Chapter 991: Celebration, Phone Calls, and Laughter

Every era has its own roles to play, much like the cover figures on "Time Magazine" that are constantly changing.

No one can occupy that cover forever; no one can!

Regardless of whether they are an emperor, a president, the CEO of a financial conglomerate, or those invisible, hidden figures.

It won't take long before their era passes; this is the most real and cruel side of this world.

Even for great men, there comes a time when they must depart in silence. This world has never lacked great people, nor has it lacked those who are about to become great.

The Governor's refusal to attend the winner's victory celebration party, while casting a tiny shadow over Governor Terry's election win, did not change the fact that a governor is a governor, regardless of whether the previous one showed up.

The era belonging to the previous governor had ended.

Likai State welcomed its new "master."

The word "master" requires quotation marks, because the main body of this country is the people.

The people grant power to the government; in a sense, the gubernatorial election represents the transparency of federal politics!

"A call from the President!" As the staff member beside Governor Terry walked over with the phone, the courtyard quickly fell silent.

This was a sort of convention; today, the President would personally call the governors of nineteen states to congratulate them on their successful election and wish them well in accomplishing what they intended during their terms.

Governor Terry turned on the speakerphone so those nearby could hear.

"Terry?"

"It's me, Mr. President!" Governor Terry stood beside the phone; he didn't even need to hold it himself because his staff member was holding it for him. He just needed to stand nearby and speak.

"I have already learned the results of this year's Likai State election. Congratulations, Terry, you have become the new governor."

"By convention, I must make this call, though I am personally very willing to do so. I hope that during your term, you can make the people of Likai State more satisfied with the place they live!"

"If there is anything you need to know, and I happen to be able to help, call me anytime, anywhere."

"I know you are likely hosting a celebration party now, so I won't disturb you further. Have a pleasant evening!"

"Thank you, Mr. President. Goodbye."

"Goodbye!"

The call ended quickly. Governor Terry looked at the people around him, his face glowing with a happy smile.

This was one of the happiest moments of his life.

Another part of that "one of" was the first time he entered that humid, warm environment; he had been so excited he trembled!

"Mr. President..." Governor Terry smiled and spread his hands. "He is a very easy person to talk to. I don't know why some people always feel he isn't good enough, but from my perspective, he is actually a decent person."

By today, the political compromises that needed to be made had already been made, so whether the President was good or bad was no longer that important.

This is the special nature of politics: as long as you drag things out long enough, there is nothing that cannot be solved, even if the solution has a few flaws.

He gazed out at the crowd, just about to say something, when the phone rang again. He was a bit surprised but answered it anyway. This time, he didn't use the speakerphone because he didn't know who was calling.

After a brief exchange of two sentences, he asked, "May I put this on speaker?"

"Of course, you may do so!"

The person on the other end agreed to his request. Soon, he put down the receiver, turned on the speaker, and introduced, "This is a call from Senator Cleveland of the Congressional Senate. He is also very concerned about the Likai State gubernatorial election."

Very concerned about the Likai State gubernatorial election?

Oh, that's a nice way to put it. Why haven't we seen him concerned about gubernatorial elections elsewhere?

Political expressions often make it difficult for people to understand what they really want to say at first, especially with mature politicians who hide their thoughts behind word games.

This is actually a form of self-protection; if the actual meaning of one of his sentences might be problematic, it is difficult for others to use that sentence as leverage against him.

Likai State also played a major role in Senator Cleveland's plans. Once the Federation annexed the Xiang Yalan region, Jincheng, being the closest connection to Xiang Yalan, would have to take on the role of a "transportation hub."

Connecting the Federation and Xiang Yalan was not just about transporting supplies, but also about strengthening influence and radiation over the Xiang Yalan region in terms of culture and politics.

Jincheng, Likai State, was the bridgehead for cultural invasion into Xiang Yalan—

He had gotten the term "cultural invasion" from Lans. At first, he didn't think much of it, but after pondering it for a while, he grew to like the term.

★C〇

Culture and invasion, combined, allowed him to see some new scenery he hadn't discovered before.

Senator Cleveland wasn't concerned about the Likai State election itself, but rather whether Governor Terry could win, and whether the subsequent series of plans could be better implemented.

Although every governor would cooperate with them, why not choose one who was more in sync?

After all, under Lans's matchmaking, Governor Terry had already gone to New Jincheng to meet with Senator Cleveland, and they had chatted privately several times, settling on some aspects of cooperation.

Now that Governor Terry had won, it meant the deals they had settled on could proceed. This was a good thing.

Politics is just like this: finding ways to make yourself and your side stronger—that is politics!

Senator Cleveland said some very nice pleasantries, affirming the legality and compliance of the Likai State election results, while also affirming that the voters of Likai State were voters with their own minds. In short, everyone had performed well, which was why such a good result had appeared.

He also wished everyone a pleasant time at the party on the phone, telling everyone to have a few more drinks.

What Senator Cleveland said was continuously spread, letting people further away know who it was and what had been said.

For those attending a gubernatorial victory celebration for the first time, this was incredibly shocking!

After Governor Terry won, the President called, and a big shot from the Congressional Senate also called. Who would be next?

After Senator Cleveland's call ended, more calls came in—some from members of Congress, others from cabinet members. They were now in the same camp as Governor Terry, so naturally, they would show their support at this time.

The more people who called, the more it made people believe that Governor Terry held an important position in the entire federal political system. This would also become a topic of conversation, continuously spreading.

When the calls had mostly subsided, Governor Terry turned to his staff member and said, "You need to take the phone inside. If anyone else calls, just say I've had too much to drink and I need to leave time for the people here."

"Remember their names, titles, and phone numbers. After the party ends, tell them I will personally call back to thank them for their calls."

The staff member nodded and quickly disappeared into the crowd with the phone.

Only then did Governor Terry remember what he had originally intended to do. He gazed at the crowd and soon found the person he was looking for.

"Lans, come over here!"

People's gazes followed his to Lans, who was holding a wine glass in the crowd. Lans waved his hand, signaling he didn't really want to go over, but Governor Terry kept beckoning from the small stage.

And as he beckoned, he kept saying "Come on." Eventually, Lans couldn't refuse, so he reluctantly handed his glass to William beside him, then walked through the crowd to the small stage.

Governor Terry didn't feel he was superior just because he had won the election.

He knew very well that Lans had helped a great deal in the election, and had also played a key role in his contact with the upper echelons of the federal government.

His victory not only wouldn't make him lose his reliance on Lans, but would instead intensify it.

You could say that before, he was playing a lower-level game, and he could handle most things himself.

But now, the game he was playing had leveled up. He couldn't handle these things relying on himself alone; he needed Lans's assistance.

Governor Terry appeared very affectionate; he gave Lans a hug right in front of everyone, patted his back, and then draped an arm around his shoulder, making him turn to face the people in the courtyard.

He walked to the microphone. "Here, I must emphatically thank Mr. Lans White for his help in this election and in my daily work." "Some of you must know some things; Mr. Lans solved my headache regarding campaign funds, and he also played a very key role in helping me get votes."

"If my victory is half my own and yours, then the other half is Lans's!"

This was a very "big" statement. Lans was stunned for a moment. He turned his head to look at Governor Terry, finding nothing unusual, though he still felt a slight sense of vigilance in his heart.

It wasn't that he thought Governor Terry was crazy and wanted to do something to him; it was just a habit, a habit of self-protection.

"Lans, why don't you say a few words to everyone?"

Lans nodded. Governor Terry released his arm from Lans's shoulder and voluntarily gave up the position in front of the microphone, letting Lans take a step across to stand there.

Lans looked at the sea of people in the courtyard. He wasn't stage-frightened; this small scene wouldn't cause any emotional change in him.

He was just thinking, thinking about how to say a few simple words.

After about a few seconds, he spoke. "Terry's praise for me just now is actually a bit exaggerated. Governor Terry's victory is not my achievement, or anyone else's; I believe it is his own."

"During Governor Terry's tenure as Attorney General of Likai State, under his leadership, many cases with significant social impact were solved, laying a good foundation of credibility for the Likai State judiciary."

"Fairness, justice—these are the qualities a prosecutor should have. They aren't special, but they are noble!"

"And as it happens, Governor Terry possesses these qualities. This is also the reason why voters could vote for you!" He looked back at Governor Terry. "People need a leader like you to bring us a better future!"

"Everything is what you deserve, Terry. Even without me, without anyone else's help, you would still be this governor!"

People began to applaud. Whether what Lans said was true or not, at least he said it very well, didn't he?

Governor Terry's face became much ruddier. He walked over and hugged Lans again. "Thank you, thank you all. You are my greatest reliance and confidence!"

Lans stepped aside again. Governor Terry took two wine glasses from the attendant beside him and gave one to Lans.

He walked to the microphone and raised his glass high. "Thank you all for your support, and thank you to every guest who came today."

"Because there are so many people, please forgive me if there is anything I haven't attended to!"

"Please raise your glasses!"

People offstage raised their glasses, and Lans raised his too. This actually made Lans feel a bit silly, but this was federal socializing, and federal people loved this sort of thing.

"Cheers!"

"Make sure to have a good time!"

Accompanied by everyone's collective "Cheers," Lans raised his glass and took a big gulp.

The band, which had been resting for over half an hour, started working again. Music full of rhythm and power rang out instantly. The entire courtyard—to be precise, the huge lawn, which was the courtyard of Governor Terry's estate.

People on the lawn began to enter the party. Some were twisting their bodies on the temporarily laid dance floor, while others were in corners chatting with topless girls in their arms.

More were walking between different guests with wine glasses, chatting about high-level topics.

Governor Terry shook hands with Lans. "I won't say thank you; I'll go attend to others first."

Lans nodded. "We have plenty of time!"

Governor Terry waved his hand, then left with his wine glass.

Lans also returned to Mayor Williams and William with his wine glass.

Their expressions as they looked at Lans were slightly off. They knew Lans had played a big role in this, but they hadn't expected his role to be this big—

Before the celebration party, besides Governor Terry speaking there, who else spoke on stage?

The President, the Senator, cabinet members (ministers or deputy ministers), and then only Lans went up and said a few words. This meant that in Governor Terry's mind, he had placed Lans alongside these people!

Meeting their gazes, Lans smiled. "Actually, it's not as important as he said. Do you believe me?"

Mayor Williams chuckled twice. "Do you want to guess if I believe you?"

He was now even suspecting whether Lans had helped Governor Terry take out some of his competitors; otherwise, why would Governor Terry value Lans so much?

Before they could say anything else, another mayor soon arrived—the Mayor of Xigu City.

The Mayor of Xigu City was a little old man, in his fifties, slightly bald, not tall. He was a local of Xigu City and gave people the impression of being difficult to talk to.

Just the type who was always stern-faced, with a somewhat sinister look in his eyes!

But in reality, this little old man was quite easy to talk to.

He walked over with a wine glass. "Mr. White, Mayor Williams, and..." His gaze rested on William for several seconds, seemingly unable to call out William's name.

William was just about to introduce himself to end the awkward scene, but the Mayor of Xigu City raised his hand to stop him. "Don't, don't say it. I actually know it; it's just that I'm a bit old now. Sometimes those things are clearly in my brain, but it takes time to find them. Let me think!"

He thought for a while, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face. "Mayor of Hucheng, William, right?"

"I've seen you in the newspaper. They say you brought some new blood and momentum to Hucheng, making that old city start to glow with new vitality!"

This was the nicer way to put it. Another way to say it was that after William brought the Lawrence family over, they broke the local market environment, and now the market was starting to get competitive again.

Like stirred-up stagnant water, you could say it had become vibrant again, or you could say it had been muddied.

William breathed a sigh of relief. His expression was somewhat exaggerated as he took the initiative to reach out and shake hands with the Mayor of Xigu City. "I was afraid you'd call out the wrong name; if that happened, I wouldn't know if I should answer!"

"Hahaha, you really are a humorous person, William!" the Mayor of Xigu City said while shaking his hand.

Federal people love people with a sense of humor, whether it's the President, a governor, or a mayor!

Afterward, he shook hands with Mayor Williams and Lans again. "Seeing Jincheng develop so well gives me a headache!"

He glanced at Mayor Williams, who had a surprised expression. "I heard they are already discussing whether to let Jincheng directly annex Xigu City."

"We are too close!"

"If that day really comes, I might become a councilor for a district of Jincheng!"

Mayor Williams shook his head with a laugh. "There won't be such a day, rest assured."

There won't be in the short term, but it's hard to say in the long term.

Revoking a city now is not a simple matter; it means many positions will disappear, and the people in those positions will have opinions.

And this relates to issues and conflicts regarding the merger and planning between two cities. It's unlikely they will merge within at least ten years.

The Mayor of Xigu City turned to Lans. "Mr. White, when will you come to invest in our Xigu City?"

Lans smiled and said, "Haven't I already invested?" ===== CHAPTER 992 =====