Empire of Shadows

The ringing of the telephone interrupted the conversation between the Mayor and Attorney Olsen. He looked at the phone for a moment before picking it up. It was a call to his private number, so it must be something important.

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"This is Sidney."

"It's me, Dale. I've received some important intelligence. There are hundreds of thousands of bottles of liquor stored in a warehouse at the docks."

The Mayor rephrased his words, "Smuggled liquor."

Director Dale immediately understood. "Yes, smuggled liquor. Do you think we should take action against this liquor?"

The Mayor thought for a moment. "Why not?"

"Isn't this the good opportunity we've been looking for?"

"Give them a heavy blow and let them know that this isn't their Jin Gang City. This is the Federation's Jin Gang City!"

"Wait for my call. Before we strike them again, we need to prepare ourselves."

Afterward, he exchanged a few more words, indicating that he would try to get Congress to pay attention to this matter in advance. With the attention of Congress, the local stubborn forces would have no choice but to bow their heads.

In front of Congress, these people really didn't have any so-called 'weight'!

After hanging up the phone, the Mayor looked at Attorney Olsen, who was discussing some work and other matters with him.

"The industries we control are almost entirely at a standstill. Either there are no customers, or their businesses are being affected by their methods."

"Besides that, Eric's condition is a bit bad. Lance has scared him out of his wits. He hides in the villa all day and doesn't want to go out, and his dependence on painkillers has become even more serious."

"I asked my doctor friend, and some of the mainstream painkillers currently in circulation are very likely to cause dependence if used multiple times."

"They currently don't have any relevant research on dependence and withdrawal."

"You know, the medical corporations want everyone to use their drugs in large doses every day. This dependence is money to them. They won't actively solve this problem."

The Mayor rubbed his temples. "Dale found a warehouse at the docks that's storing a lot of liquor, hundreds of thousands of bottles!"

Attorney Olsen seemed to straighten up a bit. He thought for a moment, somewhat hesitant, "Hundreds of thousands of bottles… Such a huge loss… Wouldn't they… resort to risky methods to solve it?"

The Mayor picked up the phone again. "So I have to make a call first…"

The phone call went to Mike's (Socialist Representative of Licarile State) desk. Mike had a good impression of the Mayor, mainly because the Mayor's side gave quite a bit.

Everyone hopes to have a generous friend, and the Mayor satisfied Mike's little wish, without him having to spend any money anyway.

"Hi, the weather in the capital is good today. I hope the weather in Jin Gang City is as good as it is here."

"So, may I ask, is there anything you need from me?"

Mike was very lively, and the Mayor didn't beat around the bush with him. "We found hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of smuggled liquor at the docks, but this involves some local stubborn forces."

"Mike, you know, the situation in Jin Gang City is very complicated, and Dale and his people have already suffered two bomb attacks."

"I'm worried there will be a third or fourth time."

"Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of smuggled liquor is enough to drive them crazy, so I'm not sure if we should expose this batch of liquor."

Although the Mayor couldn't see Mike at this moment, he could imagine the change in Mike after hearing this news.

Not worry, but excitement!

What Congress needed was such a typical case. This kind of confrontation was always constantly escalating. If Congress couldn't seize any major cases in the confrontation, it would give people the feeling that they were always just making small troubles.

They wouldn't accept such a result. They needed a big case.

However, Mike didn't immediately express his position. He had to listen to the Mayor's thoughts first. These mature politicians knew when to hide their thoughts and when to reveal them.

"So, what are your requirements?"

The Mayor licked his lips. "I'm worried that they will retaliate against Dale and the Hazardous Materials Administration again. Our police chief just resigned due to dereliction of duty, and they are a bit outmatched against those thugs."

"I heard that the Licarile State Militia has been conducting routine training recently. Maybe we can let them take a turn around Jin Gang City."

Changes in the international situation have also made the Federation nervous. It's not just Lance or a few people who can foresee the great war that is heading towards a complete outbreak.

The federal government also felt the tension in the air before the storm. Recently, the militia organizations in various states have begun to strengthen training, and the federal military has also begun to replace equipment and actively respond to the war that may suddenly break out at any time.

If he could get the militia to support him, the Mayor would feel much more at ease.

Even if those gangsters had strong firepower and a large number of people, they were just illegal armed organizations.

Mike listened and thought for a while. "I can't make a decision on this matter. I have to report it further up. Wait for my news."

After hanging up the phone, Mike thought for a while and dialed the number of a member of the House of Representatives. He actually had the phone number of a Socialist Senator, but it was not very good to make these calls rashly.

The Federation seems casual and free everywhere, but in fact, behind these free and loose surfaces, there is also a strict hierarchy.

He believed that the gentlemen of Congress would like this news.

Indeed, in less than a day, before getting off work in the afternoon, Mike called the Mayor again.

"I have already talked to some people in the party's high-level leadership. They are very satisfied with your work results. If uncontrollable factors do appear in Jin Gang City, then the state government has reason to send the militia to Jin Gang City to suppress the riots."

"But, Sidney, we are friends, so I will tell you this. If you can avoid using the militia, it's best not to use them."

"Jin Gang City is a window for the Federation to the world. There are many foreigners there, and even some consulates. Congress doesn't want certain scandals to become international news!"

"Once you do that, it will affect their view of you. The A on your past report card will also become a C-, do you understand what I mean?"

The Mayor took a deep breath. "Don't worry, I won't mess around."

Mike didn't care whether he was telling the truth or not. "The higher-ups want to see your results as soon as possible. If you need to use the ultimate weapon, call this number. Take it down."

After hanging up the phone, the Mayor lit a cigarette and sat in his chair, thinking for a long time. Of course, he could understand what Mike meant.

The big shots wanted results and wanted to maintain their dignity, those sons of bitches!

When the cigarette was almost finished, he picked up the phone and dialed Dale's number.

Since calling the Mayor in the morning, Dale had been waiting for this call, so the phone only rang once before he picked it up.

"This is Dale."

"It's me. Congress is very interested in the outcome of this battle. You can go ahead and do it. If necessary, we can mobilize the militia to enter the city."

"But it's best to keep the situation under that level. Also, you need to pay attention to your safety. I feel that they may attack you, no matter who it is."

Even the Mayor himself would go crazy if he suddenly lost hundreds of thousands of bottles of liquor!

If these liquors were unpacked and sold in bars, their value could swell to millions. If they were sold in the Bay Area, the price would be even higher!

Everyone in the Hazardous Materials Administration was waiting for this news. After Dale put down the phone, he felt energetic all over. The Congressional side had noticed here, which meant that he had reappeared in the sights of the Congressmen.

He didn't immediately notify people to take action, but dialed the number of the capital. After a brief communication, he finally left the office.

It wasn't that he didn't trust the Mayor, it was just that he didn't want to be confusedly thrown out as bait.

He wanted to be the fisherman, not the bait!

When he arrived in the hall, there were already many people gathered here, because he said that there might be a special mission today, and everyone should not go home for the time being, so they are still gathered here now.

It was already daylight saving time, and although it was six o'clock, the sky was not completely dark. He coughed, and everyone's eyes were drawn to him.

"Jin Gang City will remember today."

"The Federation will remember today!"

"Each of you will become a hero!"

"Now I announce the allocation of personnel and the action plan. Ponda, you will temporarily serve as the deputy commander of the first team. I will personally serve as the commander."

"Second team…"

As people quickly divided into teams, many curious eyes fell on Ponda's face. He seemed particularly excited!

Senior agent, he was not far away!

Suddenly, he felt that it was not bad to trade with Lance. Although everything Lance did was purposeful, at least they really cracked down on smuggled liquor and achieved brilliant results!

With Director Dale's order, a large number of agents began to take action, and all five armored vehicles were used.

The machine gunners wearing steel helmets seemed to be participating in a war, not an action to seize smuggled liquor!

The moment the convoy left the Hazardous Materials Administration, the various spies 'on duty' at the door hurriedly called to inform their backing forces.

At this time, many eyes were watching this group of people. When they found that the Hazardous Materials Administration's convoy was not heading towards their territory, they breathed a sigh of relief.

But when they learned that the convoy was heading to the dock warehouse, they all became uneasy, even those among them who possessed legal documents and proof.

Proof that the liquor in the warehouse had been purchased before Prohibition, proof that they were only storing the liquor and had no intention of selling it.

A large number of cars drove towards the pier, wanting to know what these mad dogs were up to!

At this time, the pier had already received Director Dale's request. Although the pier management company was unwilling to let them enter the pier, they ultimately chose to give way in the face of those guns.

The convoy arrived at a warehouse according to the clues provided by Ponda. They directly knocked on the warehouse door. As the roller shutter door was pushed open, a strong aroma of alcohol immediately wafted out.

Everyone's spirits were lifted, they had found it!

The smile on Director Dale's face could hardly be concealed. He strode into the warehouse, turned on the lights, looked at the liquor piled up like a small mountain, and waved his fist forcefully.

At the moment of turning around, his expression became extremely serious, "Immediately seal up these smuggled liquors and take them away!"

The manager of the pier management company couldn't help but run over, "You are breaking the law!"

"You have no right to seize the materials stored here..."

A senior agent directly showed their legal authorization, "We have the right to seize and confiscate these illegal smuggled liquors. If you interfere with our law enforcement again, don't blame us for taking you away too!"

The manager closed his mouth. He glared at them fiercely, then turned and left.

Someone looked at Director Dale, communicating through eye contact to ask if they should bring this person back, but Director Dale shook his head and refused.

He was very happy now, but also very worried, because... there was too much liquor here.

A preliminary simple estimate showed that there were about eight thousand cases, six bottles per case, forty to fifty thousand bottles of liquor, and the price of these whiskeys was around fifteen to twenty dollars.

That's liquor worth seven to eight hundred thousand!

In fact, when he saw these liquors, he also felt a hint of fear amidst the excitement.

There was too much liquor!

Now, while having people load the trucks, he began to consider how to deal with the next steps.

About twenty minutes later, seven or eight cars rushed over quickly, and a large group of people got out of the cars.

The leading people were shouting for them to stop.

Director Dale walked to the front, standing between them and the warehouse.

"Do you know whose liquor this is?" A guy who looked like a lawyer had a hint of anger on his face.

He was exchanging bodily fluids with two legal interns, having fun, when suddenly the door was kicked open.

Although it was his boss who kicked open the door, he still had enough reason to be angry.

He didn't dare to be angry at his boss, but he could vent his anger on Director Dale.

He took out several documents from his briefcase and showed them to Director Dale, "These are proof that these liquors are legal!"

"You are stealing our legal property. If you don't stop your actions, I will accuse you in court..."

Before he could finish speaking, a younger-looking person pushed him away and walked over.

In fact, he could see that the Bureau of Dangerous Goods was determined to seize this liquor today.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked.

Director Dale carefully examined his face for a while and shook his head, "I don't know who you are, and I don't care who you are. You'd better take your people away."

Perhaps sensing the aura on Wolfley's body, the machine gunners subconsciously turned their gun muzzles to aim at him, overwhelmed by this aura.

Feeling the tremendous pressure brought by those dark gun muzzles, the young man's chest rose and fell greatly, in bursts, "Okay, very good."

"You've made a big mistake, Dale, remember my name, Wolfley Coda!"

He reached out and tapped Director Dale's chest, "You will regret it."

Director Dale did have a little regret, but he wouldn't show it. Instead, he had to show that kind of nonchalant attitude in front of his subordinates.

A mocking smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Justice will ultimately triumph over evil, Mr. Coda."

Wolfley chuckled. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

He didn't try to anger Dale out of spite. He couldn't guarantee that those machine gunners wouldn't fire. After looking at the machine gunners on the armored vehicles, he turned around somewhat embarrassedly and got back into the car, "Go!"

The convoy left, but things were far from over.

This gave Director Dale a headache!

In fact, he didn't care much if it was any other force or gang. Even if the liquor belonged to Congressman Wade, he wouldn't care.

Because Congressman Wade couldn't reach the level of Congress. At most, he had a good relationship with local opinion leaders.

And Mr. Hoff's influence in the Licale State Socialist Party was not as great as that of Party Representative Mike.

But coincidentally, this warehouse belonged to the Coda family.

Many people rumored that the Coda family was also funneling benefits to Congress. Dale came from the capital, and he knew very well that once the issue involved the personal interests of the congressmen, they would go crazy!

He hoped that these rumors were just rumors, otherwise it would really be a trouble!

He looked back at the warehouse again. This warehouse did not use anyone related to the Coda family to register.

Director Dale must have done his homework, but now thinking about these things is useless. He can only urge people to load the liquor onto the trucks as soon as possible.

The sea breeze on the pier was very strong, and there were many large machines and various vehicles here. In addition to the salty smell of the sea, there was also the smell of various engine oils and incomplete gasoline combustion.

So that some agents did not notice that these boxes were actually emitting a similar gasoline smell, although not strong!

Forklifts continued to send a large amount of liquor to the trucks. The loaded trucks would soon return, accompanied by armored vehicles. Director Dale demanded that all the liquor be sent back to their warehouses as soon as possible.

Now that things had been done, he wouldn't stop.

With the continuous back and forth of the trucks, all the liquor was transported away by eight o'clock, leaving only the empty warehouse.

At this time, as the sea breeze blew, the smell of liquor in the warehouse dissipated a lot, but inexplicably, there was more of a gasoline smell.

It was just that at this time, no one noticed this. Their attention was focused on the Bureau of Dangerous Goods and those liquors.

They really wanted to know what Director Dale, the mayor, and the Coda family would do. If some previous "encounters" were considered to be just touching the surface.

Then this time, it was a real fight.

Coda's Gori (Fleming's uncle, the number two figure in the family) immediately called acquaintances in Congress. So much money was offered up every year, it wasn't for nothing!

For a time, some congressmen who were already preparing to rest became busy. No one thought that catching a typical example would indirectly catch themselves!

When they caught others, they were duty-bound, but when they caught themselves, they had to consider it...