Blackstone Code-Chapter 445: The Light of Justice

Self-deception.

When Lynch saw Mr. Simon’s attire, that phrase came to mind. Just yesterday, there had been unrest caused by the Nagaryll Youth Party, whose slogan seemed to be about expelling foreigners.

But thinking carefully, that slogan was more complex than simply driving out foreigners.

The Preyton Trading Company, or rather the foreigners settled in Nagaryll, had become a new ruling class—an external elite.

They controlled trade rights and naval power, monopolizing Nagaryll’s import and export markets. With the ruling class’s approval, their power and wealth deepened, and they became part of the upper echelon.

These people were no longer just foreigners. They represented privilege born from wealth—power itself.

Would driving out foreigners restore what had been lost? No. Whether foreigners existed or not, ignoring the ties between Preyton and pirates, the control over trade, commerce, and markets would never fall into the hands of ordinary people.

Because those who distribute power and wealth had not changed, those in power within the ruling class remained the same. What was taken from the foreigners would only be handed to others.

So what they wanted to reclaim wasn’t just what merchants held—at least, not yet.

This was an awakening, or rather a prelude to a stronger awakening—a rebellion against the ruling class.

Regardless of the slogan’s true intent or depth, it reflected one issue:

Foreigners remained foreigners. No matter how much someone like Mr. Simon married locals, had mixed-race children, wore local clothes, and followed local customs, they would never truly be accepted as one of them.

When social unrest came, these infiltrated foreigners would be exposed, and their fate would rarely be good.

“This is my wife, and these are my children…” Simon introduced his family to Lynch, clearly loving them.

He held his wife’s shoulder tightly, yet her eyes showed no trust, no warmth, only caution and confusion.

His other hand gripped his child’s hand firmly, but the child’s eyes flickered with uncertainty and surprise, among other emotions.

Maybe then Lynch would have believed him.

True happiness doesn’t show outwardly; it’s a deep, inner joy.

Neither of these two showed it.

Lynch didn’t care much about such things. He wasn’t interested in whether a couple got along. After a simple greeting, Simon loosened his hold.

He looked down at his son, whose face wore a practiced smile—a cold smile. “I need to talk to Mr. Lynch about matters only adults understand. You can explore around; the governor’s house isn’t easy to come by.” ŖА𐌽ổＢƐ𐌔

The boy’s earlier excitement faded instantly under his father’s unwavering gaze. Without protest, he lowered his head in submission.

After bidding farewell to Lynch and his parents, the boy left the room.

Simon’s wife knelt by the tea table, starting to do what she could.

This was Nagaryll, where women’s social status was very low. Even a woman from a noble family found it difficult to change her place at home.

Family background might grant slightly higher status than most women, but that was all. The household belonged to the husband; men ruled everything.

After sitting for a while, Simon cautiously began the conversation.

“Mr. Lynch, it’s surprising how much has happened since we last met, not long ago.”

His words were sincere. The last time he spoke with Lynch, it was to invite him on behalf of Preyton Trading Company, though inwardly he didn’t want Lynch as a partner.

The reason was simple: each region’s annual output and market were limited. One more person meant less profit for each. And since Lynch was local, he’d take more wealth directly from Simon than from elsewhere.

That wealth was Simon’s. He was understandably unhappy to share it.

Simon even felt some schadenfreude when Lynch declined the invitation and had relayed Lynch’s words with added subjective emotion when discussing it with Preyton.

Now, Lynch sat here, Preyton was gone, and the trading company was a thing of the past. Wasn’t that enough for reflection?

That vast power, with pirate gangs offshore, just vanished.

Lynch only nodded silently.

Seeing Lynch’s silence and lack of response made Simon more uneasy.

“The Federation’s large-scale development of Nagaryll is good for locals and for us. Mr. Lynch, I have always supported more people joining us foreign merchants.”

“But you know, Preyton controlled many pirate forces, and he was very tough…”

He started making excuses, distancing himself from his past and present self.

Watching Simon’s uneasy explanations, Lynch raised his hand, stopping him.

“That’s all in the past, Mr. Simon. People can’t live forever in past glories. That only holds them back.”

“People should look forward. Tell me why you’re here. I don’t think you came just to reminisce.”

Simon was silent a moment, then smiled bitterly.

“Alright, you see right through me, Mr. Lynch.”

His smile was neither awkward nor fake.

“We all know the Federation has gained control over Nagaryll, and the scale of the Joint Development Company is unprecedented. You know, people like me—our main business is in Nagaryll.”

“Look, I’m old now, fifty years old. I’m not like before, brave enough to set out alone with just a bag to seek opportunities at sea. I don’t dare, and I can’t.”

“I want to keep my business, Mr. Lynch. If I lose it here, I don’t know what to say… I might lose everything.”

He spoke earnestly, expressing what he and most foreign merchants in Nagaryll truly felt.

They couldn’t resist the tide of change, feeling lost and helpless, unwilling to give up their businesses and profits.

Lynch nodded slightly, just as he pulled out his cigarette case.

Simon’s wife, still kneeling by the tea table, crawled forward on hands and knees like an animal, reached for a match, then stood to light Lynch’s cigarette.

Seeing the woman’s expression—partly ingratiating, partly masking pain—Lynch quickly looked away. Another pitiful woman, but there were so many like her in this world.

“I understand your concerns. But rest assured, Mr. Simon, you can also tell the others: we are not like Preyton. The Joint Development Company is not like the Preyton Trading Company.”

“We respect every merchant’s efforts and achievements. We do not rely on plunder to get rich. The Federation has always encouraged freedom and fairness.”

“As long as the business complies with local laws, international treaties, and involves no illegality, we will not interfere.”

“In the past, you did business here. In the future, you will continue to do so.”

Mr. Simon didn’t smile upon hearing this. He knew things wouldn’t be that smooth or ideal.

Lynch’s next words confirmed this.

“But…” Lynch raised his hand to flick ash, and the woman holding the ashtray placed it by his side before he even moved—he only needed to tap his cigarette.

His gaze lingered on her eyes for a second before returning to Mr. Simon. “But I want you to understand one thing: a free market means bidding and competition. We won’t interfere with your business, but other merchants will compete with you.”

“The Federation hates monopolies, whether domestic or foreign. Our stance is the same.”

“If you can fight through the competition and prove you’re the best fit here, we will congratulate you.”

“But if you fail in competition with other merchants, I hope you’ll understand.”

“You’re not losing to me, the Federation, or the Joint Development Company—you’re losing to yourself.”

Lynch seemed used to the woman holding the ashtray. He flicked ash again without looking but trusted it wouldn’t spill.

“Preyton and Preyton Trading’s methods don’t meet the needs of social development. Their lack of competitiveness has left the local market unchanged from ten or twenty years ago—some parts have even shrunk.”

“This is a distorted market. What we need to change are the unreasonable rules here, not target individuals.”

“Including myself—I won’t limit others or forbid them from running the same business as me. I will actively face competition.”

“If you’re thinking of leaving because of certain circumstances, that’s unnecessary.”

A warm smile appeared on Lynch’s face. “Of course, if you insist on leaving, that’s your choice. I won’t oppose it, and I might even be glad.”

“Because I’m a merchant too. I don’t like competition either, but I know I have to face it every moment.”