Chapter 289: The People Need Victory

“I propose we temporarily adjourn…” The Federation Sports League representative wiped the faint sweat from his brow. The situation had quickly slipped beyond his control.

He couldn’t decide whether to let this matter proceed or to halt and restart; only the Federation Sports League’s senior leadership could make that call.

Everyone understood this; there was no need for a resolution during this meeting.

In less than an hour, once the meeting ended, the young representative immediately called the York branch to reportFederation the issues raised.

Meanwhile, Lynch had just left the hotel when someone approached him.

“Mr. Lynch, Mr. Edwin would like to invite you to lunch. Are you available?” The man wore a rigid, old-fashioned suit—no trendy lines or colors. This stiffness was typical for government workers, especially mid- to lower-level staff, who needed to appear steady and reliable.

Lynch glanced at him as a sergeant and others subtly surrounded them, enclosing the man who had approached him.

Lynch had brought security from Blackstone Security Company because his radical views at activist salons had made him well-known, including among opponents.

Supporters and opponents were normal, but political matters couldn’t be seen through normal eyes.

Some held a bleak, doomsday mindset, fearing certain ideas could destroy the world. To save it, they sought to destroy those dangerous thoughts.

History was full of attacks over ideological differences, so Lynch had added bodyguards since returning from Eminence.

“I’ll take my car. Just lead the way,” Lynch said, leaving no room for refusal, and got into the car prepared by the hotel.

The man hesitated but then got in and led Lynch.

Despite the man’s somewhat unpleasant attitude, Lynch endured it.

Soon, Lynch arrived at a secluded restaurant and met Edwin, who was already seated. With the waiter’s help, Lynch quickly took his seat.

“Thank you, Mr. Edwin,” Lynch said, unfolding his napkin.

Edwin smiled and waved it off. “I did nothing. Believe in the law’s fairness; it will deliver the most just verdict.”

They were discussing Vera’s case—an independent, small case connected to a larger one. Without a jury, the judge’s subjective judgment determined the outcome.

That meant Vera could be guilty or innocent.

The governor had vowed to rigorously investigate the Liston Group, setting a tone that all were guilty.

Luckily, a tip-off led the judge to dismiss the prosecution for insufficient evidence and motive, freeing Vera.

Without Edwin’s intervention, Vera might have already been serving her sentence.

That simple thanks eased the strangers between them. When the main dishes arrived, they moved on to deeper topics.

“In documents Eminence sent to York State, there’s a free trade license. You’re listed first…” Edwin studied the young man, finding it hard to believe Lynch had impressed both the president and Truman at their first meeting.

“I’m curious. How did you persuade them? May I ask?” Edwin raised his hands slightly. “I promise I won’t tell anyone. I just want to understand in case I need it for the next phase of national policy analysis.”

Lynch thought briefly and nodded. “Of course. If you noticed my speeches in Eminence and the problems facing the country, you’d understand better than I do: we need victory.”

We need victory might sound unrelated to everything, but it pointed directly to the core challenge the Baylor Federation faced and its solution—victory.

Economic setbacks, diplomatic failures, diminished international standing, strategic defeats—the Federation had failed too many times. People desperately longed for a win to change things.

Nothing lifts spirits more than victory. Lynch’s calls for economic warfare, trade dominance, and exploiting unequal conditions aimed to create that spirit.

We need victory, and we can create victory.

Resources from outside could revitalize the Federation and restore faith. The invincible, vibrant Something new, every day people imagined would return.

A great victory was needed. Though Lynch’s rhetoric was radical, it was precisely what the Federation most urgently required, which is why he moved Truman and the president.

In essence, the Progressive and Conservative parties both reflected societal and international demands of their times.

When people grew cautious, the Conservatives rose.

When people sought new ideas, the Progressives took power.

National strategy rarely arises from a person or party alone; it evolves from social needs.

If people weren’t afraid of war, international involvement, or sacrifice, the Conservative president six years ago wouldn’t have been elected, and isolationism wouldn’t have resonated.

Maybe the Progressive president would have been chosen, with the Federation engaging more globally and clashing with other nations.

Now, isolation and conservatism have no place in the new era. The Progressives must step forward.

People still lean toward cautious international contact, so the president is moderate.

But a moderate won’t remain moderate forever. If needed, he can be radical or tough. Change requires no complex political environment—just what the people demand.

Lynch offered a new approach and showed the hunger for victory. Why not try?

With Truman pushing it, Lynch quickly received approval to pursue international free trade.

These matters aren’t fundamentally complicated. With Edwin’s ability, experience, and insight, he would figure it out soon enough. But his time was tight, so he needed to ask Lynch directly.

He couldn’t devote all his energy to one issue; he also had to oversee the many affairs happening across the state.

Sometimes, these governor’s aides acted more like the governor than the governor himself—at least they knew what was happening daily, while the governor only knew what he had to do next, which was always planned by people like Edwin.

After a moment, Edwin seemed to understand. Looking at Lynch, he said with feeling, “You’re braver than I imagined. Do you realize how dangerous this is?”

Lynch shrugged, cut a piece of beef, and put it in his mouth. The bursting, tender juices tasted fresher than any seasoning. After swallowing, he smiled, “I know. But some things need to be done by certain people.”

“If you don’t step up, and I don’t either, and we both hope others will, we’ll never see victory if we all just wait.”

“Rather than be disappointed in every hope, I want to win with my own hands!”

Lynch’s passionate spirit was striking. What he was doing was very risky—if his judgment of the international situation was wrong, he could easily become a scapegoat for certain policies.

That also fit Lynch’s nature as a businessman chasing profit: if he didn’t fail and truly achieved victory, it would be a terrifying kind of victory.

Edwin put down his knife and fork, raised his glass, and said, “To your success.”

Lynch lifted his glass, “To the success of the Federation!”