The two companies in Saibin that specialized in the sale of industrial generators would never have thought that a blackout that swept across the city would suddenly happen just as they were about to file for bankruptcy. They were completely caught off guard.
Then, businessmen appeared outside their shops in trucks, discussing matters related to the purchase of generators.
In the city hall in the center of the city, the mayor was talking to some city officials. There were also some businessmen, including Lynch.
"We need to ensure that the operation of the city will not be affected by this general strike. I need you to talk to the advocates or leaders of the strike about how to resolve this matter. The entrepreneurs must also cooperate with you."
"Everything else can be put aside for the time being, but the enterprises related to the basic supply of the city must be restored as soon as possible."
"The power plant, the water plant, the oil station … I will send some police officers to cooperate with you. If some people …" The mayor glanced around the conference room, everyone could see the anger in his heart. "The police will take them down."
The factories he listed were the key to the normal operation of the city. Once these basic supplies could not be guaranteed, the city would soon enter a state of anarchy due to these reasons.
With poor communication, no electricity, and no water flowing out of the tap, people would feel that everything was out of control. The rules that people had followed in the past would instantly collapse, and the destructive nature of human beings would surface on the surface. It would be a huge disaster.
In the conference room, the police chief raised his hand. The mayor frowned slightly before relaxing. He raised his chin. "Mr. Chief, do you have any ideas?"
The police chief was a middle-aged man in his forties. His body was slightly plump, but he was a little chubby.
This was normal. In the Federation, it had become an unspoken rule that the bodies of the police were on the plump side. Firstly, they believed that the plump police were more of a deterrent to criminals … although no one knew how they came to this conclusion. Secondly, it was difficult for them to maintain their body shape due to the long-term lack of exercise and excessive high-calorie food.
The police chief had a troubled expression on his face. "Sir, I don't mean to offend you, but the current situation in the police station is not good. I have received a large number of resignation letters this week. Our current police force is completely insufficient to maintain daily law and order …"
His meaning was clear. He and the police did not want to be involved in the strike. Moreover, he heard from the mayor's words that if anyone did not cooperate, the police would take action.
This could easily anger the already angry strikers. In the face of such a situation, the police were actually the vulnerable group.
At least those people dared to wave their fists and hit the police, but the police might not necessarily dare to shoot back.
If things got out of hand, for example, if a police officer opened fire or even killed someone, he would be in trouble, but so would the police chief.
Life was so hard now, and he didn't plan to change his job.
The mayor did not say anything and only looked at him. This made him feel uneasy. "We can ask the militia or the army to cooperate …"
The stupid words of the police chief made some people laugh. Without a doubt, once the military or even the militia entered the city on a large scale, it meant that the city was on the verge of going out of control or even out of control. At that time, the unlucky one would definitely be the mayor.
He did not manage the city well and failed to live up to the expectations placed on him by the party and the people. After the election, he was likely to lose his current power and become an insignificant person.
So the mayor did not hesitate to reject the request. "Do as I say. Everything else can be put aside a little. I can understand your difficulties, but can you understand mine?"
The police chief nodded and sat back down. "Well, I'll try …"
At this moment, Lynch, who was sitting in the corner, suddenly raised his hand. The mayor glanced at him and then nodded. "Let's see if Mr. Lynch has anything valuable to say."
This sentence was not a pleasant one, but Lynch did not care. He asked a question. "Why not temporarily withdraw the management rights of the power company, the water company, and the energy company under the name of the city hall for unified management?"
The mayor shook his head. "Private property is sacred and inviolable. This is written in the charter. The Federation will not support me in this …" He paused. "Is there anyone else who wants to say something?"
In the Federation, except for the government and the army, most of the things in the Federation were private. In fact, the reason was very simple. The Federation's finances might not be able to support so many things in the Federation, and there was no guarantee that they would be profitable.
The government could not oppress and exploit the working class like the businessmen, so it was destined that many things could only be privatized and run by "black-hearted businessmen." Only they could run things well and ensure that they would be profitable.
The simplest example was the public transportation company. In the beginning, this business was actually the responsibility of the local government, but soon the transportation company began to lose money, and the local government was faced with a huge problem.
If they cut the number of vehicles and frequency of operation, the citizens would not agree. If they continued to operate in the current way, the finance department would not agree.
As for how they lost money, that was another matter. In the end, Congress agreed and amended the bill. The transportation company could be operated by the local finance department or by private companies, and certain policy incentives and financial subsidies would be given.
This way, the government's expenses were greatly reduced, and at the same time, it could meet the needs of people in the city. So when more and more new things appeared, the city hall no longer considered the problems of government operations. Instead, it was directly handed over to the businessmen.
Everything had its advantages and disadvantages. Now was the time for the disadvantages to be reflected.
The meeting lasted until two o 'clock in the afternoon. The main problem was the problem of quickly restoring order in the city.
To solve these problems, the strike had to be stopped.
To stop the strike, some issues had to be negotiated with them, such as treatment, wages, working hours, and the addition of more jobs. None of these were easy to negotiate.
On the way back, Jack deliberately avoided some streets where there were demonstrations. Although he took many detours, overall, it was very quiet and safe.
"Do you know the route of their parade?"
Lynch, who was sitting in the back seat, asked. He took out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
Jack looked straight ahead at the road in front and nodded. "Sir, these things are not secrets..."
Lynch raised his eyebrows. "Our community is also affected?"
Jack did not speak immediately. Lynch said with a smile, "We're just talking casually. No one else will know about these things."
With such a guarantee, Jack nodded and said, "The people from the guild contacted us, hoping that we can help. They told us the time and place, as well as the length of the march. But as you know, we still have to feed our families, so …"
"Understood!"
Lynch nodded noncommittally. He sat in the car, looked at the bleak street outside the window, and rolled up the window.
The autumn wind blowing from the window was cold, and he could not stand this kind of wind.
He knew very well that the wind was very cool now, but when his body began to deteriorate, he would have to pay the price for being cool at this time.
"Go to the social service bureau..." Lynch, who was sitting in the back seat, suddenly changed the destination. Jack did not say anything and quietly adjusted the route.
About ten minutes later, the car slowly came to a stop. Some children suddenly ran out from the side of the road, and some were holding towels and wiping the car.
Jack immediately got out of the car. He did not scold these people and tell them to get lost. Instead, he patiently took out some coins and a dollar or two, and let the people and the children who were wiping the car thank him and leave.
After ensuring that no one would disturb Lynch, he opened the car door for Lynch.
"You're very good at handling situations like this."
Lynch stood by the side of the car and said casually.
Jack laughed. "I can understand what they're thinking. Those who can come here are all big shots with money."
Lynch nodded and asked him to wait by the side of the road. He entered the social service bureau alone, and not long after, Asel arrived.
"Register a new asset management company..." Under Lynch's request, Asel registered an asset management company called "Saibin City Starlight Public Services."
After doing all this, he gave a few more instructions and got into the car to return home.
He suddenly realized that this was a very special opportunity.
Not only could the electricity company make money, but it could also increase his "weight."
These basic service companies controlled the running of a city. Their voices were louder in society and in the ears of the officials, and the people were more receptive to them.
Lynch thought that they could not reach an agreement this time. This also meant that he had the opportunity to do so.
On the other hand, when the police chief returned to the police station, he told his subordinates about the mayor's request. Then, the police station exploded.
At around six o 'clock in the evening, the mayor finished his busy and tiring day. Dinner every day was almost a paradise for him to "escape from reality." It was only during this time that no one would say anything that would give him a headache.
Tonight's dinner was prepared with the best marine ingredients from the southern hemisphere. It was sent over by Mark's people. For this reason, the mayor specially transferred a chef from Mark.
However, at this time, a phone call made him lose his appetite.
The police … went on strike!