Darkstone Code

Mr. Herbert invited everyone over and informed them of some confidential matters. He also told them that he took great effort to connect with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Gafura, and he's definitely not doing it out of altruism.

Actually, Mr. Herbert's approach was indeed transferring losses; he wanted to recover his own losses from these individuals in the room.

But he used an expression very consistent with people's emotional cognition, hiding his true motives, and making his statement less sharp.

So someone asked him, if people in the room wished to leverage his channel to exchange bonds for some equivalent assets or conveniences, what would they have to pay?

"Twenty-five percent!", Mr. Herbert showed more of a smile. Apart from those early buyers who had regardless made profits, those who followed later earned very little. Now, Mr. Herbert gave them an opportunity.

Lynch sat quietly on the side, seemingly understanding Mr. Herbert's idea. No matter how Herbert described the ongoing and upcoming matters, it was indeed to pave the way for him to acquire the bonds from these speculators.

Yes, he is not helping these people here. Despite expressing that he was offering paid help, in reality, he was indirectly acquiring their bonds to sell at a good price to gain profit from them.

He intended to recover the unearned profits from other people's bonds. This is what a true capitalist and what a capitalist should do—when profits are insufficient to meet their demands, they would devour those around them like beasts, using the blood and flesh of their kind to fill their hungry stomachs.

Lynch remained silent, but Herbert occasionally observed Lynch. As he knew, Lynch held one of the largest amounts of bonds among everyone present.

He was bolder than anyone, bought more, and even caused the bond prices in the circulation market to continuously rise from less than twenty percent of the face value to nearly forty percent because of his aggressive bottom fishing.

He harvested bonds worth millions in face value, and the money he invested was equally astonishing.

If Herbert could dig out twenty-five percent from Lynch, he could make a big take in one go; hence, he kept observing Lynch.

Herbert couldn't comprehend Lynch's lack of emotional change. When others were discussing whether this was an effective risk avoidance method, Herbert addressed Lynch, "Mr. Lynch, as one of us holding the most bonds, do you have any ideas to help us through this difficult period?"

He spoke very sincerely, "The reason I gathered everyone here is to discuss an effective method; you appear so calm, perhaps you already have another good method?"

"If you do, and don't mind, would you share it with us?"

For purely return-seeking speculative craziness, they indeed have no stance. If Lynch could provide a better plan, Herbert would immediately abandon his own plan and stand with Lynch as long as Lynch could ensure that his returns were higher than his own plan.

Many people's eyes were on Lynch, and every time people looked at Lynch, they'd show various amazement.

Amazement at his youth—no one could achieve what he has at his age without relying on identity or background, which is not an exaggeration.

Amazement at his wealth—in Bail Federal, people are always interested in how much money a wealthy person has. Someone roughly calculated that Lynch's assets might reach tens of millions (short to medium term market valuation, not net worth).

Amazement at his attractiveness… well, being wealthy, young, and handsome, sometimes the Lord really is unjust.

Now, people are also amazed by his intellect.

Lynch raised his glass and took a sip casually, yet even such a casual action brought about an indescribable aura.

When a person is clearly placed in a higher position, every move they make seems full of mystery.

"A better method…", he pondered for a moment, "is not impossible."

"I believe every issue has more than one solution!"

This statement is extremely accurate, beyond criticism. People were nodding.

"For instance… creating pressure!"

Lynch got up, casually passing his glass to a person he didn't know beside him. The gentleman, though unfamiliar to Lynch, took the glass like a servant, which was a bit absurd.

No one paid attention to him; people's eyes were fixed on Lynch. Lynch moved to the center of the room and glanced around, first greeting Mr. Herbert—this was a gesture of courtesy.

He occupied the main position in Mr. Herbert's room, and he needed to show some respect to the host; this is what a gentleman should do. Though he "stole the show," he was still well-mannered.

Mr. Herbert proactively stepped aside from the core spot, standing by the sofa, holding his glass without sitting.

"Create pressure, redirect Emperor Gafura's attention from the upcoming naval battle to other areas."

"When the consequences of conflicts in other areas impact Gafura more than the naval battle, our chances of winning increase!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have integrated into this international society. We are no longer alone; we must rally more international forces to stand with us. This is the new gameplay in the new era."

He paused slightly, giving those who haven't yet turned their minds or are in the process of turning them the time and opportunity to understand his words.

After waiting for about ten to twenty seconds, he continued, "I don't know if everyone has noticed that since the war ended, Gafura shifted its main focus from domestic development to the construction of the Amelia Region, which also sparked some protests within Gafura, although they were later suppressed."

The actions of tyrants seem to have become a joke mocking backward feudal rule in civilized society, albeit one not very funny. The ladies and gentlemen in the room still laughed elegantly.

The laughter lightened the atmosphere, and Lynch was also smiling, "They are too concerned with the construction of the Amelia Region. If turmoil occurred there, even rebellion, how would Gafura respond?"

He changed tack, turning his calm tone sharp, with every word like a small knife, difficult to evade.

"The Amelia Region was originally ceded territory; they claim it's a lease, yet I believe if they (the original sovereign state) cannot counter Gafura Empire after 120 years, the region will have another lease term of 120 years or even longer until it forever becomes Gafura's extraterritorial land."

"Therefore, there's still some resistance consciousness in the Amelia Region, and native residents within the governance area are dissatisfied with Gafura's rule. Even if the Governor of Amelie shows a more lenient attitude compared to the original ruler, the local people don't like them."

"Gafura has invested too many resources and attention in this region; if problems arise in the Amelia Region, it will immediately shake their plan equivalent to a national policy."

Gafura emphasizes the Amelia Region partly because they hope it will further expand the Empire's external influence, and it will serve as the frontline in the next war, allowing them to continue advancing from the Amelia Region, directly igniting the war in the enemy nation's heartland.

Of course, as the defeated country that ceded this region, if they initiated a war first, the Amelia Region would be the first strategic place they must reclaim with full-on attacks.

Thus, the region is important to both Gafura and the defeated nation from the last world war.

Its political, economical, cultural, and military significance far surpasses those cities within Gafura, which is why Emperor Gafura insisted on focusing on the development and construction of the Amelia Region.

Lynch's words prompted people to think, considering if turmoil broke out in the Amelia Region, would Gafura still emphasize a naval battle that truly isn't significant to them?

Certainly not; they were merely testing the Federation Navy's strength through this naval battle, and they wouldn't even fly the Gafura Royal Navy's flag.

Compared to probing allied military power, the safety of the Amelia Region is evidently more important.

Mr. Herbert, sipping his drink, was the first to come back to the moment and raised a question, "Mr. Lynch, but this approach doesn't provide us with any real benefits; I mean avoiding the naval battle won't make Gafura redeem our bonds at face value with the promised interest..."

"Then make them have to do it!", Lynch quickly responded, answering decisively, "Once turmoil erupts in the Amelia region, apart from the Governor's limited use of force, Gafura is unable to dispatch more armed forces into the Amelia Region."

"Such actions would heighten vigilance among some nations, even leading to armed standoffs, and accidentally, say if a soldier misfires, it's another war."

"Gafura can't sustain it; those defeated nations can't either. They need someone to resolve these issues."

"And we are the best choice!"