Darkstone Code

"I've brought a batch of goods over, contact all the merchants aligned with us and let them know they can try selling to the locals..."

Lynch referred to the products being unloaded at the docks, items that had just come off the assembly line and were transported here.

Many people thought Lynch's approach wasn't correct, including some within the United Development Company. When they heard Lynch had started preparing to sell goods to the native people of Nagariel, they showed signs of ridicule and disdain!

They had their reasons and rationale. Nagariel was indeed a country with a large population base, but it was also very backward, with the average annual income possibly not even reaching one hundred Federation Sol. Dumping products here now without selection might not yield any good results.

Only when the market here is cultivated, with the average income reaching at least three hundred to five hundred Federation Sol, will a consumer boom initiate.

Some top students from the Saint Harmony Academy, true top students with no outstanding background nor luck—just their academic capabilities—entered the Saint Harmony Alliance Schools.

This gave them a higher starting point than others—they could directly serve the big capitalists upon graduation and had a significant chance of starting in a mid- to high-level position.

Unlike those ordinary university graduates who only have a possible opportunity to serve the upper echelons, which is not guaranteed, and their starting point is not as high.

These high-start top students formed a staff group, also called a think tank. Their role was to analyze various data, establish data models, and mathematically inform some United Development Company executives what is feasible and what is not.

Some people are very superstitious about mathematics, just like believing the Lord must exist, posthumously facing judgment, going to heaven or hell—they firmly believe that mathematics and numbers are omnipotent and can explain all things.

Through mathematical models combined with global economic changes, some executives felt that Lynch's actions only made him a laughingstock, even secretly posing as experts questioning how Lynch entered the United Development Company and secured a board seat.

These remarks were actually an expression of psychological imbalance. Lynch monopolized the commerce and development of a whole Province, while elsewhere, two or three or even more people had to squeeze in, which inevitably discontented some people.

They dared not show their teeth to figures like Mr. Wardrick and Mr. Pato but had little hesitation in making snide remarks about Lynch.

Overall, people were not optimistic about Lynch dumping products here before the market was mature—he was bound to fail.

Even Asir felt the same way; how could a group of paupers possibly afford those exquisite industrial products from the Federation?

These were industrial products, not inferior handmade wares from the locals; the high-standard quality control of the Federation assembly line, the strict supervision of the craftsmanship, made it hard to find any difference when all products were laid out—this is the charm of machinery!

The natives can't afford them!

"Selling now..." Asir spoke while adjusting his tone, tentatively asking, "Is it appropriate?"

He hastened to add, "I don't mean it's inappropriate now, it's just that we've just experienced a major march, and not everyone has a job, our items might not sell well."

He used "not sell well" to imply "unsaleable," the longer he interacted with Lynch, the more he could feel a certain aura emanating from Lynch—a certain majesty, a certain irresistible quality.

Lynch didn't always wear a stern face, raise his eyebrows, with an angry demeanor.

Instead, he always smiled, and this smile gave those familiar with him a sense of pressure, especially when their opinions differed from Lynch's.

Lynch shook his head, "You don't need to worry about that; I never intended to sell these items to everyone. I only plan to sell them to our workers."

"Later, arrange to inform our friends of my intentions; I don't need them to understand, I just need them to comply!" Lynch paused, looked at Asir, and slowed his speech, "Understood?"

Under immense invisible pressure, Asir nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Mr. Lynch, I know what to do!"

Once he gave a definitive answer, that immense pressure seemed to vanish in an instant, and he wiped non-existent sweat from his temples, exhaling lightly.

He felt some emotion, Lynch's pressure on people was increasing.

The convoy soon arrived at Lynch's residence, just completed, slightly away from the Governor's Mansion, in the city's highest area.

This place was once wooded, and it seemed the Nagariel people didn't particularly like living in elevated locations; perhaps it was because developing this area and constructing suitable residences cost more money, resulting in no buildings and isolation from the populace.

Others feared spending money, but Lynch didn't. Through the magical power of money, a magnificent surface complex was born in just over two months.

Its architectural style looked more aligned with Nagariel's culture, but the interior decorations leaned towards Federation simplicity, with the best materials used—here, they weren't expensive.

Facts proved that as long as enough money was spent, any labor-driven task could be completed swiftly.

"This is... your house?" The young assistant aboard the bus scarcely dared breathe, but upon seeing this grand complex, she finally took a deep breath!

Everything was so impactful, it shattered her worldviews.

Escort by an armed convoy, the locals' kneeling bowing, and this palace-like exquisite complex left Helen staring at Lynch, her eyes gleaming.

Lynch nodded slightly, maintaining composure. To a "country" girl like Helen, a few thousand or tens of thousands of square meters of a house might appear as a "palace."

She couldn't imagine that in her eyes, the palace wouldn't compare to another family's fraction—that's a palace ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of square meters, and Lynch had been there!

Stepping into the house, Asir followed, introducing every room and facility to Lynch, while Lynch explained to Asir how to sell those items.

Nagariel was a hot country, so Lynch's room had many pools like the ones in the Provincial Governor's room.

These pools would be filled with clean water in summer, fully open on all sides, allowing constant interaction with nature, soaking in cool water while the hot sea breeze brushed, the rustling of leaves bringing a spiritual tranquility, calming the soul.

Or when winter cools, filling with hot water, soaking in warmth against cold winds, offering another rare experience.

Having money is great!

Every room was rich with handmade art pieces, like curtains, gauzes, small trinkets, up to furniture—sufficient fusion of Federation and local culture satisfied Lynch greatly.

"Very thoughtful, I'll note it down. Regarding what I mentioned earlier, ensure you have an eye on it," Lynch circled the house before returning to the entrance, carefully advising.

With these words, Asir's face lit with delight. He nodded repeatedly but didn't leave immediately, cautiously broaching another subject.

"Mr. Lynch, you know I had no children back in the Federation, but upon returning..." his dark face showed some blush, "I now have a child, a boy, as per local customs we hold a ceremony, and I hope you can attend."

"You got married?" Lynch was surprised, "I didn't know you married; you should have told me then."

Asir's face turned even redder, fumbling unsure if he should clarify.

Perhaps trust in Lynch or commonness locally, he eventually revealed, "It's not marriage; the child was born by my elder brother's wife..."

He vaguely explained, leaving Lynch speechless, uncertain what to say, even one as seasoned as him found this hard to comprehend.

Yet he nodded to attend the ceremony because, after all—it is local custom, right?

After Asir left, Lynch turned back to the room, with the assistant suddenly popping back out, carefully scanning the area for anyone.

She quickly approached Lynch and quietly asked, "Want to try it?"

...

The next morning, some seemingly honest locals arrived punctually outside the construction site. Since the site laid off a batch of people, leading to disturbances with little result, everyone had become more obedient.

The site easily recruited people willing to accept the current wages; workers lacked any resistance.

They were unwilling to work, but others willing exist.

Today, the site seemed different because around its perimeter, people noticed a simple house selling goods, likely arranged by foreigners.

With the curiosity to see without spending, a local walked outside the simple house, seeing practical daily items inside, felt a bit tempted.

He had been working here nearly a hundred days, soon his wages would increase to over one Federation Sol a day, the items inside might not be unaffordable!

His gaze settled on an exquisite small iron pot, pointing to inquire, "How much for this?"

The foreigner responsible for selling was very enthusiastic, his face full of smiles, "No money..."