Chapter 163: Even the Smallest Is Flesh

Lynch had been settled for less than half an hour when the mayor of Kurland City’s aide was already waiting outside his door. After changing clothes, Lynch received him—though received wasn’t quite the right word here.

“Hello, Mr. Lynch. I’m Noah. On my own behalf, I welcome you to Kurland City…” Noah looked about thirty-three or thirty-four, sharp and handsome, with an undeniable presence.

People often say talent has nothing to do with appearance, but in reality, among all the federal officials and public figures, none were truly ugly.

The least attractive looked like ordinary people, far from truly ugly.

From Lynch’s perspective, he already possessed the bearing of a future leader—at least in demeanor, something Ferrellbi couldn’t match.

It was also possible the local mayor had already arranged for Noah to succeed him, whether by promotion or transfer.

Though nominations didn’t hold much official weight—the mayor was ultimately elected by citizens—having the outgoing mayor’s endorsement greatly increased one’s chances if the mayor had a good reputation locally.

This was the best path for people like Noah and Ferrellbi.

Noah’s aura likely stemmed from this arrangement being settled, allowing him to carry such confidence.

Lynch shook his hand and invited him inside.

He was staying in the best suite. In name, business suites were identical, but prices varied depending on options like larger reception rooms, more private studies or bedrooms, or even housekeepers and secretaries.

Lynch had chosen one of the best rooms in the Kurland Hotel. Sometimes he didn’t care about such things, but others did.

After they sat, the hotel butler, after some questions, had maids bring them coffee.

Noah enthusiastically spoke about Kurland’s excitement for the secondhand goods auction. “Ever since your official promotion, the citizens have responded warmly and are eagerly awaiting it. If you don’t come soon, I don’t know how to pacify those itching to head to Sabin City!”

That was partly a joke, but not entirely.

Cheap goods were irresistible to many financially struggling families. Some calculated that even factoring travel costs, buying and shipping items back from Sabin was still cheaper, tempting them.

The miracle of secondhand auctions, promoted by the Sabin City mayor, had spread across the state and much of the federation. Everyone hoped their city could host something similar.

Many in the Progressive Party were watching the policy closely. If proven to meet citizens’ needs without adding to their financial burden, similar auctions would spread federation-wide.

Of course, those auctions had little to do with Lynch, but Sabin’s mayor would continue to reap political benefits as the initiator.

This might even become history, as a wave of secondhand trading across the federation was significant both politically and historically.

Sabin’s mayor would secure a place in history.

Lynch would too, probably mentioned briefly as with the help of merchant Lynch…

He expressed gratitude for local government support; without the city hall’s backing, securing a venue would have been difficult.

In this still somewhat pure era, some sentimental views persisted, like the sanctity of the sports arena. Many would never visit or participate in sports there but still respected its symbolism.

For singers, performing at famous arenas was a dream.

So when the Interstellar Trading Company proposed renting the arena, it was initially rejected—they wouldn’t allow commercial vulgarity to taint the city’s sacred symbol. Only with city hall’s support did the arena compromise.

Noah smiled, “I didn’t do much, just made a phone call…” He paused, giving Lynch time to read between the lines.

It was Noah himself who made it happen but modestly claimed otherwise.

After a moment, he asked, “May I ask if there will be any special items at this auction?” He smiled and added, “Just curious.”

He wasn’t really interested in special items but whether the event would create another sensation. The real buzz came from the “one-Sol bids on downtown apartments.”

Even the Trade Gazette gave it a small corner mention, showing how shocking such a stunt was at the time.

If Kurland had similar items, the auction would undoubtedly succeed.

Lynch nodded. “We prepared two apartments and two new cars, set for the second and third phases.”

Noah smiled, satisfied, then shifted to a deeper topic. “I heard you plan to split the auction into two separate businesses: trading and auctioning?”

Lynch glanced at him. Few knew yet, but he didn’t mind.

Once two people know something, one will leak it. Besides, it wasn’t secret.

He nodded straightforwardly. “I plan to separate the auction business into two independent operations. The auction will continue as is, but trading will change…”

Noah listened carefully, showing no doubt despite Lynch’s youth.

“I noticed that every city has had scattered secondhand trading spots over the years, mostly on sidewalks. Many don’t even know where to go unless they happen to see them.”

He avoided a finer point: those sidewalk stalls often sold stolen goods.

Thieves had no good channels to fence items. Antique shops would lowball stolen goods drastically and even threaten thieves.

Pawnshops only dealt with luxury goods, not ordinary items.

This forced many thieves to sell on street stalls at random times and places unless they felt too safe.

This created uncertainty and instability in secondhand trading, sometimes raising legal issues.

“I have an idea to build a dedicated hub for secondhand trading. It would be easier to manage and centralized, allowing anyone needing goods but strapped for cash to find what they want easily.”

“As venue and service providers, we’d charge vendors a small management fee. We’d also trade some goods ourselves, including buybacks.”

Noah stayed serious and nodded. “Such a place must need a huge space?”

Lynch nodded. “Depends on demand, but generally tens of thousands of square meters.”

Tens of thousands of square meters was a broad concept; dividing it into multiple floors made it less conspicuous.

Noah was actually focused on other matters. As Lynch suspected, he would indeed receive the local mayor’s nomination—because the mayor was his uncle. He had already begun exercising some mayoral powers.

This had been the case locally for several years. Many saw Noah as the but he was capable, and public opinion of him was positive.

His aim in pushing this forward wasn’t just because it was a policy promoted by Sabin City’s mayor. He valued the actual market potential of secondhand goods and the jobs that the land development would create.

Difficult times weren’t limited to Sabin City; the entire country struggled. High unemployment had become the biggest headache for federal politicians.

Even a tens-of-thousands-square-meter open market creating just dozens or hundreds of jobs would be seen by citizens as a sign of their leaders’ efforts.

As long as he tried, even if the results fell short, no one would blame him.