Chapter 591

Congress isn’t actually in New Golden City; it’s just close by. And since New Golden City has developed so well, the gentlemen are all willing to live there.

So over time, New Golden City has accumulated a large number of congressional offices. Coupled with its proximity to Congress, people sometimes think that Congress is in New Golden City.

In fact, the federal government has no intention of explaining these things to the public, because to this day, a portion of the population still doesn’t understand how to use a telephone.

Yes, the Federation always produces some strange people. Some don’t know how to use a flush toilet, some don’t know how to use a toaster, and some don’t know how to make a phone call.

So, Congress is in New Golden City?

No problem!

Tom drove the car around the congested section of the road and directly onto the expressway, arriving at a location in the northwest of New Golden City. There were many villas and manors with excellent privacy here; the gentlemen all liked to live here.

The car slowly entered a villa. Lance’s two cars were asked to stop at the gate; they were not allowed to enter the villa.

After being checked and searched, Lance was led into the room by Tom.

Several people were sitting in the living room. When Lance and the others came in, these people all turned their heads to look at them, and some even stood up.

However, these people were probably not the “main characters,” because they didn’t have the face of a “main character.” They were probably the subordinates of those people.

“They’re waiting for you inside. I can only take you this far,” Tom said, standing outside a corridor and pointing to the room at the very end.

“Go knock on the door, and someone will let you in. Mind your manners and appearance, although I know you’ll be fine.”

He patted Lance’s arm. “You’re a lucky guy. I wish you the same good luck as always!”

Lance said thank you and turned to walk towards the door.

It was a double door, looking heavy, luxurious, and noble. The path was not long. He didn’t even have time to mentally prepare himself before he arrived at the door.

He knocked on the door. The sound of the knocking was neither too loud nor too soft. Soon, a crack opened in the door. A man who looked to be in his sixties looked at him, sizing him up from top to bottom. “Lance?”

Lance nodded. “That’s me, sir.”

The man looked Lance up and down again and said, “Wait a moment.” With that, he closed the door.

Lance thought he would only have to wait for thirty to fifty seconds, a minute or two, outside the door, but he ended up waiting for more than ten minutes.

The gentlemen inside were discussing matters they didn’t want him to know about, so it wasn’t his time to go in yet.

If it were a real twenty-something-year-old with his current achievements here, perhaps that person would be genuinely angry.

But Lance was not a young man. He knew that when you weren’t qualified and still tried to force your way into a higher class, you would only end up battered and bruised.

Just like a child standing on a chair trying to reach something high up, falling and landing on the ground is the end of the story for most of them.

Those who can actually reach it may not necessarily be able to squeeze in, just like Mr. Jobav.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, the door opened again. The old man nodded at him, then moved aside a little, just enough for him to enter the room sideways.

Lance straightened his clothes and passed through the crack in the door.

About five or six people were already sitting in the room. He didn’t count them carefully. It was clear that these gentlemen all had the face of a “main character.” The strong confidence they exuded from the inside out made them completely different from the people outside!

Senator Cleveland was leaning back on the sofa, a cigarette held between his fingers, looking very comfortable and relaxed.

“Lance, we were just talking about some issues in Golden Port City. You being here can help us solve some problems,” Senator Cleveland introduced him to everyone. “You should have seen his name in the newspapers.”

The others nodded one after another. The Five Families of Golden Port City were a thing of the past, and the rise of the Lance Family was unstoppable.

Of course, this information was hidden in the news article “Who is the New Owner of the Cash Ranch.” The news article called the casino industry in Golden Port City the “cash cow.” In the past, the owner of this ranch was the Kodak family.

Bandy was always appearing in various occasions, which also gave him some fame. He was really just one step away from having a public political figure to complete the family’s transformation!

But unfortunately, everything ended this spring, coming to a halt.

The one who obtained the casino franchise was Lance White, a name that was actually not entirely unfamiliar, because the “Lance White Grading Act” of the Labor Federation had been fully implemented, and there were many people who knew Lance through this name.

In short, the report stated that this mysterious young man would become the new owner of the cash ranch and looked forward to his subsequent performance.

The report did indeed mention the decline of the Five Families and the rise of the Lance Family, believing that he was the one who had caused it all.

This news was published or rewritten nationwide, and Lance also made a name for himself.

So when Senator Cleveland said this, no one denied it.

Lance bowed slightly to show his respect for them, and also his own humility.

“Lance, we were just talking about the issue of building a military base in Golden Port City. Which place do you think is more suitable?” Senator Cleveland asked.

“We want to hear your local perspective.”

This was a giveaway question. After a little thought, Lance opened his mouth and said, “I think the northwest corner of the city is more suitable. That place has not been fully developed yet, and to the north is the city’s industrial district.”

“Although there aren’t many heavy industrial enterprises in the industrial district, if they were to switch production during wartime, it shouldn’t take much effort.”

“And there is a complete warehouse and transportation system there, which can support the military base with supplies at any time.”

“Moreover, it has an inwardly concave bay structure. Some defensive works can be built on both sides to ensure that even if the flames of war accidentally spread to our homeland, we can still form the first line of defense here.”

There was a map in the room. Lance even specifically walked to the side of the map and made a simple gesture with his hand.

Senator Cleveland’s gaze at Lance changed slightly again. Who the fuck would have thought that a gang leader, in such an occasion, could actually say something?

He had originally thought that Lance would not have many insights, and he would just say a few words to get by.

He had not expected him to actually say something, and it was exactly the same as one of their alternative plans.

Switching production in the industrial district could quickly enhance their war potential. And it was right behind the naval base. Whether it was for supplies or any other mission, it could be completed quickly.

“But there is also a problem with building a naval base here, and that is that this place is almost completely undeveloped. If we want to develop it, we may not have enough time.”

A gentleman in a military uniform said so.

Senator Cleveland introduced him to Lance, “This is Bruney, a major general from the Department of Defense, in charge of base construction and the like.”

Lance quickly greeted him. This was a lucrative position, and it also made him realize that there might be some opportunities here.

“Your Excellency Bruney…”

“Don’t use ‘Your Excellency.’ It sounds strange,” Bruney corrected Lance’s form of address with a smile.

He was so easygoing not because he was really so easygoing, but purely for the sake of Senator Cleveland.

“Mr. Bruney, in fact, I think this is precisely the least of our problems!”

Someone at the table picked up his wine glass and took a sip. “Oh?”

“We won’t have much time. At the latest, by the end of this year, or the first half of next year, the war will break out. In such a short time, how can you ensure that the naval base can be built?”

Their other alternative plan was actually to transform the New Port District into a military base.

But this also had a problem, and that was that the New Port District was too close to the city. It had its advantages, but also its disadvantages.

In terms of construction period, this was actually the fastest plan. All they had to do was to pull up a fence and enclose some parts.

Senator Cleveland once again introduced him to Lance, “This is Grayson, the executive committee member of the budget committee.”

After greeting him again, Lance said, “One worker can only do one person’s work a day, but ten workers can do ten people’s work a day, Mr. Grayson.”

The latter frowned upon hearing this nonsense. The others also didn’t know what he was going to say. Lance smiled slightly. “There shouldn’t be any particularly tall buildings in the naval base, right?”

Bruney nodded. “Yes, at most it’s about three or four stories. The command tower might be a little higher, but it won’t be as high as the houses here.”

Lance said with a smile, “Then we just need to hire enough people, and we can complete all the construction work in a very short time.”

“The berthing port can temporarily use the New Port Terminal. There are enough berths and supporting facilities there. At the same time, we can build some more piers outside the naval base.”

“As long as there are enough people working, the construction period can be short enough.”

“If ten people can only build one house a week, then a hundred thousand people can build ten thousand houses a week!”

The expressions of the others in the room all showed a hint of being moved. Bruney, on the other hand, frowned slightly. “But hiring too many people will exceed our budget.”

Lance bowed slightly. “There are hundreds of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of refugees there, gentlemen.”

Some people showed a knowing expression, some raised their eyebrows, and some showed an appreciative smile.

Senator Cleveland also said with a smile, “Very interesting.”

What he said was interesting referred to the Federation’s use of slaves.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the entire Federation has completely abolished slavery on the surface. In fact, there are still many places that are doing so in other ways. And using the lives and blood of others to pave the way for the Federation’s rise is not something that has happened once or twice. They have long been accustomed to it.

Another gentleman also said in considerable agreement, “This is a method, but I have a question, Lance.”

Lance tucked in his chin. “You may speak, sir.”

“These refugees are backed by Slad and its allies. We can’t be too excessive. Even if we use some means, it’s still a lot of money.”

The other gentlemen also nodded one after another. Although exploiting these refugees was a good idea, it still cost money after all.

“Sir, gentlemen, the price of grain is constantly rising. If we use the distribution of grain to replace the payment of wages, would it be better?”

“We have no extra expenses, and at the same time, we have solved the problem of refugees starving to death.”

“If someone uses these things to attack our government, then we can fight back and tell them that the people who starved to death are just lazy people, people who are unwilling to work.”

“Without spending too much money, we can solve the labor problem. I think this should be a good solution.”

The price of grain is entirely up to Congress. As long as they say today that grain is a controlled military strategic material, then the price of grain will take off tomorrow!

First, let people not be able to afford to eat, so that the importance of food can be reflected, so that the price of food can be raised.

Working for a month, and being given thirty pounds of wheat. This seems…

They looked at Lance with a little more friendliness in their eyes. No one here disliked smart people, because smart people could help them govern this country better.

Before these smart people have their own authority, if they want to achieve any achievements, realize any wishes, they can only do it through them.

Through them, it is their credit. So the matter of being jealous of others’ clever minds and killing these smart people will only happen in operas.

“Not bad, a good idea,” Senator Grayson agreed with Lance’s point of view. “Jeffrey said that you can now make it so that no one in Golden Port City opposes your decision, right?”

Lance nodded. “Although this is not very modest, but… yes, sir.”

“Very good. We’ll discuss it again.”

Lance immediately knew that it was time for him to leave this place. “I’ll be leaving for a while.”

Senator Cleveland nodded. He turned and left the room.

When the door was closed again, the atmosphere of the few people was even more relaxed than before.

After all, with a stranger present, they had to put on some airs. Now that the stranger had left, they could also completely relax.

“An interesting young man. I think his ideas are feasible,” Senator Grayson said. “The military base, to put it bluntly, is just to level the ground and then build some camps, warehouses, and houses on it. This is not a difficult job.”

“As long as there are enough people, it can indeed be completed in a short time. The only thing that needs time is the port terminal, but if we use the New Port Terminal first, there will be no problem of not having enough time.”

“I think it’s feasible, but can he really do it?”

He was questioning whether Lance could coordinate all of this. “He looks too young, only in his twenties!”

Senator Cleveland held a cigarette in one hand and a wine glass in the other. “He married the daughter of a local large farm owner. The civil servants in the city, including the upcoming mayor, are all his friends.”

“Or they obey him, so you don’t have to worry about these problems at all.”

Major General Bruney was also very satisfied. “I think we can do it this way.”

The others seemed to have no problems either. Another gentleman then said, “Then we will have to do the costing and budgeting next.”

His eyes flickered slightly. “Although he is using refugees, but…”

These people are a very close-knit interest group. Their political interests are highly bound. He just said this one sentence, and it let the others know what he meant.

A meaningful smile appeared on their faces.

Although Lance might be using refugees, and exploiting them to the fullest, they could still cost it according to the budget for ordinary workers. The surplus would naturally flow into their pockets.

Such a large project is a project of tens of millions or hundreds of millions. Even if they only get a percentage of ten or twenty, that is still a lot of money.

After Lance left the room, he went directly to the living room. People’s gazes quickly moved to him. During this period of time, some information about Lance had been found out by them.

They did not have any contempt for Lance. To be able to enter this villa, to go to the room inside, whether he had spoken or not, how much he had spoken, all meant that he was already on the same level as the people in this room.

“Tom, why don’t you introduce us?” someone took the initiative to say this. In fact, they knew everything, but socializing is like this.

Knowingly speaking.

Tom began to introduce these people to Lance. They were all aides and staff around the senator, and there were also two majors from the Department of Defense. Everyone seemed very enthusiastic.

Lance had brought his business card today, and it was just right to exchange it with them. Although it was just getting to know each other and exchanging business cards, with no deeper interaction, who knows when they might need Lance, or Lance might need them. The social network was also completely opened because of this.

Until a little after five o’clock in the afternoon, Lance was not called in. They sat in the living room, chatting about very… trendy topics.

Unrelated to politics, unrelated to the military, unrelated to the international situation.

They were talking about women, about stars, about movies, but not about the things they should be talking about.

Were these people very unwilling to talk?

No, in fact, they really wanted to talk, to find out something they didn’t know. But they were also afraid of letting something slip.

Maybe their boss hadn’t told them “don’t talk about a certain matter,” but in fact, it was tacitly understood that this matter could not be talked about randomly. If they accidentally said it, it would cause trouble.

This kind of thing had happened more than once. After this kind of thing happened, the fault was definitely not with the senator inside, but with these people.

They don’t even know what to say and what not to say. How can they continue to hold important jobs?

So instead of talking about some dangerous topics, it’s better to talk about some ordinary things.

Who could have imagined that some gentlemen in important positions, sitting together, would actually be talking about actresses?

At a little after five, almost six o’clock, the sound of a door opening came from the end of the corridor. They immediately stopped talking and laughing and all stood up.

Soon, several gentlemen came out from inside. At the main door of the living room, Senator Cleveland shook hands with them in farewell, and their aides and subordinates also followed them and left one by one…

(End of a Chapter)