Chapter 995: Master of Changing Faces

Likai State is a relatively young state. This doesn't mean the state was established late, but rather that it lagged behind in the process of development.

For many years in the past, shackles in science and technology meant that industrial products people now consider commonplace only existed in people's imaginations, such as ten-thousand-ton ships.

At that time, the weight of the ships themselves wasn't great, and there wasn't such a high demand for deep-water ports, so almost all coastal ports in the Federation could accommodate them.

Then people didn't need to come to Likai State specifically to dock at the Jincheng pier.

They could dock at the pier in Jin State, which was indeed one of the hottest ports in the Federation at the time, as the core area of the country, New Jincheng, was there.

Compared to the pier and port of New Jincheng at that time, Jincheng was like a rural place. Usually, it only had some three-masted or four-masted sailing ships docking here. Full-sized five-masted sailing ships would only dock in New Jincheng.

At that time, Likai State was mainly agricultural. Such a relatively backward place naturally wouldn't receive policy and financial tilt from the federal government and always remained in a relatively primitive state.

Large farms were one of the few sceneries here.

It wasn't until scientific development progressed and the shipbuilding industry underwent multiple evolutions that iron ships capable of carrying more weight and with deeper drafts began to appear and develop, and the docking conditions for increasingly larger cargo ships became stricter.

After searching around, they found that Jincheng had a very high-quality deep-water environment, capable of accommodating super-large ships with larger volumes and deeper drafts.

Thus, this small place at the southernmost tip of the Federation began to receive policy, resource, and financial tilt from the federal government, which also brought huge development to Likai State.

After all, the extra cost of transporting raw materials from Jincheng to other places for production and then transporting them back was not as good as settling in Likai State.

This avoided high transportation costs and accelerated the flow of products, so it can be said that the entire Likai State obtained huge improvement and development because of the "appearance" of Jincheng.

This was only a matter of the last twenty or thirty years. When Mayor Williams was a child, their family farms hadn't all been donated to the federal government, so Likai State is a young state.

Governor Wei De looked at Lans. "I said these things just to give you a reminder as a friend. As for the things you want, I can give them all to you. After all, I'm not over there anymore."

Since he became governor, the Wei De family has intended to thoroughly make a break with Likai State.

After their own analysis, the next eight to twelve years or so will be the war dividend period for the Federation.

To put it bluntly, even if a pig were sitting in the governor's position, doing nothing and maintaining today's policies, people's living standards would still improve rapidly.

Because of the dividends brought by the war.

Half the world needs healing because of the war, and the "medicine" used for healing can only be produced by the Federation.

A large number of factories will appear, producing a large number of job positions. Coupled with the young labor force that died in the war, the lives of federal workers will become exceptionally good in the next few years.

Perhaps the "Golden Age" they once yearned for will descend again. Factories will be grabbing workers everywhere, and they will offer prices that people find hard to believe to get people to join them.

People's incomes will get higher and higher, and they will become exceptionally satisfied with their lives and the authorities.

Voters don't choose a governor to have mountains over their heads, but to obtain a better life, and that is exactly what the future will be.

So Governor Wei De can eat this wave of dividends for eight years.

Eight years is enough for the Wei De family to re-root and rapidly expand and grow on this land. On the contrary, the industries in Likai State are too far away from them. If they continue to maintain them, it's not only inconvenient but also increases extra costs and risks. It's better to hand them all to Lans as a personal favor.

Lans said a "thank you," which indicated that he would take over the industries Governor Wei De left in Likai State. At the same time, he said, "The things you mentioned are actually things I have in mind. I also know that Congress is 'de-localizing'."

"It's just that, Wei De, you should understand, if you don't form an interest group now, someone else will."

"Instead of letting others control some important industries and lifelines of Likai State, it's better for me to firmly grasp them in my own hands."

"As for Congress, I will pay attention."

Governor Wei De didn't know what method Lans intended to use to handle Congress, but as a friend, he had already said what he should say. If he continued to say more, he would be a bit annoying.

At the same time, he also had some enlightenment from his conversation with Lans. Lans mentioned the view that if he didn't form this interest group, someone else would. So what about Denuozhou?

He also fell into thought. If he, as a state governor, didn't form an interest group that belonged to him, and let the people below do it.

Then, would he be hollowed out?

Perhaps there is such a possibility, but he wouldn't make the scale as big as Lans and the others.

"I'll give you a business card. This is my clan brother. He is still in Jincheng now. You can contact him."

"If there is anything you take a fancy to, just let him sign and transfer it to you. I will let him give you a cost price."

Lans again expressed his thanks verbally.

This topic ended here. Afterward, Governor Wei De took the initiative to talk about letting the Lans family continue to expand.

"Originally, if you didn't come over, I would also call you."

"Now that I have won the election, the scale of your liquor business can also continue to expand."

He looked at Lans after saying this, and Lans also looked at him. The two looked at each other's eyes, and neither moved their gaze away.

Clearly, Governor Wei De wanted to express something, and his attitude was very tough.

Without him opening his mouth, Lans knew what he wanted—more liquor profits!

But Lans couldn't give him more.

The huge profits of the liquor business are visible to everyone. Five or six hundred dollars of cost can be exchanged for two thousand dollars of profit. Most importantly, liquor never worries about sales. This is the most terrifying thing.

Wei De didn't get much profit from it before, or rather, when he was mayor, he got half the profit from sales in his city.

But now he is governor, and he is no longer satisfied with the distribution method of the past. He wants to get more!

The two looked at each other without backing down, but looking at each other like this wasn't a solution. Governor Wei De knew a little about Lans's character. He knew he had to take the initiative at this time.

Otherwise, Lans might really say nothing and just stand up and leave.

"Look, I'm governor now," he said in a slow speed, seemingly reminding Lans that he had "leveled up."

He was no longer mayor, so Lans couldn't use the mayor's standard to fool him anymore. And if mayors want to share money, how much should he, the governor, get?

Lans frowned. "Ten percent of the profit."

A look of dissatisfaction appeared on Governor Wei De's face. "The mayor can get fifty percent, but I, a governor, can only get ten percent?"

"Lans, let's be honest, this is a bit little."

Lans stared at him for a few more seconds. To be honest, he really wasn't used to this... personality of federal people sometimes.

Sometimes they are too direct, direct to the point of making people feel a bit uncomfortable.

Just like the things Governor Wei De expressed at this moment, how much he got when he was mayor, and how much he should get as governor, he would put them directly on the table.

Many federal people are like this. Even if they have cooperated for a long time, because the other party's status or position has been improved, they will immediately demand rewards that match their current status.

Perhaps this itself is part of the federal social culture; they value value too much.

"Wei De, when you were mayor, you got fifty percent of the sales in your city."

"But now you are governor, you get ten percent of the liquor sales in the entire Denuozhou. Fundamentally speaking, your income has increased."

"This account is easy to calculate."

"Suppose Denuozhou has twenty cities, and each city can sell one hundred thousand dollars of liquor."

"When you were mayor, you could only get fifty percent of the one hundred thousand liquor profit of one city, about sixty thousand, which is thirty thousand dollars."

"But now, the entire state has two million in sales, and you have ten percent of the one million four hundred thousand profit, which is one hundred forty thousand. Your income is four to five times that of the past, or even more."

"I don't think this number will make people dissatisfied."

Governor Wei De didn't nod. He just looked at Lans. "My idea is twenty percent." His expression was calm, but this calmness was filled with a power that he wouldn't change his mind.

To make Lans realize this, he also added a sentence, "You can't let a governor only get so little, right?"

Lans shook his head. "I won't make concessions."

Governor Wei De also appeared very determined. "Me too."

After a while, he continued, "You can consider it carefully. To be honest, this number really isn't much. After all, you can take down the liquor business of the entire state. No one can know better than you how huge a wealth this is!"

"You can earn wealth that people can't imagine, why aren't you willing to take some out?"

"After you think about it, give me a call. I will look forward to your call very much, Lans."

This is typically telling him that the matter has been discussed and he has to leave.

For Governor Wei De's sudden change of face, Lans was indeed a bit surprised. He didn't even have the idea of continuing to talk, nodded, stood up, and left.

After they left the room, Governor Wei De lit a cigarette, took two puffs, and then walked to the window to look down.

He saw Lans enter his car and leave quickly under the protection of the motorcade.

Governor Wei De's staff, while helping him clean up the things prepared for Lans on the table, asked curiously, "Is it asking too hard?"

Governor Wei De's staff was also considered a member of the Wei De family. Strictly speaking, this guy was still his cousin.

This staff member graduated from an elite league university and almost became one of the candidate sailors of the Ark.

During school, he was very active and participated in many political activities, but his background limited some of his future.

The Federation is actually also a place that values bloodline very much. When people talk about the beautiful stories of "three presidents in one family" or "two generals in one family," they ignore why these aristocratic families can continuously produce presidents and generals.

And those in the middle and lower classes of society have almost no opportunity to appear as such high-level officials or military officers?

Because of bloodline.

This cousin of his has no prominent background. The more activities he participates in, the more he can clearly realize this point. He couldn't become a candidate sailor because he lacked a prominent background or a powerful supporter.

So after graduation, he didn't throw himself into politics. He knew he couldn't go far. He needed to be by the side of someone capable of going far, and through this person, realize some of his ambitions.

For this cousin, Governor Wei De still attached great importance to him. "Do you know how much liquor Lans sells every day in Denuozhou?"

His cousin staff shook his head. "I really haven't understood this."

Governor Wei De stretched out two fingers. "Two million plus."

"This is just that he controls half the area. If he controls the liquor supply of the entire Denuozhou, he will sell at least three million five hundred thousand liquor every day. I'm talking about the bottom line."

"When there are many, for example, festivals like the Saint Agriculture Festival, people who are reveling need the stimulation of liquor. The daily sales might break ten million."

"One month, let's say it can sell eighty million in profit, of which sixty percent is profit. This is forty-eight million in profit."

"Subtracting the twenty million he gives to those mayors, the rest is his own profit."

Governor Wei De's tone became a bit heavier. "Forty-eight million in profit, he alone!"

"So I let him take out a small half from here, ten million for me, do you think it's excessive?"

"He still has fourteen million in profit in his hand."

Cousin staff "uh"ed. He actually wanted to say this was still quite excessive, but looking at Governor Wei De's serious eyes, he said very hypocritically, "I think it's okay."

A smile immediately appeared on Governor Wei De's face. "Look, I knew you could understand me."

"Because I became governor, he could obtain more profits. Even if he took out twenty percent of the profit for me, his income would still be more than before. What else is he dissatisfied with?"

Governor Wei De curled his lips. "I hope he can think clearly. To be honest, my cooperation with him is still very happy."

"He is very generous. I like generous people."

Cousin staff finally couldn't help but ask, "What if he doesn't agree?"

Governor Wei De walked back to his desk and sat down. "Then we will change a partner to cooperate with, Gold Standard Liquor."

"This world doesn't just have Lans's family with the qualification for special production. Gold Standard Liquor also has it."

"They were kicked out of the market by Lans and are very eager to come back. I believe as long as I put forward the idea of profit sharing, they will definitely agree!"

Cousin staff knew that Governor Wei De already had a full plan after hearing this, so he didn't continue to say anything. He expressed recognition of Governor Wei De's decision, although he felt that doing so might have some problems.

Sitting in the car, Lans's expression was a bit gloomy. Recently, everything went smoothly, making him forget a bit that this is the Federation!

Federal politicians and capitalists have always been known for being "ruthless."

As long as the profit is big enough, they can even cut off their own heads and put them on the scale to weigh!

The wheels kept rolling forward, and his emotions seemed to change constantly because of the slight ups and downs of the vehicle.

After eleven o'clock at night, they returned to New Birmingham. Elvin was a bit strange. Lans said he would return in two or three days, but he didn't expect to return from there so quickly. He was a bit confused about the situation.

Looking at Elvin's blank face, Lans wasn't angry. He asked people to get some food. They hadn't eaten dinner at night and had been on the road, just to come back to sleep.

He didn't want to stay in Red Rock City at all. Governor Wei De was like a piece of shit, emitting a unique stench.

Elvin soon asked people to get some food. Lans ate while saying, "Wei De demanded that we take out twenty percent of the profit separately for him. I refused."

This sentence made Elvin a bit confused. "How could he think so?"

"Because he is governor now, so he feels he should get a bit more."

Elvin's expression also gradually became serious. "Then what should we do next?"

"Withdraw?"

"Withdraw?"

"Why?"

Lans put down the food in his hand and looked at Elvin. "We came in by our own ability, why should we withdraw?"

"No need to withdraw, continue to do our business."

"He is just governor, he is not mayor, he can't be the master of the mayors of the cities below."

Elvin nodded. "But will this anger him?"

Lans continued to eat, saying somewhat vaguely, "Anger is anger. What else can he do?"

"Interfere with the city's administrative orders?"

"Although he is governor, he can't do it."

He put a large piece of meat into his mouth and chewed hard. To let Lans and the others eat food faster, these were seven or eight-point cooked beef, and it was still a bit bloody when eaten.

"I recognize him, he is governor."

"I don't recognize him, what is he?" ===== CHAPTER 996 =====