Darkstone Code

Chapter 1055 - 1053: The Power of Poverty

Isabella’s success in forming a small team didn’t attract the attention of the international community; people were still focused on the Federation’s foreign arms sales issue.

Under Lynch’s "suggestion," the Ministry of Defense seemed to have figured something out, listing some slightly outdated weapons on the foreign sales list, and the prices were extremely low.

It could even be said that the military-industrial enterprises didn’t make much money from selling these arms.

The reason why the military-industrial enterprises were willing to do this was that they could receive some extra subsidies from the Federation Government.

Secondly, this also allowed them to clear out their inventory, ensuring they wouldn’t incur losses.

One must understand that warehouse reserves are a form of "expense," though many people don’t realize this aspect of consumption.

Ultimately, the longer some things remain stocked, the more the value of the products itself diminishes, and warehouse occupancy becomes an issue too.

Now there’s a good opportunity to clear these things out and still make a profit; the military-industrial group wouldn’t have complaints.

The outdated items are not even desired by the people, except for some classic firearms; they can’t rely on the purchasing power of the populace.

Adding to the list of military sales also made the negotiation content more extensive. Apart from paying the corresponding money, those wanting to purchase the Federation’s military equipment must deepen their cooperation in other areas.

In short, under the impetus of this thought, the Federation’s foreign affairs made a tremendous leap.

"So... you’re planning to promote agriculture and animal husbandry in Mariluo?"

Mr. Truman looked at the report in his hand and couldn’t help but laugh, "That’s a genius idea, making them carry weapons to farm and herd?"

On Sanchez and Isabella’s turf, people had already started promoting the benefits of growing cash crops and managing animal husbandry.

For instance, as long as they grow tobacco leaves or economic crops like cotton, there would be specialized personnel to collect them.

They wouldn’t have to bear any extra costs or work; just plant the seeds, wait for them to grow and mature, and the Federation people would come to acquire these agricultural products.

Pigs, cattle, and sheep as well; as long as they meet the requirements and are not sick or problematic, the Federation people would purchase them all.

As these messages began to spread, they were reported to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of International Affairs. From any angle, it was necessary because this belonged to interfering with another country’s internal affairs.

Although not much.

Lynch did not laugh, "Do you find it funny?"

Mr. Truman set the document down and shrugged his hands, "Sorry, I shouldn’t mock this, but it really... haha, is somewhat amusing."

"I find it hard to imagine such a scene, you know?"

"The hatred between Mariluo and Malory is longer than the Federation’s history. These things can’t dissolve their hatred unless one side is completely annihilated!"

Sociologists from many countries had studied the issue between Mariluo and Malory, and they believed this long historical racial hatred couldn’t be changed artificially.

There was once an opportunity, at the historical turnover and dynasty collapse, to change, but society spontaneously chose a different direction.

Conflicts reintensified, worse than before!

This is also the mainstream viewpoint that without the extinction of one side, it would never stop.

Not stopping means both sides would feel a crisis, hence they’d guard against each other, so Mr. Truman believed the economy as a change wouldn’t do much.

They wouldn’t lay down their arms because of this.

That’s impossible!

Lynch was unbothered by Mr. Truman’s "mockery," "Everyone has their area of expertise, so I won’t be concerned about your unprofessional opinion."

Mr. Truman gradually furrowed his brow and picked up the file again, looking at the contents, "What is described here, is there really a chance to achieve this?"

Lynch slowly took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, "You’ve never been poor, so you don’t understand the fear of poverty or the desire to escape poverty!"

His words left Mr. Truman with no way to refute, because Lynch was right; he had never been poor.

He was born into a family of officers where males were almost all officers.

His grandfather’s grandfather retired as merely a Senior Soldier in the Federation, but by his grandfather, he was already a Major.

Before his father retired, he was a Colonel, and Lynch himself reached the rank of Colonel before leaving the military.

If he hadn’t wanted to change the Federation Military’s lack of actual power through politics, maybe he’d now be a Federation Major General.

Among his siblings too, many held mid-to-high positions in the military; with such a family background, how could one have felt the power of "poverty"?

Even if the family couldn’t be called "affluent," it certainly would never lack money.

"Give me one," Mr. Truman gestured, and Lynch tossed one over, as he unwrapped the cigarette pack, he said, "Many friends say they like this cigarette; maybe you could consider acquiring more."

Black Gold Venerable isn’t sold externally, but its superior quality indeed makes many non-smokers fond of it.

The reason is simple: smooth taste and a slight throat kick lets one feel like a "man," with more nicotine allowing quick pleasure through smoking.

So far, Multicolor and Shi Haoyun haven’t cracked Black Gold Venerable’s formula. They can produce cigarettes with similar nicotine levels, but their throat hit makes it hard for many to smoke.

Only those weathered "old smokers" can handle it, but it’s positioned for the top social strata, so in high-end cigarettes, Every Moment remains the leader.

Lynch nodded, "This matter is easy to handle; give me an address, and I’ll donate some later."

He used "donate" instead of "send" or "sell." Sending often implies interest transfer situations, provoking uninformed public outrage.

Selling involves improper use of budget, sensitive lower-class citizens are deeply concerned about every penny they contribute to the state, some might neglect work to monitor such affairs.

If they found someone using their tax money to buy luxury cigarettes they can’t enjoy or afford, they would erupt.

Mr. Truman nodded, "I’ll arrange for it."

He took a drag of the cigarette, relaxing as he exhaled the smoke, "I truly don’t know poverty’s horrors; maybe you could tell me?"

Lynch sneered, quite bluntly, "I can’t let someone who hasn’t tasted meat experience its flavor just from my description."

"You haven’t despaired over hundreds or even tens, so you don’t understand why people fear poverty."

"Money, a simple commodity, yet it decides happiness, people’s joy and sorrow, its power far exceeds your imagination."

Lynch adjusted his posture slightly, "In short, I don’t see any problem with this matter; we won’t acquire these agricultural products from warlords, we’ll go directly to farmers and herders."

"This way, warlords will lack the means to control the lower-class society, and the lower-class people can gain wealth through economic crops and agriculture, making them favor a stable life."

"Nobody hopes for chaos around them; everyone wishes to be born in the Federation!"

Mr. Truman nodded, "I’ll attempt to persuade Congress."

Because such matters touch on bilateral policies; it can’t be decided by one person on a whim—the Federation buying Mariluo’s agricultural products, concerns Federation imports and Mariluo exports.

This is a matter of national policy; Mariluo is easy to manage, but the Federation must convince Congress.

Lynch pursed his lips, "Let me give you a supporting point."

Mr. Truman nodded, Lynch tilted his chin slightly, glancing at the pen on the table, the former immediately picked up a pen, "You can say it directly; sometimes I’m unsure if I can understand your expressions."

This was just a small complaint, a little joke.

Lynch continued, "If we could control this country’s economic pillars, how significant do you think our influence over Mariluo would be?"

"Whether people can fill their stomachs, have money to buy their desired products, or live happily depends on whether their products sell well."

"When their products don’t sell, the Mariluo authorities feel the pressure first, be they military or Central Government, they’ll feel pressure from society as a whole."

"If they can’t solve this, the people will overthrow them. Not that we’re directing who should do it; we just put facts before them, letting them decide!"

"We’ll have a docile, compliant neighbor instead of a hellish one!"

Mr. Truman seriously took notes, and once he finished the last word, his fist touching his chin, he pondered over those notes thoughtfully.

Without a doubt, Lynch opened a thought process he hadn’t considered before, this was a strategic arrangement at the national level.

He could already imagine more distant possibilities; this method transcends the era.

The more he thought, the more he felt Lynch was a madman, and also a genius, though unfortunately, he was reluctant to enter politics.

"You should be in my position; you’d do a better job!" Mr. Truman spoke sincerely, not as flattery!

Lynch smiled and shook his head, "If I were here, where would you sit?"

"The President’s office?"

Before Mr. Truman could say anything, he directly cut off the topic, "We discussed this before, and the outcome won’t change!"