Chapter 347

Lending money to Nagaryll for infrastructure development wasn’t a sudden idea from Lynch, nor was it a decision made on impulse.

Once federal society realizes that Nagaryll can serve as a “blood bag” to help revive the Federation, a wave of federal explorers, gold diggers, speculators, magnates, and bankers will flood the region.

Whether entering or leaving, a robust transportation system is indispensable, making road construction the top priority.

Clearly, the Nagaryll authorities have no intention of building roads. If they did, given the low cost of local labor, the roads would have been built already.

They neither want to build them nor have the money to do so. But that doesn’t stop Lynch—he’ll lend the Nagarylls the money to build them. And not just him—others, including banks and financial groups, will invest as well.

And it won’t stop at highways. There will be canals, railways…

A massive wave of construction is about to sweep through Nagaryll, but the motive isn’t to help Nagaryll achieve shared development.

Sitting across from Lynch, Nail hesitated for a long time before speaking with some concern, “I don’t think they can repay the money. If you’re determined to lend to them, maybe consider doing some other kind of business instead.”

He added, “I’m not saying this is a bad deal—just that the risk might be too high.”

“And they’re the local government. If they shamelessly refuse to pay back the debt, it could become a disaster.”

Lately, Nail had encountered many things he’d never been exposed to before. His understanding of the world was growing rapidly, but he was still far from Lynch’s level.

He could see the risks and the potential benefits, but he had no means to mitigate them.

This is the fundamental gap between lower-tier businessmen and upper society—they lack the means.

It’s a straightforward social phenomenon. When people at the bottom face problems they can’t solve, limited by their social class and circles, they’re helpless and can only turn to the media or government for help.

But these approaches are neither clever nor effective. Both the government and media have their own biases.

When what people plead for threatens their interests, their voices are drowned out.

But the upper class is different. They have countless ways to solve problems—and to eliminate those who cause them.

Even if they can’t solve a problem themselves, their networks provide the methods and resources to do so.

Lynch tilted his head slightly and sneered, “If they could repay me, I wouldn’t be doing this business. What I want is for them not to be able to pay me back—while I pretend I don’t know that.”

He offered Nail a bit of advice. “When you get there and start working, don’t remind them they’re broke. Just act like you don’t know anything. Got it?”

Nail’s lips moved but he didn’t respond immediately. He looked at Lynch, hoping he’d reconsider.

Partly because he thought it was a dumb investment, and partly because Lynch’s position directly impacted his own.

If Lynch went down, so did his job—and everything he now possessed would vanish. He’d go back to being just a worker, one with no real value, instead of being Boss Nail.

The young women who could be his daughters only admired him now because he had money. They praised his humor and his mature demeanor, not because he had them, but because he had wealth.

He liked his current life and didn’t want to lose it.

Father and son stared at each other. This kind of moment had happened many times before, and Lynch had always been the one persuaded. But this time, he would be the one persuading Nail.

“Alright, I’ll give you a simple explanation.”

Nail straightened his posture and listened intently.

“Nagaryll’s system is unique. If the provinces we build roads in can’t repay the loans, we can obtain toll rights for those roads.”

“Anyone using our roads—except those we allow—will have to pay fees.”

“Also, land, mineral deposits, and forests can all be used to offset debt. We’ll offer them a ‘reasonable’ price.”

“In addition, Nagaryll is unstable and unsafe. To protect our interests from harm, we’ll establish a private security company.”

Nail seemed to suddenly understand. “An independent kingdom!”

Lynch shook his head. “No, you’re wrong. I’m just a businessman, not a king.”

The matter involved complex relationships that Nail couldn’t and didn’t need to understand.

Lynch had proposed making the Federal Sol the official currency of the Kingdom of Nagaryll , though it was unlikely to pass—and no one expected it to. It was just part of the negotiation.

Lynch had named a price. Now they’d haggle. As long as the Nagaryll authorities acknowledged the Federal Sol as a legal tender, that would be enough to make the plan halfway successful.

Legal tender and commonly circulated currency are two different things. That distinction was the crux of Lynch’s plan.

He drifted off momentarily, then returned to discussing practical work matters in Nagaryll with Nail. Nail knew he couldn’t change Lynch’s mind, so he simply listened and accepted his fate.

Around ten o’clock, Lynch left the villa. After watching him drive away, Nail turned and headed to the bathroom.

Serra barely glanced up before returning her attention to a fashion magazine, which was showcasing this year’s latest styles and previewing the upcoming Fashion Week in the southern city of Bentley.

All the top models, most famous designers, and biggest fashion houses of the Federation would be there.

More than half an hour later, Nail emerged from the bathroom in a bathrobe. He had scrubbed himself aggressively to remove the scent of women’s perfume. His whole body looked like a boiled crab—red and steaming.

“Do I look that good?” he asked casually.

Serra nodded. “I might go. Some of our neighbors are planning to go together. We could reserve a whole carriage and avoid outsiders.”

Nail thought about it. “Suit yourself…” He was about to leave when Serra put down her magazine and looked at him.

“What did Lynch say to you?” she asked.

Nail turned back, walked to the sofa, and sat down. He asked the maid for a glass of wine. “I might be going to Nagaryll for a while. Lynch is investing in some businesses over there.”

Serra wasn’t surprised after hearing it. She simply held Nail’s hand and said, “You must really help him. He has no siblings, and the only people he can truly trust are us…”

Lynch stayed in Sabin City for two days. Just as he was about to leave, Mr. Truman unexpectedly gave him a call.

“I heard you’re somewhat involved in the Liston case…” he said, pausing briefly as the sound of pages turning came through the receiver. “Do you know Gap?”

Lynch frowned slightly. “I know his wife.”

Even over the phone, Lynch could sense the subtle expression on Mr. Truman’s face.

But he didn’t bother to explain with something like, “It’s not what you think.” There was nothing worth explaining—only fools would assume there was something going on.

About ten seconds later, Mr. Truman cleared his throat. “You know, recently, that congressman, Wales, has been attacking our operations. The President originally didn’t plan to pay him any attention.”

“But now he’s begun rallying support and is trying to push through a bill—the Temporary Presidential Powers Limitation Act—meant to restrict some of our upcoming actions…”

Although Wales’s rhetoric in the media and in public had stirred some discussion, none of it had any real effect. If a congressman could change national policy or make the President back down just by speaking to the press, then the position of President wouldn’t even need to exist.

He’d taken a lot of money from Preyton and achieved nothing. The President was determined to pull off something big to boost public approval and secure his reelection. In that context, laughable attacks from foolish political opponents weren’t even on his radar.

When one tactic failed—whether under threat or because Preyton offered him new incentives—Wales introduced a proposal aimed at curbing the powers of an unelected president during a transitional period.

In essence, it was a direct attack on the current President, aiming to cut the problem off at its root.

If Congress accepted and passed the bill, it could potentially shift war powers away from the President and into the hands of Congress.

It’s well known that Congress is a unique entity. Lobbyists and interest groups make the real power behind it far greater than what appears on paper.

There are around 117 registered lobbying organizations in Eminence—registration being mandatory for tax reasons. The largest of these groups has over forty members.

These individuals are not congressmen or politicians, but they wield enough influence to sway legislative decisions.

If Preyton continued to heavily invest in congressional lobbying, it would become a major issue—possibly a crisis.

As one of the President’s key allies and staunchest supporters, Mr. Truman had acquired a piece of information through his personal network.

Congressman Wales had previously been implicated in the EverBright corruption case. The investigation was dropped due to lack of evidence, but Mr. Truman saw this as an opportunity.

Whether Wales was actually involved didn’t matter—he had to be involved now.