Darkstone Code-Chapter 703 - 0701 Cookies [This - is sponsored for an additional update by silver alliance member: Mr_Crow - 1/5]
The weather is getting increasingly hot, as summer comes into full swing, there aren’t many stray dogs visible on the streets.
Inside the room, the TV is broadcasting reports sent back from the frontlines of the joint military exercises.
Ever since the joint military exercises entered the preparation phase, the entire world’s attention has been captured by this major event, and it has even affected international trade, with transactions noticeably reduced.
There’s no help for it; the multinational joint exercises are taking place on the surface of the West Ocean, one of the world’s most important shipping hubs, with the exercises occupying several key shipping lanes. During the exercises, passage by cargo ships or passenger liners through these areas is prohibited.
At this time, technology isn’t advanced enough to support radar that can automatically distinguish between friend and foe, let alone such advanced radar, not even ordinary radar is available!
Should any unidentified vessel enter the exercise sea area, it’s very likely to be mistaken for a "target ship" and come under fire.
The exercise isn’t about running around the sea without firing a shot; it needs to demonstrate many things, especially offensive capabilities.
Powerful and effective offensive capabilities are the best deterrent against greed. Hence, at the behest of the joint military exercise command center, all countries participating in the exercises have prepared some target ships, also known as drone ships, placed at designated locations for shooting practice. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
With important shipping routes halted, trade volume naturally decreases. Of course, at this time, everyone’s attention isn’t on this; they’re only focused on one thing: the exercise.
"...The fleet of the Gafura Empire has already left the port. We noticed that this time the Gafura Empire’s navy fleet also includes submarines, a special combat unit. According to the official data we’ve obtained, its performance isn’t much inferior to the data the Federation has provided us with."
"In some respects, the parameters of Gafura’s submarines even surpass those of the Bail Federal’s submarines..."
In some respects, this military exercise can be regarded as a different kind of declaration of war.
Direct military conflict is unlikely to happen in the short term. However, His Majesty the Emperor of the Gafura Empire can’t simply watch as the Bail Federal claims victory in a naval battle and rides over the Empire.
Even up to this moment, there remains a sentiment within the Gafura Empire that if there were a next time, the imperial navy might not lose, and the Federation might not win either.
The Emperor of the Empire knows very well that he can’t continue to indulge in this way. The leaked military expansion and project data from the Federation have given him some inspiration, and through his joint reflection with his ministers, they plan to use the same approach to tell everyone that the Gafura Empire has not lost and will not concede!
Military exercises, a large number of military orders and projects, and the development of new weapons, though some parameters might be slightly exaggerated, after all, they are design parameters, which do not necessarily reflect actual parameters.
All of these are demonstrating an attitude to the international community—we will not concede, and are actively trying to surpass the Bail Federal!
This attitude is crucial as it can give some staunch supporters of the Gafura Empire a sense of encouragement, and offers even more motivation.
Hence, every country has announced its military plans and projects, and a commentator once said that nowadays people have moved war from reality to the news conference.
Through the announcements made at each news conference, they compete "digitally" in the field of military-related areas, looking at some exaggerated weapon parameters that are obviously fake, it all seems like a competition, just for their parameters to be more astonishing.
And this competition, the digital economy, has been given a term by some commentators, "arms race."
Now this exercise is merely to verify part of the projects already realized in this digital competition, just like some athletes claiming they can run 20 meters in a second.
Whether they really can reach this number ultimately has to be shown to everyone on a fair track to know.
Countless people are watching this joint military exercise, and Lynch is also watching. Clearly, his focus is different from others; he’s concerned about those submarines that can’t yet be countered.
Up to this point, no country has a very good way to deal with submarines, which have become a major weapon for all nations during this phase.
The more means people lack to limit submarines, the more attention his aircraft company receives.
According to his understanding, during this period, some military-industrial enterprises and private companies have received military aid in anti-submarine projects.
"Utterly unordered, chaotic to the extreme!" Governor Sedel commented on the series of exaggerated numbers on the TV screen, which were the performance parameters announced by a small country at this time.
Overall, all the vessel parameters are exaggerated to the point that even laymen know they are fake, and Governor Sedel then turned off the TV, looking at Lynch who had been watching TV with him for a while, "Some people always hope to capture attention by exaggerated means, but this is clearly meaningless."
"Military projects are not about picking actresses, needing some exaggerated numbers; it’s irresponsible to themselves and their allies!"
He used a very wonderful analogy, also a not-so-funny joke, yet described it very vividly.
"So, Mr. Lynch, what brings you here today?" he looked at Lynch, slightly puzzled by Lynch’s sudden visit.
Lynch is often hard to read, just like that company called the "Workers’ Union," so he also didn’t bother to guess, directly asking.
Sometimes this approach is somewhat simpler.
Lynch didn’t immediately answer but took a small biscuit out of his pocket and asked the butler for a plate.
Then he placed these small cookies on the plate, arranging them neatly.
"Cookies?" the Governor asked with slight surprise, "Did you make these yourself?"
He casually picked up one, brought it to his nose and sniffed. It had a strong aroma, with a hint of spices, and didn’t smell bad. It looked decent on the outside, with some visible bits of crushed nuts.
He took a small bite. He never worried that Lynch would poison these cookies, because he was well aware that if he experienced any adverse effects after eating them, Lynch would never leave this room alive.
As for chronic poisoning?
He would have Lynch try some later!
He casually broke the cookie in his hand in half and handed the other half to Lynch, "Don’t mind, do you?"
Lynch took the cookie and shook his head, "I don’t mind..." he said, taking a bite.
"Very crispy, at least crispier than I imagined, the taste is not bad, but the texture is a bit strange..." Governor Sedel earnestly evaluated the cookie.
In Gafura, making desserts and sharing them is an important part of social culture. Every New Year, the Empress sends some small cakes and cookies to the wives of the nobles to show closeness.
The Federation actually has a similar custom. For example, if a new family wants to quickly establish social connections in the community, the simplest way is to share cakes and fruit pies, the sweeter and more sour, the better!
Governor Sedel merely saw this as a form of sharing. After eating half, he placed it back on the plate, "You did well, but from a utility perspective..." he shook his head, "There’s still a long way to go before it becomes successful and delicious."
Lynch also put his half of the cookie on the plate. He took a napkin from the butler and wiped his hands, "Governor, the cookie you just ate is my newest product. I plan to use it to replace the relief food currently being distributed in Amelia."
The butler was stunned, and Governor Sedel himself was also shocked. So, the cookie the Governor just ate was actually prepared for the common people?
Fortunately, the Governor still maintained his composure and poise. He was a little angry but did not show it.
Lynch, however, didn’t care so much and directly asked, "How do you think it tastes?"
Considering that Lynch also ate it, the Governor furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, "I find it quite ordinary, nothing particularly special, except that it smells good, I can’t find any other advantages."
Lynch nodded noncommittally and asked again, "May I be bold enough to ask, have you tasted the current relief food being distributed on the streets?"
The Governor shook his head, "I haven’t tried it."
Lynch then said, "I have. It tastes like crap, it’s bad, and it doesn’t fill you up."
"I’m considering discussing a business deal with you, whereby I take over the relief food work, at least in Zhulis City, meaning that those crap-like foods on the streets are replaced with cookies."
"Its ’parameters’ are excellent, capable of meeting the essential nutrition for survival while being filling, and it performs excellently in staving off hunger."
"Adults only need three to five pieces to last until the next meal, children might just need one or two..."
Governor Sedel remained calm and collected. He glanced at the cookies and asked, "What benefit does this have for me, for this city, or even the entire region?"
The subtext of this question was "I’ll give you an opportunity to convince me", which was a rational response.
Lynch then began doing what he did best, persuading others.
"Firstly, it can save money. I’m not sure how much the entire Amelia Region spends on distributing relief food, but I can save you at least five percent of the costs."
"Five percent daily, one hundred and fifty percent a month. You might think my math is poor, but we can calculate this figure using another method."
"If you spend a million daily on this, by entrusting this task to me, you could save at least one and a half million every month."
"Secondly, production needs to resume in Zhulis, and keeping people hungry is not a solution. People need to be full to have the energy to work, live, and learn."
"It’s no longer the same as before. Distributing solid food can help ease the tensions between us..."
Lynch spoke very practically.
Governor Sedel listened intently and provided his response, "I’ll think about it..."
At that moment, Lynch knew that the matter was settled.
