Darkstone Code
Chapter 282 - 0280 Transfer, Discharge

Chapter 282: 0280 Transfer, Discharge

The temperature in February gradually starts to rise, and the cold winter is almost becoming a thing of the past.

The court case regarding the Ristone Group has begun, although some proceedings for related but less significant personnel have already concluded.

The lawsuit against Vera has also gone through the trial process; she was unaware that the materials she gathered were crucial evidence. Combined with Gap’s admission that he deceived Vera in this matter, the state prosecutor’s charges were ultimately dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

It seems that this incident ends here, or at least it appears so, while Lynch’s businesses maintain relative stability, continuing to develop with a steady upward trend.

With the successful holding of the state’s secondhand goods auction, people have once again witnessed the power of the times.

Things that people used to casually discard at doorsteps or trash bins can now fetch a price, sparking a secondhand goods trade craze across various regions of the Federation.

Under Lynch’s leadership, a new company specializing in secondhand goods trading centers has been split from the Interstellar Trade Company, attracting investments from many in the state, including cash and land, which are the only two assets Lynch wants.

In this unclear situation, people’s aim is not to use their money to earn more but to prevent their money from disappearing inexplicably, to preserve its value — these are among their few demands.

Lynch’s companies manifestly possess such capabilities; even if they don’t earn substantial profits, they are safe investments.

Many investors are aware of the limitations of Lynch’s businesses; the trade in secondhand goods primarily thrives during economic recessions.

When the economy improves, people will revert to their former habits, casually leaving unwanted items at doorsteps with an "unclaimed" note and a dollar, then enthusiastically buying brand-new goods from malls.

By then, the demand for secondhand goods will clearly plummet to its lowest, but who cares?

As long as they survive the cold winter, they will immediately "break up" with Lynch’s company, which is precisely their goal. Of course, Lynch is also keenly aware of this, which is why he now insists on more cash or land rather than various equity swaps.

In February, the newly elected President of the Federation welcomed the first state visit in years.

Gafura, sometimes referred to as Gafura due to a minor phonetic issue, visited the Bail Federal with its Prime Minister.

Gafura is an imperial state, and years ago, the Federation even spontaneously boycotted Gafura due to their political system, namely, authoritarianism.

This was related to the historical context at the time, contrasting the Federal freedom spirit with the intellectual tyranny under feudal rule. Some used these corrupt elements to highlight the preciousness of the Federal freedom spirit, labeling Gafura as a foolish, backward, and feudal country, although this was far from reality.

Surprisingly, things have undergone a significant reversal in just a few years, with the President even personally welcoming Gafura’s Prime Minister at the port, transforming a cold winter into a sea of flowers.

Reportedly, upon request from the President’s Cabinet Secretary’s Office, a welcoming ceremony was organized for Gafura’s Prime Minister.

Previously, people knew little about or rarely experienced such events; decades-old foreign affair records were outdated, offering insufficient information.

Then they consulted with merchants, devising a plan centered around flowers!

Children were instructed to hold various flowers high at the frigid port, waving them in the icy wind capable of freezing vagrants, where the floral scent eclipsed the salty sea air. Gafura’s Prime Minister seemed momentarily taken aback upon disembarking.

Alert reporters captured this moment, and during the evening news, television hosts unanimously interpreted the momentary distraction as "the fiery passion of the Free Federation dispelling the cold sea wind from the East Ocean, warmly welcoming the Gafura Prime Minister who crossed the ocean for a visit to the Federation."

In reality, the Gafura Prime Minister’s distraction was because, for a moment, he felt as if he had boarded the wrong ship. In his view, the Federation not only rejected foreign affairs but also exuded an inexplicable arrogance, even more unfounded than that of an imperial state.

He wondered if he was in the wrong place when he saw the scene after disembarking. Upon regaining composure, he decided to reprimand the Foreign Affairs department back home, as their conclusions about the Federation were evidently flawed.

He concealed this internally, engaging in cordial and friendly discussions with the President at the President’s Mansion, completing the first day’s work, which included preliminary intentions for international political, military, and commercial cooperation.

The entire Federation monitored the state visit and its outcomes closely, aware that these developments represented the Federation’s future.

People were apprehensive, having hidden away in their comfort zones for years. They couldn’t conceal themselves any longer — like socially awkward jerks, they longed for and feared the outside world.

Lynch was also very concerned about the outcome of this foreign affairs visit. Throughout the evening, all Federation TV stations, media, and those too hungry to move were discussing these matters. Suddenly, the Prime Minister of Gafura and topics related to this country overshadowed all other topics.

Sitting in front of the TV, the program temporarily took a break, and both the host and guests left the main stage. Lynch also let out a slight sigh of relief.

He had other people with him, Asir, whom he specifically invited here today to watch TV together, as there were also some tasks he needed to entrust to him.

Before assigning tasks to him, Lynch asked about his father, Mr. Nell, and how he was doing, "How is he doing? I mean, Nell."

"Mr. Nell is very knowledgeable about his work, including the new projects we just acquired. He has already prepared a plan, which only requires slight modifications to be used!"

Asir’s tone carried some surprise, "I’m not flattering him, Mr. Lynch. Mr. Nell’s understanding lies in his familiarity with these jobs, which might just be an enviable talent?!"

An enviable talent?

No, this is just the helplessness of ordinary people. If an ordinary person wants to live well, they must understand not only the things they should know but also the things they shouldn’t know, such as how to bluff.

It’s ridiculous that the information we receive every day emphasizes that this is an honest society, but this statement itself is the biggest lie.

As for how workers laze around and material suppliers cut corners, Asir was not as familiar as Nell, who naturally did well!

Hearing this, Lynch was very satisfied. He later asked about the progress of the new project. The stadium, because it did not require complex structures, was basically completed; it mainly involved assembling pre-made steel structure circular stands, which were easy to finish.

Regarding the second-hand goods distribution center, Lynch did not require the construction of high-rise buildings. Nell found a suitable company with building qualifications and a completed project to take on this business. The quote they received was about thirty percent lower than the board’s inquiry price.

Of course, Nell’s quote was about ten percent lower than the board’s lowest inquiry price, with the remaining twenty percent being the profit for that construction company.

They did not need to do anything but secured a big project with a twenty percent profit. Apart from Nell’s commission and salary, the rest of the money went into the company’s account, which essentially returned to Lynch’s pocket.

After discussing these unimportant matters, Lynch thought for a bit and said, "Today’s visit will herald the beginning of a grand era. You should sort things out recently and return to your hometown to prepare for me. By the end of March, I will go to your hometown to invest, and you should communicate with your local regime, Divine Authority, or whatever beforehand."

This matter had been settled long ago, but when faced with it, Asir still felt uneasy, "Mr. Lynch, shouldn’t you reconsider?"

His speech was somewhat stuttered, with intermittent or repeated pronunciations of some words, indicating that he was nervous, "My hometown is not an ideal place. I think some other, more civilized places might be more suitable."

Lynch shook his head with a smile, "You don’t understand, Asir. Civilization has its advantages, but also its drawbacks. My choice is not wrong; you just need to do it."

"I can assure you now, as long as you do well, what you will gain there will be far more than what you get here, do you understand?"

Lynch’s attitude was undeniable, and eventually, Asir dared not persuade further. He would soon hand over his work and leave Bail Federal to return to that poor, ignorant, and backward place.

The next day, Lynch did not go to the company but went to see the Senior Soldier.

With Lynch’s approving nod, the Senior Soldier recruited more retired soldiers into this "Darkstone Security" company. Many veterans were initially apprehensive, but as they returned to the camp resembling a military barracks, they quickly blended into this new family.

Everyone was very comfortable; all they had to do was live as they did in the past, participating in drills and training, then resting when exhausted, without having to consider many other things.

Just as Lynch arrived at the company, the Senior Soldier appeared in front of him, looking more mature than two months ago, with an improved demeanor. Lynch even jokingly said he shouldn’t be a Senior Soldier, but a Colonel.

"I found from the fund transfers during this period that you’ve added quite a few people?", Lynch said as he walked with him on the field. Wherever they went, the soldiers would gather together to observe him.

He, on the other hand, would nod in greeting and let them freely move about, although somewhat cumbersome, it gave a very special feeling, a taste of power.

The Senior Soldier nodded, "Recently, a large batch of soldiers is about to retire. Last time, you mentioned to me the possibility of recruiting more soldiers. Did I recruit too many people?"

Lynch was slightly taken aback, "I remember it’s not the retirement season now..."