Darkstone Code

Chapter 1215 - 1213: You Might Not Believe This

Letting a private military outsourcing company manage armed conflicts between nations sounds somehow... like a joke, doesn’t it?

But no one really finds this joke funny; the core power Lynch holds isn’t the elite, battle-hardened employees of Darkstone Security, but his airplanes and cluster bombs.

These are the things that can truly inflict maximum casualties on the army, especially in the current situation where there aren’t effective anti-air defenses, making bombers all the more important.

Everyone has witnessed Darkstone Security’s performance in the North. Although they initially faced many setbacks, that was, after all, with a military-centric command system in place.

Once the Darkstone Commanders were in place, everything stabilized.

Moreover, Lynch himself said he’s not attempting to showcase Peng Jieao’s ground forces, but to create a time window for the Federation to remarshal, so... this isn’t a joke.

With over ten thousand people risking their lives to pin down the enemy on the front line for a week, it would be enough time for the Federation to send hundreds of thousands of troops to Nagariel.

Along with the Military Industrial Group’s desire to continue collaborating with Darkstone Security, and the need to test some new equipment, there’s seemingly no reason to refuse.

An official from the Ministry of Defense licked his lips, "Mr. Lynch, your proposal is fine, it’s just...," he shook his head, "the price you’re asking is too high."

The President then said, "Yes, six billion seems indeed a bit much."

This money, in fact, isn’t significant for the Navy.

They have impressive results, and all kinds of budgets have been green-lighted.

But the Army’s situation is different. A major military reduction just ended last year, and the Federation now maintains a total army strength of about one million, including the militia.

Annual military spending is less than eight billion, of which five billion goes for various salaries and daily expenses of the army soldiers.

The remainder goes toward maintenance of some bases and military machinery, partial re-equipment expenses, and a small amount for operational activities.

Congress isn’t as friendly to the Army as it is to the Navy, primarily because the Army hasn’t yet proven their capability.

This isn’t just Congress being stingy; capital and politics have an obligation to curb the uncontrolled expansion of military power, as they don’t want any warlords emerging in the Federation, thus military budgets must be tightly controlled.

Now Lynch is demanding such a large sum at once, the Army can’t provide it.

No money, that’s the key.

Lynch obviously understood this problem as well. It’s common knowledge that the Army has no money.

However, at this moment, he looked at everyone with a slightly confused expression, as if dealing with people of diminished intelligence, "Why... do you all keep thinking we have to pay this ourselves?"

The ash fell from the cigarette, and Lynch, knowing living beings have greater dynamic visual acuity, avoided it to prevent any stain on his expensive trousers.

He took another puff, walked to the coffee table, and stubbed out the cigarette.

It was only then that the people in the room understood Lynch’s words, even Mr. Truman realized what he meant.

He looked at Lynch and asked, "Could there possibly be someone else who would pay for us?"

Lynch sat up straight on the sofa, nodded, "Yes, Mr. Truman..." then looked at the President, "Mr. President..." followed by others.

Once again, he seized the initiative in a conversation concerning the future of the nation occurring in this room.

"In my view, the evil group with the Peng Jieao Empire at its core is the enemy of all just alliances, and now the evil Peng Jieao Empire is attempting to challenge the current world order and disrupt the peace."

"So as our righteous allies, shouldn’t all member countries within the World Development Committee, and those who opposed them during the First World War, contribute a portion of their power?"

Mr. Truman’s eyes lit up; he immediately realized Lynch’s idea, almost applauding the suggestion!

Others also noticed Mr. Truman’s reaction; the President, being the oldest here, had the least reservations, "It seems you understood Lynch’s meaning?"

"I’m too old for this; please stop wearing out my dried-up brain every day, will you?"

Mr. Truman looked at Lynch, who continued with a smile, "All allies standing on the side of justice should contribute to this military action."

"If they cannot dispatch troops to help us resist the invasion of Peng Jieao’s army, we have reason to suspect they’ve been bought by the evil group and stand opposed to us."

"Of course, indeed there are some countries whose military forces are no stronger than street gangs, take Gafura for example. It might be difficult for them to participate, but we can levy their contributions to this military cost."

"Those capable contribute their effort, and those unable contribute financially. That is the true reason we form strategic alliances!"

"We stand in the same trench to jointly combat the evil Peng Jieao group!"

Deep down Mr. Truman added another line, "This is bloody extortion!"

Of course, he would not say that aloud, at least not in front of so many people; privately, he might share this with the President.

The important figures of the Ministry of Defense never expected there would be such a damn way to raise military funds, and then their eyes turned to the senators.

The senators were also taken aback by Lynch’s magical idea... leaving them at a bit of a loss, one of them pushed his glasses to hide the embarrassment of his mind going blank just now.

He coughed, "If this money doesn’t require going through special budgets and military budgets, we feel we have no issues."

"And obviously, an action that so clearly serves to unite the international community will undoubtedly gain Congress’s support, and the public will love it too."

That’s the "romantic" way of the Federation people; they’re always thinking about taking on more responsibility. Now that the opportunity has arisen, it’s a good thing for the entire Federation Society.

"Occupying an important position within a significant group and leading a very important action," what could be more motivating to ordinary people than these?

Maybe when they’re filing taxes they’ll be more enthusiastic, after all, every penny turns into bullets of justice shattering the heads of evil!

Lynch smiled as he looked at the President, "Mr. President, as the two core countries from the last world war, Gafura’s hatred for Peng Jieao is the deepest. Perhaps you could make a call to their Prime Minister, or Emperor, to discuss our ideas?"

"If we can’t repel the Peng Jieao people and they enter Nagariel, then they control a springboard to the Amelia region!"

Strike at the heart!

Currently, Gafura is internally grappling with conflicts between the noble groups and the Imperial Family, and externally with security issues in the Amelia region; at such a sensitive time, they can’t possibly mobilize troops on a large scale.

Even if they mobilize, it won’t help; those army nobles will surely suffer heavy casualties. It’s better to accept the fate of being blackmailed from the start, they might even save a little.

The President chuckled and joked, "This is something I’m very good at!"

With a very standard guideline, the meeting ended quickly. The idea of Darkstone Security also participating in this battle was incorporated into the overall plan.

Of course, it also depends on the results of negotiations with other countries because, in any case, the army cannot come up with this money.

As Lynch was leaving, standing by the car, Mr. Truman curiously asked, "How did you come up with this method to extort those people?"

By "those people," he meant the rulers and leaders of those countries.

Lynch stood by the car, gazing up at the clear sky, the sunlight draping over him like a thin veil.

He smiled, young yet confident, always able to make people unconsciously believe every word he said.

"A just world concerns the future of all humanity. Whether it’s the President or the homeless person on the sidewalk, they both must and need to bear the responsibility of maintaining world peace!"

After seeing Lynch off, Mr. Truman didn’t return to the President’s office. He went directly to his own office; he still had to discuss this matter with the diplomats of these countries, asking for some support, however much possible.

Whether it’s support in troops or in cash, anything would help!

The President then called the Prime Minister of Gafura; now everyone knows who’s in charge in Gafura. Even if His Majesty the Emperor agrees, it’s of no use.

The entire financial power of the Gafura Empire rests with the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister doesn’t nod, there’s little the King can do.

The Prime Minister of Gafura was somewhat surprised at the sudden call from the Federal President. After a moment of surprise, he quickly took on his role.

After extending an invitation to the other side with a proposal that he knew was unlikely to be accepted, the Federal President said those words.

The honorable Prime Minister of Gafura didn’t react at first; he had been focusing his energy on political struggles with the Imperial Family lately, paying little attention to outside affairs.

He only knew there was such a matter, but didn’t understand why it involved Gafura and himself.

However, he had to admit that the words of the Federal President did indeed make him uneasy.

If the Peng Jieao people used Nagariel as a springboard to attack Amelia, the domestic situation could change in an instant.

War can bring about fearful centralization, and His Majesty the Emperor, as the highest figure of such centralization, has reason to take direct control of the national military!

This would be a fatal blow to their attempts to change Gafura’s political system.

So, perhaps giving some money is the best solution?

He didn’t respond immediately and instead told the other party he needed to think and discuss it.

After hanging up, he called for his butler, preparing to alter the upcoming schedule.

But for some reason, he remained silent.

After a while, the butler tentatively called out "Sir," bringing the Prime Minister back to his senses.

With a peculiar smile on his face, he said, "You might not believe it, but I was just blackmailed by the President of the Bail Federal..."