Shadow Empire

Chapter 1241 Arrangements and the Second Attempt at Negotiation
President Porter handed the signed document to his chief of staff, then looked at his son who was walking in from outside.

He raised his hand and made a gesture, and soon all the irrelevant people in the room left. His chief of staff even thoughtfully helped him close the office door.

Mr. Porter walked to the opposite side of his desk and sat down. He noticed that President Porter, his father, was looking at the pass on his chest, which made Mr. Porter smile a little more.

He pursed his lips, looked down at the pass on his chest, and touched it a couple of times with his fingers. "It looks kind of legitimate."

His job title was written on it.

Director of the National Security Agency!
President Porter's gaze shifted from the pass to his son's face. "I hope you can at least pass in this position."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Are you done with your work over there?"

Mr. Porter leaned forward, opened the cigarette case on the president's desk, took out a cigarette, lit it for himself, and made no attempt to be polite.

The president wasn't angry at his unsolicited behavior, after all, they were father and son, and such a small matter didn't require any introduction when no one else was around.

He placed the tabletop lighter in front of him, examined it for a while, and then tilted his head to light it.

It was a copper lighter inlaid with silver, and the contents of the lighter depicted the moment Mr. Potter swore his oath!
When someone presses the lighter switch, Mr. Potter, the "Silver Man" standing behind the lectern, raises his arm, and flames burst from his fist.

These desktop lighters can indeed be seen as artistic creations of federal crafts. President Porter presented similar lighters as part of state gifts to diplomatic visitors on several occasions after his inauguration.

This has made the already popular desktop lighters even more popular, and now almost all desktop lighter manufacturers have received amazing orders.

Capital and politics sometimes collude unintentionally. Some foreign customers have ordered a lot of desktop lighters. With the promotion of the federal government and President Porter, it has become a symbol of an era, and even one of the symbols of the federal government!

"We've basically finished. We've recruited enough people. We've recruited some from the military, some from the FBI, some from the Department of Justice, and some of our own people."

"The basic infrastructure of the Security Bureau is almost complete. The next step is to find a few big cases and make a name for ourselves in the federal government."

President Porter nodded. "A very well-thought-out idea. What are your thoughts on this?"

Mr. Porter took a drag of his cigarette, his crossed leg twitching slightly. "Find some big cases, if we go after Lance now..."

Upon hearing this suggestion, Mr. Potter immediately shook his head and interrupted him, saying, "Now is not the time."

"Although I often say that Roland is a piece of trash, we all know that Roland's abilities are undeniable."

"He can't handle Lance. Even with our support, he can't handle Lance. Do you think you can?"

"When the Security Bureau was still in its infancy and had not yet been validated?"

Mr. Porter instinctively wanted to refute President Porter's words. He did not think he was inferior to Roland, and in his eyes, Roland was indeed a good-for-nothing.

But since his father had already said so, he couldn't very well contradict him and make him lose face.

Moreover, after calming down, he seriously considered the matter for a while. This matter was indeed very tricky. If he set his sights on Lance right away...

“Roland once told me that Lance White was different from ordinary gangsters from the very beginning.”

“He never asks ordinary people for money, and he never engages in malicious or low-level crimes to benefit himself.”

“He doesn’t extort money from the public or collect protection money. Apart from selling alcohol and the murder case for which we have no evidence, he almost never does anything illegal.”

"It's practically impossible for you to investigate his criminal evidence to charge him. On the contrary, it will only make him more vigilant and even retaliate."

“Many people outside are questioning my decision to appoint you as the director of the Federal Security Service. You don’t have any particularly impressive resume in politics or law enforcement. They think you are not qualified for this important department.”

"Because you are my son, you are allowed to wear that badge. I actually hope that you can shut everyone up through your own efforts!"

Mr. Porter had been smoking silently; he knew about it.

President Porter was active in politics before becoming a presidential candidate, but his son, Mr. Porter, is clearly less active.

He wasn't particularly interested in or good at politics, so he mostly dealt with the darker aspects of his family life.

For someone who does dirty work, it's best to stay hidden in the sewers for the rest of his life and never come out. Once he steps out and is exposed to the sunlight, he might be seen by others, and they might see the dirty things he does.

This means he doesn't really have any impressive resume or anything that people are familiar with, so it's normal for people to doubt his abilities.

President Porter had never considered that he would one day become president, so he did not make any preparations.

Now an opportunity suddenly presented itself to him. He didn't have time to prepare so many things for his son, but fortunately, he was the president, and when he nominated a bureau chief, everyone still gave him face.

Once Mr. Zhong Porter achieves some results, people will be able to accept the reality that he is also a capable person.

Mr. Porter took two sullen puffs of his cigarette. "I understand. I actually already have some plans."

"I have selected ten unsolved serial murder cases from across the country and plan to investigate them secretly for a period of time. If I can solve a few of them, I will be able to gain a foothold in federal politics."

President Porter nodded with satisfaction. “It’s good that you have this idea. I will fully support you in solving these cases, whatever you need, including some privileges.”

He paused for a moment, then warned again, "Don't touch Lance and Senator Cleveland for now. Don't do anything to them until we figure out how much information they have about us."

"It's not that I'm afraid of them, it's just that it wouldn't do us any good to break off relations over such trivial matters."

“These four years have been the result of a compromise between us. But in the next four years…” Mr. Potter turned his head, “I will make them understand whose federation the Federation is!”

This was a work-related matter, and after a few words, it was over. President Porter's attention quickly shifted to his grandson, "How's that bastard doing lately?"

If it weren't for Porter Jr.'s reckless behavior, they wouldn't be in such a passive position now!

President Porter was genuinely alarmed when Senator Cleveland hinted that he seemed to know something during the election.

So much campaign money has been invested in him, and his connections with high-ranking party officials have been used up. If Porter Jr.'s mess prevents him from becoming president, he might even contemplate suicide.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and he became president. He has signed a pardon, which is for Porter Jr.

Once his case is brought to light, he will immediately put the pardon into effect to prevent his grandson from being implicated.

Whether the next president will bring up past mistakes after his term is no longer a consideration for him.

Mr. Zhongbo pursed his lips. "Still the same old thing, eating, drinking, chatting, playing around with women, hanging out with his friends who have no ambition. You never see him."

Porter Jr. was originally a member of a well-established political family and was considered a significant figure in the political arena.

Now that he's become the president's grandson, those who can't curry favor with President Potter and Mr. Potter will turn to currying favor with Little Potter, who is easier to talk to.

For this young man, the world has become a better place. He is surrounded by people eager to pay for his meals, and countless girls are willing to sleep with him, no matter what he asks them to do.

With all the best things in the world surrounding him, how could he possibly go home on time every day?
His life now consists of either having sex with several girls in bed or passing out drunk on some bed.

After a moment's thought, President Porter said, "I never thought I'd have the chance to sit here again..." He reached out and patted the armrest of the presidential chair, "So I handle some issues in a 'family style'."

“But now that I’m sitting here, we have the opportunity to leave you, to leave that bastard, a more important political legacy. Some things need to change.”

“He can’t keep going on this pointless nonsense. He has to take on his responsibility as my grandson and everything we are going to pass on to him!”

"Find him something to do, whatever it may be, we can't let him continue like this."

Mr. Porter nodded and stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. "Sending him to the army for some training might improve his situation?"

After listening, President Porter nodded. "A good idea. It will give him some training and allow him to leave here for a short time so he won't make a mistake."

"Go and get this done."

After a while, he asked, "Is there anything else?"

Mr. Porter shook his head. "No, I just came to check and, by the way, to let you know that the Security Bureau has already started operating and is taking effect."

President Porter glanced at his watch. "I have another meeting later, so I can't keep you here for too long. After you leave, call everyone at the door in. Now..."

Mr. Porter immediately stood up, holding onto the armrest of his chair. "I'll go right away."

Before long, the people who had been waiting outside returned to the presidential office and continued the work they hadn't finished.

Mr. Zhongbo left the presidential palace without any trouble; no one even checked his documents or whether his car contained anything he shouldn't have.

That's what makes privilege so special!

After he returned to the security bureau, he summoned his subordinates and explained the tasks assigned to them.

These were all people he had personally recruited and trusted. He instructed them to do their best to solve those unsolved serial murder cases. "This is our Security Bureau's 'first shot.' There's a group of people outside waiting to see us fail. I know you're eager for success, and I might succeed too, so this time we need results that will attract attention."

"No matter who it is or what methods they use, I only care about the result!"

He emphasized a point, and with his gestures, the context of that statement was greatly amplified.

"Alright, everyone get back to work. Freddie, you stay here."

Freddie is a member of the Potter family and a confidant of Mr. Potter. He had arranged for these family confidants to join the company early on, and they now serve as heads of various departments, making up about 40 percent of the total workforce.

After most of the people had left, Mr. Zhongbo said, "You are in charge of arranging an investigation into Lance's situation. Do not disturb him; investigate quietly."

"Also, arrange for someone to investigate that bastard's case to see if all those in the know are under our control, and if there are any we've overlooked."

Although President Porter told him not to do that, how could he really do nothing?

He couldn't sleep at night thinking that their important evidence and clues might fall into the hands of these political enemies!
Freddie nodded in agreement, then turned and left to go to work.

Mr. Porter turned to look at the clear blue sky outside the window and slowly sighed.

When Little Potter learned that he had to report to the police force, he went crazy. As a playboy, he couldn't live without alcohol, maple leaves, and those girls!
How could he possibly agree to go to the army and live a hard life?

When Mr. Zhong Potter returned home that evening, he had a huge fight with Mr. Zhong Potter!
"I refuse to go!" He stood on the second-floor corridor, looking through the railing at Mr. Zhongbot walking in through the main door. "Even if you kill me, I won't go to that damned place!"

"A 'generous gift' crab, what the hell? How did you even think of having me throw it into that place?"

Mr. Porter was caught off guard by a barrage of questions as soon as he entered the room. He glanced at his wife, who was standing in the living room with a worried expression, and then at his son, who was standing in the second-floor hallway.

As she handed the clothes to the maid beside her, she walked towards the living room, saying, "This is not just my idea; it's a shared idea between your grandfather and me."

When he heard the name of President Potter mentioned in this matter, young Potter was slightly nervous, but only for a moment.

Then he became agitated again, "Even if you use my grandfather to pressure me, it won't work. I'm telling you, I'm not going to join the army. That damn place is suffocating!"

"Fuck, that's no place for a human being!"

Mr. Zhongbo glanced at the butler, who nodded slightly, indicating that all irrelevant people had left. Mr. Zhongbo sat down on the sofa. "This is a kind of training for you, and also a kind of protection for you."

“Listen, the family needs you to step up. It’s time for you to do something for the family. You can’t keep messing around like you used to.”

Little Potter remained unmoved, "Stop bringing up family stuff, it's just that you guys find me annoying. Besides, I have other brothers and sisters, you can totally raise them..."

The "brothers and sisters" he mentioned refer to cousins. In a large family, a qualified heir is not necessarily a direct descendant of the head of the family, but may also be a close relative.

As long as they can lead the family further, it doesn't matter who gets to inherit it.

This is both a helpless situation and an advanced system.

After hearing what Little Potter said, Mr. Middle Potter, who was already somewhat angry, stood up with a cold face.

His wife came over, somewhat worried, to stop him, but he shook his head, then pulled out his belt and went upstairs amidst Little Potter's screams.

Not long after, a scream from little Potter came from one of the rooms in the manor...

The next morning, he was taken to the Ministry of Defense by his butler and others. The Ministry of Defense had agreed to find a good unit for little Porter to stay in, so that he could receive training and reform, although it sounded a bit awkward.

What they didn't know was that Lance had also been keeping an eye on Little Potter, because as the absolute protagonist of the whole tragedy, Little Potter couldn't disappear.

When he is needed, he must stand at the forefront of public opinion and be judged by the entire federal government and even the entire world!

Within South Yaan, the construction workers' union is also facing a dilemma – whether to continue fighting against Lance and his labor agency.

Judging from Lance's current reaction, they may not have taken the construction workers' union seriously from the beginning, and the so-called demonstrations may just be a joke in Lance's eyes.

He made a casual counterattack, and the construction workers' union was already struggling to keep up.

Just two days ago, the vice president was worried that as more and more people participated in the demonstrations, their activity expenses would increase exponentially.

Now, basically no one is participating in their demonstrations. Apart from a few die-hard fans, there are only twenty or thirty people, or thirty or forty people, which is not enough to create any significant momentum. So, the demonstrations have been suspended.

Once the demonstrations stopped, the whole situation suddenly became a bit awkward, leaving things in a limbo.

“If we need to mobilize manpower, we can also bring in some construction workers from other surrounding cities,” the vice president said in the conference room, drawing everyone’s attention.

This made him feel somewhat uncomfortable, because not all the looks he received contained approval or agreement; some were even mocking.

He didn't know who that person, or those people, were, but he was sure someone was laughing at him in their heart.

The president shook his head. "Transferring people from other places is a very simple matter, but our expenses will increase significantly."

"Accommodation, food, expenses—how much money do we have left in our accounts?"

The union's accountant glanced through his notebook. "There's still about 70,000 yuan left."

Seventy thousand yuan is actually quite a lot; it can do a lot in this day and age. But if you want to use seventy thousand yuan to satisfy their demands, it's probably too little.

Lance and his gang have proven to be unyielding, and they will face and bear far more challenges than previously anticipated.

The president didn't speak after hearing the number; he just remained silent, lost in thought.

After a while, someone said softly, "How about... we talk to them again?"

The president didn't say anything, and still seemed to be staring blankly with his eyes vacant. Whatever he was thinking at this moment, it was not appropriate for him to express his opinion.

As the president, once he makes a statement, it's tantamount to pointing out the direction for future developments.

He can have his own ideas about other minor things, but he can't do that about things like this.

After a while, the vice president broke the silence, "I will contact Lance White again to see if there is any possibility of resolving this matter through negotiation."

“I know some of you are starting to feel scared; what’s happening outside is certainly unsettling.”

"But gentlemen, this matter concerns whether the construction workers' union will exist in the future; it is no longer a simple matter of competition."

"If we make concessions today, we will make concessions again tomorrow because of the concessions we made today. We can't keep making concessions, can we?"

"If the outcome of this negotiation is not so friendly, and we are facing the worst-case scenario, then I hope everyone can be mentally prepared."

Then someone whispered downstairs, "How bad could it get?"

The vice president frowned and looked in the direction the voice came from. "Who?"

Who was speaking downstairs just now?

He looked at the group of people coming from the direction of the sound. They were all keeping their mouths shut and pretending not to know anything, which annoyed him.

How bad could it get?

Is the dissolution of the union a bad thing?

"Is it bad that people like you who have never worked on a construction site before have to find another job?"

"How much worse can it get, you ask?"

"Fuck, this is absolutely terrible!"

These words made everyone's faces turn pale. If they really lost their jobs, it would be absolutely fatal!

After the meeting, the president took the vice president to his office and said, "Don't get so agitated."

The vice president, hands on his hips, glanced sideways at the president. After a moment of eye contact, he sighed, "You think I want to get agitated?"

"Isn't this still something we can't do at all?"

“A few days ago I thought he couldn’t do anything to us, but I didn’t expect him to find a way to retaliate so quickly.”

"The government is on his side, the police are on his side, this is the worst battle I've ever fought!"

The chairman sighed, "That's because we're the only victims in this matter..."

(End of this chapter)