Empire of Shadows No Chapter 453

Ten minutes later, the manager of the dock managent company drove over.

The dock was huge. If he had walked, it might have taken twenty-sothing minutes.

He had an embarrassed look on his face. After getting out of the car, he took the initiative to walk over and shake hands with the general manager. “I ca to see what happened.”

The Liji Group’s general manager looked behind him, his hands raised in a clear show of fluctuating emotions. “Where are the workers?”

“Our goods are waiting to be loaded. Can we have them load these things onto the ship first, and then we’ll discuss this?”

These orders also had penalty clauses. The compensation ratio for breach of contract was not large, many were 50%, but this was the kind that required paying a penalty.

The embarrassnt on the manager’s face did not diminish. “I tried, but I failed.”

The general manager’s expression turned even worse. “What do you an?”

“I don’t know how to say it!” The dock managent company manager’s gaze was erratic, constantly looking at the things around him. “They said… they refuse to provide services for any of the Liji Group’s businesses because you look down on them.”

“They said that working for you feels like a personal insult, and they refuse to continue working for you, even if we deduct their wages.”

“Fuck!” the general manager cursed. “I didn’t look down on them, and you have to help

sort this out. We signed a contract!”

Renting a warehouse at the docks and using the dock managent company’s workers—all of this was covered by a formal contract.

To be precise, after they rented the warehouse, the dock managent company would provide the corresponding labor to help them complete the work that required it.

Hearing the other party’s offensive words, the dock managent company’s manager also beca less polite. “We did sign a contract, but it doesn’t say that you can insult our workers!”

“If you think we’ve breached the contract, you can go ahead and sue us!”

This was the Liji Group’s most frequently used counterasure, now thrown back in their faces. The general manager took a deep breath, suppressing his temper.

Right now, the most important thing was to get these goods shipped out.

“Sorry, I was too tense. Our goods need to be loaded and shipped before 2 PM, but right now there’s no one here to help us.”

“I apologize for my inappropriate remarks just now. Can you see if you can coordinate and solve this through so other ans?”

He was gritting his teeth in hatred for his own employees and the workers here, yet he still had to put on a “it’s my fault” appearance. His lungs were about to explode with anger.

“Can you find those workers?”

“I’ll talk to them again. I can compensate them with sothing, either financially or in so other way.”

The manager at the docks shook his head. “I accept your apology, but they said they won’t see you.”

Considering that the other party was a major client of the docks and that they would continue to cooperate in the future, he lowered his voice slightly and reminded him, “There are many casual laborers outside the docks. You can go and hire them to work for you.”

“Anyway, it’s just for one day. Daily pay will do. $1 or $2 per person. Many of them are also very familiar with the work on the docks.”

“$100 or $200 should be enough to solve your troubles for today.”

“But don’t tell anyone I told you this.”

These casual laborers were actually the dockworkers who had lost their jobs before. Companies or individuals who rented warehouses or needed other services at the docks could, according to the contract, use the labor provided free of charge by the port.

That is, the dockworkers in the blue uniforms now.

They could also find a group of workers to work for them themselves. This was allowed, but even if they found their own workers, there would be no reduction in the fees for using the equipnt.

This was a complete service package. Whether you used it or not, you had to pay.

The general manager nodded, said a word of thanks, and then watched the other party leave.

He turned his head and glanced sideways at those employees who already knew they had caused trouble, then drove to the outside of the dock gate.

There had been a casual labor market outside the docks for a long ti. In the past, it was mostly illegal immigrants, squatting or standing together, listless.

When soone who looked like they were going to hire workers passed by, they would stand up.

Seeing these low-level casual laborers with a distinct strange sll approaching, the general manager who had just gotten out of the car was almost scared back inside.

The obvious disgust in his eyes made the casual laborers wisely not get too close to him.

“I need so people who can do dock warehouse loading and unloading work. Today’s work must be finished today, $2.”

He had offered a little more. In fact, so would be willing to do it for $1, but to be on the safe side, he added an extra dollar.

By the way, he also added, “I need strong ones, preferably those who have done this kind of work before.”

In an instant, the crowd was like a boiling pot. People were constantly raising their hands and squeezing towards him.

He took two steps back and set his sights on a big-bearded man. “You, have you done this before?”

The big-bearded man nodded repeatedly. “I used to be a worker on the docks, and a worker representative at that.”

This made the general manager a little bewildered for a mont. He of course knew what a worker representative ant, but he also couldn’t understand how a worker representative could beco a casual laborer.

But now he had no ti to think about these things. He pointed at the big-bearded man and said, “Help

recruit a hundred workers. I need you to go to work right away.”

The big-bearded man’s face was full of joy. A considerable portion of the surrounding crowd imdiately let out a sigh and began to leave on their own initiative.

The big-bearded man was the representative of the local casual laborers. He had many friends. If he was the one choosing, then the immigrant casual laborers, the illegal immigrant casual laborers, and the refugee casual laborers looking for opportunities would have no chance at all.

Looking at the scattered people, the general manager vaguely realized sothing, but he didn’t care.

What he needed was soone to solve his troubles, not to solve social conflicts.

Soon, a team of white n was selected. The big-bearded man had a smile on his face, but in his heart, there was a different kind of feeling.

“Boss, the n have been selected. I guarantee they are all the best lads on the docks.”

The corner of the general manager’s mouth twitched slightly. Why are the best lads outside the docks, and not inside?

He didn’t dwell on this, just nodded and said, “Then let’s go to work.”

“After you finish your work, my employee will settle your wages with you.”

“I still have so things to do. He will take you to the docks.”

The specialist was arriving soon. He had to go and prepare.

He had a staff mber take these people away and then went to the station.

The Liji Group had many cooperative relationships with various railway companies in the Federation. For large-scale agricultural products, it was an indisputable choice to use cargo ships for sea transportation.

Then on land, train transport beca their only choice.

It wasn’t that cars were not an option, but in terms of current technology, the carrying capacity of trucks was far worse than that of trains, and the transportation costs were also higher.

The Federation’s railways and trains were all owned by private companies. The Liji Group was their major client, so these railway companies all provided the Liji Group with a “symbol of honor”—

Exclusive personnel rest carriages, and even more advanced exclusive carriages.

Just like the carriage the specialist was currently riding in. It was from more than forty years ago, a very luxuriously decorated carriage. It didn’t look at all like being on a train.

Exquisite furniture, decorations, and also an office and a rest room, to ensure that even on the train, the distinguished guests could get a good rest and a space to work.

To have such an exclusive carriage, besides the three major agricultural product channel distributors, there were only those resource companies.

They were also heavyweight clients of the railway companies.

When the train ca to a stop in a great cloud of steam, a gentleman in a suit and a wide-brimd felt hat, looking very exquisite, got out of the car.

He looked to be in his thirties, about the sa age as the general manager, but the other party was already a company specialist.

“Mr. Specialist, I am the person in charge here.”

The specialist nodded a little arrogantly. “I’ve heard of you…”

After seeing a smile appear on the general manager’s face, he continued, “but not in a good way.”

“In one year, to have the company send two specialists over. To be honest, I have doubts about your ability. I hope the board of directors has not been blinded by sothing.”

He didn’t give the general manager any face at all. This kind of person was very common in the company. They all belonged to the vested interest group of “doing things by the book.”

To put it more colloquially, they cared more about the system and abiding by the system than anyone else. And because of their strict adherence, they were selected by the company and beca the middle managent of the company.

Even if their relatives made a mistake in their work at the company, for example, their parents, or their own brothers and sisters, they would unhesitatingly fire them if they should be fired, and hold them accountable if they should be held accountable, with a completely impartial attitude.

This was their work principle. Perhaps in life they would be a little more humane, but at work, they were more like a machine than a person.

The smile on the general manager’s face instantly froze. The few staff mbers who had followed him out of the carriage, “Where is the car?”

The specialist asked, “Our ti is very tight. Let’s skip the social engagents. Just tell

what needs to be handled.”

The general manager took a deep breath. He thought of the previous specialist, and his end.

Suddenly, he felt a little bit of anticipation, anticipating this specialist angering Lance, and then arranging another “accident” for him.

Soon they returned to the company. Out of a wicked sense of humor, the general manager placed the “car crash toy” soone had given him in the office temporarily prepared for the specialist, and in a very conspicuous place.

The specialist saw the model at a glance. He looked back at the general manager, then threw it into the trash can.

“Get out, I need to work.”

The general manager who had been shut out of the door had not yet returned to his own office when his secretary ran over. “Sothing’s happened at the docks again…”

The big-bearded man led the workers to the docks to start work. Johnny imdiately gave Lance a call. “Big Beard is leading people to help them work. Should we interfere?”

Big Beard had directly stood on the opposite side of Lance during the strike. Later, he was directly fired by the managent company, had also caused trouble, had been beaten, and finally chose to compromise with reality.

So had gone to the industrial area to try their luck, but so, they were still looking for work opportunities at the docks.

Although the work of a temporary laborer was unstable, it could barely sustain their lives.

The dock managent company had not completely eliminated them, and whether to hire them or not was the client’s own business. They wouldn’t interfere.

Lance was a magnanimous person most of the ti, but at certain tis, he was not so magnanimous.

He was actually very good to these workers and had been helping them fight for their rights. But when they found that there was a greater benefit in front of them, and the price was to abandon, or even harm Lance’s interests, this part of the people had abandoned Lance.

Lance could not be magnanimous to these people, not to ntion that this also involved the conflict between him and the Liji Group.

“You don’t have to worry about it. I’ll arrange for people to go.”

He hung up the phone. “Get Alan over here.”

Hiram, sitting on the sofa, walked to the door. “Alan, co here.”

Before long, Alan arrived in the room.

He was very useful, obedient, flexible, and most importantly, reliable.

Lance sat behind the desk, his hands clasped together. “The Liji people have found a group of casual laborers to do their loading and unloading, but I don’t want to see them be able to load the goods on ti. Do you understand what I an?”

Alan nodded. “I’ll go and handle it.”

Lance nodded slightly and also kindly reminded him to bring more people.

After Alan left the room, he ca to the rest room. He picked a few captains. “Bring your n and clubs and follow . Bring your weapons too.”

The faces of these captains imdiately lit up. They all ran to the back to call their n, and then followed Alan together to get their weapons and set off for the port.

Everyone in their hearts actually knew very well that Alan was very likely to be promoted to cadre. So even though everyone was a captain, but… they were still very obedient to Alan.

Not only because he had good connections, but also because his future was bright.

A total of thirty to forty people ca this ti. These young n were all wearing roughly the sa uniform.

As the weather gradually got colder, the trench coats could be worn again. The red armbands made them seem a bit out of place with the dark, gloomy docks at this ti.

Alan held a cigarette between his thumb and forefinger and strode towards the warehouse. This was sothing he had learned from Lance. He thought it was very cool.

As the warehouse appeared in sight, so workers who were not wearing work clothes were loading and unloading goods. He took a baseball bat from the hands of one of his subordinates and pointed at that group of people. “Hit them!”

He charged at the front. To make the other young n obey you, you can’t shrink back. He understood this principle.

He directly saw a sowhat familiar big-bearded man in the crowd. Without caring whether the other party was their target, he swung the bat and hit him.

For a ti, the area near the warehouse was filled with screams and curses. Although these casual laborers were actively resisting, compared to these more professional young n with baseball bats, they seed to be lacking a little.

In less than ten minutes, many casual laborers were lying on the ground outside the warehouse, having been knocked down. More casual laborers had taken advantage of the chaos to run away, watching from a distance.

Alan handed the bat in his hand to the person next to him. He carefully straightened his trench coat. This suit was specially customized.

When he saw a clear bloodstain on his clothes, his heart ached.

He kicked the casual laborer who had fallen beside him again. “Son of a bitch, fuck!”

In the distance, the wail of police cars was approaching. A lot of onlookers had already gathered around. A few minutes later, the police cars arrived here.

The police officer who was dispatched saw the attire of these social personnel standing outside the warehouse, and his originally cold and indifferent expression softened.

“What happened?”

Alan threw away his cigarette, crushed it with the tip of his brown leather shoe. He walked over and said, “There was a little conflict, officer.”

The police from the Port District sub-bureau all received “wages” from the Lance Family. They knew Alan, but it was not convenient to show that they were familiar with each other now.

“I have to take you and your n back for questioning.”

Alan did not resist, but raised his hands. “Do you need to handcuff ?”

The police officer shook his head. “Until it’s confird that you have indeed committed a cri, we will not handcuff you.”

Alan smiled and nodded. “Okay, can I drive my own car?”

“Of course!” The police officer still did not make things difficult for him.

He expressed his thanks, and then as he turned around, he swept his cold gaze over the guys lying on the ground and walked to his own car.

Soon, this group of them and the police left together. The police had asked if they should call an ambulance for these injured people—the cost would have to be paid by them.

In the end, everyone refused the ambulance service. They had to get up from the ground themselves and then go to the sub-bureau to report and explain the situation.

Among them, the one who was beaten the worst was the big-bearded man. His face was covered in blood.

He looked at the direction the police cars and those social vehicles had left, and a trace of regret finally appeared in his heart.

A little while later, Sub-bureau Chief Duke gave Lance a call. “Lance, next ti can you not do this in front of so many people?”

“It’s very difficult for

to handle.”

Thirty-sothing people, should he arrest them or release them?

If no one had seen, they could have arrested the victims, intimidated them a bit, and then diated, and the matter would be over.

But so many people had seen, which made it not so easy to operate. After all, there were too many witnesses, and there would always be so people with a sense of justice.

“Handle it as it should be handled. I’ll have soone pay the bail. Tell them, if they want to sue, then sue. We accept it all.”

In the Federation, fighting is a very vague “case.” It often needs to be resolved through litigation, and it also requires “witnesses.”

If there are no witnesses, the judiciary can only handle it on a 50/50 basis. It’s possible that in this process, the party that clearly caused the harm would be detained, but Lance’s side would pay the bail, so in a sense, the big-bearded man and his group were beaten for nothing.

Even if the judge passed a sentence, this kind of minor injury would at most be so restriction of movent or community service and compensation.

But would they dare to ask Alan for compensation?

No, they wouldn’t dare.

With Lance’s authorization, the subsequent matters beca much easier. In less than ten minutes, Roben the lawyer had paid the bail.

The one who did the beating went ho imdiately, while the one who was beaten had to be investigated at the police station.

Perhaps, this was the most psychedelic scene of the Federation’s judiciary…