Darkstone Code

The investigation by the Security Committee into the "Healthy Federal People Foundation" is completely over. This might be the fastest investigation in history... well, perhaps not, since some investigations are halted at the idea's inception; those are the fastest ones.

Although the investigation into the Healthy Federal People Foundation couldn't continue deeply, there were no obstacles regarding the investigation of two other foundations: one focused on helping people observe fish, and the other on exploring the number of plant species in the Federation that only bloom in autumn.

Perhaps due to a setback faced with the medical consortium or perhaps due to new ideas, Truman has become deeper in thought and more low-key than before.

At noon, Legislator Wales invited a broker who is fairly active and quite famous in Bupen to his home. He has realized some issues and now needs someone to help resolve them.

The medical consortium's pushback on Truman's targeted investigation made him aware that neither the President nor Truman was as strong as he had imagined.

Indeed, after all, this is just a "halfway President," whose President's Cabinet, including some of the major Ministers at present, doesn't completely align with him, with various internal conflicts. Even within the Progressive Party, there are differing opinions about him continuing to run or even win the election.

Yet, despite this, the President nominally holds the highest power in the Federation, still making Legislator Wales feel challenged.

So he invited a "capable friend" who is outside the political stage but very famous in political circles, Mr. Elson.

Mr. Elson once served as a Vice President for a single term. Initially, he had a promising future in politics, but due to an office scandal, he had to submit his resignation to the President.

After resigning from the Vice President's position, he didn't take on any specific work but started to be active in Bupen as a political broker.

Whether for the Conservative Party, the Progressive Party, or the often inconspicuous Socialist Party, they all seem to give him some regard, making this seventy-one-year-old gentleman appear only in his fifties—joyful feelings can make one feel younger.

"Fifteen-year-aged Bento..." Sitting by the dining table, Mr. Elson had an old-fashioned gentlemanly demeanor, one that could be seen at a glance, making one feel like a breath of fresh air.

When he smiled, his slightly gray eyebrows trembled, and his entire facial features appeared amiable; his smile was contagious. "This is indeed a fine wine..."

What he referred to by Bento was the red wine in his hand. Mr. Elson is already seventy-one years old, and his Doctor has warned him numerous times not to drink high-concentration alcoholic beverages. Of course, he cherishes his health, and apart from occasionally drinking strong liquor to help with insomnia, he usually drinks red wine.

Bento is the name of a wine estate, renowned worldwide. A fifteen-year-aged red wine is indeed a fine product.

Legislator Wales opened the red wine for Mr. Elson and poured some for both of them.

No fanciful wine tasting here. At their level, no one acts like clowns, encasing a small mouthful of red wine in their mouths and then suddenly inhaling to produce a bubbling noise to elicit the aromatic essences of the wine.

Even sommeliers only perform such theatrics at tastings; otherwise, they're just like ordinary people, like those who don't understand wine tasting.

Open the wine, pour it, then raise the glass for a toast.

Ding...

"Using such a fine wine to entertain me makes me feel a bit apprehensive!" Mr. Elson continued to smile, putting down his glass as the dark red alcohol slowly slid down the glass walls.

The wine glass was not small; they only took a small sip, a very tiny amount. The slightly unblended bitter taste was not suitable for large amounts of consumption now.

They will become aromatic over time, requiring no decanter, nor any other unnecessary things.

Legislator Wales didn't diverge the topic; he nodded and said directly, "Yes, I'm facing trouble; someone is investigating two foundations in which I hold shares. Previously, there were three..."

As for why there are now two, Mr. Elson knows clearly. He is one of those who called the President. Just one phone call got him a signed thank-you note.

"Truman!" Mr. Elson directly pointed out who the "someone" was. As he spoke, he picked up the knife and fork, "Sorry, the Doctor says I shouldn't have an empty stomach for too long..."

Legislator Wales immediately made a gesture inviting him to dine, continuing to say, "Yes, yes, Truman. They might have opinions about some of my recent activities. I think this can be solved through communication, and I've been waiting for them to approach me, but they..."

"Kuerlik..." Mr. Elson suddenly said, interrupting Legislator Wales's words.

The latter seemingly didn't hear clearly, "Sorry, what did you say just now?"

After swallowing the beef in his mouth, Mr. Elson picked up his napkin to dab his lips of the sauce, "I said Kuerlik's premium beef. Due to some economic and macro-environmental impacts, now a pound of premium beef costs about a hundred and seventy dollars."

He looked at Legislator Wales, "Legislator Wales, you are a member of the Federation's highest power structure, deciding how the Federation will develop in the future. You should focus more on ensuring everyone can afford this beef, rather than... infighting."

To some extent, this statement was a bit severe. Legislator Wales' face gradually turned red, becoming a dark purplish color like pig liver, but he had to nod and acknowledge this point.

Mr. Elson paused for a moment and then shifted the topic, "Earlier, you mentioned communication. I think it's a great word. Communication can bridge the gap between people and allow us to resolve some issues peacefully."

This is a good performance. He actually didn't hold Legislator Wales in high regard for various reasons, including that Wales was seventy-one this year and could do whatever he wanted.

Saying this, Mr. Elson cut another piece of beef, placed it in his mouth, and sipped some red wine from his glass, "Feeling much better now..." He smiled and asked, "If you can take a step back, I can try to help you with this matter."

Legislator Wales did not immediately agree. It was obvious that he was a professional with integrity, having received money but still considering working for Preton.

But in reality, it wasn't that simple. If he took a step back, it would mean a certain level of betrayal to Preton, which couldn't be resolved just by returning the money. It would require sacrificing more interests to mitigate this mistake.

He also knew that continuing to confront held no value and was dangerous. The other side even resorted to initiating investigations that didn't conform to the combat situation, showing their resolve. But he still hesitated.

Mr. Elson consistently stayed silent and did nothing to interrupt Legislator Wales' contemplation. Matters like these offer no perfect choices and require decisions.

Is it with resolute determination to oppose the current President and his capable aide Truman, or compromise some of one's own interests to end a dispute that wasn't necessary from the start?

Even after Mr. Elson finished his sumptuous lunch, Legislator Wales hadn't reached a conclusion he could endorse.

In the end, Mr. Elson had to interrupt his thinking. Time is precious, and no one wastes their valuable time on someone else's thoughts.

"I'll give you a piece of advice, Legislator Wales..." He began speaking, and Legislator Wales came back to his senses in a daze, nodding repeatedly like a student in elementary school, obedient, reverent, and eager to learn.

"Our President failed in the last election, wasting the Progressive Party's valuable resources, so there's some bias against him within the party. But that doesn't mean he has no chance at all."

"Many people, including myself, are very interested in some of his proposals, such as suggesting the Federation take on more responsibility in the international community. Of course, this will also draw hostility from some foreign forces."

"No one wants to see a powerful Federation rise. There are always some wearing all kinds of legitimate disguises waiting for opportunities to sabotage within the Federation. This is quite normal."

"They might steal our scientific achievements, possibly seize our important formulas, potentially kidnap our scientists, or even... divide our politicians."

"Do you understand?"

Legislator Wales nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Mr. Elson, I understand. I know what to do now..."

"Good, thank you for your hospitality. When I have further news, I will contact you then..." Mr. Elson seemed as if he wanted to leave, and Legislator Wales immediately walked over to pull out his chair for him, but he was refused.

Though he was seventy-one years old, he could still sit down and stand up by himself.

Later, when Truman, who was brought back by the President from outside, was about to knock on the President's office door, it happened that the door opened from inside.

The President and Mr. Elson were walking out, both wearing faces full of smiles, looking very amiable.

The President merely glanced at Truman as he passed him by because he needed to see Mr. Elson out.

By the time he returned, Truman was already waiting for him in his office.

The President did not speak immediately but sat in the chair thinking for a while before shaking his head and saying, "Stop the investigation into Legislator Wales; he has surrendered!"

"Next, we need to shift our focus to the issue with Gafura, and also divert some attention..." the President said, sighing, "Truman, all this credit goes to you. You forced him to compromise. I have to thank you."

Mr. Truman's expression was peculiar. He should have been happy, as this was their original goal—to shut Legislator Wales up and stop his valueless connections.

But for some reason, he couldn't feel happy at this moment, yet couldn't help but say—"It's my honor, Mr. President."