Blackstone Code-Chapter 280:

The temperature in February was gradually starting to rise, and the harsh winter was nearly a thing of the past.

The court proceedings regarding the Listoan Group case were also beginning. Trials for some peripheral, non-main personnel had already concluded.

The lawsuit against Vera had also gone through its legal process. She was unaware that the materials she collected were crucial evidence, and with Gap claiming he had deceived her about their importance, the state prosecutor's charge was ultimately dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

It seemed like the matter had come to an end there. Meanwhile, Lynch's business ventures, in various aspects, maintained a steady, slightly upward trend.

With the successful conclusion of the state's second-hand goods auction, people once again witnessed the power of the times.

Items that were once casually discarded at doorsteps or near trash bins were now fetching respectable prices. The trend of second-hand goods trading started to flourish throughout the Federation.

Under Lynch's direction, a new company was spun off from the Interstellar Trading Company, focusing solely on the second-hand goods trade center. Many people invested in it, some with cash, others with land. These were the only forms of capital Lynch accepted.

In the current unpredictable economic climate, people weren't necessarily looking to use their money to make more money. Rather, their main goal was to prevent their wealth from mysteriously vanishing—to retain its value, and that was all they could hope for.

Lynch's companies clearly had this capability. Even if they didn't generate substantial profits, they at least provided security.

Many investors understood that Lynch's business had significant limitations; the second-hand goods trade only flourished in times of economic downturn.

Once the economy improved, people would resume leaving unwanted items at their doorsteps with a note labeling them "ownerless" and a buck attached, before happily heading to the mall to buy new goods.

At that time, the enthusiasm for second-hand goods would naturally drop, but no one cared about that.

All they needed was to survive the harsh winter, after which they would part ways with Lynch's company. Lynch understood this well, which was why he preferred cash or land over shares.—Also, in February, the newly appointed president of the Federation welcomed the first state visit in recent years.

Gevra (or Gevera, as some called it—a mere pronunciation difference that didn't matter) sent its prime minister to visit the Baylor Federation.

Gevra was an imperial state, and a few years ago, the Federation had self-imposed a boycott of Gevra, mostly because of its political system—autocracy.

This stemmed from the contrast between the Federation's free spirit and the intellectual confinement under feudal rule. People needed something decayed to highlight the preciousness of the Federation's spirit of freedom, so Gevra was viewed as a foolish, backward, and feudal nation, even if this was far from the truth.

It was surprising, however, that in just a few years, things had reversed. The president even greeted the Gevran Prime Minister personally at the port.

Reportedly, the secretariat of the president's cabinet had arranged a welcoming ceremony.

People were generally unfamiliar with such proceedings, as there was no prior experience. Records of diplomatic events from decades ago were outdated, so they sought input from some businessmen, and a plan emerged: flowers.

Children held various flowers aloft, standing on the wintery docks, waving them in the icy sea breeze that could freeze the homeless. The floral scent masked the saltiness of the sea, and the Gevran Prime Minister looked momentarily dazed upon disembarking.

Journalists captured this look, and on the evening news, TV hosts interpreted this brief distraction as "the Federation's fiery passion dispersing the cold sea breeze of the East Ocean, warming the heart of the visiting Gevran Prime Minister."

In reality, the Prime Minister's moment of pause was due to his impression that he might have boarded the wrong ship. The Federation's prior refusal of foreign relations had always come with a peculiar arrogance, surpassing even that of an imperial nation.

Thus, the moment he disembarked, he found himself questioning if he was in the right place. Once he snapped out of it, he decided he would reprimand his foreign affairs department, for they had clearly misjudged the Baylor Federation.

Of course, none of this showed on his face. He had a friendly conversation with the president and completed the first day's diplomatic work at the presidential office, establishing initial agreements on international political, military, and commercial cooperation.

The entire Federation paid close attention to this visit and its potential outcomes, understanding that these new developments represented the Federation's future.

People were nervous; they'd been sheltered in this comfort zone for so many years and could no longer hide. Like socially awkward individuals, they both craved and feared the outside world.

Lynch, too, followed the visit's progress. All night, every television station, media outlet, and even those too hungry to walk focused on these events. For a moment, all topics were overshadowed by discussions on the Gevran Prime Minister and his nation.

As the show went into a brief intermission, the host and guests left the stage, and Lynch let out a small sigh.

Beside him sat Arthur, whom Lynch had specifically invited to watch the broadcast with him, as he had some tasks for Arthur to undertake.

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Before assigning him, Lynch inquired about his father, Mr. Nail's current state. "How's he doing? I mean Nail."

"Mr. Nail is highly skilled in his work. He's already drafted a proposal for the new project; I just need to make minor adjustments before it's ready."

Arthur's tone carried a hint of amazement. "I'm not trying to flatter him, Mr. Lynch, but Mr. Nail seems extremely familiar with this kind of work. It's almost like an enviable talent."

An enviable talent?

No, this was the common man's struggle. For an ordinary person to live well, they must understand not only what they need to know but also things they probably shouldn't—like how to fake compliance.

It was ironic. In a society that preached honesty, that very notion was the greatest lie.

Arthur wasn't as familiar as Nail with how the workers slacked off or how suppliers cut corners with inferior materials, so he naturally appeared to do an excellent job in the eyes of an outsider.

Lynch was satisfied with Arthur's report and proceeded to inquire about the progress of the new projects. The stadium, a relatively simple structure, was nearly complete. It was primarily composed of steel seating rings, all prefabricated, so assembly was straightforward.

For the second-hand goods center, Lynch didn't demand any high-rise structures. Nail had found a reputable company to take on the project, one with qualifications and previous work in construction. They managed to secure a price about 30% lower than the board's quote.

Naturally, Nail's quote was also 10% lower than the board's lowest bid, leaving the remaining 20% as profit for Nail's construction company.

Without doing anything, they could still get a 20% profit on a large project; aside from Nail's commission and salary, all the other money went into the company's account, which effectively returned to Lynch's pocket.With the trivial matters discussed, Lynch pondered a moment and said, "This visit marks the start of a new era. Prepare yourself, head back to your hometown, and lay the groundwork for my upcoming investments. By late March, I'll be there. Before that, liaise with your local authorities, religious bodies, or any governing bodies in the area."

This plan had long been set in motion, yet as the moment approached, Arthur couldn't help but feel uneasy. "Mr. Lynch, shouldn't you reconsider?"

He stammered, his words punctuated by pauses and repetitions, a sign of his anxiety. "My hometown isn't the best place. I think a more…civilized area would be more suitable."

Lynch smiled and shook his head. "You don't understand, Arthur. Civilization has its merits but also its flaws. My choice is correct; you just need to do as instructed.

"I assure you, do this well, and what you gain there will far surpass what you could earn here. Understand?"

Lynch's tone left no room for doubt, and Arthur dared not argue further. He would soon wrap up his current tasks in Baylor Federation and return to his impoverished, backward hometown.

The next day, instead of heading to his office, Lynch sought out the staff sergeant.

With Lynch's approval, the staff sergeant had recruited more discharged soldiers into the "Blackstone Security" company. Initially uneasy, many veterans soon adapted to the camp-like environment, quickly embracing their new "family."

They felt at home, performing drills and training as before, then resting in exhaustion, free from worries.

As Lynch arrived, the staff sergeant met him on the training ground. The staff sergeant now looked more seasoned and composed than he had two months ago, prompting Lynch to remark that he deserved the rank of Colonel rather than Staff sergeant.

"I noticed from the recent fund transfers that there's a significant increase in personnel here?" Lynch asked as they walked across the field, soldiers gathering to watch him with each step.

Lynch nodded and greeted them, occasionally permitting them to resume their activities. Though time-consuming, it gave him a taste of authority.Please vote for this novel at https://www.novelupdates.com/series/blackstone-code/There are advance chapters available nowAccess will be granted 24 hours after the donationTier 1: 7 Advance chapters Link

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