Darkstone Code

Chapter 1112 - 1110: For All Humanity

"You have to talk to him, he’s playing with fire!"

The President dismissed the secretary, then closed the door. He walked past the sofa, pressing a hand on Mr. Truman’s shoulder.

The "him" he was talking about referred to Lynch.

Both he and Lynch had read the report, and in any case, it was hard for them to believe that a merchant from the Federation... well, even if he was somewhat special, it seemed unlikely for him to be involved in the Gafura coup.

Perhaps his noble status played a role?

Maybe so, after all, he was a Baron personally ennobled by Emperor Gafura, which meant he was also a participant in this coup in a sense.

However... it was still somewhat hard to accept.

In Lynch’s private security report, he speculated that a coup might occur in Gafura next. He introduced the camps of both sides and their strengths and weaknesses and finally gave his judgment.

The President had been unable to sleep the entire night, sitting awake and only dozing off drowsily for a while in the morning.

Every time he closed his eyes, all he could picture was the outbreak of the Second World War; because the Federation recklessly intervened in Gafura’s internal affairs, Gafura decided to join forces with the Allies and attack the Federation...

In the end, he stood at the war crime trial stand, listening to long sentences read out that had nothing to do with him, bewildered, looking at the bystanders.

Among those bystanders sat Lynch, seemingly doing better than before.

Awakening in shock, drenched in sweat, he found getting back to sleep impossible.

The impression Gafura gave people was not that it had just "stumbled" in the naval conflict with the Federation. People only thought it was a stumble, not a defeat, just a small flaw.

Later, the Gafura people also proved that their technical capabilities in submarines far exceeded those of the Federation. If there was another naval battle, it would be hard to predict who would win.

With such an understanding, the President found it hard to sleep; he did not want to be a national sinner.

After dozing for a while at dawn, he called Mr. Truman over to his office, as it is now.

Mr. Truman had also read the report. There was no look of disappointment or trouble on his face, just an... indescribable helplessness, mixed with a hint of satisfaction.

"Mr. President, you know, if someone could get him to settle down for a bit, maybe we wouldn’t have so much to do today!"

When he spoke this line, Mr. Truman was somewhat emotional. In fact, changes in foreign policy and attitudes toward the international community were driven by Lynch and his theories on international relations and financial warfare.

It was he who first proposed the theory "War equals depletion of wealth," and he who devised the vision of an "international social core" with the Federation as this core establishing new international social relations.

He also partook in some diplomatic negotiations and advanced the establishment of the New Federation in Nagariel, even drafting the current policy toward Mariluo.

Thinking carefully, this young man had indeed constantly kept everyone busy.

But no one could use these affairs to accuse him.

At home and abroad, people believed that the severe depression might last until the next war. But after Nagariel began to supply the Federation with resources, within just three short years, the worsening situation had been curbed and begun to improve.

While the entire world was actively preparing for another war, once again, Lynch’s airplane shifted the global landscape.

He was like a very skillful drummer, each beat hitting the crucial points in history’s march.

History was continually advancing to the rhythm he orchestrated. It wasn’t history pushing him forward but him pushing history along!

When Mr. Truman spoke of Lynch, there was no blame. The President too— they knew very well what this young man had brought to the Federation. It might also explain why, at times, they would lean in favor of Lynch.

You can’t very well show a sour face to someone handsome and young, who has made outstanding contributions to society and the nation, can you?

The President smiled; he clearly hadn’t taken Mr. Truman’s response to heart. He then gradually became serious, clenching his hand in thought, and rubbing his chin. "What do you think about this matter?"

Mr. Truman pondered for a moment, "Perhaps this is a good opportunity. You know, Lynch is very adept at seizing such moments. Besides, I’ve looked at his reasons, and I don’t think he’s wrong."

"What we need is a rational Gafura government, not a royal dictatorship under Emperor Gafura. For us, this only has upside, no downside."

The President leaned back against the sofa, rubbing his forehead and closing his eyes. He was a bit sleepy now.

Perhaps he was truly tired, or maybe Mr. Truman’s relaxed demeanor finally eased his tense nerves.

Among everyone, the one he trusted the most was Truman. Not only was Mr. Truman deeply connected with the military, but he was also very smart, courageous, and decisive.

This was precisely what the President lacked; he wasn’t fit to join the Progressive Party, he was better suited for the Conservative Party.

When faced with problems, his first thought wasn’t how to solve them but "I’ve got a big problem." Coupled with indecision when faced with choices, Mr. Truman’s emergence precisely filled all his shortcomings.

It’s as if Divine Providence arranged for him to aid the President, so the President trusted him immensely.

"Speak in detail..."

Mr. Truman opened his hands, "We can’t reason with someone in extreme emotional turmoil; once Emperor Gafura comes to power, if he falls into a manic state of mind, no one can persuade him."

"Under such circumstances, whether we like it or not, we must face war head-on."

"You know, some people, when fixated, would rather destroy everything with everyone else."

The President obviously thought of something as he nodded in agreement, "Then the Prime Minister and them..."

"Mr. President, do you think Congress would foot the bill for a moment of your impulse?"

Mr. Truman used an example to get through to the President, Congress certainly wouldn’t let him act recklessly. They wouldn’t just refuse to approve his irrational actions but might also initiate impeachment proceedings to remove him from office.

"So, the Prime Minister’s regime is essentially equivalent to Gafura’s President?"

Mr. Truman nodded, "Yes, if you have noticed that they also have a Secretariat, you should understand some things Lynch mentioned in the report."

"Prime Minister’s Cabinet plus the Secretariat is equivalent to the President’s Cabinet plus Congress."

"We’d be facing an opponent with numerous weaknesses; they won’t engage in meaningless political struggles for the sake of dignity or emotions."

"They will compromise, they will back down, even if it means losing face, as long as it benefits more people."

"With a dictator as an opponent, you must be careful not to overly provoke him."

"But with a Cabinet and a Congress-like Secretariat as an opponent...", Mr. Truman smiled confidently, "In this area, we have too much experience; they are not our competitors!"

Yes, persuading Congress is indeed a unique experience; such experience cannot be taught; it must be experienced firsthand to understand.

The Secretariat is actually more complicated than Congress. The hereditary seats of grand nobles turn the Secretariat into a black hole.

There are no contradictions among Members of Parliament, because in each short cycle, every two years, there is a major reshuffling of the seats.

Of course, it’s mostly the Representatives who get replaced; Senators are not so easy to get rid of.

It seems as if they too are hereditary?

No, they are not hereditary, at most for ten or more years, and they cannot make their descendants become Senators directly; their offspring must climb up step by step, facing multiple challenges.

Not all Senators’ children can become Senators in the future, just as not every President’s son or grandson can become President!

Non-inherited power will create breaks, conflicts may concentrate but will not last.

As legislators keep leaving, the conflicts will constantly disappear but will also give birth to new conflicts as new legislators join.

This is a cycle, like the bubbles on the surface during a bubble bath, constantly popping but also constantly forming new bubbles with the splashes.

It is always a healthy cycle, and contradictions will not escalate to the point where they cannot be resolved.

But the Secretariat is different; hereditary legislators will have inherited conflicts. After the initially fair period passes, they will organically form factions, clinging together.

The entire Secretariat will become like a muddy, foul-smelling sewer, and by that time, the Prime Minister’s Cabinet will focus more on internal conflict rather than external affairs.

This is the advantage of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet; promoting the Federation’s system of equality, fairness, and free choice in a power-centric country—Lynch truly is a genius!

Under Mr. Truman’s explanation, the President quickly realized the benefits of doing so—still, at least he understood.

Instead of facing a capricious dictator who might erupt at any moment, perhaps a Gafura that will inevitably get bogged down in internal strife is ultimately a better Gafura.

He probed, asking, "So can we support Lynch in doing this?"

Mr. Truman also gave a firm answer, "Of course, we have no reason not to. It’s like Lynch noted at the end of the report."

"This isn’t for him, not for us or the Federation; it’s for the peace that humanity worldwide holds dear!"

"A Prime Minister’s Cabinet cannot destroy the peace humanity needs, but a dictatorial emperor can!"