Darkstone Code

"I don't know whose consultation you sought, and I don't care if you've offended these people, but in any case, the three conditions you've proposed..." Lynch shook his head and casually tossed a document in his hand onto the table.

"First, as two equal and independent countries establishing diplomatic relations, holding each other's legal tender in itself recognizes each other's value, status, and power, providing enough stability for bilateral trade."

"Don't think just because you swallowed 50 billion Federation Sol, we will swallow 5 trillion Nagariel. If your thinking ability is still intact, then you should be clear whose currency is more robust."

"Second, separate storage is not conducive to management. Furthermore, the Nagariel United Kingdom is an independent sovereign nation with a complete government system. This money must be reserved and supervised by the United Bank, and we will also dispatch corresponding personnel to oversee."

"The third issue..." Lynch stroked his chin, "Compared to the previous two, this one isn't impossible..." As he spoke, Mr. Truman slightly furrowed his brows.

During this time, he had intensely studied the relationship between politics and economics, and he knew clearly that once Nagariel's currency pegged the Federation Sol at, say, a hundred to one, their exchange activities would follow the floating exchange rate of the Federation Sol.

They could easily print massive amounts of banknotes to exchange for Federation Sol, then turn it into other foreign exchange for huge profits, with only the Federation ultimately being harmed.

Of course, this is just the simplest scenario. Once forces from other countries get involved, the Federation's economy would immediately collapse.

He instinctively thought that the thing Lynch would never agree to was this last point, yet unexpectedly, Lynch was firmly refusing on the first two points, which he thought negotiable, while making concessions on the issue most unlikely to be agreed upon.

The members of the Nagariel delegation immediately became excited, with their main representative even interrupting Lynch's speech, "Mr. Lynch, if we can fulfill the last point, then the first two points we can cancel or fully respect the Federation's intentions."

Lynch nodded noncommittally. Mr. Truman glanced at Lynch, who pretended not to notice, "However, we have a small request too..."

The Nagariel representative smiled. This might be the only chance in this negotiation where he could actually smile, "Go ahead."

"The issuance and supervision of Nagariel's legal currency..."

...

"Alright, let's return to the negotiation itself. After a day's consideration, what's your take?" After a brief, minor unpleasantness, Lynch quickly retracted the topic. The other side played a "Summer Dose Eight Rant" card①, so he responded with a "Nonsense Rant"②. With everyone joking irresponsibly, he could care less.

The issuance and supervision of currency rights can't be handed over, so naturally, these three conditions can't pass. The issue reverted to whether to recognize Federation Sol as a legally circulated currency within Nagariel before adjourning yesterday.

"Gentlemen, I must remind you, this might be our last time sitting at the Federation's negotiating table!"

His words made the Nagariel delegation on the other side of the negotiation table frown, but Lynch was indifferent, "Next time we meet, it will definitely be on Nagariel's land, where we represent the victors, and you represent the losers."

"Our government and people have given you the utmost enthusiasm, but we only receive evasion and indifference. Since you can't show your sincerity, today is the last negotiation."

"We've already prepared your ship tickets..." Lynch casually picked up the document he had just tossed aside, pushing it forward firmly, "Of course, I've also prepared some furniture, appliances, or other things you don't have over there as gifts for your visit."

The folder smoothly slid across the glossy table to the opposite side. He made a gesture inviting them to open it, and after a moment, the Nagariel representative opened the folder.

Inside were ship tickets, return tickets for the delegation members to head back to Nagariel, for tonight, which meant Lynch was not bluffing.

In fact, these delegation members still hadn't realized that in this international diplomatic affair, they were always at a disadvantage, indeed a powerless disadvantage, yet they wanted to strive for more benefits. This approach was quite foolish.

Because they'd get nothing in the end and would offend potential diplomatic partners.

At this point, the representative realizing the severity of the situation expressed a need to discuss with all the delegation members, and naturally, Mr. Truman would give them that opportunity.

After these people left, Mr. Truman asked, "What if they go back?"

This question lingered in his mind. If these people were truly fools and went back, what should happen next?

Lynch smiled nonchalantly, "The remnants of the Pretton Pirate Group have fled to Nagariel. To combat such dangerous and terrifying international criminal activities, our Navy will help them deal with these remaining forces."

"However..." Lynch's clean and cheerful smile turned somewhat frightening in Mr. Truman's eyes, "However, we won't be able to clear all remnants in a short time and may have to station there for some time."

"The Nagariel United Kingdom government must provide ports for our Navy to station and temporarily incorporate them into the Federation's sovereignty while providing related supplies for us to capture the Pretton remnants."

...

Mr. Truman paused for a moment, not because of Lynch's shamelessness or ruthlessness or anything else, but because he was seriously considering the feasibility of this matter, "What if they refuse?"

"Have you watched those action movies?" Lynch asked an unrelated question, "Conspiracy, rebellion, suppression!"

"Pretton would utilize the network he weaved while monopolizing Nagariel's economy to incite chaos in Nagariel and attempt to establish a 'Nagariel Empire' or 'Nagariel Kingdom' with himself at the helm."

"The entirety of Nagariel would fall into chaos, with numerous nobles and rulers being killed. In the end, these people would beg the Federation to help them suppress bandits, and then we helped them drive away the Pretton Pirate Group remnants..."

"Drive away?"

"Yes, drive away, because they might go elsewhere to cause trouble, who knows?"

Mr. Truman nodded noncommittally. Everyone here was his person, except for two administrative officers, all had military backgrounds and were trustworthy.

He looked at Lynch, "After the meeting ends, let's talk. You've previously mentioned economic warfare, and with the President's approval, we've organized some experts to form an analysis team to explore this possibility."

"Lately, some of your ideas have been incorporated, and we find them highly feasible, so..."

During the conversation, the members of the Nagariel delegation returned, looking very grave, but this was by no means a bad thing for Lynch or Mr. Truman.

"We agreed..." the Nagariel representative sighed, "Federation Sol will become legal tender within the Nagariel United Kingdom!"

A more genuine smile appeared on Lynch's face, "See, it's not difficult to agree. If you had agreed sooner, we might have already been discussing more in-depth cooperation."

He spoke, glancing at Mr. Truman, who also nodded, "This afternoon, we will sign the diplomatic note establishing bilateral relations at the Foreign Ministry and announce it to the international community."

"Now, we can talk about things you're interested in, like our investment..."

They had concluded a long negotiation process, yet another lengthy negotiation process was just beginning.

Putting aside the last bit of restraint, all excessive demands were agreed to, ultimately for their power and interests in hand, disregarding others', beyond their consideration.

With no burden, negotiations about interests became more straightforwardly blunt, every percentage point, every penny, they were fighting over, and finally, it felt like a proper negotiation.

During this process, Lynch didn't intervene much, the benefits due to him, whether Mr. Truman or the President, would not forget. There was no need to be constantly reminding, as it might annoy people.

As noon approached one o'clock, they concluded part of the negotiation, and this part was crucial—the development of roads.

The importance of infrastructure in comprehensive societal development is unparalleled, and the Nagariel delegation knew this, so their first proposal was about road construction. But there remained another issue, that they lacked funds...

At lunchtime, Mr. Truman and Lynch found a small room alone to continue their previously unfinished discussion.

"The President is very concerned about our negotiation progress, and he also has an idea he entrusted me to convey to you..." Mr. Truman's expression was serious, "We intend to hire you as a special advisor to the Security Committee, not a temporary one."

Some of Lynch's ideas and thoughts were quite advanced and operational, such as lending money to Nagariel to hire the Federation for development work.

Previously, Federations hadn't considered such things, and even Lynch's first suggestion seemed somewhat... laughable. Lend money to them to hire oneself, wouldn't that be working for free?

But as they began to seriously consider, they realized it wasn't that simple.

Lynch's thinking effectively opened doors after doors, making people suddenly realize, oh, money can be played this way!

=

①: Summer Dose Eight Rant, a popular tabletop game in the Federation, mentioned earlier in the text.

②: Nonsense Rant, as above.