Darkstone Code

The Warm Winter Plan refers to the reorganization of urban planning for northern cities, facilitating centralized heating organized by the government.

However, this plan was only discussed in Congress and is not yet a mature proposal, let alone being officially initiated.

Mr. Truman echoed, saying, "It’s indeed difficult. Even if businesses and local governments jointly propose modifications to the entire city’s pipeline network and the urban area, the budget is too high."

The President nodded in support of this view, saying that the funds for renovating a city might not be much, maybe two to five hundred million would be sufficient.

But considering the number of cities in the North, all needing renovation, this adds up to a budget even the Federation Government cannot bear.

He put the document down and then sighed, "But the weather problem... it needs to be resolved. No one knows if the weather will get colder in the future if..."

He trailed off, as meteorologists believe that if the current situation continues, in no more than fifteen years, all cities in the Federation except those in the South will become uninhabitable during winter.

Now, the temperature in northern Mariluo is nearing a drop to around ten degrees, and by late September or early October, it will fall below zero.

During winter, it might go down to minus fifty degrees or even lower, making survival challenging for anything!

And this extreme cold weather is continuously spreading South, leading to a significant increase in the number of people fleeing winter in Mariluo compared to last year.

Last year, some naïve individuals thought that as long as they stayed indoors and kept warm, they wouldn’t face major issues.

When people realized they could freeze to death even by a fire, they stopped insisting on staying in their hometowns.

This has led to frequent issues on the border this year, with many trying to smuggle themselves into the Federation, causing some casualties among the anti-smuggling team and border patrols.

In their escape from winter, Mariluo people bring not only their few possessions but also guns.

As Federation citizens prevent them from smuggling, they open fire.

But this is ultimately not a solution.

"The construction over in Nagariel needs to accelerate to prepare for the worst-case scenario..." The President’s voice was somewhat somber.

Realistically, he himself might not see this day arrive, but as the country’s President, he must consider the future of this nation.

If the world enters an ice age, where all places except the Equatorial regions are covered with snow—perhaps even the Equator won’t be spared—then relocating to Nagariel becomes the last resort.

Practically speaking, even if such a day arrives, not everyone will relocate there.

The wealthy will go first, followed by politicians, celebrities, then the Middle Class, and the lower social strata.

Though cruel, this is a necessary solution.

The office atmosphere was somewhat oppressive; unlike war, which can be influenced by human intervention, facing the explosive fury of nature reveals humanity’s triviality in comparison to other animals.

In the face of disaster-level natural catastrophes, humanity has little recourse beyond praying, trembling, and cursing.

After a while, the atmosphere eased up.

"How is the Paradise Island case going?"

The President seemingly had never inquired about this case, never called the person in charge, nor asked others about the case’s progress, acting as if he wasn’t concerned.

But in reality, he was very concerned about it, as it relates to a powerful capital empire like the Duncan Clan!

Mr. Truman pursed his lips, "It’s progressing more than we thought; they have already caught some people crucial to the case."

"Some individuals specialize in finding targets domestically and then transport them to the island through various means. They are trying to get these people to confess voluntarily."

In truth, what brought Paradise Island into the Security Department’s attention was their collection of "goods" domestically, touching the Federation Government’s bottom line alongside other factors that incited this incident.

Paradise Island, outwardly Horn’s industry, was actually a loophole exploited to establish a nation within a nation, with the Duncan Clan as the true masterminds.

They thought this time would be like every other, not posing any threat, but they made two mistakes.

First, they surprisingly had the vast majority of Congress legislators on their side, promoting the Security Law’s passage.

Second, they sent Federation citizens to Paradise Island.

These are deadly errors as the former ignited extreme dissatisfaction among the Federation’s top three parties!

Consider, clearly they are all compatriots, suddenly and uniformly obeying a capitalist family’s command, forcing these party leaders and various chairs to ponder a terrifying question.

If the Duncan Clan proposed forming a new party or dissolving existing ones, or had even darker thoughts?

Could Congress still stand united with them?

Maybe initially many were simply swayed by their gifts, lending a generosity, but when they realized events weren’t unfolding as expected, rifts developed between the Duncan Clan and the Federation’s ruling and opposition party leaders.

Secondly, again, the Federation, possibly deemed unsuitable by many in many situations, still minimally preserves the dignity of its lowest people.

They made two fatal errors, huge mistakes.

Of course, these are the visible reasons; there are hidden reasons typically confidential and unknown to the public.

After hearing Mr. Truman’s description, the President involuntarily knocked on the table, "Horrifying, Truman, I didn’t expect such things to happen in a civilized society!"

Mr. Truman nodded in agreement, as if they were previously unaware of the Duncan Clan’s existence or business nature.

"Oh right!", the President suddenly recalled, "Jeruno mentioned he has a good relationship with Lynch?"

Mr. Truman, without consulting Lynch, definitively denied it, "That’s his smokescreen, he’s misleading the public."

Seeing the President’s somewhat puzzled expression, Mr. Truman, for some reason, couldn’t help but chuckle twice, "If he has any connection with Jeruno..."

He paused, "I believe he more likely wishes to dismember this family and feast on the choicest cut."

"You see, is he ever in a passive cooperation position?"

"No, never, so in this matter, we need not worry about Lynch siding with the Duncan Clan!"

Lynch has a special advantage—Darkstone Security, currently the Federation’s largest private military organization. Should he closely collaborate with the Duncan Clan, it won’t be good news for anyone.

The Duncan family has numerous resources, combined with Lynch’s people, their partnership would become extremely troublesome.

Yet Mr. Truman knows Lynch; he’s likely considering how to tear flesh from the Duncan Clan, rather than aiding them through hardship.

Maybe this is the essence of a born capitalist?

Strengthening oneself is always more crucial than anything else!

"I’m reassured hearing you say that!" The President remained with a smile, recalling something else, "I heard there was a severe car accident at the port when I came?"

Mr. Truman nodded, "I heard the driver drank too much..."

That afternoon, the President’s office issued a proposal to Congress, suggesting that driving after drinking be categorized as a criminal act.

Although Congress hadn’t yet discussed or decided on this proposal, simply the media leak from the President’s office’s spokesperson garnered substantial public support.

No Federation law prohibits driving vehicles after drinking, leading many to still drive to banquets, subsequently driving back under the influence, escalating vehicular accidents.

The public is deeply frustrated by drunk driving; the President’s proposal resonated with public opinion and received predictable support.

As a skilled politician, even an outstanding one, the President knows how to use these means to cater to public needs, swaying opinion in his favor.

Time always passes quickly; to young children every day feels like a year, but to him, each day swiftly passes like a flash of lightning.

Seemingly accomplishing nothing, dusk quickly falls after dawn.

In the evening, Lynch was watching the news when a slightly nervous maid approached.

Lynch turned off the TV and looked at her, "Is something the matter?"

The young maid appeared tense; she nodded, "I want... to take a day off tomorrow."

To gain Lynch’s approval, she specifically mentioned the reason, "I need to go to the hospital."

Lynch isn’t heartless; he cares about the people around him, "Are you sick?"

"I know some people at the hospital; take my business card, they’ll provide you with the best treatment plan."

The maid shook her head repeatedly, "No, no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Lynch, I’m just going for a prenatal check-up..."

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she continued, "I’m pregnant, Mr. Lynch."

Lynch chuckled after hearing this, "Remember not to phrase it like that next time, it sounds like it’s my child..."

"I’ve approved it, but you should still take my card—there are quite distinct differences in the quality of even simple check-ups."

"Don’t worry about the costs..."