Empire of Shadows

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The sky was a bit gloomy.

The motorcade traveled along the road, led by two squadrons of motorcycle police clearing the way.

In an ivory-white luxury car, the Socialist Party representative from the state was chatting with the mayor.

“Will this have a bad influence?” Mike had a very common name, but he was by no means an ordinary person.

Looking at the Federal government system, he held no government position, yet even the mayor had to show him some respect. Even the governor, when faced with his complaints, had to take half a minute to try and explain.

This was the special nature of a party representative. His power alone might not be great, but if he connected with a group of party representatives, they had the ability to influence the nomination of a candidate for a region’s leadership.

If the mayor wanted to go higher, he had to have a good relationship with these party representatives. Who to nominate and who not to nominate was all decided by their votes.

Perhaps these few people couldn’t make him the sole candidate, but at least they wouldn’t let him lose to his opponent by a small margin at a critical moment.What Mike meant by “not too good” was the police escort clearing the way outside; he felt it was a bit of a disturbance to the public. But the smiling expression on his face showed no sign of the unease of “not too good”; instead, it was more like he was saying, “Well done.”

The wonderful taste of power was particularly rich at this moment!

The mayor laughed heartily. He rarely showed such a strong desire for emotional expression in front of others.

Because those people were not qualified enough to make him “frank and sincere,” but people like Mike were.

“Your visit to Golden Port is an honor for all our citizens. No one will feel disturbed. The Socialist Party has led the Federation to the forefront of global economic development. This is what you deserve!”

Mike smiled happily. “Not you, us!” he corrected a small wording error from the mayor. “Golden Port’s development is mainly your credit. We did nothing.”

“To see it developing better and better on this visit proves that all our decisions when we nominated you as the mayor here were positive and correct.”

He paused for a moment. “I’ve seen many old friends in the Bay Area these past few days, and they are all very satisfied with your performance during your time in office here.”

“As for the Speaker of the House of Representatives issue you mentioned, we will seriously consider it!”

The mayor was overjoyed upon hearing this. He suppressed the excitement in his heart and tried his best to appear composed. “Mike, you know me. I have great ideals and ambitions, but achieving them requires me to reach a higher position.”

“One day, when I can make the changes I want to make for this country, you will see it become better than it is today. And ourselves, everyone!”

“Every one of us will benefit from it, I promise.”

It sounded like he was talking about the country getting better, but everyone in the car knew they were actually talking about themselves.

Nomination, candidacy, election, results.

After politics became commercialized, every step here was filled with overflowing benefits!

These people were all qualified to take a piece of the cake.

The few of them looked at each other and smiled. Perhaps before they entered politics, they did have some thoughts of doing something for the Federation and its people, but when they truly stood on this stage full of fame and fortune, everything changed.

During this time, Mike and the others had a great time in the Bay Area. The wealthiest group of people in Likalai State gathered here, and many of them were their friends, who were very enthusiastic towards them.

Capitalists, of course, were very enthusiastic towards them.

From the perspective of the common people, “big shots” referred to those who could decide their fate, such as senators, governors, and the president.

But for the wealthy people living in the region, the local governing officials and the people who could decide who those officials were, were the ones they should respect.

You might have money, but if they arrange for someone who doesn’t get along with you to be the mayor of the city where you live and work, that’s enough to give you a hard time.

But if they arranged for a good friend of yours to come and accompany you, then it would undoubtedly be an opportunity for a huge leap forward!

They wanted to respect the president, but the president couldn’t help them, so he didn’t get their respect either!

The capitalists had too many ways to corrupt these people, making it hard to resist. Plus, Congress had not yet proposed requirements for political donations to be publicly disclosed and supervised, so sometimes many problems were difficult to solve.

However, for people like Mike, this trip was a pleasant one!

As the motorcade entered the docks, the sky became even gloomier, and the cold wind was biting.

If they didn’t absolutely have to come, they wouldn’t want to be at the docks at this terrible time. The wind here was too strong, like a knife!

But this place was also very important, and the next few days were likely to be cloudy. They didn’t have much time left here.

Golden Port’s development relied on it being the largest port in the Northern Hemisphere, so the docks and the dockworkers, to some extent, determined the city’s upper and lower limits.

The dockworkers’ union had long been notified. President Scott, Vice President Vaughn, and others were waiting at Pier 3 early in the morning.

They had never seemed so proactive towards the working class, especially on such a cold day.

Some workers had arrived early, their faces filled with deep dissatisfaction about today’s “visit.” If it weren’t for the free gifts, they certainly wouldn’t have come.

When the motorcade entered Pier Three, the union leadership immediately went up to greet them.

The mayor was the first to get out of the car, followed by the other party representatives. President Scott, dressed in fine clothes, began to applaud, creating a sharp contrast with the sparsely scattered, plainly dressed dockworkers around him.

On the contrary, Vice President Vaughn was dressed more plainly, not in a wool trench coat, but just a very ordinary, common cotton-padded jacket, which made him look a bit… strange.

Not quite like a worker, because he was too clean, but not like a respectable gentleman either, because he was dressed too “casually.”

“Welcome to Golden Port Docks!” President Scott’s face beamed with “glory,” as if the docks were his!

Today’s protagonists were the dockworkers.

After Mike and the others greeted them, they walked towards the representatives of the dockworkers. They chatted very gently, showing no airs at all, seeming very cordial.

These people were political veterans; they wouldn’t make foolish mistakes, and now was not the time for them to make mistakes.

They didn’t mind how prickly the dockworkers’ cracked palms were, nor did they care how dirty their bodies were. They always talked and shook hands with them with great enthusiasm and kindness, and wished them a bright future.

These people all showed their support for the Socialist Party because the party constantly emphasized overall economic development, creating more job opportunities in society.

Only when these ordinary people had job opportunities could they support their families.

To some extent, the Socialist Party did indeed play a huge role in the Federation’s economic development. If the Liberal Party, with its core of “laissez-faire,” had continued in power, the Federation’s economy might still be a huge mess.

As for the Federation Party?

Hope they enjoy their work!

The results of the visit to the docks put Mike and the others in a very good mood, because the people had no major complaints against the Socialist Party. Other than hoping for a wage increase, they had no other thoughts.

This gave Mike and the others a clear judgment of the election situation in Golden Port. Although there were some fluctuations, it was generally under control.

Seeing that it was already eleven o’clock, President Scott wanted to keep them for lunch. During this time, President Scott had been thinking about maneuvering his way into the state dockworkers’ union or even the federal general dockworkers’ union.

If he could get to know some more prestigious big shots in the political arena, it would undoubtedly add a lot of points for him.

Especially if he wanted to get into the general dockworkers’ union, he couldn’t do it on personal ability alone. There were so many capable union managers across the Federation, so many outstanding people. Why should he get in and not you?

However, Mike and the others refused. Compared to having lunch with the president of a dockworkers’ union, they were more concerned about the upcoming banquets hosted by the capitalists.

“There are no major problems with the dockworkers’ stance. You all have managed it very well. When I get back, I will mention the situation here at the party conference.”

“The situation in Valley City is not as good as yours. They have a lot of problems there, and the election outlook is a bit grim.”

Just as Mike was about to say something about Valley City, the motorcade’s speed suddenly slowed down. He looked back and noticed something was wrong.

The road leaving the docks was blocked by a large group of people in blue work clothes, and large numbers of similarly dressed workers were still gathering.

Mike’s expression showed no change. He just looked at the mayor and asked with a half-smile, “Is this also part of our itinerary for today?”

The mayor’s expression was not good. He shook his head. “I did not arrange this…” He saw some reporters nearby, their cameras flashing non-stop. Things were getting a bit troublesome.

More and more blue work uniforms surrounded them. They neither made a move nor shouted anything, just stood there quietly.

But it was precisely this quiet standing, with everyone looking at these few cars, that made the people inside the cars feel immense pressure!

Several minutes had passed, why hadn’t reinforcements arrived yet?

He hesitated for a moment and finally decided to get out of the car.

It was at this moment that a person who looked somewhat familiar to him appeared next to the motorcade.

William was wearing that beige trench coat, his soft felt hat pulled down low. The wind was a bit strong today.

The sea breeze made his trench coat flap loudly in the wind, and his upturned collar was also blown askew.

He looked at the car in the very middle and walked to the car door.

The mayor rolled down the car window. Although his expression was still calm, it was clear that his eyes told William he was furious inside.

No one likes surprises, especially political figures.

“I seem to have seen you before. Why are you surrounding us?” he tried his best to keep his tone free of excess emotion.

The surrounding camera flashes kept going off. William, as if not feeling the displeasure emanating from the mayor, said loudly, “They and I heard that some big shots were coming to the port today. We hope to have a chat with you.”

Mike became a little interested. After confirming there was no danger, he got out of the car. “I’m Mike. What do you need to tell us?”

The mayor also got out of the car. “Mr. Mike is very influential in Likalai State, but if you only have some small issues, you can communicate with me directly at City Hall.”

He glanced at their uniform attire. “Which company are you from?”

William didn’t answer his question but continued, “Mr. Mike, I am a local, but these people around us are all illegal immigrants.”

“Some of them have been in the Federation for many years, working hard, earning the least money, and doing the most tiring work.”

“Previously, Mr. President mentioned solving the issue of illegal immigrants’ status, but we never got an answer. When they knew that a big shot like you was coming here, they entrusted me to communicate with you on their behalf!”

Only then did he look back at the mayor. “Mr. Mayor, hello. I was once a member of the City Hall office, but I have resigned.”

“I am trying to learn from you. Sitting in an office cannot change the lives of the common people, so like you, I decided to come out and take a look. Perhaps I can do something too.”

The mayor’s expression softened slightly. He looked at Mike. Mike looked at the people around them and asked, “What are your demands?”

“Our demand is to let these workers who have dedicated many years to Golden Port truly settle down here, to inspire them to continue dedicating their strength to building the Federation!”

“This is something the Liberal Party cannot do, but the Socialist Party certainly can. In Likalai State, we have hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants.”

“If these issues can be resolved, all of us will be grateful to you!”

It was very direct. Sometimes, being direct is more effective.

Mike looked at the dense crowd around him, which gave him the feeling that he couldn’t see the end and was completely surrounded.

This also gave him some other ideas. If these hundreds of thousands of people stood on the side of the Socialist Party and became staunch party members, wouldn’t that be a good thing?

He turned to look at the mayor. “It seems our itinerary for today may have to change,” he had already decided to talk to them first.

Then he looked at William. “This is not the place to talk. Can you find a few representatives to come with you, and we’ll find a place to sit down and talk?”

William nodded repeatedly. “Of course, no problem, Mr. Mike!”

Before police reinforcements arrived, the two sides reached a consensus to communicate.

In fact, under the circumstance of being heavily surrounded, they had no choice but to agree. Who knew if these people without legal status would suddenly get angry and do something inappropriate?

The negotiation venue was chosen in an auditorium in the port district. More than thirty representatives came, along with William, who was primarily responsible for speaking.

Mr. Jobav sat in a corner in a daze. He was very clear that today’s incident was definitely related to Lance.

Because only Lance could mobilize so many blue work uniforms. If someone said they weren’t connected, he would be the first to disbelieve it.

In a daze, he felt that he and Lance were walking on two different paths.

He had once thought about whether he could do something, but he was quickly dissuaded by the difficulties.

In fact, the more illegal immigrants there were, the more convenient it was for him.

Because illegal immigrants couldn’t open accounts in those big banks, and most of them couldn’t afford houses, their cash could only be carried with them, which greatly increased the risk of losing their savings.

Robbery, carelessness, theft—all of these could potentially make them lose everything overnight.

The best way to keep their funds safe was to deposit them in his bank, which allowed him to gain another fortune from the illegal immigrant community!

So he always persuaded illegal immigrants to actively deposit their money, to save it for emergencies, rather than encouraging them to spend.

In a daze, these illegal immigrants were about to become legal Federation immigrants because of Lance. How grateful would they be to Lance?

He didn’t know, but what he did know was that among these people, Lance would be in the top tier, right after their parents.

He was clearly more famous, had a higher social status, and more money, but… why did he feel that he was becoming smaller and smaller?

The negotiation process went very smoothly, or rather, William’s communication plan was very effective.

These illegal immigrants didn’t need the federal government to provide them with anything extra; they just needed their immigrant status to be recognized.

This could bring a considerable income to the local government. For example, the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants in Golden Port would pay insurance and taxes. After they had normal wages, they could spend more, promoting economic development.

William gave many examples, seemingly confirming that recognizing their status would only benefit the city and even the Socialist Party, with no disadvantages.

He knew very well what these politicians cared about, so he gave them what they wanted.

As for increased competition, and the possibility that locals might not be able to live as comfortably as before?

That was not among their concerns.

“This matter is not so easy to decide!” Mike heard him out to the end and gave an answer.

However, he had already recorded many things on the paper in front of him, many of the points and keywords William had mentioned. “Even if I strongly agree with your views, I cannot directly decide whether you can obtain legal status.”

“This matter needs to be discussed at our party conference. As for whether we can persuade Mr. President, I am not sure, but I think there is still some possibility!”

“The number of illegal immigrants is increasing, and this is indeed a problem we need to face and solve. You can pay attention to the ‘Planet Newspaper’.”

The Planet Newspaper was a relatively official and timely Socialist Party newspaper, mainly reporting on some new developments of the Socialist Party, personnel changes, and some news worthy of their great praise.

If this matter could be passed at the party conference, it would definitely be published in the “Planet Newspaper” at the first opportunity.

William also knew that today was just a form of expression; it was impossible for a few party representatives to decide on a policy that would affect millions of illegal immigrants nationwide.

Their demands had been met.

After a simple farewell, Mike and the others got back into their cars and left.

Perhaps sensing something, after the car had driven a few dozen meters, the mayor suddenly turned and looked towards the hotel entrance.

The representatives coming out of the hotel were shaking hands with a young man.

This young man’s status was clearly higher.

Because even William was only standing behind him.

(End of this chapter)

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