Chapter 153

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“Who did you align yourself with?”

When William asked this question, he was actually a little nervous, because it was related to why he was here today.

From the moment he heard Lance began to “struggle,” he started paying attention to the entire Federation’s political situation, and also observing some… many changes.

At this time, the Federation seemed to have a… peculiar, indescribable feeling!

Even though the working class only earned less than forty dollars a month in low income, the media, newspapers, and politicians were all shouting, “Our economy is growing rapidly.” So, where did the money that should have gone to the working class get stolen from?

The momentum of financial development driving economic growth was already difficult to suppress in some financial centers. Even Golden Port City now had some similar companies and operations.

They didn’t sell any physical goods, but rather sold a “concept.” At least William felt it was a concept.

“You buy this item from me for a hundred dollars, which only cost fifty cents to produce, and I promise to buy it back for one hundred thirty dollars a few years later.”

“And I will introduce you to our salon, where there are many clients like you who have bought our products.”

When some people began to buy upcoming expired products at a price slightly below the buy-back price, the initially uncertain customers became confident.

They would buy more products, with more money, believing that everything would make them earn more.

Even if they didn’t know and didn’t want to know, this company actually didn’t even have a single factory!

Many strange things happening made William feel that a great era was coming, like the eve of a storm!

The tranquil ocean was pressed down by thick dark clouds that could be touched with an outstretched hand. The distance between the sea and the sky was infinitely narrowed, and the atmosphere was so heavy that people instinctively held their breath.

They were waiting for a flash of lightning.

It could be lightning that signified destruction, or it could be a light that signified new life!

Of course, William might not be clear about what was happening with Golden Port City, or rather, the Federation. His position didn’t allow him access to much valuable information.

He didn’t want to be blind and deaf when the storm was coming. He wanted to stand higher, gain more information, for himself and for his family.

Some things Lance mentioned earlier made him start to pay attention, so he had to know who Lance had aligned himself with.

Lance watched the thoughts swirling in William’s mind, didn’t answer immediately, and instead asked, “Is who I aligned myself with important to you?”

“In what capacity are you asking me this question?”

“Friend, girlfriend’s father, or something else?”

William nodded, “Very important!” On the second question, he thought for a moment, “Perhaps a business partner?”

“Business partner?” Lance chuckled twice, “A good entry point, keep going.”

William licked his lips, “Don’t you have coffee here?”

Lance called out, asking for two coffees. William continued, “If you aligned yourself with a politician, the mayor, Senator Williams, or someone else, then I’ll go back and sit in my office.”

“But if you didn’t align yourself with a politician, then perhaps I can try to do something.”

“They want votes, not senators!”

Lance immediately understood. “You came in and immediately asked who I aligned myself with, which honestly led me to many guesses. You should be clearer, William.”

Seeing William still waiting for his answer, he smiled a little, and these smiles made William’s face less serious as well.

“The Pasoretto Family. I met Mr. Pasoretto through Alberto Coti. He thinks highly of me, and we’ll have some cooperative relationship.”

“I merely provide services for them, not join them. When necessary, I can withdraw.”

William suddenly let out two “haha” laughs. “Excellent choice, Lance, I’m not saying this for myself.”

“You did very well!”

“The mayor will leave Golden Port City in two years. He won’t stay long. If you align yourself with him, and he leaves without taking you…”

He thought for a while, shaking his head widely, “It’s highly likely he won’t take any disreputable forces with him. When that day comes, it will be the new mayor and your competitors who will clean you out.”

“If you align yourself with local notables like Senator Williams, then you’ll spend your whole life working for them, and then one day be thrown into the trash.”

“You made a very clever choice!”

Lance waved his hand. “No need to praise me. Tell me something practical. What do you want to do?”

“Imperial District Councilman.”

His eyes held a flicker of intensity. “I’ve been thinking about this. Although the Imperial District doesn’t have much political influence, it can ultimately allow me to enter City Hall in another respectable way.”

Lance frowned and thought for a moment. He had previously hoped to foster his own representative of interests in the political arena.

However, the performance of Alberto and Mr. Pasoretto showed him another side of this world: as long as you are strong enough, the world will revolve around you.

But based on the caution and vigilance his past experiences had instilled in him, he felt that fostering his entire team was still the best choice.

Others’ things are always others’.

He couldn’t always expect others to speak for him or do things for him by offering more benefits in exchange.

He nodded. “I will push this forward. Who is the Imperial District Councilman now?”

Federation cities, divided into administrative districts, would have an equal number of city council members.

Golden Port City, with its eleven administrative districts, had eleven city council members.

Areas like the Port District, Bay Area, and city center were largely controlled by established council members like Senator Williams. The districts where others could truly participate were politically insignificant areas like the Imperial District, Summurian District, and Xilin District.

These areas were inhabited either by elderly people nearing the end of their lives or by immigrants without political rights. The districts were not wealthy, and no major capitalists would collude with them.

For true city luminaries, these places were unattractive. But for a civil servant like William, who was currently a regular office worker in City Hall, even being the lowest-ranking council member would be a huge promotion!

“Russ, a Liberal. However, some of his political views are quite extreme, and he’s not very bright.”

William gestured at his temple. “He always believes that some new policies are the greatest destruction of the spirit of a free Federation, and he even said things like ‘taxation is a shackles enslaving the free will of the Federation’…”

Lance was also stunned after hearing this. “Although from a taxpayer’s perspective, I think he has a point, he’s clearly not on the right path of historical development.”

“Congress has also been discussing this recently. They hope to lower the tax standard to a level where ordinary and low-income people can afford to pay taxes.”

Lance looked at William, who also looked at him, both of them a little speechless.

“Are you sure you didn’t make that up?” Lance couldn’t help but ask. “That doesn’t sound like something a person would say.”

William smiled subtly, but this made his laughter seem even funnier to others!

“That’s what they say on Capitol Hill!”

Lance shook his head. “So how did he become the Imperial District Councilman?”

“The mayor and the governor are both Socialists.”

After chuckling for a moment, William quietly said, “The Imperial District is an immigrant-majority area.”

Understood!

“So he’s very tolerant of immigrants?”

“He believes that as long as one obtains legal status, they should enjoy all rights and obligations of the Federation.”

“Sounds good!” Lance commented sincerely, though he didn’t entirely believe it.

If this Mr. Russ truly believed that Imperial immigrants should be treated equally as native Federation citizens, he should have done something to change the status quo. But Lance had been here for half a year and hadn’t heard of him doing anything.

Perhaps during elections, compared to the Socialists who clearly harbored prejudice against immigrants and thought of Federation people as supreme, and the Federalists who had no candidates, this Liberal who spoke of tolerating immigrants became one of the few choices.

As long as he didn’t do anything superfluous, it might be the best outcome for the immigrant voters in the Imperial District!

Of course, it’s also possible he tried, but ultimately failed. After all, under the rule of the Socialists, who the hell would like a Liberal who constantly sang praises of freedom?

They were already very lenient for not dragging him by the neck and forcing him to pick cotton in the fields!

William continued, “If you can take over the territory left by the Camille Gang and control most of the Imperial District, then I will definitely be the next Imperial District Councilman.”

“We can cooperate with each other and go further.”

Very straightforward words. Lance liked straightforwardness, it saved him some mental effort.

Lance considered it seriously for a moment. “I think there’s no problem. Next, I’ll solve some social issues, and if someone can cooperate with me, that would be even better.”

There was still a year until the city council elections, so although William could prepare now, there was no need to rush.

Lance gave him a check for three thousand dollars to get the ball rolling and find a couple of assistants or something.

Moreover, this matter wasn’t just about the two of them; it was also about the Federalist Party. William would report this to the local party congress.

He didn’t need financial support from the Federalist Party, so a little political support wouldn’t be too much to ask, would it?

After discussing some general points, William intended to leave. He picked up his scarf and hat. As he was about to depart, he reminded Lance, “You should go see Pat when you have time.”

Lance nodded. “I’m busy these few days. Maybe in a few days.”

William nodded and then left. Lance picked up his now-cold coffee and took a small sip.

Actually, even if William hadn’t come to him, he had planned to find time to talk with William.

If the Imperial District councilman wasn’t someone on his side, some things would be difficult to handle later. But since this matter was brought up by William himself, in this “game,” he was at a disadvantage.

For two consecutive days, Lance’s side recruited over a hundred people, and then temporarily stopped further recruitment. This left many who didn’t get on board feeling deeply regretful and looking forward to the next opportunity.

These hundred-plus people had undergone a simple selection process. Elvin had already told them that not everyone could stay here long-term.

If anyone broke the rules, harmed the company’s interests, or became cowardly and deserted, they would be kicked out, and not just kicked out.

This also made everyone feel a sense of seriousness.

On the morning of the last day of the year, Lance arrived outside the law firm. By this time, the newly recruited personnel had all gathered here.

They took off their blue work uniforms and changed into clothing similar to Lance’s, but with some differences.

In terms of style, Lance’s clothes were custom-made, while those of his subordinates were factory-produced.

Lance’s clothing factory, after being handed over to Ryder (the old tailor’s son-in-law), was being managed quite well. He had previously run a clothing factory, so he knew how to make it operate normally.

After obtaining Lance’s consent, he had already begun proactively accepting some orders. In a period of rapid economic development, it was quite easy to cover daily expenses.

This batch of clothes was urgently produced, with roughly similar styles: black tops and bottoms, black trench coats, and black hats.

Ryder offered Lance a very interesting idea: to add a red silk ribbon on the upper left arm of each person’s uniform.

This would make the all-black outfits appear to have a touch of less-than-lively vibrancy, perhaps a serious vibrancy.

It would also allow them to differentiate their ranks based on this ribbon.

One stripe: lowest-tier member.

Two stripes: captain.

As for three stripes: that signified a high-ranking cadre, who would be entitled to a full set of custom-made clothes, consistent with Lance and his immediate circle.

So, early in the morning, when the blue-collar workers saw their friends, who had been working alongside them on the docks just days before, turn around and change into these handsome and serious clothes, they couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

Around eight o’clock, Lance and his group arrived in their cars.

After he got out of the car, the newly joined members also gathered around.

Looking at these somewhat unfamiliar faces, Lance felt a slight surge of excitement, because these would all become his core team.

“Today is our first official meeting. Some brothers we met yesterday or the day before, but some of us are meeting for the first time today.”

“I know you’re curious and somewhat longing for a new life. So am I!”

“This is also a first for me!”

“But thankfully, what we’re doing isn’t anything bad. Your job is to clean up the chaos on the streets of the Imperial District.”

“Don’t be afraid of trouble. If you see someone robbing, or doing something illegal, or hurting others.”

“Don’t be afraid, just go up and beat them up!”

“If they try to harm you, for example, if they have pistols, your temporary captain will deal with them.”

These rookies certainly couldn’t be sent out alone on their first day. Lance arranged for more than ten veterans to go with them.

Including Morris, Hiram, Lawn, and others, each of them would take about ten team members to work together, teaching them how to “earn a living” on the streets.

At this point, the value of “role models” and “standards” was very significant, as it would influence their future “work attitude” and “work style.” Lance cared deeply about this.

He didn’t want his “Lance Family” to become the next Camille Gang; that wasn’t what he wanted. So, from the very beginning, he had to tell these people what they could do and what they couldn’t.

What earned rewards, and what incurred punishment.

“I know you might be thinking why we’re not giving you pistols or anything.”

“I’m doing this because I don’t want unnecessary problems to escalate. We’ve just started working together. I welcome you to our big family, but we need to have an initial understanding before we can truly become a family.”

Hiram and the others tossed travel bags from a car. Lance pulled one over and opened it; it was full of baseball bats from the sailboat team.

“Take them, you’ll need them!”

“Protect yourselves, then that’s my mission!”

“Again, don’t be afraid of trouble, but don’t actively bully others. We are not the Camille Gang; we don’t take pride in bullying, defrauding, or extorting the weak.”

“Don’t do those annoying things. Maybe some people will call us a gang, or something else, but I hope you understand one thing.”

“Even if we are a gang, we are the cleanest one of all gangs!”

Everyone seemed a bit excited. They received their baseball bats from Hiram. Looking at these classic colored bats, Lance thought of Alberto’s sales pitch.

He was a fervent fan of the sailboat team. When he heard Lance needed some convenient weapons that could be used on the streets without frequently causing trouble, he sent a large pile of sailboat team bats.

According to Fordis, he still had over a thousand in his warehouse, bought solely to support the sailboat team!

Lance had asked for a truck today, but it wasn’t driven by the Howard brothers; they were busy with other things and weren’t there.

These people would ride in the truck to the Imperial District and then clear the streets.

The moment this group, carrying their bats, got into the trucks and were driven away by three trucks, many blue-collar workers couldn’t help but feel a stronger surge of desire!

After seeing them off, everyone else returned to the office and continued working. Elvin still had a lot to do. He had to verify the identity information of the newly joined recruits to see if it matched the situation in the Empire.

And also find a way to continue recruiting soldiers from within the Empire. These people might be useful in street fights, but in truly important “battlefields,” they might still be a bit lacking.

At this moment, the little rats and scoundrels on the streets of the Imperial District had no idea that a terrible storm was about to break out, affecting the entire Imperial District!

(End of this chapter)