Blackstone Code-Chapter 281:

The military of the Baylor Federation did not recruit soldiers annually. Prior to the outbreak of the World War, the military would recruit soldiers every four years, with some soldiers being discharged simultaneously.

During the World War, although the Federation maintained an isolationist policy and refrained from participating directly in international affairs, both the President and the Ministry of Defense remained highly vigilant. This cautious approach was evident in the fact that they recruited soldiers every two years, consistently strengthening and expanding the military throughout the period.

This significantly strengthened each military sector, with the goal of deterring neighboring countries and preparing for any spillover of the war.

War is an act of force that defies logic. If reasoning were effective, there would be no need for war. Therefore, maintaining a standing army larger than in peacetime was deemed the best way to ensure national security.

However, the current year wasn't a typical discharge year; last year and the year following were. Outside of these years, the military typically wouldn't discharge personnel. Furthermore, during the discharge season last year, soldiers eligible for discharge were already released, so there shouldn't have been a large discharge this year.

The staff sergeant's words implied that another group of soldiers was being discharged.

To address Lynch's curiosity, the staff sergeant explained briefly that the Ministry of Defense considered international relations to be stabilizing, reducing the need for an extensive active-duty force. Thus, this year, the military would gradually downsize to lessen the financial burden of military expenditures.

After hearing the staff sergeant's explanation, Lynch understood the reasoning. International wars had essentially halted, and all countries had entered a new phase of development. For a country that remained uninvolved during the war to maintain a standing army larger than before the war could easily lead to misunderstandings.

To avoid such misunderstandings and foster an environment of trust, the Federation's partial disarmament signaled goodwill. This gesture met the hopes of most countries and helped put people at ease.

Additionally, due to certain domestic circumstances, the Ministry of Defense would not be able to secure a significant military budget for at least two years. Military expenses would also be reduced, leading to the early discharge of some soldiers this year.

In fact, this move was also intended to reassure the public with a subtle message that the Federation would not go to war, calming public anxieties.

There was also a deeper reason. For instance, when the Gevran Prime Minister, currently visiting the Baylor Federation, spoke with the Chairman of the Progressive Party Committee about the Federation's integration into the international community, he made a clear suggestion: reducing the scale of the military.

The rationale was simple. The Federation's active-duty force of over a million soldiers was unsettling. If they couldn't reduce their active-duty force to 600,000 or less, the Emperor of Gevra would not only refuse to assist in integrating the Federation internationally but would also propose caution toward Baylor Federation, warning that they might "cause trouble."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

After rounds of secret negotiations, the Progressive Party decided to reduce the active military force, but with a twist: reducing a million soldiers to 600,000 wouldn't happen overnight.

They requested at least four years to accomplish this. Following consultations with the Emperor of Gevra and foreign affairs officials from other nations, the Gevran Prime Minister accepted the Baylor Federation's stance, signaling goodwill and cooperation.

However, it was evident that the inherent arrogance of the Baylor Federation's politicians would prevent them from fully complying. They were unlikely to completely follow the demands of the Gevra, a country they had long dismissed as feudal, ignorant, and backward.

The Progressive Party already devised a strategy: most discharged soldiers would be placed in local militia units, which would receive funding from the Ministry of Defense and various patriotic organizations. This arrangement would ensure these men could continue with regular military training, maintaining readiness even after losing their official military status.

If war were to break out in the future—which many believed was inevitable—the Baylor Federation would ultimately need to demonstrate its strength on the battlefield rather than through mere rhetoric. After all, it was clear to everyone that taking a decisive stance in the international arena and actively engaging in various global affairs would inevitably lead to conflict when sharp, irreconcilable contradictions emerged.

In the event of war, these well-trained militiamen could be quickly re-enlisted to join the front lines, ensuring their combat readiness, stamina, and mental preparedness.

Besides the financial support for militia organizations, some private security companies would also benefit from favorable policies, although this remained unpublicized until the Prime Minister of Gevra left.

The Gevran Prime Minister's visit was part of a broader political exchange, as the Federation's military downsizing created the appearance that it was beginning to integrate into the international community.—After thinking it over, Lynch smiled. "Of course not, I only worry that we're too small in scale, never too large…"

After walking a bit further, Lynch said, "Next month or the following month, I will have an investment opportunity that will likely require me to go abroad. As you know, things are chaotic out there, so you'll need to accompany me."

The staff sergeant paused briefly at Lynch's words but soon continued walking, his expression not one of excitement but rather of solemnity.

Federation citizens often found themselves in a dilemma; isolationism had cost them much, including courage. They wanted to prove themselves yet feared the consequences, especially in foreign affairs.

Lynch patted the staff sergeant's shoulder, "Pick out 20 or 30 reliable young men to accompany me, and more will follow. This investment is very important to me."

The staff sergeant's lips moved as if he wanted to ask what tasks these soldiers would undertake outside the Federation, but he held back.

Following orders was a soldier's duty. In the military, they were told to do as instructed, no questions asked.

That habit persisted even now. Though he was curious, he nodded in agreement.—That afternoon, Lynch brought Conor, a lawyer he had previously worked with, to the headquarters of the Workers' Union in Sabin City to discuss potential cooperation.

Lynch brought Conor because his knowledge of labor law was limited. Despite his efforts to study legal documents, cases, and books, the laws governing workers were complex, reflecting the fierce battles between workers and capitalists.

He couldn't navigate this on his own, so he needed the lawyer's expertise.

This was Lynch's first visit to the Workers' Union headquarters, and even before entering the five-story building, its style seemed to reflect its nature.

The relatively simple and unadorned exterior made it look like a square concrete block commonly found in factories, with some rust-like stains on the edges and corners, as if they were left from the molding process.

On this concrete block, people had cut out some windows and doors, and hung a sign for the Workers' Union, which matched the building perfectly.

In the lobby of the Workers' Union headquarters, the floor was made of ordinary concrete. Perhaps due to the constant flow of people in and out, some areas of the floor had become polished by the soles of shoes, darkening in color and even reflecting a hint of light like a mirror.

There was a plain wooden reception desk in the center of the lobby, and an average-looking girl behind it—everything here was very ordinary, so ordinary that it made one feel that this truly was the home of the workers.

That was, until Lynch saw the union's senior officials in a meeting room on the fifth floor—a group of men dressed in formal suits.

The fit of their clothes suggested they were tailored, each suit costing at least several hundred bucks.

With meticulously groomed hair gleaming under the lights and impeccably clean faces, they bore no resemblance to the dusty, rugged workers they represented.

As Lynch entered the room, everyone rose to their feet, smiling and welcoming him warmly. After a friendly handshake, the leader introduced him to the others.

The entire scene felt less like meeting worker representatives and more like an encounter with capitalists or politicians—a peculiar experience.

Once everyone was introduced, they took seats on opposite sides of the table. Lynch and Conor sat alone on their side, seemingly outnumbered.

After coffee and snacks were served, the room's doors closed, and the discussion began. This conversation was indeed private, at least until the union's leadership officially approved the proposal.

The president of the Sabin City Workers' Union, a man in his fifties with graying hair and a warm demeanor, glanced at the documents before him. After drawing everyone's attention, he looked up at Lynch, smiling slightly.

"Mr. Lynch, ten thousand people in Sabin City have lost their jobs, and most families are struggling. We need support from all sectors of society. We greatly appreciate your presence here today, which gives us hope that our society genuinely seeks to resolve these issues…"Please vote for this novel at https://www.novelupdates.com/series/blackstone-code/There are advance chapters available nowAccess will be granted 24 hours after the donationTier 1: 7 Advance chapters Link

Link

Please do not delete thisHow to find a list of chaptersPlease find the chapter label next to your favorite translator's name, and click the label.