Chapter 184:
When it came to shamelessness and cunning, no one could match a nation.
Once the President and his advisory team decided to sacrifice the interests of ordinary people, nothing could change that decision. It was a hasty one, revealing the imperfections of the Baylor Federation.
The economic and financial development of this country had long been distorted. It wasn't an indestructible skyscraper but one precariously balanced on a dangerous tightrope, ready to collapse at the slightest mishap.
Many middle-class citizens were trapped by their heavy investments in bonds. Despite the government's attempts to scapegoat a few individuals, no substantial solutions were found, escalating the tensions further.
On October 9th, an article titled "We Are Isolated and Helpless" emerged, criticizing the administration's erroneous decisions, particularly the isolationist policy—the most disastrous in history. The article unveiled all hidden conflicts within the Federation and used the unredeemed bonds as a starting point to describe the country's dire situation in the international community.
As the title suggested, the Baylor Federation was isolated internationally. The seemingly strong government had no means to counter obvious rogue behavior, resorting only to sacrificing its citizens.
According to the article, the Baylor Federation was on the brink of collapse, with intensifying class conflicts, social discord, capitalist and political frictions, and issues in education and healthcare. It was like a leaky ship about to sink.
The day after the article was published, the Federal Industrial Index experienced its first major plunge in seven years, dropping over 5% within a morning.
The report revealed the harsh reality people had tried to hide. It exacerbated the outflow of foreign capital. International speculative funds realized the federation's golden age had ended, and staying meant sinking with it.