Darkstone Code-Chapter 1006 - 1004: Demanding Benefits

An absurd and ridiculous night.

I don’t know if it’s because Penny messed up her and Lynch’s first time—

At least that’s what she thought; it was definitely not a satisfying or memorable first time. She messed up everything and clumsily tried to fix those issues.

This also led to Penny feeling a bit insecure in some areas. Sometimes it’s hard to understand the mindset of young people in the Federation.

Some girls, for fear that their crush might think they’re unattractive, deliberately sleep with bad boys to gain more sexual experience!

Yes, they inexplicably believe that more sexual experience is a symbol of charm, which many middle-aged and older people, including Lynch, find twisted.

What kind of education and social environment could make people turn out like this?

When addressing her insecurities, Penny thought of seeking help from others, essentially avoiding the issue, or not considering solving it from within.

Everyone has their own methods of handling things; this is hers. You can’t say she’s wrong because she’s genuinely seeking a solution.

But you can’t say she’s right either, because these methods are based on hurting others.

However, considering that she’s only twenty, these things are forgivable.

Because she’s young.

In the morning, when the two girls woke up, Lynch had already finished his exercise. He always cared a lot about his body.

A great person once said, "Correctness is simply what persists longer than other errors."

When all errors disappear, what remains is correctness, even if it might not be truly correct.

To survive higher in the world of capital, one must have a good body. You never know if missing a meeting or a shareholders’ conference due to health reasons might lead to losing all your power!

These things have happened before, and once they’ve occurred, it’s extremely difficult to change them.

On October 11th, the international community reacted, especially the Gafura media, who seemed scared that the world wouldn’t know what the Federation did, frantically printing newspapers to announce to the world what happened in Mariluo, and calling it a "shameful invasion."

However, there aren’t many serious individuals, because it’s unnecessary, which is also the tragedy of small nations.

People won’t stand in a supposedly righteous position to criticize the Federation’s ugliness for justice because the Federation might invade Mariluo. They’ll wait until the Federation becomes the messenger of justice, so they won’t be wrong.

Regarding the impact of Gafura on international public opinion, the Ministry of International Affairs quickly counter-attacked.

Mr. Truman brought up Gafura’s invasions from earlier years, promoting them widely, and even subtly accusing Gafura of being the instigator of the First World War.

Everything stems from their greed for land and resources.

At nine in the morning, Mr. Truman called.

He didn’t come to Lynch’s birthday party yesterday, partly due to endless meetings he had to attend.

Since the President handed over many affairs for Mr. Truman to handle, he’s been almost exploding from busyness.

The media used expressions like "most lazy" and "most leisurely" to describe the same point: that the current President, unlike past Presidents, has so much free time to play golf.

Simultaneously, people have to accept the fact that the power of the Ministry of International Affairs is expanding rapidly; no one knows how far it will go.

One could even say Mr. Truman now holds more political power than the Vice President; at least the Vice President doesn’t have much authority, while he has plenty.

Not having time was one of the reasons he didn’t come.

Another reason was to maintain some distance from Lynch; as his power grows, more eyes are on him.

If it’s a more private meeting, it wouldn’t be an issue, but attending Lynch’s birthday, with a Party Whip already there and then a Minister of International Affairs, seemed excessive.

So, he didn’t come yesterday.

"Some media might continue to smear you in the future, especially Gafura’s media and some from other places..."

Lynch wasn’t surprised; actually bringing others in also shares the "firepower."

"I can handle these things; if a few words from the media could bother me, I’d have been finished a long time ago," he replied with a smile.

The media loves him, but there are some who enjoy reporting negative news; after all, he has a huge audience market. In a world dominated by wealth and capital, creating economic benefit is permissible, even if it involves fabricating evidence to smear Lynch.

There are all sorts of claims; some even say Lynch is the President’s illegitimate child. In short, absurd stories keep unfolding.

Readers love it; advertisers buy pages for their adverts.

Viewers enjoy watching these ads, and the TV stations convert airtime into cash.

As for Lynch, he dislikes it but doesn’t oppose it because he knows trying to hold some people accountable is like advertising for them.

So he always acts as if he didn’t see the media’s criticism and attacks.

"I’m relieved you think this way. Besides, the Ministry of Defense is quite interested in your plan; they’ve contacted me, asking when you can finalize it."

Lynch mentioned to those at the Military Industrial Group that the Ministry of Defense’s military observers were headed to the front, a topic not agreed upon yesterday.

Now, internationally there’s criticism of Darkstone Security’s "invasion" actions. While the Ministry of Defense wants to go, after a day’s meeting, they’ve decided.

After all, the opportunity is rare.

The Federation Army, which never faced any external or war, revealed many issues just fighting a small warlord, causing serious concern within the Ministry of Defense.

It’s not a small issue; this might indicate the Federation’s Army, like Gafura’s, has become showpieces.

Of course, showpieces at a high standard.

But they’re still showpieces!

The entire Ministry of Defense completed some personnel adjustments without outsiders knowing, and two colonels from the Strategic Command "retired", already recommended by Darkstone Security’s employees to company executives.

They’re currently dealing with paperwork, along with over 100 other officers, soon heading to the frontline for battle.

Addressing a series of discovered Army issues has become the main work of this phase for the Ministry of Defense.

In addition, the Ministry wants to try some things, now just waiting for Lynch.

Lynch thought for a moment, "No more than a week, around the fifteenth we should have it confirmed. We’re taking sea transportation, which should be quicker."

"Around the seventeenth, we should reach the frontline position, so there’s no need to rush."

Mr. Truman agreed, further explaining, "I’m not the one in a hurry; it’s those people from the Ministry of Defense. Moreover, I must inform you about another matter that might be not so pleasant..."

Upon hearing this, Lynch’s brows furrowed. He didn’t speak, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Lynch’s silence made Mr. Truman awkward. He coughed and continued, "It’s like this: the Gafura people are contacting us, hoping to send military observers. Apart from them, there might be other countries too."

Upon hearing this, Lynch relaxed his brows and couldn’t help but laugh.

This is state politics; they can simultaneously label a private company’s military outsourcing as an invasion by one country against another and criticize it aggressively in international public opinion.

While at the same time trying to get closer to what’s happening, even seeking to negotiate some terms with the Federation on this issue and discuss cooperation.

If there are things beneficial to them, they do it; this is state politics.

There’s no distinction between right and wrong because those are meaningless; foreigners won’t think you’re a good person because you treat them well; they won’t avoid conflict during future disputes either.

They won’t do that; they’ll only come biting when you’re weak.

Moreover, Lynch sensed from Mr. Truman’s tone that this matter might truly be negotiable.

Lynch still didn’t speak; the awkward atmosphere continued, and Mr. Truman knew Lynch was expressing his displeasure, so he patiently explained.

"They provided a technical list, hoping we can conduct technological cooperation within certain limits."

"We’ve seen that list, and admittedly there’re many technologies we’re striving to tackle, even as mid-term target research projects."

"This is crucial for us; it relates to national defense, mentioning simple weapon projects..."

Before Mr. Truman finished, Lynch interrupted, "How do you know those projects and results Gafura provided are genuine?"

"Maybe they just fabricated a bunch of things we need; in reality, they have nothing."

Mr. Truman wasn’t annoyed being interrupted; he listened intently, "We’ve considered this possibility; because it’s cooperation, we’d mutually exchange preliminary research results and share data."

"Once confirmed both sides have tangible results, we’d then proceed to joint development; they can’t obtain our data and results without first presenting something real!"

Lynch immediately said, "So, I’m the person who needs to sacrifice some of my interests in this deal?"

The reasoning is there, but saying it like that sounds unpleasant, so Mr. Truman remained silent.

Lynch was direct, opening up, "I want benefits!"