Empire of Shadows

As Zoe had speculated, Lance’s men were already in action, but their methods were different from the past.

If a person possessed vast resources but chose to ignore them, instead using the most primitive methods to conduct business, that person would certainly be an idiot.

It was like having a lighter in your hand, believing it could only light cigarettes, and then trying to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together when you needed a flame—a clear example of idiocy.

Lance was currently sitting in a luxurious room, smoking a cigarette and reading the newspaper. He showed none of the rumored impatience or fury.

The newspaper reported on the economic development and transformation of Rapa. It mentioned that the Federal government, by optimizing the economy and opening markets, had led to a significant economic increase in Rapa within three months.

A large number of factories were pouring into the region for investment and establishment, and nearly every ordinary Rapan had found work.

Work meant stable income, and stable income meant society would become more stable.

These changes needed no magnificent rhetoric to embellish them; anyone who went there could see that Rapa was developing at an incredibly high speed.

This left the surrounding nations, the entire Yalan region, in a peculiar state.

On one hand, they envied the achievements of the current Rapa government, which had persuaded the Federal people to give them various forms of aid—economic, industrial, and otherwise.On the other hand, they were wary of the Federal government’s political interference in Rapa.

The entire new Rapa government had been willingly hollowed out by them and replaced by Federal government employees. If one claimed Rapa’s sovereignty was untouched, one wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

The Rapan tribal chieftains were still the core high-level officials of the new government.

But to say their authority hadn’t diminished wouldn’t be true, as those who were truly working and wielding power were not the chieftains themselves.

This was a trade-off: obtaining and discarding.

They gave up the power they tightly held, trading it for the rapid economic and overall development of Rapa. This was actually a very good deal.

People might not realize it now, but as history unfolded, they would eventually see that this trade was far more worthwhile than imagined!

Lance played a role in this development. Someone had tried to ingratiate themselves by proposing a bronze statue for Lance, the ”Father of Rapa’s Liberty,” but Lance blocked it.

He always suspected that people who proposed such things were up to no good, likely trying to subtly undermine him. They weren’t necessarily looking out for his interests but trying to blindside him.

As Rapa developed, the value of the special zone Lance controlled would grow. Since it was located in Zhuolan, close to the harbor, and even partly connected to it,

He could establish a genuine ”duty-free zone,” which would attract massive capital inflow. However, he hadn’t done this yet.

He needed to coordinate with the Federal government and Senator Cleveland.

The Senator had hinted that the Federal government might revoke the lease authorization for the concession, but Lance could demand compensation from the Federal government.

The Senator, however, would do his best to help Lance fight to keep the concession.

Lance’s gaze lingered on the faces of the Rapan people in the photo, who were smiling at the camera. Though dusty and earthy, their eyes were bright, reflecting not the sky, but their aspirations for a beautiful future.

Undoubtedly, this report and photograph had a chance to win this year’s Golden Newspaper Award, if the reporter worked to promote it.

As he turned the page, the sound of the door handle turning interrupted him. He put down the newspaper and stood up, walking around the coffee table.

The door opened. Tom entered, smiling, then stepped aside to let another person in.

The man behind him looked to be in his forties, visibly balding, but with a large beard. It seemed his body hair was unhappy with his scalp’s arrangement and sought asylum elsewhere.

He looked like a rough individual. People inevitably had stereotypes about men with large beards.

”Director Hull,” Tom introduced him to Lance. ”Director Hull Monde, Police Director of Old City.”

”Old City” (Jiùchéngshì) was another large city in Gold State, ranking third or fourth in size after the New Golden City and Auris.

The city’s name sounded connected to the New Golden City (新金市), which was true. Old City played a crucial role before the development of the New Golden City.

It was located slightly north of the New Golden City. Northern industries were highly developed, and Old City was formerly an important port.

However, because it was too cold, and following the end of the emancipation movement and the comprehensive development of the South, many of Old City’s functions were relocated and transferred to the New Golden City.

Some people claimed the New Golden City was developed on the ”corpse” of Old City. This wasn’t entirely true, as Old City was still doing reasonably well.

Leveraging its good industrial harbor, it was part of the central continental transport hub, with considerable shipping traffic.

The busy trade and transport made it virtually another New Golden City, minus the financial sector.

It would be a top-tier city in any other state.

But here, it had too many rivals. Not only couldn’t it surpass those rivals, but any other city would struggle against a super-city like the New Golden City.

The Perez family’s main base was in Old City.

”This is Mr. Lance White, whom I mentioned to you earlier. You must have heard his name.”

Hull was very enthusiastic. He walked over, his face wreathed in smiles, and actively shook Lance’s hand. ”Of course. I’ve heard news about Mr. White, and I’ve seen your brilliant image in the papers many times. I’ve always wanted to meet a big shot like you, but never had the chance.”

”I am fortunate to make your acquaintance now, thanks to Mr. Tom’s introduction!”

Hull’s attitude was humble. Lance glanced at Tom, who smirked slightly. Tom said nothing, but his expression conveyed everything.

”No need for formalities, Director Monde. You must have heard that I like making friends?”

Director Hull Monde nodded repeatedly. ”Yes, everyone says you are a man who enjoys making friends.”

”Then it seems we have the potential to become friends.”

If the bearded Director still didn’t understand Lance’s meaning, he could simply leave the room now. ”I look forward to becoming your friend, Mr. White!”

Lance released his hand. ”You are already my friend. My friends call me Lance, so I can call you Hull, right?”

”Of course!” The bearded Director was extremely enthusiastic. Lance motioned for him to sit down. Tom began serving coffee and liquor, allowing them to choose their preference.

”I invited you here because I have some matters, or rather, some work, I wish to cooperate with you on.”

The bearded Director picked up his coffee, avoiding the liquor—a sign of caution. ”I am willing to cooperate with you on anything, Mr. Lance.”

Lance smiled and waved his hand. ”Friends are equals. No need for formalities, Hull.”

”I am not a man of many words, so I will be direct. I plan to move against the Perez family, and you are the person who knows them best. I need your cooperation.”

The bearded Director had considered many possibilities, including that Lance called him because of the Perez family, but he hadn’t expected such directness.

He asked with uncertainty, ”Mr. Lance, you trust me that much?”

This was confusing to him. In many versions of the rumors, he was the Perez family’s lackey, covering up their messes.

Some rumors were spread by his enemies—the rivals and political opponents he had dealt with.

Others were likely spread by the Perez family themselves to demonstrate their authority in Old City.

The bearded Director did receive an extra annual income from the Perez family, but it wasn’t as much as people thought: ten thousand dollars.

This was an astonishing sum for an ordinary person, but for a city’s Police Director, it was almost an insult.

The former Police Director of Golden Port City, Richard, earned tens of thousands, even over a hundred thousand dollars annually from the city’s black money system.

This money primarily came from underworld transactions and extortion of legitimate business owners.

Old City was large, and gang activity was rampant. If the Director used Richard’s methods to collect fees, he could likely earn over a hundred thousand dollars annually.

But the Perez family only gave him ten thousand and forbade him from interfering with their transactions. They constantly ordered him around.

He was indeed the Perez family’s dog, but just a chained watchdog, not even a true lackey.

How could a Police Director be content with that?

But the Perez family’s influence was too vast, dominating both the above-ground and underworld in Old City.

In their home territory, any rash move other than submission would lead to terrible consequences.

The bearded Director was confused about why Lance believed he could cooperate with him. This was his main question.

If he couldn’t understand this, he couldn’t truly cooperate with Lance.

Lance gently shook his head, then stood up and walked toward a low table nearby.

The bearded Director had noticed the table when he entered because it was covered with a cloth, concealing something underneath.

Lance walked over, yanked the cloth away, and the bearded Director gasped audibly.

Piles of twenty-dollar bills lay on the table, stacked high. It looked like a substantial amount of money.

He had never seen so much cash in one place. His breathing became shallow.

Tom, sitting nearby, glanced at the money and smiled. He understood Lance too well, and he was often surprised by Lance’s methods and thinking.

It was difficult to convince someone who didn’t trust you that your confidence in their honesty was genuine.

So, Lance used the simplest method. ”I believe I can use this much money to buy your honesty and loyalty.”

”There are $500,000 here. I heard they only give you ten thousand dollars a year?”

Lance returned to the sofa, picked up the whiskey bottle, and poured some into two glasses. ”Your value far exceeds what they give you.”

”Hull, I don’t know what you think, but from my perspective, and as your friend, they are not just humiliating you; they are using you as a flag of shame, displaying it for everyone to see.”

”If you cooperate with me, besides the wealth, I will severely damage the Perez family’s enterprises and influence. I will drag them down from their position as one of the Five Families and smash them onto the ground.”

”All the unfair treatment, the humiliation, the disgrace you suffered over the years—you can take revenge fiercely!”

”Use your own shoes to stomp on Fran’s old face and make him say, ’I apologize, Director Monde.’”

Hearing Lance’s seductive words, the bearded Director’s emotions began to shift. His breathing became coarse and heavy.

In his mind’s eye, the day had truly arrived. He stood at the police station entrance, spitting on Fran’s face and ordering him out of his police station!

The thought of finally having the chance to retaliate for all the past grievances made a cruel glint flash in the bearded Director’s eyes.

He looked at the money, then at Lance, his gaze softening. ”No problem. I am willing to cooperate with you, Mr. Lance.”

He reached out, picked up the glass of liquor, clinked it against Lance’s, and drank it down.

He had spent countless nights tormented by the hatred that pierced him to the bone before sleep. He had also found perverse pleasure in fantasizing about the day he could stand up.

Now, the dream had become reality. An opportunity had appeared.

If he succeeded, he would surely rise up, becoming a real Police Director.

If he failed, it was Lance’s problem, not his. He could continue playing his current role.

Lance nodded with satisfaction. ”Excellent. You will soon see that we are different from them.”

”Now, let’s start by discussing some of the Perez family’s core members and their enterprises.”

Lance had already investigated some of the Perez family’s core members, but the information wasn’t necessarily accurate, complete, or exhaustive. The bearded Director’s help was needed to complete the picture.

Furthermore, he planned to deliver a swift, painful blow to the Perez family, making them realize they had picked a fight with a formidable opponent.

Others might fear them, fear the Perez family name and everything it represented.

But Lance and the Lance family would not. All they saw was conquest!

The long talk was highly satisfactory and surprising for both Lance and the bearded Director.

Lance got what he wanted, and the Director, who was supposed to be a minor figure, was about to gain real power.

He would no longer be a watchdog; he would become a fierce dog, even a hungry wolf!

He would tear into everyone who had ever looked down on him or humiliated him.

When the conversation ended, Lance had someone escort the bearded Director home. Only he and Tom remained in the room.

Neither man spoke at first, both drinking their liquor. After a few sips, Tom asked, ”Can you win?”

Lance looked up at him, eating a small snack to go with his drink. ”If even that big-bearded Director has confidence in me, why don’t you?”

Tom smiled. ”I do, but your opponent this time is clearly different from the ones in the past. They have people in Congress, and recently...”

He hesitated, but decided to speak, as his own interests were deeply tied to Lance’s success.

The better Lance did, the higher Tom’s status would rise with Senator Cleveland. Lance’s annual influx of millions of dollars alone was enough to secure Tom’s standing within Senator Cleveland’s circle of aides.

Because his status had changed, he was now influential in Federal politics, with many people willing to befriend him and show him their best, un-prickly side.

All of this was because of Lance, not his own ability.

If Lance fell, Tom would lose everything overnight.

”The Senator’s faction is investigating who is trying to destabilize us. They’ve already narrowed it down to a few people.”

”There are people from the Liberal Party, people from within the Socialist Party, and likely two or three Presidential candidates.”

”They are all working together, and we’re not sure what role the Perez family plays in this. That’s what worries me.”

Lance moved closer on the sofa and patted Tom’s shoulder. ”You should trust me. I’m better at dealing with these kinds of people than you are.”

”You and the Senator just wait for the good news. I guarantee this won’t affect any of the performances leading up to the year-end general election.”

Six months was more than enough time for Lance to deal with the Perez family.