Chapter 587: Gifts and Negotiations

The distribution of interests is a very important and rigorous matter.

Who can get how much money from the interest transfer of the interest group is stipulated, and it cannot be wrong.

Once it is wrong, or someone takes money they shouldn't take, then problems will arise, and it is even possible to trigger the possibility of the entire interest group collapsing.

After all, the core of everything in this world is interest.

During this period, news from Jincheng kept being transmitted to Manton, and people in Manton also knew what happened there.

For people with relatively low levels, they would feel a bit incredible that a gang could actually get on the stage like stars and politicians, and be written about extensively by newspapers and media.

It is said that there are magazines planning to interview Lan Si and want to make him a cover figure. This is simply... incomprehensible.

But for those who have some levels, they know very well that, in fact, strictly speaking, a gang is also a kind of power.

Political power.

The stability of a region's public security is definitely not something that can be solved by relying on the police. With the current status of black police covering the police force in various regions, whether public security is good or not purely depends on whether the local gang is willing to be stable.

This has contributed to the fact that gangs have more say in the field of social stability.

People influenced by these will be more inclined to the information transmitted by gangs when thinking about some problems.

Just like the current Imperial District, whoever Lan Si says to choose, they choose whoever. This is not just because Lan Si is the only gang in the Imperial District and the leader of the city's largest gang.

It is because he represents the foundation for people to realize a stable life. This is power, this is public opinion, this is political power!

Now this power is added with money. Many people have a very absurd illusion that Bandi's direction of washing white might be wrong!

Of course, they will only think about it. No one knows how to wash white in this era to be able to wash it clean.

Lan Si and Congressman Williams are about to "visit" Manton. This news was released a few days in advance. In these few days, some high-end clubs and similar occasions in Manton were immediately fully booked.

There are also Manton's golf courses, opera houses, etc., and all reservations are full.

This is the first contact between Jincheng's "new forces" and the state government forces, and it is also an important specific division of interests. They have to be nervous.

Even if the booked clubs, golf courses, or other things are not used, it is better than needing them but not having a place to go.

Congressman Williams might be slightly familiar with them, but only slightly.

Previously, Congressman Williams was just a city councilor, although he and Congressman Wade controlled the entire internal political power of Jincheng.

But it didn't extend to the level of the state government, so he could only achieve "I know this person, I've seen him twice" to people here, rather than having become friends.

Not friends, so the first meeting is not suitable to be placed in their homes. This does not conform to the social rules of the Federation.

They need a non-private but sufficiently private environment to talk about things. Golf courses, relatively closed clubs—these are all good places to go.

Rich people who came to Manton for tourism in these few days will find that high-end places have almost been fully booked!

On Monday morning, the train slowly pulled into the station. Along with the steam rapidly diffusing around, a large number of bodyguards got off the train.

They first checked the station, and then Lan Si and Congressman Williams got off here.

At the steps where they got off the train, Lan Si even reached out to support Congressman Williams, whose movements were a bit deformed.

After all, he is old. Although these steps are just a step for ordinary people, for a 60-something-year-old man, it might be the scythe of death.

"I'm fine, thank you!" Supporting Lan Si's hand and coming down from the steps, Congressman Williams tidied up his attire.

He looked at the bodyguards around him and laughed dumbly, "Such a big scene, is it really necessary?"

Lan Si answered with a smile, "For safety considerations, Congressman, even more excessive is worth it, as long as we can live."

Congressman Williams curled his lips, but didn't refute Lan Si's words, although he wasn't particularly in agreement either.

James and others who were following behind carrying suitcases also got off the train, and the group quickly walked toward the outside of the station.

Lan Si's motorcade had arrived here two days in advance. This time they took the train because the train was more comfortable.

The gentlemen of the Federation are a group that knows how to enjoy themselves very well. They have special train carriages, inside which there are soft beds, huge sofa groups, billiard tables, and even an indoor golf course!

Extreme luxury is what describes the lives of the rich, and these ordinary people, let alone enjoying it, haven't even heard of it!

Traveling in such an environment for nearly a day is much more comfortable than being wronged for a day in the narrow space of a car.

Lan Si and Congressman Williams were in the same car. Their destination was the best hotel in the local area. They booked two high-end suites.

They wouldn't stay in Manton for too long, so the work during this period would be very much and busy.

"Tonight we will first visit the Deputy Governor," Congressman Williams looked at Lan Si and also looked at his son.

"The reason for not visiting the Governor directly is that we need an introducer. The Deputy Governor is a good candidate. Of course, the Attorney General is also fine, but the Deputy Governor is a bit better. As the Governor's deputy, he is very suitable."

Lan Si and James listened on the side without speaking. These things were all arranged by Congressman Williams personally.

Lan Si was very relieved about this. After all, this was also related to Congressman Williams' own interests. Only when interests are highly bound will he trust this old man.

"Are the gifts we brought for the Deputy Governor ready?"

This matter was handled by James, who was responsible for it by Congressman Williams. The latter nodded, "They are already ready, in the hotel. As long as we get off the car, we can see them."

He was very familiar with these gentlemen in the state government. He didn't need to ask around to know what kind of things should be given to what kind of people.

Lan Si also participated in the collection of these gifts. This is related to the coordination problem between them and the state government for a long time in the future, so it has to be taken seriously.

Some people feel that since the Federation is a mayoral system, there is no need to take the state government too seriously, but in fact, the state government controls the state legislature, and the state legislature decides what laws a city must abide by.

The Federation's governing structure, which looks like a makeshift team, is also patched up everywhere, making you have me and me have you.

So these people must be made friends with, and it must be in place.

The Deputy Governor is an extreme conservative, and his ancestors advocated and organized the clearing work against the indigenous people.

In fact, until now, almost all political families are that group of people. After all, they snatched this piece of land from the hands of the indigenous people with bullets and explosives, not because of other reasons.

They are also extreme in this regard. The gift given to him is a set of "leather kits."

It includes a leather hat, a pair of leather gloves, a leather backpack, and a pair of leather boots.

Yes, from the current point of view, this doesn't seem to be anything special, but in fact, they are works of art.

Lan Si spent money to buy them from a personal museum in a remote place. They symbolize the terrible things the Federation's first immigrants did to the local indigenous people.

Their production materials all come from the indigenous people.

This sounds very terrifying. People might not be able to connect these with the civilized and polite Americans, but this is precisely the truth.

These things are definitely good things for extreme conservatives. They represent not only history but also a kind of "ancestor's spirit," a symbol of conquering this piece of land!

For these things, Lan Si spent 3,500 dollars.

3,500 dollars is not a very large expenditure. Giving gifts is not just about value, but more importantly, it's about sincerity and satisfaction.

The car stopped outside the hotel quickly. The group entered the hotel. After a simple rest, the phone kept ringing.

At six o'clock in the evening, the group came to a very high-end club that had been agreed upon, and saw the Deputy Governor here.

The Deputy Governor looked very easygoing, especially his platinum-colored hair and slightly fat face. He was smiling as soon as they met, making it hard for people to feel any disgust toward him.

He took the initiative to walk to everyone, shook hands with Congressman Williams, then with Lan Si, and then invited the two to the sofa.

"I don't know what you like, so I picked some gifts at random. I hope it won't make people feel offended."

Congressman Williams' words were a bit strange. The Deputy Governor showed some interest in these gifts, "What is it?" James pushed a small cart and walked to his front.

These gifts were placed in display boxes, so a small cart was needed to push them.

The moment the velvet cloth on it was lifted, the Deputy Governor couldn't help but reveal an expression of exclamation!

His hand stroked the glass on the surface of those boxes, "Simply perfect works of art!"

"These crafts have at least 200 years of history!"

"I like them very much!"

It can be seen that he really likes them. The "surprise" that erupted as soon as they met absolutely couldn't be faked!

Lan Si sat on the side and felt that this scene was very funny, but also felt that there was no problem, because this is the Federation.

They chatted for a while, and the topic began to turn to the theme.

"I heard that Lan Si has already mastered the actual control and operating rights of all casinos?" The Deputy Governor's gaze fell on Lan Si.

He was a bit amazed at Lan Si's youth. He couldn't help but ask just now, and also knew that Lan Si was 22 years old this year, which made him have a kind of emotion.

【Author's note: Content is being checked!】

Emotion for time, emotion for everything.

Lan Si nodded, "Yes, all in my hands."

Congressman Williams followed the topic and didn't let it fall, which would make the atmosphere stiff, "We came over this time just to talk to everyone about this problem."

After the Deputy Governor finished listening, he pondered for a while and looked at James standing on the side, "Who is this?"

He didn't know James. Now there were only him, Lan Si, Congressman Williams, and James left in the room.

What was going to be talked about next was very naked. If James wasn't someone important, the meaning he was expressing now was to let him leave here first.

Congressman Williams said with a smile, "This is my eldest son. He has successfully run for city councilor and is performing his duties."

The Deputy Governor's gaze stayed on James' face for a moment, remembered his appearance, and praised, "Young people nowadays are really amazing. They can make outstanding achievements at a young age, unlike when we were that age."

"Maybe when they were that age, they were still doing some office work, but he has already begun to express his political will."

This is of course a modest way of saying it, and it cannot be taken completely seriously.

James also responded modestly for two sentences, which made the topic return to the main point.

The Deputy Governor held a wine glass and leaned on the sofa, "Let me be direct. How do you plan to distribute these interests?"

Congressman Williams didn't speak. He picked up the coffee cup. Drinking coffee requires lowering his head, taking this opportunity to refuse the Deputy Governor's observation.

Lan Si said, "45% of the interests will be transported to the top, and 35% will be left here."

"There is also 20% of the profit that will remain in Jincheng locally and will not be transferred out."

The Deputy Governor frowned. This was a bit less than what the state government got when the Bandi family managed these interests.

Don't look at it as just 5%. This is also a matter of several million a year.

The higher the status, the more they get, so these losses are magnified under their larger base, and naturally, the more they lose.

5% of 100 dollars and 5% of 1 million are both 5%, but they are absolutely not of the same magnitude.

He just frowned and didn't say whether he agreed or disagreed, but this attitude itself was an attitude of disagreement.

Congressman Williams put down the coffee cup at this time, pursed his lips, and explained, "The Navy is going to be stationed in Jincheng. They will definitely want to take a share of the money from it."

When hearing the word "Navy," the Deputy Governor's frowned eyebrows relaxed, but immediately said a very interesting sentence—

"Those people in the military are much richer than us!"

The tone was full of complaints and similar emotions. He seemed very dissatisfied that the military could also get a share of the money, but he also knew that there was no way.

Because the military is stationed in Jincheng, if those soldiers go to the casino to make trouble, as long as they don't make too much trouble, the military side will definitely turn a blind eye.

The casino business gets worse, and the loss is still these people. If they can give some to the military to satisfy their greedy appetite and ensure they won't find trouble, then this is acceptable.

It's just that it's a bit less, which will always make people feel uncomfortable.

"In these years, the military has exchanged a large amount of materials every year. Which ones are really exchanged and which ones are fake—anyway, no one can say clearly."

"Congress should have established a new bill to control their behavior like this long ago. They cannot be allowed to put taxpayers' money into their own pockets so easily."

The Federation's military does have corruption problems, and it is a very serious corruption problem, but it is not just the military that has problems; the entire Federation ruling class has problems.

Sometimes Lan Si is also very confused. Why can this government and country, which are holes from top to bottom and are all problems, continue to exist and constantly grow?

For the problem complained about by the Deputy Governor, the three people didn't respond. This kind of thing is best not to respond to. For mature politicians, any response to this kind of thing that exists in a stance is a wrong decision.

Maybe you just feel like saying a few smooth words, or coaxing the Deputy Governor to be happy, but who knows when he needs others to support him, he will throw your response out as a bargaining chip.

On some year, some month, some day, when I was talking about this problem, he also expressed agreement.

Just this one sentence, without you even knowing it, completed the team standing.

What's more annoying is that when you bear the risk of standing in a team, you have you, but after the team standing wins and divides the interests, there is no share for you.

So the three people didn't speak, and the Deputy Governor didn't force them to express their stance. This was just a complaint.

He paused for a while, then said, "Since this is the case, I have no opinion. Does the list need to be adjusted?"

Congressman Williams nodded, "You can hand your list to us, and we will discuss it."

Interest transfer is absolutely not as simple as putting money into their accounts. What these politicians want is not the kind of money that cannot be spent; what they want is money that can be openly enjoyed.

So this money must be able to be openly deposited into their accounts. Then, as the most compliant way of the Federation's characteristics, it is investment return.

So this money will become the investment profit of certain funds and will be deposited into the capital accounts of these "investors" quarterly.

It can stand up to investigation and can be taken out to spend.

How the foundation distributes this money is already decided. Everyone has that share that fits their identity.

It looks like there is nothing to discuss, but who can take it and who cannot take it is also a problem.

This is the place where everyone needs to discuss.

The Deputy Governor said a series of names of his own people, and James recorded the names of these people in detail on the side.

If there are no accidents, most of these people will be included in the foundation's list.

But it is also possible that some of them make Lan Si or Congressman Williams dissatisfied and are thus removed.

After completing the most important things, several people began to enjoy dinner.

The Deputy Governor is a very humorous person. At least after talking about interests, he became very humorous and even said quite a few hell jokes about the indigenous people.

From this point, it can also be reflected that he indeed likes the gifts chosen by Congressman Williams.

When dinner was almost over, Congressman Williams talked about the matter of letting him introduce them to meet the Governor. The Deputy Governor agreed immediately.

He even made a phone call to the Governor in front of everyone and set the time, which was two days later.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 588 =====