[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-87":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},2267707,4428,"Chapter 87: Rumors and a New Dinner","the-shadow-empire-chapter-87",87,"\u003Cp>Jason’s death made everyone more united, which might be the point of… what mountain was it again in the Federation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans wasn’t sure, but that was more or less the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At nine in the morning, he arrived outside Saint Naye Cathedral; recently, he had gained some reputation in the Empire’s circles, and many people greeted him warmly along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans also cultivated this “persona”—to achieve greater success, he had to become a “representative.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are a multifunctional resource; in the hands of capitalists, they are an endless mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the hands of politicians, they are a divine tool that can instantly switch between the sharpest sword and the strongest shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depending on whose hands they’re in, they serve different purposes—even reused back and forth; sometimes people are like condoms: wash them off and use them again, as long as they’re not broken!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people still haven’t realized this, like Mr. Chobaf—he has a solid base but doesn’t know how to use it, which is why he’s so weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t understand: treat people as power, and the more people you have, the stronger your power becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you just see them as Jiucai , your money increases, yet your actual power gains nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lans had such a base, he would be extremely hard—anyone who touched him would be melted by his heat and rigidity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Chobaf was here today too, but his mood was low; he stood aside, staring blankly, as if burdened with many thoughts. Lans greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, he might have walked over to chat with Lans, and Lans would have waited where he stood—that was etiquette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now Mr. Chobaf had no desire to chat with Lans; he had just dined with the mayor, who showed great interest and support for his joining the mayor’s team, yet something made him hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was recalling and weighing the mayor’s words from that evening, and the choice left to him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the President is re-elected, he will begin legalizing certain illegal immigrants, meaning they will gain voting rights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chobaf, you hold high standing in the Empire’s eyes. I’m glad you see the situation clearly and are willing to join our side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you know, everyone here has proven their value to us—what about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How will you convince others that your joining makes the team better, not worse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This blunt, coercive pressure to declare allegiance made Mr. Chobaf deeply uncomfortable—even in the Empire, nobles at least maintained surface decorum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they coveted his wealth desperately, they would find a suitable excuse to negotiate—likely a transaction: offering him something in exchange for his fortune, not directly demanding he “pay up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, he would have refused to pay—but now he couldn’t afford to refuse; Arthur still had a major problem waiting for him, and the only thing he was certain of was that the wine probably wasn’t smuggled away by Arthur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were Arthur, he’d have been restless and come to blackmail him long ago—but the more he thought about it, the more his head ached: no leads, no evidence, he didn’t even know who to blame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joining the mayor’s team seemed like his last resort; otherwise, he’d eventually be devoured by Arthur and his kind, leaving not even a trace!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the mayor’s “fill-in-the-blank” question was deeply troubling—he had to make others see his value before he could join the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do too well, and he couldn’t bear to give up his own resources; do too little, and these people wouldn’t be satisfied—his head hurt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Chobaf had no desire to chat with him, and Lans had no intention of saying much to him either—he went straight to the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geral saw him and waved his arms, running over to his side; the other young people also greeted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve formed a family!” he said with excited certainty, “I want to join!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t react, “Who told you that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone’s saying it—Enio and the others are all following you now,” Geral’s eyes shone with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ship, Lans had always helped him; otherwise, his tight little butt would’ve suffered badly, so he had always admired Lans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans glanced at the distant crowd where Burton was circling around several well-dressed Empire men, then smiled back, “You’ll have to convince your uncle first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geral wasn’t impressed, “He only cares how much money I give him each month, not what I’m doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans had never asked about this, “I thought you two got along well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered, “If you mean him eagerly waiting at month-end for me to give him more money—then yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s a miser. He always tells me I’m not brutally exploited like illegal immigrants because they gave me a document granting me legal status to work here—I must be grateful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And they took me in, saved me from sleeping under bridges—all of it was their sacrifice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I know my parents already paid him a sum.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans hesitated, “If you come here, how will you explain it to your parents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m an adult—I can decide my own future!” he said, staring at Lans, firm and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans patted his arm, “I’ll give you an address. Once you’ve settled things with them, come over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Geral immediately smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news of Lans forming a family spread quickly among the young people—perhaps someone accidentally let it slip—but it didn’t change the bigger picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he should establish a new “brand,” rather than continue expanding his influence as an individual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One person’s power is limited, but a collective holds infinite power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In some ways, this was actually a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans told the young people that if they encountered a tough problem they couldn’t solve, they could come to him—but he couldn’t guarantee he’d fix it, only that he’d try his best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they were all Empire people, in this foreign, hostile country, they should help each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Sunday morning, Patricia sat at her vanity, trying to make herself look more beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence stood outside the door, glanced twice, then went to the study. “Patricia’s going out again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Lawrence, reading the newspaper, didn’t look up. “Let her go. She’s a grown girl now—we can’t control her life forever. It’s her life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence added, “She’s putting on makeup—I think she’s going on a date.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still that… what’s-his-name?” Mr. Lawrence recalled, uncertainly, “Lan…S?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lans White. That’s the name, I think.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence grew more displeased. “You should respect this boy—and respect your daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Lawrence knew he was in the wrong; his words could make people think his daughter was a promiscuous woman who changed boyfriends constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He put down the newspaper and raised his hands. “I apologize. I said something stupid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like to invite him over for dinner—let us get to know him,” Mrs. Lawrence said. After all, this was her daughter’s first serious relationship in every sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had attended a girls’ school, where the nuns were as cold and mechanical as robots—they’d even beat disobedient girls’ buttocks with wooden boards, in front of others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Newspapers said most girls from such schools developed psychological issues; they were deeply worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Lawrence considered it. “You could suggest inviting Lans for dinner—it would ensure they’re home before dark.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an old father, he still feared his little lamb being stripped bare and devoured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence had lived with him her whole life; she knew his thoughts but didn’t call him out, only smiled in a way that made him feel awkward. “When you want to laugh, don’t look at me—and you should go talk to your daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few steps later, she stood outside her daughter’s door and knocked. “May I come in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia, still applying makeup, turned shyly. “Of course, Mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence walked behind her. “Going on a date with Lans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl didn’t deny it. “Dad wants to invite him over for dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia spun around, eyes wide. “That’s inappropriate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence asked, “Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you haven’t confirmed a relationship yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or is there another reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia didn’t know how to answer. She soothed her daughter’s emotions. “I think this is a good opportunity. You know your father and I care about you—we’re worried.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have to give us a chance to know him. Can’t we meet him before you tell us you’re getting married?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just dinner. I’ll make sure your father doesn’t say anything foolish, and I promise I won’t interfere in your relationship—I swear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia thought for a long while. “I can’t be sure he’ll come, but I’ll tell him about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Lawrence picked up her handkerchief and wiped off Patricia’s lipstick. “He’ll prefer you natural—that’s your greatest strength. Show it off, my proud girl!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patricia looked at her reflection—youthful, pure—and suddenly felt confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without makeup, she was still the most beautiful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1: Here, “family” refers to a neighborhood clan—the most basic organizational form.\u003C\u002Fp>",1483,"2026-06-19T21:10:27.799Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","bfeecc28895be8ec3b0c2f70722257b8edfa3c63566eb2878ac4dbb4965ea6bd","the-shadow-empire-chapter-88","the-shadow-empire-chapter-86",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]