Chapter 902

Seven days passed quickly; Pedro left Zhuo Lan with some reluctance and stepped on the road back to his hometown.

But soon they will meet again, because Lan Si said he would invite them to the Federation.

Go and see what the life of ordinary people is like under the federal society.

Pedro is very excited; now he already has a pilgrimage mood to treat this matter.

The exchange during this period brought him and all the communicators too much shock!

At the same time, it also made them understand a truth.

A person has no power.

But a group of people, united together, possesses the power to change the whole world!

Unity!

After eating the last sumptuous dinner at night, Lan Si let them leave.

These people carry the expectations of Lan Si and the Federation for them; soon La Pa will be in chaos, and I hope they can play some role!

He had just returned to the hotel when the people left behind at the hotel took the initiative to greet him.

"There was a phone call from the Federation, saying it was someone from the Labor Union, and they wanted to talk to you."

Lan Si took the small card; there was a number on it; he didn't dial this phone immediately; it was already late, and he had other things to do.

Luo Jiefu had been waiting for him here for a while; when he saw Lan Si coming in from the elevator, he stood up immediately; beside him were two people from the Chamber of Commerce, and one who looked...

Lan Si's gaze lingered on this guy for a moment, a La Pa person, wearing ill-fitting formal wear, and the tie also had a crooked feeling.

He gave Lan Si the feeling of a monkey in formal wear, not even a chimpanzee.

At least a chimpanzee can give people a sense of oppression, while this guy only makes people feel ridiculous.

He raised his hand to signal, and Luo Jiefu took the initiative to walk over and introduce him, "This is Nicholas."

"Nicholas is a relatively famous painter in La Pa; he has published some comics and is very popular here."

Lan Si asked Luo Jiefu to start a newspaper office and planned to publish a newspaper.

This newspaper cannot use too many words, because La Pa's illiteracy rate is shockingly high.

The Federation completed the literacy of most of the population during the Forward Movement; before the Forward Movement broke out, three to four out of every ten federal people could not read or write.

The illiteracy rate in some states even exceeded sixty percent, meaning six out of ten people could not read or write.

But the Forward Movement solved this problem; large-scale literacy, plus letting more children enter school to receive basic education, over the years, the old illiterates have returned to God's embrace.

The remaining ones have mostly been able to read and write some words.

The federal government thinks they are no longer illiterate, but some private educational institutions still think they are illiterate, because they cannot read and write most words and sentences.

They can only read and write things related to their life, or things they learned in literacy classes; they can only be considered semi-illiterate.

This is also why the movie audience was relatively small earlier; although the federal government has been touting their low illiteracy rate, most people still cannot fully read the content on the subtitles.

However, this is already a world of difference compared to La Pa.

Most people in La Pa are illiterate; if there are too many words in the printed newspaper, then basically people cannot read, so Lan Si asked Luo Jiefu to find a local painter.

Comics are the most basic and popular art.

People who read comics don't need to have a high level of education; they just need a pair of eyes and be able to see the things in front of them.

The Federation actually also has suitable painters, and Lan Si also had people invite them, but for the "editor-in-chief," he still plans to use a local person.

Because only local people know better what kind of expression form can make everyone understand and accept.

Lan Si reached out to shake hands with him; Nicholas appeared very cautious and careful, even fawning.

He bent his waist, tilted his head, and his face was full of pleasing smiles, "I am very happy, and also very willing to work for you, Mr. White."

Just a simple handshake, and Lan Si pulled his hand back; he signaled for Nicholas to sit down, and then had people bring coffee.

La Pa also produces coffee beans, but the quality is not particularly good, and it also lacks enough technology and teams to build it.

So the local coffee resources haven't been developed much.

Ordinary people don't like to drink this; the native-processed one is bitter and astringent, but the coffee in the hotel is different; they are all imported coffee beans.

It has some bitterness when drinking, which is a taste that coffee is hard to eliminate, but the sour and astringent taste is basically gone, leaving only the mellow fragrance after bitterness.

"I haven't seen your comics, but I believe your comics are no different from those world-famous paintings hanging in art galleries."

"You are just a bit less famous than them!"

This sentence from Lan Si made Nicholas very excited; he really wanted to say something to express his surging emotions.

Being praised like this by a big shot is definitely the most glorious moment of his life!

However, he didn't know how to say it; after saying three "I"s in a row, he was stopped by Lan Si raising his hand.

If he were a person good at expressing himself through words, then he would very likely be a novelist, not a comic author.

"This job is not difficult; you just need to stimulate your talent to create without burden."

Lan Si picked up the coffee and took a sip, "Do you know what irony is?"

Nicholas nodded, "I know, I have used ironic narrative structures."

"Irony is a knife, specifically stabbing the most painful place!"

Lan Si was a bit surprised; he didn't expect a comic author from a poor and backward place to have such concise insight; this is a good thing.

"You are very right.", he paused for a few seconds, "Besides you, how is the situation of your family here?"

"Can your income support them?"

Nicholas's expression was not as happy as just now, although there were still smiles on his face.

"Mr. White, I have other jobs usually; comics cannot support my family; now we are living very frugally."

La Pa's publishing houses are either the ruling group's or the privileged class's; they find Nicholas to draw comics or illustrations, and only give very little money.

Giving two or three thousand Para for a work is already a lot, and after he finishes the work, they will drive him away.

As for the sales share and royalties, he doesn't get a single cent.

From Lan Si's perspective, people like Nicholas are people with a certain influence in society; if used well, his destructive power is greater than a company!

Thinking of this, Lan Si smiled and comforted him, "You should work with peace of mind; I can give you a salary of one hundred dollars a month, federal Sol."

"I can also help you apply for you and your family to immigrate to the Federation, completely getting rid of the terrible environment here, allowing you to put your heart down and focus more on work."

After Nicholas finished listening, he was so excited that he could hardly sit still; he wanted to stand up several times.

If he hadn't realized in time that "knocking one" could also express his gratitude, he could have knocked a few more for Lan Si now!

"I... I don't know how to thank you, Mr. White."

Lan Si patted his forearm, then looked at Luo Jiefu, "Help me greet the embassy, first send Nicholas's children back in the name of exchange students."

He then turned his head to look at him, "Let them adapt to the life of the Federation first, and at the same time receive better education; when the time is right, I will send your family over too."

"Someone will take you on the road later; actually, this job is very simple..."

Then Lan Si had people lead Nicholas away from here first, to adapt to his office; these are already built.

Printing equipment will also arrive in Zhuo Lan in the last few days; although these devices are not the latest brand-new devices, they are all second-hand, but they are still as easy to use.

La Pa doesn't need so many colorful things, so it doesn't need those more gorgeous printing machines.

After the editors are in place, they can start considering trial operation.

"You can find more people like this, with a certain social influence, positive image, and pull them into our camp."

"Give them money, help their families immigrate, and they need to cooperate with our work."

"The more backward the place, the stupider the people, they won't think for themselves; they will only believe those who are more famous or more authoritative."

Luo Jiefu nodded after listening, "I will arrange it."

Social activists, writers, painters, musicians, any "ist" is in Lan Si's target of bribery.

This is a whole strategy, and Lan Si is not sure if the first movement can settle the political situation of the whole La Pa; he thinks the possibility is not very high.

And it is not suitable for them to settle it themselves.

This is like the plumbers in the Federation; they will carry seven or eight kinds of tools, or more than ten kinds of tools, to help you just change a water pipe.

They will make the whole process look very complicated, and the purpose is to tell you that you can't handle this, but they can.

Finding them requires money; this is the plumber's purpose.

Of course, this example is not so accurate, but the essence is the same.

If it could be settled just through political movements or an ordinary reform, then they might not necessarily lean towards the Federation.

Only when they can't handle it themselves and fall into deeper despair can the appearance of the Federation make them rely on it completely without defense.

After solving this matter, Lan Si returned to the study and dialed the number left by the Labor Union.

During this period, Mr. Walter (rotating vice-chairman of the Labor Union) had a hard time; his legal team used some operational means to link him to an injury case in a swing state.

Rape is a felony, and an injury case is also a felony, but the rape case was attempted, while the injury case was completed, so according to federal law, the swing state sent a formal document to Li Ka Lai State, requesting the extradition of Mr. Walter to accept new interrogation and work.

But the local trial work has not been fully completed; if they don't convict and sentence here, they can't let the swing state extradite him for the time being.

The Labor Union is at a critical moment of party building; after several rounds of discussion internally, they decided to abandon Mr. Walter, while minimizing the influence as much as possible.

This phone call was made by another rotating vice-chairman.

"This is Luo Bote's office; I am Luo Bote."

Lan Si looked down at the card; besides a phone number, there was nothing on it, "Someone asked me to dial this phone number; I am Lan Si White."

"Mr. White?"

"Hello, I am Luo Bote, rotating vice-chairman of the Labor Union; it looks like you have received the information I left."

"I'm sorry to disturb you while you are working; I want to talk to you about some things regarding Walter."

Lan Si waited for two or three seconds, giving him a feeling that he was thinking, and only agreed after thinking, then answered him, "Please speak."

"We respect the choice of the working class of Li Ka Lai State themselves; we don't force them to choose one of two or other things; now it is yours."

"Let's handle Walter's matter low-key."

Now the Labor Union has few options left; if they continue to confront Lan Si, then if Lan Si expands the scandal of Walter's attempted rape.

Even if someone knows this is a frame-up, there will always be people who believe it.

The scandal of the chairman of the Workers' Party Representative Committee, originally scheduled at the beginning of the Workers' Party building, is also a heavy blow to the party building itself.

So they plan to abandon some positions in Li Ka Lai State, for example, allowing workers to leave the Labor Union and unions, and not forcing the proportion of union members among workers used by factories.

To exchange for Lan Si's low-key handling of Mr. Walter's matter.

They know it is unlikely that Lan Si will let him be "acquitted," so now the best result is low-key handling, and not continuing to expand.

To do this, one must definitely have Lan Si nod.

If Lan Si doesn't nod, Mr. Walter will be detained in Li Ka Lai State, and it is even possible to refuse the extradition request from the swing state.

In the process of weighing pros and cons, Mr. Walter was abandoned.

There is no way; after all, whether he is innocent or not is no longer important at this time.

What is important is that even if the Labor Union suspends the establishment of the Workers' Party, it is very difficult to exert effort in dealing with Lan Si.

They do have great ways to deal with capitalists and those politicians, but in dealing with people like Lan Si, they have no way at all, so they can only choose to compromise.

Lan Si considered for a while and put forward several conditions, "Remove his position in the Labor Union, issue an announcement requiring severe punishment for his behavior, actively compensate the victim, and apologize to the victim."

"Donate no less than twenty thousand to the Women and Minor Rights Protection Organization."

"If you can do these, I can let them hand Walter over to you."

This newly met rotating vice-chairman Luo Bote almost didn't consider it and agreed, "Scum like Walter staying in our team will only make us ashamed, make the great working class ashamed!"

"We have already decided after discussion to remove all his positions and pursue his legal responsibility."

When hearing this, Lan Si already realized that the Labor Union at this moment wants Walter to shut up completely more than he does.

After considering for a while, he agreed.

Keeping this person is of no use; instead, it is better to hand him over.

Splashing dirty water on the Labor Union is a use, but if the Labor Union is really annoyed, they will use a nationwide general strike to force Lan Si to compromise.

Lan Si can solve local strikes, but he cannot solve nationwide strikes; in the end, Congress will still intervene in this matter, forcing him to make concessions.

Since it is definitely going to make concessions in the end, and it makes everyone's face look bad—he did what he should do, but Senator Cleveland definitely couldn't withstand the pressure of a nationwide general strike and would definitely force him to compromise.

This is equal to letting him "work" on one side, and hitting him on the other side; the relationship between the two will definitely have some cracks because of this matter.

Even if Lan Si has no thoughts about Senator Cleveland, what about Senator Cleveland himself?

Will he have wild thoughts?

I let you go to deal with Walter, and as a result, I took the initiative to let you compromise; will it make you feel that I am fickle and not worth trusting?

Rather than developing to this step and leading to some trust crisis between the two, it is better to compromise now.

Then he also relayed this matter to Senator Cleveland, explaining the reason very frankly.

The Senator expressed support for Lan Si's judgment and choice.

"Your idea is correct; if they really start to push for a nationwide general strike, we will become passive."

"You made a correct choice!"

He paused, "How are you doing over there in La Pa?"

Lan Si talked about his work during this period, and Senator Cleveland keenly captured the key information in what he said.

"You mean, there will be some changes over there soon.", Senator Cleveland took a deep breath, "You are even more... I don't know how to describe it, Lan Si, than I imagined."

"This will be a heavy blow to the ruling group of La Pa, and it will also shake the foundation of their rule, but you must pay attention to your own safety; you are very important now."

"After you finish your work and come back, I will let the president award you a medal, a Gold Star Medal, to praise everything you have done..."

With Lan Si's phone call, Walter's case was pushed very quickly.

The Labor Union actively compensated the victim and won the victim's forgiveness.

The court has completed the conviction and sentencing; he was sentenced to three years in prison.

But because he didn't want to go to jail, and the Labor Union over there was still operating, Li Ka Lai State signed an extradition document, sending Mr. Walter to the swing state where the Labor Union has the greatest influence.

(End of chapter)