Blackstone Code-Chapter 409: Profiting from Competitors

Two men sat in the office discussing matters of redemption.

Raising employment rates was the key to redeeming society.

The governor pondered Lynch’s words. York State needed a Local pillar enterprises. He understood the term and its significance.

Lynch hadn’t twisted the concept—monopolies were common in the new era and would become even more so. People masked technological monopolies with technical barriers and used entry restrictions to avoid admitting true industry monopolies.

Through various antitrust laws, society split so-called monopolies into smaller companies, then claimed monopoly simply meant uniqueness.

But when a company was split into two or more, and investors were forced in, monopoly supposedly vanished.

Even homeless men scheming to scam passersby would recognize this as false, yet society accepted it.

Ultimately, monopolies harm capitalists themselves. Now, capitalists demand legislation allowing them to invest in monopolistic companies, achieving a everyone profits outcome by law. Why oppose themselves?

The Federation Oil was split into Northern, Eastern, Western, Southern, and Federation Oil companies.

It was the same people, just more shareholders, but control stayed in a few hands. Wasn’t this still a monopoly?

Perhaps not formally, but five privatized companies replaced one, each issuing reports quarterly and yearly.

Beyond them growing wealthier, little changed. New entrants still found the industry inaccessible.

These owners had terrifying competitiveness. They clearly consolidated, controlled, and restrained the industry. For a region to grow economically today, it must have a local Local pillar enterprises.

The entire region would revolve around it—from raw materials, processing, assembly, to sales. This company held unmatched power.

Its market wasn’t local but extended beyond. With a stable base, it could compete nationally and globally.

Its profits would feed back into the region, creating a suitable economic ecosystem.

Such examples were common nationwide and worldwide—cities built around a resource company or large conglomerate.

Almost everyone in such a city worked directly or indirectly for the company. Wasn’t that monopoly? At least a regional monopoly was inevitable.

After long reflection, the governor finally spoke, rubbing his temples. “Do we have any good opportunities now? Rebuild a new Liston?”

After thinking about Lynch’s words, he drew a tentative conclusion. “If we just rebuilt Liston, many steps could be skipped. The state’s economy would quickly adapt…”

Liston Group was Lynch’s Local pillar enterprises. Years ago, Liston and EverBright contributed nearly a third of the state’s business tax. Though not as large as Lynch envisioned, they qualified in the governor’s eyes.

Recalling the issues, it was EverBright’s and Liston’s collapse that pushed York’s employment rates deeper down compared to other states.

If those two large groups hadn’t fallen and had more support, could they have improved the state’s economy?

He believed so and looked expectantly at Lynch. But Lynch shook his head.

“If we hadn’t faced the previous storm, maybe. But with it, neither Liston nor EverBright can carry the banner.”

“Light industry, no matter how big, can’t monopolize. Without entry controls and with low technical barriers, their growth is limited.”

“In normal times, no problem. But now, even if they were fine, they would eventually collapse.”

“What we need is a different, more aggressive type of enterprise—not…” Lynch spread his hands, light industry.

The governor frowned. “Why?”

“Because we don’t have much time, Governor!”

“We can let light industry slowly incubate—I have a family workshop project…”

At this, the governor nodded, tapping the table. “I know this project: providing low-cost tools and raw materials to families so they can produce garments, bypassing factories.” ⱤΆ₦őᛒĚŚ

He understood this well. Sabin City’s unemployment had dropped a few points thanks to such special methods.

Since it worked, the state wanted to see if it could be replicated, but no good solution existed yet.

So far, these family workshops’ profits came from Lynch’s unconditional donations. Products piled up in warehouses; Lynch hadn’t found a stable sales channel but kept buying.

Some said he did this to give back; others called him a rightful youth leader. Without stable sales, even the state couldn’t make the family workshop model work.

Lynch nodded. “This light industry model is doable, but there’s no technical or other monopoly. In the market, we have no competitive advantage, relying only on the natural elimination mechanism, which is a very long process.”

“And we can’t wait that long…” Lynch looked the governor in the eye. “We have only six months until the state election.”

This won favor with the governor. The easiest way to make friends is to show you’re on the same side—this creates identity and belonging.

The governor nodded decisively. “So what should we do now?”

Lynch shifted gears. “Governor, have you heard my earlier views from Eminence—about trade wars and economic plunder?”

The governor nodded. “Yes, I have.”

Lynch continued, “Mayor Landon also asked me about our path forward. My answer to him fits your question too: our way out is overseas!”

“Nagaryll, Amellia—full of opportunities, money everywhere. The key is whose money we earn, how much time it takes, and how much we earn.”

The governor listened carefully, responding positively. “I’ve heard your views on Nagaryll. But I don’t think it meets our current needs. It can’t provide enough jobs for our people at once.”

This was true. Nagaryll had many opportunities but mostly for locals, who were cheaper.

Federation people in Nagaryll mostly held mid-to-high level roles, not low-level labor.

The domestic problem lay with the labor force. The middle and upper classes were well-off; only the lower class was in crisis.Lynch agreed with the governor’s view. “Indeed, Nagaryll won’t work, but the Amellia region can.”

“The focus of Gephra’s development over the next decade is Amellia. They will mobilize their entire nation to develop this area—that’s our opportunity!”

The governor nodded unconsciously, then realized it. “Talking with you is truly enjoyable. Not only do I think deeply, but I also gain new insights and experiences. It’s getting late—why don’t we eat while continuing our conversation?”

As night fell unnoticed, Lynch glanced at the time. Clearly, their discussion wouldn’t end soon, so he accepted the governor’s invitation.

The dinner wasn’t at the governor’s home but at a restaurant near the state government building.

The restaurant was busy, but the table around Lynch and the governor was kept empty—for the governor’s protection and to preserve their privacy.

As for whether this hurt the restaurant’s business, Mr. Edwin handled everything.

At the table, their conversation flowed smoothly. Lynch’s ideas brought clarity to the governor, especially on international relations.

For example, no one expected that after the naval battle between the Federation and Gephra, instead of going to war, they deepened cooperation in many areas.

Previous unresolved international agreements were settled with Gephra conceding, ending a long stalemate.

Consequently, the Federation now had a chance to intervene in the Amellia region, where it previously couldn’t.

This was the Federation’s opportunity.