Chapter 272: Domination

Lynch’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried naturally, and soon the topics he spoke about spread quietly.

With his previous moments in the spotlight, no one dismissed this young man’s words as worthless.

Most people here were successful; they understood that when a country’s president values someone’s words, even their slightest remark could carry hidden meaning.

Some of these words reached Severella’s ears, but she and her mother were discussing recent gossip in the socialite circle, so she had no reason to seek Lynch out—besides, it would break etiquette.

The celebration lasted until after eight in the evening before slowly dispersing. As Lynch’s companion, Severella naturally left with him; it was protocol no one could break—even though she was Mr. Wadrick’s daughter.

On the way back to the hotel, Severella recalled how Lynch had conversed easily with men clearly older and higher in status than him, without ever seeming weak. In fact, it seemed everyone was listening to him seriously.

Girls from ordinary backgrounds might not care about such dynamics. Lower-class girls often focused on looks, money, or the ability to create romance.

Many girls lost something precious after a romantic dinner because they only cared about shallow things.

But for a girl like Severella, looks, wealth, and romance paled in comparison to what she saw in Lynch: presence.

Lynch had a presence equal to anyone’s—wisdom and means—which surprised her and stirred a hint of admiration.

She recalled someone asking Lynch a question recently, which she had missed the answer to. Now, for some reason, she wanted to ask it herself: “Lynch, someone asked you earlier, what would you do if your partner had no money? How did you answer?”

The question wasn’t exactly precise and depended on the context.

It originated during Lynch’s talk on international trade when a middle-aged gentleman asked.

Many believed that opening international trade markets freely would revive the federation’s economy by expanding demand.

But there were dissenters, which was natural—where some see right, others see wrong.

Opponents argued that after wars, most countries’ economies were devastated. Except a few powerful ones, most had no money.

Especially the defeated countries—they had to cede land and pay huge war reparations, forcing them to print massive amounts of money to cover these astronomical costs.

Even if many wanted to buy advanced federation products, they lacked the funds, which would worsen the economy instead of improving it.

So the question was: what if the trading partner wants to order but can’t pay?

Lynch remembered when Severella asked and said, “I thought you wouldn’t be interested in our topic.” He didn’t answer immediately but was curious about her question.

She smiled, “No special reason, just want to know. I missed your answer before, and this question troubles others and me. If you don’t want me to lose sleep, please tell me.”

Lynch answered quickly, but even after Severella returned home later, she was still confused.

After eleven at night, the Wadricks returned. Normally Severella would already be asleep—women needed more rest and at 9:45 p.m., on the maid’s insistence, she went to bed. But tonight she stayed up.

When her parents entered, she turned off the TV and stood to greet them.

Mr. Wadrick asked curiously, “Why were you waiting for us?” He handed his coat to the maid and sat on the sofa.

Severella summarized the question, Lynch’s answer, and her confusion, seeking her father’s help.

“…The gist is, Lynch said it’s okay if those people have no money—just lend them the money!”

“Father, I can’t understand why. What’s the benefit?”

At first, Mr. Wadrick smiled calmly, tapping the rhino-leather sofa with his fingers. But the more he listened, the more he realized this wasn’t just interesting. It involved deep matters.

Especially Lynch’s answer—it touched economics, finance, social relations, and international politics.

It seemed simple, even absurd to some, but it wasn’t an ordinary answer.

Lending money to others to buy your products is actually two separate actions.

First, lending money is an independent event, unrelated to anything else.

Second, those borrowing spend real money to buy your goods—also an independent event.

Understanding this backwards makes it clearer.

If you can’t afford my goods, I lend you money to buy them. I sell my goods and earn profit, yet you still owe me a large debt—this debt doesn’t disappear; it even accumulates interest.

This simple process establishes a relationship of domination. On a larger scale, increasing circulation and value of a certain currency in a region makes people save and collect that currency, rejecting weaker ones, economically dominating that region.

Beyond that, it’s international politics. When a region uses another country’s currency, speaks its language, and consumes its products, they may even feel like citizens of that country.

When Lynch mentioned economic warfare that night, many had already expanded the meaning.

Economic war, military war, cultural war.

People might lack a full understanding of these three forms, but Lynch’s question and answer subtly explained what non-military war means.

Mr. Wadrick was silent for over ten minutes, pondering deeply.

His corporation was preparing to expand foreign trade and extend the federation’s global influence. They’d devised many strategies, but now he felt Lynch’s method might be the most effective.

He even thought further—accepting only federation Sol as repayment, controlling regional labor flow, crushing local competitors.

A terrifying young man—Wadrick admitted this. Lynch was terrifying and intimidating.

His mindset was chilling. When a region becomes dependent on the Federation, it loses most of its power—social, political, and even military.

This method seemed mild but was actually cruel. More frightening, Lynch kept no secrets. Soon, everyone who needed to know in the federation would understand his idea: a true idea of conquest.

Yet no one—capitalists or government—would act against it. They’d allow it because this external conquest would ultimately benefit the federation and fuel its economic revival.

In this great era, anyone opposing these rules naturally stands against the federation, if not as enemies, then blacklisted by its capitalists.

Lynch had taken control of all federation capitalists without doing anything but proposing an idea—a solution.

Wadrick’s thoughts drifted to another matter. Not long ago in the car, he’d talked with his wife about Lynch.

He admitted Lynch was an outstanding young man, but not suitable for their daughter—not just because Lynch was younger, but because his intellect, ability, and execution far outmatched Severella. She was no match for him.

Wadrick might not leave all his inheritance to Severella, but without a doubt, if they truly ended up together, that inheritance would belong to Lynch—not their daughter.

If Lynch ever harbored improper intentions, Severella would be powerless to stop him.

Now Wadrick felt they were even less suitable for each other. Severella and Lynch weren’t from the same social class. If Severella had just started elementary school, Lynch was already a renowned professor in the federation—she would only be played.