Chapter 728: The Terrifying Efficiency of Capital

Chapter 728: Chapter 340: The Terrifying Efficiency of Capital

Washington D.C., Georgetown.

In a private club hidden at the end of a dimly lit street, the air in a secluded booth on the second basement level was filled with the smoky aroma of grilled meat and the rich scent of red wine.

Leo sat at the head of the long dining table.

He held a knife and fork, methodically slicing into the ribeye steak on his plate.

Crimson juices oozed from the steak, spreading across the white porcelain plate.

Seated across from him were three Congressmen.

Gary from Wisconsin, Thomas from Michigan, and Matthew from Ohio.

In Congress, all three men were labeled as Progressives and were members of Daniel Sanders’s caucus in the House of Representatives.

They weren’t exactly core members of the Progressives, but they had heard about yesterday’s caucus meeting, which had ended on a sour note.

The steaks in front of the three Congressmen were untouched.

They watched Leo, their gazes wary.

Leo put down his knife and fork and wiped his mouth with his napkin.

He took three thin folders from the black briefcase beside him and slid one in front of each of the three Congressmen.

“Have a look,” Leo said.

Gary was the first to open his folder.

He quickly scanned the text on the page, his breathing noticeably quickening.

It was a letter of intent for a donation to a Super PAC.

The funds were from a foundation in Evelyn Saint Cloud’s name, and the letter of intent specified the amount: five million US Dollars.

Attached below the document was the draft of a commercial procurement contract.

The Pennsylvania Industrial Revival Alliance pledged to prioritize purchasing soybeans and dairy products from Gary’s district over the next two years, in a quantity sufficient to raise the average local price for agricultural goods.

Thomas and Matthew finished reading the documents in front of them as well.

The terms were identical.

Five million US Dollars in campaign funds, plus a procurement order to boost the local economy.

Leo leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the three men.

“This year’s primary is fiercely competitive. Gary, you’re facing a strong challenge in your district from the Republican candidate. Your opponent raised four million US Dollars last month, while your campaign account currently holds less than eight hundred thousand.”

“That’s not nearly enough money to buy two weeks of primetime ads on local television.”

Leo recited the figures with precision.

“Thomas, Matthew. Your situations are slightly better. You’re facing primary challenges from the party’s far-left wing.”

“Those kids raised a ton of money through online fundraising, and they’re bombarding you on social media. Your ground-game team has already lost a third of its staff from lack of funds.”

The three Congressmen remained silent.

Every number Leo cited was unnervingly accurate.

“The primary is only a month away, and you desperately need a cash infusion.” Leo clasped his hands on the table. “This five million US Dollars is the first installment. The funds will be funneled into your political action committee accounts within forty-eight hours through a non-profit organization that isn’t required to disclose its donors.”

“Meanwhile, the agricultural procurement contract can be formally signed and announced tomorrow. You can use that achievement to placate the farmers in your districts. I’m confident they’ll vote for the person who helps them sell their crops.”

Gary closed the folder and looked at Leo.

“What do you need us to do?” Gary asked directly.

“Join my Progressive faction,” Leo said, his tone even. “Support Pennsylvania’s plan to restart its nuclear power plants. When it comes to a vote in the relevant House committee, you will vote ‘yes’.”

Gary frowned. He left the letter of intent on the table, not immediately putting it away.

“Mayor Wallace, if I may be frank.” Gary’s tone grew cautious. “What do you mean by ‘your’ Progressive faction?”

Leo looked at him, his expression unwavering.

“Exactly what it sounds like, Gary.”

Leo folded the napkin in his hands and placed it beside his plate.

“From now on, you will form a new caucus, with me at its center.”

Matthew couldn’t resist speaking up. “But… you’re not even a Congressman. You’re just a Mayor. Why should we listen to you?”

Leo smiled.

It was a smile filled with a condescending confidence that put an inexplicable pressure on the three Congressmen present.

“Does that matter?”

Leo shot back.

“I may not have a seat, but I have what you need.”

“I have money. I have votes. I have the power to ensure your re-election, and I have the power to send you packing.”

“You can choose to keep trailing after Sanders shouting slogans, and watch your campaign accounts dry up.”

“Or, you can join me.”

“Get the funding you need, keep your seats, and then work with me to do something that will actually change this country.”

The booth fell silent.

These three Congressmen had previously followed Sanders’s line, publicly opposing nuclear expansion.

Matthew tapped his fingers on the tabletop.

“Leo, we’ve given more than a dozen speeches against nuclear energy in the past two years. If we suddenly reverse our position, voters will question our integrity, and the media will accuse us of being bought and paid for.”

“You don’t have to publicly admit you’re changing your stance,” Leo offered a solution. “You just need to issue a new statement.”

“You’ll emphasize that in the face of the increasingly severe global warming crisis, we must find a zero-carbon energy source capable of replacing coal and natural gas on a massive scale.”

“Under current technology, nuclear power is the most realistic option for a zero-carbon transition. You’re making this difficult compromise to save the planet.”