Blackstone Code-Chapter 443: Chasing Profit

Lynch’s words seemed illogical. If a teacher were here, they would say his speech lacked coherence, a central idea, and smooth transitions.

He knew it, and Governor Drag knew it too, but Drag didn’t interrupt. He quietly listened.

People like Lynch don’t waste time with nonsense. Drag was waiting for what Lynch had to say next.

After a few seconds, Lynch turned to him. “Let’s forget about aesthetics, art, and tools, and just talk about building a sandcastle.”

“If you want it to resist the sea’s waves, you have to pack the base firmly. The firmer the base, the stronger the sandcastle built on it.”

“At first, we realized that a small, solid base isn’t enough. We need more.”

“With more solid base, we stop thinking about just one small sandcastle—we want to build something bigger.”

“Humans are always greedy, Mr. Drag, including children and their play.”

“So the sandcastle grows bigger and bigger, and everyone gets excited. But no one notices one crucial thing, Mr. Drag.”

Lynch shifted slightly. “May I ask you a question?”

Drag nodded. “Of course.”

“We’ve all seen dry sand. When you hold it tight and open your hand, it just falls apart,” Lynch made the motion of releasing sand. “So how do we make it stick together, solid and firm?”

Without hesitation, Drag replied, “Add water.”

Lynch smiled and pointed out, “Right, add water. But have you thought about this? Water builds the sandcastle, but water also destroys it, Mr. Drag.”

The saying Water can carry a boat or overturn it is simple but profound. Yet no one here seems to understand it. Lynch didn’t bother explaining why drowning can’t be escaped by swimming.

He chose a simpler example—the sandcastle.

Every year, the Federation holds grand sandcastle competitions. Years ago, well-fed people gathered by the sea to watch masters create astonishing sand sculptures.

It’s not just the Federation; other countries have similar contests. Even in Nagaryll, though they might not hold official events, coastal residents play with sand.

This is almost a… primal instinct embedded in human genes, shared across humanity as a common habit or hobby.

When the sandcastle holds water gently around it, it forms a whole.

But when the sandcastle loses contact with water or the water grows too strong and wild, the sandcastle collapses.

Lynch’s simple words made Drag deeply thoughtful. He had never considered that water both builds and destroys sandcastles.

The rise of the Nagaryll Youth Party, whether controlled by anyone or not, reflects the same issue—it’s time for change.

The concentration of power and wealth forces people to face a bloody reality. They can no longer deceive themselves with religion, faith, or culture, hoping things will improve if they just endure. ŕÁꞐ𝘖BЕ𝐒

It won’t get better, nor is there a future. The future is struggling to survive in polluted waters.

This is a major sign of social progress. Without external intervention, this awakening could shake the foundation of all rulers’ control and break down the reinforced class barriers, smashing the bloated rulers inside and beginning a new cycle.

A social system better suited to this society will be born from destruction, grow rapidly, and lead into the next cycle.

If there is no external interference.

After a while, the car slowed to a stop. Drag asked solemnly, “What do we do now? Should we suppress these people?”

Lynch opened the door and stepped out. “A person’s body can’t block a rushing river, let alone the flood of the times. But we can guide it.”

“Guide it?” Drag looked confused. “How?”

He said we, not I or you, acknowledging the danger.

If those people’s goals are wealth and power, then Drag is the first target.

Lynch shook his head. “You’ll know. But not now.”

After a day of unrest, the recruitment site resumed work in the afternoon. To avoid more trouble, the police chief deployed more officers.

The crowd dispersed that morning had returned, lining up again.

Awakening is a spiritual and mental elevation for a few, but for most, filling their stomachs remains the priority.

Later, Asel came to report.

“We’ve recruited nearly two hundred people. Should we keep going?” Asel stood respectfully by the table. After months apart, the unfamiliarity made him regard the young man in the room with awe.

Lynch nodded slightly, glancing at a plan. “Of course. Nearly two hundred means less than two hundred. What can so few people do?”

He looked up and noticed Asel still standing. Smiling, he gestured to the chair across the table. “Sit down and talk.”

Lynch didn’t return his focus to the plan but continued watching Asel. “I just noticed you’ve gained some weight since I left.”

Asel scratched his head sheepishly. He hadn’t expected to gain weight in this poor backwater—maybe because it was so comfortable here?

Lynch slid the plan across the table. “Look at our first-phase plan. It involves four factories. Two hundred people can’t even fill one. So you should increase the number—say, ten thousand.”

“Ten thousand?!” Asel looked up sharply, his facial features betraying conflicting thoughts.

He quickly caught himself. “Sorry, boss, are you sure about ten thousand? Even if we pay each one a Sol a day, that’s ten thousand Sol!”

Lynch said nothing. Asel, thinking he hadn’t explained well enough, added, “I mean, we can’t have ten thousand start at once. We can hire fewer at first and increase gradually. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Still no answer from Lynch, who kept looking at him.

Asel felt nervous, sensing there was more to say. “If we just pay them without work, they’ll develop bad habits.”

“You might only see the surface. These people aren’t as diligent as we imagine. They’ll avoid hard work whenever they can…”

“And there’s more…”

“By the way…”

Asel hesitated, adding bits and pieces, then finally ran out of things to say. He looked at Lynch awkwardly and uncertain.

Lynch spoke this time. “You know, I’m not interested in what you just said. What I want is direction. You might not fully understand that, but it doesn’t matter—you don’t need to.”

“What I find interesting is your attitude, Asel.”

“A few months ago, you were clenching your fists, talking about changing everything here. But right now, you’re worrying about cutting costs and even mentioning the locals’ laziness and cunning.”

“I find that fascinating and a little sad—the power of wealth and authority is so great it can change a person so quickly and easily.”

“From the inside out.”

Asel was stunned. He hadn’t expected Lynch to say that. After a moment of silence, he pressed his lips together, wearing a strange expression. “Sorry, boss, I’ve let you down.”

“Let down?” Lynch smiled. He opened a drawer, found nothing inside.

This was Drag’s house, where Lynch was temporarily staying. He would move out soon.

He took out his cigarette case, pulled one out, and tossed it to Asel. He had planned to give him a more expensive brand, but there was none here—just cigarettes.

“There’s no need to be disappointed, Asel…” Asel took the cigarette, circled the table, and lit Lynch’s cigarette. Lynch took a puff, held it between two fingers, then looked at the bowed Asel and smiled.

“If chasing power and wealth—and enjoying the changes they bring to life—is a mistake…”

“Then almost everyone in this world is guilty, and their guilt will only deepen.”

“You want a better life—that’s not wrong. It’s a drive that lets you maximize your value. That’s a good thing.”

He shifted the topic back. “Start recruiting. I’m not asking you to hire ten thousand workers right away. Recruit some every day, not all in the same region or city. Recruit everywhere. More importantly, spread the message.”

“I don’t care how you do it or what methods you use. I have only one requirement: I want every local in this province to know that I’m here to make money, but I’m different from those foreigners before.”

“Those people drained them dry. This time, I’m going to make money with them.”