Chapter 841: Smart People's Choice and Acting Mayor

A perfect curtain call!

The old mayor sat in a wheelchair and announced at the City Hall that because of his health reasons, he could not continue to serve the citizens for the time being, and he would recuperate indefinitely.

The officials and staff of the City Hall all thanked him for some contributions he had made to Hucheng over the years.

Including some citizens, they also spontaneously came to thank the mayor for his dedication to the city, and of course, they took away some food that was about to expire.

The only news-type newspaper in Hucheng introduced the years the mayor dedicated to Hucheng with *Twenty Years* as the title.

Of course, this twenty years does not refer to the twenty years he was mayor. It is the time node when he stepped into the local political arena as a municipal councilor, to introduce the things he did afterwards.

This is not an old man who has made any outstanding contributions to the city, in fact.

In the twenty years, the city's population increased by less than twenty percent, which can be said to be very slow.

The city's economic development level has not improved much, and the development of the city circle has not changed. What it looked like twenty years ago, it still looks like twenty years later.

A dead city, just like the lake next to it, even if a strong wind blows, it can't lift any waves.

The only thing worth praising is that this city does not prohibit dark-skinned people from living and working, unlike some cities that clearly oppose dark-skinned people from entering. Here, everyone is treated relatively fairly.

So today, among the citizens who came to receive food... more accurately, came to thank the mayor for dedicating so much time to the city, there were relatively many dark-skinned people.

Although he didn't make any great contribution to this city, he didn't bring too much trouble to this city either.

Next is a simple resignation ceremony. People spent a pleasant morning and noon on the lawn outside the old mayor's villa.

After the guests dispersed, only the old mayor and his several children, as well as his two students, were left.

Looking at their eyes full of longing and expectation, the old mayor sighed, "I recommended William."

"William?"

His eldest son didn't react for a while, turned around and looked at the people behind him, "Is there anyone among you called William?"

They were indeed not very familiar with this name, but soon, someone connected this name with the young man who had visited twice.

"You mean that guy from Jincheng?"

The old mayor nodded, "It's him."

His sons and two students looked at him in disbelief.

Compared to his students who were not easy to ask, his son asked directly, "How well do you know him?"

"Why, recommend such a guy who hasn't lived here at all to take over your work?"

"We all know that the remaining time is only six months, but this is enough for all the people in the

"We will be very passive!"

He looked at his father's expression, which was full of dissatisfaction, sadness, annoyance, and many other negative emotions. "Moreover, this will have a huge impact on us!"

"People will wonder why the old mayor didn't recommend his son or his students after his health failed, but instead recommended an outsider!"

"What will they think of us?!"

His eldest son almost shouted it out.

This guy was already forty-six or forty-seven years old, yet he was still just a municipal councilor.

Hucheng has a total of six districts. Don't let the small population and small area fool you; because of the lake, the city can be said to have been built right next to the water.

Therefore, the city appears somewhat "long and narrow," which forces it to be divided into several districts for management; otherwise, it would take too long to walk from one end to the other, which is inconvenient for the city's daily work arrangements.

His eldest son had assumed he would be the acting mayor; he had even privately made promises to his brothers and two of his father's students.

As long as they didn't compete, didn't actively fight for it, he would properly arrange things for them after he took office.

But now it seems he is like a clown; after running around frantically and losing this opportunity, how could he possibly be happy?

The old mayor knew his son's thoughts; he just looked at him quietly. "This city is too small."

He pursed his lips, leaned back in his wheelchair, and looked at the blue sky. "You haven't been outside. From the moment you were born, you've lived in this small city. Maybe some of you have been to college and gone outside."

He looked at one of his students. "But soon you all came back and have been here ever since, so you don't know how big the world outside is."

His son was a bit impatient. "We don't want to hear your reflections on life right now; we want to know the reason!"

The old mayor raised his hand to signal him to shut up. Although he had retired, his authority remained.

"I am telling you why my choice is the way it is."

"You have always lived in Hucheng; how much do you know about things outside?"

"Do you know any high-ranking officials in the state government?"

Several people shook their heads. How could they possibly know high-ranking state government officials?

The old mayor smiled, a very forced smile. "Then do you... know any powerful financial groups?"

"The kind of financial groups that can provide you with hundreds of thousands or millions in funding for an election, or to realize some idea of yours?"

Several people continued to shake their heads. They had vaguely realized what the old mayor was going to say, and their complexions turned somewhat ashen.

"You see!" The old mayor spread his hands. "You have neither connections in the upper echelons nor capital willing to support you. On what grounds can you compete?"

He saw his student wanting to speak and directly raised his hand to stop him. "You must want to say that I became mayor without the support of these people."

"When was that?"

"And when is it now?"

"This is the reason why you can only ever see this small patch of land in front of you. You haven't gone outside, seen the larger world, or understood the true operating mechanisms of this world."

"If it weren't for this war, perhaps you might still have had a chance to step onto the stage."

"But the war has broken out, and now there isn't even the slightest chance left."

His student finally couldn't help but ask at this moment, "Why do you say that?"

At this time, his son also stopped speaking loudly, and his face was full of a thirst for knowledge.

The old mayor sighed. "If the Federation wins the war, then the power in the hands of officials will be strengthened to a certain extent."

"They can secure more benefits, more interests, and grasp more power, and as the most solid link in the lower level of the political environment, the mayor has infinite potential."

"If the war is lost, the Federation will face various external troubles. At this time, holding power, when someone needs to be sacrificed, the mayor can preserve some fruits."

"Don't forget, William's surname is Lawrence."

They immediately thought of the two supermarkets that had recently appeared in Hucheng, and also thought of the largest agricultural conglomerate in Likaile State, Lawrence Farm!

Watching them look like they had gained some insight, the old mayor was still somewhat gratified. At least they weren't truly stupid; they just hadn't seen big storms and couldn't react in time.

A smile gradually appeared on his face. "Actually, you don't need to be too disappointed. Although none of you can take over my job, I have also found new jobs for you."

The clever student had already thought of the answer. "You mean, let us work for William?"

The old mayor shook his head. "Not entirely. You are to serve the Lawrence family, to serve the Lansi family."

"The Lansi family?" his son said with some confusion. "I haven't heard of the Lansi family. What kind of family is it?"

The old mayor looked helpless. "Look, you don't even know the person with the best prospects right now, so how can you successfully get this apple from their hands?"

"The Lansi family refers to the power of 'Lansi White,' a gang... or rather, a power similar to a conglomerate."

"Don't underestimate this young man. He is only twenty-four, but he already has connections with the Congress, and he operates enterprises and gangs with huge energy in his hands."

"He is the truly decisive factor. I hope you can go work for him so that you can better come into contact with the truth of this world, as well as the larger world."

While they were talking, a servant trotted over. "Master, Mr. Lawrence is here."

The old mayor said hurriedly, "Push me over!"

Soon, the group saw William get out of the car outside the villa. William had just received a call; the old mayor had recommended William to the state government organization commissioner.

Based on the state government's respect for local leaders, after a brief discussion, William received a call from the state government, telling him to be prepared to start managing the daily work of Hucheng as acting mayor next week.

When he heard this news, William jumped up directly. After some thanks, he hung up the phone and hurried over.

He knew that Lansi must have played a key role, but as a politician, an actor, what he needed to prioritize most right now was not Lansi's side, nor the state government's side, but the old mayor's side.

The commissioner had reminded him that it was the old mayor who nominated him, which was why he became the acting mayor; otherwise, he would have had to compete with several others who were waiting, and it wouldn't necessarily have been him who won.

When he saw the old mayor, the smile on William's face piled up completely, revealing the teeth he spent eight hundred dollars a year taking care of, sometimes needing to pay extra.

Very white, very healthy, and the impression he gave when smiling was very good.

"Mr. Mayor, on such a cold day, you don't need to come to welcome me."

He walked to the side of the wheelchair and shook hands with the old mayor, the kind where both hands are clasped together, and then looked at the people beside him.

He knew these people; there were local municipal councilors and officials in the city hall.

He nodded and greeted them, then took the initiative to push the old mayor's wheelchair and returned to the room with him.

After they sat down separately, William brought up the news from the commissioner. "The state government has discussed and decided that I will continue to take over your work as acting mayor after you retire."

"This is my first time doing this kind of work. I'm a bit worried, and I will definitely still need your reminders and help when the time comes."

The mayor certainly wouldn't refuse. "No problem, I will help you fully take over all the work and the city hall."

"I have worked for this city for many years, and I hope it becomes better."

"But as you can see, I am an old man with limited ability. The greatest wealth I can bring to this city is not letting it become worse, rather than making it better!"

"You are a capable person, William. I can see that Hucheng will bloom with a brilliance people have never seen before under your leadership!"

The old mayor's evaluation was very high, and his expression was very direct, which made William somewhat surprised and happy, but soon he realized that any transaction is mutual.

He first thanked the old mayor for his statement, then was silent for a while. "What can I do for you?"

This question was asked very directly, but the old mayor laughed. "My son and students want to see the world outside. They actually have decent basic work ability, but they lack contact with the world outside."

"I know, William, you are an excellent, outstanding person, and you have ways."

"I don't expect them to be councilors or mayors as soon as they go out, but as long as they can have a job, I will be satisfied."

The request was very low, and William found it hard to give him too low a starting point. He thought for a while and finally agreed.

"Non-governmental but politically related work, are they willing to do that?"

The old mayor nodded repeatedly. "Of course!"

Actually, this kind of gesture of his, letting the children and students all leave, was also expressing a kind of "sincerity."

Look, the people who have the greatest influence on this city have been transferred away by me, letting you fully control the city; can you not show something?

William couldn't refuse such a gesture. Leaving these people behind would instead be a trouble; only sending them away was the best choice.

However, sending them away didn't mean sending them to see God, but arranging a job for them, at least making sure no one could pick faults with him in this regard.

He immediately thought of Lansi's side. The development of the Lansi family was getting faster and faster, and it was in great need of some "high-end" talent.

Although these people might not be called high-end, they were definitely much more capable than the cadres in the Lansi family. They had always been in contact with grassroots work and knew how to handle certain problems.

What they lacked was just a higher perspective, and this, Lansi could provide.

It was like a girl in need of help and a kind-hearted gentleman agreeing on a price; they hit it off, and everyone was happy.

The news of William becoming acting mayor soon spread back to Jingangcheng. After Lansi knew this news, he made a call to Prosecutor Dean, asking who had put in effort behind this matter.

People had put in effort, whether it was because his Lansi's face was big or because of the influence of the Cleveland political group, they had always done some things and influenced the final result.

So no matter what, he had to return the favor; otherwise, people would only think he was not on the table.

Prosecutor Dean didn't say anything like "don't mention it"; he mentioned several state government officials, as well as the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State didn't intend to run for governor; he seemed to have other ideas. Plus, he was very cooperative with Lansi on this matter, so Lansi felt that his demands might actually be greater than running for governor.

He might want to enter Congress!

According to the federal government system, the president is actually on the same level as the governor; becoming a governor is equivalent to being a small president.

But from the perspective of setting the rules of the game, Congress clearly has higher power, and the current situation of the war is excellent, which means the possibility of a federal victory is very high.

The Federation winning the war looks like it strengthened the president's authority, but the president's mother has already reached the point!

As soon as the war ends, a general election will be held immediately, so what truly gained an epic strengthening is the Federal Congress.

Senator Cleveland already clearly occupied an advantage in the congressional group. Lansi provided too much "ammunition," allowing him to constantly win over more congressmen who could be won over, and now it has presented a strong posture.

If the Secretary of State wants to enter Congress, he must have recognition from the congressional side. Clearly, the recognition of Senator Cleveland's group is very important and can play a key role.

Of course, this was all Lansi's own opinion. As for whether it was really like this, he wasn't sure, but he thought it was.

After thanking Prosecutor Dean, Lansi had people prepare some local specialties.

Because of the outbreak of war, local specialties were increasingly liked by people. A small lump could do many things, and facts once again proved that gold is more stable than any currency!

Later in the evening, William called back and talked with Lansi about arranging for the old mayor's family.

"... The commissioner reminded me that the mayor's recommendation played a big role, so I also talked to him about it, and he is willing to withdraw all his people from Hucheng."

Hearing William say this, Lansi felt the old mayor's decisiveness and courage.

If he didn't do this, as William's "invasion" of Hucheng deepened, these stubborn local forces would definitely become a barrier to their complete control of Hucheng.

By that time, Lansi would only be able to find a way to send them all away.

But now, the old mayor directly proposed sending these people away, not leaving Lansi a single chance; this is the political wisdom of an old politician of more than twenty years!

"What does he want?" he asked.

William laughed and said, "He wants to find a new home for these people, and I thought of your side."

"The company's development lacks some manpower, and these people might be able to provide you with some help."

"When the time comes, I will arrange for them to go to your side first. If you think they are suitable, keep them."

"If you think they are not suitable, then find a way to arrange them elsewhere, even if it's giving them a manager job or something; in short, as long as they have a job, it's fine."

"The old mayor is a very transparent person; even if you don't give them a job, he won't say anything."

Lansi said "Hmm," then laughed and asked, "Do you need to go back and hold a celebration ceremony or something?"

"If the farm side knows you have become acting mayor, they will definitely hold an event!"

(End of Chapter)