Darkstone Code

Chapter 1088 - 1086: Recognizing the Gap Is the Only Way to Improve

Before meeting Lynch, Lance had many speculations about him.

No one ever considers themselves inferior to others, especially in the Federation, a country that pursues ultimate freedom and equality. Even the President wouldn’t let anyone feel inferior.

There’s no difference between me and the President, just different jobs...

Such a thought miraculously became the mainstream idea in the Federation. People genuinely don’t see the President as anything extraordinary. Some even take the President to court because their children learned to curse from his speeches.

Everyone believes this, yet it’s clear who belongs to the lower, middle, and upper classes in Federation’s society.

These people can still firmly believe in such ideas under these circumstances, which could be called the "miracle of the Federation"!

Of course, this must be credited to the politicians and capitalists of the Federation. They are adept at creating a society that caters to public psychology.

Lance is such a person; he is more outstanding and comes from a better family than others.

His father is a successful Merchant, while his mother comes from a politically declining family. But no matter the decline, when met with money, it is no longer a decline.

He can be considered part of the upper class, and only this qualifies him to be a member of the Saint Harmony Association. He never thought Lynch would be particularly special, even though he sometimes jokingly used some nicknames for Lynch.

Like calling him a young leader, he would say it, but internally, he wouldn’t admit it.

No one can lead anyone; no one is anyone’s leader. He even believes that given the chance, he might not do much worse than Lynch.

Until—

This moment!

Lance faced Lynch like a restless child. He was initially proud of this, but now he just wanted to bow his head, feeling too awkward and somewhat ashamed!

He surprisingly believed he was doing well. He even fantasized that Lynch would constantly praise his every accomplishment upon seeing these reports. He always thought this before.

Until this moment!

But regarding the improvements Lynch now requested, he did not consider them excessive.

Capital has never been an Angel. It’s not for charity but for greater returns, that’s all.

Whether charitable donations or investments, capital’s sole purpose is always profit!

As long as there is enough profit, they can do anything, even kick the Founder out of the company he created or sell the company shares to competitors—

This is the most lucrative deal, just like the Flight Research Institute. Those military industrial enterprises previously were eager to buy shares of the institute.

They weren’t contributing their efforts for Lynch and the institute to develop more advanced technology; they purely wanted to slow down the institute’s progress.

No matter the project, by voting against it in board meetings, they could drag the institute down.

For them, spending a little money to solve the largest competitor was absolutely a cost-effective deal.

But for the institute, this was a huge loss!

Sometimes, it isn’t yourself or those around you who truly recognize your value, but your competitors and enemies.

They fear your growth and then use every means to destroy you!

They will pay a lot of money to buy these shares. Some might ask, given great potential, why not do it themselves?

This involves a return issue.

Assume holding A company’s shares might in five years bring a boom period, but selling A company’s stock at double, triple, or more its premium to B company, and switching it for B company’s shares—

This would mean destroying A company while becoming a shareholder in B company, where, because A company was destroyed, B company gains the capital dividend, reduces competition, and has a better future.

Money is still money. It just becomes more; this is what capital pursues. It doesn’t care who goes bankrupt or who collapses; it only cares if its money can become more in the process!

Even selling the rope to hang oneself, one shouldn’t expect capitalists to have national, ethnic, or moral positions!

Lynch let Lance understand the core business of Future Light Investment Company, which was using various methods to squeeze entrepreneurs’ potential and interests, thus gaining more profit!

As for those entrepreneurs, what happens to the Founders isn’t in the company’s consideration. Everyone only thinks about maximizing interests, not emotional connections.

This is like the selection mechanism inside Future Light Investment Company, where people continually leave due to insufficient strength. Isn’t this cruel?

Putting hope into their chest and then digging it out, taking it away!

This is also very cruel, but this is capital; capital is the primal jungle. To survive, you must continuously annex, with no warmth, only the brutal survival rule.

"Moreover...", Lynch tapped his finger on the desk, bringing Lance’s attention back, "I’ve been busy with other things these days. What does the company department work consist of now, and what do you think is still needed regarding current departmental divisions and job perspectives?"

Lance paused, cautiously said, "Currently, the overall work of the company is still in exploration. We have six departments, namely..."

He briefly introduced the six departments; apart from the logistics department, the overall planning was decent.

From the market development department searching for valuable investment targets, to the evaluation department, then to the legal department and operations department, as well as the trading department, the basic framework can be said to have been established.

As for opinions on current work...

Lance first thought a bit, then stated some of his views, summarizing Lynch’s theories followed by words to appease Lynch.

Lynch shook his head after listening, "Your understanding of our work is still somewhat insufficient."

"We don’t just trade company shares; you should know, we must be responsible to all shareholders!"

"Besides what you mentioned, we need new departments to assist the holding companies in going public, financing, promoting, and so forth..."

Lynch meticulously shared some knowledge he possessed, imparting experience, which wouldn’t cultivate a competitor.

Now, wanting to become Lynch’s competitor in the Federation isn’t as easy; Lynch educated Lance on knowledge, enabling him to better assist in work.

This also eases Lynch’s work pressure, no need to spend all day here.

Two people talked for over two hours. Initially, Lynch thought half an hour would be sufficient for the talk.

But Lance had too many doubts and questions, his excited face blended with a trace of eagerness kept prolonging the time planned.

By the end, Lance admired Lynch like a student, no longer assessing Lynch by his age, identity, as a standard for personal ability, but viewing him as a truly successful person.

Even... a Legend!

The entire process Anna was listening; sometimes, she even forgot what to do, just standing dazedly, then desperately memorizing key information.

After Lance left, Lynch pointed to the sofa, signaling her to sit down.

"In the next period, I’ll primarily arrange my schedule around work here. For some less important matters, you can help me solve them."

Anna was a bit surprised, "I don’t know... this is somewhat unfamiliar to me; I’ve never worked on this kind of task!"

"I also don’t know if I can do it well..."

It was clear she was speaking honestly; the core industries of the Akiner Clan are all related to mining. It’s said they maintain good relations with the Duncan Clan because the Akiner Clan often buys slaves sold by the Duncan Clan for mining.

Of course, this is undoubtedly unsubstantiated slander. Neither the Duncan Clan nor the Akiner Clan would do such things that are expressly prohibited in the Federation.

This also reflects Anna’s lack of opportunity to have dealings related to Lynch’s work; most she encounters are industries, mining, etc.

Lynch shrugged, "Future trends, you learn, understand ahead of others, which will benefit your future development greatly."

"You mentioned competition last time, that everyone can start a business once?"

Lynch remembered this matter, and Anna nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes, each of us only has one chance to start a business."

"This is the best choice, financial investment.", Lynch’s voice was filled with persuasive power, "This isn’t industry; it means you don’t need to produce, without orders, you can still earn profits."

"Even if your insight is flawed and the investment fails, it still won’t leave you with no chance to try again."

"You can link one fund with ten businesses and fetch more returns, adapting better to the current era development than other entrepreneurial projects!"

Anna was almost persuaded. Initially, she planned to set up a processing plant.

Because of family industries along with the Star Dream Butterfly Conglomerate, she knows some developers. They need various steel materials for building, and she has such connections.

Securing orders safely, generating profit wouldn’t be difficult.

Yet she clearly understands, such a business can work but cannot grow large.

If she wants to compete with other siblings for the next Akiner Clan Leader position, solely relying on providing various steel materials to developers won’t suffice.

What she can do, her siblings can do too, only ensuring she doesn’t lose but won’t make her win!

She needs to win, only by winning can she live the life she desires.

In silence, Anna gradually persuaded herself; perhaps she truly should try it; maybe this is a good idea.