Empire of Shadows

A perfect curtain call!

The old mayor, sitting in a wheelchair, announced at City Hall that due to his health, he was temporarily unable to continue serving the citizens, and he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence to recuperate.

The officials and staff of City Hall all thanked him for his contributions to Lake City over the years.

Including some citizens, who had also spontaneously come to thank the old mayor for his dedication to the city, and of course, they had taken some of the nearly expired food with them when they left.

The only news newspaper in Lake City, with the headline ”Twenty Years,” had introduced the mayor’s years of dedication in Lake City.

Of course, these twenty years did not refer to his twenty years as mayor. It was from the time he had set foot in the local political arena as a municipal councilman that the article had introduced the things he had done in the following twenty years.

This was not an old man who had made any outstanding contributions to the city, in fact.

In twenty years, the city’s population had increased by less than 20%, which could be said to be a very slow growth rate.

The level of the city’s economic development had not improved much either, and the development of the urban circle had not changed much. What it was like twenty years ago, it was still what it was like twenty years later.

A lifeless city, just like the lake next to it. Even if a strong wind blew, it could not stir up any waves.The only thing worthy of praise was that this city did not prohibit dark-skinned people from living and working, unlike some cities that explicitly opposed the entry of dark-skinned people. Here, everyone was treated relatively fairly.

So today, among the citizens who had come to get food... or more accurately, to thank the mayor for his long years of dedication to the city, there were a relatively large number of dark-skinned people.

Although he had not made much of a contribution to this city, he had not brought too much trouble to it either.

Next was a simple farewell ceremony. People spent a pleasant morning and noon on the lawn outside the old mayor’s villa.

After the guests had dispersed, only the old mayor and his several children, as well as his two students, were left.

Looking at their eager and expectant eyes, the old mayor sighed. ”I have recommended William.”

”William?”

His eldest son did not react for a moment and turned to look at the people behind him. ”Is any of you named William?”

They were indeed not very familiar with this name, but soon, someone had connected this name with the young man who had visited twice.

”You mean the guy from Golden Port City?”

The old mayor nodded. ”It’s him.”

His sons, his two students, all looked at him in disbelief.

Compared to his student’s difficulty in asking, his son was very direct. ”How well do you know him?”

”Why would you recommend such a person who has never even lived here to take over your job?”

”We all know that the next time is only six months, but that’s enough for the whole city to get to know him!”

”We will be very passive!”

He looked at his father’s expression, which was full of dissatisfaction, sadness, and annoyance, a lot of negative emotions. ”And, this will have a huge impact on us!”

”People will consider why, after the old mayor’s health failed, he did not recommend his son and students, but recommended an outsider!”

”How will they look at us?!”

His eldest son almost shouted.

This guy was already forty-six or forty-seven, but was still just a municipal councilman.

Lake City had a total of six districts. Don’t be fooled by the fact that the population was not large, and the place was not big. But because of this lake, the city could be said to be built right next to the lake.

So the city seemed a bit ”long and narrow,” which also made it have to be divided into several districts for management. Otherwise, it would take too long to walk from one end to the other, which was not convenient for the city’s daily work arrangements.

His eldest son had originally thought that he would be the acting mayor. He had even privately promised his brothers, and also his father’s two students, some promises.

As long as they didn’t fight, didn’t take the initiative to fight, he would properly arrange for them after he took office.

But now it seemed that he was like a clown. After jumping up and down, he had lost this opportunity. How could he be happy?

The old mayor knew his son’s thoughts. He just looked at him quietly. ”This city is too small.”

He pursed his lips and leaned back in his wheelchair, looking at the azure sky. ”You have never been outside. From the time you were born, you have lived in this small city. Maybe some of you have been to college, have been outside.”

He looked at one of his students. ”But soon you came back, and then you have been here all along. So you don’t know how big the outside world is.”

His son was a little impatient. “We don’t want to hear your sentimental talk right now — we want to know the reason!”

The old mayor raised his hand to signal for him to shut up. Although he had already retired, his authority was still there.

”I am telling you why my choice is this.”

”You have always lived in Lake City. How much do you know about the outside world?”

”Do you know any high-ranking officials in the state government?”

A few of them all shook their heads. How could they possibly know any high-ranking officials in the state government?

The old mayor smiled, a very forced smile. ”Then do you... know any powerful financial magnates?”

”The kind of financial magnate who can provide you with hundreds of thousands, millions of funds for your campaign, or to realize a certain idea of yours?”

A few of them continued to shake their heads. They had vaguely known what the old mayor was going to say, and their faces had also become a little ashen.

”You see!” the old mayor spread his hands. ”You have neither the connections at the top, nor are the capitalists willing to support you. On what basis are you going to fight?”

He saw that his student wanted to speak and directly raised his hand to stop him. ”You must be thinking, I, without the support of these people, also became a mayor.”

”What time was that?”

”And what time is it now?”

”This is the reason why you can only see this small piece of land in front of you. You haven’t been outside, haven’t seen a bigger world, haven’t understood the real operating mechanism of this world.”

”If it weren’t for this war, perhaps you would still have a chance to come to the front.”

”But the war has broken out, and there is not even a last chance.”

His student finally couldn’t help but ask, ”Why do you say that?”

At this time, his son was no longer speaking loudly, and his face was also full of a desire for knowledge.

The old mayor sighed. ”If the Federation wins the war, then the authority in the hands of the officials will be strengthened to a certain extent.”

”They can fight for more benefits, more interests, and hold more power. And the mayor, as the most solid link in the lower level of the political environment, has unlimited potential.”

”If the war is lost, and the Federation faces all kinds of external troubles, at this time, to hold power, when someone needs to be sacrificed, the mayor can save some of the fruits.”

”Don’t forget, William’s surname is Lawrence.”

They had immediately associated it with the two supermarkets that had recently appeared in Lake City, and had also associated it with the largest agricultural aggregate in Likalai State at present, the Lawrence Farm!

Seeing their enlightened look, the old mayor was more or less still a little gratified. At least they were not really stupid, but just hadn’t seen a big storm and couldn’t react for a moment.

A smile gradually appeared on his face. ”Actually, you don’t have to be too disappointed. Although none of you can take over my job, I have also found new jobs for you.”

The smart student had already thought of the answer. ”You mean, let us work for William?”

The old mayor shook his head. ”Not completely. you are to serve the Lawrence family, to serve the Lance Family.”

”The Lance Family?” his son said this word with some confusion. ”I haven’t heard of the Lance Family. What kind of a family is it?”

The old mayor had a look of helplessness on his face. ”See, you don’t even know the most popular person now. How can you successfully get this apple from their hands?”

”The Lance Family refers to the power of ’Lance White,’ a gangster... or rather, a force similar to a group company.”

”Don’t underestimate this young man. He is only twenty-four, but he already has connections with the congressional side, and he is running a business and a gang with huge energy in his hands.”

”He is the real decisive factor. I hope you can go and work for him, so that you can better come into contact with the truth of this world, and a larger world.”

As they were talking, a servant ran over. ”Master, Mr. Lawrence has arrived.”

The old mayor quickly said, ”Push me over!”

Soon the group of people saw William, who had gotten out of the car, outside the villa. William had just received a call. The old mayor had recommended William to the state government organization’s special commissioner.

Based on the state government’s respect for the local ruler, so after a short discussion, William had received a call from the state government, telling him to be ready to start managing the daily work of Lake City as the acting mayor next week.

When he had heard this news, William had directly jumped up. After a round of thanks, he had hung up the phone, and then had come over in a hurry.

He knew that Lance had definitely played a key role, but as a politician, an actor, what he needed to take care of the most now was not Lance’s side, not the state government’s side, but the old mayor’s side.

The special commissioner’s side had reminded him that it was the old mayor who had nominated him, which was why he had become the acting mayor. Otherwise, he would have had to compete with the other few who were waiting, and it was not certain that he would win.

When he saw the old mayor, the smile on William’s face completely piled up, revealing the teeth he had been taking care of for 800 a year, and sometimes he had to pay some extra money.

Very white, very healthy, and the impression he gave when he smiled was very good.

”Your Honor Mayor, on such a cold day, you don’t have to come and welcome me.”

He walked to the side of the wheelchair and shook hands with the old mayor, the kind where both hands were held together, and then looked at the people by his side.

He knew these people, there were local municipal councilmen, and officials in City Hall.

He nodded and greeted them, and then took the initiative to push the old mayor’s wheelchair and returned to the room with him.

After they had sat down separately, William began to talk about the news from the special commissioner’s side. ”The state government has already decided after a discussion that I, as the acting mayor, will continue to take over your work after your retirement.”

”This is my first time doing such a job. I am a little worried. At that time, I will definitely still need your reminder and help, mayor.”

The mayor certainly would not refuse. ”No problem. I will help you to completely receive all the work and City Hall.”

”I have worked for this city for many years. I hope it will become better.”

”But you see, I am an old man with limited ability. The greatest wealth I can bring to this city is to not let it get worse, but not to make it better!”

”You are a capable person, William. I can see that Lake City will shine with a brilliance that people have never seen before under your leadership!”

The old mayor’s evaluation was very high, and his expression was also very direct, which made William a little pleasantly surprised, but soon he realized that any transaction is between two parties.

He first thanked the old mayor for his statement, and then was silent for a moment. ”What can I do for you?”

This question was very direct, but the old mayor laughed. ”My children and students want to go and see the outside world. They actually all have good grassroots work ability, but they lack contact with the outside world.”

”I know, William, you are an outstanding, and resourceful person.”

”I don’t expect them to be some councilman, mayor as soon as they go out, but as long as they can have a job, I will be satisfied.”

The request was very low. William, on the contrary, found it not good to give them too low of a starting point. He thought for a moment and finally agreed.

”A job that is not governmental but is related to politics. Are they willing to do it?”

The old mayor nodded repeatedly. ”Of course!”

In fact, for him to take this stance, to have his children and students all leave, was also to express a kind of ”sincerity.”

Look, the people who have the greatest influence on this city have all been transferred away by me, to let you completely control the city. Can you not show something?

William could not refuse such a stance. To leave these people behind would on the contrary be a trouble. To send them away was the best choice.

However, to send them away could not be to send them to see God, but to arrange a job for them. At least to let people not be able to find fault with him in this aspect.

He immediately thought of Lance’s side. The Lance Family’s development was getting faster and faster, and they were in great need of some ”high-end” talents.

Although these people might not be considered high-end, they were definitely much more capable than the cadres in the Lance Family. They had always been in contact with the grassroots work, and for some problems, they knew how to handle them.

What they lacked was just a higher perspective, and this, Lance could provide.

This was like a girl who needed help and a gentleman with an overflowing love had settled on a price. They hit it off at once, and everyone was happy.

The news that William had become the acting mayor soon reached Golden Port City. After Lance had learned of this, he had given a call to Attorney General Terry to inquire about who had contributed to this matter.

The other party had put in some effort. Whether it was because of his, Lance’s, great face, or because of the influence of the political group of Senator Cleveland, they had always done something, and had affected the final result.

So no matter what, he had to make a personal favor. Otherwise, people would only think that he was not on the table.

Attorney General Terry did not say anything like ”you’re welcome.” He had mentioned a few of the state government officials, and also the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State did not intend to run for governor. He seemed to have other ideas. In addition, on this matter, he was very cooperative with Lance, so Lance felt that his demands were actually possibly even greater than running for governor.

He might want to get into Congress!

According to the government system of the Federation, the president was actually on the same level as a governor. To be a governor was to be a small president.

But from the perspective of setting the rules of the game, Congress clearly had a higher power. And now the war situation was very good, which meant that the probability of the Federation’s victory was very high.

The Federation winning the war, on the surface, seemed to have strengthened the president’s authority, but the president was fucking already at his limit!

As soon as the war was over, there would immediately be a general election, so the one who had really gotten an epic strengthening was the Federal Congress.

Senator Cleveland already had a clear advantage in the congressional group. Lance had provided too much ”ammunition,” which had allowed him to continuously win over more of the congressmen who could be won over. Now he was already showing a strong momentum.

If the Secretary of State wanted to get into Congress, he had to have the recognition of the congressional side. It was clear that the recognition of this group of Senator Cleveland was very important and could play a key role.

Of course, these were all Lance’s own views. As for whether it was really like this, he was not sure, but he believed it was.

After thanking Attorney General Terry, Lance had someone go and prepare some local specialties.

Because of the outbreak of war, the local specialties were becoming more and more popular with people. A small lump could do many things, and facts had once again proven that gold was more stable than any currency!

Later that evening, William finally returned the call and discussed with Lance the arrangements for the old mayor’s family.

”...The special commissioner’s side reminded me that the mayor’s recommendation had played a great role, so I also had a talk with him on my side. He is willing to withdraw all his men from Lake City.”

Hearing William say so, Lance felt the decisiveness and courage of this old mayor.

If he didn’t do this, with the deepening of William’s ”invasion” of Lake City, these stubborn local forces would definitely become a barrier for them to completely control Lake City.

At that time, Lance could only find a way to send them all away.

But now, the old mayor had directly proposed to send these people away directly, not leaving any chance for Lance. This was the political wisdom of a twenty-plus-year old politician!

”What does he want?” he asked.

William said with a laugh, ”He wants to find a new home for these people. I thought of your side.”

”The company’s development is short of some manpower. These manpower may provide you with some help.”

”At that time, I will first arrange for them to go to your side. If you think it’s suitable, then keep them.”

”If you think it’s not suitable, then find a way to arrange for them to go to another place. Even if you give them a manager or something, as long as they have a job, it’s fine.”

”The old mayor is a very transparent person. Even if you don’t give them a job, he won’t say anything.”

Lance said ”hmm,” and then asked with a laugh, ”Do you need to go back and hold a celebration ceremony or something?”

”If the farm’s side knows that you have become the acting mayor, they will definitely hold an event!”