Chapter 992: Farm Meeting

The Mayor of Xigu City looked at Lans in confusion. His slightly open mouth never closed, as if he were ready at any moment to ask Lans, "What did you invest in?"

Seeing the other party's reaction, Lans smiled and said, "Movies. You should know that the film companies, production companies, distribution companies, and even some talent agencies under the Wanli Group are benchmarks in the entire industry."

Although Lans didn't ask about the development of the film industry every day, he still paid close attention to the development of these companies.

Movies, media—these are the main channels and mediums for spreading culture and ideas in the future.

You cannot expect people who might not have finished high school to seriously read a non-entertainment newspaper or book and summarize knowledge that the writer needs them to master.

If they could really do that, they likely wouldn't have entered society just after graduating high school.

Although federal universities are hard to get into and have high tuition fees, as long as one studies really well, almost all universities have enough full scholarship spots and tuition-free measures.

Whether it's ordinary universities, private universities, or elite league institutions, they all know that there must be some people in the school who are truly engaged in academic research.

But those people are ultimately a minority; most people enter society after graduating high school or even without graduating high school.

They get sleepy when they see books, so image-based communication channels will be the top priority for future development.

At least image-based communication channels aren't that boring.

Moreover, the "Jincheng TV Station," a collaboration between Lans and the Jincheng News Group, is also under continuous construction and development. Lans overcame opposition to arrange some "long movie units."

People now don't know what a "TV series" is, let alone a "television serial," so he used the concept of "long TV movies."

Filming a very long story, then cutting it into episodes of about fifty minutes each. One story should have about twenty or thirty episodes, and they started broadcasting to limited users through the television network.

Lans was in charge of all these things. Whether it was the industries under him or the Jincheng TV Station, they all established filming bases in Xigu City, which was equivalent to a type of investment.

And he was a benchmark in this field, which would further concentrate the industry's power in Xigu City.

In fact, Xigu City has also expanded quite a bit compared to the past, especially in the suburbs to the west and north, where a large number of filming sets keep appearing. Here, it feels like walking through different universes and time-spaces.

One second you might be on the main street of a western town holding a revolver and competing with another cowboy to see whose hand speed is faster; the next second you've traveled to a medieval castle, followed immediately by a palace.

Now, the number of tourists in Xigu City is also continuously increasing. All of this relies on the prosperity of the film industry. Movie fans from all over the world come here by reputation; they want to get close to the stars they like, as well as the filming and production of movies.

The Mayor of Xigu City soon apologized to Lans. "You are right, you have been helping us all along!"

Lans smiled and clinked his wine glass with him. He didn't think the Mayor of Xigu City was being difficult; this was the purpose of socializing—

Finding opportunities!

The celebration party lasted until dinner. Some people left voluntarily; these were guests who hadn't received a dinner invitation from Governor Terry. Some of them were guests with relatively ordinary status.

Others, like Lans and the mayors from various places, had all received dinner invitations, along with some people of sufficiently high status.

The estate's dining room could accommodate about two hundred people dining at the same time. Federal people in this period were still very capable of having children, so every family was truly a big family.

It was quite normal for a family to have one or two hundred people in this period, and some even had more.

After dinner, Governor Terry sent off the others, with Lans being the last to leave.

"I should be able to get there on the morning of the 24th," he said while seeing Lans out.

The "there" he referred to was the Lawrence farm. They had agreed to complete the construction of a stable interest group for Likai State on the farm.

If Governor Terry wanted to seek the position of Senator, he had to have the support of the Likai State Governor, as well as the support of the State Legislature and the party.

None could be missing.

Federal Senators are nominated by the state government and legislature. Two people are selected from the state legislature to represent the state government and legislature of the place they come from, entering Congress to discuss national affairs.

Then, adding some alternate seats, the Federal Congressional Senate now has a total of forty-five seats.

If Terry wanted to become one of them, he had to be highly bound to the interest group of Lans, so he wouldn't refuse Lans's invitation.

The two shook hands one last time and said a few empty pleasantries. Today's celebration activities were now over!

After watching Lans leave, Governor Terry returned to his study. His staff and some confidants were all here; they wouldn't be leaving for the next two days.

After Terry became governor, there were many work-related changes to arrange. This was the "dividend" these people dreamed of!

Governor Terry sat back on the sofa, rubbed his cheeks, and lit a cigarette.

They had brought some honey milk, which was said to make him feel more comfortable and not be troubled by headaches after drinking.

Some said it was effective, others said it wasn't, but regardless of whether it was useful, it certainly wouldn't be wrong to have it prepared.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on him. He pursed his lips and looked at his deputy beside him. "After the handover work is finished, I will nominate you at the state government meeting to succeed me and be responsible for the subsequent work of the Prosecutor's Office."

His deputy was so excited his face turned red!

"Please leave it to me with confidence!"

When he spoke, spittle flew out, but no one laughed at him; instead, they stared at him with envious and jealous gazes.

The Attorney General of the Likai State Prosecutor's Office—this position, within the scope of the Likai State judicial field, was basically considered "holding a sharp sword."

He could pose a huge danger to capitalists, officials, and almost anyone.

As everyone knows, the Federation is "full of villains," and everyone has a criminal record; no one can withstand an investigation.

Whether it's the beggar on the roadside or the President drinking coffee in the Presidential Palace, as long as you investigate them, no one is innocent!

Of course, the Attorney General has such great power, but that doesn't mean he can abuse it. As for how it is used, sometimes it's not something the Attorney General himself can decide.

But even so, this position was still full of temptation.

The gazes of the others soon returned to Governor Terry. Since the person beside him had already gotten what he wanted, what about them?

Governor Terry took out a list and passed it to these people to take a look. On it were some positions within the state government, some of which already had names, but quite a few did not.

His meaning was obvious: they didn't need to consider those with names, but they could try to fight for those without names.

And those that had already been confirmed were basically mid-to-high-level officials supported by the Social Party or the Liberal Party. Wanting to move them from their positions was a bit difficult and required paying a relatively high price, so they could only select and reduce from those officials without backing.

Handover work is difficult to complete in a short time. On the surface, it is said that the new governor will take over the entire state government after the Saint Agriculture Festival, in early November, but in reality, it might be mid-to-late December or even January before the handover is completely finished.

After all, in these few years, there are always some things left behind by the previous governor. He either has to deal with them or take them away; he can't leave them for Governor Terry.

Whether good or bad, dealing with these things takes time.

Yet, time is the slowest and fastest thing. In a flash, it was the 24th, and the Lawrence farm had become exceptionally lively.

Lans had been here for five days. Besides him, there were William, Mayor Williams, and James. Arthur also really wanted to come along, but he would be getting married soon, and there were some things to prepare in advance to avoid any situations.

Lans's horse was still full of unfamiliarity toward him, though it was more familiar than with a true stranger. At least a true stranger feeding it carrots wouldn't work, but if Lans fed it, it would sniff first before eating. "Perhaps only when I'm old and retired will I have the qualifications to raise a horse from a foal," Lans said, handing the carrots in his hand to the horse while gently stroking its nose—it should be the nose; Lans wasn't sure if this was the nose or its face.

This horse was nothing like Patricia's. Although it was already old, it was still very active. When it saw Patricia, it would be like a puppy, taking the initiative to walk over and rub against her with its cheek.

Through some detailed actions, one could tell it had intelligence and emotions.

The first time Lans took the initiative to approach Patricia, her horse hadn't seen Lans before and took the initiative to try to take Patricia away.

When Patricia didn't leave, it would come to her side and try to attack Lans.

An enviable pet. Lans was also envious, but he didn't have this time.

To raise these animals to look like this requires a huge amount of time, and what he lacks most now is time.

Patricia smiled. "Slowly is fine. Come twice more every year, and it will recognize you, then remember you."

"Actually, everyone really hopes you can come more often."

Lans nodded. "I will try my best."

A young cowboy rode a horse quickly approaching from afar. Lans turned to look at that cowboy, and the people beside him also focused their attention on that cowboy.

This was a cowboy from the farm, but even so, the bodyguards beside him were prepared to face the enemy at any time.

After the cowboy got closer, he took the initiative to slow down and ensured his hands were in a place where they could see them.

He hadn't even gotten close before he noticed the gazes of these people, but he didn't feel uncomfortable. Big shots always have to have the aura unique to big shots, don't they?

He soon reined in the horse and didn't get down. "Lans... sir, the Governor is here. The grandfathers want you to go over."

"I know, I'll go over right now."

The cowboy turned the horse's head directly and left.

These few days were absolutely an exciting and thrilling time for the people of the Lawrence farm. It wasn't just because William was now mayor, but more importantly, Mayor Williams had brought his son, and the most key character, Governor Terry, had also just arrived here!

This was absolutely the grandest scene in the Lawrence family's history since its birth, no doubt about it!

The three old men had already changed into their most formal clothes and were chatting with these big shots on the farm.

They were mainly responsible for keeping their mouths shut; the work of opening their mouths was left to William. However, it could be seen that the three old men were very excited. They were all thinking, if only their boss were still alive, or if their parents, uncles, and aunts were still alive to see how the Lawrence family had grown and developed under their leadership!

This was absolutely a miracle!

It takes about twenty minutes from the horse farm to the farm side. The road didn't seem boring. After arriving at the farm, Patricia took the initiative to leave. She wasn't used to dealing with these officials, although she herself was a civil servant.

Soon, Lans saw Governor Terry. After the two met, they hugged again. This action made everyone understand more clearly how good the relationship between Lans and the new governor was!

"Was the trip smooth?" Lans asked.

Governor Terry nodded. "Except for my butt hurting a bit from sitting in the car, there was nothing else that wasn't smooth!"

The journey was indeed a bit far. Governor Terry came by car, and the narrow space was indeed uncomfortable.

"Try taking the train when you go back. I have a private carriage; you can try it."

"Traveling domestically now, if you don't have this, it's absolutely a terrible thing!"

Governor Terry didn't refuse him or anything, directly nodding and agreeing.

The two returned to the hall, where everyone who should have come was already gathered. Lans looked at him. "Do you need to rest?"

Governor Terry shook his head. "I rested the whole way, no need."

"I have to leave by tomorrow night or the morning after tomorrow at the latest. There are still many things that need my signature. Shall we get straight to the point?!"

Lans looked at the others. None of them objected, so naturally, they had to start discussing the matter of forming an interest group.

The group entered the farm's house. With old man Herbert's instructions, there was no one else in the house except the old butler.

And outside the house, there were cowboys carrying guns and riding horses.

Governor Terry couldn't help but take a few extra looks and even specifically asked, "How many cowboys like this does the farm have?"

He originally wanted to say "armed cowboys," but that didn't sound very good, so he ignored the word "armed."

Old man Herbert laughed and said, "We have four or five thousand cowboys. If needed, we can make this number multiply several times at any time!"

He seemed to want to explain more clearly, "In this vicinity, at least three or four hundred thousand people have obtained good living conditions because of the Lawrence farm, and almost half of them are cowboys."

"It's just that our 'business' is too good now, and the farm doesn't need so many cowboys, so they are doing other things."

"But when we ring that copper bell above this house, they will carry weapons, ride horses, and appear on the square outside!"

Speaking of this, the three old men all showed a proud expression. Schubert even specifically made a small joke, "Actually, for so many years, we have only rung this when catching runaway slaves!"

It was originally a very serious matter, but after saying this, everyone's face showed a smile.

Mayor Williams liked this little joke. "I hope those runaway slaves can tighten their bullets!"

The three old men were stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud. This was a very vulgar joke, but... they liked it!

When they were young, slavery hadn't been abolished, and the farm was full of slaves who were like livestock.

That period was also considered the "Golden Age" by many members of the Lawrence family, and then the Lawrence farm had been going downhill ever since, until now!

As old farm owners, they liked these harmless jokes, and they also knew Mayor Williams, and the Williams family was also a great landlord class. They had also raised tens of thousands of slaves, so they had a lot of common language when saying this!

On the contrary, Governor Terry might not quite understand why they suddenly resonated, but he also knew that this "malicious" joke could bring everyone closer.

After everyone laughed for a while, Lans said, "Inviting Mayor Williams, James, and Governor Terry here this time is about something Mayor Williams and I discussed before."

"Now, it's not just us, the farm, our business, that has a huge influence on the entire Likai State, and the most key point—"

He looked around, his gaze firm and full of a kind of power. He reached out and clenched his fist, as if he had grasped fate in his hand!

"We control a huge number of votes!"

"Mayor Williams proposed that we can be like those local comprehensive gatekeeper families, unite together, form a force, and firmly control the entire Likai State."

"Turn it into an independent little kingdom that belongs to us!"

Hearing this sentence, the three old men all showed a shocked expression, and so did William. Although he had vaguely guessed a little, when Lans said it himself, it still gave him a huge shock!

Lans was very satisfied with their performance. After they came back to their senses a little, he continued, "Of course, just us is definitely not enough. Mayor Williams, the Governor, and I mean to take us as the core to establish this gatekeeper family."

"Now we need to fill in some new manpower and let more people stand on our side!" ===== CHAPTER 993 =====