Darkstone Code-Chapter 899 - 897: I’m Not Interested in Finance
"Mr. Lynch, here is what you wanted."
After returning to Bupen, Lynch didn’t immediately meet with the senator. Instead, he went to the headquarters of the Golden Exchange Bank because he had something to exchange.
To be precise, it was a stack of checks.
Few people would use "a stack" to describe the quantity of checks, as if it were an insult to this financial product, yet Lynch managed to do it.
The feeling of dozens of checks piled together is already quite shocking, especially when each check’s amount is a million - it’s truly astounding!
The bank clerk behind the counter had a certain sacred glow on their face, as there, in front of them, lay tens of millions, in "cash."
People working in banking are well aware of what tens of millions in cash signify—
From that moment until Lynch leaves, he is everyone’s "boss." Everyone must meet his every demand, even if it means being asked to strip and crawl on the floor like a dog.
Fortunately, the noble Mr. Lynch has no such vulgar hobbies. He simply sat quietly, waiting for people to transfer the money into an account he specified.
A newly registered shell company, using the most common method in the Federation’s gray industries: foreign funds registered domestically by proxy.
Bupen had many companies involved in this business. They would handle a series of legal documents for those foreign companies, then use the identity of an invisible person to establish a shell company.
They would then sell this company at a certain price to the foreign company; the company’s selling price equaled its registration fee.
When registering a company in the Federation, there is a very special... appellation, known as the "founder."
Federation law requires a Federation company’s founder to be a natural human being and a Federation citizen, who can bear corresponding legal responsibilities and obligations.
It is not so easy to casually use a fake identity to register a company. There are many ways to verify whether a person’s identity is genuine, such as a social security number.
Real or fake, a quick check will reveal it, especially in sensitive fields.
So, to register a legitimate company that can pay taxes, even if it’s a shell company, one must have a legal person to register it.
Like with Dyson Asset Management Company, Lynch found a homeless person to register it.
He gave the homeless person some money, a bit of dividend each month, and Lynch was free of all legal liabilities.
If something goes wrong in the future, the homeless person, being the founder and shareholder of the company, will bear all the responsibility.
Even if he dies, the responsibility falls on this deceased—he indeed died!
To find someone to assume potential issues, a person meeting Federation registration standards must do this, regardless of what this person does; at least they are a person, a Federation citizen.
The value of invisible people is here. They are legitimate natural human citizens of the Federation, yet almost invisible. Besides themselves and those related to them, no one can find them.
Many invisible people live off this. Each time they help a company register, they earn a fee that’s not small for them, enough for them to enjoy for a while.
This unique nature gives much convenience to gray industries. They can use invisible people to solve numerous issues, like tax evasion, including money laundering.
This doesn’t mean the Federation’s financial sector is full of loopholes. In a country’s continuously developing judiciary, some slip-ups are inevitable, which are growing pains in times of development.
A company with no ties to Lynch, yet firmly in his hands.
Watching the checks being collected and organized, they would be preserved for a long time to prove the legality and process of these financial transactions.
In no time, with the help of four employees, all the money was transferred into the account Lynch specified. He then got up, shook hands with the bank manager, and said goodbye.
This company is quite useful. Its value lies in its shareholders, who are all socialites and wealthy individuals. With so many rich people investing in this company, even if it claimed it could process human waste into artificial meat, Federation citizens would believe it’s true.
To the wealthy and prominent, the Federation’s lower classes both envy, be jealous of, and even hate these people, while simultaneously believing in them.
In the evening, he met with the senator.
"Mr. Lynch, I’ve always wanted to meet you, but your work keeps you so busy, I’ve had no opportunity," said the senator, who was not as inaccessible as Senator Landon had described.
Perhaps it was for the money, Lynch also firmly shook his hand back, "I’ve truly been busy. Have you waited long?"
"No, I just arrived too," the senator said, leading Lynch deeper into the restaurant.
Typical Federation restaurants don’t have the concept of "private rooms." Whether a diplomat from abroad or a worker who just changed out of oily overalls, they would all choose to dine in the main hall.
There is an unverified saying that if politicians frequently meet privately, it inevitably breeds corruption.
So, politicians, to show their transparency, will always dine in public if they’re in a public venue, joining others to enjoy the meal.
The Federation often has such sayings, strange conspiracy theories, yet people both like and believe them.
The senator’s chosen restaurant was an establishment by a foreign chef, styled differently from the Federation. There was no main hall, and each room was decorated as an individual space.
Each room had a different theme, allowing every guest to experience something exotic and unfamiliar during their meal.
After the two entered a room that resembled a tourist spot and sat down, the restaurant staff promptly served dinner.
Lynch noticed the female servers wore peculiar outfits, not at all Federation-style, with a blend of beauty, opulence, and a touch of character.
At that moment, neither man paid attention to the female servers. Once they left and closed the door, the two began their real conversation.
"I’ve been busy dealing with some official duties. I work not only with the Military Appropriation Committee but also hold positions in other committees," the senator said, first offering an explanation for his earlier absence, which was apt.
Lynch nodded, "I understand. I know Senator Landon; he’s busy every day, and surely you are too, perhaps even busier."
The senator smiled and nodded, "Once I finished my work, I immediately started reviewing the defense ministry’s submitted budget."
"There are two technical issues I’m unclear about, and I hope you can explain them before we start dinner."
After saying this, the senator’s gaze fixated on Lynch, unsure if Lynch understood his meaning.
He overthought it. This sort of wanting benefits while seeking approval is something Lynch had seen more than once, some even more "blatant" than he was.
"Please, go ahead!" Lynch’s expression became more serious, as if genuinely waiting to solve some issues.
The senator also displayed seriousness, "The first issue, I see from the report, planes can carry many different components, is that correct?"
Lynch nodded, "Yes, including but not limited to those listed. In the future, we’ll add more."
The senator nodded, "When you select workers, do you have any preferences?"
"I tend to prioritize Federation mainland citizens..."
"I’ve finished my questions, your answers align with my ideas, so I have no reason to stop you..." The senator seemed as though he had just solved a colossal dilemma, showing a somewhat relaxed expression.
If someone walked in now, they’d think the people in the room just confirmed E=mc².
"Looks like I passed?"
The senator solemnly nodded, "Indeed you have."
"We should toast to that..." Lynch lifted his glass, the senator followed suit. Everything was in line with Federation law, even if someone had planted a bug here, they couldn’t find any fault.
To the senator, he showcased his importance—without me, this budget wouldn’t pass.
At the same time, he showed his value—as long as I want, any budget can pass under me.
The senator expressed goodwill, and Lynch reciprocated in kind.
After all, he would need to frequently deal with this senator, since even defense weapons required their approval. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
He remarked reflectively, "A lot has been happening in the Federation lately..."
Although the senator didn’t know the specifics, he seemed to share the sentiment, "Indeed."
"I heard Every Moment might rebound soon..."
The senator was momentarily stunned. Living in Bupen, he couldn’t not know what Every Moment had been through these days.
Its market value had evaporated by seventy percent; some said it would soon be delisted, while others said it would rebound.
But... an optimistic rebound seemed unlikely, so many wealthy individuals hadn’t acted yet. Even if it survived this crisis, climbing back up wouldn’t be simple.
Virtually impossible!
At this point, Lynch suddenly mentioned it might rebound...
The senator’s face suddenly showed a hint of interest. Even a conservative estimate of doubling returns was different from Lynch simply giving money.
This time, the more invested, the more gained, unlike taking what others offered and nothing more!
"Is that so?" He smiled subtly, "It’s a shame I’m not really into financial matters; I’m a cautious person and don’t like..."
