Darkstone Code

Chapter 1461: Chapter 1459: Replacing with One of Our Own

The atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat heavy.

The policy of neutrality had always been the governing principle of all parties in Lemar, situated far from other countries, its solitary resilience in the East Ocean.

They saw no need to establish diplomatic relations with other countries nor get involved in those dreadful wars.

But now, it seemed they were being forced to make a choice!

This matter was not a simple isolated incident; it was, in fact, the result of piling up many choices together.

The President looked somewhat dejected, in fact, he somewhat regretted now, and the upper echelon of the Democratic Party also had a bit of regret; if they had agreed to the Federation at that time, they might not be so troubled now.

In fact, Lemar’s sentiments towards the Federation were a bit deeper than towards Peng Jieao.

At least they used to be Neutral Countries during the First World War.

At times, their political positions were unified, accepting the Federation people was much easier than accepting Peng Jieao’s people.

But now, the issue had become somewhat complicated.

The President, in the end, did not make an immediate decision; instead, he first discussed it, and after reaching a unified outcome, then decided how to contact.

The Federation had "its own people" in Lemar, as the clouds of war suddenly enveloped the world, the Federation actively began the "Dandelion Plan."

The dandelion is an interesting plant. Once its seeds mature, they gather into a fluffy round ball in the flower crown, then, blown by the wind, these seeds scatter everywhere.

The core of the Dandelion Plan is like these scattered seeds.

Possibly thousands and tens of thousands of special operatives scattered worldwide after Peng Jieao began conscription.

Many of them were undercover operatives, living locally, integrating into the local life.

Because they still had time, they had a year or two, enough for them to settle down.

Meanwhile, another small portion was continuously bribing the middle and upper levels of different countries.

This is not a shameful thing, everything is for the safety of the Federation.

The secret meeting of the Congress Appropriations Committee specially approved an enormous budget for acquiring middle and upper-level officials and key figures of these countries.

In Lemar, some had also been bribed.

So that night, Mr. Truman knew about the news.

He was not concerned about the discussions between Lemar’s Grand President, his cabinet members, and the Democratic Party, but about Peng Jieao reaching out to Lemar at this time.

Very soon a world map was laid out in front of him, as a former senior military officer, he knew very well how to read maps.

In fact, whether it was Sedolas or Lemar, they were both northeast of the Federation, in other words, if Peng Jieao wanted to strike from this direction, then the north of the East Coast would become the frontline.

But Mr. Truman’s gaze continued to the North—Mariluo.

Everyone knew Peng Jieao had the strongest army in the world, they wouldn’t simply wage a landing war on the Federation’s territory.

This does not align with the spirit and philosophy of Peng Jieao’s powerful army, so he believed, Peng Jieao’s sights should be on Mariluo.

With the Federation’s "help," Mariluo had achieved freedom, learning to oppose and resist violence, which ironically made them look like they were in a state of anarchy.

Of course, this was also an inevitable process towards freedom and equality, only by dispersing first, can they recombine into a unified whole.

Their territory lacked a unified government. Once Peng Jieao landed from Mariluo...

It would be a disaster for the Federation!

While studying Peng Jieao’s historical wars, Mr. Truman discovered an interesting pattern.

Peng Jieao people were adept at turning the conquered to their side, and then, together, conquering others!

Once they landed within Mariluo, and the Mariluo people were not their match, it’s highly possible that Peng Jieao could coerce the Mariluo into forming a more dreadful ground force and launch an offensive from the North!

This would definitely be a disaster for the Federation!

Currently, the only good news is that due to the cold weather, the population in some northern regions was declining, so these areas could be mobilized into a state of war without forcing ordinary people to leave their homes.

He pondered for a moment, then jotted this matter down on his notebook; he needed to discuss it with the Ministry of Defense.

And this further signified Lemar’s importance. It was like a stepping stone between two worlds, whoever controlled this place first could prevent the other from easily inflicting harm on themselves.

Going south from the East Ocean, near the Equator and Tropics, were many islands, these islands could slow down an enemy’s advances, unlike the simplicity of the North.

Once Peng Jieao established a foothold in Lemar, Mr. Truman did not believe Sedolas could withstand their invasion of Mariluo.

The reason was simple, with Lemar as a supply base, their transport ships could completely bypass Sedolas and approach Mariluo from a more northern or other direction.

Sedolas could only be described as a nail, anchoring large-scale operations in the East Ocean, but had no good measures against small-scale or rapid invasions!

Moreover, Sedolas was Sedolas after all, it wasn’t a state of the Federation, and getting certain things done wasn’t as straightforward.

Sedolas people allowing the Federation to build fortifications at a port and nearby small islands was already considerate enough, they couldn’t ask for more.

This also meant Lemar would become extremely important!

National affairs handled by the Federation were processed much faster than those... less significant matters.

Lynch was also requested to attend this meeting, because he was the contractor for the Modorik Port fortifications.

On this island, he not only constructed a large military port but also built a major airfield and several batteries on surrounding small islands.

If strategies changed, Lynch could readily make swift adjustments.

The entire meeting was rather monotonous, much of it spent in silence, ultimately the Strategic Command believed there was more than a fifty percent chance that Peng Jieao would open the situation from Mariluo.

This indeed would be a disaster for the Federation, once warfare broke out domestically, regardless of the outcome, it would be an unbearable failure for the Federation!

"We could first take control of Lemar...," suggested a strategic command officer, "On the one hand, we could prepare for these potential preventions."

"We can first lay some defense works at key northern junctions, and deploy some sea mines within the Mariluo East Ocean sea area."

"Then proceed to have Lemar side with us," he glanced at Lynch, smiling, "I personally suggest, now that we could outwardly suspend the Modorik Port project, and initiate the second round of diplomatic negotiations with Lemar."

Lynch had no firm opinion on this, he claimed work could start or stop any time; after all, the Federation Government’s military budget could afford the expenses, and the remaining money was minimal.

Bargaining diplomatic relations with gestures was quite a common diplomatic tactic, and it also expressed sincerity.

Currently, in charge of diplomacy was Mr. Truman, he pondered before agreeing.

To decide without some contact was irresponsible for oneself, for the job, and for the Federation’s future!

Lynch was initially going to leave, but Mr. Truman had some things to say to him, asking him to wait a while.

And wait he did, for over forty minutes.

"I’m sorry for making you wait so long."

After opening the car door and getting in, Mr. Truman first apologized to Lynch for taking so long before he came out, then he sighed, "More and more things are troubling me, it’s the first time I’ve found my energy can’t keep up."

The war was getting closer, and some member states within the World Development Committee expressed their hope that the Federation would send some troops to help them resist Peng Jieao’s military aggression.

The countries expressing this desire were mostly small, lacking any substantial military opposition capability.

Now, the Federation was the core country, in the stage of development; refusing wouldn’t look good.

But agreeing would weaken the Federation’s own strategic plans, for now, Peng Jieao was beginning to launch diplomatic tactics, maybe warfare would break out in the first half of the next year!

For the first time, Mr. Truman felt short of time and energy, even working till two or three in the morning, getting up at eight the next day to continue working, still couldn’t finish the workload.

Lynch, watching him tiredly rub his face, smiled faintly, "Actually, some things, we have an easier choice, but due to certain reasons, we don’t allow ourselves to relax that way."

Mr. Truman turned to look at Lynch, thinking there seemed to be more implied in Lynch’s words.

Lynch smiled, "If the Grand President of Lemar cannot stand with us, then why don’t we, in the final time period, switch to a Grand President that supports us?"

"There are many parties in their country, and several regional powers, all these can be leveraged."

"Someone will always be willing to stand with us, we just need to give them a hand!"

Mr. Truman was thoughtful, actually, when discussing within a small range, they had considered this.

But ultimately, they opted for a more complicated method.

Sometimes people are always bound by ethics and morality, knowing that some problems are easily solved, yet always see troublesome solutions.

Crossing that barrier is not very difficult.

Mr. Truman did not answer but seemed to form some new decisions.

He then began discussing what he wanted to say to Lynch.

"I’ve been too busy lately, haven’t had time to look after the election office over there, if you have the time, help me take care of it."

"There are not many I can trust, even fewer who can help me at this time, and you are one!"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!