Darkstone Code

Politics always revolves around the transfer of interests.

Even though politicians constantly show the public that they’re pursuing genuine cleanliness and integrity, it’s evidently impossible.

Because politicians need these, and capitalists need the assistance of politicians.

Some people hold power, some hold wealth. They all possess something the others need, which leads to these behind-the-scenes deals between money and power.

Politicians need money to expand their network, and the reason why Legislator Landon was able to quickly make headway in Congress is, in fact, because Lynch was supporting him from behind the scenes.

If it weren’t for the money Lynch provided him, what basis would he have to make most of the legislators become his friends?

One must know that in any world, any era, and any country’s political center, it has never been a place with low consumption levels.

Here gathers the wealthiest and most powerful people in the country, and when these people congregate, the level of consumption immediately rises.

If Legislator Landon wants to befriend some senators, he cannot possibly invite those senators, whose clothes and jewelry could buy the whole store, to a roadside barbecue, sitting on small stools, next to greasy and damaged tables, to eat unlimited quantities of beef pieces for a few bucks!

That’s obviously impossible. He must in those upscale venues, like private clubs or similar places, spend thousands to provide these people with a high-end experience.

This money... relying on his salary, he simply cannot afford, so he needs money to support his "political actions," and that’s when capitalists seek him out.

Capitalists can provide him money, just like Lynch, supplying Landon with ample funds, soon giving him the public impression of being "generous."

A person labeled as such can easily thrive in the political arena because "generosity" makes people less cautious and also implies a willingness to "share."

Be it wealth or power!

These are very good labels.

Politicians need these, even though they always talk about purging politics, they need these.

Sometimes the public need not care too much about the outcome, because for most ordinary people, the outcomes are often harsh.

They merely need to derive satisfaction from the politicians’ serious attitudes, as long as they believe things will get better in the future, they can live in a positive environment.

Every year, billions are funneled to various politicians in the Federation, and in the past, the Duncan Clan occupied a significant part of these interest transfers.

Now, Mr. Truman hopes Lynch can take this responsibility.

In fact, this also greatly dissatisfies Mr. Truman because he realizes his ideals are built upon some erroneous values, and not only can he not purge them, but he also has to comply with these rules, which angers him.

Anger at reality, anger at himself, which is also why he’s restless. He hopes Lynch would refuse and then deliver some grand reasoning, making him feel better.

But considering rationality, he hopes Lynch will accept it because that’s what he’s come for.

If Lynch doesn’t agree, the interest transmission chain falls apart, and those Members of Parliament won’t allow the Federation Government to lay hands on their purses, which is rather... helpless and indescribable.

Lynch also lit a cigarette, quietly smoking as he considered many things.

Once his interests align with so many Members of Parliament, it means he also gains substantial power, but at the same time, it brings great risks.

Why did the Duncan Clan fall?

There are many reasons, but fundamentally, it’s because they touched the sensitive nerves of top politicians.

And these... could very well get replicated onto him.

Because once he begins providing benefits to these politicians, it means he forms a tightly united interest alliance with them, which precisely stands in opposition to the ruling Federation group.

Unless Lynch is willing to listen to the orders of the President’s Mansion, though obviously, that’s impossible because, most of the time, Congress and the President’s Mansion aren’t on the same side.

Don’t be fooled by Congress’s votes of various supports and oppositions; in reality, politicians are still pursuing a kind of "confrontation," only then can they emphasize the importance of Congress, and highlight the importance of Members of Parliament.

They are inherently standing at the two ends of the balance scale, and Lynch is trying to find a balance point, to be honest, it’s a bit difficult.

Time passes slowly, but the cigarette burns quickly. Lynch finishes the last puff and snuffs it out in the ashtray.

He raises his head, looking at Mr. Truman, "I’m afraid I’ll get lost in it; once I start transferring benefits to Members of Parliament, it means some things might gradually become uncontrollable."

"Whether it’s my own choices or theirs."

Mr. Truman understands this too; sometimes, regardless of how strong one’s power is, they cannot change certain conventional norms.

He pressed his lips together, "I will remind you..."

He stopped there because he realized he also found it hard to convince himself he could do that.

In an instant, he felt somewhat disheartened, yet... this might perhaps be the most suitable and only way.

Lynch looked at him, "I promised..."

Mr. Truman raised his glass and clinked it with Lynch, feeling a bit emotional, "We won’t be able to meet so easily from now on."

Lynch nodded, both of them raised their heads and drank the wine in their glasses.

The Members of the Federation Congress would not want Lynch, who provides them with benefits, to be too close to the high levels of the Federation Government; in the future, they certainly wouldn’t be able to meet just by a phone call at any time.

This needs to be a confidential process, to ensure that those Congress lords won’t be too anxious.

Lynch took the initiative to pour Mr. Truman some wine, "To the Federation!"

Mr. Truman silently raised his glass, pausing for a moment, "To the Federation!"

These things are actually the preparatory work needed for the "siege" of the Duncan Clan, as it is indeed too huge; a lot of preparations must be done before dealing with it.

Otherwise, there would be significant, unplanned issues arising at that time.

Of course, some Members of Parliament will also be thoroughly purged in this turmoil, freeing up some power positions, which is a good thing for most people.

An evil clan gets exposed, then judged, then sentenced, naturally, and some evil politicians attached to this evil clan need to be dealt with.

This is also the kind of "truth" most accepted by the masses, as they believe politicians are bad, at least some of them are, and they’re not guessing wrong, although politicians wouldn’t admit it.

This doesn’t stop them from finding some people to satisfy the public’s demand for "truth," just like when you call your girlfriend late at night and hear her panting, you’d prefer to be told she’s exercising, rather than someone being on top of her.

We know that’s not true, but we always hope, in certain special times, for someone to deceive us and provide some evidence—I’m a bit tired from running.

After ending this conversation, that very night, Lynch received an envelope without a postmark, containing records of hundreds of accounts, with the amounts needed monthly detailed after each account.

These accounts alone are not the entirety; the monthly benefit transfer is roughly around four to five million.

Bear in mind, at this time, some smaller scale businesses, not to mention annual profits, don’t even have annual sales that reach this amount!

Yet, it’s merely a part of the whole political benefit transfer system of the Federation, a part!

And Lynch also believes that as things unfold, with a batch of purged legislators being filled in by others, this number will continue to expand, increasing by millions, or even doubling!

On October 10th, the calm Federation was as tranquil as ever.

The sun rises from the horizon every morning, not so punctually, as the whole city begins to wake under the sunlight, people start stepping out, start working...

Just like it happens every day.

However, today is a special day, because today is Lynch’s birthday.

Early in the morning, three cars entered the Half Mountain Villa District to start setting up for Lynch’s birthday party.

These people are very professional; Lynch had seen the onsite design layout, which was divided into indoor and outdoor settings.

The atmosphere group sent by the company won’t enter indoors; those beautiful girls and handsome boys will only "fish" and be "fished" outdoors.

Yes, to reflect the extraordinary personal charm of the guests, there will always be some attractive members of the atmosphere group drawn to them.

For the guests, this is obviously a wonderful kind of enjoyment; they have conquered a beautiful young girl, or boy, with their charm.

These girls or boys don’t even need them to spend any money, just a fling with them in some place—out of their "charm"!

Having such an encounter always makes the guests very delighted, even if it’s not a barefaced fling, just a flirtatious chat is excellent.

Actually, it’s not just these kinds of parties that would have it; it’s the same on those luxury cruise ships, otherwise why would single tourists buy an expensive cruise ticket?

Just for travel?

No, it’s to prove their own charisma.

Lynch and Penny, along with two maids, watched these people set up; they professionally helped Lynch rearrange some rooms, packing all easily breakable items into the storeroom.

Based on their experience, the most unpleasant thing at parties is when certain drunk fools smash those expensive ornaments.

Upholding the philosophy of considering the customer, they will handle all this!

Of course, such excellent service certainly requires corresponding fees.

Excluding the fees for the girls and boys, just the setup costs over thirty thousand, adding labor and miscellaneous, forty-two thousand.

With the inclusion of those girls and boys, and if other services are included, the total cost will be about a hundred thousand!

Note, this doesn’t include the cost of drinks and beverages, nor the cooks and ingredients; those need to be prepared by the client!