Darkstone Code

Chapter 1039 - 1037: Production and Monetization

"Why would the Federation sell such aircraft directly for foreign military sales?"

After discovering the truth, the Gafura Ambassador had been contemplating this question, suspecting a traitor might exist within the Federation.

If there were no traitor, they should keep these things hidden, not allowing anyone to touch or access them, instead of selling them.

It’s a good opportunity!

The Ambassador paced back and forth, then made a call back home.

It was just approaching noon, and the Prime Minister had returned from the Imperial Palace; he’s older now and needs a nap.

In summer, a brief rest on the office chair sufficed, but as the weather grew colder, moist and cold, lying on the office chair would likely send him to the hospital soon.

At home, lying in his warm bed, the heating and the light yet warm quilt made him extremely comfortable.

As he hovered between sleep and wakefulness, suddenly the phone rang, causing his heart to jolt.

Frowning, clutching his chest, the discomfort slowly faded away.

He glanced at the still ringing phone beside him, picked it up; it was a call from the Ambassador in the Federation.

Moments later, his voice showed some confusion and surprise, "Are you saying their Qi-1 bombers are open for foreign sales?"

The Prime Minister threw off the quilt, pulled the cord by the bed, and soon the butler entered with two maids.

The butler stood at the door, directing the two maids to change the Prime Minister’s clothes; ten minutes later, he was in work attire.

There were seven layers in total, which sounds like a lot, but actually two to three layers were nearly imperceptible.

Those were linings or covers.

Light and thin, yet they must be put on.

Throughout this process, the Prime Minister didn’t put down the phone, "Ask the person in charge there, if possible...we’ll buy twenty planes first."

"Once we acquire these planes, a large budget for research will be allocated immediately, and it won’t be long before we can replicate them."

"Before our Empire’s scientists, it won’t keep any secrets!"

It’s good news; the Prime Minister had been pondering how to resolve this issue, especially with many in Gafura talking up the "bomber threat theory."

Even though scientists from the Royal Academy of Sciences assured citizens on TV that the Federation wouldn’t bomb Gafura, nor fly such a distance directly from the Federation to Gafura Main Island.

But the citizens wouldn’t believe; more people saying it led to more people buying into it.

Now, they could solve these issues.

Not only obtain the secret of Federation bombers but through targeted research, arrange an appropriate defense system.

The citizens will like this approach; the Prime Minister breathed a sigh of relief, it’s a good thing.

Elsewhere, some have already learned the causes and outcomes of some issues through certain channels.

In the Federation, as long as there’s money to spend, no problem can’t be solved.

In fact, the matter was simple; someone wanted to stab Lynch in the back, yet Lynch persuaded the President and Ministry of Defense to agree to foreign sales of his aircraft.

As for how he persuaded them, nobody knew, but it wasn’t important.

What’s important is how they acquire these planes from Lynch!

Indeed, the sales rights are with Lynch, not the Federation Government; Lynch decides whom to sell to or whether to sell at all.

And so, various calls reached Lynch, inquiring about aircraft sales.

"Of course, we’ll sell them once production ramps up!"

Walking through the new production workshop, Lynch answered the Chief Engineer’s stupid question as he watched the workers assemble the production line.

"Moreover, our previous plans must continue; Blackstone Airlines will soon be established, the Flight Research Institute, patent management company, sales and after-sales service company, and here, will all be subsidiaries of Blackstone Airlines."

"I can give you 0.5% of the shares, but if you leave the company, this portion of shares will be transferred to the company’s Foundation without compensation."

The Chief Engineer’s face immediately showed disbelief; he didn’t know Blackstone Airlines’ market value but believed it wouldn’t be small, exceedingly large!

Even the previous aircraft sales to the Ministry of Defense had already brought in billions in profits, so it’s likely this company’s market value would match the established defense enterprises.

Half a percent, or five per thousand, does it seem small?

To a company valued at only a million, it might seem trivial, five per thousand worth only five thousand.

But for a major enterprise most certainly...no, inevitably breaking ten billion, five per thousand means tens of millions or even billions in wealth!

Of course, the caveat is that he can’t leave the company, or he forfeits this right.

Why wouldn’t Lynch give him a dividend right, only shares without free disposition?

It’s straightforward; there are many reasons why someone leaves a company, from personal reasons like poor health or inadequate capability.

Or another company offering a better price.

But other reasons could involve third parties, like getting fired or squeezed out by colleagues.

Such practice also brings a benefit, a major benefit where?

Competition!

The prospect of squeezing out the Chief Engineer means the shares transfer into the company’s Foundation, which funds welfare. Others will keep an eye on him, any tiny lapse.

Even a day would prompt someone to act.

Capitalists rarely conduct business they’re aware won’t profit; every "reward" system’s essence is aimed to further exploit employee’s value and labor.

Some feel valued, like the Chief Engineer now, then he’ll be extremely committed.

Without Lynch’s request, he’ll arrive first and leave last because that’s his duty; it’s his way of realizing and demonstrating self-value!

The Chief Engineer realized, his face filled with smiles, "Isn’t...it too much?"

"If you think it’s too much, I can offer less," Lynch didn’t turn his head, surveying the mechanical piles beside him.

Workers showed no discontent; having a job was precious in these times.

In some remote places, unemployment rates were still above ten percent, only in an economic hub like Bupen did things recover faster.

Having a job meant income and life stability.

Everyone was attentive and cautious, minimizing errors.

Workers’ Union hadn’t organized strikes for quite some time because they knew.

If workers struck here, capitalists could recruit more workers elsewhere at lower rates; workers wouldn’t heed the call to strike.

Forcing strikes would erode confidence in the Workers’ Union.

Yet those workers didn’t know even humbler days awaited, especially once some "robots" stole their jobs!

Mechanized production wasn’t new; many scenes like these were depicted in scientific masters’ books.

Massive robots operated around assembly lines, robots replaced humans in labor fields, factory owners only charged or oiled these robots daily.

Such depictions were deemed as an...improbable future; to date, people didn’t believe those electronics could think.

They misunderstood; assembly line work doesn’t need thought, just repetitive processes; it doesn’t involve thinking.

This can be solved; some gears solve this problem.

"When can production be organized?" Lynch asked as he walked.

The Chief Engineer hurriedly followed, "About one to two weeks; we still need final adjustments."

Lynch nodded, "No rush; next we’ll negotiate prices. We have time."

Approaching the end of the workshop, Lynch halted, "The other research projects must progress; I hope by next year you’ll report breakthrough news."

Many wondered how Lynch persuaded the Ministry of Defense and the President; such high-level gear shouldn’t be externally sold, they didn’t know what Lynch did to earn such trust.

Some assumed bribery, others an international political conspiracy.

Lynch’s persuasion was straightforward—

"I can sell them planes and also shoot them down!"

Witnessing a secret plane battle himself, Lynch convinced the President and Ministry of Defense with facts.

But this news wasn’t leaked, not even those from military enterprises studying planes knew about it.

Lynch and the Chief Engineer spoke of related research.

New materials, engine designs, and exterior designs...

Squeezing time, Lynch convened Future Light Investment Company’s shareholders for a meeting; the agenda was simple, Chairman and major shareholder Lynch decided to invest in "Blackstone Airlines."

No one opposed; news of Lynch’s potential aircraft sales was explosive these two days.

He just secured billions from the Ministry of Defense, now can sell externally; how much could he earn?