Chapter 1188: Chapter 1186: Fair University

I wonder how many more people will argue, or even sever ties, over today’s election, but that’s the Federation.

In the evening, on the lawn of the lakeside villa area, many dining tables are set up, filled with various exquisite foods.

If ordinary people were here, they would definitely be amazed at how many social elites have gathered here.

Local, from other places, from the state, even Mr. Adelaide himself came, all for the final vote-counting stage.

People surround the television on the lawn, watching as the teller retrieves each ballot from the box, then displays it to the camera before announcing the valid contents.

Dull, tedious, yet thrilling—perhaps this is politics, a game boring to most, yet intriguing to a few.

Catherine tilts her head and glances at Lynch, "Are you nervous?"

Lynch shakes his head, "It’s something predestined from the start, why be nervous?"

Catherine thinks for a moment, "Because of uncertainty, I don’t know if people will vote for me. What if I lose?"

Lynch turns to look at her, wearing a gentle smile, "You won’t lose, rest assured."

"Although the election symbolizes the spirit of freedom, we all know it’s not as flawless as imagined."

"All you need now is to be ready for applause and cheers, no need to overthink the rest."

The largest voting base in a city is the factories; perhaps only at this time can the power of the working class truly be realized.

Quite coincidentally, Lynch has a good relationship with the Workers’ Union, at least in this city.

His family workshop plan doesn’t deal directly with the basic production units, but subcontracts tasks to the Workers’ Union, which certainly takes a cut—but that’s not important.

Those family workshops don’t feel shortchanged, the Workers’ Union doesn’t feel shortchanged, and Lynch feels he’s not shortchanged.

With less money than usual, not only did he gain equally good quality, he also increased his "sense of social responsibility," with tens of thousands of families working for him in Sabin City. Who could be more socially responsible?

Along with his status among local capitalists and relations with state politicians like the Governor, he has many friends.

When he stood at Catherine’s campaign speech site, the part of the election concerning Catherine was already settled.

The Workers’ Union would subtly guide those families in voting preferences, and those capitalists would inform their workers of their choices.

Maybe the workers wouldn’t strictly obey the Factory Owner, business bosses, or big capitalists, but most still would.

This doesn’t violate the spirit of freedom; it’s a blind conformity bred from long-term exploitation and oppression.

Nobody would resist; resistance, of course, is meaningless and might cost their jobs.

With such a large base, coupled with the significance of educational reform, most families with children not yet in high school would vote for Catherine.

At the start of the vote announcement, Catherine tightly grasped Lynch’s hand until the very last ballot.

The Mayor appeared on camera, representing Sabin City Hall, announcing the list of legislators for the upcoming period, with Catherine dramatically in first place!

No suspense whatsoever.

The moment the results came out, the sky over the lakeside villa area was painted brightly with fireworks, and the previously quiet lawn suddenly became lively. People repeatedly offered compliments and congratulations, each approaching Catherine to shake her hand and praise her victory.

A weight lifted, and Catherine let out a long breath; an unnoticed strength entered her, enlivening her.

After completing the mutual congratulatory social etiquette with most people, Lynch handed Catherine to her mentor and staff officer, the former university journalism professor.

He himself moved aside, standing with Mr. Adelaide.

"Congratulations, Lynch." Mr. Adelaide smiled as he raised his glass, the two clinking glasses together.

Lynch took a sip, pulling back the glass, "Thank you for speaking some words for her."

Politics is always interesting and clever, like how the Governor’s recognition of Catherine’s political views in semi-public occasions is enough to garner attention and support her without compromising his interests.

Such "help" isn’t something money alone can solve—it requires substantial influence.

Even a few words from the Governor tremendously help Catherine’s victory.

"The President also mentioned the matter of educational reform; perhaps we can find a path suitable for us through her." After a brief pause, he continued, "But about the university issue..."

In Catherine’s educational reform proposal, there is a matter concerning universities, advocating for a fair university for ordinary people, differentiating from current public and private universities.

It won’t be like the other two types of universities, which mainly rely on students’ interests and recommendations for admissions. In such a fair university, grades will become more important.

It has an appropriate cutoff score. As long as you pass the cutoff, proving your achievements and level in studies, you can enter the university.

This is a nice idea, but... it is still just an idea and hasn’t become a reality yet.

Mr. Adelaide’s purpose in visiting this time, aside from congratulating Catherine on her election victory, was mainly to discuss the university issue with Lynch.

A university can also be seen as the result of a region’s cultural work, and a very advanced one at that.

Originally, the Governor no longer had much hope for re-election. He had been in office for quite a while, and the state’s interest in his governance was rapidly waning.

People tend to disdain the familiar; they want to know if changing governors might bring some changes to York State, which is why re-election would be particularly challenging for him.

He didn’t have much time left. If he didn’t attempt to change the current situation, he should start considering where to go next.

Congress, or somewhere else.

But Lynch’s proposal to establish a new university brought about a turning point for all this.

Once a new university is established, and its admission method differs from that of existing public and private universities, along with Lynch’s mention of student loans, he could fully leverage this for another term.

Two years may seem short, but it’s actually long enough to accumulate more political power, allowing him to sell himself within the party at a good price.

Also, two years could elevate his control locally another notch, which would help his damn nephew acquire more "political inheritance," giving him a chance to go further.

Lynch did not shy away, "I’ve already started working on it. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be established before the state election."

This answer made Mr. Adelaide breathe a sigh of relief. He was a bit nervous, sweating slightly, and only after relaxing did he feel a bit uncomfortable.

"If there’s anything you need from us, feel free to call. For something that provides a pathway for the people to rise, we are willing to actively cooperate."

Lynch nodded, "Do you think this news should be announced by me or by the Governor?"

Mr. Adelaide smiled, "If Ms. Catherine doesn’t mind..."

"She won’t mind!"

For Catherine now, the benefits she would reap from announcing this news would be overwhelming, like giving a tadpole a whale. She would use all her time and effort eating yet not consume the whale.

The benefits it could bring are not many; in fact, she may even make some people resentful by announcing it.

Some people will surely think—if it weren’t for Lynch’s money, you wouldn’t be shining so brightly.

So instead, it’s better to give this favor to the Governor. It may seem like just an announcement, but whoever announces it will leave a very deep positive impression on the public.

Catherine doesn’t lack this, but the Governor does, and at the same time, the Governor has the political power Catherine needs, making this a transaction.

After Catherine’s election victory, there are still a few days before she takes office. There is a transition process where the losing city council members need to wrap up some work, which takes time.

During this time, the Governor stepped forward, expressing affirmation of the stability of the city council transitions across regions, while also mentioning Catherine and her ideas and plans for education reform.

Simultaneously, he announced that a project extending from Catherine’s plan was officially established.

York State will establish a brand new university, unlike traditional public or private universities, where almost any high-performing high school student can study in this university.

Even if some students’ grades are slightly lacking, as long as they are willing to learn, especially those currently in their second or third year of high school, it’s not impossible.

Between high school and this university, there are "preparatory colleges," where students with insufficient grades for university admission can apply to study at the preparatory college.

When their grades meet university requirements, they can apply to transfer.

This time, the Governor did not use those indefinable terms or vague timelines to describe everything. He gave people accurate and specific project content and a precise timeline.

This news triggered a significant response in York State instantly, and all of this, under the Governor’s maneuvering, turned into his political capital.

He began seeking another re-election. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The events in York State began to spread outward, and soon even the President knew about it.

He was very interested in education reform. After gaining a rough understanding of this new university’s admission method, he couldn’t resist calling Lynch to ask when he’d be back.

He was eager to learn more, hoping this follow-up could provide very valuable assistance in promoting education reform nationwide!