Darkstone Code-Chapter 766 - 0764 Always have to choose one

"Borrow from someone else?"

The Emperor sitting in the chair rubbed his temples. He looked at the world map on the left wall. Without a doubt, the "someone else" definitely referred to the Bail Federal.

But would the Bail Federal lend him money? He had his reservations.

Everyone knows the conflict between Gafura and the Bail Federal is hard to resolve. He would gladly watch the Bail Federal be unlucky, and he believes that their President and his cabinet also hope he ends up in trouble.

Perhaps they’re even celebrating with champagne that the Gafura Empire has encountered unprecedented troubles. Asking them for money at this time, would they lend it?

The Emperor pondered these questions, and his gaze inadvertently swept over Jenia, who was standing nearby.

"You can sit down...", he said casually, but it was a bit strange that Jenia did not sit down.

His brow twitched slightly; if it were in the past during smooth sailing times, his eyebrows would come together, but now it only twitched.

So many infuriating things have trained him not to anger so easily as in the past. As his focus returned, he faintly sensed something off in the room, a not quite clean smell.

A smell... that could lead one to think of many things.

"He hasn’t taken a break, has he?" He asked, then sighed, "They must be celebrating, definitely not taking a break. Could you make a call for me, I want to talk to him."

Jenia walked over to the table, picking up a phone that looked like a piece of art. The receiver made of rhino horn was covered with a thin layer of gold, engraved with beautiful patterns, and studded with gems to prevent slipping.

She felt a bit afraid of the Emperor, after all, despite not appearing particularly powerful, this Emperor had battled through bloodshed and eliminated all opponents to ascend, anyone would feel awe towards him.

The call was quickly connected, and then she handed the phone to the Emperor.

"You’ve worked hard tonight, you should go back and rest..."

After saluting, Jenia left. Just as she was about to exit the room, the Emperor suddenly coughed, causing Jenia to halt and turn to look at him.

"I don’t particularly like interfering with others’ personal affairs, but you are my sister, a Princess of the Imperial Family, so..." He was contemplating how to articulate it simply and clearly without being too offensive.

But he couldn’t find the right words, so he made a somewhat awkward gesture, "Do you understand?"

Jenia nodded, "I understand. I’ve already taken precautions, I won’t end up bearing his child."

"Thank you for everything you’ve done for the Imperial Family..."

Jenia saluted again before leaving, this time shutting the door firmly. She believed the Emperor wouldn’t mind her small gesture.

After the door closed, the Emperor shook his head. Lynch was destined not to marry Jenia, not because he wished to break them up or arrange Jenia for some other noble, it was simply a factual view.

Their age difference was a bit too much, and Lynch held a certain status and influence in the Federation.

Disregarding whether Jenia as an Empress Princess could marry outside the Empire, even if she could and wished to marry Lynch, would he marry her?

Clearly not; the Emperor had long heard that Lynch had ambiguous relationships with several daughters of Consortium leaders. Compared to an Empress Princess on the decline, the increasingly powerful Federation money constraints were a more fitting target for Lynch.

He didn’t want to admit it—the Gafura Empire was on the decline—but reality couldn’t allow him to pretend otherwise.

Putting aside those chaotic thoughts, he took up the phone, "Still there?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I’m still here," Lynch’s voice sounded very warm and gentle, feeling not like an aggressive young man to the Emperor on their first call but rather someone... like sunshine giving warmth.

This deceiver!

He chuckled lightly, "I had a chat with Jenia just now, and I have some questions about your thoughts."

"Mm, please go ahead."

The Emperor opened his mouth, hesitated for two or three seconds, "Do you think Bail would lend us the money?"

"We don’t shy away from some issues, do you think your President would help us smooth over some domestic problems at this time?"

At times like this, such questions could only be asked of Lynch. First, Lynch himself is a Federation citizen with status and influence, reportedly invited to attend the President’s victory celebration, even though the election hasn’t started.

This implies he has good relations with the top.

Secondly, he’s a merchant, a capitalist by nature, who understands the Federation’s principles of conduct better than the Emperor or other ministers, making his opinions more valuable for reference.

Lynch’s answer was brief and strong, "Yes!"

This is what Emperor Gafura couldn’t understand about the Federation. Both sides were enemies, so why would the Bail Federal be willing to lend him money at this time?

If it were different circumstances where the Bail Federal needed money to tide over, he wouldn’t lend it, only watching the Bail Federal struggle in trouble unable to extricate themselves.

He doesn’t understand the Federation and can’t comprehend what putting capital first truly entails.

As long as there is profit to be made, the capitalists of the Federation dare to drive legislation to protect the legality of their plunder, even if it means changing a President, they won’t abandon their interests.

Presidents are common, interests are not.

What’s more, if the Emperor of the Empire really plans to borrow this money, he will have to satisfy some additional conditions put forward by the Bail Federal, only then will the people of the Federation lend him the money.

The conversation between the two of them had entirely concluded at this point, and His Majesty the Emperor gave a slight thanks for the advice Lynch had given him, then hung up the phone.

On the other side, Lynch also hung up the phone and returned to the crowd to continue this celebration.

Even if His Majesty the Emperor were to call the President of the Federation now to discuss his ideas, from reaching an agreement to the money actually entering the Gafura Empire, it will not be a short time; it will take at least until early or mid-November. Everyone still has at least a week to make more money.

The next day, there was no significant improvement in the situation. Major banks were still limiting the number of counters and the amount of money that could be withdrawn, having shut down a large number of windows on the grounds that it might cause chaos.

The few open windows and the slow pace of service allowed the limited money in the banks to at least cope with the current situation—we are not out of money, it’s just that our working speed is very slow, everyone can get their money.

This is what they wanted to convey.

Sometimes "the people" are very gullible, easily believing some inexplicable lies as truth, such as when someone claimed that the banks were out of money, and they actually believed it.

At times they are very clever, regardless of how the government tries to salvage the situation, they don’t believe it’s real, just a deception, a tactic, and they only trust themselves.

What’s more interesting is that sometimes they are very good at deceiving themselves, acknowledging that everyone knows the banks likely can’t produce enough money to pay everyone.

But they are willing to stand in line, believing that at least by the time it’s their turn, there will still be money in the bank, and more interestingly, they spontaneously maintain order.

The low-key yet luxurious convoy by the roadside passed, while His Excellency the Prime Minister watched the people lined up to withdraw money, without any expression on his face.

In fact, this run on the banks was orchestrated by his hand.

If it weren’t for a politician of such a level, like a Prime Minister of a country, propelling this matter, mere rumors couldn’t push its progress.

During the fermentation of the situation alone, the Seventh Police Department, known as the "Empire’s lapdog," could almost apprehend those who could spread such rumors.

Gafura is not the Federation, there is no freedom or equality; it’s not uncommon for people to disappear completely after being taken by secret police, almost everyone has heard of it.

Some allowed the spread of this rumor, with some nobles even exerting force behind the scenes, causing the situation to deteriorate so rapidly.

At this moment, His Excellency the Prime Minister, feeling the changes of this country, did have a bit of a guilty conscience, but only a tiny bit.

This is to gain the capital to counter the royal power and for a greater justice, he had to make a difficult choice.

Thinking about it this way, it seemed to open up, and that minuscule guilt vanished.

Compared to an emperor attempting to grasp greater power, a short-term disruption in economic order is acceptable.

He withdrew his gaze from outside the car and began to contemplate the ensuing changes.

On the third day, there was finally a turn of events.

"I’m planning to fully open the national treasury to quell this turmoil."

In the Ruler’s Hall, these words from His Majesty the Emperor made the half-squinting Prime Minister, who appeared to have just woken up, slowly open his eyes.

He looked at His Majesty the Emperor sitting on the steps, then at the not-so-distant Minister of Finance with a pallid face, and slightly furrowed his brow.

"Your Majesty, although I fully support your idea, extracting the funds from the national treasury to tackle the run on the banks is not an appropriate choice."

"We are not certain how much in total would be needed to resolve the issue, and we need some money as a security deposit for national security, what we can mobilize is already limited."

It was the Minister of Defense speaking, with a serious expression.

Maintaining the normal operation of a country is not a simple matter, involving many issues, with the most critical being that the national treasury must have money in it.

Whether it’s implementing a certain policy, promoting a reform, or paying salaries, subsidies, and pensions to Amelia’s officers, everything ultimately requires money.

While taking money out of the treasury is easy, should a problem occur needing a large sum of money, and the treasury can’t provide it, the issue will escalate.

Indeed, a run can trigger ongoing economic turbulence in a country, but it stops at that.

Gafura is a monarchist country, where some coercive measures can be employed when necessary.

But if the treasury is out of money, what’s at risk may be national security, or even the power in the hands of the rulers!