Darkstone Code
Chapter 276 - 0274 Laziness, Arrogance

Chapter 276: 0274 Laziness, Arrogance

Mark is interested in most businesses, he helps the mayor manage the mayor’s assets, and of course, this is not illegal.

In the Bail Federal, it is not illegal for a politician to have his own business. Many merchants suddenly feel the weight on their shoulders during their business journey, or they have some good ideas to help more people prosper, and they will turn from merchants into politicians.

They do not have to sell all their holdings just because they become politicians, nor do they have to cease any commercial activities.

In the Bail Federal, there is no such standard; the only thing those with role changes need to pay attention to is not to use their power for personal gain, that’s all.

The mayor entrusting his assets to Mark for management is mainly to avoid suspicion, just like people don’t really urinate or defecate on the roadside just because it’s not explicitly prohibited.

Though doing so isn’t illegal, it always leaves a bit of a... feeling.

With Mark managing it, things become much more convenient. At least most of the time, the mayor can blatantly tell the public they stand on the same ground, and can even reveal the balance of his hidden accounts to show his noble character.

Besides earning a commission, Mark also invests some of his own money in the processes of managing these assets. Over the years, he has indeed made quite a bit of money. After all, having such a mayor uncle makes it difficult to fail any investment in Sabin City.

After Lynch returned from Bupen, Mark approached him and casually mentioned this latest investment. He felt it was a very suitable investment, and of course, he was using his own money.

He gathered some money and invested it all. Hart was someone who knew his stuff, offering Mark a rather cheap deal - just 250,000 could buy a property.

In six years, this property could be sold back to Hart at 50,000 a unit, doubling the profit in six years. This gain’s speed captivated Mark, and he even wanted Lynch to invest with him.

Not that he got any benefits from Hart, he just purely wanted to share his successful investment experience, which is common in some social interactions.

Some inside information gets revealed just like this – you say what you know, I say what I know, and then everybody knows!

Lynch refused him and proposed that he had a better project, which sparked Mark’s interest.

"What are you suggesting?" he quickly asked, but then hesitated, "I’m a bit tight on funds right now, you know, I just handed over more than 200,000 in cash to Mr. Hart, I might not be able to gather much money right away!"

Lynch waved his hand, "Money isn’t an issue, you can first listen to my project and then consider the money..."

Mark nodded in agreement, then Lynch started to talk about his plan, which didn’t involve any commercial fraud, but was genuinely a good project.

"You know, soon the banks will start auctioning some of the Ristone Group’s assets, to compensate those who got injured during work and lost their ability to work and live!"

Mark nodded again, he knew about it and was involved, having invested 100,000 in Lynch’s newly established charity private fund, owning a 15% share of it. This fund would win the subsequent bid, he knew that.

Lynch paused for about three seconds, maybe four, and continued, "Right now, many families in Sabin City are facing enormous troubles. As a Sabin City entrepreneur with social responsibility and a sense of justice, I decided to undertake my responsibilities."

"I will place orders with those families in urgent need of work, and even rent them sewing machines, and subsidize part of the materials cost."

"They only need to produce the products I need according to my requirements, and they can get the pay they deserve from me, which is much more than they make working at the factory!"

Mark wasn’t at all interested in the first couple of sentences, he didn’t care about social responsibility or justice. His mind only revolves around indulging in pleasures and money, nothing can distract him from these.

From a loser’s perspective, this is Mark’s greatest failure. He gets results without the experience of striving, no need for long and hard work to enjoy the sweet wine, a process unexciting, the result naturally bland.

Well, the above sentence was just a relatively decent and educated way to articulate envy and jealousy, a softer expression.

What really interested Mark was the latter statement, "Much more money?", his tone elevating slightly. "And how much is that?"

Lynch smirked slightly, "The more effort you put in, the more money you get, do you understand what I mean?"

Mark started to take things seriously; he adjusted his lazy sitting posture, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, "Tell me more!"

"Currently, Federation factories are still employing hourly wages, workers thus enjoy various legal protections; they can even slack off while working yet still receive the same wages as others."

"This is actually not fair to us, because without applying their diligent sweat, they reap things they shouldn’t have."

"However, I now have some new ideas, which we’ll call the ’piecework method.’ These small workshops, organized by families, will receive payment from me according to their actual output. The advantage of this is that if someone slacks off, they’ll receive nothing."

"But you know, Mark, I have many things to do. I don’t have the time to attend to these details, so I need some partners."

"I will offer you a relatively favorable price, allowing you to leave a sufficient profit margin for yourself, and then you can pass these orders to those who need work."

"You’ve helped your uncle and resolved the issue of some people not having jobs. Once they have jobs, they won’t be protesting outside the City Hall all day. Their families will also relieve huge economic pressure, and people will thank you for your kindness and generosity."

"Everyone will speak well of you, while you also make money. Do you understand what I mean?"

Mark frowned and thought for a while before slowly nodding his head, "You mean you subcontract this work to me, and then I further subcontract it to others, gaining some benefits in the process?"

Lynch nodded, that was exactly what he meant. But Mark soon shook his head, "Sorry, I’m not really interested in this project. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed!"

Lynch wasn’t too surprised by Mark’s refusal. Mark was the typical kind of wealthy man who didn’t acquire wealth through his own efforts; he didn’t want to do much actual work but wished to enjoy the privileges brought by money, power, and status. A common waste of a privileged family.

As a friend, Lynch certainly wouldn’t say this about him; it’s just a manner of expression.

"If you’re not interested, let it be. There will be someone who is interested!" He smiled, but he knew that eventually, Mark would still come to him.

If the investments on Hart’s side were only involving his own money, and Hart indeed ran away, it would mean he’s lost hundreds of thousands in funds. To fill this gap, he must change his picky nature, eating anything to recover his losses in a short time.

If his investments also involved the mayor’s money, then he’d certainly come to find Lynch, as this was clearly not a business ordered by the mayor.

For dealings involving some sensitive groups like this one, as the ruling leader of this city, the mayor should and must realize that this isn’t an area for him to intervene.

If done well, people won’t feel much gratitude because he’s leeching off the poor, and the poor are already so impoverished. If the mayor didn’t let them go, it would worsen his image.

If not done well, people won’t spare him even more. Criticism from all social layers will make him overwhelmed, marking him with infamy in York State’s history.

After skipping this matter, Lynch and Mark discussed some cooperation needed between them moving forward.

On the third day after this meeting, the bank convened, under City Hall’s commission in a conference hall at Sabin Hotel, a closed-door auction concerning part of Ristone Group’s assets, with Lynch present.

The hall was packed with people, and Lynch originally thought Jogriman would be more discreet and not show obvious associations with him, but to his surprise, Jogriman sat right next to him and started chatting.

"Is it okay to do this?" Lynch handed him a cigarette and took the opportunity to get closer, asking softly. He meant there were quite a few bank staff here and some participants.

As the organizer of this auction, could Jogriman’s behavior trigger unnecessary associations?

Unexpectedly, Jogriman abandoned his usual low-profile style, smiling contemptuously, as his gaze slowly swept across some faces.

Everyone caught in his gaze lowered their heads humbly.

"No problem, they know what to do!" After being suppressed for half a year, Jogriman regained his power and became stronger than before.

Over a hundred staff were dismissed from banks for various reasons. In Sabin City’s bank quarterly meetings, those dismissed were categorized as unsuitable for continued work at the bank. The risk department labeled them with orange evaluations, indicating that their ongoing work might result in losses for the bank, and those people either transitioned to remote locations or were directly relieved of their duties.

Yet, everyone knew why they were dismissed, making Jogriman rise to prominence within Sabin City’s Golden Exchange Bank system!

Lynch looked at him, observing the arrogance on his face, and slightly reminded him, "Your opponents also made the same mistake. I hope you’re not the next!"

Honestly speaking, this was very impolite, even arguably Lynch slapped the flourishing Jogriman hard across the face.

But it was precisely this sentence that changed Jogriman’s expression, making him serious. He then nodded slightly to show respect and returned to his seat.

He asked the bank staff beside him, "Has anyone seen my lighter?"