Empire of Shadows

Since seeing the newspaper this morning, the mayor hadn’t touched the other half of his breakfast. He just sat dumbly in his dining room chair, gazing at the blue sky and the distant horizon outside the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

He had remained this way for a considerable time, perhaps almost an hour.

The secretary felt he was thinking or something and did not disturb him.

It wasn’t until nearly nine o’clock that a sigh was heard. The mayor finally moved his body and left the dining room with the newspaper in hand.

The newspaper had mentioned stationing troops in Golden Port. It had been mentioned before, but at that time, the paper had adopted a “speculative” tone.

Something like, “If the Republic of Dantra continues to harass our freighters, where should we deploy our navy to demonstrate our resistance and protest against these persecutions?”

The report had mentioned a few places, including Golden Port. It looked like a guess, speculating on where the Department of Defense would choose.

But this time, they were already discussing the positive and negative international impacts if troops were to be stationed in Golden Port.

The secretary brought him hot coffee, with a lot of milk, making it very smooth to drink.

In the past, he drank his coffee without milk or sugar. The purest coffee was enough.But now, he no longer needed so much energy to think about what the “next step” would be. His coffee now had milk and a little sugar.

This would keep him from being too agitated and would make him feel tired easily. He would often take a nap in the afternoon.

Sugar makes people tired easily. Capitalists won’t tell people how terrible “sugar” is for them. After all, the profit margins on these things are very considerable.

When the secretary put down the coffee cup, he happened to see the newspaper and asked for guidance, “What’s wrong with this news?”

The mayor’s gaze fell on the newspaper again. He didn’t answer the secretary’s question directly. “Do you think that if troops are to be stationed in this city, it would be good or bad for the city?”

The secretary thought seriously for a while and replied, “I don’t know. I’ve heard many negative rumors about Federation soldiers.”

“They might also make a mess of this place.”

“But it’s also possible that they won’t, because rumors are just rumors.”

The mayor shook his head. “If you want to go further, you must place yourself in a higher position. This is not to ask you to be blindly arrogant, but to have you think about the pieces on the entire board from a more comprehensive role.”

“Stationing at least tens of thousands of soldiers, let’s not consider where they will be stationed for now. These tens of thousands of soldiers need to consume, and they also have the ability to consume.”

“This means that Golden Port will have tens of thousands more consumers, while the city does not need to bear the burden of their jobs.”

“Even if each person only spends ten dollars on consumption each month, it can add hundreds of thousands in business revenue to the city.”

“Do you think that’s a small amount?” He could see that the secretary was not very sensitive to this number. He shook his head and said, “This can provide at least thousands of job opportunities for this city, and it’s also possible that thousands of families will gain a stable income because of their arrival.”

“The army’s expenditure is not only on the personal consumption of the soldiers. They need a stable food source, they need to build bases, they have many places where they need workers.”

“Whether it’s the state government or Congress, they will hope that the government of the city where the troops are stationed is more stable. They will slightly enhance the mayor’s authority.”

“On the one hand, it’s to keep the army in check and prevent the military personnel from acting recklessly. On the other hand, it’s also to allow the city to better serve the army.”

The secretary’s eyes lit up. “Does this mean that Congress will give you more opportunities and power?”

The mayor shook his head. “It would be good if it can be implemented in the second half of the year. If they could have done it earlier, there might have been a chance.”

“I don’t believe in things like fate. I think that people themselves are fate. Every choice I make is not the guidance of fate, but my own choice.”

“But sometimes, you have to believe in these things.”

He paused for a moment. There was still some unwillingness in his tone, and also some jealousy for the upcoming “Mayor Williams.”

Lucky bastard.

He had to admit that.

Stationing troops would bring greater changes to the city, more stable rule, more job opportunities and income. As long as the military’s interests were not violated, the mayor’s authority would become greater.

He could even use this opportunity to establish some connection with the military.

Although the military of the Federation was not as strong as the military of other countries, if you thought they were weak, you would be dead wrong.

As they were talking, the doorbell rang. The secretary made a simple gesture and walked to the entrance hall.

“It’s Lance. Should I let him in?”

This was the mayor’s residence. He hadn’t gone to city hall yet.

The mayor did not refuse. “Let him in.”

Soon, Lance came in with a somewhat apprehensive Bruce. The moment he saw the mayor, Lance smiled and walked over quickly.

The mayor looked at him for a moment, then stood up, took his outstretched hand, and shook it.

He then looked at Bruce next to Lance. “And this is?”

“This is the chief of the Forest Police Department, Mr. Bruce.”

“Chief Bruce, I don’t need to introduce this gentleman, do I?”

Chief Bruce quickly extended both hands to shake the mayor’s hand, bowing as he greeted him.

He was very measured, very enthusiastic, but not without reason. He said a few words of admiration for the mayor, then let go and stepped back to Lance’s side.

After the secretary brought coffee, he stood in a corner, ready to serve these people at any time.

“I apologize for this presumptuous visit, but I have heard some appalling news.”

The mayor picked up his coffee. He glanced at Lance, signaling him to continue, while he himself took a sip.

The coffee with a lot of milk was very smooth. The taste of the coffee did not overpower the taste of the milk, and at the same time, the taste of the milk did not overpower the taste of the coffee. This created a very unique flavor, a delicious flavor.

The astringency was replaced by silkiness. No wonder the people of the Federation liked to add coffee to their milk. There was a reason for it.

“Chief Hunter of the city police department had an accident and is probably unable to lead the Golden Port police force anymore.”

“The recent series of cases in the city are too heinous, and the safety of the people has been threatened. At this critical moment, we must quickly select a successor to stabilize the city’s public order.”

Lance said with a beaming smile, “Chief Bruce is an old police officer. He graduated from a professional police academy, has rich professional knowledge, has participated in the investigation of many cases, and has also held the position of precinct chief.”

“He has rich work experience and investigation skills, and he has his own ideas about the personnel arrangements of the police force. He is fully competent for the position of police chief.”

“I believe that under your wise leadership, Mr. Mayor, and under the loyal protection of Chief Bruce, the people of Golden Port will surely be able to live a stable and peaceful life!”

Watching Lance lie through his teeth, the mayor had an urge to laugh out loud.

The guy in front of him was one of the biggest gangsters in Golden Port at this stage, yet he was talking about stability and the people. And the position he was recommending was for the police chief. This was too absurd and ridiculous.

However, this was very Federation.

Look at the people in the President’s cabinet.

Look at the people in Congress.

Finally, look at the people in the state government.

Then, a gangster boss recommending someone to be the police chief didn’t seem so ridiculous and absurd anymore.

Because those things were even more bizarre!

The mayor’s gaze shifted to Bruce. He did not agree immediately. “Charlie has served in the police force for many years, and most of the people in the Golden Port police force have a good relationship with him.”

“I have served this city for almost eight years, and I have always relied on his work ability.”

“Hunter was nominated by him. From the time he became chief, the city’s public order has clearly improved compared to before he became chief.”

“The city’s public order issues have always relied on him (Charlie), or he has provided some solutions.”

“If we rashly announce this result, will he have some emotions?”

“He has served the police force his whole life. Even now that he is a municipal councilman, he still often handles police force matters.”

The mayor seemed to be speaking, analyzing, but in fact, he was putting forward his own deal proposal. “What if he thinks that the new candidate does not meet his expectations and makes a fuss? We will lose a lot of face and be very passive.”

Lance held the coffee cup to his lips but hadn’t drunk it yet. He said with a smile, “Then just make him shut up.”

As he spoke, he slightly tilted the coffee cup, took a sip. It was a bit sweet. He didn’t like it very much.

The corner of the mayor’s mouth curled up slightly. Charlie was also a guy he despised. On the surface, he was very respectful, always saying “yes” or “good” no matter what he said, never refuting him, but he never did a single thing he was asked to do.

This also made him deeply realize that Charlie was a running dog of the Bay Area, not his running dog. He could only disgust him, bite him, but would not help him.

He had no scruples now. You guys want the position of police chief, don’t you?

It’s very simple. For him, it’s just an executive order. He doesn’t even need to report to the state government. He can appoint someone directly himself.

But for such a position, if you want it, then use Charlie to exchange for it.

Lance’s statement made him very satisfied. He had long been displeased with that running dog. To be able to get rid of that dog without him having to bear any responsibility, he felt much more comfortable.

However, sometimes politicians need to show some reserve. “Wouldn’t that be a bit bad? Will others think that I don’t respect these veterans of the police force?”

Lance put down his coffee cup and turned to look at Bruce. Bruce had roughly understood a little. He gritted his teeth. “Only the living need to be respected. The dead, we usually just mourn them!”

The mayor raised his eyebrows. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I think you should be able to manage the city’s public order problems.”

“There should be official news to me soon, so we have to wait a little longer, but not too long.”

“Get ready, Chief Bruce.”

(End of a Chapter)