Blackstone Code-Chapter 436: Wealth Everywhere

Even though a single Valier could buy a large bucket of clean water from the waterwheel, many here didn’t have a single coin—not even one.

At the current exchange rate between Valier and Federal Sol, one Valier was worth about one cent in Federal Sol, actually less than a cent.

But they didn’t even have that much.

This shocked Governor Drag beyond reason and filled him with a deeper fear.

“Why… do they have no money? I know they live hard lives, but no one ever mentioned this.” His eyelid twitched uncontrollably as he rubbed his eyes, but it didn’t help.

The twitch made him fear losing control of his own body; his voice grew urgent. “Just one coin!”

His outburst caught Lano’s attention. After some time, Lano finally earned a name of his own—a highlight in his young life.

But he didn’t dwell on it. He believed his future would be brighter, destined to inherit power from Governor Drag and become the most influential man in the province.

Curious about his father’s question, Lano knew that just the basic monthly household expenses, like food, cost tens of thousands of Valier. One coin was nothing to him, something he wouldn’t even bother to pick up if he saw it.

The butler felt it was a bad idea for the governor to come out and tried to explain.

Those old men didn’t represent the entire lower class; they were the very bottom—abandoned by family or alone for other reasons. They couldn’t find jobs that paid cash and could only scavenge for food. They simply couldn’t afford even one coin to buy a bucket of water.

Even if they had one coin, they wouldn’t spend it on water to cool off; they’d rather fill their stomachs.

This eased the governor’s anxiety somewhat, especially when the butler mentioned that ordinary families still earned a few thousand Valier monthly.

Drag then asked another question: “What about those wild dogs? Are those people keeping them?”

The butler’s expression changed. Drag’s casual question was probably meant to reassure himself—if they could still afford dogs, things couldn’t be that bad.

But the butler’s reaction suggested otherwise. Drag snorted and cut off the answer with an order: “Starting tomorrow, have the police find some work—hunt down those wild dogs.”

Drag frowned and continued walking. Lano, however, clung to the butler, confused. His life experience wasn’t enough to understand such harsh realities.

The butler whispered something to him, darkening Lano’s expression.

This was not going to be a pleasant undercover visit.

The more places they went, the more a three-dimensional picture of ordinary society emerged before Governor Drag—but the more confused he became.

Why would the Federation’s capitalists be drawn to such a barren, backward land?

If it were covered in jewels and gold, he would understand—he wanted those too. But here, there was nothing. Why would they come?

“I don’t know, Father. There’s nothing here except people!” Lano complained. The question was too hard.

Yet that complaint sparked a faint, elusive realization in Drag.

He looked at the dense crowd—soulless, like the walking dead—and a terrible thought struck him:

What if one day, these people came alive?

What would that scene look like?

Maybe that was what the capitalists were after.

Though uncertain, the thought lingered.

Just as Drag was about to formally inherit power and think seriously about his authority, status, and this land as a true ruler, a cruise ship docked on the distant shore several days later. 𝐑Ã₦ОʙÈś

Lynch stepped out of the car, greeted by a sergeant and several young men.

Besides Lynch, more soldiers had been sent here after brief training.

In truth, no training was needed—they were soldiers recently discharged due to army downsizing, not yet fully grasping their lost identities. They were ready to jump into combat anytime.

Loyalty wasn’t a problem either—as long as they knew who paid their wages, fed their families, and gave them honor, they would understand whom to serve.

Money truly was a powerful motivator.

“Anything special happen while I was gone?” Lynch asked, removing his sunglasses and nodding politely to the saluting sergeant.

Interacting with soldiers required a soldier’s manner; Lynch didn’t force handshakes, accepting salutes as respectful enough.

“Nothing, boss. It’s been quiet here… almost too quiet,” the sergeant replied.

A group of armed foreigners, even troublemakers, wouldn’t dare approach them recklessly.

While speaking, the sergeant’s gaze shifted to boxes being unloaded behind Lynch—gray, matte-finished, waterproofed crates.

Just one glance told the sergeant what they contained.

Lynch smiled and said, “Recently, many have gone abroad seeking opportunities. The president welcomes this spirit, but considering the risks to federal citizens overseas, the president has authorized the purchase of all kinds of weapons.”

“All kinds?” The sergeant looked surprised.

The Federation didn’t ban guns, but didn’t allow sales of fully automatic weapons, high-explosive devices, or large-caliber artillery to individuals.

This time, a loophole was opened—people could buy such weapons when leaving the country but not entering.

Lynch brought new and standard weapons to replace their outdated gear.

The sergeant and the young men were excited. Quickly, they bonded with the newcomers—all army veterans recently discharged, unlucky to lose their posts, from the same region, now working for the same boss.

Their similarities broke down barriers.

The sergeant ordered the crates loaded onto a truck for base delivery, while Lynch and others went to see Governor Drag.

His company was about to recruit here, so it was necessary to greet the governor and see if Drag’s attitude differed from before.

Lynch’s vehicle entered Drag’s compound smoothly. Drag waited early at the gate. They exchanged what seemed like warm greetings, then entered the governor’s study.

“This is my third son, Lano. When I step down, he will succeed me as governor,” Drag introduced before sending Lano away.

Lano felt valued and loved but didn’t know that the real favored child was already on his way to the Federation.

“Before we discuss what’s next, may I ask a question?” Drag, still pondering his doubts, was eager for answers with Lynch now present.

Lynch nodded slightly. Go ahead.

Governor Drag stared into Lynch’s eyes and asked slowly, in perfect standard language, word by word, “What exactly is here that attracts you and others?”

“I have some guesses. It must have to do with the people, but I can’t imagine what those people can do.”

“If you prefer not to answer, that’s understandable.”

After asking, Drag exhaled and looked at Lynch expectantly.

Without hesitation, Lynch said, “People themselves are worthless, Sir. A natural human being… do you understand that term?”

“Born naturally… yes, I know it and understand.”

Lynch nodded and continued, “Yes, people are worthless, even less valuable than some useful cattle. When a cow dies, you can eat the meat. When a person dies, you have to pay to deal with the body.”

“But, Sir, labor is valuable, or rather, productivity is valuable.”

“A piece of iron ore might be worth only a few cents, but through labor, it becomes a small ingot worth about fifteen cents.”

“That ingot, when processed, can become hundreds or thousands of needles. Take a thousand needles at five cents each—that’s fifty Sol.”

“If we subtract the material costs, which are less than a third of the finished value, the rest, besides profit, is labor value.”

“People themselves are worthless, but their labor, their productivity, is valuable.”

“When people create, produce, and earn, they regain the right to be exploited.”

“To you, this land looks barren, but to me, wealth piles up here like mountains.”