Blackstone Code

On the way back, Mr. Truman noticed the roll of yellow shares Lynch was carrying and asked with some surprise, “Have you picked a project?”

He knew what these yellow shares were and understood Lynch wouldn’t be easily fooled. The only reason Lynch might buy them was if he saw real potential in a project and decided to invest.

Yellow shares were essentially a carnival for scammers but weren’t illegal themselves and involved many legitimate legal procedures.

For example, when an inventor or initiator authorized the brokerage to issue these shares, they signed partial rights transfer agreements to ensure buyers legally held a portion of the inventor’s or initiator’s rights to a specific invention.

Lynch nodded. “There’s an inventor working on a radio reconnaissance array. I think it has great potential.”

Mr. Truman agreed, “That’s a promising project.”

Lynch glanced at him. “Your tone doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.”

They exchanged smiles and dropped the subject.

In reality, the Defense Department had already commissioned some military contractors to research radio reconnaissance arrays, but current results were unsatisfactory. As long as a target remained radio silent, these systems were useless.

Other countries faced similar challenges. Some developed reflection systems, but their precision was poor. These efforts were ongoing research with no practical applications yet.

Mr. Truman doubted Lynch would see returns on this investment. For Lynch, the twelve thousand Sol might be wasted—or it might yield unexpected gains.

Back in the city, they parted ways. Mr. Truman had a long list of work waiting, while Lynch was invited to a small gathering—an investors’ meeting about expanding profits.

The host was Herbert, a speculator who had bought many bonds at rock-bottom prices. Regardless of past political stances or attitudes toward Lynch, after Lynch convinced them, they all now shared common interests.

For businessmen and capitalists, political views were just tools to maximize profit; their real concern was wealth.

With the Federation’s relations with Gephra warming publicly, negotiations were underway on issues previously off the table, including war bond redemption.

Gephra recognized the legal validity of the Federation’s bonds and agreed to limited redemption. After several talks, they raised the buyback price to 60% of face value.

Though this seemed positive, it was still distasteful.

People had spent 100 units buying bonds, expecting at least 130% return as promised—sometimes even more. Now Gephra only offered 60, meaning at least a 40-unit loss per bond.

Adding interest and potential profits lost over the war’s duration, losses were much higher.

This was unsatisfactory, yet some began dumping their bonds in panic, fearing Gephra might change policies and render their bonds worthless.

This selling gave Gephra the impression their offer was too generous, so despite diplomatic progress, buyback prices likely wouldn’t rise soon.

Tonight’s meeting was about this issue.

Lynch arrived late due to the exhibition. When he entered Herbert’s estate’s side room, most guests were already there.

“Sorry, got held up,” Lynch offered a perfunctory excuse, which was accepted.

In a society where economic power defined status, Lynch’s wealth earned him respect.

“We were just waiting for you!” Herbert personally handed Lynch a strong drink. Lynch thanked him and took a seat.

Once most arrived, Herbert began, “Tonight’s topic relates somewhat to Mr. Lynch…”

He nodded at Lynch before continuing, “Preyton Trading Company, or the Preyton Pirate Group—I have news I ask you not to spread.”

After many nodded, Herbert said, “Our bilateral relations with Nagaryll have made huge progress. The next negotiations may finalize diplomatic ties.”

“The Navy is preparing to sweep the Preyton Pirate Group from the seas.”

This was no secret. In the Federation, there’s a saying: There are no secrets in Congress.

Anything happening there quickly becomes common knowledge; secrecy is a joke.

Some even mock that a prostitute’s garter is tighter than a congressman’s lips. Public trust in politicians was low.

As a local speculator and capitalist, Herbert had access to insider info.

Others did too, so most reacted calmly—they already knew.

But Herbert’s next words stirred some: with a confident smile, he said, “What you might not know is that behind the Preyton Pirates stands the Gephra Royal Navy. Rumor says the Federation Navy isn’t attacking mere pirates, but elite forces of Gephra’s Royal Navy.” ṙÂŊ𝖔ʙÊṡ

“This is no simple pirate eradication. It concerns the power balance between our countries and…” He sipped his fiery drink, “…our interests here: bonds and other investments.”

Faces turned serious. No one was naïve. None would risk tens of millions speculating on Gephra war bonds lightly.

But now they faced a problem: if the Federation Navy lost at sea, its military deterrence would vanish, and the country’s standing would plummet.

Gephra now offered to redeem bonds at 60% face value, but what if they lost the upcoming naval battle?

Would redemption drop to 50%? 40%? 30%? Or would Gephra refuse altogether, declaring bonds invalid or simply refusing to honor them, causing huge losses?

Herbert’s expression grew grave. “We face a tough choice: redeem bonds now or take a gamble.”

At current prices, they wouldn’t lose money and might gain 20–30% total returns.

But those returns didn’t justify their earlier risks—they took huge gambles expecting bigger rewards. Now, the stakes were higher and riskier.

The Federation had never demonstrated true wartime strength internationally. Many local capitalists, including Herbert, doubted an untested Federation Navy could defeat Gephra’s seasoned Royal Navy.

Many were pessimistic, seeing this war as a historic turning point—partly why Congressman Wales opposed it and gained some support.

“We hold large amounts of bonds. I haven’t been idle—I’ve contacted Gephra’s Deputy Minister of Finance through connections…”

Although Gephra is a monarchy, its political system is not much different from democratic countries like the Federation. The monarch (president) is hereditary and holds significant power.

The Deputy Minister of Finance, equivalent to the Federation’s deputy finance minister, is also a highly important position with substantial authority.

Mr. Herbert paid a great price to contact someone with such real power. In Gephra, power is more valuable than money. Power brings wealth, but wealth cannot buy power.

His gaze swept slowly across the faces of the men and women in the room. His slow, clear speech ensured no one would misunderstand.

“He said he can push a proposal to allow us to discount the bonds we hold through offsetting or exchange them for certain concessions.”

“Honestly, this method differs from our original plan, but it’s the safest option I could find under current circumstances. It guarantees us sufficient profit while minimizing additional risk.”

It was a brilliant idea that immediately drew attention.

After a brief pause, someone asked, “What do we have to give in return?”