novelnext Chapter 170 Changing Clothes
Chapter 170 Changing Clothes
Chapter 170 Changing Clothes (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets 12/12)
The Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Russell Warren threw a poll report into the shredder.
The machine emitted a piercing noise, swallowing the few sheets of paper showing his declining approval ratings in western Pennsylvania.
He underestimated the cost of the lockdown.
State police set up roadblocks on the highway, not only stopping trucks heading to Pittsburgh, but also blocking the commutes of countless ordinary voters.
The small business owners who had initially supported him started calling his office and cursing.
Their goods can't be shipped out, and their raw materials can't be brought in.
Representatives from the Logistics Association are lobbying daily on Capitol Hill, threatening to withdraw political donations to the Republican Party.
Warren sat in his chair, his brow furrowed.
The young mayor, holding 500 million in cash, managed to stabilize the situation by paying the workers.
On the contrary, his own base began to falter.
Warren looked out the window.
He is waiting.
He wasn't just waiting for Leo to make a mistake; he was forcing Leo to make a mistake.
Chief of Staff Kingsley was more anxious than Warren.
"Boss, the pressure from outside is immense. The logistics association's phone lines are ringing off the hook; small business owners are complaining that they can't get their goods out. Even some of the Republican base voters are starting to get emotional, saying that this lockdown is disrupting their normal lives."
Kingsley hesitated for a moment, but then spoke up.
"Furthermore, what if we push Ely and Scranton too hard? What if a riot breaks out there, or those mayors, in desperation, make a scene in the national media—"
"What are you trying to say?"
Warren interrupted him as the sunlight retreated from the window and fell on Kingsley's face.
"Are you trying to teach me how to do things, David?"
Kingsley's heart tightened, and he quickly lowered his head.
"No, boss, I'm just worried—"
"Worry?"
Warren chuckled softly.
"Do you know why I cut off funding to Erie and Scranton first?"
"Because Ron Smith and Joe Byers were the most enthusiastic, punishing traitors could give others the most direct deterrent."
"I want the mayors of several other cities to see this; I want them to be terrified."
Warren turned around and sat back down in his chair.
"I'm in control, David."
"The reason we didn't impose a complete lockdown, and the reason we didn't take action against all cities, is because I know the limits."
"I want the fire to burn just right, enough to hurt them but not enough to set the house on fire."
As for the complaints of those voters—
Warren waved his hand.
"That's necessary noise. When they see the alliance fall apart and realize that following Leo Wallace is a dead end, they'll naturally understand who's right."
"Remember your location, David."
Warren's voice turned low.
"Proper reminders are acceptable; that's your responsibility."
"But don't question my judgment."
"Everything is under my control."
"As for Pittsburgh."
"I had the state troopers block the highways and cut off logistics."
"Pittsburgh is now an isolated island."
"Supplies can't get in, and products can't get out."
"Leo Wallace does have five hundred million dollars, which sounds like a lot."
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Warren gave a cold laugh.
"But would he dare to split it?"
"If Leo wants to maintain this alliance, he has to inject capital. He has to use Pittsburgh's money to feed Erie's workers and pay Scranton's bills."
"As long as he opens that door."
Warren clenched his fist tightly.
"That five hundred million dollars will vanish without a trace, like water spilled on sand."
"What about Pittsburgh's own projects? What about the South Side redevelopment plan? What about the benefits he promised to local workers?"
"Once the Pittsburgh funding chain breaks, his core base will immediately turn against him."
"What if we don't split it?" Kingsley asked.
"If we don't separate them, it'll be even simpler."
Warren leaned back in his chair.
"Ron and Joe won't last long. Once they realize that following Leo Wallace will only lead to their deaths and they won't get the money to save their lives."
"They will turn against us."
"This alliance will crumble from within."
"This is an endurance race, but also a life-or-death question."
"No matter what he chooses, he's going to die."
Pittsburgh City Hall.
Leo sat in his office, twirling a pen in his hand.
He appeared to be sitting calmly on the sidelines, and even had the leisure to inspect the newly renovated community library.
But he knew very well that this string had been stretched to its limit.
The only variable is time.
He was also gambling, betting that those mayors would collapse before him.
"Mr. President," Leo thought to himself, "what if they really can't hold out and choose to surrender to Warren?"
Roosevelt's voice rang out.
No, it won't.
"Because Warren can't give them what they want."
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"Warren can lift the lockdown for them, but he can't provide orders or jobs."
"Furthermore, you underestimate the power of fear."
"They'll come looking for you before their city hall is burned down by angry workers."
"They'll see you as a lifeline too."
Roosevelt's prediction came true very quickly.
It was even faster than Leo had anticipated.
That afternoon, there was a knock on the door of the mayor's office.
Ethan pushed the door open and came in, his expression somewhat strange.
"Mayor, Ron Smith and Joe Byers have arrived."
"They were downstairs, but they didn't come through the main entrance; they came up from the underground parking garage."
"Let them in."
Leo put down his pen.
Five minutes later.
Ron Smith and Joe Byers walked into the office.
As soon as they entered the door, they collapsed onto the sofa.
"water."
Smith uttered a single word in a hoarse voice.
Ethan poured them two glasses of water.
"The situation in Erie is complicated." Smith took a sip of water, his brow furrowing slightly. "The retired police association members sit outside City Hall every day. Although it hasn't reached the point of storming in yet, my secretary has already been so frightened that she's taken leave."
“Scranton is similar,” Byers chimed in. “Contractors are calling me every day, getting increasingly rude, and truck drivers have been protesting in the square for several nights.”
The two exchanged a glance; although their tone was helpless, their eyes were not flustered.
"Leo, that's the situation."
Smith placed the cup on the coffee table and looked at Leo.
"We looked into that credit note system. In principle, we can join; we can agree to use notes for settlement."
"But things have changed now." Smith's tone hardened. "Warren has blocked the roads and cut off funding. Even if we agree to access your system, those vouchers won't turn into the supplies and wages we desperately need right now."
"No matter how good a receipt is, it's still just a piece of paper. Workers want cash, and the elderly want checks."
"If we don't give them cash, the situation can't be salvaged."
"So, Leo."
Biles also spoke up.
"If you want us to stay in this league, you want us to help you withstand the pressure from Warren."
You have to pay in cash.
"Pay us a sum of dollars upfront so we can go back and shut those troublemakers up."
"Only in this way can there be any possibility of continuing negotiations regarding the billing system."
Smith continued, "We went to the state party headquarters, we went to Warren's staff."
"They said the blockade would never be lifted unless we publicly declare our withdrawal from your alliance and publicly accuse you of being a fraud."
"But we cannot back down."
"If we cancel the order, we'll lose the Pittsburgh order, and the workers will still cause trouble."
"To advance is to die, to retreat is to die."
Smith looked up at Leo.
"Leo, you've really put us in a terrible situation."
"We are Republicans, and Warren is our senator; she is supposed to protect us."
"Now, however, he is attacking us."
"We can't hold on any longer, we really can't hold on any longer."
There was silence in the room.
this is the truth.
Even if the issue of financial instruments is resolved, administrative barriers still exist.
Warren used his absolute authority within the Republican Party to push the two mayors to the brink.
Roosevelt's voice echoed in his mind.
"The opportunity has come, Leo."
"This is the best time."
"Since they have no way to survive in their original camp."
"Then show them a new path."
"Ron, Joe."
Leo's voice was gentle, yet it carried a powerful force.
"You just said that Warren is attacking you."
"That's right." Smith gritted his teeth. "That old bastard doesn't care about our lives at all, just for his own re-election."
"Then why do you still follow him?"
"Leo suddenly asked."
Smith paused for a moment.
"What do you mean? I'm a Republican, who else should I follow if not him?"
"partisan?"
Leo chuckled.
"Ron, open your eyes and look."
"When your citizens had no food, did the party ever give you bread?"
"When your city hall was besieged, did any political party send anyone to rescue you?"
"Warren has cut off your funding, blocked your access, and treated you as his enemies."
"In his eyes, you are no longer Republican mayors; you are traitors who must be purged."
"Since he is attacking you."
Why do you still cling to that flag that has abandoned you?
Smith and Byers exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.
What exactly is Wallace talking about?
"Then—what can we do?" Byers asked.
Leo walked back to his desk, leaned against the edge, and crossed his arms.
"You're saying Warren is punishing you because you cooperated with me."
"What if you were no longer his subordinates?"
Leo stared into their eyes.
"What if you changed your flag?"
"Change the flag?" Smith's eyes widened. "You mean—"
"That's right."
Leo nodded, his tone calm.
"Since you have no way out in the Republican Party."
"Why don't you join our Democratic Party?"
Leo leaned forward, his gaze intense.
"Think about it, what time is it now? It's a crucial moment in the midterm elections."
"What would happen if, at this critical juncture, two key Republican mayors suddenly announced they were switching sides and joining the Democratic Party?"
"The Democratic National Committee will go crazy for this. They will treat you like royalty, as heroes who have had a change of heart, as a symbol of the decline of the Republican Party."
"All resources, all attention, all funding will come to you like a tidal wave."
"You are no longer abandoned orphans; you will become honored guests of the Democratic Party."
Leo smiled, a smile that exuded a sense of confidence in having the whole situation under control.
"This is a sure-fire way to make money."
"Just by changing your clothes, you can go straight from hell to heaven."
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