[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-976":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},2268596,4428,"Chapter 976: Team","the-shadow-empire-chapter-976",976,"\u003Cp>Under the flashing magnesium lights, Diego gripped Lans’s hand tightly, “History will remember this moment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans shook the hand firmly, “Yes, history will remember this moment—Rapa is ushering in a brand-new future!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the grand banquet, attended by over a hundred people, where mountains of food were constantly shoved into mouths or dumped into trash bins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those invited to such a high-class dinner, what delicacy had they not tasted before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dish might be touched only twice before being replaced by a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the occasional bite stolen by servants, the replaced dishes were ultimately thrown into the trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reporters hid in the kitchen, meticulously documenting all of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was all arranged by Lans—these reports and photographs would, at the critical moment, give people a “direction to move forward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the Rapa government announced to the world that, due to the influx of foreign investment and rising incomes, it would create a better investment environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Rapa would impose taxes on citizens earning more than twelve thousand Paras annually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tax rate was temporarily set at twelve percent, increasing by one percent for every additional two hundred Paras, up to a maximum of fifty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This news did not provoke much public anger, since among Rapa’s twelve million people, Lans’s factories employed only seven or eight thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although these seven or eight thousand people were dissatisfied, they still had jobs and relatively high incomes—they could afford a ten to twenty percent tax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they weren’t exactly happy, since hard-earned money still had to be handed over to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rapa government made no mention of food distribution to surrounding regions, worsening the food crisis in nearby and distant areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s people had fully retreated to Zolan, and Lans had bought land on Zolan’s outskirts, beginning construction of his own “castle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning, he met a special team from home, whose key members came from different departments and organizations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the team leader was from the Federal International Economic Cooperation Agency, a newly established department proposed by Lans, refined by Senator Cleveland, and swiftly approved by Congress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This department’s mission was to promote economic, cultural, and political cooperation between the Federation and overseas regions by establishing bilateral economic, trade, and financial ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It held significant autonomy in foreign affairs, reporting directly to Congress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past two years, intervention in international affairs—including wars—had yielded clearly positive results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Federation’s economy had been rapidly declining, with some experts predicting a depression lasting at least a decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They cited past recessions as proof, claiming this depression would be unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Public reaction had indeed matched their fears: wages had not risen in years, consumer spending had dropped, real estate development had slowed or regressed—all signaling an impending economic collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after merely intervening in one international war, the Federation’s economy unexpectedly began to improve, finding a new growth point and rapidly warming up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the sustained economic stimulus of the war, Federation experts now unanimously agreed the country had already exited its recession, and growth would continue until a decade or even twenty years after the war ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Presidential Palace, Congress, and more politicians realized that not just capitalists could profit from war—the Federation’s government could too—so they began actively interfering in foreign affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This handling of the Yamen issue was a “practice run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team leader’s name was Albert Smith, a typical old-school Federate, whose ancestors were first-generation immigrants, rumored to have some political connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a slicked-back hairstyle, appearing energetic, but his bluish chin gave an odd impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. White,” he strode forward as they met, gripping Lans’s hand firmly, feigning humility, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Albert Smith of the International Economic Cooperation Agency—call me Albert!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled in return, “No problem, Albert—you can call me Lans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re essentially allies now—any issues, communicate promptly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert immediately nodded, “You’re absolutely right—we’re comrades on the same front, the closest of allies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then turned to introduce the people behind him, “This is Andy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man standing behind him had golden-brown hair and looked somewhat aged, probably in his late thirties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile wasn’t as sincere as Albert’s—even though Albert’s was fake, it was convincingly fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy’s wasn’t convincing at all; his acting was poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. White!” he shook Lans’s hand and introduced himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy came from a non-governmental organization—the Federal International Human Rights Investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a senior officer there, primarily tasked with advising backward regional governments on democratic and human rights development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to their public statements, the organization resembled a consultancy, offering democratic and human rights solutions to governments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, it was an intelligence agency with official backing, its core officers drawn from the Federation’s government and intelligence departments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ostensibly observing local human rights issues, its real role was intelligence gathering—and possibly providing funding, technology, supplies, or even arms to local human rights groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In plain terms, it was a friendly organization aiding anti-government forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Federation government publicly pledged non-interference in other nations’ internal affairs, it couldn’t openly do these things—it contradicted their public image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this was a non-official, civilian-initiated organization, entirely independent of the Federation government.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew the Federation was a highly free nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some liked people, some liked horses, some liked sheep—that was their freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as some, after eating their fill, idly decided to contribute to international human rights—that was their own business, unrelated to the Federation government.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy carried the typical arrogance of a government employee; compared to Albert, he seemed more like an official. Lans didn’t care about his slightly cold demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world has many people—you can’t make everyone smile at you; some will always frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came representatives from several Federation charity organizations—Rapa was a poor, backward place, perfect for charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether they were truly here for charity or to launder money, Lans didn’t much care—they were allies anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a round of introductions, everyone sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard unrest has already broken out in distant regions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert was the team leader and a Federation government employee with political ties, so Andy had no resentment toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t deny it; he sat relaxed on the sofa, legs crossed. “We’ve bought up their grain in bulk—now a run on food has begun, and food circulation will soon halt completely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The situation will only worsen—soon they’ll face a full-scale conflict with Rapa’s ruling elite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new team members all nodded, yet their faces showed no gravity—only relaxed smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how bad things got here, the dead were foreigners with no connection to them—they felt no psychological burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert rested one hand on the sofa arm, leaning forward slightly. “Who do you think will win—Rapa’s government or these rebels?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans answered without hesitation, “Rapa’s government, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They control the most resources in society and hold the military—the ultimate weapon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rapa’s civilians are poor; unlike the Federation, they can’t buy weapons and ammunition at the corner store.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They lack the capacity to arm themselves against the government.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words drew more nods. Albert pressed on, “If so, does that mean popular movements can never threaten the ruling elite?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s gaze lingered a moment on Albert and Andy. “That’s precisely why you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert clearly knew more than most—if not for Lans, his department wouldn’t exist, nor would this special trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before arriving, his superior told him his job here was to follow Lans’s orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans, not Albert, Andy, or any member of Congress, was the true architect of this plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This revelation surprised Albert—he’d assumed Lans was merely a capable gang leader, incapable of toppling a nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his backers had been honest enough to give him the basics; once he understood, he had no further doubts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he appeared extremely humble. “Mr. Lans, we arrived with a work plan—if you need any adjustments or cooperation, please tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed over a file. Andy glanced at him, lips moving as if to speak, then hesitated and didn’t reach out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans took the file, skimmed it briefly, nodded with a smile, “I will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1351,"2026-06-19T21:10:31.886Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","db4376c3d1e6ae333774b728364e817bd64c0fedf4129599d29e37b960088211","the-shadow-empire-chapter-977","the-shadow-empire-chapter-975",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]