Darkstone Code

The Federation doesn’t have a department dedicated solely to the registration of companies in the purest sense. All company registration activities take place at the Social Services Bureau, the State Social Services Department, or the Federation Social Services Headquarters.

The Federation Social Services Headquarters doesn’t operate externally. To say it operates is somewhat...bourgeois; it’s not a public-facing service department or office.

In Bupen, company registration is done at the Bupen Social Services Bureau. If one wants to register a higher-level company, it must be done at the local state office or department.

This is because the laws of each state always have some differences, so company registration is effectively divided into upper and lower levels.

Registered at City Hall, or at the state government.

Since this era is still a long way from informationization, most records are currently preserved on paper and originally kept at the registration location.

If other departments need to access them, they are generally given copies, not originals.

So to investigate the actual registration of several companies, for the Duncan Clan who are willing to spend more money to buy information, this is not particularly difficult.

These companies were quickly investigated and found to have no actual business activities.

However, you can’t say these companies haven’t done any work; they were involved in some inconspicuous trade beforehand. These trades...appear somewhat problematic, but these issues are all within the legal limits of the Federation.

For instance, they sold a batch of mineral resources at prices clearly below market, or significantly above market, to some overseas companies during a certain period.

This information was provided by the Tax Bureau, and they commissioned someone to investigate.

When seeing such methods, everyone understands what’s behind them—Federation’s capital groups!

Yes, only capitalists, big capitalists, would export resources in this manner.

Moreover, these resources are sometimes imported again at opposite prices, seemingly adding a process, but in reality, it circumvents many operational problems.

Those who can do this are often strong capital groups.

If anyone in the Federation is known for their expertise in mineral resources, it’s certainly the Akiner Clan, claiming descent from nobility!

In the morning, after receiving firsthand information, Mr. Jeruno made a judgment; he sat in his study pondering over this issue.

They spent some time investigating these matters; some people were doing compensatory work, while others shifted from the conference hall to Mr. Jeruno’s study.

He considered whether to call Mr. Patuxian, to friendly ask what exactly he meant!

Undoubtedly, the one taking action this time must be Mr. Patuxian, and he also left some hints, though he’s not quite sure what these hints are supposed to convey.

Ideally, Mr. Patuxian shouldn’t leave such clues, yet they are able to trace some information, is this a mistake or intentional?

Making this call isn’t easy; Mr. Jeruno hesitated for a long time before picking up the phone.

"This is the Akiner Estate..."

After being transferred, some sounds came through the receiver again, followed by Mr. Patuxian’s unique, slightly unpleasant arrogant tone.

"I didn’t expect you to call me at this time, seems like you’re in better shape than it’s said outside."

Mr. Jeruno’s expression wasn’t very good; he didn’t like Mr. Patuxian speaking to him in this manner.

For many years, Mr. Patuxian was very respectful to him, despite the Duncan Clan not being deeply involved in mineral resources, but everyone knew their strength.

They can easily crush any industry; if you don’t want to become a victim, it’s best to maintain a sense of awe towards Mr. Jeruno.

But now, this sense of awe is gone, making Mr. Jeruno realize this call might be quite "heavy."

A few seconds later, he snorted lightly to express his dissatisfaction, then said, "I’m not here to discuss these things; I just want to know why you attacked my oil field?"

"Me?"

"Raid?"

"Don’t joke, Jeruno, why would I be bored enough to do something like that?"

"But you said an oil field was attacked; it indeed surprised me a bit. Seems like you won’t be able to resume work shortly."

"Not long ago, I heard you signed several big orders; this is not a good news."

If there was any doubt before, now the last bit of uncertainty has vanished, it must be Mr. Patuxian.

Mr. Jeruno took a deep breath, "Name your price; I know those companies are under your control. Don’t think we can’t retaliate; we just haven’t reached that point yet!"

Compromise, coupled with a small threat, the current situation indeed isn’t suitable for hard confrontation.

Mr. Patuxian’s contemptuous laughter made Mr. Jeruno’s expression even darker, but he controlled his emotions well.

He detested Mr. Patuxian, but he can restrain this dislike; that’s a sign of maturity.

It’s like knowing your wife is ugly and stupid, yet at times, you will still call her "sweetheart" against your will; one must learn to grow up!

Mr. Patuxian smiled, "I don’t know what you’re talking about, but obviously there’s some misunderstanding between us."

"I’m free in the morning, you or you can send someone to my estate, and we can talk."

Mr. Patuxian was afraid there might be recording equipment on the other end of the phone, and if something negative were leaked at this time, it would be a heavy blow to the Akiner Clan.

At the very least, people would know this clan is doing business with the "Demon," and they would treat them as demons.

But the merchant’s pursuit of profit doesn’t really stop due to public opinion. After thinking it over, Mr. Patuxian felt this was a rare opportunity.

He could stab the Duncan Clan first and then carve out the richest piece of meat.

Just thinking about one of the three major oilfields of the Federation falling into his hands, the Akiner Clan’s vast system would become even more perfect.

Of course, externally, this oilfield wouldn’t belong to the Akiner Clan because they already have one.

Once they possess two of the Federation’s three major oilfields, as long as the actual owner of the other oilfield steps back, the Akiner Clan will face an antitrust investigation.

So this oilfield will be held by a consortium, and this consortium consists of some peers who have "business dealings" with the Akiner Clan.

They are those shell companies that, through multiple cross-holdings, are ultimately controlled by the Akiner Clan.

But legally, they are all independent entities with no direct ties to the Akiner Clan and involve some overseas capital.

These small companies have a long history of managing mineral resources and a good credit record; they teamed up to take over the oilfield, then developed and grew, ultimately becoming a multinational company primarily composed of local enterprises, forming a competitive relationship with the other two oilfields, which is much more perfect.

No one would use antitrust investigations to target the Akiner Clan’s oil business, nor do they need to break up their company into pieces.

As for the impact on the overall plan... Mr. Patuxian believes this won’t affect the "plan to kill the Duncan Clan" at all.

Because this matter is very special, Mr. Jeruno personally went to Mr. Patuxian’s estate, and the two met in the study.

If we don’t consider how they deeply wish to kill each other, their meeting went rather well.

At least it showed gentlemanly grace!

After both sitting down, Mr. Jeruno went straight to the point; he didn’t have much time to waste here.

"Name a price, Patuxian, we both know the truth."

Mr. Patuxian smiled without admitting or denying; he took out a pure cigarette, lit it, the smoke swirling in his mouth, the rich aroma unforgettable!

With the upgrade of Every Moment’s industry, the tobacco production base has shifted from Mariluo to Nagariel.

Pure natural wild tobacco once caused some Federation millionaires to wonder if cultivated tobacco wasn’t better than wild?

But with various brainwashing advertisements and supporting statements, everyone suddenly felt that wild tobacco indeed seemed better.

In the past two years, as suitable tobacco began to emerge, Every Moment’s flagship products were relaunched.

Higher prices, better enjoyment—people smoking Kleve aren’t burning tobacco; they’re burning money!

But... who cares?

"I know your situation isn’t good, and I have a friend interested in your oilfield."

"If you can transfer the oilfield to him, he will persuade those companies to drop pursuing your breach of contract issues."

Nakedly... this isn’t plundering; this is fucking extortion, this is fucking robbery!

Mr. Jeruno looked at Mr. Patuxian, unable to speak for quite some time.

His oilfield is worth at least billions, but now, Patuxian intends to take it without paying.

His raging fury had no outlet; Mr. Jeruno coughed twice, a bit short of breath.

Seeing he hadn’t spoken, Mr. Patuxian continued, "My friend said that if he pursues your breach of contract issue, under current conditions, the Federation Government will freeze all your assets that can be frozen."

"This isn’t a multiple-choice question, Jeruno; we all know that!"

Yes, it’s not a multiple-choice question because Mr. Jeruno has no opportunities or projects to choose from.

He has no choice but to agree.

He didn’t even have the chance to utter a few harsh words because the facts were there.

According to Federation laws, they can freeze the assets of companies in breach of contract, and before auctioning the portion of the assets that can be used to pay the plaintiff for damages, they can keep freezing these assets!

Once assets are comprehensively frozen, it means the countdown must speed up...

After a long while, Mr. Jeruno’s face was somewhat flushed, before he could finally speak, "I agree..."