Darkstone Code

Asir's experiences in Nagariel helped him release the last bit of burden in his heart, and he suddenly felt that Lynch was better than anyone else.

At least Lynch was willing to shoulder some responsibilities, regardless of whether his methods were appropriate or what his motives were for doing things that outsiders might find hypocritical. At the very least, he was a capitalist in a civilized society willing to take on some responsibility, even if he wouldn't admit to being a capitalist himself.

Such a person has more conscience than his brother, his father, and all the people in Nagariel. This statement might seem absurdly comical, but immediately following is a kind of irony.

If capitalists have become the people with a conscience, then are the people and affairs in Nagariel already more evil than the capitalists, who are often dubbed "devils"?

While Asir was creating momentum for Lynch's arrival, Lynch was also preparing for his journey to Nagariel.

After being quiet for more than half a year, the huge Warehouse District finally saw some activity, though it was limited to a small area. Forklifts moved in and out, loading packed goods onto trucks headed for the port to be shipped.

These items were unsold goods from second-hand commodity auctions. Besides the first two or three auctions in each city, which ensured numerous goods would sell, subsequent auctions gradually saw some items left unsold.

These goods actually still fit into societal needs, but maybe the price wasn't right, or for some other reasons, those who needed them never discovered them, and so they remained in storage.

These are the goods Lynch planned to ship to Nagariel. These sluggish items can quickly open up the Nagariel market due to their practicality and low prices.

When evaluating whether a place is impoverished, many people use per capita income as a standard, but they often overlook one thing—that humans themselves are a type of commodity!

Civilized countries internationally have been avoiding this issue. From the early widespread slave movement to the emancipation movement, people have been trying to minimize the concept that humans are essentially commodities.

Minimizing and avoiding a concept doesn't mean it will disappear, be incorrect, or cease to exist.

Humans are indeed commodities!

Nagariel is very poor, and this also means the labor cost is low. The money to hire twenty or thirty people in Nagariel could only hire one worker in the Federation. Even if these people were lazy, the output from twenty or thirty workers would certainly exceed that of one.

Moreover, people not only can work, but they can also output, and this is precisely why Lynch decided to focus his first international business in Nagariel: workforce export.

With cheap labor and the support from local authorities including Divine Authority, a huge treasure will be unlocked by him.

Many are still focused on whether Nagariel has various underground mineral resources, but Lynch has set his sights on the nation's population.

As the world war concluded, countries are stealthily developing and accumulating strength. This war hasn't provided victorious nations substantial tangible benefits, nor has it been catastrophic for the defeated countries. Today's peace is bound to be short-lived.

Until there's a dominant scientific power, wars will persist. Only when certain groups monopolize high-end technological weaponry will peace become a norm in this world.

Currently, these nations are crazily developing for the next war, having also lost substantial labor forces during the conflict. It's said that some countries have such imbalanced gender ratios that local governments will assign several to dozens of wives to each adult male.

And what these men need to do is to impregnate these women!

It sounds humorous, and when this news reached the Federation, people laughed endlessly as if they heard the joke of the century. After mocking the declined population and ridiculous policy of this country, some people—especially men—showed envious, jealous, and resentful expressions.

Being nothing more than a breeding pig or horse, responsible solely for spreading genetic material, is possibly the ultimate dream for many men.

There are other countries like this, which also reveal a huge gap in the labor force of various nations. If a batch of cheap labor were sent in at this time, these nations might be willing to pay a hefty commission for it.

In fact, if observed closely, humans as commodities are the most valuable, most lacking, yet consistently present entity in this society.

Merely to avoid equating humans directly with commodities, people use various methods to blur this concept.

From the utilization of labor force to clinical tests of top-tier medications, from personal human experimentation by scientists to group social experiments by sociologists, humans as commodities or even consumables are constantly being used by some people!

This represents a vast wealth unseen by others, but Lynch sees it.

"Mr. Lynch, the court has just made the final ruling..." Adam, dressed in brand-new expensive clothes, holding a leather briefcase whose price he once deemed unattainable, now lightly carries it in hand.

Some residual faint traces once considered as human nature's bright spot, amid decadence and interest, gradually dimmed.

Currently, Adam feels no discomfort; he has begun to enjoy working for Lynch. "Our lawsuit received the Judge's endorsement, giving us priority over those workers' property issues."

Lynch raised his brows slightly, "That's good news, Adam!" He walked up to Adam, patting non-existent dust off Adam's shoulder, and with a very picky yet approving look, glanced Adam over, "You have a good eye; this suit suits you well."

Adam's face was now filled with more smiles; he looked down at his clothes and said with a smile, "They introduced me to a recently famous designer; the results are great."

Lynch nodded, "Stay diligent with the remaining matters..." As he spoke, he retrieved a business card holder from his pocket, took out a card from it, and inserted it into Adam's pocket, "This is a broker. Go talk with him, see if he can persuade the court to hand these property auctions to Golden Exchange Bank. I believe their auction process is more rigorous and transparent."

He paused for a moment, "Additionally, it's time to sue our 'friends'!"

This matter Lynch spoke of initially had nothing to do with him. In the factory where his father worked, Nell, a theft of raw materials occurred.

The thieves were the factory workers themselves. They manufactured the raw materials into products and sold them as second-hand goods to Lynch at very low prices, with contracts and liability clauses signed.

Once the theft came to light, these goods were detained, and the factory owner sued the workers, planning to profit hugely through auctions of their houses. Lynch was very displeased once he learned of this.

Everyone knew him as a conscientious and responsible merchant. He took the initiative to sue the workers and received the court's support; the auction proceeds of these properties would first compensate Lynch, then the factory owner.

Lynch also acquired some orders and sued the factory owner for "failure to fulfill contracts." Now, the factory owner had neither the raw materials to produce the contracts nor sufficient funds for various penalty fees.

Simply put, the benefits he attempted to derive from the workers ultimately would end up in Lynch's pocket, and he himself would face bankruptcy owing to an inability to cover penalty costs.

Of course, Lynch, as a socially responsible young entrepreneur and Merchant, would not force those workers to vacate their homes. Not only would he refrain from doing so, but he also would offer them jobs.

Although, after deducting the "rent" they had to pay Lynch, they might not earn much each month, it would be enough to fill their stomachs.

After twenty or thirty years, once they redeem their homes, everything will be resolved. By that time, they would not be too old, just about fifty years of age, or maybe a bit older.

So Lynch is a good person, although people sometimes misunderstand him!

Adam's face no longer bore the indescribable odd expression from the beginning; he smiled cheerfully and heartily, "I understand, I will take care of these matters as soon as possible!"

Lynch was very satisfied with Adam's attitude. Put simply, when you're in business, don't expect to maintain your pride.

Especially in certain professions, like a Lawyer, who often use phrases like "I believe my client is innocent" to justify defending criminals; yet, it is what it is, people are aware of this.

If one is ready to excuse criminals for money, then don't bother saying ridiculous things like a client being innocent; it's nauseating.

Adam switched gears wisely, which is precisely why Lynch appreciated him.

"Moving forward, I'll be dealing with many international affairs, which might involve some international lawsuits. You could leverage your networks to find Lawyers who are versed in the laws of major countries, as I will soon need your assistance."

"Also, don't slacken on domestic issues; I will support you in assembling a legal department. You will be the leader; do you understand what I mean?"

Adam was briefly stunned, then nodded repeatedly. He knew what Lynch was talking about.

Once this department recruited Lawyers proficient in international litigation, some renowned domestic Lawyers, regardless of his personal proficiency in professional matters, his status in the industry would skyrocket.

This was an opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If it wasn't for Lynch, Adam might have encountered such an opportunity only after decades, or possibly never.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Lynch, I..." He was very excited, his lips trembled somewhat, and amid the surge of emotions, he even didn't quite know what to say, "…At any rate, please definitely trust me, I will do everything perfectly, Mr. Lynch!"