Chapter 333: We Are Invincible

In just one day, Lynch miraculously united most of the federation’s people.

In a society suffering severe economic recession, with scarce jobs and most barely able to survive, someone needed to give them a slap to wake them up.

Lynch’s words served that purpose. When material needs can’t be met, satisfying people’s spiritual needs is an effective way to shift their attention—and the rulers shift the conflicts.

“I watched this young man’s impromptu speech. Do you know what changes it brought?” In the president’s office, the president showed a rare smile.

He casually fiddled with a small desk ornament. “Since this morning, the military has been rushing to the Defense Ministry and submitting documents to me.”

He pointed to some folders on the desk. “Especially the navy—they volunteered to eliminate the pirates roaming the Eastern Ocean. Some corporations are even willing to fund this operation.”

Normally, no capitalist could interfere with the military, but the Baylor Federation, a free country, regularly showed such phenomena impossible in monarchies.

Someone once sued the president because the president swore during a speech. That person’s young son learned the curse words, used them everywhere, and defended himself by saying, The president said it. The father couldn’t discipline him and ended up taking the president to court.

Only two places in the federation can try a president: the Supreme Court, presided over by at least three lifetime justices, or the Senate, led by the Senate Speaker.

The president apologized publicly on camera and promised never to swear again—“I swear I won’t curse anymore!”

Though this promise was meaningless, many citizens liked him more for his genuine, bold personality.

This is a classic example of a successful public image, but ordinary people didn’t care or understand.

In monarchies, the father and possibly the whole family would be publicly executed as a warning not to challenge royal authority.

This is the biggest difference between monarchies and the Baylor Federation. Monarchies use oppressive regimes and terror to command fear, but in the federation, rulers simply throw money on the ground, and people naturally bow.

Several corporations were seemingly attacked by pirates overnight. They legally funded the military by transferring money to the military’s designated accounts.

As long as the navy acts, whether successful or not, the funds end up in the navy’s military budget—classic civilian-military cooperation in the Baylor Federation.

The president showed no negative expression as he spoke, only amusement. “The Defense Minister personally asked me how to handle foreign provocations. Looks like they’ve unified their thinking.”

Truman keenly noticed the president’s slight enjoyment when mentioning the Defense Minister. “His attitude?”

“Attitude?” The president looked at Truman, then realized. “Oh, yes, his attitude is excellent. He speaks like a docile lamb. Maybe I’ve found a way!”

He sighed, “You’re right, Truman. I should have listened to you sooner.”

The president’s biggest problem was the military ignoring him and siding with a more extreme, radical candidate—the progressive party’s nominee.

The committee chair said this candidate existed only to highlight the president and help him win, but such loyal opponents had backstabbed more than once.

Some politicians who claimed they wouldn’t stay until the end quietly undermined opponents and grudgingly accepted the public’s choice. This time would be no different.

The military liked the radical stance and the candidate’s plan to expand forces and update equipment. Arms dealers and corporations favored it because it meant countless orders, boosting stock prices and profits.

Money drives support.

Was the president indifferent?

He had his own thoughts—hiring Truman as head of the International Policy Office showed his stance. But once political positions are fixed, they can’t easily change without losing followers.

Even if he wanted to tell the Defense Ministry he supported expansion and upgrades, he couldn’t show it.

Now, the situation shifted. His troubles were suddenly solved. Military strikes required Defense Ministry approval.

If the ministry agreed, they first asked the president. If he opposed, military actions stopped. But if he neither opposed nor agreed, the ministry took responsibility—and the president claimed no credit.

If the president agreed, responsibility and credit were his.

To avoid opposition, the Defense Minister’s tone was gentle and unlike a soldier. The president saw an opportunity to win over the military.

That radical candidate wouldn’t sit in this chair for at least two years. The president could act now and still had the advantage.

“It’s not too late, Mr. President!” Truman added promptly.

“Yes, yes, it’s not too late…” The president looked at Truman. “I have a question—are we really as strong and invincible as Lynch says?”

Truman, a military radical hidden beside the moderate president and a reform pioneer, firmly supported the claim.

With conviction and a hint of excitement, he declared, “We are invincible!”

While discussing upcoming work, the shifting situation, and how to adjust negotiation strategies with Nagaryll, their supposed enemy—and convenient scapegoat—Preyton was chatting with an old friend.

“Did you receive the things I sent last time?” Preyton spoke not in the common tongue but the official language of Gephra to the Gephra Navy Admiral and Minister.

Preyton once served as a naval officer before entering trade. His connections in the Gephra Navy remained strong.

Many of his mentors and friends rose to high positions after the war; surviving officers and generals all advanced, broadening his network.

Hearing Preyton, the Gephra Navy Minister chuckled. “Received them. My wife loves them. What’s this call about?”

Direct and to the point—typical military style.

Preyton hesitated before answering. The minister pressed, “That’s not like you. What trouble?”

“Baylor Federation intends to strike my forces in the Eastern Ocean. I worry I can’t hold out,” Preyton sighed. “No one can fight a rising powerful nation alone.”

“Baylor Federation?” The minister was curious. “Tell me what happened.”

Preyton gave a neutral, unbiased account, aware the powerful listener would verify his words after hanging up.

Lying now would be self-defeating.

After listening, the minister paused, then gave the answer Preyton wanted.

“We all hate Baylor Federation. When war starts, they do nothing, but when we start reaping victories, they jump in.”

“Both at home and abroad, many are deeply dissatisfied with it. Perhaps this is an opportunity.”

“I can’t promise you anything, but I can offer some help in certain ways. Not just me—many have long wanted to see the military strength of this so-called tech-free nation.”

“Take care of your own safety. Once there’s further progress, I will inform you…”

After hanging up, Mr. Preyton showed little smile or frustration; it was all expected.

As an international businessman, he provided countless intelligence reports to Gephra every year, not to mention the favors he quietly gave to high-ranking officials at home.

He was very sensitive to international politics. Although the Baylor Federation had joined the victorious allied powers, some still looked down on it.

They earned their status through war’s trials. A country that never experienced war suddenly discussing the division of international interests? Ridiculous.

Outwardly, everyone spoke and laughed, but behind the scenes, they schemed to stab each other. This diplomatic incident was a good opportunity. Gephra would surely use it to confront the Baylor Navy and gauge the direction of ongoing negotiations.

But Mr. Preyton knew one thing clearly: if the Gephra Navy won, he would avoid trouble, keep his status, and gain more practical benefits.

If they lost, he’d lose his life. Someone must pay for this.

Would the Gephra Navy lose?

He scoffed, shook his head, and turned to the balcony, watching the peaceful, unscarred streets filled with free people.

How could they lose?