Chapter 16: From Today On, Be a Law-Abiding Federal Citizen

The chat between the news dealer and Lynch didn’t last long. Lynch had planted many interesting ideas, stirring restlessness in him.

He felt Lynch’s words were absolutely right—nothing is more important than dignity. Once a person bends down in life, they can never stand straight again. That’s exactly how he felt; he wanted to regain his dignity.

Watching the dealer’s determined figure walk away, Lynch hoped he would accomplish his goals.

That afternoon, Lynch used his free time to register a business named Great Empire at the Sabin City Social Services Bureau. The company covered a wide range of business activities.

The bureau didn’t care much about what business a company was registering for; the process was mainly for establishing searchable records.

When companies cooperated, they could pay to access these records. If a company had only one business scope, it was considered its main business; if many, then some were secondary.

Companies preferred their partners to be specialists, which is why many register only one business scope.

Registering cost Lynch a hundred Sol. Local city halls encouraged entrepreneurship and offered many benefits.

Startups create jobs, easing tensions between the unemployed and society. Tax-wise, new companies that hire enough employees could enjoy tax reductions or exemptions.

Lynch’s comprehensive service company had only a meager capital of one hundred Sol. Hiring three employees qualified him for tax exemption.

The city hall and federal tax office didn’t expect small companies to be major revenue sources. These companies’ taxes weren’t critical for city projects, so generous benefits were given to reduce potential social unrest.

After registration, Lynch didn’t immediately hire workers. Instead, he printed some business cards listing his main services, especially coin exchange, which was his priority. He also bought an accounting book and a guide on standardized tax filing.

After an afternoon of study, he grasped most of the material but realized that even basic accounting wasn’t easy to master.

He envied those who could create flawless accounts and spot others’ mistakes just by vague concepts without reading books.

This made him realize he needed a professional accountant.

If Michael hadn’t found him so quickly, Lynch might not have started a company so soon.

In the previous world, during lunch and occasional breaks, Lynch chatted with some big shots. Everyone there had complicated stories, but few cared.

Those detained often shared similar experiences and didn’t find others’ stories more exciting or feel compelled to dig into others’ pasts.

Guards could request access to files, which were more objective and factual, so they didn’t usually interact directly with detainees.

Lynch was different. From the start, he absorbed knowledge eagerly. Those detained long or facing long sentences were willing to share their stories, hoping to find their former glory.

From their experiences, he learned one thing: avoid leaving obvious trails in official records.

In other words, it’s best to let the fruit fall when ripe, then pick it up quietly—don’t care for it like a farmer who monitors it until harvest. Every trace, résumé, and experience gets fully recorded.

One day, if someone wanted to find dirt on you, they could dig through records and terrify you.

If you can’t do that, your difficulty multiplies—you must make every step flawless.

That place was full of top talent from all walks of life. Lynch benefited greatly, learning things he never imagined he could.

Step one: start by obeying laws.

Sabin City had two talent exchange markets. One was the Sabin City Social Services Bureau Employment Center, gathering employers and job seekers.

The other was unofficial—an informal recruitment corner by the second fountain in Sabin City Central Park, where many hiring notices appeared.

Some community intermediaries introduced jobs but were largely ineffective, as companies and applicants avoided paying fees. Thus, their updates were slow.

Lynch went to the first place, the Employment Center, needing to recruit three capable employees.

Exploitation from a capitalist view wasn’t negative or shameful. Even today, well-connected businessmen discuss how to squeeze their workers.

Only the oppressed see it as ugly and evil.

Lynch needed similar people—excellent salesmen.

After paying fifteen Sol, he got a spot—a long table with two simple wooden panels as a divider, surrounded by peers in a noisy hall.

His recruitment notice was posted; interested people could come by number for an interview.

After about ten minutes, a young man in a worn dress shirt and cheap new tie sat across from Lynch.

The young man looked about 24 or 25 and was surprised by Lynch’s youth. After sitting, he stood to look again before sitting down.

“You’re not the first. Let’s get started,” Lynch prompted. The man immediately opened a battered briefcase and handed over a stack of documents.

Lynch glanced over them—certificates from training schools and childhood awards.

He casually tossed the résumé aside, clasped his fingers on the table edge, and said, “Mr. Richard, my company doesn’t need unconvincing papers. I need ability. Understand?”

Richard nodded nervously. “Yes, sir.”

Lynch asked, “Do you know what my company does?”

Richard nodded again, “Yes, sir. I saw the poster. It says you’re hiring salespeople, with a commission of two to three percent per sale, no base salary…”

He looked tense. This was his fifth job application. Previous jobs never lasted a year, usually ending after two or three months, sometimes less than one.

Pressure and dwindling motivation made it hard to continue. If this job failed, he’d likely enter a factory as a worker after short training, per his father’s wishes.

He didn’t want a lifetime working with dangerous machines. The Great Empire recruitment poster caught his eye immediately.

No base salary might be unacceptable to many, but it represented future potential.

Everyone foolishly thinks they are the special one, the most unique, favored by fortune, and the most likely to succeed.

You say they’re no good?

Come on, fight me!