The Mech Touch novel Chapter 3108

Chapter 3108: New Head

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

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 Plan, Ves did not reject the notion that the clan was overdue a number of changes.

Ves never imagined that the clan 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 Clan, 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 clan in mind, though I do not deny that I have a more personal interest in advancing my proposed plan. Let me explain further."

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

"The way I see it, our entire organization is split up into three large groups. First, you have the Larkinson Clan itself. Then, you have the military forces of our clan. Last, you have the primary source of income for them both, which is the Living Mech Corporation. All three comprise the pillars that hold our entire expeditionary fleet together."

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

"All three pillars have become 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 pillars might collapse if we continue to proceed without enacting any corrective measures."

Shederin highlighted the pillar that represented the Larkinson Clan first.

"Now, it is clear that you have already had the structure of a state in mind when you initially founded the clan. 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't completely set up to serve the clan 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 clan patriarch, is the glue that should hold all of these elements together. Instead, your frequent absences have caused the clan apparatus to slow down and exhibit many inefficiencies. It has gotten so bad in fact that the other arms of the Larkinson Clan have become accustomed 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 it comes down to it, I created the Larkinson Clan and I'm continuing to fund nearly all of its expenditures through my work. Though I don't say it out loud, the clan 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 clan 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 a company, but a state is something different." Shederin gently said. "While there are instances where very large corporations have maintained their original governance systems even as they begin to resemble states, in the end they either fail or complete 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 being compared to the Life Research Association."

"Yet the parallels are too similar. Don't you see, patriarch? The LRA was led by a highly-accomplished academic that essentially supports the entire state while also using its manpower and resources to its own advantage. The Larkinson Clan is led by a highly-accomplished mech designer that essentially supports the entire clan 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 accept the comparison between him and the Supreme Sage, Shederin conveyed a very clear argument that he couldn't quite refute.

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