<h4>Chapter 3108: New Head</h4>


    When Shederin Purnesse told him that he was a bad leader, Ves did not object to the usation.


    He held the same opinion for a long time, after all. He just didn''t like any of the alternatives.


    When Shederin told him that he drafted a set of reforms that was so drastic that he packaged it under the Larkinson State n, Ves did not reject the notion that the n was overdue a number of changes.


    Ves never imagined that the n he founded under modest circumstances would grow to this scale so soon. The original institutions that he had set up such as the Larkinson Assembly and the Larkinson Court might have worked fine when every Larkinson knew each other by name and when their fleet hardly amounted to anything, but everything had grown too quickly.


    Yet when Shederin pushed forth his own son as the acting executive of the Larkinson n, Ves finally had enough.


    "You''ll have to convince me why this is the wisest and most proper course of action." He said with a grimace. "Because to me, this stinks awfully of nepotism."


    "I am quite aware of that." Mr. Shederin replied while maintaining a calm demeanor. It was as if this entire conversation was well under his control. "I have the best interests of the n in mind, though I do not deny that I have a more personal interest in advancing my proposed n. Let me exin further."


    He waved his hand, activating a projection that grouped the proposals into several pirs.


    "The way I see it, our entire organization is split up into threerge groups. First, you have the Larkinson n itself. Then, you have the military forces of our n. Last, you have the primary source of ie for them both, which is the Living Mech Corporation. All threeprise the pirs that hold our entire expeditionary fleet together."


    This was an easy enough division to understand. "So what''s the issue?"


    "All three pirs have be shaky. In fact, I would say that cracks have already emerged from within. They haven''t showed up on the surface yet, but I do not doubt that the pirs might copse if we continue to proceed without enacting any corrective measures."


    Shederin highlighted the pir that represented the Larkinson n first.


    "Now, it is clear that you have already had the structure of a state in mind when you initially founded the n. You have tried your best to form the three branches of power that are present in any state. However, details matter, and the branches aren''tpletely set up to serve the n well as it continues to grow."


    Ves looked thoughtful. "You have already alluded to that several times. I need to hear specifics. What exactly are we doing wrong?"


    "You, the n patriarch, is the glue that should hold all of these elements together. Instead, your frequent absences have caused the n apparatus to slow down and exhibit many inefficiencies. It has gotten so bad in fact that the other arms of the Larkinson n have be ustomed to solving major issues on their own without explicitly asking for your input."


    "I don''t need to deal with every trivial matter, Mr. Shederin. I prefer to delegate as many responsibilities as possible so that I don''t have to stay stuck behind my desk all day when I could have been spending my time on designing mechs instead. I only have so many years of my life to practice my primary craft. Being able to design one more mech can make a considerable difference."


    "Then why have you not delegated your remaining responsibilities?" Shederin asked. "Given your clear preference for designing mechs, the most optimal course of action is to shift all of your leadership duties to a capable agent."


    Ves threw the old man an impatient look. "You know very well why I keep holding onto this office. The responsibilities that I am burdened with also convey authority to me. When ites down to it, I created the Larkinson n and I''m continuing to fund nearly all of its expenditures through my work. Though I don''t say it out loud, the n exists to facilitate my own career ambitions. If I pass on my position to someone else, I am not certain whether this will remain this way. Only by maintaining my grip on the n will I be assured that it will continue to serve its original purpose."


    Both Shederin and Novilon shared a knowing look with each other. They already anticipated as much.


    "This is fine when you are talking about apany, but a state is something different." Shederin gently said. "While there are instances where veryrge corporations have maintained their original governance systems even as they begin to resemble states, in the end they either fail orplete the transition. I believe the Life Research Association is an illustrative example of what could go wrong if a state does not go far enough in adjusting to its new circumstances. The policy decision to turn biotech researchers into rulers has not turned out well for the state and its citizens."


    Ves had a very profound memory of the dysfunction of the Life Research Association. Shederin was not exaggerating.


    "I don''t mind us beingpared to the Life Research Association."


    "Yet the parallels are too simr. Don''t you see, patriarch? The LRA was led by a highly-aplished academic that essentially supports the entire state while also using its manpower and resources to its own advantage. The Larkinson n is led by a highly-aplished mech designer that essentially supports the entire n while also using its manpower and resources to its own advantage. Do I need to go on or do you get the picture?"


    Though it was hard for Ves to ept theparison between him and the Supreme Sage, Shederin conveyed a very clear argument that he couldn''t quite refute.


    He sighed. "I get it. What exactly do you have in mind to prevent our n from going down the same hill as the LRA?"


    Shederin tapped the projection, causing it to zoom into the pir representing the Larkinson n.


    A pyramid-like structure came into view. It was a typical organizational chart that put the highest decision makers on top and the lowest worker at the bottom. It kept branching out as the different ranks assumed responsibility over different parts of the n administration.


    What Ves found notable was that the executive branch was a lot more borate than what was the case right now. The name of the person who was positioned directly below Ves was also very eye-catching.


    "ording to this chart… none of my leading subordinates who currently answer to me are directly connected to me anymore. Instead, they all have to go through this so-called ''vice patriarch'', who Shederin happened to nominate his son to assume this powerful position."


    From what Ves could understand, the vice patriarch would do the actual governing of the n. He would make all of the major decisions and exercise broad authority with very few checks.


    The only ones who could stop the vice patriarch from going wild was the Larkinson Assembly and Ves himself. Perhaps the Larkinson Court might also get involved if Novilon was stupid enough to do something that grossly vited the n rules, but that should never happen.


    The point was that Ves would have to delegate virtually all of leadership responsibilities if he agreed to ept this reform n.


    This did not sit well with him. "Why must we set up a new office called the vice patriarch?"


    "Because the Larkinson n needs an actual leader and not an absent one, sir. Given your strong desire to maintain hold of supreme authority, I havee up with a simplepromise solution. In this scheme, you will always hold the final word, but you shouldn''t have to speak out often under normal circumstances. The vice patriarch might not hold as much authority, but he possesses enough legitimacy to effectively make significant policy decisions with the assumption that you implicitly support them unless stated otherwise."


    "I don''t know, Shederin. It sounds too easy for me to be divorced from power. Before I know it, the vice patriarch bes more respected than the actual one!" Ves voiced his concerns.


    "There are numerous ways to prevent this oue. Merely overstating your own importance while keeping the vice patriarch in the background is already effective enough. The position of vice patriarch does not need to be permanent either. You can set up a rotation where each vice patriarch is allowed to assume this powerful post for only five years at a time before they need to pass on the mantle to another nsman."


    "That… sounds more manageable." Ves reluctantly said. "Who decides the next vice patriarch, though?"


    Shederin pointed directly at Ves. "You. The authority to appoint or boot the vice patriarch is a strong reminder that you are ultimately in charge. It will also keep the vice patriarch ountable to you. In essence, this is a variation of the division between a head of state and head of government."


    The head of state was the symbolic leader of a state. These were kings, presidents and other rtively powerless leaders whose only job was to look nice in public and strengthen the identity of the people.


    The head of government was the effective person in charge. They may or may not be the head of state as well. Whatever the case, the head of government was able to make actual decisions and could wield a considerable amount of power.


    If a random person on the street was asked which one they preferred to be, most would probably choose to be the head of government!


    Even though it sounded nice to be a king, aside from the luxury, the role didn''t have much meaning in a constitutional monarchy. People much preferred to wield actual authority and make decisions that could affect the lives of trillions of people!


    Right now, Shederin Purnesse effectively told Ves to be the head of state of the Larkinson n while his own son got to take over the reins of power by bing its new head of government!


    Ves paused for a moment to think over this situation. "I can acknowledge that implementing your bold reform n will improve how the n administration will be run, but I am anything butfortable about pushing me to a symbolic symbol. Powerless kings and presidents tend to be jokes in states where they can''t or won''t exercise any authority. You may say that I have the power to overrule any decision made by someone lower on the totem pole, but if the n keeps going on while being run like this, over time the nsmen might not ept my veto or overriding decision."


    "I doubt that will be a concern for someone as essential to our n. No one in the fleet is ignorant of your importance. The scenario that you are afraid of will not happen as long as you asionally issue directives on your own and exercise your authority in other ways. Just because the vice patriarch will take over all of your burdens doesn''t mean you are prohibited from taking back your own responsibilities for a brief amount of time. You don''t have to make as many decisions as now, but each one you make will be felt by the entire n. This should be the best use of your limited time given your priorities."


    Ves softened his expression. This was a much more ptable scheme to him. He strongly wanted to maintain the option to have his way regardless of what everyone else was doing.


    Still, his reluctance to entrust others with matters of vital importance to the running of the n kept him cool towards this proposal.


    He gestured with his arm. "Let me think about this measure further. Please exin the other reforms you have in mind. I see that you have also decided to reorganize our departments."


    "Ah, yes. I suggest that we no longer use this term to describe them. It makes the n sound as if it was a corporation, and it is best to avoid that association. In order to distinguish the n administration from the LMC, I suggest to refer to them as ministries in order to reinforce the truth that our n has grown to be a proper state, if one without any permanent territory barring our own ships…"


    Ves listened carefully as Shederin espoused a grander future for the Larkinson n… The former ambassador certainly possessed a bold vision.