Darkstone Code

"How did you convince those old relics?"

Perseus became serious, actually, he had stronger opinions than others imagined, but it was not yet the right time for him to show it.

When an empire is on the rise, growing stronger, having a more powerful heir to the emperor is definitely a good thing for the people within the empire, as he will lead the nation to new heights.

But in times when the empire is neither warm nor cold, the appearance of a strong heir is not a good thing for many people.

They have already become accustomed to their current lives, they like the way things are, and they do not wish for change, because with change, many things become different.

Perseus must continue to hide himself, but the "leisure time" available to him is running out.

Mr. Truman lit a cigarette, "You know, convincing these people doesn’t actually require any special skills. All you have to do is tell them that the steak won’t change, the cheese won’t change, and neither will the power in their hands. That’s enough!"

This statement sounds incredibly simple, as if describing something utterly ordinary, but in reality, it is not that simple.

Mr. Truman needed to convince certain politicians, the high ranks of the Progressive Party Committee, and the high ranks of the Conservative Party Committee.

These individuals, for one reason or another, all had connections with the Duncan Clan, including the President who had a cooperative relationship with the Duncan Clan.

They provided various political shelters and policy support for the Duncan Clan, such as allowing them to enter certain sensitive industries, or favoring them slightly in their confrontations with other capital forces.

Just a slight bias is enough to build an unassailable fortress for the Duncan Clan in court!

They provided so much for the Duncan Clan, so what would the Duncan Clan return to them?

Of course, everything related to wealth, even slaves.

This is the essence of politics: trade, reward, and compromise.

You always have to choose one of them, but in truth each is closely related to the other two.

Many politicians hold shares in various private equity funds arranged by the Duncan Clan, and these shares generate considerable profits for them every year.

Aside from the grassroots people who believe the Federation’s Congress lords and party politicians work into their sixties and seventies out of dedication to the public, anyone with a hint of insider knowledge knows this—

Making a seventy-year-old man risk wetting his pants while running around for certain things must inevitably be closely tied to his actual interests!

The Federation people are very free, and selfishness is one manifestation of their freedom, so they are not so selflessly dedicated, really working hard for others.

All of this is to satisfy their pursuit of benefits.

Convincing these people is difficult, but not so difficult, though it’s not as simple as Mr. Truman suggests.

"The Federation Government’s tight stance against the Duncan Clan has already made many realize one thing: my attitude is firm, and this precisely becomes a powerful help in convincing them."

"After all, no one wants their secrets exposed in unrelated cases!"

"By relying on these things, they became the most terrifying capital empire in the Federation and even the world, but because of these things, they will also find themselves falling into the abyss!"

Mr. Truman’s tone was very certain; he hadn’t truly cozied up with those capitalists over the years.

He was also conducting a secret investigation into the capitalist group, and as a proud and excellent person he couldn’t accept that a group of capitalists forced him to bow down and even apologize publicly for his impulsive actions.

He compromised, indicating he was a qualified politician, but politicians can also harbor thoughts of revenge.

When he gradually found that some of his experiences indirectly pointed towards the Duncan Clan, he knew who he had to take action against.

Perseus also nodded slightly, "They’ve gone too far. They forgot we are human beings..."

As the "future of the military," he was privy to much more than an ordinary politician would ever touch!

It should be known: the military also has its own security agencies, completely answering to the high ranks of the military.

This is entirely different from the Security Committee, FBI, or Department of Homeland Security.

Those employed by such agencies mostly have special background identities, with wives working in certain large enterprises, or their children receiving full scholarships at prestigious private schools they couldn’t otherwise afford.

Alternatively, they leveraged a knack for investments, especially in funds, showing unique insights that earned them steady and legal income each year.

Society can hardly force private equity funds to disclose their operation data, right?

Even if disclosed, the books are transparent with clear entries of what the foundation bought, stock purchases, or any other products, and then, by sheer luck, these products made a significant profit.

See? Not a single issue!

Some financial experts on Bupen street concluded there’s a pattern: when certain commodities deviate from market rules by surging or diving, there’s definitely someone behind the scenes doing groundwork for certain matters, preparing.

The Federation Government is quite aware of the fact that some personnel has issues that might lead them to leak information.

How could they not be aware?

Even the President had capitalists backing him, but for the sake of the country’s continuity and necessary security, some matters would be entrusted to the military’s security agencies for handling.

This exposure allowed Perseus to understand more truths about this society, revealing that he’s neither foolish nor dull; he’s just good at camouflage.

Regarding Perseus’s rather ’big’ reaction, Mr. Truman could understand; if evaluated by federal legal standards, the entire Duncan Clan could be sent to the gallows.

Not that comprehensive statistics, but early on, the world saw at least several hundred kidnapping cases and thousands of murders linked to the Duncan Clan each year!

They were almost desperately doing dirty work for world politicians, leveraging this covert ’coercion’ to rapidly become monstrous entities.

But now, this very legacy would lead them to be trampled fiercely by others.

Everyone knows, those holding too many secrets typically suffer a harsher fate.

Now people start to feel uneasy about the Duncan Clan holding some of their private secrets, those glamorous big figures don’t wish to one day see themselves on the front page of the newspapers.

Stating that they had once bought slaves from the Duncan Clan and then those slaves vanished completely.

Therefore, once the siege against the Duncan Clan starts to unfold, they needn’t worry that those people will be eager to join here.

The only thing lacking now is to fill in what’s needed.

People don’t hope their lives will be affected by the Duncan Clan’s downfall, they still wish to receive stable payouts from various foundations.

They hope there will always be someone who can provide solutions when needed.

Even in the case of a divorce, they hope their wife would accidentally fall down the stairs... that’s incredibly horrible!

So the key to convincing these people remains the core truth of capital and the world—

Interests!

After a moment, Perseus looked at Mr. Truman, who after some thought, had an answer.

He said hesitantly, "Do you know Lynch?"

Perseus couldn’t help thinking of some things he had never tasted before, then nodded, "We just met a few days ago, the Saint Harmony Association hosted an event."

"I’ve heard of it too, it seems they don’t want to miss the chance either." Mr. Truman nodded slightly then turned the topic back around.

"I plan to have a later conversation with Lynch. He always has ways in this aspect, if he can support this, we’ll complete the final piece."

The so-called final piece is ensuring that most vested interests will not disappear when the Duncan Clan falls.

Sometimes reality is both cruel and brutal; even if you know, and everyone knows you’re doing a good thing, but as long as this good deed touches the interests of the majority, they become guilty accomplices!

Walking on the path of righteousness, it’s always a lonely march of the courageous.

Brave, yet solitary.

But if Lynch can do it, Mr. Truman believes he can still accomplish many things.

Perseus frowned, "Haven’t you considered one issue?"

"If Lynch really achieves what you said, could he become the next Duncan Clan?"

"I’ve heard many rumors about him and read some dossiers, and in some aspects, he’s even harder to deal with than Jeruno or other members of the Duncan Clan."

"Once given the opportunity to grow, you might build an even more terrible ’Lynch Clan’ by your own hand, which could be a disaster."

Mr. Truman’s expression was serious, "Of course, I’ve considered, so we will restrain him."

"We?" Perseus emphasized the word with some weight.

Mr. Truman nodded, "Yes, we."

"Earlier Lynch and I had a chat, he advised on participating in the election, I was somewhat hesitant at first, but gradually I realized that wanting to alter certain societal structures, to change this country and make it unlike the past, participating in the election is necessary!"

"The President, as well as other party politicians, are fundamentally lawful followers of the old rule, but we don’t need these people!"

"We need warriors to break all these old rules and then establish new ones atop these accords."

"I’ll try becoming one of them, Lynch is instrumental in my success, but I’ll remain cautious."

"I will put a leash on capital, cage them, never again giving them the chance to contaminate our political ecosystem..."