Darkstone Code-Chapter 831: In the Court Discussing National Affairs

Sending off the lobbyist from the Duncan Clan, who wasn’t very well-known, Landon the legislator shook his head with a bitter smile.

A very unpleasant lobbying experience, as if someone had shoved their finger into his nostrils and asked if it felt good.

Whether it felt good or not, it definitely hurt and felt sour, tears almost came out, yet he couldn’t easily refuse.

He barely managed to secure this position, hadn’t even warmed the seat, how could he risk being "adjusted" by rejecting the Duncan Clan’s lobbying?

Representatives, Senators, all Members of Congress, but there’s still a big difference.

The disparity in numbers already reflects the status of both sides; there are far fewer Senators than Representatives, and in some heavyweight committees, the number of Senators is a bit more, although they always claim both sides are equal.

The main reason is that Representatives can be adjusted quickly, when a party decides to change its congressional strategy, they can easily replace those Representatives without deep political backgrounds.

Cooperative people, get them to mix as a state senator or something.

Uncooperative people, find any excuse and they can be completely kicked out.

Furthermore, even someone like Landon the legislator, without any deep background, can market himself as a Representative in Congress, although he gave up a mayoral position.

So if someone wants to get rid of him, the cost won’t be more than the position of a small city mayor, possibly much less.

It’s like defending always requires more investment than attacking, whether it’s financial, material, or energy, he must ensure his position is secure, as for other personal honors, they don’t really matter much.

He tilted his head to look at the bright sunshine outside the window, yet his mood was far from as bright as the sunshine.

Under the same bright sunlight, Mr. Jeruno was playing golf with Mr. Fei Qi.

Temperatures at the end of January were still a bit cold, and elderly people fear the icy outdoor winds the most.

The cold wind becomes an invisible knife, penetrating people’s clothes, bodies, leaving deep cold on and within the bones.

So they chose to play indoors, indoor golf, with large special glass overhead allowing them to bask in sunlight.

There weren’t very long fairways here, essentially just greens.

People start at the tee, hitting the green, then putt into the hole, even without powerful swings, for those who like golf, it’s still a great way to pastime.

Mr. Jeruno was standing in front of his ball, constantly adjusting the angle of his putt, trying different forces, all his focus entirely on this shot, not even bothering to speak.

After about twenty seconds, he lightly swung his club, pushing the ball forward, watching it roll swiftly across a slightly undulating green, finally landing steadily in the hole, he pumped his fist and casually tossed his tens of thousands worth club to the caddy.

"Nice shot!" Mr. Fei Qi clapped his hands.

Mr. Fei Qi appeared to be short, with thinning hair, greyish color, looking serious and proper, yet also very ordinary.

Walking down the street, ninety-nine percent of people wouldn’t know they brushed past the most powerful person in the Federation, that’s how unobtrusive he was.

Yet in the Federation political arena, no one dares not to notice him, no one can afford not to notice him.

Mr. Jeruno took off his anti-slip gloves and walked aside, "I just had this feeling it would go in!"

He too wore a smile, sinking a ball is definitely an enjoyable achievement for golf enthusiasts.

The caddy placed a golf ball on the tee marker, then cautiously moved away the marker.

Mr. Fei Qi tightened his gloves, took the equally expensive club, adjusted his position and angle.

His shot was more decisive than Mr. Jeruno’s, without long aiming or anticipation, within about ten seconds he swung the club, the little ball wriggled over the green, but still rolled towards the hole.

Both held their breath, at the moment the ball fell into the hole, more smiles appeared on Mr. Fei Qi’s face, "Looks like it’s tied again."

The caddy immediately brought him the scorebook, he glanced at a proposal, "I’m not mistaken!"

He cheerfully handed the club to the caddy, without taking off his gloves, walked over to another green with Mr. Jeruno.

There were many indoor greens here, and every so often the terrain features would change, allowing for more designs.

Complex, simple, bumpy, smooth.

As the two walked, they chatted casually.

"This time you’ve taken too big a step, we still have some questions about the Security Law..."

When Mr. Jeruno proposed this matter, both parties began researching the proposal, as for the Socialist Party... sometimes they don’t make much difference whether they’re there or not.

Within the Federation, there’s a very stern attitude, a sort of mindset.

Capitalists hold wealth, politicians hold power, and the military holds armed forces.

From the past to the present, the Federation has evolved; although capitalists have consistently infiltrated politics and the military, once it comes to matters of principle, no one will back down.

The Security Law clearly tests everyone’s bottom line to see if it’s the same as before, the trend isn’t great, yet their excuse is quite sufficient.

Currently, for the Federation Government to maintain the nation’s image in the international community, it is inconvenient to deploy armies everywhere. Even those sent to Nagariel are "troops" formed "spontaneously" by retired veterans.

They are not demanded by the Federation Government or Military to station in Nagariel and exert armed deterrence over Nagariel and its surroundings; they are simply spontaneous hires by the local government to help maintain local peace.

This has nothing to do with the Federation Government, nor does it have anything to do with the capitalists.

Moreover, this scenario can only occur in Nagariel; it’s impossible elsewhere as the Federation will not incur the title of "aggressor" and stir up enemies everywhere.

Though the navy escorts, it can only ensure the sea area guarded by warships has no issues. Issues still frequently arise during the capitalists’ specific operations.

"From the government’s standpoint, you can constrain other countries in respecting and protecting our merchants’ legal rights, but you cannot resolve issues outside the law."

"Rogues, gangs, rascals, such people exist everywhere, operating outside the surveillance of both law and morality, even their own governments can’t restrain them, let alone a foreign government they might have never visited."

They walked up the steps, and about a hundred meters away was another golf course.

The caddie followed at a certain distance; the big shots coming here dislike having people around when chatting.

Mr. Fei Qi listened thoughtfully, while Mr. Jeruno continued, "The concept of wealthy Federation people has now become a global consensus. In areas where our influence is weak, kidnappings, hijackings, and robberies targeting Federation people frequently occur."

"Local governments’ inaction or even protective actions leave our merchants at a loss; they can only leave after losing a sum of money and goods, sometimes even paying with their lives."

"You cannot protect us; now when we want to protect ourselves, isn’t that viable?"

Standing by the door, Mr. Jeruno gestured "please" so that Mr. Fei Qi could pass through first.

Mr. Fei Qi frowned, "You can hire some bodyguards or anyone who can protect yourselves, even buy weapons for yourselves."

"We’ve already allowed individuals to purchase various standard weapons from the Federation’s Military Industrial Group, you can do that, but it shouldn’t be openly discussed."

"This isn’t a good topic for discussion!"

They descended the slope, and the caddie followed appropriately.

This green is approximately a thousand squares; in the dead of winter, there’s tender green grass, and the temperature is very suitable.

The tee point is on the backside of a roughly thirty-degree hill, where hitting on uneven ground tests the golfer’s skills.

Mr. Fei Qi took the club from the caddie, had the ball placed, didn’t wait long, and swung hard.

The ball flew airborne, straight up and down, luckily landed on the green.

Another caddie ran to the landing spot, put up a marker, then picked up the ball.

This avoids the possibility of two balls colliding, although it’s not easy to happen, it did once, hence the measure.

While aiming, Mr. Jeruno continued, "But we shouldn’t bear consequences we ought not to just because this proposal offends sensitive nerves."

"If the Security Law passes, at least those with malice against us won’t have it so easy."

He prepared for quite a while before swing; with a thump, the turf flew.

Just a single swing, and the repair cost for the turf cost around thirty or twenty bucks.

They paused their conversation again, watching the airborne ball, as it landed on the green and rolled towards the hole.

Although it ultimately didn’t fall into the hole, compared to Mr. Fei Qi’s ball at the green’s edge, Mr. Jeruno’s shot was evidently more skillful.

"Nice shot!" praised Mr. Fei Qi.

Mr. Jeruno smiled, they headed towards the green, "No one can stop the people’s demands."

"Now it’s just a flow of water, if blocked for too long, it’ll become a flood, destroying everything!"

Mr. Fei Qi seemed thoughtful, stood pondering before the ball, then resolutely hit, and although it was quite distant, it just managed to fall into the hole.

"I’ll give it careful consideration!"

Mr. Jeruno clenched his fist upon hearing this, knowing he had convinced Mr. Fei Qi.