Darkstone Code

Lending money to Nagariel for infrastructure construction was not a spur-of-the-moment idea by Lynch, nor was it an impulsive act.

Once the Federation recognizes that Nagariel is a "blood bag" that can help the Federation recover, a large number of federal explorers, gold diggers, speculators, tycoons, and banks will soon flock to this place.

Whether entering or exiting, a well-developed traffic system is essential, and road construction becomes a top priority.

It is obvious that the officials of Nagariel are unwilling to build roads. If they were willing, given the low cost of local labor, they would have long since completed the roads.

They are unwilling to build roads and have no money for it, but this is not a problem for Lynch. He will lend money to the Nagariel people to build roads, and not just him—many others, including banks and consortiums, will invest.

And what will be built is not just ordinary highways but also canals, railways...

An impending massive construction project across Nagariel is about to unfold, but behind all of this is not the beautiful prospect of helping Nagariel achieve common development.

Nell, sitting opposite Lynch, hesitated for a long time before speaking somewhat worriedly, "I think they can't repay the money. If you're sure you want to lend them money, why not consider doing some other business!"

He added an explanation, "I'm not saying it's a bad business, just that the risk might be a bit too big."

"Moreover, they're the local authority. If they shamelessly default on the debt, it would turn into a disaster!"

During this period, Nell has been exposed to many things he had never encountered before, and his understanding of the world is growing rapidly. But he is clearly still a long way from reaching Lynch's level.

He sees the risks and understands the benefits, but he lacks the means to avoid them.

This is the biggest gap between lower-level businessmen and the upper echelons of society—their "methods" are limited.

This is a very intuitive social phenomenon. When people at the bottom rung of society encounter problems they cannot solve themselves, because of the limits of their social class and circles, they are powerless and eventually can only seek help from the media or the government.

But this approach is neither clever nor effective. Whether it is the government or media, they all have their inclinations.

When what people are begging for would harm their own interests, their voices are drowned out by noise.

But the upper class is different; they have ways to solve problems and solve those who create problems.

Even if they cannot solve it themselves, their network can provide them with these convenient methods and means.

Lynch, unconcerned, smirked and tilted his head, "If they could repay my money, I wouldn't do this business. I want them to be unable to repay the money but pretend I don't know about the situation."

He gave Nell a little hint, "When you go to the place to start work, don't remind those people they have no money left; just pretend you don't know about these things, understand?"

Nell's lips moved but he didn't agree immediately. He looked at Lynch, hoping Lynch would change his mind.

On one hand, he thinks this is a really stupid investment, and on the other hand, Lynch's situation also represents the situation of him and this family.

Once Lynch falls, his job will be gone, and everything he currently possesses will disappear with it. He would become the old Nell—a worker without much value or ability to realize his self-worth, rather than the current Boss Nell.

Those girls, young enough to be his daughters, are completely unguarded against him, praising his humor and charm, his mature demeanor, not because he has those traits, but because he has money.

He likes his current life and does not want to lose it.

The father and son stared at each other; such situations have occurred many times before, and ultimately, it was always Lynch who was "persuaded," but this time, he would persuade Nell.

"Alright, I can only briefly tell you."

Nell immediately adjusted his sitting posture and listened very seriously.

"Nagariel's system is very special. Once we build the roads and the provinces couldn't repay the money, we could obtain the right to charge tolls for the roads."

"Besides those we allow, others traveling on our constructed roads will have to pay us usage fees according to the rules."

"Also, land, minerals, and forests are items that can be used as collateral; we will give them a 'reasonable' price."

"Furthermore, Nagariel's situation is neither stable nor safe. To ensure our interests are not harmed by some people, we will establish a private military company to ensure our rights are not compromised."

Nell seemed to have an epiphany, "An independent kingdom!"

Lynch shook his head, "No, you're wrong. I'm just a businessman, not a king."

In fact, there are very complex relationships behind this matter, which Nell cannot understand, and he doesn't need to understand.

Lynch's proposal to allow the Federation Sol to become the circulating currency of the Nagariel United Kingdom is largely unlikely to pass, and of course, no one expects it to. This is just business.

Lynch set a price, and then everyone starts bargaining. As long as the Nagariel United Kingdom's officials recognize the legality of the Federation Sol circulating in its territory, this matter is basically halfway done.

The legality of currency circulation is not the same notion as a circulating currency, and Lynch's idea is about this concept.

He was slightly dazed for a moment, then, coming back to his senses, he discussed some specific requirements for working in Nagariel with Nell. Nell knew he couldn't demand Lynch to change anything and could only listen quietly, accepting his fate.

At around ten o'clock, Lynch left the villa. After seeing Lynch drive away, Nell turned and walked towards the bathroom.

Serra merely glanced from afar, then returned her gaze to a fashion magazine in her hands, which was introducing this year's most popular styles and the upcoming fashion week in the Southern Pearl City of Benlit.

By then, all the Federation's supermodels, most famous designers, and the biggest fashion brands will gather.

More than half an hour later, Nell emerged from the bathroom, wearing a bathrobe. To completely wash off the women's perfume scent from him, he had scrubbed vigorously.

Currently, he looked like a crab freshly pulled from boiling water, all flushed red.

"Is it that good-looking?", he casually asked.

Serra nodded, "I might go. Some of our neighbors plan to go together so we can book a whole carriage and not be disturbed by others."

Nell thought for a moment, "As you wish...", he was about to leave when Serra instead put down the magazine and looked at him.

"What did Lynch say to you?", she asked.

Already turning around, Nell turned back, walked to the sofa, and sat down, asking the maid to bring him a drink, "In a while, I might have to go to Nagariel. Lynch invested in some business over there."

Serra was not surprised after hearing this. She just held Nell's hand, "You must do your best to help him. He has no brothers or sisters, the only people he can trust are us..."

Lynch stayed in Sabin City for two days. When he was preparing to leave, Mr. Truman unexpectedly gave him a call.

"I heard you have some involvement with the Ristone case...", he said, hesitating for a moment, flipping a page on the other end of the line, "Do you know Gap?"

Lynch slightly frowned, "I know his wife."

Even though separated by a phone line, Lynch could feel Mr. Truman's expression must be quite odd on the other end.

But he didn't explain "it's not what you think," such things have nothing to justify, only a fool would believe there's something between them.

A dozen seconds later, Mr. Truman lightly coughed, "You know, recently Wales, that Member of Parliament, has been attacking our actions. Initially, the President wasn't planning to bother with him."

"But he started to gather support in the past two days, attempting to push a 'Temporary Presidential Power Limitation' bill to limit our upcoming actions..."

Wales' statements in the media and the public have indeed caused some stir, but in reality, these things cannot change the current situation. If a Member of Parliament could say something in the media to make the President bow or change ongoing national policies, then this country wouldn't need the position of President.

He received lots of money from Preton, yet there was no effect. The President is determined to do something big to gain public support, ensuring he could smoothly be reelected, so these "ridiculous public criticisms from foolish political opponents" are even less likely to bother him.

Now that one plan failed, perhaps due to threats or more benefits given by Preton, he submitted a proposal hoping to limit the power of a non-elected President during the transition period of government power.

Simply put, it targets the current President, aiming to fundamentally solve these issues.

Once Congress files and passes it, the authorization for war is likely to shift from the President's to Congress's hands.

Everyone knows Congress is a particularly unique place. Various brokers and lobby groups make the real Congress much larger than what people understand from formal documentation.

Statistics show Bupen has about one hundred and seventeen registered political lobbying groups (since they need to pay taxes, they must register), with the largest group having over forty people.

These people are neither Members of Parliament nor politicians, but they have enough energy to sway, change the decisions of Members of Parliament.

If Preton continues his heavy investment in Congress, it will become a trouble and also a crisis.

As one of the President's key arms and strongest supporters, Mr. Truman, through his personal connections, received a piece of news.

Wales was previously involved in the Henghui fraud case, and later, due to insufficient evidence, further investigations against him were dropped, which presented Mr. Truman with an opportunity.

Whether Wales was involved or not, he must be involved!

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