Darkstone Code
Chapter 124 - 0123 countless thoughts

Chapter 124: 0123 countless thoughts

At night, Mayor Lynch had just finished socializing and sat slightly tipsy in the car, looking at this vibrant city. His heart lacked the ambition and heroic spirit described in novels, with hardly any substantial thoughts.

He only felt it was a problem, a huge problem.

At this moment, the sky had completely darkened, just like the city’s current situation, shrouded in despair.

Oftentimes, people believe the mayor is better than some state legislators or city legislators, at least they have actual power, rather than relying on collective voting to generate a kind of collective power.

But only they know themselves, being a mayor is joyful in smooth times, but in this current situation, even if a mayor has immense abilities, it’s challenging to do well.

Some things cannot be changed by human effort, much like the continuously declining economy.

Every day he watches the rising unemployment rate, sees the vagrants wandering the streets unable to find work, sees the ever-growing gaps, and feels a deep sense of helplessness and fatigue.

The car came to a gentle stop, the insignificant inertia made him feel slightly nauseous, he patted his face and got out of the car.

He refused the driver’s assistance, returned home, and plopped onto the sofa with a heavy sigh.

The maid brought chilled ice water; he took a sip, dispelling the slight drunkenness in his body, and casually asked, "Has Ferrari returned?"

Ferrari and other staff officers lived in the same community as the mayor, even in the house next to him, anytime the mayor had needs, they could come and serve him promptly.

The servant nodded, "I saw Mr. Ferrari’s car returning a little after seven."

"Let him come over, I’ll wait for him in the study."

The mayor drank the remaining half cup of ice water, feeling much more refreshed, he supported himself to stand up, and walked somewhat wearily into the study.

He sat in the chair waiting for Ferrari’s arrival, also pondering over things, drifting into a daze. When he came back to his senses, Ferrari was already standing in front of him.

"When did you arrive?" He took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his eyes, unsure if he had any eye discharge, he had to ensure his appearance was dignified.

After waiting for the mayor to tidy up his appearance, Ferrari looked up and answered, "I arrived a while ago, I saw you resting, so I didn’t disturb you."

The mayor smiled, a rather forced smile, then sighed, "I met with Neo tonight, his stance is quite ambiguous."

Lately, a rumor has been spreading in Sabin City that Mr. Neo, the president of Ristone, is actively contacting people within the Conservative Party. In some unofficial occasions, he affirmed some of the Conservative Party’s policies in recent years, believing these policies have allowed Bail Federal to lead other countries.

In this country, everything can be blurred - gender, loyalty, love and hate - but not political stance.

Neo can tell people that he has fallen out with the mayor while also expressing his determination to adhere to the Progressive Party’s stance. Thus, this is a problem between him and the mayor.

But now his rhetoric is beginning to change on some principled issues, and the mayor certainly needs to figure out whether he is just trying to exert pressure or if he really has other plans.

Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to probe, Neo consistently evaded this aspect of the matter, which actually gave the mayor an initial judgment: he’s still choosing and also hopes both parties can offer him some leaning chips.

Damn merchants, damn capitalists!

There are tens of thousands of people who work directly or indirectly for Ristone. Once Ristone announces its departure from Sabin City and this state, relocating to the Conservative Party’s territory, this would become the greatest failure during the mayor’s administration of Sabin City!

Even more frightening, if even only one or two thousand more unemployed people suddenly emerged in such a situation, the entire Sabin City would instantaneously fall into hell.

Moreover, with the rumors Neo has intentionally released lately, by then everyone would blame the mayor, believing the mayor forced Neo away, resulting in everyone losing jobs and lives.

Angry citizens are enough to cut off his political career, Neo is determined to force the mayor to bow, but this Mr. Neo, the president, also overlooked another issue.

The downfall of Henghui was not something Ristone alone could achieve. Many people worked together, including some economic entities of similar size to Ristone. Why would they allow the most fruitful part to be swallowed into Ristone’s belly?

Even if the mayor agreed, other districts’ mayors, legislators, and even the governor would not agree to let him do so, which leads to a deadlock in the situation.

So is all of this truly unchangeable?

Actually, not entirely. Neo surely knows about these matters too. His purpose is simply to pressure the mayor to strive for the greatest benefits for him, to serve him with utmost effort. But this is equally impossible. If a skilled politician completely deteriorates into a capitalist’s henchman, it only indicates that this politician is less-than-excellent, and simultaneously, his political career is likely near its end.

This is a dilemma that has long troubled the mayor.

He broached the topic without expecting Ferrari to immediately come up with a solution. It’s not a new issue, merely mentioned in passing, akin to the transient desire of a stifled person yearning for brief verbal relief. Once spoken, the feeling passes.

The topic was shelved, paused briefly, and he then raised another matter, which involved bringing in Ferrari. "How are things on Lynch’s side today?"

Ferrari’s expression finally shifted slightly. He nodded and described the scene at that time, which had moved the mayor. As he calculated, he asked, "How many people would Lynch need to hire if all this turns into a fixed model?"

Fearing Ferrari might misunderstand, he supplemented, "I mean if his business expands throughout the whole state!"

Ferrari furrowed his brows and calculated for a while, uncertainly saying, "Today he hired about forty sales staff, several accountants. Adding in those temporary workers setting up the site and people at the warehouses, in a city, he would at least provide two to three hundred job opportunities."

"Across all cities in the state combined...," Ferrari’s face showed some surprise, "At least five thousand job positions!"

In a state with millions of people, discussing five thousand job positions seems somewhat insignificant, but the mayor still greatly valued these job positions, because he understood that Lynch’s plans were more than just the current scope.

He began to calculate. According to Lynch, the clubs he established could offer numerous job opportunities, plus some of his other ideas. Before he knew it, the mayor felt a bit startled.

If Lynch’s words come to fruition, he could at least provide no fewer than ten thousand job opportunities across the state, and no less than four thousand jobs for Sabin City.

If dozens of job positions might barely catch the mayor’s attention, then four thousand opportunities, if arranged well, could at least support four thousand families, directly affecting the lives of about fifteen thousand people, and indirectly impacting around ten thousand lives.

Just one Lynch can affect almost thirty thousand lives, even when he’s not particularly noticeable. What if he gets the chance to soar?

The mayor inevitably fell deep into thought. There was already a consensus within the Progressive Party not to discuss economic development first, but resolve people’s livelihood issues. If these aren’t addressed, the Federation’s seemingly robust finances face the risk of instant collapse.

If we fail to reverse the downward trend, there’s a possible scenario of local fiscal bankruptcy theatrics.

And the more such times unfold, the more crucial these capitalists become. Politicians struggle to provide direct job opportunities for the populace, but capitalists might.

They don’t need to fatten everyone, only let ordinary people persist, keep the system operational, endure through this period, and ultimately everything will improve.

Upon this realization, the mayor had made a decision.

The evening meeting with Neo made him realize that this person was already unreliable, even Ristone was unreliable, regardless of his compromise.

Today Neo pressured him to bow to the Ristone Group. Even if he truly bowed down, a difficult-to-bridge resentment was planted between both sides.

Currently, the mayor doesn’t act out because he needs something from them. But once he regains his footing, he will surely make Neo and the Ristone Group pay.

Would Neo not know about this situation?

No, he’s very aware, yet he proceeded anyway, indicating that the compromise between both parties won’t last long and will soon lead to another standoff fueled by a different catalyst.

"Arrange for me to meet Lynch." With the decision made, the mayor directly discussed his thoughts. Although Lynch might not change the current situation, he could offer some alternative approaches.

Considering Lynch’s current undertakings, it’s clear that he’s a young man full of ideas. If he can offer specific methods to endure through this tough period, the mayor might not only avoid bowing down but also have a chance to lash back at Neo.

Ferrari, being relatively familiar with Lynch, is evidently a suitable intermediary. While the mayor and Lynch know each other and have shared a meal, their acquaintance remains superficial. For deeper discussions, especially on core issues, a reliable intermediary as a bridge is necessary.

Suddenly, he felt that arranging Ferrari to contact Lynch was a good choice, at least bringing him an extra path, an opportunity.

His mood suddenly improved, his whole being felt lighter, and he began to look forward to this upcoming meeting.