Darkstone Code

Chapter 1084 - 1082: The Value of the Journalism Professor

"There are fewer homeless people on the streets..."

Catherine looked out at the streets through the window. Just a few days ago, there were many homeless people begging on the streets, but now there are hardly any. It’s quite remarkable.

Lynch had hired an assistant for her, and she was talking with her assistant.

Politics isn’t something that can be handled by one person alone. To put it simply, an individual’s energy and capabilities are limited, making it impossible to attend to all societal aspects.

Take, for instance, the role of a city council member. Catherine’s main task at this stage is to build up her personal reputation and prestige. She has to participate more actively in local social events in Sabin City.

Only by doing this can people get to know her and understand what she has solved for them, which will ultimately lead them to vote for her.

Every day, countless things happen in society. Some of these issues are significant, like the current problem of many people going hungry.

Others are minor, like a woman experiencing domestic violence.

Deciding which issue holds more value for her, and the subsequent series of operational problems these entail, can’t be managed by one person alone.

The higher a politician’s status, the more staff officers they have. For example, President sir... in fact, the President’s Cabinet of the Federation functions as his staff officers.

Even Landon, during his term as mayor, had several staff officers.

City council members also need at least one or two, possibly two or three.

Lynch isn’t short of money, and since Catherine needs some guidance, he found her a good assistant—a professor in his forties from the journalism department.

A lady who is quite renowned within a certain circle.

In Bail Federal, there are no political science courses, so finding someone well-versed in politics wasn’t easy for Lynch. However, the Federation has journalism courses.

In some ways, journalism courses don’t differ significantly from political science courses.

The content of political science courses includes understanding those historical politicians whose names are in history books, their thought processes when making certain decisions, and the forces driving those decisions.

As well as analyzing current political scenes, the movements of the three major parties, and their political programs, etc.

Of course, content related to political struggles cannot be omitted. However, they appear in the form of ’events’ or ’movements’ and often glorify the victors.

Journalism classes are actually quite similar. They analyze daily current affairs, delve into the deeper meanings behind news content, such as why someone on TV might suggest expelling seagulls.

Journalism professors would extend such incidents to discuss why the speaker said what they did, what their motives are, and their ultimate goals.

These courses are offered by some well-known universities in the Federation and are among the electives many choose initially due to their intriguing nature.

The lady Lynch found to be Catherine’s assistant teaches such a course; her job is to convey to her students what the news we see daily really means.

It may sound silly to bother with such analysis—doesn’t everyone know what TV news is saying?

But only those who truly understand the news know what it’s really babbling about!

Such an individual, with a strong ability to read society and current news, would undoubtedly be a significant help to Catherine.

The assistant also walked to the window, looking at the changes on the street outside. She held a slim, elegant lady’s cigarette holder in one hand, with a lady’s cigarette at the other end.

In her hands, these items appeared quite classy and wouldn’t let one find anything negative about them.

"This might be related to what we’re about to do, Mr. Lynch is exerting his strength!" the assistant explained.

"Do you remember our speech tomorrow night?" she asked.

Catherine nodded, "It’s on the topic of improving the city environment, right?"

The assistant confirmed, "Correct, reducing homelessness is also part of improving the city environment; too many homeless people can have a negative impact on the city. Reducing their numbers can provide positive feedback in terms of public safety and social sentiment."

Catherine was a bit bewildered. She nodded blankly and then began to think seriously.

She is someone who loves to learn and is willing to learn. Although she isn’t familiar with much of what’s happening now, she is eager to learn. This is perhaps why Lynch chose a university professor as her assistant.

Other politicians likely wouldn’t have the patience to discuss these matters with Catherine; they’d just tell her what to do at which times—that’s the politician’s style!

Watching Catherine in deep thought, the professor assistant took a drag from her cigarette and looked out the window.

She felt a tinge of envy toward Catherine. The assistant came from a middle-class family, once wanted to enter politics when she was young, when the feminist movement was just budding, not as grand as it is today.

She couldn’t fight against the entire society and ultimately had to follow rules set by who-knows-who—study further, get married, work.

Staying in academia might be her only achievement in resisting society, and that’s all she could do!

In contrast, the young woman beside her doesn’t fully understand politics yet, even after interning at the President’s Mansion for a year.

There, she learned more about broader issues, whereas now she’s facing more detailed, grassroots problems.

Issues concerning the city’s environment.

Moreover, she has supporters to help her, offering the best opportunities and assistance. All this makes the professor assistant both envious and jealous.

If only she had someone to help her like this, maybe she could’ve gone further?

A few minutes later, Catherine came back to her senses, "I think I more or less understand. During downturns, the public wants a safer environment, hence the disappearing homeless?"

"You could say that!" the professor assistant nodded, "Too many homeless people intensify people’s fears of some negative phenomena. They might feel that Sabin City and the Federation are beyond saving."

"This would compromise city safety and alter urban order, so reducing homelessness is a necessity, especially since we have to hold on until March, and it’s only January!"

Catherine nodded thoughtfully, seeming to understand much more now, "So tomorrow our speech will focus mainly on this aspect, right?"

The professor assistant nodded again, "You need to mention a few key points in the speech: a more comfortable and safer social environment."

"Some City Hall initiatives for the upcoming period should also be highlighted, and we must emphasize our ideas. This is crucial!"

The professor assistant’s attitude was very earnest, as if lecturing her students at school. However, now she had only one ’student,’ who was also her ’boss.’

She explained in more detail and with greater seriousness than before.

"You must convey in the speech that you are not part of the city government. Federation people dislike politicians and government figures. You get what I mean?"

"People always deem politicians unreliable, especially mayors, governors, etc. Legislators, on the other hand, are easier to connect with."

"There are numerous conspiracy theories surrounding such relationships. If we align ourselves with the city government, they’ll think we’re the same, impacting you negatively."

Catherine listened, finding it uncomfortable and incredible. "So, what should I do?"

"Criticize some City Hall policies. If you don’t mind using coarse language, curse the mayor a bit."

"Given Lynch’s relationship with the mayor and governor, they won’t care about these minor actions, and they’ll understand it’s to show you’re, at least, not part of the government."

"Those naturally distrustful of the government will side with you, believing you’re the one who can help them."

"People with mixed feelings about the government will lean towards you if what you say resonates with them."

"In tomorrow’s speech, you must show these traits, caring for the people’s work and life, representing not the government but the people—that’s enough!"

Catherine nodded after listening. She would strive to absorb these insights and make them her own.

Turning her gaze back out the window, her thoughts drifted to what Lynch might be doing now.

So, what exactly is Lynch doing?

He is chatting with Mr. Adelaide.

"This time, you should have considered it thoroughly, Lynch?" Adelaide seemed very... close, like friends, with none of the airs of a state’s principal staff officer or the governor’s uncle.

Lynch nodded, "Some details still need further discussion. You know, once I decide, I will at least establish a factory employing around three to five thousand people."

"Around this factory, tens of thousands will be affected by it. I have to be responsible for these matters, for these people. I must tread carefully."

Adelaide’s face was blossoming with smiles, "Yes, yes, caution is right. Whatever ideas you have, feel free to discuss them with me, and I will find a way to persuade the governor."

Persuade or not, they are in cahoots. Lynch even skipped negotiating with Sabin City’s mayor and went directly to Adelaide, to the governor, to talk.

Besides, the mayor of Sabin City is one of them, dealing with him means dealing with the governor again. He doesn’t have that much free time.

"A couple of issues."

Adelaide took out a notebook and pen, "Go on."

"First!" Lynch raised a finger, "The basic supporting facilities must be promptly completed, and the water and electric power supplies must prioritize my factory."

Adelaide nodded while taking notes, "That’s not a problem; we’ll pull a separate line. If necessary, we will cut off other loads, fully supplying your needs."

"Secondly..."