The Shadow Tycoon
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 149: The Factory Without a Contract
William had barely returned home that morning when the maid told him Mr. Ferraler had called and asked him to call back as soon as possible.
That was the inconvenience of an age without mobile communications. If a person was not staying in a fixed place, the whole world could not find him.
William soon returned Ferraler’s call, and Ferraler explained why he had called.
The mayor had already submitted William’s application to join the Federation Progressive Party. William did not need to handle these things himself. The Federation Progressive Party’s development office would take care of the paperwork for him.
At the same time, probably on Wednesday, the day after tomorrow, the Federation Progressive Party’s state office would send someone to Sabine City to meet with William. Members like him, recommended by a city mayor and admitted into the Federation Progressive Party, would receive more senior treatment.
This Development Commissioner would talk with William about his impression of the Federation Progressive Party, about whether William himself had any suggestions for the Federation Progressive Party, and whether there was anything he needed the Federation Progressive Party to help him with.
Ferraler told William that he could say anything, but absolutely must not ask for help. That was not a good thing.
Many people who had just joined the Federation Progressive Party did not know this. They would talk about certain difficulties they faced in business or at work. Some of those things could be solved by the Federation Progressive Party, and after the party solved them casually, it would begin asking for repayment.
Not the ugly, bottomless kind of demand. They would only tell you, we gave you help, so shouldn’t you give someone else, some other Federation Progressive Party friend, whatever help you are able to provide?
In truth, this method could very easily make a person merge completely with the whole. But sometimes it also created certain problems. Not everyone liked this kind of “dedication.”
Apart from that, there would be a charity auction in the state on Saturday night to raise funds for part of the city’s unemployment relief subsidies. William had also been invited to attend. Then, next Monday, William had to keep his schedule open. City Hall would hold an inquiry meeting to discuss with everyone how to revive the city’s development.
William did not refuse any of these events. He carefully recorded the times. The higher a person’s value in society, the less he could guarantee complete independence.
Many people felt that after becoming wealthy, life ought to become very free. From certain angles, that was indeed true. But sometimes it also became very unfree, because every part of society’s development needed such people to offer their ideas or make their contributions.
As for the kind of person who had a great deal of money and could still do nothing all day except play, such people did not exist, whether in this world or another.
All kinds of meetings, all kinds of events, not one of them could be missed. Sometimes upper-class women and gentlemen were also very tired, and this double fatigue of mind and body was far more exhausting than the simple physical fatigue of manual laborers.
At this moment, William suddenly remembered what Eleanor had said that day. Perhaps so-called upper society was simply spent in conversation and meals.
The next day, Tuesday afternoon, William took a car to the place he had arranged with Lunite to visit his plant.
At the previous after-party, this fellow had met him and asked whether there might be an opportunity for cooperation. That was also why William had come here.
He believed that as the Federation’s situation grew worse and worse, the requirements on many things would be loosened, and naturally that included acts related to employment.
When people were about to starve, who would still care about acts and laws? Being able to earn money, buy food, and fill the stomach was what mattered most.
As soon as the car stopped, Lunite hurried over with his secretary. He even refused to let William’s driver open the door for him, and personally opened the car door for William.
If his current situation had not been hanging by a thread, how could a factory owner possibly do something like this?
“Sorry to trouble you to come receive me personally...” After William got out of the car, he straightened his clothes, extended his hand, and shook Lunite’s. Compared with William’s steadiness, restraint, and powerful confidence, Lunite looked like an unremarkable supporting character from some story.
His waist was slightly bent. It did not quite look like he was bowing, but he was definitely not standing straight either. He did not want to show his “flattery,” but he did not have enough backbone either. He was a man swaying uncertainly from side to side.
“It’s only right. The fact that you came already makes me very happy. Shall we tour my plant next?” As he spoke, he guided William inside.
The plant covered roughly seven acres, with three workshops and one warehouse. This kind of plant was very common in the industrial district. Perhaps in order to let William see a “busy” scene, all the workers in the workshops had actually shown up today, and all of them were wearing clean work clothes, heads lowered as they worked hard.
Lunite probably took William for the sort of young man with little social experience, assuming he had never entered a plant district and naturally would not understand how foolish his arrangement was.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.