Empire of Shadows

The gentlemen in the room were all silent, thinking.

Without a doubt, Lance was the biggest gangster in Likalai State, but for him to say so now, what did it mean?

People had to think about the deeper issues, to wonder if there was a trap they couldn’t see, and at the same time, they wanted to know if there were any special opportunities inside.

The director glanced at Lance. Lance didn’t look at him, but nodded slightly.

The director coughed at this time. “The executive list for the formation of the Film Committee by the Federal Arts Council this time has a total of five people. According to them, these five people will serve as executive committee members of the Film Committee.”

“There will be no chairman position, but there will be an honorary chairman position.”

“The honorary chairman will be served by… Mr. so-and-so.”

When they heard this name, everyone’s expression changed subtly. He said that this gentleman had a nickname in the Federation, called the “Opera Emperor.”

This nickname very well described his status in the opera world!

He had won awards until his hands were soft. The current federal opera world had already been divided into several major blocks. According to the origin of the practitioners, their teachers, they were divided into different categories. Among them, the faction to which the Opera Emperor belonged was the largest.They had established many of their own rules in the opera world. For example, certain roles could only be performed by the people they designated, and even some opera scripts were not allowed to be performed casually without their consent.

To describe these people as “drama tyrants” was not an exaggeration at all.

And the five people on this list were almost all their people.

As a group that had obtained huge benefits through opera, these vested interests would be more stubborn than the most stubborn people, and even more conservative than the most conservative people!

Looking at everyone’s thoughtful expressions, Lance continued, “Once they take the lead in establishing the Film Committee, and obtain the support of the Federal Arts Council, and the affirmation of the federal government, for us, for the film industry, it will be a devastating blow!”

These opera singers looked down on those who acted in movies. After all, as the most brilliant art form of the “previous era,” too many famous figures had been born.

They were not only active in the opera world, but were also involved in the business and political circles. People were proud to know those famous opera performing artists.

This was a kind of social collective fanaticism. The kings and emperors of some countries were even loyal fans of some opera performers.

There was even a king who had lent his palace to an opera performer for an opera performance!

A new era had already set sail. Everyone sitting here was on this big ship heading towards a new era.

But if they were now to be assigned a captain from the old era…

Just as Lance had said, everything would be a disaster!

They only needed a few small tricks to make the development of the film industry die a premature death.

Many people had actually already seen that this cheap art form, which did not require much cultural heritage, would become a torrent that would sweep through the performance circle!

Some people couldn’t sit still, especially those who had bet their all on the future of the film industry!

They had built a large number of studios in Creek Valley City, had opened production companies here, had recruited many directors, actors, screenwriters, and the like. Once they really let those who did opera manage the film circle, they would only need to set a rule that disallowed the use of scripts other than opera scripts for filming, or required a certain number of singing arias, or had other cultural mandatory regulations, then the movie would be finished!

“We can’t let them do this, Mr. Lance!” a manager of a production company stood up, his face filled with a firm and serious expression.

With someone speaking up, the others no longer remained silent and all expressed that they could not let those bastards mess around.

Lance also nodded. “That’s right. We have invested so much in the film industry, and it has finally shown some signs of improvement. No one can destroy our future, no matter who they are, where they come from.”

“Just as I said just now, I plan to take the lead in establishing the Federal Film Committee. We are the real practitioners. The rules should be made by us, not them!”

Immediately, someone responded loudly, “Yes, that’s so right, Mr. Lance. You are a good man. We support you!”

When many people gather together, a kind of collective emotion begins to take effect, and people will lose themselves.

However, this process was very subtle. They couldn’t feel it. They could only feel their emotions inexplicably starting to get excited.

Their minds also seemed to have said goodbye to their rational selves and then began to fucking follow the thoughts of others.

More people expressed their support for Lance’s idea of establishing a Film Committee that belonged to the filmmakers.

Lance nodded slightly. “Since everyone has such an idea, then let’s compete with them in speed.”

“It just so happens that I also know some people on the Golden State side. If there are no accidents, we will be one step ahead in establishing the Federal Film Committee.”

“Before that, I need you to sign a letter of intent. You, who are present, represent a small half of the film industry. Unity can make us strong!”

The people all expressed their agreement. It was nothing more than signing a document to express their voluntary participation.

In fact, private organizations did not need the intervention of the federal government. The Federation was still very free in this aspect. But if you wanted to gain the recognition of society, the recognition of the federal government, and to have a standard to “explain” by when a dispute arose in the future, you would definitely need to register with the federal government, and the various procedures were also very complicated.

The meaning of Lance’s words was actually very simple. Without him, the Federal Film Committee would be controlled by a group of opera people, and then they would ruin this industry.

Only by relying on Lance could they have a chance to, before those bastards, to get this “officially recognized private organization” confirmed.

The formidable thing about this kind of private organization was that it could regulate the behavior of the entire industry, and even had a certain degree of law enforcement power!

So to successfully register first, it was not just a matter of going to register. There were definitely some political connections and influences involved in this.

The film was indeed a rapidly developing industry, but now it was just a seedling.

Yes, there were some capitals that had begun to enter the market in advance, but for those capital crocodiles, the current pool was still too shallow. They were still waiting, still observing.

So among these people, you couldn’t find a few who could get in touch with Congress, nor could you find anyone who could get a senator to do something for them.

They could only rely on Lance!

After discussing this matter for a while, it was settled. Then Lance brought up the second matter, the impact of gangs on the film industry.

At first, they actually did not intend to support Lance on this matter. They did not oppose it, but they did not support it either, because supporting this kind of thing would definitely require effort.

Lance had made it very clear from the beginning that he wanted to protest.

How to protest?

By sitting in your own office, waving your fists at your employees and shouting “I protest”?

No, it was to take your employees to a busy street and protest with signs!

They didn’t really want to do this. Some had even thought of reasons to refuse.

For example, the filming period was relatively tight, or that they had no control over it and could only go back and have the shareholders discuss it.

Anyway, they would just muddle through today. As for the next time… no, there would be no next time, at least not before the matter Lance had mentioned was resolved!

But now, they suddenly realized that they had been kidnapped!

If they objected, then the entire industry might face an uncertain future. No one could guarantee that those who did opera, who did art, could really lower their heads and look at the development of the film.

They could only rely on Lance. And in the case where they had to rely on Lance, now that Lance had made a request, it would be inappropriate for them to refuse.

The expressions of some people were like they were constipated, unable to shit, but wanting to, with the shit on the verge of coming out, but not coming out, which was extremely uncomfortable.

Lance acted as if he didn’t know these things and continued to talk about some things.

“I had the director collect some materials. Usually, you might not feel it, as if the gangs and some other things have no impact on our industry.”

“But when he had collected some materials, I finally discovered that the destruction and impact of the gangs on the film industry is huge, beyond our imagination.”

He gave an example. “Last summer, a film crew was extorted by a local gang while they were shooting on location. Because they couldn’t reach an agreement, the gang smashed their props, the machines used for filming, and also destroyed the film.”

“Besides causing economic losses, they also beat up the lead actor, which led to a delay of more than a month before they could start shooting again.”

“Also last year, a film crew was filming in a neighboring state, and the local gang demanded that they must use the props and houses they provided, and took the opportunity to charge an exorbitant fee.”

“Similarly, because they couldn’t reach an agreement, a conflict broke out between the two sides, which led to the suspension of the entire filming plan, and it has not been resumed to this day.”

He looked at the people in here and casually said some things that everyone knew.

“There are many more such things. You know more about these things than I do. So I say, the evil forces are becoming one of the biggest problems in the development of the film industry.”

“This time my cinema was burned down, it’s just one of the manifestations. This also includes the illegal copying of film, the theft of the original film, and even plunder.”

“If we are harmed but always remain silent, the perpetrators will only be more cruel.”

“Only by loudly stopping them and letting the whole society pay attention to this will they feel afraid.”

Lance looked at these people and lit a cigarette. “Of course, I am not asking you to participate. It’s all voluntary.”

“If any of you think that what I said is right, that we really can’t continue to silently endure being harmed, and think that we need to unite to protect the film industry, to protect ourselves,”

“Then we will later hold a large-scale parade and demonstration in New Golden City.”

“If you feel… that we are a bit too extreme about these things, and think that doing so is not appropriate, you can also not participate.”

After he finished speaking, he smiled, a meaningful smile. Although he looked very young, handsome, and dashing, his smile gave people a… an indescribable, somewhat “evil” feeling.

After about a dozen seconds, he gave these people time to understand, to think, and then he pointed at the director next to him.

“Whether you plan to form a film committee with us, or also plan to go and protest with us, you can come to the director’s side and leave your phone number and name, or company name. At that time, I will contact you.”

“I reiterate once again, everything is voluntary. There is no compulsion!”

He looked at the professor and nodded slightly, then stood up. “That’s it for today!”

“If you have anything you don’t understand and need to communicate with me about, you can talk to the professor. He has my phone number.”

Lance soon left. After he had left, the others stood up.

Some walked towards the director’s side, and some, after being surrounded by the director, quietly left the scene.

Some were willing to be speculators, and some were willing to continue to wait and see. This was very normal.

Just like when everyone tells you that it’s the bottom now, some believe it, and some don’t.

As for how it would develop in the future, no one knew.

After about two more hours, the director finally returned to the hotel. He handed two forms to Lance. “Not all of them participated.”

Lance glanced at the two forms. The names of the units on the list of those willing to form a film committee were clearly more than those who would protest together, about a third more.

Lance nodded slightly. He took out the list of those willing to join the film committee and gave it to the director. “Cross out the names of those who did not participate in the protest from this list. At that time, if they ask, just say that it was missed when the materials were being organized.”

After hearing this, the director was a little astonished. “Doing this… isn’t it not very good?”

Lance, while shaking his head, said, “Filming a movie, or things related to movies, you are the expert.”

“But besides this, you are still too ‘young’.”

“I have obtained the recognition of the Congressional Committee for Cultural Development. I am the ‘official.’ With them, without them, it’s all the same.”

“And they will want to join us more than ever, more than at any other time!”

“At that time, they will know what the price of just wanting to take advantage of me is!”

This kind of industry self-regulatory organization recognized by the government has the power to set industry standards.

For example, the Federal Steel Association. The steel specifications they set are the national standards that the entire federal steel industry must abide by!

The steel bars you produce, you think the hardness and toughness are enough, but the industry association says they are unqualified. Then you are unqualified, and no one will dare to buy your things.

Because if they buy them, they will have to bear the possible, great responsibility.

After the film committee is established, at that time, as long as Lance proposes a rule of “must be reviewed by the committee before it can be screened,” these non-member units can just slowly wait!

This is also why the Federal Arts Council is keen on establishing various subordinate committees and industry associations.

There is too much power and interest in this!

It’s just that what he was saying now, what he was thinking, the director simply didn’t understand. He knew nothing about this aspect.

The next day, Lance had the director contact them, and they discussed the process of the parade and protest. And he also contacted the chief of the New Golden City Police Department.

Although this guy was not so fond of Lance, he still said that he would handle it.

The Federation also had relevant laws, but the application was not for the federal government, the police department to approve them to be able to parade and demonstrate, but for them to inform all sectors of society.

On a certain day, at a certain time, in a certain place, there will be a parade and demonstration. They have to notify the nearby residents, shops, to make corresponding preparations, and also to arrange for mounted police to be in charge of traffic interception.

A little later in the evening, Jack (Patricia’s cousin, a customs official) gave Lance a call. “I hear you’ve had some conflicts with the Perez family these past few days?”

Lance stopped the work in his hands and focused on this call. “Yes, you know too?”

Jack laughed out loud. “Get rid of it. You are the big red man in Golden Port City. The news about you is going crazy down here. They are even discussing how heavy a shit you can take!”

“Please, don’t say these disgusting things!” Lance cursed with a laugh. “Is there something?”

Jack also did not continue to chat with him and stated the purpose of his call. “I have a batch of goods here. The receiving location on it is Golden State.”

“When I was checking the information, I found that the buyer of this batch of goods is a company controlled by the Perez family.”

Lance’s face, which had originally been a little unclear about what he was trying to express, gradually showed a smile. “Get in touch with Elvin. Hold this batch of goods at the docks and don’t let it leave.”

“I know what to do. Don’t worry.”

The two chatted for a while more and then hung up the phone.

As soon as the phone rang, it rang again. “Did you forget to say something?”

He had thought it was Jack’s, but this time it was Bolton’s. Bolton’s tone seemed a little excited.

“It’s me, Bolton.”

“You would never know what I found in the neighboring state!”

The Perez family had not deployed any businesses in Golden Port City, or even in Likalai State.

On the one hand, they were not involved in too many shipping-related needs, so there was no need to do anything here.

Secondly, when the five major families of Golden Port City were at their peak, they were still very combative. In addition, there was a group of mysterious Holy Bell Party. Unless they planned a large-scale cross-regional war, they would not consider taking root here at all.

But what made Lance curious was, what had they done in the neighboring state?

In just an instant, many things passed through Lance’s mind. “What did you find?” he asked.

“I found that they have a ‘farm,’ a Maple Iris Grass farm!”

“Fuck!” Lance couldn’t help but curse this time.

Maple Iris Grass, which has a highly hallucinogenic alkaloid. If it weren’t for the fact that the price of those special painkillers was not so outrageous, it might have already become irreplaceable!

However, it still had a large sales volume because of its hallucinogenic properties.

Just like those non-toxic poisonous mushrooms, there are always some people who like to eat them, because they want to see little people, to see that bizarre and motley world.

The people who use Maple Iris Grass are the same. This thing is not cheap on the black market!

“Is the scale very large?” Lance asked in a low voice.

(End of a Chapter)