Darkstone Code

Chapter 1079 - 1077: Whose Responsibility

"Because..." The Minister of the Department of Science and Education was silent for a moment, "His school is private. Not charging students tuition is his own loss. If he wishes, he can even give students money!"

His words left the President speechless. Lynch was very wealthy, and he didn’t care about the money, so he could do such things.

But if the national education system were to change like this... the education system might collapse in an instant.

Because the Federation Government would need to allocate too much money to pay teachers’ salaries and improve school buildings and teaching equipment, the financial burden would be too heavy, and without additional income, it wouldn’t work.

Seeing the dissatisfaction on the President’s face, the Minister of the Department of Science and Education softly said, "Although we can’t do what Mr. Lynch does, we can still implement a degree of reform within a certain range."

"I know some schools have a slightly larger number of teachers. We could definitely allow one teacher to handle more students, which would reduce students’ tuition fees."

"For example, we could... try renting teaching books to students instead of making them purchase them. This could also lessen some of their burden."

After listening, the President tapped the table with his fingers, "This is a good idea. Since we’ve decided to reform education, we shouldn’t just stand still making empty promises; we need to do something, something visible to the people."

"Give me a report, and if it’s appropriate... implement it on a full scale." The President said, as if remembering something, "By the way, you’ll take charge of this task. I trust you to do it well."

Without waiting for anyone to say anything further, he stood up and left the room.

As the door closed, the daft-looking Minister of the Department of Science and Education became a backdrop for the President.

The President, who rose from the "bottom" to become the Federation’s President, might smile daily, but he was definitely not to be trifled with.

Whether in politics or otherwise, the Minister of the Department of Science and Education was somewhat naïve. First, he rejected proposals the President was interested in, then reduced expenses by harming the interests of the teaching community and lessening the burden on students at the expense of the capitalists’ interests, which are all offensive moves!

From the first moment he spoke, the President knew, which is why he wouldn’t take charge directly but let the Minister of the Department of Science and Education take responsibility personally.

He proposed, he pissed people off, and then the President came out to clean up the mess, isn’t that great?

After taking a couple of steps, the President softly asked, "Whose person is this fool?"

His adjutant quickly mentioned a name, and he seemed to ponder a bit before nodding and saying nothing further.

Typically, when a Federation President assumes office, he forms a President’s Cabinet. These ministers and such are appointed by him but may not always be his people.

Like some major capitalists and significant figures within the party who support him in the election and victory, these people invest tens of millions not for ideals but for economic returns, and some hope to insert personnel into the new President’s Cabinet or Federation Government.

Except for a few crucial institutional leaders who can’t be changed, for departments like the Department of Science and Education, which nobody pays attention to, a little tweak here and there can replace someone.

Thus, these are people he assembles but aren’t necessarily his. His true confidants are waiting for opportunities or have been inserted into important second-line positions.

If he can replace this person with someone of his own, even if the "employer" is dissatisfied, he can withstand the pressure—his suggestion caused his downfall, not mine, right?

The President hummed an upbeat tune unheard by many as he returned to his office.

In truth, he wasn’t anxious; he still had three years and could wait patiently!

Meanwhile in Sabin City, Lynch and Catherine left the mayor’s office. The weather was so cold that, even in Sabin City, temperatures had plummeted to beyond minus ten degrees, something unprecedented in history.

On the roadside, people could be seen wrapped in layers, queuing slowly with some food coupons faintly visible in their hands.

These were people collecting relief food, needing assistance to get through the harsh winter.

Due to heavy snow and freezing conditions, traffic moved slowly, allowing more views of the street scenes.

Indeed, Sabin City was quite "shabby," with some structures along the way collapsed under the snow.

"What’s that in their hands, wine?" Catherine spotted a table at the end of the long queue.

Everyone received a portion of food and a small hand-sized glass bottle filled with liquid.

"Probably, or maybe kerosene," Lynch wasn’t sure.

In such cold and damp winters, some families might use firewood for heating, but the wood would be wet; some kerosene could help ignite it easily.

As for wine... he thought it’s unlikely, but not impossible.

As the convoy moved forward slowly, the passerby’s indifferent gazes lingered on the car briefly before shifting forward after an internal transition through anger, resentment, acceptance, and calm.

Catherine fell into silence. She had eaten relief supplies during childhood, which tasted terrible. Sitting beside Lynch, she looked at him, "Shouldn’t we do something?"

She glanced out at the heavy snow, "The severe weather is already impacting people’s lives; they can’t even secure the bare minimum..."

Suddenly realizing something, she asked, "Are there people freezing or starving to death in Sabin City now?"

This question couldn’t be answered by anyone, including Anna; who cared about such matters?

Realizing her question’s foolishness—undoubtedly yes, naturally, the car fell into silence again.

After about thirty seconds, Lynch was fiddling with a lighter in his hand, "We can donate some supplies, ensuring most people get through this winter, but you must understand, Catherine, charity, donations, are not meaningful deeds."

"I don’t intend to use malicious intent to judge people’s thoughts, but I believe some, realizing others lend a helping hand during hardships, might completely abandon their struggles."

"Soon, you’ll become this city’s legislator. When considering policies, submitting proposals, let rationality guide conversations with your inner self, not emotions."

Lynch looked at Anna in the front passenger seat, "Prepare three million worth of winter supplies; we only help those genuinely in need, ensuring their survival through this winter."

Then Lynch turned to Catherine, "Do you want to go back to see?"

She understood Lynch meant returning home, nodding, "I should go back and see."

Being in Sabin City and not visiting home seemed inconceivable. At the next intersection, they parted ways, as Catherine’s aim was the city’s legislator.

Even though everyone knew her relationship with Lynch was good, such "intimacy" shouldn’t randomly appear in newspapers.

It’s like people hearing rumors of the mayor’s close relationship with a female merchant, with nobody batting an eye.

But if photographs of them together in a car or behind curtains were published, it’d be disastrous for both parties!

Sometimes politics is such a damn mess, yet everyone has to adapt; it never changes for anyone’s whim, only people adjust accordingly!

Catherine went to visit her parents, while Lynch headed to his club.

Serra now permanently resides in Bupen, and Nell has returned to Nagariel, leaving him without close relatives here.

Perhaps some uncontacted uncles and aunts existed, but they mostly disappeared post his parents’ divorce from his life.

Except for those involuntarily wanting to change, these relatives typically wouldn’t contact Lynch; there was no previous bond, nor increased affection because Lynch got wealthy.

Instead of going back, Lynch opted to check the club, having invested considerable effort there.

The club’s manager, knowing Lynch was arriving, awaited his arrival at the entrance.

"You can wait inside!" As Lynch exited the car, someone immediately raised a black umbrella to shield him from the wind and snow.

Lynch shook hands with Kane, and together they walked into the club, stepping on the creaky snow.

"Where’s the coach?" Usually, during his visits, he always appeared alongside Kane, but now... Lynch didn’t see him and curiously asked.

This question made Kane somewhat awkward; after a few steps, he opened the main building’s door for Lynch, talking only after they entered, "He resigned and left with the team."

Contrary to Kane’s assumptions, Lynch didn’t feel displeasure, anger, or betrayal, casually smirking, "Seems like he found a good new job?"

Actually, unfeeling would be incorrect regarding such matters.

Lynch had given the coach a platform to showcase his talent despite doubts and necessary breakthrough during his tenure, yet he switched jobs within just four years?

Kane sighed lightly, "A lot happened; here’s not the place to discuss. We’ll talk in the office."

With four years of development, the club was no longer the little-known team; the lobby was packed with staff and athletes, all curiously gazing at Lynch.

Some intended to greet him, yet hesitated.

However, some ladies enthusiastically greeted Lynch.

Evidently, Lynch was very popular.