Recruiting Newcomers

Ferral's pledge of loyalty was somewhat shameless, given that he was destined to become a politician, while Lin Qi was still just a businessman.

It seems a bit odd for politicians to pledge allegiance to businessmen, but this is precisely the most normal situation in the Federal right now, with capitalists using money and profits to win over one politician after another.

It's not fair to blame politicians for shamelessly working for capitalists, because from the very beginning, small figures like Ferral have established a solid relationship with capitalists.

Lin Qi provided him with the necessary campaign funds so that his campaign posters could be plastered all over Sabine City, that he could appear on television frequently, and that his campaign vehicle was longer and his gifts were better than anyone else's.

As an investor, Ferral must repay Lin Qi's efforts in his own way, or in other words, through an investment, such as the tax exemption policy implemented after he came to power.

He had to do this, otherwise Lin Qi would stop supporting him, he would lose the next election without support, and since he hadn't played by the rules, no one else would support him either.

Only if he reciprocates will Lin Qi continue to support his succession or promotion; that's the rule, a rule that even the president can't escape.

The only difference between Ferral and the President is that Ferral has absolutely no power of choice, while the President has some, but only some.

After a brief silence in the carriage, Lin Qi asked a question that concerned him, "Our mayor said before that his job wouldn't change much."

Perhaps with Lin Qi's support, Ferral spoke without any reservations.

Before becoming mayor, the state's intention was for him to serve in the State Legislature for two years, as the governor had some personal opinions about the person in charge here.

However, the mayor withstood the pressure and found other supporters within the party to back him up, which allowed him to secure his position.

Now that the Progressive Party is in power and the President's future looks promising, the party's personnel structure is also changing. Some people who are closer to the President are gradually moving to higher political positions, while those who are less aligned with the President are bound to fade into obscurity.

However bleak it may be, it's still much better than the Conservative Party.

The York State Governor's attitude will be very important in the election a year and a half from now. The president cares a lot about his thoughts, which means that the unpleasantness between him and the mayor needs to be resolved.

This has nothing to do with their previous alliance against Listoan. Although the so-called mayor was not very willing, he still expressed his willingness to accept the party's arrangements.

His most likely outcome is that he will obtain a senator position in the state State Senate, with a small chance of securing a seat in the House of Representatives.

The reason it's a low probability event is that there's a possibility and foundation for success. If he has enough money and connections, even a low-probability event can happen.

If he doesn't, then a small probability is a small probability, a heartbreaking small probability.

It's outrageous to force out a mayor and then interfere in the city's elections, and then demand that the former mayor recommend his opponent. So Ferral's opportunity has arisen, but it may only last two or four years.

Allowing the city's citizens to exercise their free will and elect their mayor is a form of appeasement. Once these issues have subsided, Ferral will have to find a reason to resign, otherwise a scandal will erupt, and then the governor's people will take over.

There's a reason why people always criticize the ugliness of politics; it's full of petty tricks that make people uncomfortable.

During their casual conversation, the car soon arrived at the Sabine City Veterans Club. Lin Qi's purpose for the trip was to Ferral's Wife's Father, who worked there. The Young Men under Lin Qi's command had previously come from there.

"It's good to see you again, Mr. Lin Qi!" Ferral's Wife's Father was in good spirits, with a ruddy complexion. He was wearing a camouflage short-sleeved T-shirt, camouflage trousers, and a camouflage baseball cap. His face was covered with wrinkles from smiling, and he looked very friendly, at least approachable.

After the two shook hands, the old man led them inside. "Ferral told me you were coming. How many young men are you planning to take with you this time?" He glanced back at Lin Qi. "We have many."

The glory of the naval victory did not extend to the army. The impact and changes brought about by this naval battle still prove that the navy is the undisputed protagonist of this era.

Unless there is a large-scale invasion or National Salvation War that requires attacking into enemy territory or establishing multi-layered ground defenses on home soil, the army is not required.

Looking ahead to at least the next ten years, there will be no war of this scale involving the Federal in the world, so the reduction in the size of the army is reasonable.

Of course, not all army soldiers will eventually retire. At Lin Qi's suggestion, the Navy will form a group of ground combat groups under the Department of the Navy, and the best soldiers who retired from the army that year will be selected.

In addition to continuing their service, they also have to participate in naval training, which is called the Sea-Land Assault Team.

It's a very... name, but the Department of Defense likes it, and the Navy likes it too.

The massive downsizing of the army, which had stalled, has resumed, but this time only the army is being downsized, while the navy is expanding its recruitment.

How many?

"One thousand one hundred and twenty-four people!" The old man paused slightly. This number was astonishing. The Sabine City was currently unable to provide these soldiers with job opportunities, and it could be said that the retired Military Club was basically supporting them.

With over a thousand mouths to feed, they need to eat and drink every day. Even if the food isn't good, if the quota is only two yuan, the food expenses would still amount to tens of thousands of yuan a month. The military can't afford it, and the local retired Military Club can't afford it either.

When Lin Qi said he could solve some of the job opportunities and quotas, Ferral's Wife's Father was overjoyed.

He looked at Lin Qi expectantly, and Lin Qi frowned slightly. "Are they all good young men?"

"They're all good young men!" the old man repeated affirmatively.

In fact, these veterans cannot be simply categorized as good or bad; it can only be said that they meet the military's minimum standards for the job of "soldier."

Lin Qi stopped talking, and the three of them went to the training ground behind the club. The young Young Men were exercising or playing and chasing each other, very leisurely.

Upon seeing people approaching, a retired soldier with the rank of Second Lieutenant shouted "Assemble!" and everyone quickly began to assemble.

Here, it's not much different from being in the army, just a little more free, but you still have to do morning exercises and maintain the same schedule and routine as soldiers.

One thousand one hundred and twenty-four people, each quietly watching the three people in front of them, the power of this silence was often more terrifying than people speaking or doing anything.

"This is someone you might recognize, a leading figure among the youth of the Federal, Mr. Lin Qi..."

There was still complete silence. If it were someone else, they might have felt awkward, but Lin Qi didn't. He calmly continued to scan everyone.

"Mr. Lin Qi is here today to resolve your work issues..."

Only after this sentence was uttered did a brief commotion arise among the soldiers, which quickly subsided.

"Why don't you talk to them?" Ferral's Wife's Father asked. After receiving Lin Qi's reply, he pulled Ferral away with him.

The departure of the old man and Ferral eased the atmosphere somewhat, but also increased the psychological pressure on ordinary people.

"Some of you know me, and some of you don't. That doesn't matter, and it has nothing to do with what we're going to talk about."

"I want to offer you a job..."

Before he could finish speaking, someone interrupted him, "Everyone, sir?"

Lin Qi noticed the guy who had interrupted, who looked to be around twenty-two or twenty-three years old. He shook his head slightly. "Next time, please finish speaking before interrupting me. This is the last time!"

Perhaps due to the rivalry between young people, the young veteran being looked at by him also looked at him.

After a few seconds of eye contact, the young man turned his head away. He found that the pressure in Lin Qi's gaze was almost unbearable. He wouldn't admit it, but he had already given up in his heart.

"It seems this friend has understood what I mean, so let me answer his question. At first glance, everyone has a chance, but not everyone is suitable for this job. We need to screen them out."

"Go and prepare a working pen and a piece of paper to write your name and answers, then gather back here!"

The Second Lieutenant shouted "Dismissed!" and the soldiers immediately returned to their tents. Having a job was their biggest wish at the moment.

Having a job not only means they can solve their own food and clothing problems, but also greatly reduce the burden on their families, even if it's only two hundred yuan a month!

Soon these people gathered together again, and Lin Qi nodded and said, "Very good. Next, I will state my questions. You don't need to tell me your new choices. Write your names and answers on a piece of paper, and then I will select the candidates based on these answers."

"I would like to remind everyone to write your answers based on your most honest thoughts, as this may be related to your safety."

No one raised any objections, and Lin Qi began his prepared questions.

"The first question is, are you willing to accept an overseas working environment where our work will involve spending a long time overseas? Yes or no!"

"The second question is that the new job is still related to your professional knowledge. You will participate in some armed operations with live ammunition. Some of you may be injured or even killed. Are you willing to bear such consequences? Yes or no!"

When mentioning this point, Lin Qi added some additional information, "We have a comprehensive compensation and insurance system. Even if you are injured and become disabled and unable to perform your previous work, we will still provide you or your family with a job that pays above the average wage."

"The third question is, if you are interested in becoming my employees, we will sign an employment contract of at least five years. Some outstanding employees will also have the opportunity to be trained, and we will also require them to work for an additional number of years. Can you accept this? Yes or no!"

"The fourth question: If we are on a combat mission and an ordinary person dressed in civilian clothes appears in front of us, whose friend or foe cannot be determined, and continues to approach after we warn them to leave, would you shoot? Yes or no!"

"The fifth question: If you are on a combat mission and your superior orders you to attack some enemies, but they are women, elderly people, or children, and their identities have been confirmed, and they could cause significant casualties to you and your teammates, would you fire your gun? Yes or no!"

So sleepy, taking a short nap, the third update will be a little later.