Darkstone Code-Chapter 759 - 0757 Lone and Forsaken [This - is sponsored by: Mo Wuyan 1998 - Extra update 10/15]
"Lynch... is it?"
The Minister of Finance sat on the chair, looking at the report from his subordinates, and he already knew what had happened.
The nobles surrounding the Prime Minister had started frantically borrowing money from banks. At first, the Minister of Finance hadn’t realized their intentions until he began calculating how much money was needed to stabilize the current stock market. Only then did he realize their purpose in borrowing from banks was to completely sever his "financial road."
He couldn’t use the money from the national treasury to do this, as it was not yet time for the Empire to back the situation, and His Majesty the Emperor would not agree either.
So he had to find a way to handle these circumstances on his own.
He was already in talks with the heads of the listed companies that were key stocks, but the outcomes were... not very good.
In the end, those company heads were just tools, and the actual shareholders and nobles behind them were not necessarily willing to take the risk of loss just for a Minister of Finance at this time.
According to them, they respected the free fluctuation of market prices, which was as good as saying nothing at all.
Aside from a couple of companies agreeing to buy back stock and reduce the floating stock to raise prices, the negotiation outcomes with other listed companies were unsatisfactory. All he could do now was find other ways to stop the decline in stock prices.
This time he was ruthless, as these people didn’t care about his situation at all, so he wouldn’t hesitate to play dirty.
As for the potential issue of banks having no money... the Minister of Finance thought briefly about it, then dismissed the thought.
Thinking too much is pointless and could slow down other work. Moreover, Gafura isn’t the only place with money; other places have it too.
As the Minister of Finance of Gafura, he had more or less connections with capitalists and bankers from other countries. He believed that as long as his price was high enough, they wouldn’t mind lending him some money.
In the evening, the Minister of Finance appeared on television.
This was his first appearance on TV since Richard’s suicide and Yuanrong Capital’s assets were frozen and sealed. Although people hated him bitterly, they still wanted to hear what he had to say. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"I apologize to all the victims of this incident. These past few days, my absence from the public eye was not me avoiding the responsibilities I should bear. I just wanted to minimize capital flight during these crucial times."
He looked a bit disheveled, with unkempt hair, a fatigued expression, and prominent dark circles under his eyes.
"Currently, all shareholders involved with Yuanrong Capital who can be captured have been arrested. Some not deeply involved are also under surveillance."
"I have done my utmost to ensure a large amount of funds did not flee. Individuals or organizations that purchased Yuanrong Gold Certificates can register at the local police station next Monday."
"The Gold Certificates in your possession will be a crucial basis for us when returning funds in the future..."
The Minister of Finance was unaware that as soon as he said these words, a lot of people in front of their TVs started cursing.
Especially those who were easily angered and agitated—they had already torn their Yuanrong Gold Certificates to pieces and thrown them on the street. Now if refunding the funds required the certificates as a reference, what would they use for reimbursement?
Not mentioning that little episode, the Minister of Finance continued, "His Majesty has confirmed that the Prime Minister will form an investigative team to look into all individuals and departments potentially involved in this case of official crime. Of course, I am not exempt."
"The entire case is proceeding in an orderly fashion. Earlier, I heard a public call..." He paused, glanced at the camera, his expression was a bit eerie.
Though he seemed to smile, no smile was apparent.
At the same time, a malice that even the viewers could feel was emanating, like a sinister murderer staring at his next victim.
In just two or three seconds, he swallowed and continued, "Many citizens believe we should conduct a comprehensive investigation of listed companies and all enterprises operating financial products."
"I admit, in the past, I may have been a bit negligent in some issues, and this time, taking advantage of such an opportunity, we will thoroughly rectify the financial markets!"
As he spoke, he pulled out a list, "Firstly, the following enterprises will be the targets of our first round of audits. To ensure public safety, we will freeze their bank accounts and stocks until the audit concludes..."
Still in front of the TV, a well-dressed gentleman stared wide-eyed at the TV as if there was something unbelievable in it that made him unable to look away.
Even when the cigarette he held burnt his hand, he only reacted a few seconds later.
Many other viewers like this gentleman, some of whom were more expressive, pointed at the TV, filling the air with colorful language questioning the Minister of Finance and his family, asking how he dared to do such things?
The Prime Minister watched calmly as the seemingly cornered Minister of Finance appeared on TV, showing no emotion on his face.
Being ministers of this country together, he knew that no minister was a mere incompetent official. In other words, these ministers didn’t entirely rely on the Emperor’s favor to rise to power.
Flatterers and fortunate officials couldn’t stay long in a minister’s position. These devilish ministers in fine clothes, who were tough to deal with, showed no compassion.
Even the slightest weakness could invite an attack, causing one to lose their position.
If the Prime Minister made a move, then naturally, the Minister of Finance should also be allowed to counter. He even felt like laughing and applauding.
This was the technique of a "colleague," and only one fit to be the financial controller of a country.
His Majesty the Emperor also sat in front of the TV, wearing a faint smile as he watched the broadcast. If closely observed, it would be apparent that his pupils weren’t actually focused on the Minister of Finance, nor even on the TV, but rather on something beyond the infinite void behind it.
He was deep in thought.
The sudden outbreak of issues almost shattered the situation he had painstakingly managed, and even he didn’t know where things would lead.
Splitting financial control from the Prime Minister indeed maximally restricted the Prime Minister’s power. In the past, those Gafura Empire Prime Ministers made the Imperial Family suffer enough; sometimes the Emperor’s wishes were outright opposed.
Under his father’s reign, this situation improved slightly until him. The Minister of Finance firmly controlled financial power, leaving the Prime Minister completely sidelined. Yet at the same time, he could pose enough threat to the Minister of Finance, and he relished this kind of atmosphere.
But now, the situation was on the verge of breaking. He had thought things would remain steady until the next world war, and by then, he could seize financial power himself, needing to concentrate efforts due to the war outbreak.
Then, through war, he could export domestic conflicts, shift the nation’s focus post-war, and reform the government system anew, further centralizing his power and suppressing the Noble Group...
He had considered many issues but never expected conflicts to erupt so quickly.
If the Minister of Finance could not hold, what would happen?
His Majesty’s eyes showed a glimmer of light, focusing briefly on the Minister of Finance. "Once the Prime Minister begins gaining power, the Emperor’s authority would be limited, but now is indeed not the right time for political struggles."
The rise of the Federation, and other nations catching up, while defeated countries were still accumulating strength, planning to wash away the humiliation of this war.
There was too little time; if the national energy was wasted on domestic political strife, they might end up being the losers next time.
ε=(´ο｀*)))
It was said being an Emperor was good, but who truly understood the Emperor’s hardships?
His Majesty shook his head, ceasing to dwell on these unpleasant matters, though an idea had already formed in his mind.
"What’s Lynch been up to recently?" he casually asked about Lynch’s situation. It was this bastard’s arrival that caused so many issues.
If he hadn’t shorted the Gafura financial index, if that bastard called Richard hadn’t committed suicide, if the Yuanrong Gold Certificates weren’t problematic, so many things wouldn’t have happened.
All due to Lynch’s arrival—he had initially thought to award Lynch a noble title to annoy the Federation people, but unexpectedly, he first disgusted himself, truly and thoroughly disgusted himself.
The Royal Grand Steward slightly bowed, "He’s been the same as before, mingling with the nobles all day, and there are signs of forming a clique."
The Emperor was slightly stunned, "Didn’t I tell him to get lost, why is he still here?"
The Grand Steward felt both helpless and amused but said nothing else. The Emperor had many affairs to handle daily, forgetting some wasn’t surprising, "Last time, you said to investigate whether these matters had any connection with Lynch."
"The Ministry of Internal Affairs found no evidence supporting that Lynch orchestrated these events, but considering he might know something, his exit from the country has been temporarily restricted."
"Once the Yuanrong Capital case concludes, he will leave."
After hearing this, the Emperor waved his hand twice, "Just hearing this name gives me a headache.", massaging his temples, closing his eyes, visibly agitated, "Once the case ends, keep an eye on it and send him away immediately!"
Since the case involved Yuanrong Capital, the Emperor didn’t let personal feelings urge Lynch to leave early, not even considering whether it tied Lynch to the case might actually be beneficial, proving everything was a Federation conspiracy, helping to unite the nation.
After ending this conversation, His Majesty abandoned further duties for the night and went to bed early.
Though he hadn’t personally joined the struggle, he closely watched everything happening outside, feeling drained.
What dissatisfied him the most was those nobles expressed loyalty to the Prime Minister, to the Minister of Finance, or simply maintained neutrality, but no one declared to stand with the Imperial Family.
Just a bunch of shameless and despicable people!
