Chapter 155: Small Power

“I need some advice!”

Standing at the podium, Mayor Lynch rubbed his temples. “Unemployment is rising, public security is worsening, and violent crimes have begun appearing in neighboring cities. If we don’t stop this, our city, built over decades, will return to a primitive state!”

Everyone knew destruction never leads to prosperity—only construction does. But the current situation was pushing some people toward the path they didn’t want to take.

Most people would rather be good if they could have food, clothes, and some control over their lives without breaking the law.

Yet the mayor’s words made some frown. Not long ago, they had donated money, and now the mayor was gathering them again, discussing how to save the city—giving the impression he wanted more money from their pockets.

No one likes being extorted, even if the extorter is the city’s undisputed ruler.

The silent room held no other sound. Lynch looked at them with hopeful eyes, wanting ideas to solve the crisis. But clearly, his hope was too optimistic.

No one spoke. They sat like gentlemen on display, just filling seats.

The mayor’s hope faded as he scanned their faces. Most avoided eye contact, and none gave him answers.

This meeting was destined to fail. It had been obvious since Wednesday, when Lynch’s demand for 100,000 forced many to give even more, leaving them feeling robbed.

Later investigations might conclude Lynch wasn’t planted by the mayor, but they still felt robbed.

A few years ago, thirty or fifty thousand was easy money for them. Back then, people were wealthy.

Now everyone was struggling. Spending that much was painful.

The purpose of this meeting was clear to everyone. They knew what the mayor wanted, but this time, they wouldn’t compromise.

Endless compromises only made the mayor overestimate his influence. People weren’t so dependent on him—and now they had a model.

On Monday, Liston Group’s stock began plummeting. Many found it entertaining news. For smaller companies, such dominance wasn’t good.

Because upward channels were nearly closed. The city hall prioritized policies for this powerful local giant, ignoring small businesses.

Only if Liston fell would others get opportunities and favorable policies. So many watched, some even sold their shares to push the stock off the cliff.

That’s partly why people were willing to pay on Wednesday. City hall’s threats alone made Liston’s stock crash. Even Neo and the board’s announcements couldn’t stop it.

Liston’s fall would benefit the city’s businessmen, who could buy its assets cheaply—earning a fortune. So they reluctantly supported the mayor’s plans.

But now things had changed. Neo publicly said he would end Liston’s business in Sabin City and move headquarters to a neighboring state’s conservative stronghold.

That state’s capital mayor promised Friday night to bring outside help to get through this crisis. They pledged that if Liston relocated there, they’d provide at least 3,000 jobs.

In coming years, jobs would surpass 5,000, sparking cheers from their citizens.

In these times, people’s needs were simple: not starve and have a job.

Work means stability for families. Nothing is more important than jobs now.

Looking closer, things weren’t so simple. Liston might have a fallback plan. That’s why the mayor and governor were frustrated.

A role model’s power is immense. Liston’s experience showed people the best way to solve troubles was to switch to the conservatives. Though they faced the same problems as the progressives, they were easier to deal with.

The crowd watched the mayor. He looked at them, then reluctantly spoke, feeling humiliated. “I need you to provide more jobs…”

“That’s impossible, sir!” someone interrupted sharply, drawing everyone’s attention.

Lynch looked curiously at this brave soul. Interrupting the mayor required courage.

He was a man in his early thirties, about thirty-two or thirty-three. He even stood up. Not bad-looking, though not as handsome as Lynch.

Calm and composed, he clearly knew what he was doing.

He looked at the mayor and repeated, “It’s impossible, sir. I run a small metal parts factory with twenty-seven workers. That’s the largest scale I can maintain.”

“Since last year’s second half, sales have been terrible, but I kept the scale and paid wages. Though some say my pay, at minimum wage per the hourly law, is unethical, at least my workers get paid every month.”

“Since May, I haven’t received a single cent in three months. I can’t support the factory or pay workers anymore. I can’t hire more, and if I don’t find a way by October, I’ll have to shut down. So expanding jobs is impossible.”

“Moreover,” he raised his voice, making the mayor’s scalp tingle, “I believe Sabin City’s problem isn’t creating jobs. Our products don’t sell. Mayor, state, and federal governments should help us find markets, not force us to bear responsibilities we don’t have!”

His words were eloquent, and many applauded. The mayor’s face darkened.

What he said was mostly true. Without sales and profit, businesses can’t pay workers.

Demanding more jobs now felt like robbing them.

His words voiced many merchants’ real feelings. They naturally supported him.

The mayor noted his face, but the young man didn’t flinch at his hostile gaze. He wasn’t afraid.

This made him suspect he might be linked to Liston and Neo.

The applause died down. They knew prolonged applause could worsen things. They wanted to show their stance, not challenge the mayor.

Not everyone could leave this city like Liston.

Moving might escape current troubles like wages, but new cities bring tougher competition and policies. Without influence like Liston, it’s best not to run.

Lynch pinched his nose, gestured for the young man to sit, and apologized, “I overlooked your pressures…” It was the closest thing to an apology, which was accepted.

“Can anyone offer solutions? I don’t ask you to solve problems even the president can’t, but at least to ease the situation. Things are very bad.”

No one answered. Anyone with a solution would be opposing Sabin’s capitalists.

Looking around at the silence, the mayor realized some problems weren’t as easy to fix as before. His face darkened. His eyes settled on Lynch in the corner.

He recalled their dinner last week and the things Lynch said.