Chapter 116: Practical Tips

“You’ve all received the product catalog, right?” Lynch glanced at Richard, who nodded.

The detailed catalog had been handed out on Sunday, given to everyone, including the newly hired salespeople.

It listed most of the items appearing at the state auction. Some items were intentionally left out—not only to surprise buyers but also to prevent them from preparing in advance.

For example, a house Lynch currently lived in was on the list. His people planned to secure it. Of course, this was all a ruse: the eventual buyer failed to pay, causing the property to be withdrawn, and the consignor refused to relist it.

The hype was enough. Starting a luxury villa at one Sol sparked public interest. People weren’t focused on the final price but on the chance to snag a bargain.

This was what Lynch wanted them to focus on—not trivial matters.

After Richard nodded, Lynch casually sat down and invited the others to do the same—stairs in the gymnasium served as seats.

They sat holding notebooks and pens, looking at Lynch like eager students thirsty for knowledge and wealth.

After a moment of thought, Lynch organized his ideas and began teaching some useful tips.

He added that whoever had neat handwriting should record details carefully, as the notes might become training material for future recruits.

They agreed Wood would handle this since everyone said his handwriting was the best.

After these instructions, Lynch posed a question: “When do you get angry?”

The sudden question startled the young men, but soon they started thinking. Richard was the first to raise his hand, which Lynch valued.

Richard not only completed Lynch’s assignments but also energized the group. Such people were needed everywhere. Even if Richard wasn’t with Lynch long-term, he’d find success—some things were destined.

Pointing at him, Lynch smiled as Richard said confidently, “I get angry when someone humiliates me,” then exchanged proud looks with his friends.

Lynch nodded encouragingly, looking at others, hoping more would answer. It might feel shameful to some, but this was what they needed to overcome.

If they gave up on earning money for conscience, morals, or values, they had no place in this business.

Wood raised his hand thoughtfully. “I get angry when someone crosses my bottom line.”

Lynch’s eyes brightened, pointing at Wood, then at Richard before spreading his gaze to the rest. “Richard, do you get angry when I humiliate you?”

His tone was calm, with a slight smile, not harsh—but Richard felt uncomfortable. A sudden, inexplicable fear crept into him.

He shifted uncomfortably, shook his head. “No, Mr. Lynch.”

Lynch nodded and asked the group, “Why doesn’t Richard get angry when I humiliate him?”

It was a complex question. As their mentor, Lynch explained.

“Because I haven’t crossed your bottom line. You have an internal measure of our status difference. Even if I humiliate you, it’s within what you can tolerate, so you don’t get angry.”

“That is acceptable harm. Only when I cross your bottom line, causing deep pain to your heart or soul, will you become angry, furious, and lose reason.”

“I’ve talked before about creating small conflicts. Now I’m teaching how to make customers lose reason. It’s beginner knowledge but very important.”

“You lightly sting their hearts, disabling their reason briefly while boosting competitiveness. Make them feel humiliated by other bidders so they create miracles in bidding.”

“We all know impulse is a dangerous emotion—under it, people do things they never thought they would.”

“If you master this, you’ll become top-tier here!”

The young men’s breaths quickened. They’d just stopped discussing last week’s auction party, with beautiful women dressed simply running around like pets.

Money filled every corner, rare delicacies piled on tables as if free.

Alcohol, money, hormones—the mere description stirred their excitement and energy.

Lynch nodded, satisfied, then asked a second question: “Our customer base has a clear common trait, one of their bottom lines. Has anyone noticed?”

Even Richard quieted, pondering and discussing with other sales managers, but they couldn’t find a common trait.

Their lifestyles, jobs, and families varied greatly. They looked to Lynch, who smiled faintly.

“Poverty,” he said simply, silencing the room.

Lynch continued teaching, “They aren’t strictly poor, but secondhand buyers usually have consumption desires and impulses without the means for new goods. Some are stingy rich, but most are relatively poor.”

“They don’t lack desire like the truly poor, nor do they have a healthy financial plan like well-off families. They are poor but deny it.”

“That’s their bottom line, what they fiercely protect. They never admit poverty. If we make them feel targeted or challenged by other customers, even slight friction will break their reason.”

“Gentlemen, as long as the goods sell, I get my share. I tell you this not to make more money for myself but to let you feel the best pulse of this era!”

“You might not fully grasp it now, but tomorrow you’ll try stirring your clients’ anger, making them lose reason.”

“By the way, tell your clients they can resell purchased items at no less than 70% of the price. If there are scratches or damages, lower the price further—drop it as low as possible…”

Impulsive buyers soon sober up and realize they bought something unplanned.

Returns are most people’s first thought, but this place sells only, no returns—even calling police or suing won’t help.

Auction houses never take returns. Returning depends on finding the original owner later.

Or… sell cheaply to the Interstellar Trading Company—that’s a great way to cash out immediately, no delay!

After sharing more tips, Lynch said goodbye. He’d come just to meet the young men; teaching wasn’t planned, so he wouldn’t stay long.

As Lynch left, some excitedly gathered, others pondered his words.

“I’m starting to believe you…” said a middle-aged man behind Wood, eyes complex as he watched Lynch walk away.

In the past half month undercover, Wood never reported any criminal acts by Lynch, raising doubts at the FBI’s covert operations unit.

Reluctantly, Wood’s handler came personally with two young agents, ready to quietly eliminate Wood if he had defected.

But after meeting Lynch once, Wood’s superior believed Wood wasn’t lying. Lynch was cunning and a formidable capitalist.

He avoided any methods linked to crime or illegality, earning money in baffling yet simple ways.

A ruthless businessman, but clever—clever enough to manipulate human nature, making people compete to give him money.

Such a man could thrive without breaking the law. This was only a preliminary judgment; whether Lynch had committed any crimes still needed close monitoring.

If he had, the day he joined the FBI, he vowed never to let a criminal go.

If not, he would proactively explain the situation to the covert operations unit.