Mr. Wadrick looked at Lynch, still somewhat uneasy with his style. Even though Federals weren’t known for modesty, Lynch’s approach was unusually bold. But then again, Lynch’s excellence was different from others’.
When we say an ordinary person is excellent, we mean their performance surpasses that of the average. Lynch’s excellence was something beyond human.
During the five-day meeting, besides presenting his
Labor Value Optimization Theory
, Lynch made two proposals that left people unsure whether to think he was crazy or applaud him.
The first was to introduce women’s rights organizations into Nagaryll. The second was to allow limited participation of labor unions in Nagaryll.
At the shareholders’ meeting, Lynch explained in a way people didn’t know how to respond that female labor was an important part of the overall labor exploitation system.
According to him, traditional women in Nagaryll do more basic labor at home; their bodies are stronger, and some even healthier than malnourished, untrained men.
However, in traditional Nagaryll society, women had no status. Apart from female-specific jobs, ordinary work wasn’t open to them; companies and employers refused to hire women. This distorted culture held that women weren’t suited to standing work.
A large labor force was wasted. Lynch expressed deep regret. To free more women, granting them equal legal rights including the right to work, he proposed introducing women’s rights organizations to advance the cause of Nagaryll’s women.
As a Federal from a civilized society, Lynch couldn’t accept the status quo. He even set up a public fundraising foundation and donated the first sum himself. The foundation and its funds would be fully dedicated to liberating Nagaryll’s women’s rights.
When Lynch first said this, most members of the presidium almost lost their composure. If Lynch hadn’t been so young, they might have laughed outright at such shameless tactics.
This was hardly the behavior of a young Federal, more like the schemes of their own aged peers. But after reconsideration, they had to admit Lynch made a strong point.
If it’s all exploitation and oppression anyway, why not be more thorough?
The purpose of introducing labor unions was similar. Like the collusion between the tobacco companies and anti-smoking groups, Nagaryll’s unions were completely different from Federal unions.
Here, unions would firmly side with capitalists.
They would act more as institutions helping capitalists better exploit labor, assigning suitable workers to suitable places for efficient exploitation.
Some thought Lynch’s ideas unnecessary or fanciful, believing natives of Nagaryll didn’t need such consideration—just give them jobs and that’s enough.
But Lynch pointed to two major recent events in Nagaryll: the previous major unrest and the recent large strike.
National consciousness is awakening!
This phrase silenced all dissenters at the shareholders’ meeting, shaking every shareholder, including Mr. Wadrick, Mr. Geruno, and Mr. Patric.
“I still hear your words when I think about this,” said Wadrick, increasingly admiring Lynch.
Unlike Patric and Geruno, who descended from the first wave of immigrant families, Wadrick’s family belonged to a newer middle-class capitalist lineage, now part of the old elite. New capitalists were rising, challenging old families.
Wadrick’s family had no
glorious lineage
or
brilliant history
, so he was more tolerant of Lynch’s background than the true old families.
He never used Lynch’s origins to judge his merit, only recognizing his uniqueness.
But liking him didn’t mean Wadrick supported a union between Severella and Lynch’s future generations—that was a different matter.
“Sometimes I wonder if there really is a God. Maybe you did something amazing, like saving the world…” He chuckled, “And that’s why an old wise soul is trapped in a young body.”
He sighed often. “I’ve thought about this before but found no good solution. After all, these are different countries with different peoples, different social systems, different regimes…”
“We have many differences. What works for us might not work for Nagaryll. But you gave us an astonishing answer, Lynch!”
Bringing labor unions into Nagaryll would provide an authoritative, effective channel for the awakening people to communicate.
They could send their views through unions directly to foreign capitalists, seeking a certain degree of unity.
Federal unions do this all the time—organizing weekend protests that neither disrupt capitalist production nor fail to express workers’ demands and determination to protect their interests. They excel at this.
With a communication channel, labor grievances and demands can be heard, preventing extreme actions.
Massive, unexpected, destructive unrest and riots would be unlikely. Everything would become orderly and peaceful under union organization.
Lynch didn’t mind Wadrick’s almost-accurate guess; he knew it was just admiration.
He placed his hand on the ferry’s rail. The sea breeze tousled his hair as he gazed at the turbulent ocean, calm and confident. “Everyone has desires, Mr. Wadrick. Desire drives human progress, but it’s also humanity’s fatal flaw…”
Lynch soon returned to Nagaryll. The city, recovering from a massive parade, was regaining vitality. Construction sites were busy, and with more good news reaching the Federation, many Federals traveled by boat daily seeking opportunities.
Everything here was flourishing, but locals grew more confused.
Shortly after, the Nagaryll Joint Development Company announced plans to issue more shares and expand the board. They also disclosed financial s, and this giant unlisted company was
listed
on three major exchanges.
This
listing
was not a typical IPO but a non-public trading listing, legal and regulated.
As long as share transactions didn’t exceed the Federal Financial Regulatory Commission’s acquisition thresholds or the company’s internal sensitivity limits, it was legitimate and appropriate.
Markets respond to demand with trade.
With shares in short supply, a surge of people seeking opportunities in Nagaryll began spreading across the Federation, reigniting strong momentum after a long, steady rise.
“Up another 3%, gentlemen!” Mr. Herbes raised a gold-rimmed crystal glass, his face full of unrestrained joy.
While Lynch dazzled with his miracles, others like Herbes watched coldly, even sneering. They knew the money wasn’t Lynch’s—it was theirs.
They were the true miracle workers. When June arrived, the money would return to their hands, and they’d reap unparalleled returns from loans and wagers.
Nagaryll’s rising value alone nearly increased Herbes’ wealth by half; others earned much too—a great harvest.
If the Gephra people refused to redeem Lynch’s bonds before June, those bonds would also become their income, some doubling or tripling their personal assets.
Why wouldn’t they celebrate?
They had just convinced Gephra’s finance minister to postpone bond redemption—citing a universal delay for all foreign war bonds to keep imperial finances flush for emergencies.
If the Amellia region’s situation worsened enough to require military intervention, this reserve would cover costs without sudden austerity.
The Emperor of Gephra endorsed this, since the finance minister’s reasoning was sound. After all, if war came, the emperor shouldn’t have to pay from his personal funds—it’s royal money, not state funds.Even the Emperor of Gephra agreed to the request, so this round was theirs—they had secured Lynch’s bonds pledged at the third-party bank!
With every percentage point Valier rose, their wealth expanded. They weren’t just celebrating—they were celebrating extravagantly!
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