[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-916":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},2268536,4428,"Chapter 916: The Eve","the-shadow-empire-chapter-916",916,"\u003Cp>On the weekend, Debbie (Supervisor of the Textile Workers Office, LicaLai State Branch, Labor Union) called Lans and wanted to talk with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans told her to come directly to his office—gangs aren't legitimate businesses with weekend holidays.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debbie arrived in the morning; most companies have urgent matters in the morning, and she feared Lans might have other commitments in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t her first time visiting Lans’s office—he met her at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t ask her to sit on a chair—that would make the conversation too stiff, too formal—he chose instead to sit on the sofa, making it less formal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl brought coffee and snacks; Debbie sipped the coffee, her brow relaxing as she praised it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coffee was indeed good—because it was expensive enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you like it, I’ll have them pack some for you to take home.” This wasn’t a question—it was a firm statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not particularly fond of coffee, but they say these are hand-selected beans, and everyone who’s tried it says it’s excellent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debbie didn’t refuse, simply saying, “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lans, the Labor Union has been pushing strikes, protests, and demonstrations lately—their real target is you.” She took a deep breath, holding it in her chest, and voiced the purpose of her visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans gave a slight nod. “I’ve heard something.” His gaze toward Debbie held a trace of inquiry and curiosity. “I remember you’re also with the Labor Union.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debbie didn’t deny it—it was fact, unchangeable. “I’ve lived in Jincheng for many years and contributed greatly to this city’s textile industry. I don’t want it turned into a political sacrifice for some people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We should be purer than this—no more politics spilling from every mouth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t believe her. The ambition and desire of these Labor Union members had already spiraled beyond control. He knew that if possible, Debbie would eagerly join them too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lans silent, Debbie could only smile bitterly. “Actually… they don’t understand Jincheng at all. They don’t understand you, Lans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve lived in Jincheng all these years—I’m as much a Jincheng person as anyone. I know exactly what kind of man you are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded slightly. “Do some of my factory workers also plan to join the strike?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debbie looked embarrassed. “I’ve warned them this has nothing to do with us—but you know some people’s minds aren’t fully on production.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was precisely why the Labor Union wanted to form a Workers’ Party—there were too few positions within the Union itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, each industry office in the LicaLai State Branch had only one supervisor and two or three staff members. Too many people wanted to rise to middle or upper management under this favorable climate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Labor Union couldn’t offer more managerial positions for them to become “above others,” so they pushed to form a party—where more positions could be created, and political power might be gained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Debbie’s description, some well-known workers in the LicaLai textile sector—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Labor Union published its own newspapers and magazines, each issue highlighting outstanding “Star Workers” from the region, detailing their exceptional skills and deeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some workers remained humble after being featured, but others, once highlighted, could no longer work quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debbie didn’t let her subordinates join any strike activities—she knew it meant direct confrontation with Jincheng’s interest groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look at the fates of those who opposed Lans over the past few years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either they were imprisoned and vanished from public view, or they disappeared mysteriously, never to be found again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one has stood against Lans and survived. If even the big shots couldn’t do it, how could she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to die!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her subordinates wanted to use this strike to gain attention again—and some were already eyeing her position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she concealed herself, the more reckless they became. Add to that the textile industry’s status as a union hotbed, and the fact that some capitalists were already negotiating supply issues with Lans—so they seized the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Debbie’s blunt, honest thoughts and her views on the Labor Union—even that the Union might deliberately provoke Lans—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans gave a direct, grateful response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, Mrs. Debbie. I understand your meaning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guarantee that no matter how this strike develops or ends, we will always remain friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We were, we are, and we will be!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Mrs. Debbie exhale in relief, Lans walked to the door and said, “Bring two pounds of the coffee beans we drink—pack them well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he returned to his desk, pulled out an elegant envelope, walked back to the sofa, and handed it to her. “A shopping discount coupon—you’ll find it useful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Debbie had assumed it was cash and was ready to refuse—but when she heard it was a coupon, she changed her mind and said, “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the coffee beans arrived, neatly packed in a bag. Lans placed everything inside and handed it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the conversation was over. Mrs. Debbie had stated her purpose, and he had sensed her sincerity—that was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll see you out,” Lans said, insisting on walking Mrs. Debbie to the door. She had driven herself—otherwise, he would have arranged a car to take her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After repeated farewells at the door, Mrs. Debbie left, returning to her car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking all that, she exhaled deeply, a look of satisfaction crossing her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those people had been scheming daily to take her supervisor position—now they had no future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on her understanding of Lans, none of them would fare well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier in the office, her heart had pounded—she knew full well what would happen to them. Their deaths, caused by her “betrayal,” had weighed on her conscience, gnawing at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now she felt better. Once you set aside personal morality, you could enjoy a good life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she returned to her standalone house and pulled out the bag of coffee beans, she remembered Lans had also given her a discount coupon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her job paid well—factories often needed skilled female workers, and with the Federation’s economy rising, new textile factories were multiplying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These factories needed skilled labor—they had to come to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And coming to her meant paying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want to accept cash from Lans—she was still afraid. She didn’t want excessive contact with him, nor did she want to seem distant. She needed to maintain a careful distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when she finally pulled out the coupon, she couldn’t help but gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Lawrence Supermarket coupon: $100 off $1,000—valid on all items!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Lans called Ryder (the tailor’s son-in-law, currently General Manager of Lans’s Garment Factory) to inquire about factory matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The call was answered quickly. With war breaking out, many nations affected had halted civilian production—only about thirty percent of enterprises in Slade still produced daily goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other businesses had shifted to manufacturing military supplies or goods beneficial to the war effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with instability across industries and soaring domestic prices, the Federation remained untouched by war, keeping prices stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it was cheaper to import directly from the Federation than to produce or buy expensive domestic goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s factory received many orders, with schedules booked three months ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The factory operated at full capacity daily. Though the weather was still chilly, workers wore short sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ryder heard Lans’s voice, a smile appeared on his face automatically—better company performance meant higher bonuses, and more importantly, it gave him a sense of achievement!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The factory had expanded several times over and now employed over a thousand workers. Ryder planned further expansion to meet growing order demands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief small talk, Lans turned to the workers: “I heard from Debbie that some of our workers plan to strike?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder paused. “I’ve heard some mention it, but few seem to respond. I’ll check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mood, once good, vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew exactly what a strike meant—he was a hands-on factory operator. Any production disruption would immediately affect orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Failure to deliver on time would trigger massive claims and lawsuits, and all future order schedules could collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant if production couldn’t resume quickly, he’d have to abandon two or three orders to prioritize later ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it was only the start of the year, the factory would definitely lose money this year!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder left his office and headed toward the factory floor. It was nearly noon, but not yet break time—yet he saw workers not at their stations, chatting outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recognized them—all were skilled workers transferred from the Labor Union in the first wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this industry, everyone knew these “master workers” were the core—they created samples and handled basic production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other workers then produced and assembled parts based on their output.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they didn’t work continuously, openly loitering outside was unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The workers saw Ryder but didn’t greet him—only stared from afar, lacking respect for their boss. This confirmed Lans’s warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached, one senior cutter stepped forward. “Manager…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder stood with hands on hips before them. “What are you talking about here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you finish today’s production quota?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skilled workers looked at each other, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the cutter smiled faintly. “Manager Ryder, we’d like to discuss something with you—maybe in your office?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder shook his head. “Right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker shrugged. “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We feel our pay doesn’t match our effort, Manager Ryder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder’s temper flared. “I just raised your wages after the New Year!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker smiled. “It’s April now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker wore an insolent grin. “So wages need another raise. Our pay is below industry average—this is unreasonable, Manager Ryder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cited a recent Labor Union report titled “Labor Occupational Levels and Industry Wages,” claiming workers at their level earned significantly more elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These workers currently earned about sixty to seventy dollars monthly—but now demanded around eighty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The industry average they cited wasn’t standard—could income and cost of living be the same in advanced and backward regions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could workers in the west earn the same as those in the south or the Federation’s industrial heartland?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the workers didn’t care—they believed equal labor deserved equal pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously impossible. That’s precisely when unions or the Labor Union step in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They negotiate with factories; factories raise wages slightly to appease workers, unions expand influence—and profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just got a raise, and now they’re demanding another one—they’re only using this as an excuse to cause trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder looked at them, deeply disappointed. “I thought we were friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself had once been in the same class as these people; he was a worker in garment manufacturing, until he met Lans and his status changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave these workers a raise every year—though not much—it was still among the highest incomes in Jincheng City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their current behavior left Ryder heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the workers responsible for pattern approval shook his head. “You’re a capitalist; we’re workers—we can never be friends!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worker speaking to him added in a slightly threatening tone, “If you won’t agree to this demand, we’ll have to use our own methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his lips and smiled. “Strike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder stepped back and raised his middle finger. “Fine! Go ahead and strike!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, this is damn Jincheng City!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took two steps back, turned, and returned to his office to tell Lans what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These people just want to provoke me. Their wage demands are unreasonable—I just gave them a raise of fifteen cents!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder felt betrayed, his voice thick with resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans, however, chuckled and calmed him. “Don’t get so angry. Write down their names—they’ll regret this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need to work on the other workers. We have some people inside the factory—talk to them, keep them from associating with these troublemakers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But don’t pressure them too hard. If they decide to follow these people to the end, let them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Count how many labor gaps we’ll have—I’ll arrange replacements for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ryder grunted. “I’ll find out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many Empire citizens in the factory. Although the Labor Union initially demanded high proportions of skilled workers and Lianbang workers, repeated expansions had brought the number of Empire immigrants up to match them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people had worked here for years; some of them were skilled enough to meet the standard of skilled workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing these skilled workers alone wasn’t something Ryder worried about—he could step in himself, and his father-in-law had even better tailors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real concern was the ordinary workers—they represented the true production capacity of the factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Monday, the Labor Union called Lans again, asking whether he had made up his mind to oppose them outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans gave them a clear reply: Wanli Labor Agency would temporarily not hire workers with union affiliations, and this violated no Lianbang law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No law required workers to join a union, nor did any law restrict employment to union members only.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their final communication ended in failure. The tone in their words made it clear they intended to confront Lans—and it left him both amused and exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mayor Williams also called, saying the Labor Union had contacted him, hoping he would mediate this farce at the labor agency—but he refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a matter of market and private enterprise, with no government involvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sealed the fate—the major strike would come soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following days, more reporters arrived in Jincheng City. They had gotten wind of the rumors—even Senator Cleveland called directly to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jincheng City’s location was unique, and a special event was about to erupt—he needed to understand what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard they’re planning a massive strike in Jincheng City?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senator asked bluntly. Lans answered just as directly. “Yes, it’s the same issue again. They think I’m destroying the foundation of the union and the Labor Union, so they demand I stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senator knew about this—he had even encouraged Lans to fight the Labor Union and the unions to the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s it going? Do you have confidence you can resolve this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard there are many reporters there. Your people might not be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans laughed heartily. “Senator, no need to worry. The strike will be over in at most two days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senator Cleveland’s tone grew relaxed. “Then I’ll wait for your good news!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2373,"2026-06-19T21:10:31.886Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","59c0cd601244c61d6c06388557f418fa0a406191d0f5e590cbe0b4067e786a62","the-shadow-empire-chapter-917","the-shadow-empire-chapter-915",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]