Darkstone Code

While everyone was discussing, Lynch was chatting with the representative from Golden Exchange Bank.

"...So the headquarters will temporarily freeze all accounts with fund flows related to the Duncan family, unless the account owner can provide proof that the account does not belong to the Duncan family."

"Besides, I heard there’s a large batch of assets going to auction..."

The level of the United Development Company is very high, the representative here is equivalent to the director of a state bank outside.

They usually seem not to express many opinions, but their impact is substantial.

The flow of funds itself is a complicated matter.

Suppose you deposit a hundred dollars in the Federation and then go to Nagariel to withdraw the same amount of money.

The money you withdraw – is it the same funds you deposited in the Federation?

Obviously, from the cash itself standpoint, the answer is no, as no one knows where you’re heading, not even the bank teller where you deposited.

She couldn’t possibly know in advance that you’re going to Nagariel, arranging for the hundred dollars to be sent ahead to some bank in Nagariel, waiting for you to withdraw.

From a higher perspective, it’s undoubtedly a question of affirmation.

Your money remains your money, as long as it’s legal!

The bank effectively serves as a bridge for remote deposit and withdrawal, and its real role extends beyond this.

The Wealth extracted from Nagariel must be returned to the Federation through banks, and according to the Federation Financial Security Act, any large cash entering the country must be declared in advance.

Then the Security Department traces this declared large cash, and if everything checks out, the money must be deposited into a bank account open to the Federation Government.

This account is monitored by relevant departments, meaning that the government is first to know how you intend to use this money.

You must inform the Federation Government about your intended use of these funds, or you can’t move them, as it ties directly to the Federation’s financial security issues.

Since the Great Depression occurred, the Federation has added many security bills concerning the financial field to limit offshore funds used for domestic criminal activities.

Including but not limited to money laundering and targeting financial products.

The money of capitalists, besides being used for various operational activities, is primarily for interest transmission.

Surely you can’t tell the Federation Government officials or bank Special Envoys wanting to know the purpose of transferring ten thousand dollars, that you intend to bribe a certain Senator?

This clearly isn’t possible, so eventually, the money still returns to the country through banks.

With everything returning home, different methods yield different effects, and it’s quite fascinating that it’s all one matter.

This is indeed a method catalyzed by capitalism, considered also as a safety factor.

If problems don’t arise, the money is always under the bank’s control.

Although banks promise their clients not to disclose certain information to the Federation Government, in cases of significant financial crimes, they will not act as previously stated, absolute confidentiality.

The money in their control can be frozen anytime, anywhere, as long as they perceive it as problematic!

So, we’re back to the initial question: Is the money in the bank yours?

This is a question without a definitive answer; when you use the money legally and appropriately, it’s yours.

However, if used illegally and inappropriately, or when someone sees it that way, it ceases to be yours!

The six major banks have opened many branches in Nagariel, and the Nagariel people are willing to deposit their money in foreign banks.

At least these foreign banks have never suddenly collapsed, leaving deposits inaccessible; whereas Nagariel’s few major banks have either been acquired or bankrupt, making their presence scarce.

Golden Exchange has quite broad and deep cooperative relations with Lynch, and both parties are quite satisfied with each other.

The news the representative disclosed here was also a goodwill signal conveyed to Lynch.

People from the Duncan Clan are planning to flee, and if the Federation Government doesn’t stop them, no one else will.

They won’t be able to take much, as banks would have frozen their accounts and local governments would have frozen their assets. They might just take some art pieces and collectibles that don’t take much space but are expensive.

For those that cannot be taken away, the Federation Government already has a handling plan, which is through bank auctions.

This type of auction is much more secretive compared to regular judicial auctions, with only a few likely participants from the start.

Everyone has what they desire, and all will acquire everything they want at very low starting prices.

Then the representative from Golden Exchange Bank pushed over a small booklet.

"There are some contents inside. If you’re interested, you can have a look."

Lynch glanced at the booklet beside him and smiled, saying thank you.

Once the representative from Golden Exchange Bank left, Mr. Wardrick shook his head slightly. He didn’t say anything, but it was clear he wanted to.

Lynch glanced at him before looking at the manuals in hand, which mostly introduced various companies, such as their flagship products, patents.

How many employees each company has, their operating costs per quarter, the financial statements from the recent three years, and some real estate and asset introductions.

With the Duncan Clan’s departure, many unattended businesses will remain, and the quick alignment of capitalists with the Federation Government isn’t about justice at all.

What they want are these things, these undervalued businesses!

To the Federation Government, whether a company is worth a million or ten million, it only matters at the annual tax payment — how much is paid.

Some companies sound vast, but their taxes may not be substantial, as there’s myriad ways to evade taxes in the Federation, and people often find loopholes.

However, to capitalists, these connections matter significantly.

If you can spend ten thousand dollars buying a million-dollar factory while retaining a good profitability rate, it’s pure gold falling from the sky!

The Federation Government is glad to do this; after all, since it isn’t their asset, there’s no heartbreak. Conversely, they indeed need a substantial amount of capital to flow into the vacuum left after the Duncan Clan’s departure.

Otherwise, workers might revolt.

Compared to societal stability, the Federation Government cares little about loss in interests unrelated to them.

Lynch flipped through casually; all are decent factories, wondering if the manual in his hand is specially crafted.

The real estate valuation of each business is provided, meaning as long as the payment doesn’t exceed these values, profit is guaranteed.

Buy a company or factory, repackage it for Bupen’s wolves, and they’ll surely offer a good price.

Splitting, selling, bankruptcy, liquidation.

They’re skilled in the whole process, even squeezing out value from less-than-ideal factories!

Yet, Lynch wasn’t very concerned about these, and he realized why Mr. Wardrick shook his head.

To stand out now, the appetite does look quite ugly!

Some people, like Mr. Pato, will do anything once the benefit is substantial enough.

Others, like Mr. Wardrick, although he’s a great capitalist also engaged in exploitation and oppression, he has somewhat of a moral baseline —

Most of the time, this so-called moral baseline isn’t about the capitalist’s high ethic but more about their peculiar aversion —

Capitalists, where do you find one not seeking profits?

Some will make money rolling in mud, while others won’t. That’s the difference.

The discussion wasn’t too fast nor too slow, roughly after twenty minutes, every shareholder or representative concluded with their decisions.

Basically, all mid-to-low-tier shareholders relinquished their rights, subscribing to shares released by the Duncan Clan according to the existing equity structure, and voluntarily so.

Consequently, these shares will only be allocated among a dozen major shareholders.

Banks have little demand for these shares, as they do not practically manage these industries despite holding numerous company shares; direct involvement in operations is rare.

Plus, the United Development Company’s nature is somewhat particular, and these shares aren’t easy to acquire.

Even if obtained, enjoying them wouldn’t be easy.

Once the six major banks depart, the remaining count of people isn’t great.

Lynch glanced at Mr. Pato, and after a brief eye exchange, Mr. Pato averted his gaze.

Mr. Wardrick’s gaze moved between the two faces, and he smirked gently.

Others were also communicating through relatively covert means.

Ultimately, Lynch gained 3.5% of the shares. Say it’s little... but consider what kind of volume the 3.5 is in!

3.5 out of a hundred is 3.5, but 3.5 out of a billion is 3.5 million.

Yet, when you say it’s a lot...

It’s just average, perhaps slightly more than he originally might get, but less than he expected.

The upcoming agendas still needed proceeding; everything concerning the Duncan Clan would be eliminated bit by bit.

Like their properties left in Nagariel, which will be redistributed within the company.

This time, major shareholders held back, having gained from the stock arrangements, avoiding further involvement in minor branches, as it appears greedily hungry and easy to incite discontent among mid-to-low-tier shareholders.

Via onsite bidding, Duncan Clan properties were acquired by shareholders.

The conference lasted a full day, erasing all signs of previous Duncan Clan existence!