Darkstone Code

Chapter 1359: Chapter 1358: Mobilizing Enthusiasm

Some words, when you first hear them, might make you think, "How absurd such a saying exists in the world."

But when you think again, you might feel, "He seems to have a point."

If, at that moment, the person who uttered those words provides some explanation and guidance, people will suddenly realize, "So that’s how it is, I’m such a fool!"

Lynch looked at the Ministry of Defense officials unhurriedly, "Gentlemen, no need to worry; we just signed a major contract. These aircraft are sufficient to ensure our battlefield skies will become a no-fly zone for the enemy."

"We will deliver the Lin-III fighters, which feature superior designs and parameters. From our institute’s current experiments, they are ahead in the world!"

The Chief Engineer from Lanying Aerospace coughed lightly; everyone knew they had tried to prevent Darkstone’s bomber category from being exported.

From a profit perspective, there isn’t much difference; instead, exporting to many countries is more lucrative than direct sales to the Ministry of Defense.

But their underhanded tactics cannot be washed away.

Lynch’s words seemed to include them, which made Lanying’s Chief Engineer somewhat dissatisfied.

Sure, Darkstone Airlines was the first to study military applications of aircraft, but this doesn’t necessarily guarantee their aircraft are ahead in brand and model.

Lynch glanced at the Chief Engineer, smiled without speaking.

"We gathered all published and a few unpublished aircraft parameters that we could, and facts prove these planes have no advantage over our third-generation fighters!"

"We can attempt a military exercise or verify through other means the truth of my words; this isn’t something hard to prove."

Lynch spoke so confidently that the Ministry of Defense officers seemed... to suddenly relax.

It’s like an old father hears about his daughter’s plans to ruin sixteen years of purity and trembles with rage, only to be told by the young man he’s using protection, evoking an inexplicable sense of relaxation...

It’s a hellish comparison, but either way, finding the best solution in the worst situation feels like this.

I must face a bad situation, but I’ve prepared measures!

Some even felt awarding Lynch a major contract was the most correct decision the Ministry of Defense made, despite Congressional criticisms.

A twenty-billion-dollar order was already placed. Previously, the Ministry of Defense hadn’t dared or had the capacity to make such orders—it’s not a single payment, but phased payments.

"Then... should we try it?"

Lynch nodded, "Then let’s try it, but I suggest we keep it quiet, at least not let the Peng Jieao people realize their tactics have failed against us."

Lynch’s certainty, without any ambiguity, again reinforced everyone’s confidence.

Soon, the discussion shifted from countering Peng Jieao’s Sea Fortress to the thought of "Can we also build Sea Fortresses?"

This plan... actually was initiated a long time ago, but since then, only a symbolic twenty-thousand-dollar budget was allocated as startup capital, with nothing else.

The purpose is to send a message to the Gafura people, telling them we’re also researching this matter. Look, not only did we initiate it, but Congress also funded it.

But in reality, no one thinks it can become a reality.

Creating a movable "island" on the sea?

Alright, stop joking.

The originators of this "news" in Gafura knew it was unlikely, but no one expected Peng Jieao to take it seriously and come up with highly feasible plans and designs, which is why they began mass production and entered a prepared state.

This shows that at least theoretically, it’s all successful.

Shipbuilding... and aircraft manufacturing aren’t the same thing; shipbuilding requires much higher technical demands than aircraft manufacturing, at least currently.

Think about it, even planes made of wooden boards covered in sheepskin can fly, but how many private scientists can build large ships that can cross the ocean?

None!

You must consider many factors, such as materials’ corrosion resistance, ocean currents’ impact on hulls, the fatigue resistance of metal materials, and optimized engineering structures...

At this time, ships, especially large warships and battleships, are the pinnacle of technology!

Some ship company engineers and Ministry of Defense officials fervently discussed the possibility of building Sea Fortresses, which means another huge military budget awaits bidders.

The meeting lasted until close to one o’clock before ending, naturally, the Ministry of Defense officers invited everyone for a light meal there.

Federation people aren’t picky about lunch and have no particular needs.

Even a one-dollar sandwich, coupled with a coffee for ninety-nine cents, is acceptable to them.

The Ministry of Defense’s lunch is actually better than fast food outside, with ample fried chicken fillet and steak, except there’s no pork steak.

Firstly, Federation people are not too interested in pork products—animal rights organizations believe castrating boars is inhumane, so the Federation’s pigs are uncastrated.

And preserving their life source gives pigs a peculiar odor that’s hard to remove, unrelated to their feed.

Only by castrating them will their meat lose this odor.

As for sows... sow meat doesn’t taste particularly good. Federations accustomed to beef are even less likely to eat sow meat, which makes pork less common here.

Even in Lower City’s poor areas, people prefer buying ninety-nine cents per pound minced beef over cheaper, better-positioned pork.

Besides chicken and beef, there are many tasty things; the Ministry of Defense and Military don’t lack budgets, nor will they economize on meals, so Lynch also saw neatly arranged pickled cucumbers here.

If the food gets too satiating, a pickled cucumber can rescue someone from Hell.

After a lunch characteristic of the Ministry of Defense, the Special Envoy went with Lynch to Darkstone Airlines’ research institute, needing to obtain some data as support for the next secret military exercise arrangement.

The Chief Engineer was somewhat surprised by Lynch’s visit but not entirely surprised; after all, it’s a twenty-billion-dollar order, and now the entire institute is working hard, so Lynch occasionally visiting is normal.

Lynch’s commercial management methods gave everyone endless energy, and various reward mechanisms, especially sales commissions, have already led many researchers to enter the middle-to-upper income class ranks.

Falling dividends of several tens of thousands every year, these aren’t benefits found at other institutes!

Not to mention, this time it’s twenty billion!

The Special Envoys went to look at the parameters; the Chief Engineer tugged Lynch’s sleeve, leading him to another room and closing the door.

"What’s up?"

The Chief Engineer nodded, "We’re currently short of some manpower, but you know, although a lot of people submit materials to us daily, I’m cautious about making choices."

"Additionally, there’s another issue..." The Chief Engineer paused, clearly showed a hint of awkwardness in his expression, "Earlier some researchers privately asked me..."

Speaking, he couldn’t help but chuckle twice, and his awkward expression eased slightly, "They asked if I could introduce them to girlfriends..."

Many researchers at the institute are young men in their twenties and thirties; when Lynch started the Flight Research Institute, attracting many industry authorities wasn’t easy.

Due to the current "low technicality" in the flight field, he lowered standards, recruited many private scientists, and those fresh out of school or capable but unliked researchers.

Many among them are single.

Now they’ve all become successful figures, and when people gain wealth, they seek excitement.

Solving individual emotional and physical needs is now on the agenda.

Previously Lynch recruited some female service staff, intending for them to smooth certain restless emotions.

Now it seems the effect isn’t ideal.

Actually, Lynch overlooked that these research technicians are often lacking initiative socially.

Even if they have thoughts about those "female colleagues," those thoughts ultimately remain just thoughts as they won’t take the initiative.

The Chief Engineer’s point is if everyone pursues love on their own, it’ll not only affect project development but may introduce unstable factors from outside.

This matter, nonetheless, it may seem insignificant, it indeed poses a slight problem; yet, if it’s considered a significant issue, it’s slightly... odd.

However, Lynch nodded, "I understand; I’ll think of a way."

"Additionally, you need to talk to those female service staff and instill some urgency in them. Once the researchers marry or have stable partners, they’ll have no value."

"We’re a commercial entity; we don’t keep anyone without value..."

The Chief Engineer’s eyes lit up, only admiration left in his expression towards Lynch, in terms of strategy, Lynch is indeed formidable!

It’s imaginable when those high-wage female employees, doing simple tasks all day, discover the threat of layoffs; they’ll surely become more proactive than researchers.

This also points out the essence, capitalists have ways to motivate people’s enthusiasm, making the working class act as they wish.

And throughout this process, they continuously screen employees until only those who obey remain.

Maybe some have strong bones, but in this world, how many truly have them?