Empire of Shadows

“…The mad prime minister of Dantra and their mad soldiers are destroying the order of the entire world. They are heading into the abyss of destruction!”

“Before they go completely mad, we should stop them together. This is not just our problem; it also concerns the security of the entire world!”

“Although we currently have a certain advantage in the war, that is because we gained a first-mover advantage by attacking without a declaration of war. Now, these advantages are disappearing.”

“And as their allies begin to join the battlefield, the situation on the Tanfit continent will soon enter a state of stalemate.”

“We need some external forces to help us eliminate the evil Dantra alliance!”

In the room, a gentleman who looked slightly different from the people of the Federation in both temperament and dress was sitting on the sofa, discussing his views and ideas on some international issues.

It sounded a bit ridiculous, like the topics often chatted about by old men in their sixties and seventies on the street.

It was either the development of cutting-edge science and technology or the fate of world peace. They would give people the impression of “reclusive politicians hidden in the streets and alleys,” but in reality, they were just ordinary people with too much time on their hands.

There were several gentlemen in the room. One of them, after contemplating for a while, replied, “The Federation has no intention of participating in this war. We are a peace-loving nation.”

If the natives who had been scalped heard this sentence, they would surely be moved to tears and then shout that the people of the Federation were liars and devils.Just as the gentleman sitting opposite them was about to say something more, Tom stood outside the door and knocked.

Senator Cleveland, who was sitting on the sofa with his chin propped on one hand, glanced over, smiled, and apologized, “Let me handle this. You all continue chatting.”

The person sitting across from them was a diplomatic ambassador sent by a country at war with the Republic of Dantra. The advantages they had quickly gained in the early stages of the war using cavalry and mobile forces were now being gradually caught up by the Dantra people, who had reacted.

The prime minister of the Republic of Dantra had given a public speech titled “To Dantra” at the beginning of this month. In his speech, he mentioned a series of historical issues caused by geopolitical problems.

He also talked about the reasons for the poor development of the Republic of Dantra in recent years and mentioned that to break the deadlock, they had to break the encirclement of the surrounding countries.

Be brave to resist, be brave to sacrifice!

The mad prime minister, leading a group of mad soldiers shouting “wash away historical shame, avenge our ancestors,” began a crazy war. They even executed several batches of prisoners of war, which caused great dissatisfaction and panic among the participating countries.

Moreover, the Republic of Dantra had won over two other countries, forming an iron triangle, and began to wage war more actively outwards.

From the perspective of the Federation’s people, their war had no right or wrong. It was just a manifestation of the conflict between two groups. You want to kill me to seize my wealth, and I happen to want to kill you to get your land.

Let’s just fight. No one is righteous, no one is evil. War is actually very simple, very pure.

Each side believed that they were the righteous side. The ambassador’s words had not been able to persuade the Federation to enter the fray.

Rashly joining a war is an irrational act.

Senator Cleveland buttoned a button and then came out from the slightly ajar door.

People could hear what was said in here, so they went to another small room.

Senator Cleveland walked to a mirror and adjusted his attire in front of it. Tom, standing to the side, said, “It’s a call from Lance.”

Senator Cleveland looked at Tom in the mirror. You can’t answer his questions?

Tom nodded slightly. “There are some questions I can’t answer for him.”

Senator Cleveland nodded. He walked to the sofa and sat down, crossing his legs, then picked up the receiver. “What’s the problem?”

He went straight to the point without any pleasantries. He still had things to do. Although this lobbying was unlikely to persuade them to vote for joining the war in Congress, they could also gain considerable benefits from it.

Some precious metals, gems, wealth, some antiques, and the like.

In the supreme political hall of the Federation Congress, if you can’t win others over to your side, then you must at least be able to prevent these people from standing on the opposite side of you.

Since it concerned interests, Senator Cleveland would not give Lance too much time.

Of course, he was also very clear about another point. If Lance’s problem wasn’t that important, Tom wouldn’t have disturbed him to take this call.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Senator. I’m planning to make a move on the Kodak Family. I’ve heard they have some influence in Congress. Is there anything I need to be aware of?”

Senator Cleveland glanced at Tom. He realized that this was indeed an important issue.

Every year, the Kodak Family could channel tens of millions of funds to Congress. Everyone was green with envy over this money. Everyone who couldn’t get their own share of this money was asking themselves this question—

“Why don’t I have a share?”

And

“How can I get a share?”

Now, the opportunity was placed before him.

With this money, even if it was only a tenth, he would be able to get the support of more people faster and better, making their small group bigger.

And funds were not only for filling personal appetites but could also actually solve many problems, for example, “bribing” voters.

He did not answer Lance’s question directly, but asked in return, “How are you planning to make a move on the Kodak Family?”

Lance hadn’t even detailed his plan before he was interrupted by Senator Cleveland. “As long as you have a plan. Why choose now?”

The international situation was turbulent now. This was actually not a good time for anyone.

Lance also voiced his concerns. “You mentioned before that troops would be stationed here in Golden Port. Now the newspapers are also saying that there might be a result in July or August.”

“If we wait until after the troops have arrived, and then some large-scale… you know, it might cause some trouble we didn’t anticipate.”

Will the Kodak Family collude with the military?

The military is not honest at all.

Will the military use the excuse that local public security is unreliable to make some other excessive demands?

For example, taking over part of the city’s security work?

It’s not impossible!

Congress is very clear about the importance of the army to a country. It is precisely because of this that they are always trying to make the army more pure!

Lance’s considerations were very comprehensive. Senator Cleveland thought for a moment and said, “I can help you block the trouble from Congress, but you have to be fast, understand?”

“I know. I won’t drag things out for too long.”

The faster the matter was resolved, the less opportunity and time Congress would have to respond.

If Lance could deal with the Kodak Family in one day, their senator behind them wouldn’t even have time to react before the matter was over. Coupled with Senator Cleveland and his small group, those people could only swallow their pride and accept it.

It’s not worth it to fight against a rising political group for a family that is already finished.

He didn’t fully believe this and asked directly, “When can it be resolved?”

Lance calculated for a moment. “Before the summer vacation.”

Summer vacation was a very unfamiliar term for Senator Cleveland. It took him two or three seconds to remember that summer vacation should refer to before July.

Three months to destroy a big family. It can’t be said to be very fast, but it’s definitely not slow.

He thought about it seriously for a while. “Okay, but as soon as possible!”

“If you have any problems, communicate directly with Tom.”

As he spoke, he handed the receiver to Tom. “You liaise with him. This matter is very important.”

With that, he walked towards the outside. He still had matters in the other room to attend to.

Being a senator was not good in this regard. From morning to night, your time belongs to others. You don’t have much time for yourself.

Tom picked up the phone again. “The senator has already said what needs to be said. Do you have any other questions?”

“Are you familiar with the Likalai State Attorney General?” Lance asked.

They had actually met once last time. After Senator Cleveland and Lance had a private chat, they all came over to get to know Lance.

Getting to know each other didn’t mean they would do anything for Lance. This was just basic social networking. They had only met, not yet established a relationship.

Now Lance wanted to bring down Charlie. The easiest way was to give him a bullet.

No one can withstand a bullet shot into their head. If they can, then another one.

But doing so would undoubtedly break the rules. People might not say anything at first, but a knot would be left in their hearts.

The people who make the rules never like the people who break the rules, even if this person is serving themselves—

Senator Cleveland would also have some opinions on Lance. After all, assassinating a politician is a very serious matter for the ruling class!

How long does it take for a politician to reach the highest political stage in the Federation?

But how much time does it take to produce a bullet that can take everything away from them?

Unless it was the last resort, Lance would absolutely not easily make a move on a politician, unless he planned to become a public enemy of the political world.

So, to solve the problem of Charlie, it would take a little bit of brainstorming.

The image of the Likalai State Attorney General appeared in Tom’s mind. He hesitated slightly. “I know him, but not very well. What about him?”

“I need some of his help.”

Tom thought for a moment, and many images reappeared and disappeared in his mind. After about ten seconds, he said, “You call him tomorrow morning.”

“Is there anything else?”

Although he was not familiar with the Likalai State Attorney General, someone was familiar with him!

This is the network, the invisible “web.” Maybe there is no direct connection between these two joints, but they can be connected through a third, a fourth, and more joints!

Lance had no other questions, and then he hung up the phone.

After lunch, Lance invited Alberto and Francisco over for a chat. Neither of them refused Lance’s invitation.

The relationship between Alberto and Lance could no longer be measured simply by interests. They helped each other, fulfilled each other. It was no longer an ordinary friendship.

And Francisco had also borrowed some of Lance’s power to stabilize his current position. Although the favor was owed by Alberto, he actually also owed Lance a big favor.

In Lance’s office, Lance had someone bring drinks and pastries, then closed the door.

Besides the three of them, there were also a few of Lance’s trusted subordinates here.

“How have you guys been lately?” Lance started with a very ordinary topic as a starting point.

Alberto seemed very relaxed. He leaned back on the sofa and tilted his head. “Not very good.”

“You know our main business…”

Lance nodded and said, “Drugs and smuggling.”

“Yes, drugs and smuggling. The prices of those special drugs are rising very fast now. Plus, Paul’s death was very sudden, and some of our connections with the medical groups have been broken. They don’t need us to help them solve their overcapacity problem now.”

“And smuggling, because that group of mad dogs from the Republic of Dantra is intercepting merchant ships at sea, the risk is getting bigger and bigger, but the profits haven’t increased much.”

“Now our main income is completely dependent on those bars. The situation in the family is not good. Some people are getting restless again.”

These were facts. Alberto didn’t hide anything. It was inevitable that people’s hearts would be unsettled.

A gang, even a family- and religion-based gang like the Summurians, still had to eat and live at the end of the day.

The family could only bring people closer, and the religious nature was just to make the class system stricter. But what about people’s food, consumption, and the lives of their family members?

Money, interests, were still the core of the core.

If the family’s criminal business couldn’t make money, then the low-level members would feel that the family was going downhill, and they would consider whether to change their ways.

Opening more bars was a good method, but the Bureau of Hazardous Materials was cracking down hard. They also had two bars shut down, and a bunch of people arrested.

So far, they hadn’t been able to get the people out.

Alberto knew that Paul had a secret bank account, but he died too damn suddenly. This account was not passed on to Francisco at all. They didn’t have any good solutions now either.

Lance was relieved to hear that their lives were not going well now.

This was definitely not schadenfreude. It was just that this way, they would stand more firmly on his side.

“I’m planning to make a full-scale move on the Kodak Family soon,” Lance said.

He observed the changes in Alberto’s and Francisco’s expressions. After hearing this, Alberto just raised his eyebrows. Francisco, on the other hand, lowered his eyelids and showed no expression.

After a few seconds, Alberto finally asked, “The Kodak Family has a considerable network of connections both within the state and in Golden State…”

He was reminding Lance that killing people was easy, but the problems to be faced after killing people were the real trouble.

Lance shook his head. “I’ll take care of these.”

Alberto looked at him curiously. “Then what do you need us to do?”

Lance expressed some of his thoughts. “I don’t know the specific situation of the Kodak Family. I don’t know how many businesses they have, or where they are roughly located.”

“I also don’t know how many cadres there are in their family, what their names are, what they are in charge of. I know almost nothing about them!”

“Except for knowing where a few of their casinos are, I know nothing else.”

“I don’t have that much time to investigate their family in such detail, so I need your help. You know them better.”

Lance was not wrong about this. When it came to who knew the Kodak Family best, it was none other than the Five Families themselves.

Before the status of the Five Families was determined, they had gone through a period of opposition, fighting and killing each other.

Even after the Five Families had a truce, they did not give up on continuous infiltration and intelligence gathering on each other, just in case they went to war again one day, so that they wouldn’t know nothing.

Seeing the two of them lost in thought, Lance also offered the benefits he could provide.

“After we’ve dealt with the Kodak Family, their liquor business will be all yours.”

If Alberto was willing to help Lance because of his friendship with Lance, then now with such a rich profit added, he had no possibility of refusing.

He glanced at Francisco. Francisco nodded. The two of them had reached an agreement.

Alberto asked with a smile, “What do you want to know?”

Know what?

Of course, it’s fucking everything!

Just as Lance was beginning to expand his understanding of the Kodak Family, Bandy was on the phone with Charlie.

When Charlie told him that Hunter was finished, Bandy was in disbelief.

“He’s the police chief. How could he…”

Charlie’s tone was gloomy, carrying a suffocating weight. “He fell for Lance’s trap. There are quite a few of Lance’s men in the police station now. He was tricked into going out.”

“Originally… we were very close to success. This idiot, I told him not to go out, but he insisted on going out!”

Listening to Charlie’s rough explanation, Bandy was also speechless.

For a time, neither of them had the desire to speak. Only Charlie’s heavy breathing could be heard through the receiver.

After a while, Bandy asked, “So what do you plan to do now?”

“Hunter is dead. Who can take over his job?”

The police department is a very important law enforcement agency. Before there are other powerful law enforcement agencies, whoever controls the police department is tantamount to having a part of the power to make the rules.

Charlie mentioned a few candidates. These were the few choices he could make. These people had no personal abilities, but they all had one common characteristic: they were obedient.

Now what Charlie wanted was not some capable chief. What he wanted was a puppet.

Facts have proven that after he left, that position was only suitable for a puppet, not for others!

“The new chief will definitely not be able to control the situation in the police department like Hunter for a short period of time after taking office, and there are still many traitors inside.”

“So I need you to continue to put pressure on Lance, so that he doesn’t have a free hand to deal with my side.”

“When my side is sorted out, then we will deal with him together…”

(End of a Chapter)