Darkstone Code
Chapter 278 - 0276 International Banker

Chapter 278: 0276 International Banker

"I know you!"

The first words from the gentleman, who was Lynch’s competitor for a short time, gave Lynch an indescribable feeling.

This wasn’t like the feeling Lynch got from others who said "I know you," as if they meant "I know what you’ve done, and thus I know you."

The gentleman in front of him meant it literally when he said "I know you," as though he actually knew the person Lynch was.

It may sound a little confusing, but in reality, these two kinds of knowing are completely different. The limitations of expression may not convey the two senses, but they are indeed different.

Lynch looked at the other person, pursed his lips; they were sitting in a roadside café at the moment.

Under dim, somewhat ambiguous lighting, they were the only table of guests, and the server behind the bar listlessly watched TV dramas, occasionally showing a hint of a dull smile he might not even notice himself, quickly fading into an unconcealable melancholy.

The pedestrians hurried along the street; no one noticed the two people sitting across from each other in the café, much less their differences.

"I don’t know you yet, sir," Lynch said playfully with a smile, "You know me, but I don’t know you. That’s quite unfair."

When saying this, it carried a mischievous tone akin to that of a child, along with a touch of childlike innocence, because only children believe the world is fair, and only children strive to pursue fairness in things until they grow up and truly understand the world.

It wasn’t really pretending for Lynch to say this, as he was genuinely very young. The fellow sitting across from him took out a delicate card case from his coat, extracted a gold-bordered metal card, and handed it to Lynch, "Now that’s fair!"

Lynch took the card, somewhat surprised. Metal business cards were rare in this world, especially ones with gold edges, indicating they were difficult to store and shouldn’t be bent.

On the card was only a name, Herbs Zizifonk, and an address on the back, which Lynch hadn’t heard of.

After glancing at it several more times, he put it in his cardholder; his art appreciation was limited, yet he could still tell the card’s design pattern wasn’t in the Bail Federal style.

Bail Federal’s style was either simplistic or extravagant, but in essence, they always seemed petty, likely related to its origins.

A group of exiled criminals, a group of fallen aristocrats, a group of crazed pirates, a group of mad gold diggers—none of them were cultured people, so naturally, the nation they founded wouldn’t be a culturally profound country.

A mishmash of elements made the early Bail Federal culture somewhat lowbrow until the Federation presidents forcibly blended indigenous culture into the Federal civilization, resulting in today’s Federal civilization. They refuse to admit their nation is just a few hundred years old; in history books, they claim the Federation has thousands of years of history, the last few hundred being merely modern civilization development and cannot represent the entire Federation.

This card feels different, it has roots.

Moreover, the surname Zizifonk doesn’t belong to the Federation, at least Lynch hadn’t heard such an unusual name.

Mr. Herbs naturally began discussing matters related to Lynch, "You mentioned economic war at the President’s celebratory party and attended some radical salons afterward. Frankly, I’m surprised that such thoughts come from someone so young. Mr. Lynch, you are a fascinating person, and I’m honored to know you."

At this point, neither Herbs nor Lynch continued immediately; there was a natural pause before Herbs resumed, "Some of your perspectives actually resonate greatly with mainstream views. I mean the mainstream views of international society."

"Since we’re discussing this, you may still be somewhat unfamiliar with me. Allow me to formally introduce myself, Herbs Zizifonk, a member of the royal family from a small country; you can call me Prince."

"However, I’d prefer you call me by another title — international banker!"

Herbs shifted his tone and began explaining his work to Lynch. An international banker differs from a national banker; at least two or more countries must be covered by the business of an international bank to qualify it as such. Adding the word "banker" signifies Mr. Herbs is an important figure in some international bank, like a director or even a major shareholder of the bank.

Bail Federal’s engagement with the world meant the world started engaging with it, a reciprocal process. International banks were among the first to enter Bail Federal, planning sites for establishing its national-level divisions.

Not everyone trusts the Federation, nor do they trust Federation banks, especially considering their previous scandals...which were rather atrocious.

They detained funds intended for withdrawal from the Federal economic environment, even the fund holders themselves, keeping people inside or expelling them in various ways and seizing the money.

This led to international merchants distrusting the Federation banking system, necessitating a reliable institution for certain matters.

It’s not a simple issue, requiring consideration of many aspects, including politics.

Additionally, the friction between international and national financial institutions is ever-present, which is why the bank where Herbs works had him personally oversee the situation.

Today’s matter was coincidentally timely; Herbs came to York State to inspect the financial environment and heard about a small internal auction here.

Such matters also exist internationally, where certain international economic disputes involve third-party financial institutions as middlemen, which is normal, so he casually took a look.

When he saw things being sold at ridiculously low prices, he decided to act; he saw no major issue with pursuing reasonable profit, and he was sure even if Lynch bought at current prices, whether for personal use or resale, there was still ample profit margin.

Of course, his actions might have been slightly excessive, but being a banker—a group seeking profits even more than merchants —at least merchants don’t trade money; they do. So his actions were justified.

Lynch shrugged, "But, Mr. International Banker, I just lost over a million because of you!"

Herbs smiled carelessly, "You could view it differently; you spent a million to buy my friendship!"

"Listen, many people want to spend more than a million to know me, but I don’t give them the chance. You’ve actually gained!"

This statement wasn’t too false; generally, members of a sufficiently large international bank board remain confidential externally, except for a few who must appear publicly; the others are quite mysterious.

Not to mention spending money to befriend these people, many might not even know their names, identities, or how to contact them.

In this way, spending a million on Lynch to gain some rapport isn’t too much of a loss.

Lynch’s smile was sincere, his gaze sharp," I hope my million wasn’t spent in vain?!"

Herbs laughed, "I can guarantee!"

Afterward, their conversation became simpler; they chatted about international dynamics. Perhaps it was Lynch’s words and views that resonated with international mainstream, even surpassed it, drawing Herbs’ attention.

Recently, Gafura, the core of the Victorious Nations Alliance, has been causing trouble everywhere. They demand the weaker party in unequal trade to settle using Gafura’s national currency, causing headaches for many countries and capitalists.

To maintain close trade relations with Gafura, they must hold a certain amount of Gafura Currency, called "Gala," a unit of currency.

Holding more of such currency crowds the funds pools people should keep, leading some international banks to adjust the reserve ratio of various currencies, increasing the Gala reserves.

People scramble to hold Gala, causing it to rise continuously in the foreign exchange market, strengthening Gafura’s position and advantage in international trade—more people are using their currency, expanding Gala circulation areas, allowing them to buy more with less money.

A potentially pre-existing but unexplored economic or monetary model is being seriously studied.

Some laughed, saying the world war, although chaotic, had a benefit of tighter connections between nations.

In the past, everyone played independently; only neighboring countries shared close ties, while distant places had weak connections beyond a few merchants braving piracy risks to ship goods.

But now, due to one world war, a strange integration trend began emerging worldwide!

Military, economic, and cultural exchanges will become a new warfare model akin to traditional war, superior to it, yet more concealed in the next decade.

Lynch, young as he may be, grasped the era’s pulse. Herbs already considered possible cooperation with Lynch in some international projects.

Naturally, Lynch also thought the same; if Herbs could be effective, then the million spent would surely be worthwhile!