[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Shadow Empire",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267645,4428,"Chapter 25: The Empire People","the-shadow-empire-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Alberto leaned back, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette; he bowed his head, and after drawing the first puff into his lungs, he lifted his face and exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans continued his words: “So I plan to find some locals with legal status—homeless people or whoever—and give them a few dollars to dine at Mr. Anderson’s restaurant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll get reporters to publicize it—for example, ‘the restaurant most popular among commoners or the homeless’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Alberto stared blankly for a moment, then nodded in strong agreement: “Your idea is excellent, Lans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one wants to dine in the same restaurant as a group of stinking vagrants; his place will soon become infamous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He happily tapped the table. “What if we use our own people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans declined: “Mr. Cotty, it’s not that I don’t want to give them something to do—I’m sure Mr. Anderson will call the police. If we use our own people, it might cause trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alberto thought carefully, then smiled. “You’re absolutely right, Lans. That’s exactly why I admire you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re far more mature than your appearance suggests!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled open a drawer, counted out two hundred dollars, placed them on the table, and pushed them over, along with a business card: “I never let others spend their own money for my benefit. This is your new budget.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, this man on the card has some cooperation with us—you can try contacting him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My only requirement is that he becomes furious—but has no way to retaliate. I want him to call me begging for mercy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans glanced at the money on the table and smiled. “You’ll see him frantic yet cautious, Mr. Cotty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Lans appeared at Saint Naye Cathedral; outside on the lawn, many people gathered, and including those inside, there were at least four or five hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four or five hundred might seem far short of the “thirty thousand” Mr. Botton mentioned, but these four or five hundred represented at least two hundred families, and the network radiating from them could reach over a thousand households—already accounting for a quarter, even a fifth, of all legal immigrants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So although the numbers were small, the influence was not insignificant; those who came to such gatherings were mostly those who had done reasonably well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Botton also spotted Lans. He had no intention of speaking to him—he disliked gang members—but when he saw Lans arrive by car, he changed his mind slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over Zhudong , speaking louder than those around him, warmly greeting Lans: “Lans, have you parked your car properly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans, who had just been trying to find a way to break the ice, turned back in confusion; the car was parked neatly, no issue at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly understood, and returned the warm greeting: “Uncle Botton, I’ve confirmed it’s locked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Botton was pleased with Lans’s response; immediately, someone nearby leaned in. “Botton, why don’t you introduce us to this young man… where are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Balmann State!” Lans stepped forward and shook the hand of the man, around fifty, beside Botton.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Botton immediately responded: “This is Lans, a young man who just arrived in the Federation, currently with a very flexible job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then introduced the man beside him to Lans: “This is Mr. Jobar, hailed as the pride of Empire people in Jincheng City!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you have extra money you want to store safely and earn higher interest than the Federation Bank, Mr. Jobar is your best choice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over forty percent of Empire people deposit their money with him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to Mr. Botton’s introduction, Lans extended both hands to grasp Mr. Jobar’s, shaking warmly: “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Jobar—are you a banker?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Jobar laughed, took a cigar from someone nearby, lit it, inhaled, and exhaled slowly: “Banker? Not quite. I simply want to do what I can for our fellow countrymen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need a Federation immigration card, a residence permit, or a work card to deposit money with me—anyone who is an Empire person can store their money here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He subtly glanced at the small sedan parked outside the cathedral, and quickly formed a judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car was old-fashioned, worth perhaps four or five hundred dollars at a used car dealer—but to arrive with a car so soon after arriving, and wearing clothes costing ten dollars a set, this was clearly a young man with potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t want to expand their network with a promising young man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more casual words, Mr. Jobar gracefully stepped out of the circle: “I can see others also wish to meet our new friend—I won’t waste your time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook Lans’s hand again and left. True enough, new acquaintances soon approached, greeting Lans and using Uncle Botton as their introduction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the Empire, they might not have actively sought to know someone simply because they were wealthier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after living in the Federation for so long, for these Empire immigrants still stuck at the bottom, they desperately craved a ladder to climb out of society’s lowest rung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the car wasn’t new, at least he arrived by car—while they came by bicycle or bus. That was the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who came to meet Lans were all adults, around thirty, each having struggled in the Federation for seven or eight years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though some might have doubted Lans’s job, most still exchanged contact information or business cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with these people took over half an hour; Lans couldn’t help asking, “Did Gerald come today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply didn’t want to remain Mr. Botton’s prop for display—this kind of boasting was childish at its core: “I have a great friend” and “My friend is this and that” were equally pathetic, yet some people just couldn’t resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Botton had clearly enjoyed his moment: “Of course. Young people don’t like hanging around old folks like us—they’re over there. Want me to take you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans quickly declined and hurried to the side of Saint Naye Cathedral, where indeed the young people had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About forty young men and women chatted together; as soon as Lans appeared, Gerald spotted him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no help for it—he’d looked out for them on the ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gerald, who looked very much like a girl, often suffered malicious verbal abuse and even bullying—being forced to do chores, run errands for others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans helped him out of some troubles; to Gerald, Lans was inevitably someone unforgettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lans!” he jumped up, waving his arms—drawing the attention of many others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is your great brother?” Gerald’s cousin eyed Lans critically. “Too old-fashioned. No energy at all—nothing like a real young man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the jealousy in his words was unmistakable; most of these young people wore clothes costing two or three dollars a set, the most expensive maybe four or five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lans’s outfit, costing over ten dollars, instantly overshadowed them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at their age, who doesn’t want to look more mature?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gerald ran over and gave Lans a warm hug—but Lans felt strangely uneasy, because Gerald was too beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the hug ended quickly; Gerald grabbed Lans’s arm and began introducing his friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my cousin, Luo Bu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my cousin, Nancy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is my cousin’s girlfriend, Selina…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans greeted each of them warmly, shook hands; others nearby also kept glancing over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aura was different from theirs—carrying an indescribable “hardness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lans, do you have family here?” Luo Bu asked first; his girlfriend Selina kept studying Lans, making him feel a pang of jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t notice: “No. I’m alone here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu’s face brightened: “So you haven’t gotten permanent citizenship yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, not yet,” he answered honestly, without lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nancy had been observing Lans, but when her brother asked that question and Lans answered so directly, her interest in him suddenly faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether you had that card made a huge difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d seen many peers without cards—working over ten hours a day, earning only ten or twenty dollars a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those with Federation citizenship enjoyed legal protections, worked no more than eleven hours daily, had weekends off, and received benefits, insurance, and other guarantees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all old enough now; when they dated, it was always with marriage in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nancy wouldn’t date someone without Federation citizenship, let alone marry him—a love with no future was not what she wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu sensed his girlfriend’s waning interest in Lans; his mood finally stabilized, even tinged with superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… what do you do for work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans had no intention of beating around the bush with these young people: “I work for a company. They give me orders; I complete them and earn payment based on the order value.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu thought he understood and smiled: “So you’re a salesperson?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pretty much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He perked up: “What do you sell? Maybe we can help you get more commissions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled but said nothing. Luo Bu assumed he was embarrassed and pressed further: “Can this job actually make you money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some sales jobs indeed didn’t require work cards—you just brought customers to the company or store, had them pay and place orders, and earned commissions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was how capitalists avoided unnecessary expenses—and explained why Lans looked so well-dressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he rented this outfit for work!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My last order earned me two hundred dollars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu fell silent, but Gerald gasped: “That much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that a lot?” Lans shook his head. “It’s just a small order. When you’ve seen bigger ones…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu’s emotions turned… complicated, like his expression: “Listen, if you’re not making money, no one will laugh at you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you’re lying just to impress us, I think that’s not funny at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think an illegal immigrant, fresh to the Federation with no status, can earn that much in one order?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should be realistic…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu was about to say more, but Selina pulled him away from the group; after walking several steps, she shoved him. “What’s wrong with you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone can see you’re targeting Lans!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu paced back and forth. “I just can’t stand his arrogant attitude—he’s just an illegal immigrant with no status! And haven’t you noticed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s lying to deceive you, and Nancy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m your boyfriend—you’re siding with him instead of me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selina found it incomprehensible. Normally, Luo Bu was a decent guy—though he inherited Botton’s hidden arrogance, a bit cruel and sharp-tongued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that could be seen as self-protection. Today’s behavior, however, was unbearable—he was as venomous as a spiteful woman!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flung her hand away. “You really need to reflect.” She turned to leave—Luo Bu’s behavior had humiliated her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Bu wouldn’t let her go; he ran after her, grabbed her hand, and they chased each other far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Luo Bu left, more people gathered around…\u003C\u002Fp>",1794,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6baa3c6ac30e2302d9099e08eec0a4426a53dde597f3c6c4b47f24bfed3ba986","the-shadow-empire-chapter-26","the-shadow-empire-chapter-24",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]