Darkstone Code

Chapter 1046 - 1044: An Unpredictable Answer

"So... there’s no major issue then."

The Mayor made a "please" gesture, and then Lynch took a ten-cent pen and drew a circle on a map that cost less than a dollar.

He casually drew a circle, not a perfectly round one, just a doodle. But this simple circle could solve many employment issues in the future and promote economic development.

They might not be worth much, but those who use them are extraordinary, which grants them special attributes.

The Mayor glanced at it, "No problem, I’ll make sure someone sends the relevant documents to your designated place as soon as possible, or will you pick them up?"

"Leave a phone number in my office when the time comes, I’ll have someone pick it up," Lynch placed a business card on the table and pushed it over.

The business card was made of linen paper, processed with a pure gold border around the edge, ensuring the horizontal cut of the card did not get lifted during repeated friction.

This also made the business card quite heavy.

There was only a phone number on it, nothing else, not even Lynch’s name.

But if you look closely at the gold edging, you could see a small row of Lynch’s name on the approximately two-millimeter-wide edge, a new technology, seamlessly integrated.

The Mayor’s attitude towards this business card was special, he "respected" it, because it represented more than just an item, it carried a meaning hard to describe clearly.

At least Lynch didn’t oppose establishing more connections with him, otherwise, Lynch would have asked him to send things to a designated place.

This would avoid further contact between the two parties and also reject any future active contact initiated by the Mayor.

The immense pleasure of being affirmed by capital instantly made every pore on the Mayor’s body open, those slightly yellow sweat hairs swaying comfortably.

"Rest assured, it will be handled quickly!" The Mayor placed the business card in his cardholder, not in the drawer; he valued this business card greatly.

This is the most interesting phenomenon in the Federation. Each politician wants to display their independence and self-esteem yet cannot do without the help of capitalists, while the public hopes they can become the vanguard against capital...

Very contradictory, and some quite helpless people.

Lynch nodded once, "How are the costs calculated?"

The Mayor glanced at the map again, "This place is far from Bupen’s city ring line, according to..." he suddenly furrowed his brow, thinking for about a dozen seconds.

Then gradually, he seemed to have found what he was looking for, his frown smoothing out, "According to Bupen’s local laws, the use of wasteland doesn’t require any fees, you just need to level it within the stipulated time and lay cement, and it will belong to you."

"By the way, it will be a place with a dense labor force, right?"

Lynch nodded again, "Yes, we preliminarily think that at least five hundred citizens will have job opportunities over there."

The Mayor’s smile was enthusiastic, "Just right, this also complies with another local law here in Bupen."

"In areas where the labor force density exceeds seventy-five percent, the employing unit can receive some subsidies."

"And there should be some training institutions in there, right?"

Lynch nodded again, the Mayor clapped his hands, laughing merrily, "This also complies with a state law. If you offer employment training, you can get pre-employment education subsidies, which are issued jointly by the local and Federation governments..."

The Mayor and Lynch talked a lot about policy matters; by the end, when Lynch left the Mayor’s office and sat in the car, he showed a thoughtful look.

Austin rarely saw Lynch exhibit such a deep-thinking expression; she was a bit curious.

Not too long ago, at the "farewell" party with those comrades, Lynch changed the image she had of him in her mind.

He might be a playboy, a scoundrel, a bastard, but he was a man!

A real man, unlike some people who look like men, but inside don’t even have a tiny bit of the courage to take on responsibilities!

Undoubtedly, Lynch is a man.

This change in perception directly affects how Lynch appears in Austin’s eyes, the previous Lynch might have been that kind... human scum.

Just a glance would make her feel her eyes were insulted, thinking about his face would make one feel hopeless!

But at this moment, in Austin’s eyes, Lynch looked very pleasing.

"Is something on your mind?" she took the initiative to ask.

Lynch subconsciously looked up at her and revealed a "what the hell are you talking about?" expression, but he realized the next second.

"No, I was just pondering a question."

"I went to the Mayor’s office today, trying to buy some land."

"I ended up spending nothing and got tens of thousands in subsidies..."

Austin: ...

He lied; actually, what he was thinking wasn’t about this matter, although this was true.

Actually, it’s not just the Federation; everywhere there’s encouragement for economic and livelihood development initiatives, like helping ordinary people find jobs, with subsidies provided every year.

For instance, organizing exhibitions and such, the local government also grants a certain amount of subsidy.

Some well-known exhibitions, every time they are held, not only do not cost money but instead bring in a lot.

So it’s not surprising that the mayor gives Lynch so many benefits for setting up the industrial incubator. What surprises Lynch is the mayor’s attitude.

"I remember the mayor’s re-election is right after the presidential election?" Lynch seemed to think of something.

Austin gave him a definite answer, "Next year is the re-election."

Lynch nodded, the mayor is elected every four years, similar to the president, but two years later. This is to avoid clashing with the presidential election and triggering some ugly political deals.

Actually, even if they’re not held together, you still can’t avoid these things.

The governor is elected every two years, in other words, next year is also the governor’s election. Thinking of the governor of York State seeking re-election, Lynch seems to understand why the mayor of Bupen is so enthusiastic.

Whether changing places or seeking re-election, they all need achievements to showcase.

In politics, whether one is capable depends on whether capitalists support them!

You thought I would say, "A person’s ability is related to how many things they have done"?

Of course not, in the Federation, as long as there is capitalist support, anything can be done, and done beautifully.

The reverse is also true, without capitalist support, capitalists giving employees a day or two off under the guise of a "holiday," and organizing a demonstration with the Workers’ Union’s coordination can raise the mayor’s blood pressure.

In any city that develops rapidly, it’s certain that the mayor is good at handling relationships, or at least knows how to befriend capitalists.

Those unable to achieve city development are not incapable; they just don’t understand how to engage with capitalists.

Bupen’s mayor is a smart person, you see, buying such a large piece of land, getting discounted infrastructure improvement, acquiring land for free, and finally receiving hundreds of thousands in subsidies.

Does Lynch lack these hundreds of thousands in pocket change?

Of course not, he doesn’t even care about this money. What makes him pay attention is the mayor’s attitude.

He now feels the mayor is an interesting person and could be a friend.

The scenery outside the window resembled a surrealistic painting, with bizarre (colorful, grotesque, comical) imagery hiding a blood-stained knife behind it.

People wear hypocritical masks, yet think no one knows what they are wearing.

Lynch had a lot to do, not returning home until the evening. The Ministry of Defense, various diplomats, they all wanted something from Lynch.

This dealing was tiring, but Lynch enjoyed it.

Returning home in the evening, he unexpectedly found visitors already there.

"Miss Anna insisted on waiting for your return..." the little maid was a bit timid.

Previously, Serra had the community manager move her away from Lynch, fearing she would lead her son astray. However, the community manager thought it best to inform Lynch about it, resulting in no changes.

But the community manager told the little maid privately that they hoped their own people could be trusted by the wealthy.

These rich people are resources themselves, and the service company’s president valued them highly.

The maid knew she nearly lost her job and became even humbler. She really couldn’t afford to lose this job, she wanted to fulfill her life’s plan here.

Buying a house, settling down, marrying, having children, she couldn’t leave.

This also made her behave more humbly in the room.

Lynch stepped past her, entering the living room where Anna had already stood up.

Lynch casually placed the items in his hand on the tray the maid brought, covered with red velvet, like watches, cufflinks, and such.

"I didn’t know you were coming...", Lynch placed the items over and lifted his neck.

The little maid intended to help Lynch remove his collar studs, but Anna unexpectedly stepped forward, directly standing in front of Lynch, helping him remove the Sapphire collar studs.

Sapphire symbolizes wisdom; many men like small Sapphire accessories.

"Thank you!"

"You’re welcome!" Anna casually placed the collar studs on the tray as well, and the little maid immediately left.

She could sense that Anna didn’t like her.

After the two sat down, Lynch directly voiced his confusion, "Can you not test my riddle-solving ability?"

"Many people think I’m smart, but actually, I’m very dumb, often unable to guess the answer!"