“I have some connection with them,” Lance didn’t say it in full, but he didn’t deny it either.
He wasn’t yet clear what Councilman Williams meant by this. If he said too much, it would be difficult to refuse later, but he couldn’t just say nothing either. Perhaps this was another opportunity.
Councilman Williams raised his wine glass, signaling Lance to clink glasses with him. After the two had clinked their glasses, they each took a small sip of wine.
The alcohol content of the whiskey was actually not very high for Lance. For him, anything below fifty proof couldn’t really be called liquor; it was just water mixed with liquor.
But few people in the Federation could handle various liquors of over forty proof directly. They even called this “hard liquor” and needed to add ice.
He did not put the wine glass back on the coffee table but held it in his hand and slowly swirled it, “The work at the port is very important. I’m getting old, and my memory is not very good, but I know that every day, countless ships from all over the world come here.”
“They drop off their cargo, and then leave after being reloaded with cargo.”
“Our docks are very busy every day, day and night.”
“If… you say that one day, the docks suddenly come to a complete standstill, who would be the most anxious?”
Councilman Williams leaned back against the back of the sofa. He crossed his legs, his right hand holding the wine glass resting on the armrest, while his left hand was casually placed on his waist, “Those ships waiting for loading and unloading?”
“Those enterprises and companies that have relationships with these shipping businesses?”
“The dockworkers on the docks?”
“Or… Sidney, the state government, or even Congress?”
He looked at Lance, giving Lance an “inspirational question.” He couldn’t be sure if Lance was a smart kid. In order to make the conversation smoother, he used this method.
Lance knew what he meant, it was just… being treated like an idiot really made him not know whether to laugh or cry.
“You don’t have to talk to me like this, I know what you mean!”
“But Mr. Williams, have you considered that once the docks stop, a large number of cargo ships, in order to save costs, might continue to go north.”
“Once these cargo ships think that the north is more stable and reliable, these resources that should have belonged to Golden Port will be lost.”
There was another port in the north. The scale was definitely not as large as Golden Port, but it was enough for temporary use.
If the shutdown of Golden Port lasted too long, it might cause a series of problems. For the port in the north, they would definitely be more than happy to see this happen.
This way they could have a chance to develop, but for the local interest groups, this would be very difficult to accept.
Lance lowered his voice slightly, and said with his chin tucked in, “Have you discussed this with the Bay Area?”
One sentence, and Councilman Williams finally realized that Lance was not a stupid boy. Although this meant he didn’t have to worry about whether Lance could understand him, Lance’s answer also made him a little annoyed.
The Bay Area!
A special existence. In fact, Councilman Williams was also a member of the Bay Area, but he could not represent the entire Bay Area.
He pursed his lips, which made his lips slightly pale and thin, and his hooked nose became more three-dimensional.
He had not discussed it with the Bay Area because he knew that those people in the Bay Area would definitely not agree.
If before the start of the meeting, there were still some gangsters who thought they still had a choice but in fact had no choice.
Then those masters in the Bay Area were the ones who could really choose freely.
They had a large number of investments in Golden Port, and their interests were intertwined. Even the mayor had no good way to deal with them.
So they were the “free people of the Federation” in the true sense.
If Councilman Williams discussed this matter with them, with their personalities, they would directly refuse!
Because this would definitely harm their interests!
They would rather turn to the outsiders than continue to stand on the side of the locals.
Don’t expect capital to have any firm stance or determination. The biggest difference between them and whores is that whores charge a very low fee, while they want a lot, that’s all!
Lance’s words directly hit the nail on the head of this matter. If the capitalists still had a chance to choose their stance and camp, then Councilman Williams actually had no chance.
Once Sidney took control of this city, all those who had once fought against him would be dealt with.
Councilman Williams himself didn’t really care. He was already old, and it didn’t matter if he was no longer a councilman.
But what about James (his eldest son)?
Those people in the Bay Area who had turned to the “new king” would definitely not let James have a chance to get ahead because they all knew very well that once James got ahead, he might take revenge on them.
They couldn’t stand this, so the best way was to completely trample the Williams family under their feet, completely trample them to death!
For the sake of his children, whether it was James or Arthur, he needed to make some decisions, even if it required sacrificing the interests of these people.
He had called Councilman Wade before and asked him for the notebook, but he said it had already been burned in front of everyone. This made negotiation impossible, so he could only act first and talk later.
His breathing was a little rapid. That’s how it is when you get old; you always have problems with your heartbeat or breathing.
“Don’t worry about them!” He picked up his wine glass and took another sip. If the Bay Area could firmly resist the mayor, Sidney would actually have a hard time.
But that group of Bay Area dog bastards who could only see profits were not pure at all. Once their interests were threatened, they would become hesitant.
Lance pursed his lips, “Then after I’ve done this, it’s highly likely I will face retaliation from the Bay Area, Councilman Williams.”
“I respect you very much, but I am not a fool.”
“If you can’t give me a guarantee, it will be very difficult for me to do as you wish.”
Councilman Williams licked his lips, “What do you want, child?”
Given his age, Lance could indeed be called a “child,” and his use of the word “child” was actually to try to bring the two sides closer.
Lance considered for a moment, then shook his head again, “I want a lot of things, but most of them are things you can’t give me.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you can give me?”
“Maybe you can persuade me.”
Councilman Williams laughed twice after hearing this. He suddenly felt that things were becoming interesting. He no longer treated Lance as an ordinary gang leader, but as someone with the same wisdom as himself… alright, maybe not as smart as himself, a little bit stupid.
“Sidney is going to get lost in two years. If our plan can succeed this time, then I will announce my candidacy for mayor.”
“He will clean out the reactionary forces in this city that have not stood with us, and give you the greatest convenience.”
“At the same time, I can assure you that I will only serve for four years.”
“This is what I give you, four years of time!”
He looked at Lance, observing the subtle changes in Lance’s eyes and expression, and from Lance’s change to a slightly leaning forward posture, he felt his satisfaction with his “bargaining chip.”
Four years of time, the greatest convenience. At that time, it might create a monster more terrifying and more dominant than the Five Families!
This was his reward for Lance!
And he believed that Lance also understood.
“Aren’t you afraid that on that day, some things will get out of control?”
Councilman Williams suddenly laughed very happily, the kind of loud laughter. After laughing for a while, he took another sip of wine. After drinking it, he laughed a few more times, as if he had encountered something very funny.
“Lance, I don’t really want to say this.”
“But you should know, without light, there is no shadow. The shadow is always under the light.”
“I know what you mean, I won’t worry, let alone be afraid.”
“Because no matter how big you grow, you are just the leader of a gang, and we are the true rulers of this country!”
He put down his wine glass, clasped his hands together, “James will be a very excellent successor. You two will get along well.”
“I have summarized our biggest problem during this period, which is that Wade and I have excessively dispersed our power. If it weren’t for him, if it were only me, then the situation would not be like this now!”
“The Five Families are also like this. It seems that the five of them are very united and have jointly written the rules of the underworld of Golden Port and even Likalai State.”
“But you see!” He spread his hands, a look of helplessness on his face, “The Kodak family, in order to continue to stabilize the casino licenses in their hands, was the first to betray the Five Families.”
“The Cassia family’s business is too dependent on the indulgence and acquiescence of the law enforcement departments, so when Sidney’s authority grew stronger, he immediately surrendered.”
“If it weren’t for the Five Families at the beginning, but a certain family, then these problems would not have occurred, Lance.”
“I have high hopes for you. You are smarter than the fools outside, including Paul and his group.”
“You know how to use your advantages and strengths. You can get along with James. You will become the best partners.”
“With your cooperation, this city will be your paradise!”
For the sake of his son, Councilman Williams was also going all out.
He had not originally planned to run for mayor, but now, he had changed his mind.
It was also because Wade had betrayed them that he had the confidence to run for mayor. Looking at it from a certain angle, it was actually Councilman Wade who had given him the opportunity.
After considering for a moment, Lance finally agreed because this was of great benefit to him.
Four years of being protected by the mayor and being able to develop with impunity!
He could let Councilman Williams know that sometimes, shadows can also cover the sun!
“I agree!” he raised his wine glass and clinked it with the satisfied-looking Councilman Williams, “How do you plan to arrange this matter?”
Councilman Williams took a sip of wine, swirling the glass. The amber liquid rolled around in the glass. He had a playful look on his face, “The workers haven’t had a raise in two or three years. Is that reasonable?”
“Of course, you can also do it according to your own ideas. Wait for my call.”
Lance nodded slightly and stood up. He straightened his clothes and extended his hand, “A pleasure to cooperate, Councilman Williams.”
Councilman Williams also laughed heartily and stood up, shaking hands with Lance, “A pleasure to cooperate!”
“I will have James contact you about the follow-up matters. You are both young people and should be able to become good friends.”
He was still thinking about his eldest son. It seemed like a kind of favoritism, but in fact, this was also the only way for power to be inherited.
To count on that idiot Arthur?
The Williams family was about to be finished!
Only James was most like him, able to inherit everything he owned and carry it forward.
This matter was a crisis, but also an opportunity, an opportunity to stabilize the peak of power in Golden Port!
Councilman Williams left soon. After he left, Alberto asked Lance, “What did you two talk about just now?”
Lance glanced in Paul’s direction, and as it happened, Paul was also looking in his direction.
Including smiling and nodding in greeting, Lance also responded, “Nothing, just talking about some secrets that can’t be told. But you’ll know soon.”
Alberto did not insist. He knew that if Lance couldn’t say it, there must be a reason why he couldn’t.
After the two hugged, they said their goodbyes, and then quickly separated.
Paul asked Alberto what Lance and Councilman Williams had said in the room, but Alberto said nothing. He could only pretend that he was just asking casually and passed over the topic.
On the way back, Lance lit a cigarette, “I remember we still have two undercover agents over there, right?”
Elvin nodded, “Yes, we’ve been monitoring them. We haven’t let them find anything unusual.”
Lance took a drag on his cigarette, “Don’t arrange any long-term work for them at the end of the month. We’ll need to use them then.”
Elvin was a little puzzled. He didn’t ask, just looked at Lance, waiting for Lance’s explanation.
Lance said with a laugh, “I said they would be useful eventually. Next month, Golden Port will be in chaos again. We need them to pass some information to the Bureau of Hazardous Materials.”
Elvin also started to laugh, “Are we going to give them a performance boost again?”
In fact, Lance had already given them a performance boost twice. There were no substantial losses, but it did give the people at the Bureau of Hazardous Materials some consolation.
At least, they had made Lance uncomfortable!
“This time, we’ll give them a big one!”
Elvin still didn’t understand. Lance’s lips moved, and he mouthed the word “docks.” After Elvin understood, his whole person was stunned!
The only thing related to liquor at the docks was the dockworkers’ club!
The unlimited supply of cheap liquor had already caused the club to lose about $20,000 a month. Although the loss was severe, it was nothing compared to Lance’s current income.
But this club had become the spiritual food for more than 10,000 workers at the docks!
If it were suddenly cut off…
He shivered. He couldn’t even imagine the angry faces of those workers!
He looked at Lance in disbelief. Lance, on the other hand, remained calm, “I remember last time we beat up a kid named Johnny, right?”
Elvin nodded, “Later I went to his house to visit, and he compromised.”
“Find him later and say I have something for him, and it’s a good thing.”
“This time, give him a chance to be a hero!”
“Also, the firm might see a huge development.”
The weather had already become hot, and the hot sea breeze blew into the car, giving it a taste of summer.
“This matter is up to you. Go and tell Ryder to recruit more workers and help us rush out at least another 10,000 work clothes.”
Elvin didn’t know why Lance had such a demand, but he knew that doing so was definitely not wrong.
What Lance was considering was that simply cutting off the liquor supply could only make them angry, and might not necessarily make them go on strike as he directed.
So, would it be more appropriate to create a labor-capital conflict and then take the opportunity to propose a wage increase?
With three layers of anger superimposed, the docks would be completely turned upside down!
If you’re going to do it, do it hard!
In fact, the mayor also knew about today’s meeting. Someone was secretly passing him messages, and he also knew Councilman Williams’s thoughts.
When the news was passed back, he first shared this intelligence with his secretary, “What do you think?”
He seemed to be very fond of asking his secretary, asking him how he analyzed various things, how he looked at them.
Sometimes, when the secretary was busy or unable to respond, he needed to make some decisions on his behalf. Although this situation was not common, it was still possible.
He had to let his secretary know how to solve these problems when he encountered them.
If one day in the future he was not around, and the secretary had to face trouble independently, he could also make a very correct decision.
The secretary’s brow furrowed. He thought for a long time, “The police are not in our hands at the moment. Once it gets chaotic, it will indeed be difficult for us to handle.”
“Maybe we should reappoint a police chief?”
“John’s success made me realize that in this city, there are also many locals who are not of the same mind as them. We can use these forces!”
“As long as we can grasp the law enforcement power of the police department, these riots are all minor problems. Just let the police suppress them.”
The mayor nodded slightly, “This is a direction to consider, but I don’t think it’s very suitable for the current situation.”
“The most crucial point is that after John died, that old dog Charlie and Hunter took this opportunity to regain control of the situation.”
“I heard that after work on Fridays, all the precinct chiefs will go to Charlie’s villa for a party.”
“That’s the real police station, not the one in the city.”
“Even if we appoint a new police chief, it will still take time to influence Charlie and Hunter’s people again.”
“Let Dale and his men do this. These people are all gangs, all criminal groups, and have all smuggled liquor.”
“They have always wanted to play their value more actively, so let them do it.”
“In addition, we can get some assistance from the state police.”
“Even, the more chaotic they are, the more beneficial it is for us.”
“Williams said something very right. Congress will not sit by and watch Golden Port become chaotic. At that time, without us doing anything, they will mobilize the militia to come in.”
“Just right, with the help of the militia, we can wipe out all these annoying things in one fell swoop!”