Empire of Shadows

#679 - Plan 66618

The moment the gunshots rang out in the Triangle District, Mr. Charles knew that Richie and his men were likely finished.

Ever since the five major families were almost entirely wiped out, Lance had roughly integrated the underworld of Goldenport City, and after cleaning up the gangs.

The remaining gangs were basically focused on bars and making money.

Lance didn't allow them to collect protection fees at will, which made it difficult for some emerging gangs to get started.

They couldn't do the most profitable liquor business, and they couldn't make money by relying on enough merchants to pay protection fees. Now there weren't many businesses they could do to make money.

Of course, no matter how they survived, the current gangs were no longer like they used to be, with a strict "territorial awareness." If other gang members invaded their gang's territory, they would most likely engage in a firefight.

Now that there was no environment for such firefights, the reason for the shootout in the Triangle District was obvious.

Mr. Charles didn't have too many thoughts when he heard about this. He just felt that the Saint Bell Party, which had quite a bad reputation outside, was just like that.

He didn't care about the life or death of Richie and his men. The only thing he cared about in this matter was whether Arthur was okay.

Mr. Mike was very enthusiastic about power and wealth. When the former mayor showed potential signs of being able to control the overall situation, he took the initiative to express his closeness to him.

In case he was really nominated as a candidate for governor or lieutenant governor, it would be considered leaving a good impression.

When the current mayor was punched to the ground and couldn't get up, he pretended not to know anything and forgot how close he used to be with Sidney!

If it were fifty years ago, Mr. Charles might not have been able to persuade him.

At that time, the federal "capital politics" had just started. After so many years of confrontation and cooperation between capitalists and politicians, they finally found the right way to turn the wealth in their hands into power.

At that time, politicians were still very "noble." Although they also liked money, most of them regarded businessmen and capitalists as hounds that could bring them prey.

But as time went by, the influence of capital on politics became greater and greater, and politicians began to change from passive contact to active contact.

Mr. Charles was calling Mike, trying to persuade him to help him bring down Mayor Williams, but Mike was also a little hesitant.

"Williams has some connections in the state government and the state party congress, and he also has connections with Congress."

"Bringing him down is not as easy as you think. Otherwise, the state government wouldn't have ignored what happened on your side all these years!"

Goldenport City had almost become a paradise for "locals." The three forces stood firmly, opposing each other and cooperating with each other.

Whether it was the state government or other places, it was impossible to insert sand.

They had also tried to arrange for some ambitious mayors to come over, but none of them succeeded in the end.

Now that Mr. Charles was bringing up this matter again, Mike wasn't too optimistic about his idea.

Mr. Charles continued to try to persuade him.

"Mike, my friend, we all know this!"

"In Goldenport City, the Wade family and the Williams family used to have the final say. They controlled a large amount of local political power. At least nine of the eleven district councilors were their people."

"Various government departments, law enforcement departments, and even judicial departments are also people who have a good relationship with them."

"If it were that time, without you saying it, I would tell you that it's impossible to do this!"

"But now it's different!"

"Councilor Wade has left with his people, and although Mayor Williams has successfully taken over, his control over the city is declining."

"And a very terrible thing happened today. I believe that the media will start reporting and exposing it on a large scale tomorrow or the day after. Even his friends in Congress won't be able to suppress this matter."

"Think about it, Mike, if you put in effort in this matter, wouldn't your say be greater than others when choosing a successor?"

"In addition, can't you also get the most lucrative piece of the pie from the benefits generated after the Williams family falls?"

"Opportunities don't come often, Mike!"

Mike was a little tempted by his remarks. He pondered for a while, "First, tell me about the big news you mentioned."

Mr. Charles sorted out his thoughts, "From this afternoon to evening, refugee workers had conflicts with the Williams family's demolition company and the police, and many people should have died."

"Should?" Mr. Mike's voice rose slightly, and he could clearly feel his dissatisfaction with the uncertain factors in his words.

At this time, if you come up with a "should," "maybe," "probably," then it will definitely not make people feel very happy!

Mr. Charles also realized this. He said "Wait a moment," and then picked up another phone and dialed a number.

He also had his own "informant" in the police station. Police are just a "job." Although there is no shortage of people in the federal police who are proud of their identity.

But more of them just see it as a job to support their lives and families.

If the salary is low and the benefits are not good, they will also resign and change jobs.

So some people are willing to accept some extra "gifts" and pass on some less important news, which is also a way of life for them.

Just like Lance could spend money to bribe people in the police before, Mr. Charles, such a more respectable big shot, can naturally do it too.

Soon, he picked up the receiver of the phone he had called Mr. Mike, "A total of more than seventy people died, and some people were seriously injured and are being rescued."

When he finished saying this, Mr. Mike's voice of taking a cold breath came from the receiver, "So many?" His voice was slightly out of tune.

There was some smile on Mr. Charles's face, "The conflict was relatively intense. They planned to attack the police at the scene, and the police decisively opened fire."

Hearing these explanations, Mr. Mike quickly calmed down, "This is what happened on the scene, but you can't tell the public like this."

He had already begun to enter his role. Just like the remarks Mr. Charles had just made to persuade him, if he really acted as the "main force" to bring down the Williams family and "liberate" Goldenport City from local mountain-topism.

Then he would definitely gain huge political capital!

"De-localizationism" has always been promoted by the federal government and Congress, including those states monopolized by political clans.

Whether it is the Presidential Palace or Congress, they are trying to take them back from a small group of people.

If he can really do it, reputation and wealth are not a problem. He may even be able to get promoted further.

These are the bait in the trap. He was persuaded.

Mr. Charles understood this when he heard him "correct" his statement, "What do you think should be said?"

Mr. Mike's reaction was very quick. Politicians can lie as soon as they open their mouths, "I remember that the Williams family used to be the landlord class. They were famous farmers near Goldenport City and used to have the habit of enslaving people."

"They treat and use refugees like slaves. Under cruel exploitation and oppression, the refugees began to resist."

"The Goldenport City Police Department, under the instruction of Mayor Williams, launched a brutal suppression of these refugees who resisted exploitation and oppression."

"Causing hundreds of people to be killed and injured."

"And they also plan to cover up the truth of the matter and deceive the public with lies!"

After saying this, he couldn't help laughing, "The federal and Slade cooperation negotiations are still continuing. If such a scandal breaks out at this time, in order to stabilize the situation, the federal government may consider dealing with him to give an explanation to the Slades."

"Don't be stingy with spending money, make it a big deal, a big deal that everyone is discussing."

"You know, once something is linked to politics and has a huge impact, even a small mistake will cause people to lose their jobs or even their lives!"

Mr. Charles was very inspired after listening to this, and at the same time praised, "I can't think of so many things. Mike, this matter can't be done without anyone, but you are indispensable."

"I'm going to arrange it now. I will give you a call in time if there are any subsequent changes."

Mr. Mike also continued to express his willingness to get involved in the phone, "I will also continue to let others pay attention to this matter, and we must reflect the contrast."

"The tyrannical ruler, and the refugees who are unbearable to oppression and exploitation and resist, but are bloodily suppressed. Find some award-winning reporters and photographers. This money is nothing compared to what we have to do!"

After the two discussed the follow-up plan, they hung up the phone. With the addition of Mike, the party representative, they could connect many people.

Originally, many people in Manteno were dissatisfied with the changes in the profit transmission chain in Goldenport City. They couldn't get the money they could have gotten before, and they didn't have any good ideas.

I didn't expect that they would actually send the handle to those people.

If Mayor Williams is killed and replaced by one of their people, then the revenue from Lance and the casino, and even the huge scale of the liquor market, can also fall into their hands?