[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-959":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},2268579,4428,"Chapter 959: First Impressions 6663","the-shadow-empire-chapter-959",959,"\u003Cp>Lapar is a relatively small country with a population of twelve million, its economy anchored in agriculture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this statement, one might form a certain impression—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among twelve million people, there must be many farmers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in reality, farmers make up less than ten percent of the total population.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the largest and best farms here are controlled by the ruling elite; those who work the land for them are not true farmers—they are workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The land left for ordinary people is either poor-quality or privately reclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lapar has many mountains and rainforests, making land reclamation difficult; owning even a small plot of land is already a rarity here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Land represents the bare minimum needed for survival, with enough surplus to sell to the state or grain merchants for extra income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, “farmer” in Lapar does not mean the lower class; as property owners, they rise above most people and are considered respectable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The propertyless and destitute lower classes form Lapar’s core population, surviving primarily by selling their labor, mostly as short-term workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Lapar’s official statistics from a few years ago, the average monthly income was about five hundred Pala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Notably, this average refers only to those with jobs, excluding the unemployed—a common statistical practice in many nations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the elderly, children, and women often have no income in many countries; including them in the average would be unreasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lapar uses its own currency, the Pala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pala is a minor currency with no settlement capacity on international markets, so it has little global circulation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official exchange rate set by Lapar’s government is ten Pala to one Federal Sol, a rate unchanged for decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the black market, one Federal Sol can be exchanged for roughly seventy Pala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This difference is part of the livelihood for currency smugglers, who gather at foreign tourist entry points offering exchange rates more favorable than the official one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tourists can get sixty to sixty-five Pala per Federal Sol from them, but when leaving, to convert their remaining Pala back to Sol, they may have to pay seventy-two to seventy-five Pala.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They profit from this spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What about the official rate or exchanging at the Lapar National Bank?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, they never have enough Federal Sol—you can’t get one Sol for ten Pala here, but you can exchange one Sol for ten Pala, endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have as much as you want, they’ll exchange it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lans stepped off the ship, many locals with bags quickly approached, but his men blocked them before they could get close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had prepared for the worst, but the reality was far better than expected—no one defecated openly, no excrement littered the ground, and the air wasn’t foul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The currency traders, seeing no business here, quickly surged toward other tourists, waving stacks of Pala and shouting their rates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, deals were struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many visitors to Lapar research beforehand; the market accepts Federal Sol directly, but gives change at the official rate—a clear scam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this scam is protected by local police; if you complain, they call the cops, and the tourists end up suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So those who did their homework make currency exchange their first priority upon arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roger stood beside Lans, watching the crowd around him with a sigh. “I always thought I was poor, but standing here, I realize there are always worse conditions—and people living in them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s like returning to the Empire—even worse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire was poor too, with resources hoarded by nobles, but not this badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many filthy children stood timidly at the edge of the dock, watched by men in what looked like police uniforms, holding sticks and glaring fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Further away were street vendors selling local specialties; the entire port looked nothing like the nation’s premier harbor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More tourists disembarked as the Alliance of Asia and the Federation signed numerous pacts, fully opening the Alliance market; many who found no opportunities in the Federation now came to Aylan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Federation is full of success stories—books that constantly urge people to take the first bold step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some, swept up in passion, arrive in this unfamiliar land, dreaming of becoming the next architect of the Federation Dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most simply vanish silently into the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is Lapar’s largest port, its capital city; Lans waited on the dock for over ten minutes before a luxurious convoy arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dock police immediately scurried over, bowed to the driver, confirmed something, then began driving away the beggars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They beat them with sticks; even the filthy children dared not resist, vanishing in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Gomes ran over from his car, spotting Lans and his entourage from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, smiled, stopped a short distance away, then stepped forward with arms outstretched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Lans!” Lans extended a hand, which Gomes gripped tightly, radiating fervent warmth. “Welcome to Lapar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans gave a slight nod and introduced him. “This is Mr. Roger, current chairman of the Imperial Merchant Guild.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve come to see if there are any investment opportunities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gomes paused, then shook Roger’s hand. “Chairman Roger, I’m Gomes, chairman of the Lapar Merchant Guild. I warmly welcome your investment here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around. “I’ve arranged a hotel. Let’s get in the car, rest up, and discuss details tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had brought out his most luxurious convoy, but Lans didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gomes puzzled, a line of vehicles slowly emerged from the cargo hatch of the passenger ship behind Lans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the odd-looking cars, uncertain—square, no sleek curves, no aesthetic grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Gomes, living in backward Lapar, understood “elegant lines.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these vehicles gave him a sense of raw power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick tires, high ground clearance—he doubted anyone could sit comfortably in them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the convoy reached Lans, he didn’t invite Gomes in; he got in himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roger smiled at Gomes, then climbed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the hundred-plus people who came with Lans boarded the vehicles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, these cars had advantages—at least they could hold a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gomes, still puzzled, returned to his own car, and under police escort, headed to the city’s largest hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t like Gomes?” Roger asked softly beside Lans, sensing his coldness toward the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t deny it. “A slightly stupid ambitious man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roger immediately smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alone, stupidity or ambition might not be off-putting—but together, they’re unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Roger asked, “So will we still work with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans considered a moment. “Why not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like him, but cooperating with him is still possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He wants us to build a force capable of challenging the Diego family more than we do—only then can he keep what he has.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Status, wealth, privileges—all of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roger understood, and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then both turned their attention to the city’s streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lapar’s capital and most prosperous area, its roads looked decent enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were foreign tourists—some in groups of three or five, others a single adult male accompanied by a young local woman; this pairing was common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guiding—or escorting—services were widespread and ordinary across all of Aylan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They offered tourists guidance and also satisfied their physical needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some young women successfully left with foreign tourists for developed nations like the Federation, living the envied “Federation-style modern life,” so more women kept joining the trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the port, Lans had noticed many girls, barely eighteen to twenty-two, dressed boldly, holding signs reading “Guide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For just one hundred fifty Pala—about two Federal Sol—you could hire them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it was far more cost-effective than directly helping needy girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They provided guiding services, emotional support, and could release the passion of arriving in a new environment at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lans’s convoy pulled away from the dock, he saw some female guides had already secured their first “order.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t find them shameful or pitiful—every place has its own rules of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t they want a better life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just have no other way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1318,"2026-06-19T21:10:31.886Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","39f737d00692124cdc993d3046e0586b967d23e4a150bcdc995b78119da825f3","the-shadow-empire-chapter-960","the-shadow-empire-chapter-958",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]