[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-961":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},2268581,4428,"Chapter 961: Diego","the-shadow-empire-chapter-961",961,"\u003Cp>Diego had heard things about Lans White, so when his foreign minister brother-in-law mentioned this, images formed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he looked at his brother-in-law with some uncertainty, “How much investment do you think a gangster can bring us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few thousand? A few ten thousand? Or a few hundred thousand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t hold much value for such things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his brother-in-law clearly saw it differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Diego, times have changed. If we don’t keep up, we won’t just stay where we are like before—we’ll be completely discarded by the times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lapar is not a wealthy nation; everyone knows this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that doesn’t mean there are no rich lands on Alaan—like the strongest power today, the Jede Republic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stable regime, a reliable military, and rising capitalism within its borders have made the Jede Republic the richest and most powerful nation on Alaan—without exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Jede Republic that initiated this meeting of the Alaan National Union.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are the true core group that opposes the Federation’s military presence and expanding influence on Alaan, because they’re riding the fast track of development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rapid growth brings massive increases in national strength; without external interference, perhaps in ten or twenty years,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Jede Republic could begin swallowing neighboring nations and eventually unify the entire Alaan region into a single nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why they oppose the Federation’s military presence so strongly—and why they pushed so swiftly for the Alaan Union meeting and its approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone sees the Jede Republic’s development, but not just anyone can learn how to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking the ruling elite to take money they’d normally stuff into their own pockets and put it into others’ pockets? They’re unlikely to ever do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they can’t do it, that doesn’t stop them from continuing to rule their nations the way they always have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some surrounding nations are developing; others are standing still. In the short term—at least over the next decade—no visible change will occur. Lapar remains Lapar; the Jede Republic remains the Jede Republic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now that the Federation has entered as a variable, things are different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foreign minister deals with this kind of work daily, so he understands clearly: elimination doesn’t mean becoming poorer or more backward—it means being “erased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ruling elite. And the nation itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Federation’s ambitions are almost written on their faces; their sudden involvement in a war that has nothing to do with them proves they’re growing impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the foreign minister doesn’t actually know that joining the war isn’t just about impatience—it’s because domestic contradictions have piled up and must be resolved by exporting war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like rising unemployment and the ever-growing number of high school graduates needing jobs every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The social economy is declining; factories and businesses keep going bankrupt; more people lose opportunities to work, while the cost of living stays the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Class contradictions grow larger and more numerous as class disparities widen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Federation’s politicians find it easier to export these problems than to solve them internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>War brings orders, stimulates economic recovery, and simultaneously consumes some population, keeping the Federation’s rapidly swelling numbers at a relatively stable average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this refers only to what the Federation government can guarantee if it’s uncertain whether it will win the war—a minimum return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the outcome was unexpectedly excellent; they surpassed their goals by far, so their strategy began to shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are like that: win a dollar, and you want two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their international posture is changing, and the pressure they exert on Alaan will keep growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, to counter the Federation, the foreign minister believes the Alaan Union will likely evolve into the ultimate form of a single nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Led by the Jede Republic’s ruling elite, this political bloc will control political transitions in the other ten member states, becoming a de facto “overlord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s discussed this with Diego, but Diego doesn’t care—he thinks this day may never come in his lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it comes after his death? He doesn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego never liked his brother-in-law’s “complaints.” “You always talk about times, trends—what can they change for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. This country is how it is. No one can change it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And is this why you support us establishing ties with the Federation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brother-in-law had played some role in establishing ties with the Federation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassia was originally only the deputy minister of commerce; the minister was controlled by another family and rarely did anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Domestic private commercial development was mostly managed by Cassia, yet no one thought his job mattered—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>because the truly profitable monopolies were all in the hands of the ruling elite, so Cassia’s work mostly involved dealing with small and micro enterprises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lapar's commercial system, they were absolute bottom-tier; even without Cassia, they could easily handle this underlying ecosystem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after Cassia visited the Federation twice and proposed establishing ties with them, he gained the foreign minister’s support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, they had previously invited the Federation’s businessman Alberto to visit, which allowed the foreign minister to witness Cassia’s diplomatic ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relatively speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this opportunity arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His brother-in-law fell silent for a moment, then smiled in agreement. “You’re right. You see things more clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve overcomplicated things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This flattery made Diego smile. “Hah! I don’t know if you mean it, but I like what you say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his cheek. “Call Gomes. Tell him I want to meet this gang boss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he wants to do business on my turf, it’s like reaching into my pocket to pull money into his own. I need to know what the thief who steals my wealth looks like, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The foreign minister looked at Diego with concern. “I heard he’s close to Federation high-ups. Don’t do anything reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego grunted twice. “I won’t be reckless. I understand the limits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon Gomes received the message. He’d barely sat down when he went to see Lans again. “Diego wants to meet you at dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans was reviewing documents he’d prepared before arriving, plus some classified files sent by Senator Cleveland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed the files and looked at Gomes with mild surprise. “Why does he want to see me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gomes knew Diego well. “Someone must’ve said something to spark his interest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans raised an eyebrow. “Then let’s meet him. After all, he’s the ‘boss’ in this game of ours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gomes was worried. He looked at Lans. “Don’t provoke him lightly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded. “I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the invitation of Diego, at five-thirty in the evening, Lans and his group—including Roger and other business delegation members—were invited to the Presidential Palace of Zolan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Presidential Palace stood on a slope northwest of Zolan, glittering like a king’s palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, presidential palaces aren’t built like this—no president stays in office forever, so no matter how well it’s built, they won’t live there permanently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Alaan is an exception; many presidents and prime ministers here inherit their positions, so they build their residences and workplaces like royal palaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the car convoy slowly wound up the winding road, it finally stopped outside the Presidential Palace. Lans stepped out; Diego’s people were already waiting at the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this place is poor and backward, they still observe proper etiquette—this at least shows they’re a civilized nation, despite their poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing the Lapar Grand Hotel, Lans had developed some immunity to the Presidential Palace’s opulence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, under the guidance of palace attendants who looked like royal servants, he followed the crowd into a vast reception hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have been seven or eight hundred square meters or more—spacious, with exquisite murals on all walls, and an overall lavish, gold-glittering decor that reeked of nouveau riche taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a huge room, only a few grouped sofas and a coffee table sat in the very center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego was already seated there, short and stout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once someone is short and stout, and given that people here generally have slightly darker skin, they simply won’t look good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, his obesity brings serious health risks: patches of acanthosis nigricans on his skin, likely diabetes, and it’s probably not mild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lans entered the room, he saw Diego gulping down water in large swallows—but people here probably didn’t understand his condition or what he was facing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Diego saw Lans, he didn’t rise, only studied him with curiosity. “You’re Lans White.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans bowed slightly. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. President.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego raised his thick, stubby hand, gesturing for Lans to sit. “I heard you came to Lapar to invest. I’m curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was born in this country and have lived here over forty years—I’ve never known what here could possibly be worth investing in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you’d be better off interested in Jede. Their economy is more developed, with more opportunities to make money. Here? Everything’s backward, the people are poor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, can you satisfy my curiosity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this fat man’s expression of genuine curiosity, Lans didn’t disappoint him. “In my view, Lapar, Aldra, Jede—these Alaan nations aren’t very different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A developed economy offers more chances to earn money, but also fiercer competition; those lacking competitiveness will lose money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lapar’s economy isn’t developed, but competition here is minimal. We don’t need to expend much to gain steady returns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And, Mr. President, you know better than I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People are the only thing that can continuously generate profit—not anything else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might have sounded vague, but Diego understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood not because he grasped the implied meaning, but because he took the words at face value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are resources. With people, you make money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like his own way of making money: resources grow from the ground, they don’t run away—but extraction requires people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as there are people, even if they just cut trees, they bring profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So people are the core resource.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how he understood it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego was satisfied with Lans’s answer and asked, “So what do you plan to invest in here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans pursed his lips and spread his hands. “I’ve just arrived. I haven’t systematically observed this society yet. I can’t give you a definite answer—I need to see what’s here first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego nodded. “A prudent approach. No problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Gomes among the crowd. “Are you close to Gomes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question made Gomes break into cold sweat. He kept his face expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he silently begged Lans not to say “we’re close” or “we’re friends”—he already possessed some sensitive information; if he was too close to the Federation, Diego might seriously consider silencing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans also glanced at Diego, then smiled and said, “I’ve met him a few times.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first time was when Alberto introduced us. Later, he visited the Federation several times, and I happened to be living near Jincheng City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego wore an expression of “I see,” and curiously asked, “Why didn’t Mr. Alberto come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He and I are old friends!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alberto and Diego did have some connection; Alberto had given Diego some items—nothing particularly valuable in the Federation, but rare in Lapa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego had few friends; this one, whom he rarely saw and who had no ties to Lapa or its ruling elite, had become one of his few friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego paused, stunned. “That’s a regrettable piece of news. I thought I might still have a chance to chat with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news cast a slight heaviness over the room. During the silence, Diego picked up the iced fruit juice and drank a large glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, I have a decent impression of Federation people—wealthy, generous. But lately, some of your actions haven’t been pleasant to see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say you want to invade Yalan and annex the eleven nations, including Lapa, is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question made the room’s atmosphere not just heavy, but tense and grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans wasn’t particularly tense. To others, rumors about President Diego might inspire fear or unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lans wasn’t afraid. He’d faced worse dangers. He believed that even if Diego were a fool, he was a fool who could control a nation—he wouldn’t be foolish enough to actually do something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a lie, Mr. President.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Federation government merely wishes to avoid another surprise attack by the Dantela people, and also wants to help our neighbors develop their economies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diego tilted his head. “Then why don’t you just give us money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you give us money, we’ll become rich.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell utterly silent. Lans slightly furrowed his brow. The question was stupid—but somehow, not entirely so. He wondered if people’s assessment of President Diego might be inaccurate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I give you a fish, you eat it, and your stomach is full—once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if I teach you how to use a fishing net, you can catch fish for yourself, and stay full forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So during negotiations with the Yalan Alliance, the Federation proposed developing mutual free economies, using the Federation’s advanced development experience to spur economic growth in Lapa’s backward regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s more meaningful than handing you a lump sum. A lump sum is just a lump sum—but learning how to earn money means you can earn it forever!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Diego grinned. “You’re good with words, Lans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the time, pushed himself up from his chair. “Let’s stop here for now. Are you hungry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans casually patted his stomach. “I am a bit hungry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. My Federation friend, I’ll take you to taste Lapa’s cuisine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dinner wasn’t particularly lavish—beef and lamb were ordinary ingredients, as were seafood and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ingredients were fresh enough, the flavor decent—not unpleasant, but hardly astonishing or exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Lans chatted with Diego a while longer. As he prepared to take his leave, Diego told Lans: though he was from the Federation,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he hoped Lans would respect and abide by Lapa’s laws. If Lans broke them here, Diego might not let him return directly to the Federation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded politely, but didn’t truly take it to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The convoy he brought consisted of brand-new armored vehicles, not yet in service, already bulletproof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remove the round plate on top, install different attachments, and you could choose between a machine gun turret or a small-caliber cannon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these, even if Diego deployed his regular army, they could still fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But outwardly, he expressed his respect for Lapa’s local laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the hotel, Gomez grimaced. “He suspects me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans sized Gomez up, then shook his head slightly. “Could it be that you’re just too wealthy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2406,"2026-06-19T21:10:31.886Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","317ee383258b10a7d08fc564169c4a3e3e041456d5a84d73e87f6d3e93173d87","the-shadow-empire-chapter-962","the-shadow-empire-chapter-960",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]