Darkstone Code-Chapter 985 - 983: Heart-to-Heart Conversation

Ten thousand soldiers, seasoned by the fires of war and possessing outstanding combat experience, are gathered within a private company, making the President a bit uneasy.

The Ministry of Defense doesn’t see a significant problem; they trust the loyalty of these lads to the country. The Security Committee’s secret investigation into Darkstone Security has been ongoing, and as of now, they’ve found no evidence of Lynch bribing mid to high-level personnel.

He knows these people were arranged into the company by the Federation Government, but he never inquires into the specifics, as if it’s a... tacit cooperation.

The Ministry of Defense contributes personnel and resources, while he earns money to share amongst them.

Yet the President is still somewhat worried, and this concern can be seen as a politician’s inherent bias against violence.

Because violence is always unpredictable.

You never know if the person you’ve insulted will choose, like you, to assuage their internal anger by cursing your family or simply throw a punch at you.

Politicians hope everyone can resolve issues verbally, but the military, the violent apparatus, are precisely experts in dealing with problems with fists.

The military is actually manageable, after all they are under the Federation Government and Congress’s control, but private armed institutions... are a bit hard to grasp.

Moreover, these people in his hands can be considered the most elite troops in the country’s army sector, even richer in combat experience than the Federation Army.

So much so that there exists a somewhat amusing, absurd, yet slightly unnerving notion within the military—

"If someday the Federation really needs to join a large-scale war, they will definitely recall the officers from Darkstone Security."

"Because they know better than us how war should be conducted!"

The consequence of this notion is that some people regard Darkstone Security as a "military academy", where employment equals advancement, and seizing an opportunity to return to the military as a senior officer.

The President considers this dangerous – others do not concur, so he can only seek advice from Mr. Truman, with whom he shares a good relationship of mutual trust.

Mr. Truman remained silent for a while, then shared his thoughts, "No one is absolutely safe or unsafe."

"Lynch is a very special person; he’s keenly interested in making money, whereas power doesn’t...," Mr. Truman shook his head, "I have suggested numerous times for him to enter politics, even directly invited him to assist me, but he declined each time."

"I don’t know whether this reflects his genuine sentiments or if it’s a deliberate choice, but at the very least, it illustrates a kind of attitude—it seems he doesn’t care much about certain things."

As Mr. Truman spoke, he chuckled, "Much like Mr. Jeruno and others, no matter how much power you grant them, they won’t attempt to do anything."

"They are capitalists; the essence of a capitalist is plunder and exploitation, while we are public servants serving the Federation."

The President pondered for a moment after listening, and couldn’t help but laugh, "You’re right; we are the ones standing with the people, they are not."

Who knows what he comprehended, but the worry on his face seemed less severe than it initially was.

The unique political climate of the Federation ensures that every politician here has deeper connections with capitalists; many of them are capitalist spokespersons, especially in Congress, where this phenomenon is almost blatantly apparent.

Mr. Truman continued on this topic, "Actually, compared to others, Lynch’s relationship with us should be better."

"Now, besides Darkstone Security, other security companies are very cautious about recruiting personnel. For example, Mr. Jeruno’s newly opened security company almost doesn’t accept resumes, only internal recommendations."

"Our people find it hard to infiltrate. Perhaps only a dozen or so have entered his company, and the Security Committee believes these people were deliberately put there by him."

"He’s known who is who right from the beginning, and we can’t obtain any deep information; our people are constantly undergoing training."

"Lynch here never refuses our attempts to insert personnel – he is more trustworthy than others."

After the Overseas Security Bill was passed, major companies all established their own security companies, which, frankly, are akin to private armed forces, except now they are legalized.

Prior to the Overseas Security Bill, did these major companies not have their own private armed forces?

Impossible, every major company had them, like some large consortiums, the scale was not small.

Why bring certain matters out from the shadows?

Ultimately, it’s because the overall social rules are restricting them; private armed forces couldn’t see the light of day, and many activities had to be conducted secretly.

With the passage of the Overseas Security Bill, these groups can surface, and the reason Congress could smoothly pass the bill is partly because Mr. Jeruno spent considerable money to grease the wheels here.

Additionally, the Federation Government and the politicians can gain certain benefits from this bill, such as uncovering hidden matters.

It’s hard to say whether this choice is right or wrong, but at least everyone can accept it, hence the possibility of passing.

The President also pondered for a moment, "I’m aware of this matter, but presently we don’t have any good solutions. I’m very frustrated because only when I reached this position did I realize that the President is not the Lord’s messenger, I’m not omnipotent."

The Lord’s messenger is a legend unique to the Federation. It is said that when the Lord descended to earth, he wasn’t born but sent by his messenger, who brought him from the Celestial Kingdom to the ground.

It’s quite a jumble, but the essence of the tale is a Centaur with antlers carrying a basket woven from rattan silk, running from the Celestial Kingdom, and eventually placing the basket with the Lord inside in a river, where the Lord was found by the Holy Father and Holy Mother.

Thus, on Holy Descent Day, the day the Lord descended to earth, it is said that a Centaur will emerge from the Celestial Kingdom to deliver small gifts to the Federation’s children.

He is indeed a miser, for children from other countries don’t have such a chance, which precisely reinforces the core of successive Presidents’ inaugural speeches—God bless the Federation (the Lord favors and protects the Federation).

The antlered Centaur also became a kind of celebratory Sacred Object, with its toy selling well around Holy Descent Day.

Mr. Truman didn’t know what he should say to comfort the President, as he too is a "victim" under the capitalist’s oppression.

"Things will get better. At least we are already striving for change."

After a while, Mr. Truman broke the silence, smiling, "At least regarding education reform, no one is obstructing us; it’s our victory, which also tells us we have found the key."

The President’s expression softened quite a bit, even showing a hint of pride. Forming an education reform committee essentially signifies that the Senate holds no substantial opposition to this reform proposal.

Thus, establishing a temporary education reform committee represents handling matters related to education reform across the Federation.

This committee may become permanent, but it might also dissolve after the President leaves office.

Nonetheless, it’s a positive sign; they are not idle, they are striving, and becoming increasingly effective.

Every incumbent President’s first four years are invariably disheartening, as power is not yet stable, there’s a throng of capitalists demanding returns, and there’s the prospect of another four-year term—

They must compromise with capitalists and even Congress on many issues because without such actions, the capitalists wouldn’t support re-election, and occasionally Congress might target them with difficulties, such as impeachment.

Only by enduring this challenging initial four years can the subsequent four years be the most fulfilling.

The Federation’s laws stipulate elections must alternate every term, implying most Presidents essentially have no later term; once re-elected, they become indifferent.

Not supporting the President’s work?

It doesn’t matter since in four years they’ll retire regardless of support.

This is why people often say endure four years, and the President’s power will exponentially expand—they become indifferent, and naturally, no one can force them to bow.

The President seemed to recall something, "I heard that intern girl, Catherine, is participating in these activities."

The first intern girl in President’s Mansion history without much background and who completed the entire internship.

Catherine herself doesn’t realize she will also become an integral part of history, and possibly in the future, the President’s Mansion might dedicate a room to showcase similar things; she deserves a spot.

Mr. Truman wasn’t sure of the President’s inquiry intentions, so he merely nodded, "Yes."

A simple reply leaves no room for further speculation.

But the President clearly had more to say, "I learned about her speeches; she talks about making college affordable for more people and uses herself as a case – does this involve Lynch?"

Mr. Truman hesitated briefly, nodded, "Yes, Lynch talked to me about it – both he and Catherine regretted lifelong for not having money to attend college, so he hopes for a chance to change the situation."

The President smiled, "He is indeed different from others; they wouldn’t think of such things, how does he plan to do it?"

Mr. Truman suddenly felt his face a bit warm, "He plans to establish a fund to support academically excellent ordinary students in attending college, and simultaneously offer a loan to other families that have opportunities but lack financial capability."

"He is different from others, he still considers some social issues."