Chapter 569 - 267: The Road to Caesar
The wind along the riverbank grew stronger, making the pages flutter loudly.
Leo lowered his head, looking at the revised draft of the Medicine Benefits Transparency and Fairness Bill in his hands.
A jarring red line was slashed across it, striking out the clause for the "state regulatory committee."
This was a letter of surrender.
And a bulletin of victory.
If Leo just nodded, if he just took that outstretched, aged hand, the Mutual Aid Alliance would gain undeniable legitimacy.
He would become the first Mayor to break the health insurance monopoly at the state level.
This wasn’t just a victory; it was justice.
Campbell was a good man.
For the past few years, in places unseen, the Governor had indeed used his broad back to shield Leo from the covert attacks of the Treasury Department and the Auditing Bureau.
He believed in an old-fashioned sense of duty, trying to maintain a final shred of decency in this crumbling age.
Leo looked at Campbell.
There was no scheme in the old man’s eyes, only a sincerity that bordered on a plea.
He just wanted to retire with his dignity intact, to prevent the state from descending into civil war.
Leo’s fingers traced the surface of the paper.
Accepting this offer would not only yield tangible benefits but also allow him to keep a clear conscience.
It seemed like a perfect ending.
’Mr. President,’ Leo whispered in his mind.
’He gave me everything I wanted. If we stop now, we can get the bill and keep an ally...’
’Foolish.’
Roosevelt’s voice boomed in his mind.
’Leo, if you accept this offer, you will have indeed saved Campbell. You’ll have let him live out his last four years with dignity.’
’And then what?’
Roosevelt demanded.
’After Campbell leaves office, who takes his place? Aston Monroe? Or Russell Warren?’
’Campbell only has one term left. He’s a dying tree that can’t provide shelter from the coming storm.’
’Besides,’ Roosevelt’s voice grew sharp, ’have you considered your political narrative?’
’What did you build your name on? On the image of an iconoclast. You told the voters that the current system is corrupt, that it must be overthrown, that you are a revolutionary.’
’If you shake hands with Campbell and make peace now, if you compromise with the highest representative of this system, what do you become in the eyes of those angry workers and radical students?’
’You become a collaborator with the establishment.’
’Your revolutionary narrative will be broken.’
Leo’s fingers stiffened.
’And that’s not the worst part,’ Roosevelt continued. ’Leo, lift your head and look around.’
’Look toward Washington.’
’Do you think you’re safe now? Do you think you’ll be fine just because Campbell is cooperating with you?’
’You’re wrong.’
’Your position now is more dangerous than ever.’
’Think about it. That Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill targeting Luigi has already passed. The federal government has sharpened its knives. But why hasn’t the FBI stormed Pittsburgh yet?’
’Why hasn’t the Democratic National Committee done anything more substantial than give you that so-called ultimatum?’
Leo froze.
It was true. The last few days had been too quiet. Washington’s silence was unnatural.
’Because they’re waiting,’ Roosevelt supplied the answer.
’They’re waiting for the internal purge of Pennsylvania to be complete.’
’The Democratic Party leadership sees the situation clearly. Campbell is protecting you. He’s not willing to move against you decisively. In Washington’s eyes, Campbell has become a stumbling block to them cleaning house.’
’So, their target has changed.’
’To take you down, they first have to take down Campbell.’
Roosevelt laid out his reasoning.
’Think about it. If they want to take down a sitting Democratic Governor, whose cooperation do they need?’
’They need someone within the state who has enough influence, ambition, and resentment toward Campbell.’
’Aston Monroe.’
The name surfaced in Leo’s mind.
’Exactly,’ Roosevelt confirmed.
’I’d bet you that as we speak, Washington is on the phone with Monroe.’
’They must have promised Monroe something. The only condition: cooperate with the Federation to purge Pittsburgh—and to purge you.’
’You have no way out.’
Roosevelt’s voice was like a final verdict.
’Leo, do you think that just because you have incredible momentum and everyone is flocking to you for cooperation, you can rest easy?’
’You’ve indeed captured public opinion and consolidated the Industrial Revival Alliance.’
’But in the eyes of the bureaucrats in Harrisburg and Washington, you’re still just a low-ranking Mayor. You’re at the bottom of the administrative hierarchy. That is an unchangeable fact.’
’Unconventional tactics are for turning the tables in desperate situations. They can’t sustain a long-term political power base.’
’You can’t resort to having tens of thousands of people smashing windows and blocking roads every time Washington launches an administrative attack. That populist fire burns fast and consumes a tremendous amount of fuel.’
’Use it too often, and the voters will grow weary. The middle class will become disgusted. You’ll turn yourself into a thug who only makes trouble, not a leader who can govern a city.’
Roosevelt’s tone grew stern.
’What you need is institutional armor. You need someone in the Governor’s office who follows your orders. Only by controlling the state’s administrative apparatus can you legally withstand pressure from the Federation.’
’Bob Campbell can never be your man.’
Roosevelt delivered his final command.
’If you compromise with Campbell, you will die without a grave.’
’You must strike first.’
Leo felt his blood run cold.
He looked at the old man before him.
Campbell was still looking at him with that same expectant gaze.
He simply wanted to end this conflict in a decent manner.
Leo’s heart pounded against his ribs.
’Make your decision, Leo,’ Roosevelt urged.
’There are too many good men in this world. Campbell is a good man, the baker on the corner is a good man, the artisan who mends shoes is a good man.’
’But good men cannot save the United States.’
’Good men can’t even save themselves.’
’Only you—the you who dares to shred his own soul and feed it to the Demon—can carve a bloody path through this chaotic world.’
’Only you can build that new order.’
’For that great goal, for the future of three hundred and forty million people... what is the sacrifice of one Campbell?’
Leo closed his eyes.
One second.
Two seconds.
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was a desolate, frozen wasteland.
He gently passed the document back to Campbell.
"Mr. Governor," Leo began to speak.
"Thank you for your candor, and for the coffee."
"This bill is perfect. The clauses you struck were indeed my biggest concern."
"But I cannot sign it."
The smile on Campbell’s face froze.
"Why?" the old man asked. "This is the best deal you’re going to get. What else are you worried about?"
"I’m not worried about the bill."
Leo stood up, looking down on Campbell.
"I’m worried about time."
"I don’t need a bill. I need a new era."
"An era that doesn’t rely on the benevolence of some kind-hearted Governor, but is sustained by a stable power structure."
Leo straightened his collar.
Campbell was stunned.
He looked at Leo, struggling to follow his train of thought.
"You..."
Campbell’s voice trembled.
"What are you planning? Do you want to use me as bait for Monroe?"
"That’s no longer important."
Leo didn’t answer directly.
He took a step forward, putting distance between himself and the bench.
"Take care, Mr. Governor."
"The winds in Harrisburg are about to get very strong."
"I hope you’re dressed warmly."
Leo gave a slight bow.
Then, he turned and strode away along the riverbank, his black trench coat billowing in the wind like a dark flag.
Campbell remained on the bench, still holding the rejected document.
He watched Leo’s retreating figure.
That figure was resolute, solitary, and radiating power.
For a moment, Campbell was in a daze.
’So that’s how it is.’
Campbell let out a bitter laugh.
He finally understood why Leo had refused him.
Because Leo didn’t want to become him.
Leo had chosen a much harder path.
It was the path to Caesar, not the path to the Senate.
’He can’t be stopped.’
Campbell sighed.
He poured the cup of cold coffee in his hand into the river.
The murky liquid blended into the murky river water, disappearing in an instant.
He knew the rupture had begun.
He had wanted to be the one who stitched the wound closed, but now, he had become the very wound that had to be torn open.
To survive, to protect his position, to avoid being crushed under the heel of that young upstart... he had to fight back.
Even though he didn’t want a civil war, even though he admired Leo.
But this was politics.
When your opponent draws their sword, if you don’t draw yours, you die.
Campbell raised his head, looking up at the gray sky.
The wind was picking up.
Campbell made the sign of the cross over his chest.
"May God bless Pennsylvania."