On December 25th, about half an hour from Eminence, the harbor was bitterly cold, yet many people had gathered there, including prominent media outlets like the Federal Times and the International Observer.
Several journalists from other countries, such as the Royal Daily from Gephra, were also present, all drawn by Lynch’s invitation to witness a miracle. These well-known ers stood shivering in the cold early that morning.
Kamu, the lead er with a column at the International Observer, shivered in the wind. His paper was rapidly rising from a secondary position to challenge the Federal Daily as a major publication. As escapism waned, public interest in international affairs grew, and newspapers became the cheapest way to stay informed. The International Observer’s circulation had tripled and continued to climb.
Many smaller papers followed suit, ing all kinds of international news—some true, some fabricated—to attract attention and boost sales. Some people who had never left their own cities genuinely believed everything printed, assuming newspapers wouldn’t publish falsehoods. What they didn’t realize was some media were even more shameless than their neighbors.
Regardless, the International Observer had become a heavyweight outlet. Kamu received numerous press invitations daily and was now selective.
By 8:30, Lynch’s convoy arrived fashionably late. Kamu grumbled, thinking Lynch was getting arrogant after his recent success. As Lynch raised his arm and glanced at the time, he apologized for being
half a minute late
but stressed that wasn’t important—the reason for his invitation was.
Dozens of TV crews recorded everything while print journalists watched. Lynch pulled a one-Sol Federal Sol bill from his pocket and showed it to everyone.
“This is currency—the Federal Sol. Many of you have seen it.”
Some ers laughed, “Mr. Lynch, I’ve seen the hundred-Sol bill too!”
Lynch nodded but didn’t respond. He placed the one-Sol bill between two pieces of glass mounted on a stand, then did the same with a hundred-Sol bill.
“A friend told me he’s seen the hundred-Sol bill, so I won’t display it again…”
At this point, no one understood Lynch’s intent. Simply displaying currency or showing wealth didn’t require such theatrics.
Supported by Lynch’s status, the crowd stayed. He then produced a stack of hundred-Sol bills—new notes freshly exchanged from the bank—placed on a stand weighted down by a paperweight.
“This stack is worth ten thousand Sol,” he said, then opened a common combination lock briefcase filled with hundred-Sol bills. “This is two million Sol in cash. Honestly, when movies show someone holding a briefcase with a million inside, I always want to ask the director if they’ve ever seen that much money.”
He placed the briefcase on a tilted stand for better viewing.
Two Blackstone security guards placed another briefcase on the table and opened it. Everyone gasped.
The cold wind made them shiver. Though money is vulgar, seeing so much at once was overwhelming.
“Two million, gentlemen. I bet some of you can’t even lift this box with one hand—except the cameraman!”
Federal Sol bills contain gold powder, making them heavier than ordinary notes. Two million plus the case weighed about thirty kilograms.
Though still unsure of Lynch’s plan, interest peaked. Someone excitedly asked, “Mr. Lynch, is the next amount twenty million?”
This was the Federation’s society—people might dislike the wealthy at times but didn’t resent them. Capitalists had spent decades changing how society viewed wealth: money meant reason and aspiration, not hatred.
Lynch’s display only inspired envy and motivation to become rich.
He shook his head, then turned around, revealing a scene that left many trembling.
A container crane moved a shipping container closer. Some screamed, but this was only the beginning.
Second, third, fourth, and fifth containers followed.
Nagaryll’s bills were colorful and slightly larger than the Federal Sol. Each container held up to 2.1 billion bills, roughly 10 billion Nagaryll, requiring five containers to hold it all.
When the fifth container was set down, Lynch nodded to the sergeant. Armed guards approached, opened the container, and the crowd seemed to inhale the intoxicating scent of fresh ink.
Standing before the money, Lynch leaned on the table. “Someone mentioned seeing a one-Sol bill, so I ask: who has ever seen ten billion in cash?”
After a brief stunned silence, ers went wild, rushing Lynch. They pushed people aside, shouting questions.
The sergeant protected Lynch expertly. Lynch, unshaken, raised a finger.
“First question: what’s the use of this money?”
“Our cooperation with Nagaryll is progressing steadily. As friendly allies, we bear the responsibility to help Nagaryll prosper and escape poverty.”
“With warming relations and expanding cooperation, to solve some issues, I personally am acquiring one billion Nagaryll as my foreign exchange reserve. I am optimistic about Nagaryll’s future growth and its currency’s appreciation potential.”
“Second,” he held up two fingers, “I’ve just learned that due to improved relations, Nagaryll’s government will increase the proportion and amount of Federal Sol in their reserves, possibly buying over one hundred million Sol!”
“Third, the Federation will also buy several billion Nagaryll…”
Simultaneously, at the presidential palace press room, Mr. Truman delivered similar news.
“The federal government will purchase no less than fifty billion Nagaryll to stabilize its exchange rate. The Joint Development Company will continue buying at least thirty billion Nagaryll. Our plan is to stabilize the currency within two to three years.”
At the Nagaryll Joint Development Company press conference, the announcement was repeated: the company would exchange Federal Sol for Nagaryll through shareholding swaps, using it for reserves and staff salaries.
Upon these announcements, Nagaryll’s currency immediately surged in the foreign exchange market, followed by a flood of international hot money.
Currency appreciation driven by national action carries little risk. Many international analysts believe the Federation’s naval victory over Gephra proved its military might; now it must prove economic and political strength.
Even if the Federation took losses, it would not allow Nagaryll’s currency to fail in its appreciation. They would stand firm.
At this time, no one dared cause trouble—the Federation’s battle fleets patrolling near others’ shores made any misstep costly.
This was a sure profit channel. The influx of hot money accelerated Nagaryll’s forex performance. Lynch, Mr. Truman, and the Joint Development Company’s official statements added strong credibility.
Especially the one billion Nagaryll in cash was astounding. Even skeptics started to question their doubts.
In just one morning, Nagaryll’s currency rose over ten points—a historic, unprecedented surge. After a long cold spell, the financial exchange ignited with extraordinary enthusiasm once more.Today’s sunlight was exceptionally bright.
Standing at the harbor, welcoming the first ray of winter sunshine, Lynch’s face was radiant and shining.
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