Empire of Shadows

Lance was not wrong in his guess at all. When the Lawrence Farm learned that William had actually become the acting mayor, the three old uncles immediately announced a celebration!

Patricia told Lance on the phone that they were preparing to slaughter several cows, a portion enough for everyone to eat their fill.

At the thought of this, Lance also felt a little nostalgic for the food on the farm.

The food on the farm was not as exquisite as in a restaurant, but it had its own unique deliciousness and anticipation, especially the ”big pot rice.”

There were many huge iron pots in the farmstead. When stood up, they looked like a fat-bellied bottle, hung on a rack over a fire.

Each pot could hold two or three adults and was almost as tall as a person.

When they were making a meal that everyone had to eat their fill of, they would hang up these iron pots and then add beef tallow.

Then they would put in some spices that needed to have their aroma brought out, bringing out the aroma in the hot oil, and then they would put in some of the side dishes that were used as a base.

Then they would add water, and then throw in the beef. When it was almost cooked, they would then put in potatoes, carrots, or even pumpkins.

Lance had once asked why they didn’t also fry the beef before adding water.The cook had told Lance that if the beef was also fried in oil, then the beef would not fall apart.

The purpose of making this big pot rice was to let everyone enjoy the delicious food, so the beef needed to be completely broken down, becoming shreds and threads.

This way, every spoonful would have beef in it.

They would fill it with food, add water, and the fire would burn continuously.

Then someone would use a special tool to stir it inside, from time to time checking the state of the beef, until the beef was completely cooked and broken down.

Then people would come over with their own bowls or plates, and the cook would stand on a step and give everyone a spoonful!

Every spoonful was covered in a thick sauce, exuding a strong aroma of beef fat!

Every spoonful had a large amount of side dishes, and also the countless fine, shredded beef, in strips, full of it!

At this time, to tear off a piece of bread, dip it in a little sauce and put it in your mouth, was the most satisfying moment!

The thought of this made Lance a little hungry.

”Should I have William make a trip back?” he had to change the subject. The food, although it had no cooking skills, no advanced kitchen utensils, was absolutely delicious.

Patricia gave a negative answer. ”No need. They don’t want to delay William’s work. They should have told him.”

”And the Harvest Festival is also coming soon.”

In half a year, it would be this year’s Harvest Festival. Time really flies. Unconsciously, another half of the year had passed.

Lance talked with Little Ace for a while. The little child was not very interested in the receiver and just whimpered a few times before he quickly became unwilling.

A small child’s attention span is limited. When he started to cry, the call between Lance and Patricia also ended.

As soon as the phone was put down, Mayor Williams’s call came. ”I hear William is going to be the acting mayor?”

Mayor Williams’s news was very well-informed, and William had been serving as a municipal councilman in Golden Port City. Now that he was going to be the acting mayor, he would definitely have to resign from his job as a municipal councilman here.

Then the Empire District would need to re-elect a councilman. Naturally, Mayor Williams would also know this news.

For William to become a mayor so quickly was not in his expectation. He had thought that William would have to settle down for a few more years.

He had always been working at the grassroots level. Even if he had been a municipal councilman for two years now, as a mayor, he was still a little lacking.

The news had come so suddenly and unexpectedly. He would not say that he was unwilling for William to leave, so he had thought that everyone should meet again, have a chat, and maintain their relationship.

Mayor Williams had gradually, and obviously, felt that the Golden Port interest group, which had been in opposition to each other and yet had relied on each other, had, under Lance’s several fires, already become a huge interest group formed around Lance.

With William going to Lake City to be the mayor, would there be more ”Lance-faction” politicians in the future?

And would these people hold relatively important jobs in the state?

For example, a mayor, or a state government official?

If Attorney General Terry succeeded in his bid for governor, the interests of the two sides would be even more closely integrated. At that time, maybe there would be more of Lance’s people in the state government, in the state legislature.

All of this, for Mayor Williams, was like an amazing magic show!

He had spent his whole life, and only when he was old did he have a chance to become a mayor.

But look at Lance. He was only twenty-six, and he could already decide on the candidates for some important positions. Wasn’t that ”magical” enough?

For Mayor Williams’s invitation, Lance did not refuse. He had also agreed on behalf of William.

If you want to get more power, you have to connect the dots and form a surface.

At a little after six in the evening, Lance had arrived at Mayor Williams’s manor. As soon as the convoy had approached the main gate of the manor, Lance had, through the car window, seen Mayor Williams’s family, all of whom were at the main gate to welcome him.

This was the change brought about by the change in status and identity.

At the very beginning, when Lance had wanted to see Mayor Williams, he would just sit in his chair without moving, and then would casually have someone bring Lance in, and would not stand up. He would just shake hands with Lance while sitting, without showing the slightest respect for Lance.

But now, look at their enthusiasm.

Many people, with romantic idealism, had come to the Federation, only to find that this place was more real than fucking hell.

But being real is not necessarily all bad. When you are at the very top, these real things are what romantic idealism wants.

Everyone smiles at you. The whole society suddenly evolves into a utopian form. Even the sun will bloom when you go out.

When you are happy, the people around you will raise their glasses and laugh for you.

When you are sad, the people around you will comfort your emotions.

But if you’re at the very bottom of society, then this place is hell. Everyone will show you their worst side, even your own relatives!

No one can say clearly whether this place is heaven or hell.

The convoy slowly stopped. Lance got out of the car. Mayor Williams took the initiative to come up and hug him.

This was already the highest etiquette that a host could do!

”I thought you would be a little late!” Mayor Williams let go of Lance and said with a smile.

”I was afraid the road would be too congested at night, so I set off a little earlier,” he also took a step back, and then looked at James. ”I hear you’ve been doing well recently.”

James expressed himself with some modesty. ”I just wanted to get to work on some small problems.”

He was still a municipal councilman. The work performance of a municipal councilman was directly related to the affirmation of the people in the area he was in charge of. He was now in charge of the Bay Area. It was a matter of course that no one would say bad things about him, but would all say good things.

Mayor Williams had also, through his own connections, had the Golden Port Today publish reports about James for two or three consecutive days, saying that he had solved some historical legacy issues, and was an outstanding, capable, and responsible municipal councilman.

Anyway, it was all kinds of flattery. The people at the bottom did not know the truth of the matter and felt that he was indeed not bad.

Those who knew the truth did not dare to speak recklessly.

Everyone said he was doing well, so he was doing well.

Then Lance looked at Arthur. Arthur, with a playful smile, called out ”Brother Lance,” and then shook hands with him.

Although Mayor Williams had glared at him, it could be seen that he still liked this younger son.

As for Mrs. Williams?

She was fully ripe.

Lance had a simple handshake with her and then let go.

Then the group of people entered the room and began to talk about the strike that was currently brewing in Golden Port City.

”I hear they have already contacted several workers’ unions and plan to make the momentum a little bigger.”

Workers’ union is a general term. In fact, it should be called an ”industry union.”

For example, the dockworkers’ union. This union mainly deals with the workers who work on the docks, whether it’s swabbing the decks or moving goods. As long as you work on the docks, you can register with the dockworkers’ union and enjoy some of the union’s benefits, but you also have to bear certain obligations.

Like the workers in a factory, for example, the textile workers. Then the one they can join is the textile workers’ union. The textile workers of all the textile factories in the entire city are in the ”Golden Port City Textile Workers’ Union.”

The other industries are the same, such as the ”Automobile Workers’ Union,” the ”Chemical Workers’ Union,” the ”Metallurgical Workers’ Union,” and the like.

The strike of a single industry union had a negligible impact on Golden Port City, so they wanted to gather more people.

Lance didn’t think this was a problem. ”It seems that the result of the last mess has not made them realize how stupid it is to hit steel with their heads!”

He was talking about the matter of the dockworkers’ strike being suppressed. At that time, Lance had not yet fully grasped the initiative but could still suppress them, let alone now that he had grasped the initiative.

Mayor Williams was still a little worried. ”The last time was just a problem on the side of the dockworkers’ union. It did not involve the labor federation.”

”You know how great the influence of the labor federation is in the Federation. I think it’s better to be a little more cautious.”

Lance frowned and thought for a moment before nodding. ”You’re right. I was too contemptuous of them.”

As they were talking, William had also come. He shook hands with Lance, Mayor Williams, and the others, and then sat down on the sofa on the other side with a smile. ”I hope I’m not late.”

Lance glanced at his watch. ”Just in time.”

Mayor Williams then stood up. ”Then let’s take our seats first!”

”After we’ve filled our stomachs, then we can go and discuss those annoying official business!”

Then the few of them sat at the dining table and enjoyed the chef’s exquisite cooking. It’s so fucking good to be rich. You can be so happy every day.

And the people without money, at this time, might still be working in a factory, just to be able to afford the cheapest food and to fill their own stomachs!