"Those who are unwilling to work…" Lance pursed his lips, "Send them to the army."

Some laughter rang out around the dining table. Going to the army at this time is actually no different from sending them to their deaths.

The dining car supervisor had the cooks push the dining carts over, and a rich breakfast was served on the tables, plate after plate.

Beef, fish, protein…

The delicacies gathered together. Although it was only breakfast, it could still be described as rich.

Federation people, or rather, people all over the world, are not actually resistant to eating these rich breakfasts.

Under the influence of the food, the heavy topic was temporarily put aside, and Lance talked about some things in New Gold City.

Some of the people who came this time had not been here before, so it was like taking them on a trip together.

The next morning, Lance met with Senator Cleveland.

"You should buy a house in New Gold City. You may come here often in the future. If you want to buy a house, I can give you some recommendations!"

Lance nodded, "I also have such a plan. You can give me some addresses or some phone numbers."

Senator Cleveland glanced at Tom, "Remind me when it's over."

Tom poured coffee for them while nodding, "I've got it."

Lance sat across from Senator Cleveland. Senator Cleveland grabbed the armrest of the chair and pulled himself forward, making sure he wouldn't be too far from the table.

"I should really replace this chair. There are many chairs with casters now, which are very convenient."

"As long as you use a little force on your legs, you can push me around!"

He was just saying it. This chair has a long history. It is said that his grandfather's father was already using it.

It has been used until today, with repairs and patches.

His grandfather didn't want to throw away this chair because he was commemorating his father, so he continued to use it after repairing it.

When it came to Senator Cleveland's father, he already felt that this chair might have some kind of… special meaning, so he also repaired it and continued to use it.

When it was the senator's turn, that special sense of mission and special meaning became even more obvious. It was like the emperor's crown and scepter, it was no longer a question of liking or commemoration, but represented "authority."

His children will also continue to use this chair, and repair it again, and eventually it will appear in the family museum, and be placed high up for worship.

Yes, many large families in the Federation have their own family museums, which contain many precious collections, such as leather goods made of indigenous leather, and ritual instruments made of their bones.

Of course, there are also works of art and treasures from all over the world.

A family's collection often represents a family's heritage.

Tom walked over with a tray. In addition to coffee, there was also a small silver bottle on the tray.

Senator Cleveland unscrewed it and poured out about an ounce of wine, pouring it into the coffee, "Do you want to try it?"

Lance shook his head, "No, I don't even like to drink coffee very much, let alone add other things to it."

Senator Cleveland smiled, "You might like it if you try it!"

He didn't force Lance to do so. After a pause, he continued to talk about some more superficial topics.

Their relationship in terms of interests is very close, but the actual face-to-face relationship is not so close, so the chat will be gradual, "I have already called my friends in Licarai State, the state government, the Socialist Party, the Liberal Party, they will no longer interfere in your affairs."

"I have given you a 'fair' environment. Now it is just your business with them. Whether you are taken care of, or they are taken care of, no one else is allowed to interfere!"

"So you can rest assured and boldly do it, you know what I mean,"

Lance took a sip of the coffee, "I am very grateful for your help. I can't feel any resistance now. Everything will be over before I go back."

"That's the best!" Senator Cleveland nodded with satisfaction, "Don't be distracted by these trivial matters, you have more important things to do!"

He emphasized Lance, and the small talk came to an end at this moment.

Judging from Senator Cleveland's performance, his attitude towards Lance was much better than before.

Before, he always talked to Lance directly, either because he was too lazy to waste time, or because he "said what he had to say." He would not take into account Lance's emotions and state, because he did not need to value Lance at all.

But this time, the situation was very different. He valued Lance's emotions very much, and chatted with him so much.

Again, buying a house, and telling Lance what he had done to take credit, which shows that Lance already has the formal qualifications for him, and he will greet and polite Lance.

Lance behaved as appropriately and appropriately as ever. He chatted and laughed with Senator Cleveland, and the two were like very good friends.

Now that the small talk is over, it is natural to talk about the main topic.

"Did you read the newspaper when you came?" he asked.

Lance nodded and said, "Yes, I did. Should have results within a week, right?"

Senator Cleveland curled his lip. "Actually, the results are already out."

Seeing Lance's eyes widen slightly, a smile appeared on his face. "The Republic of Dantela has refused to apologize or compensate. The President is already going through the process; he'll have a twenty-four-hour deadline."

"Tomorrow at eight in the morning, if Dantela doesn't provide further feedback, the President will declare war on the Republic of Dantela, and the nation will enter a state of war."

Logically, after entering a state of war, the President would have absolute power and could directly sign presidential orders to decide everything without going through Congress.

But the President doesn't intend to do that now, or rather, he's well aware of the consequences if he actually did.

He needs to use small tricks to seek to remain in the presidential palace, so naturally, his power in the political arena is not yet at the top, among that irreplaceable small group of people.

Once he really becomes a 'dictator,' unless he can do it for life, as soon as the state of war ends, he and his family will immediately be purged.

They might not even need to wait for it to end; Congress could mobilize the military and launch a coup.

So even during the war, Congress will not stop functioning. On the contrary, due to the war, its power will be greatly enhanced.

For example, when issuing instructions to local state governments, they could resist Congress's orders before, but now they can't openly resist, otherwise they'd be traitors and would be suppressed!

As a rising Senator Cleveland, he can now be said to wield great power, so it's not surprising that he knows this news.

He looked at Lance meaningfully, "That guy Miles couldn't explain many things clearly. He only told me you have a big opportunity to make a lot of money."

"I'm interested in that."

Lance knows that the number of tourists in Goldport City will plummet because of the war, and Senator Cleveland must know this too.

The casino's profits will decline, and his income will decrease. The war is also the best time to expand power, and he needs more funds to complete his power map.

Lance's offer to give him more money at this time certainly makes him want to know more details.

General Miles didn't actually remember much of what Lance said. He only remembered that he could get tens of millions in funds every year.

That long string of numbers occupied all the subconscious memory in his brain at the time, and he couldn't store anything else, so when Senator Cleveland asked, he stammered and couldn't explain clearly.

Lance smiled and explained his idea completely, "I'm only responsible for the liquor supply on my side. As for other military bases and troops, I definitely can't get involved, nor do I have any intention of getting involved."

"However, if their liquor supply can't keep up, I can help a little."

Senator Cleveland had an incredible expression on his face as he listened to what he said. It wasn't that the idea was so complicated, profound, or difficult.

But it was too damn simple, so simple that no one thought of it, and no one realized what was involved.

Three million troops, six hundred million in military supplies every month. The thought of this number made him want to stand up!

Before, he was a little worried whether the profits provided by Lance's idea would be… not enough to share, after all, it takes a lot of people to nod to make this happen.

The executive members of the Prohibition Committee, some key senators, such as the Military Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Cabinet, the Presidential Palace.

So many people have to be involved and take a share of it. If there is not enough money, it will really not work!

A pack of cigarettes outside only costs five cents, but a pack of cigarettes provided by the military costs one dollar. Do you think its tobacco is very good?

No, it's not good at all. The tobacco used is the most ordinary, and there are only ten cigarettes in a pack.

But why can it sell so expensive?

Because many people have to get their share from this pack of cigarettes.

So its profit must be high, only in this way can it meet the demands of these people for benefits.

One dollar a pack of cigarettes, three million troops, one pack per person per week, that's only twelve million a month.

But those liquors… two hundred dollars a bottle!

Senator Cleveland was already so excited that he wanted to swear.

He stared at his upper lip with his thumb and forefinger, pressing down slightly. The area where his thumb and forefinger touched his lip lost color.

His emotions were surging. He looked at Lance, "Profit… how much?"

"After deducting my share."

"Net profit, that is, what can be put on the table, probably about half."

Senator Cleveland looked at Tom, "Calculate it."

Tom's mind immediately started working at high speed. In fact, he had already been calculating just now.

Three million troops, providing two hundred dollars of supplies per person per month, that's six hundred million, seventy-two billion a year, forty-five percent, count forty billion.

He gave such a number, and Senator Cleveland looked at Lance differently.

Five percent of forty billion is two billion. He can get two billion here?

A year?

These days, they are still considering how to maintain the span of the war in two to three years, because the President's term has passed for two years, and this year is the third year.

In other words, the longer the war lasts, the more beneficial it is to the one in the Presidential Palace, but not everyone hopes that he can sit there for so long, and some people hope that he can get out as soon as possible.

So two or three years is good, very suitable.

But now he suddenly hopes that the war can last for four or five years.

Seeing Senator Cleveland start to wander off, Lance had to interrupt his thoughts.

"Senator, let's talk about something unpleasant first."

Senator Cleveland came back to his senses. He was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "You say."

A very amiable attitude, like that between ordinary friends.

Lance had to pour some cold water on him first, "In fact, we can't calculate it that way completely. It's impossible to throw three million troops into Tanfite right away when the war starts…"

Senator Cleveland began to calm down at this time. This is a skill that a senior politician must master, to get himself out of some extreme emotions as soon as possible.

If so many troops are thrown in right away, those allied countries will definitely want them to be the main force, but this does not meet the interests of the Federation.

So at the beginning, the troops deployed may only be five or six hundred thousand, seven or eight hundred thousand.

Thinking of this, he understood what Lance meant.

"So this is just the revenue situation when a full-scale war breaks out."

Lance nodded slightly, "Yes, you are very right."

"Secondly, this quotation is only provided by my side. I am not very clear about the quotations and profit distribution provided by other liquor merchants."

"In the end, these profits will definitely be summed up together and then divided, so the specific amount that can be obtained may fluctuate."

"But a net profit of twenty to thirty million a year should not be a problem."

Senator Cleveland frowned and thought. It was a bit uncomfortable to fall out of the fantasy of earning hundreds of millions a year, but this number is far beyond his expectations.

If it weren't for the fact that too many people have to take a share of this matter…

He picked up his coffee and took a sip to cover up the saliva that was growing because of greed. He didn't want to be embarrassed in front of Lance.

"You're right, Lance, I don't think there's a problem with this plan."

"The Federation hasn't had a war for many years. Whether the soldiers can quickly adapt to the combat situation on the front line and whether there will be huge pressure are all unknowns."

"Those children are going to war for our country, and we have to solve some of the problems they face and not create difficulties for them!"

"Don't leave these days. I'll go talk to them first."

"They must love this plan to death!"

Neither Lance nor Senator Cleveland had ever questioned this. Who the hell can refuse hundreds of millions, or even billions, in profits every year?