strictlysupreme Chapter 14 Federal President: The Advantage Lies with America!
Chapter 14 Federal President: The Advantage Lies with America!
Since the emergency broadcast to all University of Tokyo citizens, the university has made no attempt to conceal its full-scale preparations for the Ice Age apocalypse.
The state apparatus is operating efficiently, and the entire population is united in purpose.
On the land of Tokyo University, the roar of heavy machinery never ceases, day or night.
What was once a desolate wasteland and mountain valley is now transformed into several underground shelters made of steel and concrete, rising from the ground every night.
At its peak, the University of Tokyo could build more than a dozen underground shelters a day, accommodating a total population of nearly one million.
The industrial blueprint was designed almost one day, and the plan on the drawing was turned into reality the next day.
At the same time, the nationwide production lines are flowing endlessly like great rivers.
Emergency rations, warm clothing, medicine...
Every day, hundreds of millions of supplies pour out of factories of all sizes across the country, and are then quickly transported to various warehouses for strict guarding, awaiting fair distribution after the apocalypse to help the people.
The University of Tokyo's all-out effort, its production capacity, and its strategic potential have shocked the world.
This immense energy—giving everything and leaving no way out—within the bounds of order, has shocked countless countries.
Until this moment, I saw how serious the University of Tokyo was.
Many people abroad have realized that the University of Tokyo doesn't seem to be joking about the so-called Ice Age apocalypse.
Instead, they are working hard with all their might.
……
Inside the White House.
Behind the heavy oak desk, the Federal President listened to his secretary, Charles, report on the recent developments at the University of Tokyo.
His usual confident expression was gradually replaced by a solemn one.
For the average person, the production data mentioned in the report may simply mean "massive scale".
The public might think it's amazing and exaggerated, but they don't know just how amazing or exaggerated it is.
But for the Federal President, the decision-maker who prides himself on leading the world's most powerful and greatest nation.
He saw far more than the average person, and was therefore deeply impressed by the power of the University of Tokyo.
Behind those daily production figures in the hundreds of millions lies the nation's industrial mobilization capacity, supply chain resilience, and national fiscal support, all of which left the Federal President speechless.
He put down the documents in his hand, tightened his red tie, then looked at Charles, hesitated for a moment, and asked:
"Charles, if, I mean if... if the Ice Age prophecy from Tokyo University really does come to pass."
In our efforts to resist the apocalypse, we are attempting to replicate their production mobilization model in these remaining days. Given the Federation's current industrial base and supply chain system, can we reach the peak daily output of various strategic materials at Tokyo University's current level?
The Federal President, who is always confident and has an overwhelming sense of superiority, did not even use the phrase "surpassing Tokyo University".
The goal was simply to "try my best to catch up with the University of Tokyo".
However, Charles simply shook his head slightly.
The Federal President's face was grim. He slammed his fist on the table and raised his voice:
"Hey Charles, our Federation has the most leading companies on Earth, and we can't even catch up with Dongda University? Are you kidding me?"
"Is our potential production capacity only fifty percent of theirs?"
Charles shook his head again, gritted his teeth, and thought to himself:
Can we have half the size of Tokyo University?
If there really are that many, then that's good...
He sighed and said:
"Mr. President, even under extreme mobilization, our peak production capacity is less than half of their current level... or even lower."
Given the current federal debt and financial pressure, if the University of Tokyo were to mobilize the entire nation in such a frenzied manner, our government would collapse in less than a week.
"Furthermore, Mr. President, there is one thing we must admit: even without considering financial pressures, our organizational capacity is inadequate."
You should be aware that our citizens and government do not trust each other, the White House and state governments do not trust each other, and state governments do not trust each other.
We can never have the same level of public appeal that unites everyone like the University of Tokyo.
If we were to actually promote doomsday theories to the public, I'm afraid our federal citizens and state governments would not be thinking of uniting, but rather of protecting themselves, which would only lead to greater chaos…”
As Charles spoke, he recalled a major pandemic event from several years ago.
At that time, state governments and even national departments were scrambling to buy up medical supplies and equipment, constantly raising prices and engaging in price wars.
Ultimately, this resulted in the federal government spending more money, receiving fewer supplies, and losing more people...
After Charles finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the presidential office.
Charles looked at the president's furrowed brows, but felt calm, even somewhat indifferent.
After all, there are less than ten days left until the "glacial apocalypse" predicted by the University of Tokyo.
It's too late for the federal government to do anything now.
In any case, as far as he knew, many politicians and wealthy people, including himself, were involved.
In preparation for the possible apocalypse, they have already purchased countless supplies and secretly acquired and renovated their manor houses and villas for refuge during the apocalypse.
As for those ordinary citizens who take to the streets to protest all day long?
We only pretend to care about you when it comes to voting; who cares about you now?
You might as well go home and pray to God for good luck.
So, in Charles's view, it seems somewhat naive for the president to be anxious now that he sees the efforts made by the University of Tokyo.
It's like when the final exams are approaching, a lazy student who was already prepared to fail suddenly becomes anxious and uncertain when they see a top student studying hard.
Where were you when I advised you to prepare earlier?
Besides, you don't really want to protect those ordinary people.
You just want to compete with the University of Tokyo and get the honorary title of "Great President"...
However, for the sake of his future, Charles certainly couldn't voice these thoughts.
Moreover, ever since I suggested to the President that we should learn from Tokyo University, I was reprimanded.
Charles has been seeking out his seniors to learn about interpersonal relationships and has become much more tactful during this time.
He looked at the frowning, worried Federal President and offered words of comfort:
"Mr. President, I don't think you need to compare yourself to Tokyo University."
Because the University of Tokyo is squandering the nation's future for the next ten years, we should actually be happy.
"Mr. President, you should know that, up to now, Tokyo University has not been able to produce any conclusive evidence that the Ice Age will come next month."
In other words, they cannot be 100% certain that the Ice Age will definitely come.
If the apocalypse doesn't come, then all the efforts of these Easterners over the past month will have been in vain, which will be an unprecedented blow to the economy and national strength of the University of Tokyo.
Charles knew the president well, so he immediately said what he wanted to hear most.
"Our Federation has maintained strategic composure, and we remain unscathed in this absurd farce."
Our manufacturing base remains healthy, our financial system remains robust, and our great America continues to thrive.
"The University of Tokyo can no longer compete with us! The advantage lies with the United States."
Upon hearing this statement that "the advantage is in our hands," the Federal President's anxiety was actually relieved.
"Charles, you're right..."
That glacial apocalypse may not necessarily come. Our Federation has been winning since its founding, and it will definitely continue to win now and in the future!
"Damn it! I kept saying there wouldn't be any apocalypse, but that cunning Easterner still managed to fool me!"
"How could the University of Tokyo be so malicious as to deliberately incite global anxiety!"
The Federal President tilted his head back and drank half a bottle of cola, then said:
"Come on, Charles, let's go to the newly built golf course at the White House. Play a couple of rounds with me. I haven't been sleeping well for the past two days because of Tokyo University, so I need to relax!"
"Oh, and also, go and contact the media. I'm going to hold a White House press conference after I finish playing golf."
The ignorant masses outside are terrified by Dongda's conspiracy, and they're doing free shopping every day. Some city police stations have even been overrun.
I need to appease those fools and stop them from doing stupid things!
"Well... it's all Joe's fault for bringing in a huge number of illegal immigrants to our great Union. I'm still cleaning up the mess left by the previous administration!"