Chapter 939

Returning to Jincheng again was more than a day later. When coming out of the train station, the platform had been completely cleared.

A passenger, whose foot was stepping out, was scared back upon seeing those people on the platform standing in rows wearing dark trench coats, red armbands, and fedoras.

No one dared to exit through the train doors; the atmosphere outside seemed completely frozen, until—

Lanse walked out of the door. He looked at the old brothers who came to greet him and walked over with a smile to hug them one by one.

It had been about four or five months since he left, but the time apart was very long; this was also the longest time they had been separated.

As they escorted Lanse away together, the air on the platform, which had been frozen like a wall, finally began to loosen and flow again.

People also began to discuss—discussing those people who could serve as their talking points for some time to come, as well as that man!

Just like that, unknowingly, the legends about Lanse began to spread to even further places.

Back in his long-lost office, Lanse patted the fleshy armrests. He sat in that dirty, fully-enveloped chair and let out a long breath, "Home is still the best!"

Others immediately began to talk all at once, speaking of some things that happened after Lanse was not here.

In fact, there was nothing much; as the base camp of the Lanse family, Jincheng had become infinitely stable.

Although there might be some new small gangs born in the city, in a sense, these small gangs were all "benign."

They don't rob, they don't engage in any heinous crimes; at most, it's theft, or stopping some voluntary girls from standing on the street.

Only these few criminal businesses could maintain their income; apart from that, there were no other ways.

Now, in the entire Liklai State, and even among the gang groups in the south, it is said that Liklai State, and Jincheng, are the regions least suitable for gangs to exist.

Because the Lanse family is here, and the Lanse family has set the rules of the game.

Of course, in other cities, they did not demand that gangs not commit heinous crimes, but naturally, those gangs would also try their best to let their own people engage in fewer heinous criminal activities, to avoid one day having bad luck and being chosen by Lanse as a "bargaining chip" to warn other gangs in the area.

So the gangs in the entire Liklai State are so civilized that they don't look much like gangs; there are no terrifying fights, that's just the status quo.

In fact, this also reflects from the side the feasibility and effect of the current Federal high-level social control plan.

Their purpose in indulging the expansion of gangs was "using gangs to control gangs," and now they have already achieved it.

The people at home have almost all gained quite a bit of weight, including Mo Lisi, who has also gained quite a bit.

His body looks much better than before, and there are many more smiles on his face.

Their attention was focused on the things Lanse did with Lapa. When they heard that Lanse only used a small trick to push a country from stability toward turmoil, their eyes looking at Lanse were filled with a luster of worship.

A very naked worship; this kind of emotion is like looking at a "god"!

Someone couldn't help but ask, "Do we have a chance to go to Lapa?"

Lanse actually thought about it seriously for a while, "Yes."

"Actually, coming back this time, I have one more thing I want to chat with you all about."

Lanse looked at these old brothers who had broken through with him, with a slight smile, his gaze lingering on each person.

Whenever his gaze stopped, one could clearly perceive that the person he was looking at straightened their spine.

"Alright, if you keep looking at them, they're all going to pull themselves up.", Meiluo joked with a smile, "Do you need us to cooperate?"

Lanse nodded slightly, "Some things in Lapa this time will have a huge effect on our future. Simply put, we will have a very close cooperation with the Federal government."

"We help them subvert Lapa, and from this, we will obtain a large amount of benefits, as well as relationships with the Federal government high-ups."

Lanse had never talked to them about the future; he would just take this opportunity to have a good chat with them.

He took out a cigarette, and Meiluo, who was leaning on the edge of the desk, took out a lighter to help him light it.

Now more and more people are starting to use lighters; after all, whether for carrying or other uses, lighters are slightly more convenient than matches.

Lanse patted his hand, signaling that he could put his lighter away. After taking a deep breath and exhaling, he said, "From the situation I understand now, the negotiations between the Federation and the Silade people have already achieved a decisive victory."

"Although they haven't announced it to the outside world yet, I know that this negotiation will determine what role the Federation will play in this war that affects the world landscape."

"What does this mean?", he looked at the others.

The others looked at each other; they had not received higher education and could not analyze these things.

The only college student, Xiao En, was not here.

Meiluo looked at those young people and said with a smile, "We can't guess it; just tell us directly."

Lanse looked at him with a smile, "It represents that the power in the hands of the Federal government, as well as their authority and influence, will receive an unprecedented boost."

"The victory of the war will bring a large amount of war dividends; these dividends will not only be obtained by the ruling class but will also be fully released into every layer and every corner of society."

"A very simple example...", he waved his hand, "The war destroyed many cities in Silade, including Dantela, and destroyed their industries and manufacturing. They need to rebuild and also need to solve the livelihood problems of the people."

"Grain, clothing, daily necessities—they need these things, but these things didn't just appear out of nowhere."

"These things are produced by factories. If they can't produce them themselves, they can only hand it over to the Federation to produce."

"It is foreseeable that the Federation's production capacity will continue to increase due to the continuation and victory of the war, and the economy will continue to rise, possibly maintaining this for ten years."

"People's income will also undergo huge changes. I heard that they think people's wages might exceed fifty dollars a month; I think they are too conservative."

"Perhaps by the second half of next year, or the first half of the year after, people's wages will exceed sixty dollars."

"The more favorable the war's development trend is to us, the greater the benefits the Federal government and this Federal society will extract from the war, and the more everyone will get."

"The government's ruling power will skyrocket to an unprecedented level. By that time, do you think they will still need a large number of gangs to help them maintain the stability of the bottom of society?"

After Lanse said this, everyone in the room fell into an indescribable, absurd contemplation. Meiluo also frowned tightly, "But there are many gangs in the Federation now; they might not necessarily be able to handle us."

Lanse turned his head to look at Meiluo; he was the oldest among them and had experienced many things, having lived a few more years after all.

In some cognitive aspects, he was clearly stronger than the others.

Regarding his point of view, Lanse did not immediately deny it but began to explore, "Do you think gangs leave the Federal government with no options?"

Meiluo nodded, "Because the number of gangs is large, and we possess some weapons and control the bottom of society."

"It is no exaggeration to say that now, without Mayor Williams, Jincheng could still operate normally."

"But without us, this city would immediately fall into chaos!"

Others also nodded one after another; they all had the same understanding.

The mayor manages higher-end things, while the bottom of society and daily order are firmly held in the hands of gangs.

Lanse shook his head, "You have misunderstood one thing."

"The chaos of society is because of the existence of gangs; gangs have to fight, grab territory, and kill each other for benefits."

"That is why this society becomes chaotic. But if the Federal government makes up its mind to clean up all the gangs in the country—for example, the police station now controlled by Director Bulu and his people is replaced by people from above."

"The police will no longer be under our control; instead, they will come to surround and intercept us."

"For example, Prosecutor General Xie Te—what if he doesn't side with us now?"

"Police, prosecutors, courts and judges, and the military."

"Especially the military—soldiers who have just come down from the battlefield; do you think they are not a match for gangs?"

"As long as the Federal government is determined to do this, and the public will support it one hundred percent, then for gangs, it will be a disaster!" This is not Lanse telling stories to scare them; this is the inevitability of historical development!

Everything brought by the war will make the Federal government and Congress more highly centralized, and the people will blindly trust them; plus, gangs are indeed not good things in the vast majority of regions.

Then, in order to take back the management rights of the bottom layer and not be constrained by gangs, Congress will very likely pass proposals similar to the "Anti-Organized Crime Act" and then start taking action against gangs.

When that day comes, it will be a nightmare for all gangs; even the five major Federal families cannot withstand the huge pressure of the Federation's top-down "de-gangsterization."

Such a pessimistic description of the future made the young gentlemen in the room look worried. Mo Lisi coughed twice, "You must have a way, right?"

Lanse nodded and said, "Yes, I have a way; that is why I intend to come and chat with you all."

"Actually, we are easier to transform than ordinary gangs because we never harm ordinary people."

"And we have a very good public foundation; they don't oppose us, so it will also be difficult for the Federal government to send us to court."

At this time, someone suddenly interjected, "Boss, aren't you very familiar with that Senator?"

Lanse did not deny this, "I am indeed very familiar with the Senator and the Congressional side, but this does not conflict, does it?"

"It's like you have a friend you have a good relationship with who is now encountering some trouble and is in urgent need of money."

"You let him come to the company to borrow a sum of money; this does not mean we won't charge him interest."

"And this is a major trend; in the face of politics, friendship is the least valuable thing—it shatters at a touch."

"And we also possess a certain representativeness; things that are representative often have more value for destruction."

The person who spoke asked, "Then what should we do next?"

"Transformation!"

"Transform into a combination of capital and politics. The Lapa issue this time is an opportunity."

"We can play a more important role in this, and it can also let you all have some fun."

"In the process of subverting the Lapa regime, I also need some manpower. Of course, this might be a bit dangerous; after all, the things we do are quite unsettling."

"If any of you are interested, you can sign up and go over with me when the time comes."

"Of course, not signing up doesn't mean you are backing down, because Jincheng also needs some people to stay behind; this is our base."

Washing one's hands of the past is really not an easy thing. The mine Lanse is going to deal with this time is, in its original intention, a kind of "pledge"—a way to prove to the ruling class that "I am one of our own."

Not just in politics, but also those capital parties—completing the transformation before the Federal government decides to solve the gang problem will allow one to survive.

If it can't be done, then it will be very troublesome.

Lanse only stayed in Jincheng for one day and then went to the Lawrence Farm.

Little Aisi was a bit unfamiliar when he saw him, but after being teased by Hu Zi twice, he became much closer to him instead.

After teasing the child for a while, Lanse went to be intimate with Patricia; they hadn't fulfilled their obligations to each other for a long time, until the evening!

This time Lanse definitely performed extraordinarily. The first battle process could only be said to be mediocre, but soon he gathered his spirits again and started the second battle.

The second battle is always more enduring than the first; by the end, both sides could only end in a draw.

Lying in Lanse's arms, Patricia calmed down completely, "When will you be back next time?"

She knew that Lanse's return was only temporary and he would soon leave again. Although she was a bit reluctant, she also knew that what Lanse was doing was very important to them and to the Lawrence family.

Lanse sighed lightly, "I might come back during the summer vacation, and then for the Saint Agriculture Festival."

"That's still a long way off!", Patricia felt a bit aggrieved; Lanse could only hold her tightly.

Lapa is too dangerous, otherwise he would take Patricia with him.

His lingering in Liklai State did not last long; he only stayed at the Lawrence Farm for two days before returning to New Jincheng. The first round of consultations was initially completed.

The content of the negotiations between the Silade people and the Federal government had been completely determined. After a short rest, they would enter the intense negotiation phase.

Once at the negotiating table, that relaxed atmosphere would disappear, because the results of their negotiations would determine the development trend of the Federation and Silade for the next ten, or even twenty or thirty years.

This is a grueling negotiation; the content involved is relatively extensive, not just political, but also commercial and cultural, relating to all aspects of society, including tariffs, permits, and the like.

In this leisure time, Senator Cleveland took Lanse to participate in a small circle social event.

There were only about twenty people at the scene, all male, no females.

During this period, it's not that the Federation didn't have female officials or female CEOs.

But at this height, there really weren't any!

Here, besides those Senators and high-ranking Federal officials, there were also some people from the capital side.

Senator Cleveland specifically introduced the CEO of the "Dao Er Group" and two board members to Lanse.

"The Dao Er Group has very skilled means and capabilities in financial operations. They will connect with you and follow up on the matter you mentioned to me last time."

Lanse had heard of the Dao Er Group—one of the largest asset management companies in the Federation; no one knows how many company shares they actually hold.

Previously, he had read some books on finance, which mentioned some things about the Dao Er Group; there were many "Detelan Tragedies" that had a certain relationship with the Dao Er Group.

Some people say they are the biggest executioners of "Detelan Street." Although they didn't personally execute anyone with guns or other weapons, at least tens of thousands of investors chose to end their lives over fifty years because of some of their financial operations.

The Federal Financial Management Committee had investigated them many times; most of the time, the investigation results were that they were consistent with the natural operation results of the capital commercial market. Occasionally, there would be some operations that might not be so appropriate, and there would also be people who would proactively stand up to take the blame.

Since Senator Cleveland and the others decided to invest, they wouldn't let the plate be that small.

Small-scale tinkering would be too unworthy of their status, so they contacted people from the Dao Er Group directly.

As for how much to share with them, Lanse didn't know, nor did he intend to ask.

After they exchanged business cards, they parted ways temporarily.

"Leave all the operational matters this time to them to do."

"Edward (CEO of Dao Er Group) and I are old friends; he is a reliable person. You can have more contact with him if you are interested in finance."

Lanse nodded in agreement, then he took Lanse to meet others.

A very formal introduction—this represents that Lanse is truly integrating into this circle.

Senator Cleveland's formality also made everyone else treat Lanse very formally.

Whether true or false, the eyes with which they looked at Lanse were filled with satisfied expressions.

This was a small-scale social event, and the content of the social event also revolved around Lapa. As Lanse, who is responsible for important figures in Lapa during this time, he would obviously be the core figure of this social event.

This is also what Senator Cleveland specifically did; only by choosing this social theme could Lanse be valued by people.

After he got to know everyone, the topic of conversation naturally turned to Yalan, the Ya Alliance, and Lapa, which is currently making the most noise.

Someone asked, "Lanse, you have been pushing the development of these things; what do you think is the best situation in our ideal?"

(End of chapter)