Blackstone Code-Chapter 381: Naive and Adorable

This time, Lynch was invited over just to gather some information. Society is essentially made up of millions of such connections, weaving together into a vast web.

Lynch talked with Mr. Wardrick for about an hour before leaving. Standing behind the study’s glass window watching Lynch depart, Mr. Wardrick’s expression remained calm.

He returned to his desk, sat down, placed his fingertips together, and reflected on the conversation he’d just had.

From the media and public’s perspective, the federal economy seemed to be doing okay.

The downturn had stopped, some factories had resumed operations, and there was a sense of recovery in the air—a light piercing through the darkness.

But the reality wasn’t so rosy. The media only reported positive, uplifting news. In truth, things hadn’t improved that much.

Goods dumped from the free trade zone destroyed more and more local businesses of all sizes. To capitalists in the federation, this phenomenon was bizarre—almost miraculous.

Imported products were being sold at prices lower than the production cost of their domestic counterparts. This was something only swindlers claimed—but now it was reality.

These exporters also bore the cost of transoceanic shipping and various expenses, yet still managed to profit. No businessman manufactures goods purely out of charity, so how were they doing it?

This question baffled federal entrepreneurs. Even after optimizing production, materials, and wages, they still couldn’t compete.

Investigations into the dumped products revealed a shocking truth: the foreign manufacturers relied on substantial government subsidies to stay profitable.

They sold at extreme losses, but their governments provided generous financial support and preferential policies—enough not only to avoid losses but even to turn profits elsewhere.

This accelerated the influx of such cheap goods into the federation. Vulnerable local factories collapsed under the pressure. Once competition was eliminated, prices were raised until costs were recovered and profits ensured.

Common items like matches and lighters had become fully dominated by imports in the South.

Local factories couldn’t compete on price and had all but vanished, except for a few struggling survivors. Shipping from central or other regions wasn’t cost-effective either, so southern distributors began heavily importing these low-cost goods.

Interestingly, premium versions of the same imported brands also found a market and sold well.

This wasn’t unique to lighters and matches. Many goods were facing similar challenges. Even Mr. Wadrick’s own consortium was beginning to feel the strain.

Some within the consortium started to suggest exploring international markets—if everyone else was finding money abroad, why not them?

Although not the mainstream view, Mr. Wadrick was one of its proponents.

However, most senior figures—those six or seven decades old—remained staunchly conservative. At just over fifty, Mr. Wadrick was still seen as a youngster among them.

These elders, shaped by various historical periods, had conservatism in their bones. Compared to radical approaches, they preferred time-tested methods.

They didn’t outright oppose the new ideas but insisted on persuasion.

That’s the last bit of “freedom” left in the consortium: internal lobbying, swaying votes in board meetings, gaining majority support to pass resolutions.

It sounds complicated but is essentially politics—the rule of the majority.

By gathering information from Lynch and subtly signaling his stance, Mr. Wadrick could strengthen his case: “I’ve discussed these matters with Mr. Lynch.” 𝙍äΝo͍BÊȿ

This gave him persuasive clout, even if Lynch’s influence wasn’t based solely on status or power. His deep involvement in current events lent him temporary weight.

It’s similar to Mr. Truman—no one cared about him before his current role, but now his position grants him significant power.

So when Mr. Wadrick mentions Mr. Lynch, others take his proposals seriously—but only in this context.

If the topic shifts, invoking Mr. Lynch again would earn only sneers—his influence doesn’t extend beyond this issue.

After a long period of contemplation, Mr. Wadrick picked up the phone to begin assigning tasks.

Since the unrest in the Amellia region aligned with federal interests, aligning with Lynch—or rather, with Truman and the President’s national policy—had become crucial.

Following that call, federal businessmen in Amellia began secretly reaching out to resistance groups under the guise of inspections.

They provided everything the rebels needed—weapons, ammunition, medicine, money, and escape routes. Of course, Mr. Wadrick also subtly expressed a demand: they wanted a major headline.

The next morning, negotiations resumed.

Everyone at the table wore stern faces. Lynch made no effort to be pleasant—these people didn’t understand the situation or the fact that Nagaryll lacked the basic capability to oppose the federation’s terms.

They had no power or leverage to bargain. The current concessions offered were already more than generous, and a reflection of the federation’s still-moderate diplomacy.

One couldn’t blame the federal government. They needed time to learn how to force others to yield. But first, they had to win the naval war. Only after defeating Gephra’s navy could federal diplomats speak from a position of true strength—having beaten the world’s number one.

In contrast to Lynch’s scowl, the Nagaryll delegation also looked grim. His blunt threats had unnerved them again, and Truman’s unconditional support only added to their fear.

Lynch was a madman. Who threatens war over failed negotiations?

This didn’t feel like diplomacy—it felt like conquest.

But given their weak position, what choice did they have but to endure?

They’d consulted with their advisors the previous afternoon, who explained some basic issues. The decision, however, still lay in their hands.

The potential collapse of their monetary system wasn’t what worried them—it was the demand to buy large quantities of federal sols with real money. That was the real pain.

Unfortunately, Lynch had already seen through them. That’s the flaw of hereditary rule—rulers prioritized family interests over national well-being. They only thought of themselves, not the people’s future.

“Mr. Lynch, we’ve reviewed your proposals from yesterday. There are a few issues,” said the Nagaryll representative, watching Lynch closely in case he exploded again.Lynch didn’t stop the other party from raising conditions; instead, he nodded for them to continue. It wasn’t time to turn hostile—yet.

“The first issue: can the figure you proposed be reduced? 50 billion Sols is equivalent to about 5 trillion Galliers. Our treasury simply can’t afford that.”

“The second issue: even if we can agree on the amount, the United Bank won’t be able to provide that much money all at once. In the end, it will still fall on individual regional banks.”

“We’ve discussed it internally—if we do acquire these foreign reserves, can they be distributed into the proprietary reserves of the different contributing banks?”

“The third issue: we’re well aware of the extreme volatility of the Gallier in the foreign exchange market. We’re wondering if, using this deal to acquire Sols as an opportunity, the Gallier’s exchange rate could be pegged to the Federal currency?”

After hearing these three points, Lynch nearly burst out laughing.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.