Chapter 148: Choosing the Longest of the Long and Short

That morning, Lynch had just returned home when the maid told him that Mr. Ferrell had called and asked him to return the call as soon as possible.

In an era without mobile communication, if someone wasn’t in a specific place, no one in the world could reach them!

Lynch quickly called Ferrell back, who explained the purpose of his call.

The mayor had already submitted Lynch’s application to join the Federal Progressive Party. Lynch didn’t need to handle anything himself; the party’s development office would take care of the paperwork.

Around Wednesday—two days later—the state office of the Federal Progressive Party would send someone to Sabin City to meet Lynch. Members recommended by city mayors, like Lynch, would receive special treatment.

The development officer would talk with Lynch about his impression of the party, any suggestions he might have, and whether he needed any assistance from the party.

Ferrell warned Lynch that he could say anything but must not request help—asking for help was frowned upon.

Many new members didn’t know this and would mention business or work difficulties. When the party helped, those people would begin to expect something in return—not endlessly demanding, but implying that since they received help, they should help other party friends in return.

This approach easily integrated individuals into the whole, but some didn’t like this giving back expectation.

Additionally, there would be a charity auction Saturday night in the state to raise funds for city unemployment subsidies. Lynch was invited. The following Monday, the city hall would hold a public forum to discuss how to revive city development.

Lynch accepted all invitations and carefully noted the dates. The higher a person’s social value, the less independence they could guarantee.

Many think wealth brings freedom, and in some ways it does, but often it also restricts because societal development depends on wealthy people contributing ideas or efforts.

No matter the world, those who have money but do nothing and just play don’t exist.

There were many meetings and events Lynch could not miss. Sometimes, the upper-class men and women were exhausted—both mentally and physically—a fatigue heavier than that of manual laborers.

At that moment, Lynch suddenly recalled what Katherine had said: the so-called upper class might just spend time chatting and dining.

The next day, Tuesday afternoon, Lynch took a car to the location he had arranged with Lunetto to visit his factory.

They had met briefly at a previous banquet, discussing potential cooperation—this was Lynch’s purpose for coming.

He believed that as the federal situation worsened, many regulations would relax, including employment laws.

People were starving; no one cared about laws then—making money to buy food and fill one’s stomach was the priority.

When the car stopped, Lunetto and his secretary hurried out to greet Lynch. Lunetto refused Lynch’s driver’s offer to open the door, insisting on opening it himself.

If not for his precarious situation, how could a factory owner act so?

“Thank you for coming to pick me up personally,” Lynch said as he got out and adjusted his clothes, shaking Lunetto’s hand. Compared to Lynch’s calm, reserved, and confident demeanor, Lunetto seemed like a minor, unremarkable character from a story.

Lunetto bent slightly—not quite a bow, but not straight either—trying not to appear sycophantic yet lacking firmness, a man unsure.

“It’s my pleasure. I’m glad you came. Shall we tour the factory?” he said, leading Lynch inside.

The factory covered about forty acres with three workshops and a warehouse—a common size in the industrial zone. To show a busy scene, all the workers were present, dressed cleanly and focused on their tasks.

Lunetto seemed to think Lynch was an inexperienced young man unfamiliar with factories and unaware of how foolish this was.

In reality, whether sewing workers or manual laborers, their work clothes would never be clean—especially assembly line workers, who didn’t care about dirtying their clothes under high work intensity and pressure.

But here, everyone wore spotless uniforms and handled their work as if treating artwork rather than products.

Lynch wasn’t focused on the workers’ skills but came to inspect the sewing machines.

Currently, federal garment factories used the same half-manual, half-steam-powered industrial sewing machines as Lunetto’s factory. They had a gear lever and four pedals; fine details required manual pedal operation.

Only long stitching used steam power, making the workshop hot, with steam hissing and heat leaking constantly from pipes.

Besides these steam machines, there were some electric sewing machines, but their sales and usage were low.

Electricity costs were much higher than cheap steam fuel—the daily electricity bill could buy a week’s worth of fuel—so steam-powered machines remained mainstream.

The heat was never a concern for factory owners; they never cared if workers were comfortable.

“The machines are quite new,” Lynch observed. They looked well-maintained with little wear.

Lunetto nodded eagerly, “These were updated two years ago. They’re basically like new.”

Two years ago business was better; he invested heavily in upgrades but soon faced production cuts and serious losses.

He admitted usage had declined; machines initially worked one day and rested one day, now mostly stopped.

If not to avoid bankruptcy filing, he might have shut down completely.

After touring the workshops, Lynch went to Lunetto’s office, which was grand and luxurious—more a CEO’s office than a factory owner’s—highlighting Lunetto’s previous prosperity and current troubles.

Lynch sat on a sofa. Lunetto’s secretary brought coffee, but Lynch didn’t drink it—who knew when the beans were bought? Given the factory’s condition, even coffee beans were budgeted tightly.

Lunetto looked at Lynch expectantly, hoping for positive news—any small order would help him keep going.

Many factory owners like Lunetto faced the dilemma that if they stopped production entirely and couldn’t resume soon, they’d breach land-use agreements with the city.

They’d lose factory land and all property on it. Even if they could hold on a bit longer, such a blow would force bankruptcy.

So, even if they couldn’t afford to produce, borrowing money or loans, they had to open production periodically to avoid this.

Lunetto looked at Lynch hopefully. Lynch gave a bit of hope: “Do you have the latest fashion magazines or newspapers?”

Lunetto immediately asked his secretary, who found a fashion magazine from two months ago filled with trendy clothes and accessories.

Lynch flipped through casually, then tossed it on the table. “Can you make these clothes and accessories here?”

Lunetto was surprised and unsure of Lynch’s meaning but nodded, “That’s not difficult. My blanket factory can handle accessories. The garment factory can make clothes. Technically it’s easy; the main challenge is innovation and design.”

Lynch nodded without giving a clear response. “Using similar materials, pick some of the most fashionable and popular clothing styles. Produce 100 pieces of each style, and 1,000 pieces each of the accessories and bags. I’ll give you one Sol profit per item. Can you do it?”

Lunetto hesitated, looking at the magazine’s fashion and branded accessory descriptions. These were big brands with design patents. “If I produce these without authorization, I could be held liable, even sued…”

Lynch just smiled. “You won’t go bankrupt immediately if sued, but without this order, you won’t last a few days.”

“Do you choose to keep your business alive facing a lawsuit that might never come, or do you stick to some principles and go bankrupt?”

“I respect those with convictions, but I don’t sympathize with them. What would you choose?”

“Mr. Lunetto?”