Chapter 662 - 310: Furious Advance

"We’re going to seize real power. We’re going to seize seats on the budget committees and the right to draft appropriation bills. We’re going to use your hearing privileges to drag the titans who dare stand in our way out for all to see."

"As long as we stand together."

"We can win."

Leo finished speaking and watched them in silence.

Mark nodded heavily.

"We need jobs," Mark said, his voice low. "My workers have had enough of empty words. If you can bring them orders, I can bring you votes."

Although Susan’s brow was furrowed, she didn’t object.

Leo’s speech wasn’t fiery; it was even a bit plain.

But they realized that continuing down the old path was a dead end.

They needed a victory, even a controversial one, to steady their shaky footing.

More importantly, Sanders had already made his position clear.

They might not like Leo, but they had to show Sanders respect.

They had to keep up appearances.

"Good."

Sanders broke the silence.

"Since no one has any objections."

"Then starting today, our resources on Capitol Hill will be directed toward Pennsylvania."

"We will coordinate with Leo’s operations."

"To victory."

Sanders raised his coffee cup.

"To victory."

The others raised their cups in unison.

...

The luncheon proceeded in a relaxed atmosphere.

The long table was laden with exquisite dishes, and the Congressmen, who had been so serious just moments before, had now relaxed.

They gathered around Leo, toasting and drinking.

The atmosphere was warm and harmonious, as if they were old friends who had been through life and death together, comrades in arms.

Leo handled himself with ease.

He memorized everyone’s name, everyone’s needs, everyone’s weaknesses.

He moved among them like a natural-born leader.

"How does it feel?"

Roosevelt’s voice echoed in his mind.

’Not bad,’ Leo answered mentally. ’They’re more pragmatic than I expected. As long as you give them a way to save face, they’ll play along.’

"Of course."

Roosevelt sneered.

"They’re politicians, after all. A politician’s instinct is to find someone strong to cling to. You’re strong right now, so they’ll follow you."

"But, Leo."

Roosevelt’s tone shifted.

"Don’t be fooled by these smiling faces."

"They are your subordinates, but at the same time, they are not."

"In Pittsburgh, Ethan, Sarah, and Marcus are people you personally promoted. Their power comes from you. If you fall, they become nothing. That’s why they are absolutely loyal."

"But these people are different."

"They’re Congressmen. They have their own districts, their own power bases, their own donors, and their own political ambitions."

"They’re following you now because you can bring them benefits and help them secure their positions."

"But if one day you become an obstacle to them, or if you start to show signs of weakness..."

"They will tear you to shreds without hesitation and carve up your political legacy."

Roosevelt’s voice grew low.

"You’re an Alliance Leader now, but you’re not an emperor. You don’t hold the power of life and death."

"You must learn the art of checks and balances."

"Don’t let any one person become too strong, and don’t let any small group become too close-knit."

"You have to give them resources, but never give them enough all at once. It’s like feeding wolves. Give them one piece of meat at a time so they stay hungry and always follow your lead."

"This is the art of being in command."

"The art of managing those beneath you lies in balancing authority and benevolence. You must make them both fear you and find you indispensable."

Leo listened to Roosevelt’s teachings, his gaze sweeping over the laughing and chatting faces.

’I know,’ Leo said to himself. ’That’s a given.’

’If they weren’t ambitious, they’d be useless to me.’

Leo raised his glass, acknowledging Alexander and Mark across the long table.

’Mr. President, you taught me this. In this circle, ambition is fuel.’

Leo watched the Congressmen, who were deep in lively discussion.

’Only those who want to climb will work themselves to the bone. Only the greedy will kill their enemies for that piece of meat. I don’t need a flock of obedient sheep. I need a pack of hungry wolves.’

’Even if this pack of wolves sometimes wants to bite my hand.’

Roosevelt mulled it over for a moment.

"It’s good that you understand this. But you can’t control a wolf pack just by feeding them meat."

"You also have to learn how to create scarcity."

"Don’t let Alexandra monopolize all the media exposure for the Progressives. You need to prop up another young spokesperson to divert some of the attention away from her."

"As for Mark, you need to use environmental issues to keep him in line."

"When the Union gets too greedy and starts threatening your decisions, have Susan propose a new carbon emissions limit. That will force Mark to come begging you to save his factories’ operating rates."

"This is called ’divide and conquer’."

"Never let them band together."

"Only by making them compete with each other for your support will your position be completely secure."

Leo had to admit, this was classic imperial statecraft, and the most effective method of management.

But he shook his head.

"Mr. President."

Leo put down his glass and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth.

’This method is stable, but it’s too slow.’

’I want to try a different way.’

"What way?" Roosevelt asked.

’I need speed.’

’I’m going to use an unstoppable, overwhelming momentum to charge forward, and I’ll drag them along with me.’

Leo’s logic was simple.

’As long as my car moves fast enough, as long as I can keep moving from one victory to the next...’

’...they won’t have time for infighting, and they won’t have time to scheme against me.’

’Because they’ll have to give it their all just to keep up with my pace.’

’The moment they fall behind, they’ll lose their right to a share of the spoils.’

At this moment, Leo radiated an aura that commanded attention.

’I will make them understand.’

’I’m not the one who’s relying on their support.’

’They’re the ones hitching a ride with me.’

’If they want to get off, they can at any time. But the car won’t stop.’

’And besides my vehicle, in this Washington controlled by the Establishment Faction, they won’t find another express lane to power.’

Leo adjusted his collar.

’This is my way of managing subordinates.’

’I don’t do balance.’

’I only do expansion.’

’When the cake is so big that no one can finish their piece, nobody cares who’s holding the knife that cuts it.’

Deep in his mind, Roosevelt was silent for a long time.

"Hah! Good on you, kid!"

"I really underestimated you."

"This kind of overwhelming, righteous momentum is indeed more convincing than petty schemes and plots."

"Then go for it."

Roosevelt’s voice was filled with anticipation.

"Let me see just how fast this war chariot of yours can really go."

"Just be careful not to crash."

A slight smile played on Leo’s lips.

’Don’t worry.’

’This car is loaded with explosives.’

’Even if it crashes, it’ll blow the road flat.’