Blackstone Code-Chapter 627: Two Views
“Unification?”
“Impossible!”
Lynch had just returned to the Federation and wrapped up some official matters when Mr. Truman rushed over and brought him to his office.
As soon as they sat down, Mr. Truman brought up the two prevailing opinions in society: one favoring a multi-party electoral system, the other supporting a federal parliamentary system. But as soon as he mentioned the multi-party system, Lynch firmly rejected it.
Leaning against the edge of his desk with a coffee cup in hand, Mr. Truman looked seriously at Lynch. “We’ve discussed this for a while, and most of us lean toward the first option. I don’t understand why you’re so against it.”
“From our perspective, we can easily support two or three political parties aligned with our interests, including one they form themselves. It shows respect for Nagaryll’s sovereignty while still allowing us to control the country’s political power.”
He shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “You know… with capital controlling election results in the Federation, I’m confident that in Nagaryll, the Joint Development Company can control every election too.”
“We can easily replace disobedient people without provoking public backlash. More importantly, we can make it look good, and there won’t be any real competition. You understand, right?”
Lynch nodded. Mr. Truman meant that as long as the Joint Development Company could manipulate the elections and outcomes, it didn’t really matter what system Nagaryll used.
In fact, since they could control the results, a multi-party system might be even more useful to the Federation.
Replacing a dictator causes more backlash at home and abroad. Only the Federation might see it as a righteous act—others would call it interference in a sovereign state’s internal affairs.
But changing a ruling party is much softer. If one party doesn’t cooperate, replace it. Plus, native parties like the so-called Nagaryll National Congress would be absorbed into the system, which would give the impression that the Federation respects Nagaryll’s independence.
But Lynch had a different view.
“We all know that non-interference in internal affairs is just a façade…” He ripped apart the lie upheld by Mr. Truman and the Federation elite.
Truman didn’t get angry. He simply looked at Lynch and gestured for him to continue.
“The biggest flaw in the multi-party system is that it allows one or more political ideologies to spread unchecked through society. That’s extremely dangerous. Worse, we’d be giving our enemies ammunition!”
“That group…” Lynch frowned, forgetting the party’s name.
Mr. Truman lifted his arm and gestured, National Congress.”
“Yes, the Nagaryll National Congress. I’ve never met them, but I suspect they’re just a rebranded version of the Nagaryll Youth Party. The Youth Party tainted its own name, so now they’ve changed it.”
“But either way, they won’t gain ruling power any time soon—if we adopt a multi-party system.”
“I believe we can control all of this. We’ve got a wealth of experience…”
When it came to manipulating elections, Lynch and the Federation’s capitalists were experts.
By controlling jobs, companies could require employees to vote for endorsed candidates. It might sound incredible, but this was a core part of the Federation’s corporate and electoral culture.
During election season, businesses would have employees donate to campaigns or provide logistical support under the guise of volunteerism.
In return, employees received free meals, vacations, and subsidies—if they followed company orders.
Some tried to resist. They had their own beliefs, their own candidates. They didn’t want to vote for someone they didn’t support.
Those people often lost their jobs and had to move—to places where their preferred party dominated, where they could live freely.
But relocating wasn’t easy. Forget the differences in living costs—just getting a new union job wasn’t simple.
Moving could mean months without income, which was devastating for working-class people with no savings. They could even lose their pension eligibility.
Social policies limited how often workers could switch jobs. Too many moves meant no security in retirement. So whether someone liked the candidate or not, they had to comply.
They had to think about their livelihood, their family, their future. Survival made ideals simple—and realistic.
With the help of capital, voter blocs emerged. Entire districts leaned one way. Was that really freedom? Only those who had become used to it thought so.
The same model would work in Nagaryll. In a fast-growing society, those who didn’t conform would be left behind. To keep up, people would have no choice but to obey the capitalists.
But that raised a new issue: if the National Congress couldn’t gain power for a long time, what would they do?
“They might create extreme ideologies or push dangerous, outdated beliefs into society. Once those ideas attract the disillusioned, it will be hard for us to contain what comes next.”
“Truman, you and I both know the most dangerous thing in this world is human thought. This group has already shown signs of such behavior.”
“We should be restraining them—not giving them a platform to express their ideology and values.”
Mr. Truman frowned, thinking it through. Some things confused him. “Why don’t we have this problem?”
“Because we’re all on the same side. But over there, one of us is the enemy.”
Lynch had basically convinced him. The slogans the Youth Party used—about self-determination—had already made a significant impact on Nagaryll’s society, especially the youth.
That was a society combining secular and theocratic structures. Once people’s minds were freed—which was inevitable, since the Federation planned to eliminate superstition to unlock more labor potential for their companies—ideas would spread like wildfire.
Without spiritual shackles, chaotic thoughts would flood the public. Some would firmly oppose the Federation, which was against its interests.
“But if we go with a federal parliamentary system, won’t that problem still exist?” Truman asked, shaking his head. “What if the National Congress becomes dominant in one region? How do we stop their ideology from spreading?”
“Right now they have no power. But if we acknowledge them and make them part of the parliament, give them weapons and authority, they’ll be far more dangerous.”
Lynch looked at him oddly, with a sarcastic expression. “Why would we acknowledge them?”
He elaborated, “Why should we recognize a group of bandits who killed the king as having political legitimacy? That’s the biggest joke I’ve heard all year.”
“The King and Royal Family of the Kingdom of Nagaryll were legitimate rulers recognized by us. Now they’ve been murdered by thugs, and we’re supposed to accept those thugs as legitimate? Why?”
“What we should do is eliminate them. You know, I was saddened by the deaths of the King and Queen, but I’ve heard there are royal family members still alive. Maybe we can find someone who embodies the spirit and authority of the monarchy. What do you think?”
Mr. Truman looked stunned, set down his coffee, walked to his desk, sat down, and started scribbling. “I never thought of it that way. You’re a damn genius!”
In truth, he had thought about it. But the National Congress had accidentally carried out what the Federation had initially wanted: rally the people to overthrow the government. Only they had done it themselves, not the Federation’s puppets.
And the Federation hadn’t yet adjusted its thinking.
Lynch’s words gave Mr. Truman an important reminder: if the ones who overthrew the royal family were their own people, then it must have been a result of royal tyranny—the righteous and furious citizens standing atop the ruins of the palace and the corpses of the royals, bringing new life to the nation.
But if the royal family was overthrown by outsiders, then it must have been evil rebels toppling a just monarchy. Wiping them out to avenge the fallen royals and selecting a successor from the royal bloodline to restore the monarchy—wouldn’t that better align with the Federation’s image as a beacon of justice on the international stage?
