pjbooks Chapter 179 The Sowing Season
Chapter 179 The Sowing Season
Pittsburgh City Hall, Mayor's Office.
The electronic screen on the wall is displaying data in real time; this is the internal settlement system of the Pennsylvania Industry Alliance Trust.
Data streams moved across the screen, each line of green numbers representing a transaction completed between the cities of the Industrial Regeneration Alliance. Specialty steel from Erie was loaded onto a train and transported to a construction site in South Pittsburgh.
In exchange, a Pittsburgh-based construction equipment rental company delivered ten excavators to the Scranton mine restoration site.
The cement plant in Scranton sent two thousand tons of high-grade cement to Johnston.
In this closed-loop system, the US dollar is merely a unit of account, no longer a necessity for circulation.
A credit-based electronic ticket circulates between these cities.
These industrial cities, which were once on the verge of collapse due to broken funding chains, are now like gears, meshed together by an invisible chain, and have begun to rumble and operate.
This is an economic boom that is independent of Wall Street.
Leo stood in front of the screen, holding the newly released poll report in his hand.
With this barrage of economic measures, coupled with the highly inflammatory speaking tour by the Regeneration Alliance, the political winds in Pennsylvania have completely shifted.
The latest statewide polls show that John Murphy's approval rating has reached 48 percent, surpassing Republican Senator Russell Warren by two percentage points.
Three months ago, this was a number that absolutely no one would have dared to imagine.
Murphy established a foothold in the Philadelphia suburbs, gained an overwhelming advantage in Pittsburgh, and more importantly, he stole nearly 20% of Warren's base in that red wasteland.
Two percent.
Leo threw the report on the table.
"Although the advantage is slight, the momentum is irreversible."
He spoke to Roosevelt in his mind.
"I've done everything I could in this war. I've provided him with the money, paved the way for him, and even done the dirtiest jobs for him."
"If he can still lose this game when he's ahead," Leo sneered, "then I can only suggest he retire and sell insurance." "He won't lose."
Roosevelt's voice was relaxed.
"The tide has turned. Voters are discerning; they will vote for whoever can improve their lives. Warren has run out of new arguments besides attacking Murphy for being radical."
"However, Leo."
Roosevelt then changed the subject.
"Murphy's election is his business. You need to refocus your energy on your own turf."
"Look around you."
"You have money, projects, and reputation, but you still lack one most important thing."
"What?" Leo asked.
"people."
Roosevelt replied.
"Not an ally like Frank, nor an advisor like Ethan. What you need is someone who is entirely yours, someone you've branded from the very beginning, someone who will be proud of that and willing to die for you in the future."
"The continuation of power depends not only on laws and institutions, but more importantly on people."
"You should start sowing the seeds now that you have the resources."
Leo suddenly looked up at Ethan, who was about to leave with the documents in his hand.
"Ethan, wait a minute."
Ethan stopped and turned around, puzzled. "What's wrong, boss? Are there any documents that haven't been signed yet?"
"Isn't there an event on the schedule this afternoon?" Leo rubbed his temples, trying to recall the schedule he'd looked at that morning. "That... Pittsburgh Future Leaders Scholarship award ceremony?"
Ethan nodded and checked the tablet in his hand.
"Yes, at 3 p.m., in the City Hall auditorium. The inaugural Pittsburgh Future Leaders Scholarship Award Ceremony."
Ethan closed the tablet and looked at Leo with some confusion.
"But boss, didn't you specifically tell me yesterday that these kinds of events are too formalistic, just a bunch of high school and college students who haven't even graduated yet, and it's a waste of time to go? You asked me to turn it down for you, saying you needed to focus on working on next quarter's budget." "I've changed my mind now."
Leo stood up, walked to the coat rack, took down the suit, and put it on deftly.
"Make the arrangements, I need to attend."
Ethan paused for a moment, then shrugged.
"Okay, you're the boss, so you call the shots. But that means we have to postpone our meeting with the Public Works Director regarding the budget for winter road snow removal..."
"put off."
Leo straightened his cuffs as he walked toward the door, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Road repair is important, snow removal is important, but there are some things that are more important than road repair and snow removal."
He stopped in front of Ethan and patted the chief of staff on the shoulder.
"That's the future, Ethan."
"We are investing in the future of this city."
"Tell the director of education to put away his speech and sit down to listen. I want to personally preside over today's ceremony."
Although Ethan didn't understand why his boss suddenly had such a great interest in a group of students, as a professional chief of staff, he knew when to shut up and carry out orders.
"Yes, Mayor. I'll arrange it right away."
3 p.m., City Hall Auditorium.
A deep blue curtain hung down, and a huge banner hung above the stage, bearing a line of large, gilded characters:
The inaugural Pittsburgh Future Leaders Scholarship Award Ceremony.
Five hundred young students sat below.
They came from public high schools in the hilly areas, vocational schools in the south, and community colleges in working-class neighborhoods.
Their faces were still childlike, their clothes were somewhat inexpensive, and their eyes held both awe for the city hall and a longing for the future. Behind them sat their parents.
The workers, waiters, and cleaners with calloused hands were wearing old suits, their backs ramrod straight, their faces beaming with undisguised pride.
Leo Wallace stood by the back curtain, adjusting his tie.
Ethan stood beside him, holding the list of winners in his hand.
"Fifty people in total," Ethan reported. "Each person receives a $20,000 annual award, plus a full scholarship covering all tuition and living expenses for four years of university. The funding comes from the surplus of our revitalization plan."
"What are the conditions?" Leo asked.
"The conditions are very demanding." Ethan adjusted his glasses. "They must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and complete at least two months of internships at City Hall or relevant community organizations during each summer and winter break. After graduation, they must return to Pittsburgh and work in the public service sector for at least five years." "Very good."
Leo nodded.
This is what he wanted.
He is investing in the future brain of the city.
"Go, Leo."
Roosevelt's voice rang out.
"Look those children into their eyes and tell them that you have chosen them."
"You must leave your mark on their souls when they are youngest and most eager for opportunity."
"You need to make them understand that what gave them all this was not God, not luck, but you, Leo Wallace." Leo took a deep breath and strode onto the dance floor.
The spotlight shone on him.
Thunderous applause erupted from below.
Leo raised his hand, and the applause instantly subsided.
He took the microphone and walked directly to the edge of the dance floor, sitting down in the spot closest to the students, just like an upperclassman chatting with his juniors.
"Look at you all."
Leo's gaze swept over the children in the first row, a hint of nostalgia and emotion in his eyes.
"I was once one of you."
"A few years ago, I sat in the classroom, looking at the words on the blackboard, but all I could think about was next month's rent and that student loan that I could never repay."
"It feels like a huge rock pressing on your chest, making it hard to breathe. You dare not get sick, dare not rest, and dare not even think about the future."
Leo paused for a moment, as if recalling those difficult years.
"So I know better than anyone what a check means to a child from a poor family."
"It's not just about money, it's about dignity, hope, and the confidence to stand tall and pursue your dreams."
"I don't want to see anyone give up their studies because of lack of money, and I don't want to see anyone lose their future because of poverty."
"That's the whole point of why I established the Pittsburgh Future Leaders Scholarship."
"I will use this money to break the chains that are trying to drag you into the mire. I will use this money to pave the way for you to university and to a wider world."
"I have read each and every one of your application letters, looked at your transcripts, and know the struggles you are going through."
"I know who you are."
Leo said slowly.
"You are Charlie. Your father worked in a steel mill for twenty years and lost his job last year. You are the eldest son in the family and originally planned to work as a car mechanic after graduating from high school to support your younger sister's education."
The Black boy who was called on froze, then his eyes reddened.
"You are Susan. Your mother works as a cashier at a supermarket. Every day after school, you have to help her stock the shelves before you can go home and do your homework. You get all A's, but you don't dare to apply to your dream university because you can't afford the tuition."
The white girl with glasses covered her mouth.
Leo stood up.
"I know your predicament because I live right next door to you."
"I've been just like you, looking at the bills and feeling like the future is as foggy as Pittsburgh in winter."
But today, it's all over.
Leo's voice rose a few decibels, becoming full of power.
"This scholarship is not charity."
"This is a contract between the city of Pittsburgh and you."
"I've bought out your anxieties about the future on behalf of this city, on behalf of the taxpayers, and on behalf of your parents."
"From today onwards, you no longer need to worry about tuition fees or do those cheap odd jobs."
"You have only one task: to study."
"Go to school, study law, study engineering, study management, learn how to govern this country!"
"Learn everything that the elites know!"
Leo stretched out his hand and pointed to the city hall doors.
"Then, bring back here with the skills you have learned."
"Come back into this building."
"This city needs fresh blood, it needs fresh minds."
"In the past, officials here got in through connections and family backgrounds, but from now on, this place will belong to you. It will belong to those who truly understand the hardships of ordinary people and possess professional knowledge."
Leo's gaze softened.
"I will be waiting for you here."
"I will provide you with the best internship positions, the most rigorous training, and the broadest platform."
"I will personally teach you how to wield power, how to fight injustice, and how to turn the seemingly impossible into reality." The students below looked at the young mayor above.
In their eyes, Leo was no longer just an official.
He is an idol, a mentor, and the god who reached out and pulled them out of the mire.
This worship is fanatical and unwavering.
Leo walked among them.
"Straighten your back." Leo patted the boy on the shoulder. "From today onwards, you are a scholar of Pittsburgh. You don't need to bow to anyone except the truth."
He handed a tissue to a girl who was wiping away tears.
"Don't cry." Leo's voice was stern yet gentle. "Tears won't solve poverty. Save your energy for studying, for becoming stronger, and for crushing those who once looked down on you."
These simple words are more penetrating than any grand political declaration.
They directly struck the softest, most yearning corner of these young people's hearts, a place where they longed for recognition.
At that moment, a seed called "loyalty" was deeply planted in their bones and blood.
"Wonderful."
Roosevelt clapped in Leo's mind.
"Leo, this is the foundation of power."
"Laws may be amended, and systems may be overthrown, but the debts of gratitude built up from humble beginnings can never be repaid."
"You are opening another path for yourself."
"Governing this country, or even this city, cannot be accomplished by you, Ethan, or Sarah alone." "You need a bureaucratic system that can penetrate every pore of society."
"Power needs to be recognized."
"And you are now, starting from the very bottom, personally shaping this recognition."
"These kids will grow up to be lawyers, engineers, and officials who come and go in this building." "When they hold the reins of this city in their hands, there will only be one name in their hearts."
"You're still young, child."
Roosevelt's voice was filled with boundless expectation.
You have plenty of time.
"You have enough patience to wait for this crop to ripen."
Leo raised his head, his gaze passing over the young and eager faces before him.
He saw Sarah from the side of the stage.
The young head of operations and administration nodded slightly to him, his finger subtly gesturing to his watch, his eyes filled with urgency. Leo's smile faded almost imperceptibly.
The emotional moment is over; now it's time for the proceedings.
Politics requires not only passion, but also precise control.
He straightened up, adjusted his suit, took a step back, and returned to the center of the dance floor.
The awards ceremony has officially begun.