Darkstone Code-Chapter 688 - 0685 Rolling [This - is sponsored by: Jing Qi named addition - 7/9]
In the room designated for rest, sat an inmate about to go to prison, a social celebrity. According to the rules, they shouldn’t be allowed to meet without guards, but at this moment, neither the Judge nor any law enforcement had objections.
Lynch is a close associate of the Governor, a friend of their entire family. Given Lynch’s power and status, no one wanted to cause trouble at this time.
"I’ve already arranged everything for you inside. There’s no need to worry too much; just consider it a vacation," Lynch offered old Fox a cigarette. Their heads leaned closer, and smoke soon enveloped them.
Old Fox glanced at the gradually dimming cigarette end and looked at Lynch, "A five-star hotel?"
Lynch nodded with a smile, "Five-star hotel!"
There are many privileges in prison for political and financial criminals. The difference between inside and outside isn’t substantial, except for limited freedom. For them, it may not be torture.
Especially after Lynch arranged everything, Adelaide also instructed the local prison. As long as the Prison Director isn’t foolish, they should know what to do.
A bright single cell, at least on the second floor, with independent large windows and good ventilation.
A soft bed, at least two pillows, and a radio and television. A dedicated breakfast and daily newspaper every morning, and there’s no need to work!
To account for old Fox’s age, just yesterday, the Green brothers used some means to send in six young men in their twenties.
These individuals are convicted for light offenses, lasting two or three years. When the time is right, they’ll arrange new people to go in.
These people would act as old Fox’s aides and guards inside, ensuring he isn’t threatened or harmed by others. After all, prison is relatively closed, and outside influences aren’t fully effective at the grassroots level.
If someone really wants fame or something, forget Lynch’s name - even the Governor’s name won’t help.
Besides this, he can leave prison for a few days each quarter, justified as old Fox has several chronic illnesses requiring hospitalization and treatment.
Of course, during this process, someone will accompany old Fox to ensure he doesn’t escape halfway or anything. Except for not having complete freedom, the difference between inside and outside isn’t significant.
"Please take care of my foolish son..." Old Fox flicked his cigarette ash, took a puff, and with slightly cloudy eyes looked at Lynch.
Lynch nodded solemnly, "With me here, there won’t be chaos."
Old Fox took a couple more puffs, then threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stood up, and stamped it out, "It’s getting late. I’ll head out first."
Lynch followed suit, walked him a short distance, and slightly exhaled when he saw him being escorted to the prison-bound car.
Every remaining "issue" faded as old Fox went to prison, allowing Lynch to breathe a little easier.
...
Days later, Soron visited Lynch again, this time not alone but bringing two people.
"These two are important staff officers of the Governor. The Governor is very interested in your proposal but wants to know more; he also entrusted me to tell you that he looks forward to your next meeting."
Soron did not shy away from the fact he wasn’t effective. If Governor Sedel wasn’t stuck in Amelia, he might have come to talk to Lynch himself.
He conveyed Lynch’s three earlier requests to Governor Sedel. The latter listened without rage or anything - emotional control is a basic quality for a ruler; he wouldn’t act like his nominal emperor cousin, impotently raging.
Of course, such thoughts remain private and aren’t spoken aloud.
The Amelie Province is so decadent, it indeed requires reflection. It’s undeniable that external forces have a hand here. If Governor Sedel still isn’t clear that Lynch and these Federation people have stirred the regional situation, then his role as Governor is truly wasted.
But precisely because he knows, he needs reflection.
The Amelia Region is destined to be different from the homeland!
Some issues can’t be approached with past experiences, like how to handle mob situations. The Federation did well in Nagariel; perhaps there’s something to learn from these people.
After discussions domestically, the Prime Minister and the Emperor agreed to make Amelia an "exception." They can attempt to adjust governance methods for anticipating more colonies or territories detached from the homeland.
Soron hasn’t had much movement these days, merely waiting for the two staff officers. They will represent Governor Sedel to negotiate some important issues with Lynch.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone took their seats.
"Mr. Lynch, I believe your time is precious as well. Let’s skip the unnecessary small talk and go straight to the point, shall we?" The staff officer spoke directly, and Lynch naturally did not object, as he also dislikes wasting time on unnecessary formalities.
With his approval, both staff officer one and staff officer two pulled out their notebooks and pens, meanwhile, staff officer one asked, "Mr. Lynch, regarding the first of the three demands you made, the complete opening of the Amelia Province market, what does ’complete’ entail?"
Lynch did not ponder long before answering this question directly, "Complete non-intervention by officials in market changes, that is total liberalization. Everything is regulated by the free market through a free economy."
The two staff officers quickly took notes, and moments later, staff officer one continued to inquire, "If we completely open the market, how can we ensure that the local livelihood isn’t impacted by capital, turning it into a region for harvesting profits?"
"The local industry is nearly at a complete standstill. If we allow merchants to import essential goods, these commodities will inevitably be priced above people’s psychological price points. How do we solve this problem?"
After hearing this, Lynch felt a bit puzzled and couldn’t help but ask, "No offense meant, but are domestic product prices controlled by official means in Gafura?"
Staff officer two nodded, "Not exactly, Mr. Lynch. We do have set price caps for essential goods, including but not limited to food, alcohol, and necessary everyday items..."
Gafura, this monarchy nation, has some surprises in certain aspects, which Lynch didn’t know were related to events from the past.
Historically, the merchants or capital power in Gafura did not initially lie dormant under authority; those capitalists once attempted to challenge the secular power.
Through conspiracies, they massively acquired grains from the Lords and then drove up grain prices, causing unusual fluctuations in prices in many areas, impacting people’s livelihoods.
In this situation, the nobility’s methods were straightforward and brutal. They killed many merchants and set fixed prices for commodities like grain, providing a price they believed merchants could still earn some profit while not abandoning trade and transportation.
This set of regulations has sustained until now. Although there’s no clear legal document, it has become deeply ingrained.
There are things one cannot touch. Merchants are very aware of this fact, so they will seek elsewhere.
"Distorted market relations!" Lynch gave a very fair assessment, then began answering the question, "What do you believe is the ultimate goal of capital?"
The two staff officers exchanged glances, with staff officer one responding, "Wealth, Mr. Lynch."
Lynch nodded noncommittally and pulled out a cigarette, hinting he was about to give these people a lecture, "Do you mind?"
Upon getting consent from both, he lit the cigarette, crossed his legs, and said with an air of ease and confidence, "Indeed, wealth, but how to pursue wealth."
"It’s simple, manufacturing goods from low-cost raw materials and selling them at a higher price to the people. After covering all costs, the margin is the profit."
"The market will regulate itself. Expensive items won’t sell. You don’t need to worry about high prices impacting people’s livelihood. You should worry about preventing the deterioration of competition..."
As Lynch spoke, a smile appeared on his face, "It seems Gafura merchants haven’t experienced such stark competition yet. I quite look forward to their expressions!"
Since behind Gafura merchants invariably stand noblemen of various sizes—excluding small merchants and vendors—those groups that can truly be called capital have noble backing.
This also means that competition between capitals eventually becomes a match among noble circles, and contests among nobles tend to be more civilized. For instance, there’s tacit understanding of who should enter certain businesses.
In such tacit business dealings, competition is lacking; capitalists just need to conduct transactions according to the nobles’ requests, without fearing anyone breaking the rules.
Over the years, perhaps some unwilling to follow rules vanished into history’s long river.
Once the market is fully opened, the capitalists in Gafura would be no match for Federation people, at least in terms of commercial competition.
Then the group proceeded to discuss the second and third demands made by Lynch, which involved some sensitive issues regarding the construction and use of public facilities and resources.
Through conversations with staff officer one and staff officer two, Lynch roughly understood Governor Sedel’s intentions—they want to build Amelia into an experimental zone, or even a transformation!
Gafura’s system has become somewhat outdated; perhaps their domestic nobility has already recognized this issue during less than two years of competition with the Federation, realizing they are comprehensively lagging.
A sense of crisis began to emerge, leading them to consider understanding the enemy, understanding themselves.
If necessary, Lynch feels they might even transform from monarchy to monarchy constitution. The thought of possibly participating in such an intriguing transformation invigorates him.
A man propelling the world toward the future!
