They Joined Them When They Couldn't Beat Them

Two companies in Sabine City that specialize in selling industrial generators never imagined that Great Blackout would suddenly strike the entire city when they were on the verge of bankruptcy and packing up to leave, without any warning.

Then the merchants showed up in their trucks outside their shops, talking about buying generators.

Inside the City Hall in the city center, the mayor was talking with some City Hall officials, including some businessmen, Lin Qi was among them.

"We need to ensure that the city's operation is not affected by this major strike. I need you to talk to the strike's advocates or leaders about how to resolve this issue. Business owners must also cooperate accordingly."

"Other things can be put aside for now, but businesses related to the supply of basic urban necessities must resume operations as soon as possible."

"Power Plant, Water Plant, Gas Station... I will send some police to assist you. If any of them..." The mayor scanned the conference room, and everyone could see the anger in his eyes. "The police will take them down."

The factories he listed are all crucial to the normal operation of a city. If these most basic supplies cannot be guaranteed, the city will soon descend into anarchy for these reasons.

When communication is disrupted, there is no electricity, and no water flows from the taps, people will feel as if everything is out of control. The rules that people used to follow will instantly collapse, and the destructive nature inherent in human nature will surface, which will become a huge disaster.

The Police Chief in the conference room raised his hand. The mayor frowned slightly but then relaxed, raising his chin. "Chief, what are your thoughts?"

The Police Station chief was a middle-aged man in his forties, and he was a little plump, or rather, a bit overweight.

This is normal. It has become an unspoken rule that Federal police officers are overweight. Firstly, they believe that overweight officers are more intimidating to criminals... although it is unclear where they came to this conclusion. Vice Minister work style and excessive consumption of high-calorie foods make it difficult for them not to be out of shape.

The chief looked troubled. "Sir, I mean no offense, but the situation at the Police Station is very bad right now. I've received a lot of resignations this week, and our current manpower is completely insufficient to maintain daily order..."

His meaning was clear: he and the Police Station did not want to be involved in anything related to the strike, and he also sensed from the mayor's previous remarks that the police would take action if anyone did not cooperate.

This could easily enrage already furious strikers and protesters, in which the police are actually the vulnerable party.

At least those people dared to punch the police, but the police might not dare to fire back.

If things escalate too much, for example, if a police officer fires a shot or even kills someone, he will eventually be in trouble, but the Police Chief will also be in trouble.

Life is so tough these days, he has no intention of changing jobs.

The mayor didn't speak, but just looked at him, which made him feel uneasy. "We can get the militia or the army to cooperate..."

The Police Chief's foolish remarks elicited visibly comical expressions from some people. There was no doubt that once the military, or even just the militia, entered the city on a large scale, it would mean that the city was on the verge of being out of control, or even already out of control. In that case, the mayor would definitely be the one to suffer.

He failed to govern the city well, disappointing the party and the people who placed their hopes in him. After the election, he is likely to lose his current power and become an insignificant figure.

So the mayor rejected the request without hesitation, saying, "Do as I say, and other things can be put aside for a while. I can understand your difficulties, but can you understand mine?"

The Police Chief nodded somewhat sheepishly and sat back down. "Okay, I'll try..."

Just then, Lin Qi, who was sitting in the corner, suddenly raised his hand. The mayor glanced at him and then nodded. "Let's see if Mr. Lin Qi has anything of value to say."

This wasn't a friendly remark, but Lin Qi didn't care. He asked a question, "Why not temporarily consolidate the operating rights of the power company, water company, and energy company under the City Hall for unified management?"

The mayor shook his head. "Private property is sacred and inviolable; this is enshrined in the charter. The Federal will not support me doing this..." He paused, then continued, "Does anyone else want to speak?"

In the Federal, apart from the Federal Government and the military, most things are privately owned. The reason is simple: Federal finances may not be able to support them in operating so many things, and there is no guarantee that they will be profitable.

The government cannot oppress and exploit the Working Class like businessmen do, which means that many things can only be privatized and operated by "unscrupulous businessmen," and only they can operate them well and guarantee profits.

The simplest example is Public Transportation Company. Initially, this business was actually handled by local governments themselves, but soon every local transportation company began to suffer losses, and local governments faced a huge problem.

The public will disagree if they reduce the number of vehicles and services they operate, and the government will disagree if they continue with the current operating methods.

As to how the losses occurred, that's another matter. Ultimately, with the approval of Congress and the amendment of the law, transportation companies can be operated by local governments or by private companies, with certain policy incentives and financial subsidies provided.

This approach greatly reduced government spending while still meeting the travel needs of the city's residents. As more and more new things emerged, the City Hall no longer considered issues such as government operations, but instead handed them over to businessmen.

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, and now is the time for the disadvantages to manifest.

The meeting lasted until after 2 p. m., and the main issue focused on the rapid restoration of order in the city.

To solve these problems, the strike must be stopped.

To end the strike, some issues need to be negotiated with them, such as treatment, wages, working hours, and creating more jobs, none of which are easy to negotiate.

On the way back, Jack deliberately avoided some streets with parades. Although he took a detour, the area was generally very quiet and safe.

"Do you know their parade route?" Lin Qi asked from the back seat, taking out a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it.

Jack kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead and nodded. "Sir, these things are not a secret..."

Lin Qi raised an eyebrow. "Our community has been affected too?" Jack didn't speak immediately, but Lin Qi smiled and said, "We're just talking casually. No one else will know about this."

With this assurance, Jack nodded in agreement. "The guild contacted us, hoping we could also contribute. They told us the time, the location, and the length of the parade. But, as you know, we have families to support, so..."

"I understand!" Lin Qi nodded noncommittally. He sat in the car, looking at the desolate streets outside the window, and rolled up the window.

The autumn wind blowing in from the window carried a deep chill, and he couldn't stand it.

Because he knew very well that while the wind felt great now, he would have to pay the price for this carefree feeling when his physical functions began to decline.

"Go to the Social Services Bureau..." Lin Qi, sitting in the back, suddenly changed the location. Jack didn't say anything and silently adjusted the route.

About ten minutes later, the car slowly came to a stop. Suddenly, some children ran out from the roadside, and some people were wiping the car with towels without a care in the world.

Jack immediately got out of the car. Instead of yelling at the people to get lost, he patiently took out some coins and a dollar or two in change, and had the car-washing people and some teenagers thank him before leaving.

After making sure no one would disturb Lin Qi, he opened the car door for Lin Qi.

"You're very good at handling this kind of situation," Lin Qi said casually, standing by the horse.

Jack laughed. "I can understand their thinking. Everyone who comes here is a wealthy and important person."

Lin Qi nodded and told him to wait by the roadside, then went into the Social Services Bureau alone. A short while later, Asier also arrived there.

"Register a new asset management company..." At Lin Qi's request, Asier registered an asset management company called "Sabine City Starlight Public Service".

After doing all this, he gave a few more instructions and then took a car back home.

He suddenly realized that this was a very special opportunity.

Power companies can not only make money, but also increase their own "weight".

These essential service companies control the operation of a city, and their voices carry more weight in society and in the ears of officials than others, making them more readily accepted by the public.

Lin Qi believes that their failure to reach an agreement this time means he has this opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Police Chief returned to the Police Station and relayed the mayor's request to his officers, causing an uproar at the Police Station.

Around 6 p. m., the mayor finished a busy and tiring day of work. Now, dinner has almost become his "escape from reality" paradise. Only during this time will no one say anything that gives him a headache.

Tonight's dinner features top-quality seafood from the South Hemisphere, which Mark had delivered. He even specially arranged for a chef to be brought over from Mark's company for this purpose.

But just then, a phone call made him lose his appetite completely.

The police... are on strike!