Darkstone Code

Chapter 1073 - 1071: Being President Isn’t Easy

Idealism costs money.

Pure and noble ideals cost even more.

When Mr. President is making decisions about certain policies, he certainly needs someone to probe the "enemy situation" for him. Perhaps they think beautifully in their offices, but in reality, they will encounter more terrible things.

Lynch is willing to step forward, which is undoubtedly the best thing.

Tonight’s gathering was very effective. The Federation Department of Agriculture will give Lynch a large grain order, and on the issue of grain import, they will offer him many favorable policies, including interest subsidies.

In short, as long as things can come in, Lynch can make a lot of money.

Unlike other goods, grain plays a crucial role in the stability of the whole society.

As long as there is something to eat, at least something to eat, there will not be social unrest.

If there is nothing to eat, without even the minimum guarantee, the whole society will quickly riot.

The Federation cannot be chaotic!

Besides these, others also gained some orders. As they were leaving, Lynch looked at Anna, "Did you hear any news? Mr. President’s attitude today is somewhat abnormal."

Anna felt a bit awkward, "Sorry, I didn’t notice these things..."

Lynch comforted her, "It’s not your fault, you don’t have much experience."

Looking at Lynch, Anna began to doubt her own abilities. She didn’t even feel that Mr. President had any emotional problems today.

The whole process seemed very smooth and fluent, everyone ended many operations she couldn’t understand amid laughter and chatting.

It was only at this moment she realized the situation today was not right—only after Lynch pointed out the result did she realize something was wrong, and she still didn’t know why it was wrong or where it went wrong.

After returning home, Lynch went straight to the study room. Without his permission, no one could enter the study, including Anna.

Sitting on the chair, he pondered for a long time, then picked up Mr. Truman’s private phone and dialed.

"It’s private time now..."

Mr. Truman’s voice came up, and Lynch faintly heard a girl’s voice. He pretended not to notice, "Tonight Mr. President invited us as guests and talked over some cooperation projects; what happened?"

"Wait a moment!" Then came sounds like metal twisting when turning over to get out of bed on a spring mattress, after which the phone went silent.

After about two minutes, the voice came again, "What do you want to ask?"

The surroundings were completely quiet, without other sounds, Mr. Truman should be in a separate room now.

"I want to know if someone has put pressure on Mr. President recently, or whether there have been problems within the party."

Mr. Truman’s reaction was quick, "Why do you think so?"

"Your reaction just tells me that I guessed right, as for why...," Lynch pondered for a while, "because he is more proactive than before!"

Upon hearing Lynch’s words, Mr. Truman fell into brief silence. What kind of person Mr. President is, a year is enough for many people to see through his essence—

Even if they cannot see through completely, they can at least understand what kind of personality he has.

Behind an apparent radicalism lies a conservative demeanor, he isn’t purely radical; he’s a conservative among radicals.

This is quite normal; more than sixty percent of his life has been spent in a large conservative environment.

The Federation’s people’s pursuit of freedom and enjoyment makes them more afraid of war than others, plainly speaking, it’s the fear of death that leads to conservatism.

Their choices can be seen as conservatism caused by "selfishness," but no matter what, people living in such cautious environments are unlikely to change their minds easily.

It’s important to know that three years ago, the Progressive Party’s political program was also conservative; they advocated for military preparedness due to possible war impacts on the Federation anytime, anywhere.

Back then, it was considered relatively radical.

But who could know that conservatism was soon abandoned by society, by the public, and radicalism started to take the stage, which left even Mr. President unable to turn around.

In handling these matters, he leans more towards conservatism rather than genuine radicalism.

Radicalism is just a disguise he used to trick citizens into voting for him, and those who truly understand him know he isn’t that tough!

This might be a common trait among elderly people in this era; they’ve lived cautiously their whole lives, and wouldn’t change their attitude easily without encountering some changes.

Tonight Mr. President talked about some issues concerning Nagariel and Mariluo, mentioned some international issues, he’s already broken through his "limits," becoming a bit more radical.

Lynch feels that such changes are most likely caused by someone applying pressure on him.

After a brief silence, Mr. Truman mentioned something Lynch didn’t know.

"Now, within the Federation Government and the party, there are two opinions: the first is to establish a New World regime at the core of the Federation, the Federation must occupy the dominant position in this New World regime."

"Many people are interested in this idea, especially the Military, they unconditionally support the Federation Government’s plan to do so and are willing to offer their loyalty, you understand what I mean?"

Lynch shifted his position, "Yes, they crave war."

"Exactly!"

"Another idea is to establish an alliance where the Federation holds more say, with each country in the league being equal in status, just like Congress."

"Then if we have any issues, we need to discuss them, you know, the gentlemen in Congress never make decisions quickly."

"This way, the Federation won’t become the primary enemy of other power-seeking countries, such as Gafura; our relations with Gafura won’t intensify anytime soon."

"The advantage is we have more time to accumulate strength, and develop the military, the disadvantage is possibly that we aren’t that important."

"At least compared to the first idea, we aren’t as essential."

This is like a monarchic system versus a parliamentary system; no matter how a monarch’s power dwindles, he’s still a monarch, always privileged.

No matter how a legislator’s power expands, he needs more support from others to achieve what he wants!

Radical people hope the Federation can advance towards the first goal, while some in Congress want to adopt the second method.

These older legislators instinctively dislike war and unrest; they only want to solidify their power, thereby gaining more wealth and connections.

As for war...they don’t need it!

According to the Federation’s charter, once war breaks out, the President’s power will comprehensively override Congress, in other words, once war starts, many matters can bypass Congress voting, directly decided by the President as the final opinion.

The charter writers were smart; at least they knew the gentlemen in Congress aren’t good people, and also knew if too crucial matters were handed over to Congress, the situation might become bad.

After all, during wartime, decision-making times are short, no time for them to sway votes, lobby, several rounds of voting.

Therefore, if Congress doesn’t want a power reduction or uncontrolled presidential power, the best way is to prevent war outbreaks and avoid prolonged wartime.

The question returns to the beginning; if a New World regime centered on the Federation is to be built, once a large-scale war breaks out again, the Federation must intervene first.

The World War I lasted a full six years, during which Congress became a mere formality, and the President turned into an Emperor, how can that work?

Therefore, the gentlemen in Congress are more inclined towards the second idea, why not play with an international "Congress"?

If we don’t create enemies, naturally we won’t be attacked, the time to join the war can be postponed, even entering the battlefield at the war’s end.

By then, the Federation’s power can still be a decisive force, improving its status and prestige internationally, while restraining the President’s wartime privileges, very lucrative.

After all, the President’s "rookie year" has passed, various departments are filled with his people, now it’s time to implement his political program.

If decisions aren’t made at this point, it will be difficult to decide later.

Behind these congressmen are some capitalists, not all capitalists hope for war.

Indeed, commodities become scarce in war, and prices rise, but these capitalists are also subject to factors like raw material supplies, not entirely free or happy.

Many capitalists’ businesses barely meet the keyword "war fortune," instead, they lose enormous profits in war, so it’s impossible for them to support the first idea.

This is quite normal, where there is light, there will be dark.

Where there is a positive side, there will be a negative side.

It’s just that those people in Congress applied a bit of pressure on the President, wanting him to see some current situation clearly, also leading to Mr. President’s dissatisfaction for not stating earlier.

The party supports the radical path, at least as it seems now that the radical path brings more benefits to the Federation’s government and society.

And conservatism...has no significance in the current complex international situation.

Where there are disparities, there will be conflicts, this is the reason why Mr. President discusses some policies with Lynch and others in such a manner.

He is expressing his stance; he wants to use this matter to tell others that he’s damn angry.

After hearing Mr. Truman’s explanation, Lynch nodded slightly, that makes sense.

A conservative person becoming somewhat radical must be caused by external forces; he wouldn’t become radical by himself, but this is a good thing for the Federation, for young people like them.

After Mr. Truman finished speaking, he also asked, "What do you think?"