Darkstone Code

Chapter 473: 0471 There is no losing business with me [by: Fish That Likes to Eat Cats... Sponsored - 6/8]


Lime has been trying to adapt to his role during this period, and he's actually done quite well, though he doesn't think so himself.

A few months ago, he was still mingling among the lower class in Bupen, relying on selling off unsold yellow leaflets to make a living.

He has seen many ups and downs in this industry—most of the time when it was his turn to bear such challenges, there was only water foam left, but he did witness a lot of things.

He could recount in detail the major happenings in that place to anyone.

He always believed that he would succeed someday, yet when that day came, he felt unadapted.

Everyone you interact with is better than you: their tone when speaking, their way of thinking, some of their body movements—these are things you can't just learn by observing.

If you can't capture their essence of arrogance, then you're just a clown. He has been working very hard, but he feels it's not enough because he has a role model, a goal, and that is Lynch.

Lynch's experiences are quite legendary; he's a living miracle and inspires these people because he climbed from being an ordinary person to success, achieving more than anyone else. People like Lime look up to him, follow his footsteps, pursue him.

"Transportation, yes, local transportation is a big problem…" Lynch took less than five seconds to get people back on the previous topic.

But this time, it wasn't Lime, who was a bit overwhelmed, leading the topic.

"When we came to the hotel, everyone saw that Nagariel's transportation is a big issue. If the transportation problem is not solved, this region, indeed the whole country, won't develop."

"This is why I chose to invest here, of course, I hope everyone doesn't misunderstand me as I'm not a philanthropist, just a businessman who wants to earn money. Is that shameful?"

Lynch has a unique way of joking about himself; his words are also distinct, people find it amusing, laughing and siding with him, "Of course not, Mr. Lynch, there's nothing shameful about making money, isn't that what we're hoping for?"

Lynch pointed at the speaker and voluntarily shook hands with him, "Yes, making money is not shameful. I come here, and you all come here not to make contributions like some ignorant idiots back home would say."

"We are here to make money, and big money!"

"Railways are a highly worthy investment business; I believe everyone here is aware of this, otherwise you wouldn't focus your attention here."

Everyone nodded in agreement; it's precisely because they know some inside information about railroads that they are interested.

"We plan to build a comprehensive railway network across Mengwu Province, whether it's goods movement or personnel movement within the province, they will all rely on this comprehensive means of transportation."

"With the forthcoming large-scale development, the more people using the railway, traveling on our tracks, our profit will keep flowing."

There was a convincing tone in Lynch's voice, "Here, only we have the legitimate rights to railway construction and operation. Gentlemen, we all know which business is most profitable, don't we?"

His smile conveyed a message to everyone, this is a monopoly exclusive business.

Although it may not be national, achieving exclusivity in an area, a province, is also quite challenging.

Several investor gentlemen quietly exchanged their opinions, Lynch seized the moment and glanced at Lime, Lime also happened to look at him, their gazes met briefly before parting again.

There was a sense of respect, admiration in Lime's gaze, a sentiment Lynch was familiar with, as he had looked at someone with the same feeling before.

Learning brings joy, and it also makes one wealthy.

"Mr. Lynch, we're not worried about the local dominance of the railway company, we're just concerned its return rate may not be as abundant as we imagine, and if the waiting time is too long..." said a gentleman in his sixties, he looked at the others with a smile, then turned to Lynch, "That doesn't align with our investment ideas."

Besides pursuing return rates, commercial investment demands certain efficiency and timeframes for return, and of course, this demand depends on different investments and their purposes and attitudes.

Banks, for instance, can invest in agriculture and husbandry industries; even if returns gradually start coming in years later, or decades later, they aren't in a hurry.

But for ordinary investors, quick and effective returns are their pursuit.

Just now, Lime was stumped by their questions, yet Lynch was not, "Gentlemen, when discussing railways, many merely focus on industrial development."

"They consider how many industrial enterprises can set up factories around the railroad based on its transport capacity, whether freight transport can bring them enough returns, but they, including you gentlemen, seem to overlook another issue…"

Lynch reached out to the tray of a passing waiter, took a glass of wine, and took a sip, leaving a suspense that made people itch for more.

Their eyes locked onto Lynch, hoping he'd drink faster but still maintain respectful gazes, a feeling that delighted Lynch. In life, one must have some mischievous joys to make it interesting.

After pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the alcohol residues from his mouth, he smiled and voiced the remaining unsaid words.

"...You've overlooked the local population, gentlemen."

"Nagariel has two hundred million people, this is the number announced to the world by the Central Government of the Nagariel United Kingdom, but I suppose this isn't the real number."

"Outside the urban circle, there are many people, often referred to as untouchables, not included in official population statistics, but they aren't few. I have reasons to believe the actual population of Nagariel could possibly be three hundred million, or even more."

"Have you considered a question: assuming every individual generates a one Federal Sol expense annually on train transport? That creates just in transportation a three billion Federation Sol market..."

Lynch tossed out a huge cake, the faces of the gentlemen instantly changed.

Because what's clear is Lynch hasn't said anything incorrect, previously they hadn't considered these other issues, focusing only on whether businesses' use of trains could satisfy their expectations.

They don't consider railways losing money; in fact, ever since railways' inception, cases of losses have been rare; it's merely different spans for return times.

They are interested in investing here but not so attached, fearing the return speed is too slow.

Lynch's words have led them to witness a bright prospect immediately.

Previously, nobody had thought of this, never considering this question; after all, compared to the transport cost of a train carriage, what revenue could a person buying a ticket really bring?

Just as they were still stunned by the "three billion a year" business, Lynch preemptively trimmed down this figure a bit before they reacted, making his words and these data more persuasive.

"Even if not every Nagariel person comes here to take the railway, the population of Mengwu Province exceeds ten million; for us, this is yet another huge market, combined with the industrial transport costs..."

Lynch chuckled lightly, "That will be a business capable of doubling the wealth of every gentleman here!"

Even after reducing the scale to one-thirtieth, it remains a tempting profit; after rail tracks are laid down, the maintenance cost actually isn't as expensive as in the Federation because local labor is exceptionally cheap, with the only cost being steel.

As exploration teams delve deeper, once an iron ore is found and the steelmaking issue is resolved, steel would cease to be a problem, making the maintenance cost nearly nonexistent!

What's left naturally is profit.

The sixty-something gentleman could not help but pose another question, "Mr. Lynch, you've made all this clear to us, it's indeed tempting, but I have one last question, how can we make people take the train at least once every year?"

Others began focusing on Lynch's answer too, as they wanted to know how to ensure each person would ride a train once.

Lynch confidently smiled and said, "Give most of them a job out of town every year!"

The gentlemen surrounding Lynch first blankly stared, then burst into laughter.

"So it's like this, Mr. Lynch, your thinking and approach are remarkable; no wonder some say you are the new generation's youth leader, I believe that now!" The investor in his sixties praised Lynch exuberantly, even using honorifics.

As he and others saw a perplexing matter resolved with just one sentence on Lynch's end.

Yes, it's just that simple: have them hold a job out of town, surely they'd have to return once a year, as long as the distance is far enough, far enough for them not to consider walking; they'd have no choice but to use trains.

Moreover, this approach isn't merely lip service; those capitalists hiring workers would gladly use this method too.

Within the Federation, while there's no saying like "man away from homeland is worthless," wise as it is, there are similar sayings; employing out-of-town workers is slightly more stable than hiring locals, at least it avoids involving local worker groups and clan powers.

Even if not everyone leaves to work out of town, reducing this number by ten times, down to three million, cut in half to one and a half million.

As long as one and a half million people work out of town, returning and leaving annually twice to purchase tickets, that provides at least three million gross profit.

With additional revenue, breaking a five million gross profit a year isn't fanciful, compressing net profit down to 15 percent still delivers seventy to eighty thousand net profit, and under Lynch's proposed method to continually enhance population movement, the profit will only increase.

Recouping in years, then entering the profit period, this business… seems to make a hefty sum!

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