Darkstone Code

Everyone has their own perspective on being the President.

Ordinary people from the lower and middle classes find it amusing, as the Federation President represents power more than responsibility in their eyes.

It means, in the minds of the people, the President is a role that enjoys power, not one that bears the rise and fall of a nation.

They don’t think "what kind of ability is required to exercise power." At least from their point of view, if they could truly become the President of a country, they wouldn’t be a bad President.

They wouldn’t be like those dictators, making the country a mess; they would increase the working conditions of the low-level populace and improve people’s living standards...

They have many ideas and never believe that the role is difficult to fulfill!

But Mr. Truman has many factors to consider, so many that... they are hard to count.

He knows that sitting in this position brings more than just simple power, but responsibilities far beyond that.

With each decision, the Federation takes a different path, and the future constantly changes.

Countless choices become the Federation’s past, present, and future.

This is actually quite terrifying.

For no one knows if one choice might lead the Federation down a path to ruin. This responsibility is too heavy, and Mr. Truman, at this moment, cannot be certain if he is the person the Federation needs.

No one spoke, Lynch was waiting for Mr. Truman to make a decision, but the latter’s mind was in chaos.

The current domestic situation, the international situation not far away, the future war’s fog and shadows envelop the world.

He doesn’t know where the future will lead or how to choose to make the Federation become what he envisions; he is unsure.

Lynch timely added, "If you run for election, we will all be excluded from the decision-making circle of the next President, and even if we know he has chosen the wrong direction, we won’t be able to timely remind him, let alone correct him!"

Mr. Truman’s gaze showed subtle changes; any person with grand ambitions has strong control desires.

They have clear goals, efficient execution abilities, and need to have enough control over situations; perhaps they don’t show it usually, but they do have them.

Even repeated successes make them have an indestructible confidence in themselves!

Mr. Truman also has these traits, but these traits are hidden under his military demeanor, and he doesn’t need to display them prominently in his work.

Why would he choose to partner with the current President, providing various suggestions, abilities, and even help?

Because everyone knows the President is easily persuaded, which means when Mr. Truman needs to exert control over something, the one showing control desires is often not him but the President.

He is hidden behind the scenes, but this may not be intentional.

If things continue in the current mode, there’s no problem, but the upcoming President might not be their "close friend," won’t support Mr. Truman’s ideas unconditionally, and might not even give him a chance to express his opinions.

This is unacceptable for someone inherently with strong control desires.

He reflected, his gaze turning from confusion to sharpness; there’s no one who hopes for this country’s strength more than him; there’s no one more selfless than him.

At least, from his own perspective, it’s like this.

Although he received some "gifts" from capitalists, such as holding shares in a Foundation, or obtaining a lot of money through other means.

These funds, after being accounted for, were donated to various philanthropic institutions.

Ever since the capitalists—mainly the behind-the-scenes Duncan Clan—forced him to bow, he no longer actively resists capitalist forces but merges with them.

If he is to become friends with the capitalists, the first step is to accept their various legitimate gifts.

The transfer of interests is one of the landmark events for a person joining the capitalist camp.

In the words of the capitalists, because this person is valuable, he can enjoy such treatment; this is the manifestation of a person’s value in a commodity society!

Mr. Truman has already become what the capitalists need, on the surface, but in reality, he hasn’t started to degenerate like those ordinary politicians.

He’s still adhering to his principles.

He tells himself that everything he does is selfless, and he firmly believes in this, but now, it’s time to make a choice.

He lit another cigarette, took a deep breath, and exhaled the smoke from his chest and abdomen like a sigh; he looked at Lynch and said, "If I participate in the election, the possibility of winning... shouldn’t be very high."

His attitude changed, Lynch also showed more smiles, leaned back in the sofa, crossed his legs, appearing completely relaxed, "That’s not a problem for us!"

"If you make a decision, then we need to start preparing; fortunately, the issue surfaced early, and we have enough time..."

Lynch is very relaxed; there are many reasons to push Mr. Truman on stage; first, they are good friends, at least at this stage and before some future events happen, they are good friends.

As a good friend, he needs to help his friend reach his deepest dreams; this is the duty of a friend.

Secondly, Mr. Truman’s inherent disdain and vigilance towards capitalist forces can bring more benefits to Lynch; this might sound implausible, as Lynch is seen by outsiders as one of the representatives of capitalists and capitalist forces.

But Lynch’s thought is genuine.

The biggest issue in current Federation Society is that the intrusion of capital into the entire nation is too severe, too profound.

Some might say, isn’t this a good thing?

At least for capitalists, the power of capital is infinitely magnified, and any problem money can solve isn’t a problem; shouldn’t Lynch prefer this kind of environment?

He certainly likes it, but not entirely.

This society, in its current scale, is mostly tightly controlled by those first-generation and mid-generation capitalist forces, while the rest, they still participate in competition.

Lynch came too late; every time his assets and power expanded, it was because he continuously pulled surrounding capitalist forces to create space for his expansion.

Conversely, if the current society develops a high-pressure environment against capitalist forces, centered around power, it will release a significant amount of "energy."

Many businesses are currently essentially illegal but not unlawful, because the capital forces’ intrusion into Congress leaves many proposals or bills with many loopholes.

We neither oppose nor advocate, leaving ample room for capitalists to profit.

The simplest example is the Federation’s adult entertainment industry, where according to Federation regulations, as long as two specific organs do not perform special actions, it isn’t considered a sexual act, hence not an illegal business.

This provides individuals or organizations in this industry substantial space, not touching or using certain organs.

But can these acts be considered non-sexual?

Anyone with normal intelligence, normal three views knows no, these are also sexual acts, but why can these businesses exist?

Because the law does not clearly stipulate these behaviors also constitute sexual acts; it does not stipulate these behaviors are illegal, naturally giving freedom for adult entertainment industry practitioners.

The same issue exists in the capital field; various industries seem to have comprehensive laws, but these seemingly comprehensive laws exist primarily for two scenarios.

The first scenario is to protect the interests of individuals or enterprises in the early stage of development.

The second scenario is to protect the interests of large capital organizations.

The protection of early-stage capital forces ensures that fresh blood always enters the capitalist society, stimulating the market and seeking new business opportunities.

And more is for the better plunder of large capital organizations.

The laws were made by those past individuals, while Lynch belongs to the newcomers.

The laws and regulations made by past individuals naturally favor them, even Lynch must obey these rules in such a large trend.

He wants to change, but it’s powerless; he can’t change the current rules and systems of capitalist society with just one person’s power.

But Mr. Truman can, once a powerful President’s Cabinet that succeeds in war stands up, especially one wary of capital, it’s not a good thing for capitalists.

Mr. Truman won’t change the Federation’s capitalist nature but will take action against those capitalists, which precisely can open a breach in the fortress constructed by traditional capitalist forces for Lynch!

This provides a reason to support Mr. Truman; once the breach is opened, everything will become different!

After the two parted, Mr. Truman quickly found Perseus and talked to him about his conversation with Lynch.

His relationship with Perseus is very close, though they don’t act like close friends frequently contacting each other, their relationship doesn’t cool.

This is unique to the military’s sentiments; it may appear mundane, but everyone is serious when needed.

Perseus is also surprised at Mr. Truman’s plan to participate in the next presidential election, but immediately becomes happy, even excited!

The outbreak of war, and a President who can represent military interests ascending, what this means for the military is obvious even to fools!

It took less than half an hour for almost all military high-level officials to know this, and they unanimously agreed—

Unconditional support for Mr. Truman to win!