The next day, Councilman Williams and James stayed in the hotel all day. Before visiting the governor, it was not suitable for them to run around.
Although Lance was also in the hotel, he met with the leader of the local Empire immigrant gang, a middle-aged man named Rhode.
The situation of discrimination in Manteno was no better than in any other place just because it was the capital. On the contrary, because there were many conservatives in the state government, the situation had become worse.
For example, some people had even said in private occasions things like “all immigrants should be sent to farms,” which led to the local people being very discriminatory against immigrants and the like.
They were at the bottom of the chain of contempt. Other gangs would also discriminate against them because they were all immigrant groups, which sounded a bit incredible.
Even a small gang would look down on those immigrant gangs. When the police were dealing with related issues, they would also be more biased towards the local gangs rather than the immigrant gangs.
Before Lance appeared, Rhode and his gang had been barely maintaining themselves, and their scale was not large.
But with Lance’s strong rise in Golden Port City, the situation of Rhode and his gang was getting better and better. Mainly, the unlimited supply of liquor allowed him to obtain more funds to arm himself.
The competition of gangs is not quite the same as that of politics and business.
As long as they have money, people, and weapons, then they have the power to fight.
When a gang has money, and the leader is willing to spend the money on the gang, then the expansion will be very rapid.
Now Rhode’s gang has about 200 core members. If you consider the peripheral members, there may be 500 to 600, or 700 to 800 people. In Manteno, it is considered a medium-sized gang.
It’s not that they don’t want to continue to develop and grow, but the special environment here doesn’t give them too many good opportunities.
The reason he took the initiative to visit this time after hearing that Lance was coming was also for this.
They needed a protector.
“Mr. Lance!” As soon as Rhode entered the door, he strode towards Lance, then slightly bent his waist and extended his hands, tightly grasping Lance’s hand and shaking it vigorously.
Lance patted his shoulder and back. “Sit down and talk.”
After a few people had taken their seats, Rhode said enthusiastically, “I’ve been looking forward to your visit for a long time. I’ve arranged some activities…”
Lance raised his hand and stopped him. “There’s no need for that. I’m not here to play.”
In fact, Rhode also knew that it was unlikely that Lance would run out to play with him, but whether people played or not was one thing, and whether he did it or not was another.
He had no choice but to give up this idea. “Then I won’t insist. You must have very important things to do.”
He paused for a moment. “Lance, our current development has encountered some problems.”
Lance nodded, signaling him to continue. Rhode took out a cigarette. He scratched his temple. “The police chief of Manteno has some prejudice against us. He’s been looking for trouble with us. Our development is now almost at a standstill.”
He said this with gritted teeth. In this environment, small skirmishes might not be a problem.
Once they wanted to continue to expand and develop, they had to have a protector, someone to support their continued development.
Rhode was powerless in this regard. If it weren’t for Lance supporting him with liquor and weapons from behind, he would still just be the leader of a small gang.
Lance knew his purpose for coming. “You want me to help you solve this problem.”
Rhode showed an embarrassed expression. He nodded. “Although it’s a bit embarrassing, that is indeed my idea.”
He also added, “If we can solve this problem, we can continue to expand.”
He saw the power of the Lance Family now in Golden Port City and was very tempted. He also hoped that he could become a big shot like Lance, the underground emperor of a city.
But he lacked the network of connections that Lance had. In Rhode’s view, the fact that Lance could quickly climb to this position was simply a miracle!
Miracle is not enough to describe it!
He also came from nothing, but he became the most special one in everyone’s eyes!
At the same time, his heart was also burning. He, like many others, was studying Lance’s path to rise. He felt that as long as he moved the stone in front of him, he might not be unable to do it!
Lance thought for a while, neither agreeing nor refusing. “I’m not familiar with the local police chief, but I’ll help you ask about this matter, but it will take a few days.”
Rhode quickly said that he was willing to wait, no matter how long.
This was just a small interlude. He left after being here for less than half an hour.
The next afternoon, Lance and Councilman Williams came to a golf course in the suburbs of Manteno and met the governor himself here.
The governor was in his fifties, with graying hair. He looked very healthy, not fat or thin, but tall and slender, with an easygoing smile on his face.
Successful politicians must be able to show their easygoing side to the audience. After all, votes come from the people. Even if it’s an act, it has to be convincing!
He smiled and shook hands with Lance and Councilman Williams. “The weather has been good these few days. I haven’t exercised much all winter. It’s just right that you’re here. I can sneak out of the office!”
He was also quite witty. If you didn’t consider other things, just based on what he showed, it would make people feel that he was not difficult to get along with.
Lance and Councilman Williams knew the meeting place before they came, and also knew what they were going to do, so both Lance and Councilman Williams had changed into golf clothes.
The three stood on the lawn, but did not start immediately.
“I hear you’ve talked with the lieutenant governor.”
This was a piece of nonsense, but many formal conversations often start with nonsense.
Councilman Williams nodded and said, “We met the day before yesterday.”
“He also told us about the details of the matter. I don’t know if you know that we have brought some new, but not surprising, changes on this trip?”
The governor nodded. “I heard him tell me. Your considerations are reasonable.”
James pushed a golf cart over—
At this time, there were no such miniature golf carts. They used a kind of pushcart, which could hold about five to six golf club bags and other things.
It couldn’t be driven and needed someone to push it. Usually, this job was done by a caddy, but today’s meeting was obviously not ordinary, so it was James who played the role of the caddy.
He himself often played golf, so he wasn’t worried that he wouldn’t play the role well.
The people walked towards the tee. As they walked, the governor said, “The military garrison in Golden Port City has both good and bad aspects for us. It’s hard for us to know whether it’s good or bad right now, but it’s not wrong to maintain a cautious and careful attitude towards them.”
“I personally agree with the new distribution plan you proposed.”
As he spoke, he looked at Lance. “The methods and means you used to defeat the Kodak Family are amazing. What I find even more rare is that you didn’t have any other means. This has left a very deep impression on me.”
“You are a very capable young man, smart, strong, and decisive. you should have a brighter future, not be limited to a gang leader.”
This was obvious praise. Councilman Williams explained at the side, “Lance is engaged to the girl from the Lawrence family, in the summer.”
“The Lawrence family?” The governor was a little puzzled. Did he have such a family in his “territory”?
Councilman Williams added, “The Lawrence Farm.”
“It’s them!” The governor nodded. The Lawrence Farm had a certain reputation in the southern part of Likalai State.
They had led the farm to resist the atrocities of the channel distributors, which gave the Lawrence family great influence among the farmers of Likalai State.
The output of these farms met the food needs of the state and could also be sold to other places.
If you say he has no influence on people’s lives, that’s nonsense.
As long as they slightly tighten the grain in their hands, the state’s food supply will soon have problems, and they will have to buy from other states.
But to say that they have a huge impact on the lives of the people of this state, that’s not necessarily true!
Because besides the farmers and the people living in their vicinity, not many people know them.
For example, in Manteno, if you randomly ask a person on the street if they know the Lawrence family or the Lawrence Farm, there is a high probability that they will be at a loss.
The governor couldn’t help but look at Lance again. “You’ve made a very good choice!”
The Lawrence family has strength, but they lack the channels to turn that strength into political power.
And Lance has channels, but he lacks the background of the traditional large landlord class. Now he is making up for this shortcoming, which makes the governor very optimistic about his future.
“What are your plans for the future?”
Lance said with a smile, “I haven’t thought about it for the time being. After I’ve dealt with these things on my hands, I might go and see around. I still have too many shortcomings. I need to learn new things.”
The governor nodded noncommittally. A very general and content-less answer.
A few people came to the tee. James quickly took out a golf ball and placed it on the tee.
“The young man goes first!” With one sentence from the governor, the trouble of them pushing each other was solved.
Lance came to the tee, and with a powerful swing, he hit the ball quite well.
Then came Councilman Williams and the governor, who also did well.
They were here to talk about things, not really to play golf. So the group walked forward again.
The governor did not immediately talk about the issue of the distribution of benefits, but instead chatted with Lance about the operation of the casino. “How do you plan to run those casinos?”
This was also a kind of consideration. After all, Lance was too young. Even with Councilman Williams cooperating with him, the governor still had some worries.
Lance, on the other hand, appeared very calm. “The Kodak family has already done a good job in this aspect, but it’s not good enough. We can develop more content, for example, the gambling boat business.”
“Or hold a national poker tournament or something.”
“We can significantly increase the foot traffic of our casinos by attracting a large number of gamblers and tourists.”
“And I also plan to introduce some of the operating features of Estrila (Paradise City). Of course, this may require the assistance of Mayor Williams…”
(End of a Chapter)