[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-shadow-empire":3,"chapter-the-shadow-empire-the-shadow-empire-chapter-997":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},2268617,4428,"Chapter 997: Lesson","the-shadow-empire-chapter-997",997,"\u003Cp>Lans hung up the phone and had Andy come over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Andy entered, Lans said, “Pay them fifty bolt-action rifles first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also give them ten thousand rounds of ammunition and some accompanying equipment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Things like weapon belts—I’m not too clear on those; you should have some idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get this done as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy didn’t immediately agree. Lans looked up at him, puzzled, and saw Andy wearing a constipated expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have a different opinion about my decision?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s words were like a key, unlocking Andy’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. White, forgive me for speaking bluntly, but I don’t think now is the right time to supply them with military equipment!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans pointed to the chair across from him. “Sit down. Tell me your thoughts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t particularly like this Andy, but since he’d been chosen to come, maybe he had some merit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans didn’t know for sure, but he was willing to listen—find out what this Mr. Andy had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy paused, gathering his thoughts. “Mr. White, they haven’t been pushed to the brink yet—this differs from our original plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t yet hold absolute dominance in our relationship with them, which also contradicts the plan drafted by Congress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe this isn’t the right time to supply them with weapons. We should wait a little longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the plan Congress gave him, a concept was mentioned broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when these civilian resistance groups are driven to the edge by Diego’s regime—when they’ve clearly developed anti-government sentiments but have no resources and are forced to flee—will it be the right moment to deepen our ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, they’ll be in desperation, and the Federation’s aid will become critically important; they’ll agree to conditions they’d never accept under normal circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, signing contracts, clauses, promising that if they ever overthrow Diego’s government, they’ll lease a portion of their territory to the Federation long-term, or designate land for Federation troops to station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because once they’re cornered, whether to survive or to overthrow Diego, they’ll pay any price!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a relationship, the Federation will firmly hold the dominant position, and everything will ultimately be decided by the Federation’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy had read the entire plan and found it extremely reasonable and full of wisdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would greatly help the Federation’s future control of the Yalan region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, if Lans supplies weapons to them prematurely, their “master-servant” relationship will become an “equal trade” relationship—they give us something, and we give them something in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process may look the same—the Federation delivers sensitive supplies to them—but the outcome will be completely different!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy’s opposition wasn’t entirely without merit; at least from his position, rejecting Lans’s request wasn’t entirely unreasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After listening, Lans nodded. “You have some point—but Andy, the world is chaotic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A week ago, you knew you’d be traveling to Lapa—but something unexpected could still happen: maybe they picked a new candidate, or you suddenly couldn’t come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The plan Congress showed you is only an ideal scenario—the outcome we could achieve under perfect conditions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s like I’m in a casino, placing my only chip on a single number in roulette, predicting that if I win, I’ll get a massive payout.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the ball won’t necessarily land in the slot I want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans paused, pulled out his ivory cigarette case, lit one, and said, “The situation here is the same. What you hold is the manual for the best-case scenario—but events here are unfolding differently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pedro is a high school teacher. I know you—and some others—look down on him, thinking… he’s just a high school teacher, what can he possibly do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I want to remind you: this is Lapa, not the Federation. Here, becoming a high school teacher is as difficult as becoming a university professor in the Federation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His learning ability, his capacity to absorb new things, his discernment and analytical skills—none of the Federation’s high school teachers can match him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the fact that he called me immediately, you should already see that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used “you should see,” but the problem was Andy “couldn’t”—so this was a relatively mild accusation: he was accusing Andy of failing to understand the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy had been listening. Now he couldn’t help retorting, “Mr. White, I think what you’ve said has nothing to do with what’s happening now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He wants something from us—fine. But he should follow our rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He wants to trade with us as equals—that’s not what we want. We want him to bow his head clearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think we can delay. Make up an excuse—say Lapa’s customs seized our shipping containers. He won’t dare go to customs to demand an explanation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or say we need time to weigh the pros and cons of doing this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Diego’s regime is pressuring them hard—they’ll crack soon. Then we can take the initiative, just as the plan says.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans studied Andy again. “May I ask, what’s your major?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Andy lifted his chin slightly. “I graduated from Halesston University with a degree in sociology!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded. “I’ve heard Halesston University is one of the Alliance’s institutions. You’re not an Ark member?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This caused Andy’s proud chin to drop. He wasn’t an Ark member—not even a reserve crew member, because he wasn’t good enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of his classmates were—full crew members—but he could only learn fragments about the Ark from others’ casual remarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew it was a global secret society that had emerged over the past century, with people proudly joining such secret groups and parties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to join the Ark too—but he wasn’t good enough. No one from the Ark contacted him, nor did anyone offer to recommend him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… am not. But what does that have to do with what we’re discussing?” His tone suddenly stiffened after admitting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled. “I’m just curious—if you were good enough, you wouldn’t ask these questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know who you’re following here, but I hope you understand one thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re here to work—not to decide what can or cannot be done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The report you admire? Unluckily, I wrote it. I now believe the problems we’re facing don’t align slowly enough with my earlier predictions, so I’ve made adjustments. That’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want me to explain further, I don’t mind spending time clarifying it for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans’s words turned Andy’s face crimson. The report he’d always treated as an unbreakable work principle—was written by this gangster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could that be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mindset instantly cracked—anger, fear, resentment, even the thought that God was fucking unfair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless thoughts and emotions flashed and collided inside him like lightning; his body trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, he suddenly stood up, expressionless. “I know what to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking back, he left Lans’s room. He tried to preserve his dignity—but he’d already lost it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans watched his retreating back and thought the man was fucking ridiculous. After a moment, he sent someone to call Albert over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this delegation, Andy clearly respected Albert more—not only because Albert was still a government employee, but also because his political status and influence were clearly higher than Andy’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just saw Andy. He seemed off,” Albert said after greeting Lans. They lived on the same floor; Albert had seen Andy return to his room in obvious distress while smoking in the hallway and realized something had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans briefly explained. Albert paused, then fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t expect Congress to send someone like this. I’ll mention this to the senators and get him replaced as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their work was inherently risky—and somewhat… not entirely aboveboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of job required unity. But Andy openly opposing Lans’s decision clearly made him unsuitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Removing him or sending him back was clearly the right move now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans nodded. “Handle it as you see fit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert asked curiously, “Forgive me for being forward, but I’d like to know—why did you make this decision?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two locked eyes for a moment. Albert’s gaze was calm—exactly how a man like him should look. Lans couldn’t tell if Albert truly didn’t understand—or was pretending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t mind explaining to Albert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pedro reached out to us voluntarily. That means he’s already seen the connections behind this famine and unrest—that we orchestrated it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We arrived, and disaster followed. Saying that… makes me feel like I’m not the hero.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert chuckled. “Congressmen won’t like that description!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans smiled too. “But they see it. Pedro sees it. So do the ruling class, the ruling groups—can they see it too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, Lapa is like the old Empire, where nobles began to eye the Emperor’s rule—and everything he possessed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soon, a bunch of mud-sucking lackeys with no means of production grew powerful enough to force the Emperor and his loyal troops to flee the capital in disgrace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If those mud-sucking lackeys hadn’t been so stupid—fighting among themselves over who would preside over the surrender ceremony—the Empire’s political landscape might have changed drastically!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, Lapa is the same. If Pedro sees it, others must see it too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If a minister’s representative contacted Pedro now, offering weapons, supplies, everything—and crucial intelligence—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Albert, do you think he’d still side with us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think other ruling groups would immediately follow suit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If all this happens—if it all unfolds—what’s left for us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to accepting aid from us, the shadowy forces behind the scenes, and signing unfair treaties, these traditional ruling powers are far more acceptable and welcome to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So we need to adjust our strategy early to adapt to the changing situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Andy doesn’t understand any of this. He lacks sufficient political wisdom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert’s gaze toward Lans now held unmistakable shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t actually seen as deeply as Lans imagined—he’d only sensed the moment was turning, so he’d stayed cautious, avoiding any active intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Lans laid it all out so clearly, he understood instantly—and Lans had even used the Empire as an example!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Empire’s massive uprising had been mostly crushed, everyone still remembered it vividly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert frowned. “I’ll report this to Congress and have him reassigned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lans knew this. He didn’t want to repeat it to Congress—he’d told Albert directly. Whether Albert had suspected or understood before didn’t matter to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m worried he might refuse my orders. Keep an eye on him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This affects the entire plan’s execution and outcome. No mistakes allowed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert nodded. “I’ll handle it personally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose to leave, lost in thought, heading back down to his floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon arrived outside Andy’s door, knocked, and the door opened shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it was Albert, the team leader, Andy’s cold expression softened slightly. “What do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he was “educated” by Lans, he would have invited Albert in willingly, but now he had no such inclination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been beaten by a crime boss, and he felt his entire perception of the world had been shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert glanced inside. “You’re alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy nodded. “I don’t do those things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This delegation certainly wasn’t just the two of us—there were other members, experts, journalists, people from all walks of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s cultural exchange; even if it’s fake, it has to look real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over this period, many delegation members have grown accustomed to life here. They’ve all found companions—spending days sightseeing, nights in their rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone told Albert about it. He reprimanded those under his authority, and things improved slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, instead of doing these things in their own rooms, these people have begun frequenting Zolan’s red-light district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as a red-light district formed outside Jincheng Military Base, a similar area has gradually emerged around Zolan Hotel, catering exclusively to foreigners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young, beautiful girls have voluntarily taken up this work. They don’t even see accompanying foreigners as shameful—on the contrary, they consider it honorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They earn money and experience foreign customs. How many people would envy them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Andy stood at the door without inviting him in. He suspected Andy might have brought a girl inside. For guests here, all they had to do was pick up the room phone, tell the front desk, and a girl would arrive soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert’s gesture made Andy realize something. He immediately stepped aside. “Come in. It’s a bit messy—I haven’t tidied up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering, the two sat down. The room wasn’t messy at all. Andy’s excuse was merely a justification—or explanation—for his earlier refusal to let Albert in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just went to see Lans. He told me some things about you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We haven’t really talked since we arrived, Andy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words made Andy slightly tense. The International Economic Cooperation Agency was a direct congressional department. In other words, Albert, as a key member, answered directly to the senators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could call senators directly. He might not be a high-ranking politician himself, but his influence clearly far exceeded his official position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former mayor of Jincheng, Sidney, lost his battle against the city’s local interest groups precisely because of his humble background—he had no congressional connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the moment a senator appeared, all his plans collapsed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone like Andy, a low-level political participant, senators were distant figures—even if he met one, the senator might not even speak to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Albert was real, tangible, and could influence those people. Andy instantly straightened his back, sitting stiffly like a Boy Scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I was just worried this might disrupt Congress’s plan…” he blurted out, then immediately remembered that the plan had been written by Lans—his expression flickered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Albert stared at him for several seconds. “Andy, you didn’t design this plan. You’re not its leader. You’re just a bottom-level follower, an executor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tools don’t need their own thoughts. You can question, but you must keep your opinions to yourself—don’t interfere with the work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Frankly, I’m considering applying to have you reassigned back home. I think you’ve become a threat to our operational security.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Andy’s face turned deathly pale!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2317,"2026-06-19T21:10:31.886Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2f0d8e107979ec2917ecb10e5881389b01b5a11d2d695b85a13ef49e4b3c27e0","the-shadow-empire-chapter-998","the-shadow-empire-chapter-996",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-shadow-empire-cover.jpg"]