Chapter 325

326. Chapter 322: Just What I Wanted x2

"I have a little connection with them," Lanse did not say it too fully, but he did not deny it either.

He still did not know what Councilor Williams meant by saying this. If he said it too fully, it would be hard to refuse later, but he could not say it either; perhaps this was another opportunity.

Councilor Williams raised his glass, signaling Lanse to clink with him. After the two clinked glasses, they each took a small sip of the alcohol.

The proof of the whiskey was actually not very high for Lanse; anything under fifty percent was not even considered alcohol to him—it was just water mixed with alcohol.

However, very few federal people could directly face various types of alcohol over forty percent; they even called this "hard liquor" and needed to add ice.

He did not put the glass back on the coffee table but held it in his hand, slowly rotating it, "Port work is very important. I am old and my memory is not very good, but I know that every day there are countless ships coming here from all over the world."

"They drop off cargo and then leave after reloading cargo."

"Every day our docks are very busy, day and night."

"If... you say one day, the docks suddenly stop completely, who would be the most anxious?"

Councilor Williams leaned back against the sofa, crossed his legs, pressed his right hand holding the glass onto the armrest, and placed his left hand casually on his waist, "Those cargo ships waiting to load and unload?"

"Those enterprises and companies related to these shipping businesses?"

"The dockworkers on the docks?"

"Or is it... Sydney, the state government, or even Congress?"

He looked at Lanse, giving Lanse "heuristic questions." He could not be sure if Lanse was a smart child, so in order to make the conversation go more smoothly, he used this method.

Lanse knew what he meant, but... being treated like a moron really made him feel a bit between laughter and tears.

"You don't have to talk to me like this; I know what you mean!"

"But Mr. Williams, have you considered that once the docks stop, a large number of cargo ships, in order to save costs, might continue north."

"Once these cargo ships think that the north is more stable and reliable, these resources that should have belonged to New Jincheng will flow away."

There was another port in the north; the scale certainly could not compare to New Jincheng, but it was enough for temporary use.

If New Jincheng stopped for too long, it could trigger a series of problems. For the northern port, they would certainly be more happy to see such things happen.

Only in this way could they have opportunities for development, but for the local interest groups, this was very hard to accept.

Lanse lowered his voice slightly, tucked his chin, and said, "Have you discussed this with the Bay Area?"

One sentence made Councilor Williams finally realize that Lanse was not a foolish boy. Although this made him not need to consider whether Lanse could understand, Lanse's answer also made him feel a bit annoyed.

The Bay Area!

A special existence. In fact, Councilor Williams was also a member of the Bay Area, but he could not represent the entire Bay Area.

He pursed his lips, which made his lips slightly pale and thinner, and his aquiline nose also became more three-dimensional.

He had not discussed it with the Bay Area because he knew those people in the Bay Area certainly would not agree.

If it were said that before the meeting started just now, some gangs thought they still had a choice, but in reality, they already had no choice.

Then those big shots in the Bay Area were the ones who could truly still choose at will.

They had a large amount of investment in New Jincheng, and their interests were intricate; even the mayor had no good way to deal with them.

So they were "free federal people" in the true sense.

If Councilor Williams discussed this matter with them, given their personalities, they would directly refuse!

Because this would absolutely damage their interests!

They would rather lean toward outsiders than continue to stand on the side of the locals.

Don't expect capital to have any firm stance or determination. The biggest difference between them and whores is that whores charge very little, while they want a lot—that is all!

Lanse's words directly hit the crux of the matter. If it were said that capitalists still had the opportunity to choose a stance and camp, then Councilor Williams actually had no opportunity.

Once Sydney controlled this city, those of them who had once opposed him would all be cleaned up.

Councilor Williams himself was actually quite indifferent; he was already old, and it wouldn't matter even if he were no longer a councilor.

But what about James (the eldest son)?

Those Bay Area people who leaned toward the "new king" would absolutely not let James have a day to get ahead, because they all knew very well that once James got ahead, he might retaliate against them.

They couldn't stand that, so the best way was to thoroughly trample the Williams family underfoot, to trample them to death!

For the sake of his children, whether it was James or Arthur, he needed to make some decisions, even if it meant sacrificing the interests of these people.

He had previously called Councilor Wei De to ask for the notebook, but he said he had already burned it in front of everyone, so there was no possibility of negotiation, so he could only act first and talk later.

His breathing was slightly rapid; getting old was like this, always having problems with his heartbeat or breathing.

"Don't worry about them!", he picked up his glass and took another sip. If the Bay Area could firmly oppose the mayor, Sydney would actually also have a hard time.

But that group of Bay Area dog bastards who could only see interests were not pure at all; once their interests were threatened, they would become hesitant.

Lanse pursed his lips, "Then after I finish this, I will very likely face retaliation from the Bay Area, Councilor Williams."

"I respect you very much, but I am not a fool."

"If you cannot give me a guarantee, it is very hard for me to do it the way you want."

Councilor Williams licked his lips, "What do you want, child?"

For his age, Lanse could indeed be called a "child," and he used the word "child," which was actually also to want to bring the relationship between the two sides closer.

Lanse considered for a while, then shook his head, "I want many things, but most of them are things you cannot give me."

"Why not say it and see what you can give me?"

"Perhaps you can convince me."

Councilor Williams laughed twice after hearing this. He suddenly felt that things were becoming interesting. He no longer treated Lanse as an ordinary gang leader, but as someone with the same wisdom as himself... well, maybe not as smart as himself, a slightly stupid person.

"Sydney will have to get lost in two years. If our plan this time can succeed, then I will announce my candidacy for mayor."

"He will clean up the reactionary forces in this city that did not stand on our side and give you the greatest convenience."

"At the same time, I can guarantee you that I will only serve for four years."

"This is what I give you: four years of time!"

He looked at Lanse, observing the subtle changes in Lanse's eyes and expression, and felt his satisfaction with his "bargaining chip" from Lanse changing to a slightly leaning-forward posture.

Four years of time, the greatest convenience—by then, it might create a monster more terrifying and more dominant than the Five Great Families!

This was the reward he gave Lanse!

And he believed that Lanse also understood.

"Are you not afraid that when that day comes, some things will get out of control?"

Councilor Williams suddenly laughed very happily, the kind of loud laughter. After laughing for a while, he took a sip of alcohol, and after swallowing it, he laughed a few more times, as if he had encountered something very funny.

"Lanse, I actually don't really want to say it like this."

"But you should know, without light, there is no shadow; the shadow is always under the light."

"I know what you mean; I will not worry, let alone be afraid."

"Because no matter how huge you develop, you are only a gang leader, and we are the true rulers of this country!"

He put down his glass, clasped his hands together into a fist, "James will be a very excellent successor; you two will be able to talk well."

"I have summarized our biggest problem during this time, which is that Wei De and I excessively dispersed power. If there were no him, only me, then the situation now would not be like this!"

"The Five Great Families are also like this; it looks like the Five Great Families are very united, jointly writing the rules of the underground world of New Jincheng and even Laizhou."

"But you have seen it!", he spread his hands, his face full of helplessness, "The Koda family, in order to continue to stabilize the casino license in their hands, was the first to betray the Five Great Families."

"The Casia family's business is too dependent on the indulgence and acquiescence of the law enforcement departments, so when Sydney's power grew strong, he surrendered immediately."

"If it were not the Five Great Families at the beginning, but a certain family, then these problems would not have appeared, Lanse."

"I think highly of you; you are smarter than those idiots outside, including Paul and the others."

"You know how to utilize your advantages and strengths; you will be able to get along with James, and you two will become the best partners."

"With your cooperation, this city will be your paradise!"

For the sake of his son, Councilor Williams was also going all out.

He had not originally planned to run for mayor, but now, he had changed his mind.

It was also because Wei De betrayed them that he could have the certainty of running for mayor. Looking at it this way, from a certain perspective, it was Councilor Wei De who gave him the opportunity.

Lanse considered for a while and finally agreed, because this had great benefits for him.

Four years of time protected by the mayor, during which he could develop unscrupulously!

He could let Councilor Williams know that sometimes, shadows could also cover the sunlight!

"I agree!", he raised his glass and clinked it with Councilor Williams, who was showing a satisfied smile, "How do you plan to arrange this matter?"

Councilor Williams sipped his drink, shaking the glass, the amber liquid rolling around in the glass, his face carrying some playfulness, "The workers haven't had a raise in two or three years; is this reasonable?"

"Of course, you can also do it according to your own ideas; wait for my call."

Lanse nodded slightly, stood up, smoothed his clothes, and extended his hand, "Happy cooperation, Councilor Williams."

Councilor Williams also laughed loudly as he stood up and shook hands with Lanse, "Happy cooperation!"

"I will have James contact you for subsequent matters; you are both young people and should be able to become good friends."

He was still thinking about his eldest son. It looked like a kind of favoritism, but in reality, this was also the only way for power to be inherited.

Counting on that idiot Arthur?

The Williams family would be finished soon!

Only James was most like him, able to inherit everything he possessed and carry it forward.

This matter was a crisis, but also an opportunity—an opportunity to stabilize the pinnacle of power in New Jincheng!

Councilor Williams left quickly. After he left, Alberto asked Lanse, "What did you two chat about just now?"

Lanse looked in Paul's direction; coincidentally, Paul was also looking over at his side.

Including smiling and nodding in greeting, Lanse also responded, "Nothing, just chatting about some secrets that can't be told, but you will know soon."

Alberto did not press him; he knew that if Lanse couldn't say it, there must be a reason he couldn't say it.

After the two hugged, they said goodbye with words like "take care," and then hurried apart.

Paul asked Alberto what Lanse and Councilor Williams said in the room, but Alberto didn't say anything, so he had to pretend he asked casually and skipped the topic.

On the way back, Lanse lit a cigarette, "I remember we still have two undercover agents on our side, right?"

Erwin nodded, "Yes, we have been monitoring them, and we didn't let them discover anything different."

Lanse took a puff of his cigarette, "Don't arrange long-term work for them at the end of the month; we will need to use them then."

Erwin was a bit puzzled; he didn't ask, just looked at Lanse, waiting for Lanse's explanation.

Lanse laughed and said, "I just said that keeping them would always be of some use. Next month, New Jincheng will be in chaos again, and we need them to pass some information to the Hazardous Materials Bureau."

Erwin also followed with a laugh, "Are we going to send them performance credits again?"

Actually, Lanse had already sent them performance credits twice, with no substantial losses, but it also allowed those people in the Hazardous Materials Bureau to get some solace from him.

At the very least, they made Lanse uncomfortable!

"This time, give them a big performance credit!"

Erwin still didn't understand. Lanse's lips moved, forming the shape of the word "dock," and after Erwin read it, he was stunned!

The only thing on the docks related to alcohol was the Dockworkers Club!

The unlimited supply of cheap alcohol had already caused the club's monthly losses to rise to about twenty thousand dollars. Although the losses were serious, it was nothing to Lanse's current income.

But this club had become the spiritual food for the more than ten thousand workers at the docks!

If it were suddenly cut off...

He shuddered; he couldn't imagine the angry appearance of those workers!

He looked at Lanse in disbelief, while Lanse remained as calm as ever, "I remember we beat up a kid named Jonny last time, right?"

Erwin nodded, "Later I went to visit his home, and he compromised."

"Go find him later and say I have something to talk to him about, and it's a good thing."

"This time, give him an opportunity to be a hero!"

"In addition, the firm might welcome a huge development."

The weather had already become hot, and the sultry sea breeze blew into the car, having a unique summer flavor.

"This matter is left to you; go and tell Laide to recruit more workers and help us rush to make at least ten thousand more sets of work clothes."

Erwin didn't know why Lanse had such a demand, but he knew that doing so would certainly not be wrong.

What Lanse considered was that simply cutting off the supply of alcohol would only make them angry, and might not necessarily make them listen to him completely and go on strike directly.

Then, would it be more appropriate to manufacture labor-capital conflicts and then take advantage of the situation to raise the demand for wage increases?

Triple anger superimposed together to thoroughly turn the docks upside down!

Since it's coming, let's do it hard!

Actually, the mayor also knew about today's meeting; someone was secretly passing him information, and he also knew Councilor Williams's thoughts.

When the news was passed back, he first shared this intelligence with his secretary, "What do you think?"

He seemed to like asking his secretary very much, asking him how to analyze and view various things.

Sometimes, when he was busy or unable to respond, the secretary needed to make some decisions for him. Although such situations were not many and not common, it was possible.

He had to let his secretary know how to solve them when encountering these problems.

If one day in the future he was not around and the secretary faced trouble independently, he could also make very correct decisions.

The secretary's brows were knitted together; he thought for a long time, "The police are currently not in our hands. Once it gets chaotic, it is indeed not easy for us to handle."

"Perhaps we should reappoint a police chief?"

"John's success made me realize that in this city, there are also many locals who are not of one mind with them; we can utilize these forces!"

"As long as we can grasp the law enforcement power of the police department, these riots are small problems; just let the police suppress them."

The mayor nodded slightly, "This is a direction to consider, but I think it is not very suitable for the current situation."

"The most critical point is that after John died, that old dog Charlie and Hunter utilized this opportunity to regain control of the situation."

"I heard that every precinct chief goes to Charlie's villa for a party after getting off work on Friday."

"That is the police department, not the city's."

"Even if we appoint a new police chief, it will still take time to influence people like Charlie and Hunter again."

"Just let Dai Er and the others do this matter; these people are gangs, criminal groups, and they all smuggled alcohol."

"They have always wanted to exert their value more actively, so let them do it."

"In addition, we can obtain some assistance from the state police."

"Even the more chaotic they make it, the more beneficial it is for us."

"Williams said one thing very correctly: Congress will not sit idly by and watch New Jincheng fall into chaos. By then, we won't need to do anything; they will mobilize the militia to come in."

"Just right, with the help of the militia, round up all these annoying things in one go!"