Empire of Shadows

Luca really didn’t want to continue working in the Lawrence family business. He dealt with agricultural products all day long. After a while, his body would either have a whiff of cow dung or a fishy smell of soil.

He wanted to do something different, to get away from those annoying family affairs.

Lance gave him a new choice, which he gladly accepted.

He then took Lance’s money to register a shell company and submit a transaction application to the Liji Agricultural Group.

The whole process was reasonable, compliant, and legal. Whether it was registering a company or spending money to buy goods from the Liji Group, it all complied with Federation law.

As for the “delivery date” and the “high penalty for failure to deliver beyond the date” mentioned in the contract, they were also within the scope of contract law. You could choose not to sign, but you would definitely miss out on the profit from this deal.

Lance had used this trick before. Although they had guessed there might be a problem, they still signed, because the huge profit forced them to comply.

Of course, Lance also found a reason for the high penalty. The company was worried that the Liji Group would not be able to supply the grain on time, so they used an increased penalty to urge them to handle the work better.

This kind of thing is very common in business. Sometimes business partners may propose an unusual request, but as long as everything is justifiable, reasonable, and legal, and enough benefits are given, the Liji Group will not refuse.

They had no reason to refuse. Even though they had just had an inconclusive lawsuit with Lance over this matter not long ago, they still wouldn’t take this lesson to heart.It wasn’t that they didn’t care about the outcome, but that driven by interests, all of capital’s actions are premised on the pursuit of higher profits.

On the last day of August, Lance arrived at the Pasoretto Family estate with his men. Besides him and Francisco, there was also Sarif.

Sarif was wearing a white jacket. His arm still had a long way to go to recover. After the three of them sat down, he directly started talking about the matter they were to discuss.

“I’ve spoken with Figal (leader of the Keane family). He’s not interested in our conflict and doesn’t plan to intervene. So this time, we only have to deal with the Cassia family, and possibly the Kodak family who might help them.”

“So once we make a move, we have to be mentally prepared. We’re not just dealing with the Cassia family, but possibly also with the support of the Kodak family.”

“Over the past period of time, the Kodak family’s strength has been very well preserved. We must be careful.”

Sarif’s expression was slightly serious. If it were just the Cassia family, he wouldn’t be very afraid, but behind the Cassia family was that guy Bandy Kodak.

Bandy was relatively low-key in the outside world. In terms of fame, he was not as high as his older brother, Gory Kodak, but he had a good head on his shoulders. Over the years, Bandy had woven a huge network of relationships for the Kodak family, making him a somewhat tricky opponent.

In the past period of time, the Kodak family had not made a move against them because of the Mayor and had even maintained appropriate contact. However, from Sarif’s point of view, this was also a kind of betrayal.

If you’re not on our side, then you must be an enemy.

These people were no longer trusted, so Sarif believed that the Kodak family, rather than trusting them, would clearly trust the Cassia family more, who had also betrayed the Five Families.

They would definitely find ways to support Rick from behind, whether it was with money, weapons, or men, or even through some political means to achieve this goal.

Bandy would not sit by and watch the Cassia family be eliminated. That would make their position a bit awkward and fatal.

Even if Alberto chose to stand on his side, it would not be an easy matter for their two families to fight against the other two.

Sarif had originally thought of pulling Figal into their camp as well. After all, the war between Figal and the Bear Gang could also be said to be the result of the Mayor’s manipulation. He should be on their side, the “victims.”

But Figal very clearly rejected his invitation and stated that this matter had no direct relationship with him.

His grudge was with the Bear Gang. The Bear Gang had been driven away. He would not participate in the conflicts of other families.

This made Sarif a little angry. He realized that the Five Families were no longer the Five Families of the past, and he even had a feeling of being isolated.

But fortunately, Alberto had found them another strong helper, Lance and his Lance Family.

If one were to say which gang, besides the Five Families, had the highest influence and prestige in Golden Port now, it would undoubtedly be the usually low-key Lance Family.

Many people thought Lance was not very smart. They had cancelled the fees, and it was said that they had done some other things, and even took the initiative to maintain public order, not at all like a normal gang.

However, it was undeniable that in the Empire District and the Port District, the Lance Family’s dominance was constantly reaching new heights.

The people also recognized them very much.

With his help, Sarif had greater confidence in the matter of “revenge.”

After listening, Lance pondered for a moment. “This is a black and white matter. It’s either this way or that way. There is no third form or choice.”

“Since the Keane family is unwilling to stand on our side, then in our subsequent work, we also have to be careful that they don’t suddenly attack us. They could also be bought off.”

Sarif was a little disbelieving. “That’s impossible, right?”

“I know that person Figal very well. He shouldn’t do such a thing.”

Lance said with a laugh, “You should also know Bandy, and also know Rick. What are they doing now?”

This sentence made Sarif shut his mouth, and he was even a little annoyed.

Before the conflict broke out, their relationship was indeed good. They often met up to play cards, play ball, or something.

Who knew that in the blink of an eye, they would be bought by the Mayor and become their opponents.

Alberto tapped the table with his finger. “Let’s not talk about this for now, Sarif. What’s your plan for dealing with Rick and his men?”

Sarif refocused his attention, and also looked a bit troubled. “Rick has a lot of cheap gunmen under him. Once we restart the war, we must end the battle as soon as possible.”

“Bandy will definitely provide him with funds. As long as he has money in his hands, he can continuously smuggle gunmen over from Yalan.”

“We have to use our brains to take care of him.”

Lance glanced at Alberto. “Can we find out how their people are being smuggled over, and what route they are taking?”

Alberto considered for a moment. “We can give it a try. I also know some people on the Yalan side.”

As he spoke, he thought of how Lance had dealt with Luigi’s cargo ships. “Are you planning to intercept them at sea?”

When Sarif heard these words, his eyes changed slightly. Intercepting this kind of smuggling boat at sea was not a simple matter.

Either Lance had his own armed gunboats, but that seemed unlikely.

Or he had a good relationship with the navy or the coast guard.

Thinking of this, although Sarif would feel happy that Lance could solve this part of the trouble, he also became a little vigilant.

As a powerful figure, he knew very well that when a force had not yet disrupted the balance of an ecosystem, everyone could coexist peacefully. There was a basis for peaceful coexistence.

But when this force expanded to a certain extent, just like in the most primitive ecological environment of nature, the big eating the small became inevitable.

Over the years, the Five Families had also annexed many small gangs to maintain their rule. The rapid expansion of the Lance Family made him feel a subtle threat.

Especially since their tentacles already seemed to cover all aspects of Golden Port, it was difficult for him not to develop a sense of vigilance and precaution.

Neither Lance nor Alberto noticed the change in Sarif’s emotions. Even if they did, they couldn’t guess what he was thinking in his heart.

Lance continued, “If we can control it so that his men can’t come over, then dealing with him will be much simpler.”

Without the deterrent force of cheap gunmen, the strength of the Cassia family would drop by a large margin.

Lance leaned back. He took out his cigarettes and placed them on the table, lighting one for himself. “I have another question. If Bandy clearly supports the Cassia family, should we make a move on the Kodak family?”

Alberto gave Lance a meaningful look. Sarif frowned. “Bandy knows a lot of big shots, from Likalai State. It would be more troublesome for us to touch them.”

“My idea on this matter is to limit it to the Cassia family. As long as we solve Rick and their core members, even if Bandy wants to intervene, there’s no place for him to do so.”

“I know this person best. He wouldn’t risk getting on the bad side of all of us just to avenge Rick.”

The state government officials, state assemblymen, and even senators and congressmen that Bandy knew were all characters that made Sarif a little uneasy.

With so much money being sent out every year, they would definitely protect Bandy and the Kodak family.

This was the best of times for gangs, but this did not mean that gangs had the right to challenge the federal government.

The Kodak family was not so “black” anymore. After so many years of laundering, they were no longer the gang force that had started out with casinos and loan sharking.

Lance said nothing. Sarif turned his gaze to Alberto. He hoped Alberto could say something.

The Pasoretto family now publicly claimed that Francisco had inherited Paul’s power and become the family head, but in reality, it was Alberto who called the shots on all matters, big and small.

Sometimes Francisco would also have some of his own ideas. As long as they were not too outrageous, Alberto would mostly allow him to express his opinions on family affairs.

This was his way of learning how to become a qualified family head. This was a necessary process. No one could have this knowledge without learning.

In the process of learning, he also had to make mistakes, then find the problem, and then correct the mistake. This was a cycle, and also a process.

Originally, this matter should have been accumulated little by little by Paul as he grew up, with Paul guiding him. Now that Paul was dead, Alberto could only do his best to make him adapt to this kind of life as soon as possible.

No one can achieve success without making mistakes, but as long as the mistakes bring growth, then even if some losses may be incurred, it is completely acceptable.

He was still in the learning stage, so at this time, everything was decided by Alberto.

Some people in the Pasoretto family had some objections to his actions. Some of them believed that Alberto was using this method to indirectly control the leader and future of the Pasoretto family.

Francisco did not resent this kind of teaching method, and he was indeed inseparable from Alberto now, and his growth was also very fast.

Sarif clearly knew this matter, so from the beginning, he had not considered asking for Francisco’s opinion, but directly turned his gaze to Alberto.

He hoped Alberto could persuade Lance. He wanted to get rid of Rick, but he didn’t want to provoke Bandy.

Alberto turned to look at Lance. The two exchanged a look. “Let’s deal with Rick first, and then consider other things.”

“It’s a little too early to talk about these things now. We haven’t even dealt with Rick yet!” The first half was said to Lance, the second half to Sarif.

Neither of them raised any objections. This matter was basically settled.

Next was a discussion about how to deal with Rick. Sarif was more familiar with Rick. The two sides had been fighting for so long. If he wasn’t familiar, he would have been finished long ago.

After talking for twenty or thirty minutes, the general idea was settled. The first thing to do was to cut off Rick’s unlimited supply of troops from Yalan.

After Sarif left, Lance and Alberto went to his Lezhu Finance Company.

There was no one here now. The beautiful girl at the front desk was nowhere to be seen, and the office was covered with a lot of dust.

It was a storefront facing the street. Even if the windows were tightly closed, a lot of dust would inexplicably rush in from other places.

Looking at this house that seemed to have been abandoned, Alberto looked a little wistful.

The two stood here for a while and then left, going to a nearby park.

“That Sarif person is not necessarily reliable,” Lance said to Alberto after they sat down.

Alberto nodded. “Yes, I understand. I won’t trust him unconditionally. It’s just that we need him now, which is why we discussed dealing with Rick with him.”

Francisco lacked prestige after inheriting the family. If, under his “presiding,” they could seriously injure or even eliminate the Cassia family, even if there were other people involved, this would be a huge boost to Francisco’s prestige.

Alberto was indeed doing this for Francisco’s good. He was repaying the kindness Paul had shown him many years ago. He was a real man in the true sense of the word.

Francisco didn’t follow. Some things were not yet suitable for him to hear. He was still too young and would sometimes let things slip.

“You mentioned Figal just now. Do you want to pull them in too?”

Lance gave Alberto a cigarette. The two sat together, puffing away. “You see, I have already taken the Empire District and the Port District. If I continue to go east, it will be Priliccia, the Triangle District, and the Bay Area.”

“That place in the Bay Area is not something we can touch now. So I only have three directions for continued development.”

“The industrial district, which has no value.”

“Priliccia, which is full of trouble.”

“And the city center.”

The industrial district, because it gathered a large number of factories and workers, could be said to be a place where the poor gathered.

Lance already had two of these places. He didn’t want another one.

His expenses were getting larger and larger now. Although he still had a lot of surplus each month, he had to consider the future.

Taking a district that could bring more abundant profits had clearly become his next plan. The Keane family and the Bear Gang had fought to a mutual exhaustion in the city center. If he found a reason to clean up the Keane family at this time, then the city center would become Lance’s territory.

There, it had the second most prosperous area in Golden Port, after the Starlight District and the Bay Area. Higher consumption limits. The same liquor could only be sold for thirty-five cents in the Empire District, but in the city center, it could be sold for fifty, or even sixty, seventy cents.

The multiplied profits made him very eager.

He told Alberto his next development direction, and Alberto understood.

He frowned. “I will support you, just as you support me.”

Lance nodded. “Many thanks.”

Alberto looked at his side profile. After a long while, he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you also planning to make a move on the other families?”

Lance thought for a moment and did not deny it. “Does it sound like a myth?”

“An not-so-famous gang is going to make a move on several of the Five Families.”

Alberto, however, did not think so. “If you can occupy the city center, you will be in control of twenty or even thirty percent of this city. In terms of scale, you are actually stronger and larger than all of us.”

He looked up at the sky. “It’s just that people have been blinded by past glories. They have been arrogant for a long time and have not lowered their heads to see if the latecomers have already caught up with them.”

“Including the Pasoretto family. If Paul had accepted your aid earlier, perhaps the situation would be different now.”

Lance said with a laugh, “But it’s also possible that they would have boycotted me together. What the Five Families need are more followers, not some spoiler.”

Alberto couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s certainly a possibility. Your development speed is too fast. If we weren’t friends, I would also feel danger.”

Gangs, like capital, once they start to scale up, the only way to continue to develop is through mutual annexation.

Either you eat me, or I eat you. Someone has to be eaten, and most of the time it is the latecomer who eats the former.

“What about you?” Lance looked at him. “Will you always assist Cisco?”

Alberto shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ll first let him be able to control the situation, then pull out those disobedient nails. Then I might go back to Summuri Island.”

“There’s still someone there I need to take care of.”

“After I’ve done these things, I might come back to the Federation, start up the company again, and then open a small bar.”

“When I have nothing to do, I’ll go and collect some debts with everyone. At night, I’ll watch those girls strip in the bar.”

As he spoke, he suddenly burst out laughing, laughing until tears came out. After a long while, he took a deep breath and reined in his laughter. “Isn’t it funny?”

“The life I wanted most, I actually had it all along.”

(End of chapter)

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