Empire of Shadows

Alberto looked at Lance, who was sitting across from him, exuding confidence and youth, and the agitation he had felt gradually subsided.

He took out a cigarette and tossed it to Lance, "There's something that's been bothering me for the past two days. You might not know yet, but our state is going to join the Prohibition League."

Lance whistled, "Prohibition."

Alberto nodded, "Yes, Prohibition."

"I have some bars and nightclubs that need a lot of alcohol. If Goldport City also bans alcohol, these businesses will be ruined!"

"Since my father's time, we've been doing this: loan sharking, selling alcohol, the flesh trade. But now, they are gradually encroaching on our living space, Lance."

"Two years ago, they introduced the 'Usury Law,' and now they want to ban us from selling the most profitable alcoholic beverages. In a few days, they may completely ban the flesh trade."

"I heard that someone is suggesting a complete ban on erotic transactions. This is simply murder!"

"I feel like a drowning man, almost unable to breathe!"

Lance looked at his somewhat manic appearance, trying not to provoke him, "So, you mean you want me to find a way to stop the state government from joining the Prohibition League."

Alberto's expression suddenly became somewhat bewildered, as if... he didn't understand what Lance was saying, "How could you... have such an idea?"

Lance breathed a sigh of relief, "I almost thought you had such an idea because you wanted me to help you solve this trouble."

Alberto waved his hand, "I know very well what you can do and what you can't do."

"If one day you become the President of the Federation, maybe you can solve this problem, but now, you can't."

"I'm just complaining to you. In fact, the trouble I need you to help me with is not this."

He took out a contract and handed it to Lance, "Someone is not paying back the money again. Same old rules, five percent."

Lance glanced at the order. One thousand dollars, borrowed for four months, with interest, it would be two thousand dollars. It really was squeezing blood out of people.

Lance himself would not do this deal, but he could give it to Ervin and the others to do. They can't experience nothing. This does not conform to the future Lance designed for them.

He agreed with some of Mr. Bolton's views. If people want to get rewards, they must first give.

"I'll take care of it. I actually came here this time to talk to you about this. My company is being registered, and if there are no accidents, it will be registered soon."

Alberto became interested, "What does it do?"

"Maybe we can have some cooperation."

This was Lance's purpose in coming here, "Financial consulting. It is currently related to your work. I will introduce some people who need to borrow money to you."

"And then you earn a referral fee?" Alberto picked up a small snack from the table and threw it into his mouth. "Making money as an intermediary doesn't earn you too much money. You might as well come and work for me. I can give you more."

Lance still refused him, but he also agreed with his view that intermediaries don't make much money, "In addition to being an intermediary, I also help you solve subsequent possible problems. You only need to sign a contract with the people I bring, give them the money, and then wait to collect the money."

"Problems like this where someone doesn't pay back the money won't bother you. I will solve it and bring you back your principal and interest."

After Alberto listened, he pondered for a while, "You want to take a portion of my profits."

Lance picked up the order, "Only for large-sum cooperation. Of course, I didn't stop you from doing business yourself. The business I introduce is equal to your extra income. In fact, you don't lose anything at all!"

Alberto hesitated, "How much can you give me?"

"Fifteen to thirty percent each month, without any trouble, legal or other problems, I will solve them."

Large-sum lending is indeed becoming a tricky business for Alberto, especially since the introduction of the 'Usury Law' has made many financial companies particularly cautious when facing large-sum businesses.

Just like Mr. Anderson, if the money he spends on hiring a lawyer to sue is less than the money he has to pay back to Alberto, he can completely choose not to pay back the money and choose to sue.

Anyway, with the support of the 'Usury Law,' he can completely not pay back a cent. After deducting the lawyer and litigation fees, he can still have a lot left over.

Even if they sign a contract, the contract itself violates the law and does not have legal benefits. Instead, it can be regarded as evidence of Alberto's violation of the law.

Everyone knows that large-sum loans are the real money-making projects, but now everyone has doubts, and fewer and fewer financial companies dare to lend money casually. The market is big, but the business volume is declining.

"What are you going to do?" Alberto became interested, but Lance didn't tell him.

"It's a trade secret!" He said, as if thinking of something, "Actually, Mr. Corti, the Prohibition Law is actually a good thing for us."

"A good thing?"

"Are you sure?"

Lance nodded affirmatively, "Because there is less freely traded alcohol on the market, but people's demand for alcohol will not change, which means that alcoholic beverages will change from a buyer's market to a seller's market."

"It's no longer you peddling various alcoholic beverages to customers, but them asking, 'What do you have to sell?' You will earn more than before."

After listening, Alberto seemed thoughtful, "You have a smart brain, Lance, so you mean I don't have to do anything now?"

"If you have money, it's best to hoard a batch of alcohol, the legal kind, and then wait for its price to skyrocket!"

Alberto listened to it, and the more he analyzed it, the more he felt that Lance was right. He immediately shouted loudly, "Fordis, you better get in here now, I have work to give you..."

A few minutes later, Lance and Fordis left the office together, "I knew you could solve his troubles."

Lance shook his head and didn't agree.

On the way, he bought two state newspapers, which did mention that the state church and rescue organizations were lobbying the state government to join the Prohibition League. Although the report did not reveal whether the state government had made a decision, the report itself was releasing the same message.

It tells people in this relatively gentle way that they have to be psychologically prepared because there may soon be a complete ban on alcohol.

With such a transition, people can quickly adapt when the alcohol ban really starts.

After returning to his company, he gave Alberto's order directly to Ervin and returned to the office. Not long after, the newly installed phone rang.

"Is this Mr. Lance?"

"This is the City Commercial Service Bureau. The company registration information you applied for has been implemented. Can you come over?"

"Of course..."

How long has it been? It has actually been registered. If anyone says that the federal government's work is inefficient, he will be the first to disagree.

Well, at least Goldport City's efficiency is okay.

Receiving the company registration-related documents is not too complicated. It is to confirm a company number, tax number, and he doesn't need to use his brain for anything else.

Patricia was working, and Lance didn't bother her and left directly.

He still has to go back and train those brothers and sisters.

The afternoon was spent in training. Lance arranged their work very simply. As long as they run around, they will definitely be able to find orders.

In fact, this is indeed the case. Near the end of work, a little friend led a guy and knocked on the door and walked in.

"Boss, this is... Mr., he wants to borrow some money."

"How much to borrow?" Lance pointed to the chair opposite the table. This ordinary-looking worker sat down somewhat uncomfortably, "I need... fifty dollars."

"Do you have a job?"

This gentleman nodded, "I work on the pier and earn thirty-seven dollars a month."

Lance thought for a while and said, "Okay, I can give you fifty dollars, but you must give me two thirty-seven dollar checks, using your two months' salary to repay, and you have to sign this agreement."

He casually drafted a very simple contract. He thought it would take a few days for business to come to his door, but he underestimated the people's desire to consume during this period.

The general meaning of the contract is that if his salary in any month within two months is less than thirty-seven dollars, then he will rent his work card to Lance for free for four months.

The content is not much, and it is easy to understand, and it does not involve any illegal things.

The gentleman who wanted to borrow money glanced at the contract, signed it without hesitation, and quickly signed two checks to Lance...