Chapter 848: Chapter 425: Who Do You Have to Explain Yourself To?

“Not at all, not at all, this isn’t about losing face in public, but they’ve truly realized their mistake. Moreover, we will immediately apologize in front of the media and restate your Internal Revenue Service’s contributions. In short, whatever you say, we will do, without any objection!”

In America, the power of each city’s Labor Department is not small.

They manage both laid-off and employed workers; the funds for various benefits including relief funds and unemployment benefits are also within their jurisdiction, so Bu Manqi, the Minister of the Labor Department, is naturally highly respected.

However, today he felt an unparalleled suffocation and helplessness, for it was Inspector David and the Internal Revenue Service whom they had offended.

Now, all they could do was to act humble, trying to regain Inspector David’s favor, otherwise, his position as the Minister of the Labor Department might well be at its end.

“Yes, yes, yes… if only you would rescind your order, Chief Inspector David, we will do whatever you say, please…”

Beside him, Ms. Steinbeck also joined in begging for mercy.

“Ms. Steinbeck, I recall you just said, even if the Governor evaded taxes, he could still be offset by his merits, didn’t you? Now, are you planning to overturn your own opinion?”

David didn’t respond immediately but shifted the conversation to this topic.

“This… I… I didn’t think before I spoke earlier, please forgive me, Chief Inspector David…”

“Hehe, speaking without thinking?”

David let out a cold laugh and continued: “I’ll tell you, the sources of your relief funds, unemployment benefits, and all the other benefits, they come from people like the Governor paying their taxes. If everyone had tax issues like the Governor, then forget about relief funds, there wouldn’t be a budget for national defense expenditure, welfare funds, or health insurance!”

Hearing David’s words, people like Steinbeck no longer dared to object at this moment, only nodding in agreement.

Seeing that David looked like he had vented his frustration, Manci cautiously asked, “Then Chief Inspector David, about New York’s social security funds, what do you think…”

“As you said, these funds are indeed a significant matter, so I will renegotiate with the headquarters. They shouldn’t affect the vast number of innocent people. However, you must pay for your actions today, and apart from a public apology, you will be forbidden from receiving any social security funds such as relief or unemployment benefits for the next ten years!”

Truth be told, David’s prior threat to cut off New York’s social security funds was mostly to scare them.

He never really planned to ax the funds for New York outright, and presumably, the headquarters thought the same way.

The reason is simple: New York is a city with too many people. If these funds were truly cut, it would undoubtedly cause major upheaval in the city, which would also significantly impact the Internal Revenue Service’s tax collection.

So, teaching these people a lesson, having them apologize publicly, and restoring the IRS’s face before gracefully stepping back is actually enough.

“Thank you, Chief Inspector David,” Manci finally exhaled with relief. “I express gratitude on behalf of the vast populace of New York for your great magnanimity!”

It seemed that playing the sycophant had been the right move, as it led to David’s relenting and the reinstatement of the budget for the relief and unemployment funds, preventing any further trouble from the workers and the homeless.

As for himself, the Labor Minister, not only had he played his role, but he had also established a merit, securing his official hat!

As for Ms. Steinbeck and the others who were ringleaders facing ten years without any social security funds?

That was merely the consequence of their own doing, and no longer his concern!

“Did you hear that? Now thank Chief Inspector David!”

“Minister Manci, Chief Inspector David, a ten-year punishment is too severe, could you possibly consider reducing it somewhat…”

“Yes, yes, maybe five years, oh no, three years, we will forego any social security funds for three years, how about that?”

Hearing that they would be ineligible for any social security funds for ten years, Ms. Steinbeck and the others felt as if the sky had fallen, and mustered the courage to try and negotiate.

“Idiots, Chief Inspector David has been extremely generous, can you shut your damn mouths about negotiating!”

Seeing Ms. Steinbeck still oblivious to the situation, Manci wished he could smack her with a sound slap.

If Inspector David got irritated and retracted his earlier condition, it would be the end of it all.

“This… fine, thank you for your generosity, Chief Inspector David…”

Seeing Manci’s murderous look, Ms. Steinbeck hesitated for a moment but ultimately grit her teeth and compromised.

As painful as it was to go without these social security funds for ten years, it was better than being beaten to death by an angry mob of homeless and unemployed workers.

Once the matter was settled,

Manci didn’t linger any longer, leading Ms. Steinbeck and the others out.

He took a megaphone and addressed the still-hungry crowd of homeless and unemployed workers, “Everyone, listen to me, after our sincere admission of wrongdoing, we have finally obtained Chief Inspector David’s forgiveness.”

“He has indicated that he will renegotiate with the upper echelons of the Internal Revenue Service regarding the cut of New York’s relief funds, to ensure that there will not be a blanket cut and a proper resolution will be found!”

After speaking, he looked towards Ms. Steinbeck and the others.

Ms. Steinbeck immediately stood up and said, “Everyone, what I said earlier was indeed somewhat inappropriate. The Internal Revenue Service, as the national tax collection agency, has made great contributions to this country. Our welfare funds, relief funds, and all financial resources are honestly Consolidated by the IRS with great effort, and we must maintain the highest respect for all employees of the Internal Revenue Service…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com