Stepping into the Circle Means Following Its Rules

The National Security Committee's investigation into the "Healthy Federal People Foundation" has come to a complete close, which may be the fastest investigation in history... Well, maybe not. Some investigations may have been stopped as soon as the idea was conceived, and those were the fastest.

Although the Healthy Federal People Foundation could not continue its in-depth investigation, there were no problems with the investigations of two other foundations: one was a foundation that helped people observe fish, and the other was a foundation that studied how many kinds of plants in the Federal bloom in the fall.

Perhaps because he had suffered a loss in front of the medical group, or perhaps because he had some new ideas, Truman became more profound and more low-key than before.

At noon, the Councilor Welsh invited a well-known and active Broker in Bu Peien to his home. He had realized some problems and now needed someone to help him solve them.

The medical group's decision to thwart Truman's targeted investigation made him realize that neither the president nor Truman was as powerful as he had thought.

Yes, after all, he is only a "halfway president". His Presidential Cabinet, including some Minister, is not entirely on his side. There are all sorts of struggles among them. Even within the Progressive Party, there are some opinions about his continued candidacy and even his potential victory.

Even so, the President still nominally holds the highest power in the Federal, which still makes the Councilor Welsh feel strained.

So he invited a "capable friend" who was outside of politics but very famous in political circles, Mr. Elson.

Mr. Elson had served as Vice President for only one term, and he should have had a promising future in politics, but due to an office scandal, he was forced to submit his resignation to the President.

After resigning from his position Vice President, he did not take on any specific job, but instead began to work as a political Broker in Bu Peien.

Whether it's the Conservative Party, the Progressive Party, or the Socialist Party, which always has little presence, they all seem to give him some face, making this 71-year-old Old Gentleman look only in his fifties—a cheerful mood can make one look younger.

"Fifteen years in Bento ..." Mr. Elson, sitting at the dining table, had a very old-fashioned gentlemanly demeanor, the kind that was immediately apparent and made people feel like they were basking in a warm breeze.

When he smiled, his slightly graying eyebrows would twitch. His entire face was very approachable, and his smile was infectious. "This is a fine bottle of wine..."

The Bento" he was referring to was the red wine in his hand. Mr. Elson was seventy-one years old this year, and his doctor had warned him many times that he could no longer drink high-alcohol beverages. Of course, he also cherished his health and, apart from occasionally drinking spirits when he had insomnia, he drank red wine most of the time.

Bento is the name of a winery that enjoys a worldwide reputation. Its red wine, aged for fifteen years, is indeed a fine product.

The Councilor Welsh opened a bottle of red wine for Mr. Elson and poured some for both of them.

There are no fancy wine tastings here, and no one in their social class would act like a clown, taking a small sip of red wine and gulping it down to release its aromas.

Even sommeliers only act mysteriously at tasting events; otherwise, they are just like ordinary people, like those who don't know anything about wine tasting.

Open the bottle, pour it, and then clink glasses.

bite...

"I feel a little overwhelmed to be treated to such fine wine!" Mr. Elson said with a smile as he put down his glass, the dark red alcoholic beverage slowly sliding down the side of the glass.

The wine glasses weren't small, and they only took a tiny sip—just a very small amount. The slightly astringent liquid wasn't suitable for drinking in large quantities right now.

They become more fragrant over time and require no decanter or anything else unnecessary.

The Councilor Welsh didn't try to change the subject; he simply nodded and said, "Yes, I'm in trouble. They're investigating two foundations in which I hold shares, and previously it was three..."

As for why there are now two parties, Mr. Elson is well aware that he was also one of the people who called the President, and with just one call, he received a signed Thank You Letter.

"Truman!" Mr. Elson pointed directly to who this "someone" was, picking up his knife and fork as he spoke. "Sorry, the doctor said I can't fast for too long..."

The Councilor Welsh immediately gestured for him to dine, then continued, "Yes, yes, Truman, they may have some opinions about some things I've done recently. I believe this can be resolved through communication, and I've been waiting for them to communicate with me, but they..."

"Kuerlike ..." Mr. Elson suddenly said, interrupting the Councilor Welsh.

The latter seemed not to have heard clearly, "Excuse me, what did you just say?"

After swallowing the beef in his mouth, Mr. Elson picked up a napkin and dabbed the sauce on his lips. "I said that the premium beef from Kuerlike, due to some economic and environmental factors, now costs about 170 yuan per pound."

He looked at the Councilor Welsh and said, "Councilor Welsh, you are a member of the highest authority in the Federal government, and you decide how the Federal will develop in the future. You should focus more on making beef affordable for everyone, rather than... infighting."

This statement was somewhat serious, and the Councilor Welsh's face gradually turned red, then a deep purplish-red, like a pig's liver. He had no choice but to nod in acknowledgment.

Mr. Elson paused briefly, then changed the subject, "You just mentioned communication, which I think is a wonderful word. Communication can bring people closer together and allow us to resolve issues peacefully."

This is a good performance. Actually, he doesn't think much of the Councilor Welsh, for many reasons, including the fact that he is 71 years old this year and can do whatever he wants.

As he spoke, Mr. Elson cut off another piece of beef and put it in his mouth, taking a sip of the red wine in his glass. "I feel much better now..." he smiled and asked, "If you can compromise, I can try to help you with this."

The Councilor Welsh did not immediately agree, which shows that he is a very professional person who, having received the money, still wanted to do things for Preton.

But it's not that simple. If he backs down, it means he has betrayed Preton to some extent. This is not something that can be solved by simply returning the money. It would require sacrificing even more benefits to cover up this mistake.

He knew that continuing the confrontation was pointless and dangerous. The fact that the other side had even initiated an investigation, which was inconsistent with the current situation, showed their determination. However, he was still somewhat reluctant to give up.

Mr. Elson did not speak or do anything else to interrupt the Councilor Welsh's thinking. That's how it is in these situations; there are no perfect options, and a decision must be made.

Is it better to be prepared to fight to the death against the current president and his right-hand man Truman, or to sacrifice some of one's own interests and end this conflict, which was unnecessary from the start?

Until Mr. Elson finished his lavish lunch, the Councilor Welsh had not reached a decision that he felt he could agree with.

In the end, Mr. Elson had to interrupt his thoughts. Time was precious, and no one would waste their precious time on someone else's thinking.

"I have a suggestion for you, Councilor Welsh ..." As soon as he spoke, the Councilor Welsh was momentarily stunned, but then he came to his senses and nodded repeatedly, just like a Elementary School student, obedient, respectful, and full of curiosity.

"Our president lost the last election and wasted the Progressive Party's valuable resources, so there is some prejudice against him within the party, but that doesn't mean he has no chance at all."

"Many people, including myself, are very interested in some of his ideas, such as the idea of making the Federal take on more responsibility in the International Community. Of course, this will also attract hostility from some foreign powers."

"No one wants to see a powerful Federal rise. It's normal that there will always be spies disguised in various legal guises trying to cause trouble within the Federal."

"They could steal our scientific findings, steal our important formulas, kidnap our scientists, or... divide our politicians."

Did you understand?

The Councilor Welsh nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Mr. Elson, I understand, I know what to do..."

"Very good, thank you for your hospitality. I will contact you again when I have further news..." Mr. Elson said, seemingly wanting to leave. The Councilor Welsh immediately came over and pulled out a chair for him, but he refused.

Although he is seventy-one years old, he can still sit down and stand up on his own.

Later that evening, Truman, who had been summoned back from outside by the president, was about to knock on the door of the Presidential Office, the door opened from the inside.

The President and Mr. Elson were walking out, both with smiles on their faces, looking very harmonious.

The president glanced at Truman and walked past him; he needed to see Mr. Elson out.

When he returned, Truman was already waiting for him in his office.

The president did not speak immediately, but sat in his chair and thought for a while before shaking his head and saying, "Stop the investigation into the Councilor Welsh; he has surrendered!"

"Next, we need to shift our focus to the issue of Gefra and, incidentally, divert attention..." the president said with a sigh. "Truman, this is all thanks to you. You forced him to concede, and I thank you."

Mr. Truman's expression was strange; he should have been happy, since that was their original goal: to shut the Councilor Welsh up and stop his worthless networking.

But for some reason, he couldn't feel happy at this moment, yet he had to say, "It is my honor, Mr. President."