Darkstone Code

Actually, it doesn’t take three days to make a quote; half a day is enough to do it. Of course, Lynch wanted to show we were taking this budget seriously, so we waited until the third afternoon to deliver it to the Ministry of Defense.

Originally, his budget was about twelve million, mainly for the construction of the airport and the battery emplacement.

Honestly, there’s nothing technical about these things. For instance, is there anything technical about mixing concrete?

Is pouring concrete in a designated place and then laying a layer of steel bars technical?

Of course not. The core of these budgets is still design fees, raw materials, and transportation costs, as well as labor.

Now, with labor costs dropping significantly and cheap labor all over Nagariel, it’s like saving almost half the costs!

So, when the company presented this budget, Lynch directly modified the outcome.

"Nineteen million..."

The person from the Ministry of Defense looked at the budget and fell into silence, starting to seriously flip through the pages one by one, and when he reached the end, he raised his eyebrow slightly, saying, "It doesn’t seem to have any issues."

Then, he placed the entire budget on top of the document stack as the most prioritized thing to handle.

Actually, everyone knows there’s something a bit off about the budget. How could such a simple task cost about twenty million? It’s ridiculous!

But things are just that ridiculous. Firstly, all labor is calculated according to domestic Uncle Workers’ salary standards, and then the overseas work subsidy is added, which is a substantial amount.

It’s just that Lynch cleverly mentioned at the end he’d use the Navy’s ships for transportation—firstly, the Navy’s ships are faster, and secondly, for transportation safety concerns.

Actually, this is all nonsense. Lynch bought some retired destroyers from the Navy, and while these destroyers shouldn’t be used in frontal battles, they’re perfectly fine for dealing with pirates.

But in business, it’s not done this way; you have to lubricate every step fully, or that raw sensation will make you uncomfortable and others uncomfortable.

Yes, that’s the business.

The costs of transportation and armed escort account for about thirteen percent of the total budget; these transport costs are not low.

Be aware, military transport belongs to military operations, and the specific costs incurred are actually supported by the military budget and national finance—this means these transport fees come at no cost, whatever they are paid, they receive.

Afterward, about sixteen million remains; additionally, some materials procured from the military allow them to gain about three hundred thousand to four hundred thousand benefits from this nineteen million contract.

If the military rejected this budget, Lynch would submit it as usual, and the military wouldn’t receive a dime, which they certainly wouldn’t be satisfied with.

But now, with this approach, everyone is satisfied, so in business, the key is to lubricate every interest-bearing joint!

Once the project is established, recruitment begins on the Nagariel side, and locally in the Federation too.

Cheap labor often does cheap work.

Just like those young people on the assembly line in factories earning three hundred a month, you can’t have them research airplanes and big guns, so you still need some Federation-qualified personnel.

Lynch was somewhat surprised that it wasn’t easy to recruit them.

"You know, Mr. Lynch, since Peng Jieao started actively preparing for war, our labor market has experienced a significant wave!"

The Workers’ Union person was explaining the tense situation of skilled workers; actually, this matter shouldn’t have been Lynch’s concern, but sometimes what ordinary employees can’t achieve, bosses can.

Because of a higher status, more reputation, and a prominent identity, these are also chips and part of "wealth."

"This year, technical workers in construction are particularly sought-after. We don’t have much resources now. If you genuinely need these positions, we could bring in people from other places..."

The fellow from the Workers’ Union spoke in a tone that only a Federation Government official would have, dressed in neat attire, shiny shoes, and hair doused in hair gel; there wasn’t a hint of "labor class" about him at all.

But ironically, these people represent the working class and play a very subtle role.

Lynch lit a cigarette, "I don’t like wasting time; get to the point."

The Workers’ Union official pondered for a moment, "We can explore cooperation in more fields..."

The most disgusting aspect of the Workers’ Union is that after satisfying themselves with the working class, they start to exploit the capitalists!

Many people think the Workers’ Union should stand with the workers, but that’s not the case—their allegiance lies with interests.

They can persuade workers to go on strike for interests or coax striking workers back for interests; perhaps only workers trust them, which is the unfortunate truth.

At least most of the time, the Workers’ Union helps workers with some matters, which is more reliable than hoping capitalists suddenly grow generous hearts.

At the opening remarks, Lynch knew something from him might have intrigued them, but he couldn’t figure it out at the moment, "I don’t mind if you spell it out; I don’t want to think bit by bit; my schedule is packed."

Grinning, he said, "Mr. Lynch, not sure if you know, but our Workers’ Union has its technical worker training system..."

The Workers’ Union does have technical schools, which are different from vocational schools, focusing solely on training single skills.

No, it should be called a skill-training institution.

For example, someone wanting advanced sewing skills can learn here, only focusing on sewing skills, nothing else.

This ensures the span for worker training remains short, conserving time and naturally increasing intensity.

Overall, this system has helped many workers transition successfully from assembly-line workers to skilled professionals, but not everyone fits.

As mentioned earlier, the Workers’ Union, inherently is an interest-seeking organization; their services aren’t free but charge, and the prices aren’t low.

With their ability to prioritize employment, these high tuition fees don’t seem overly expensive.

But these years, a slight problem has emerged.

People aren’t spending money to improve themselves anymore, reducing the Workers’ Union’s revenue.

During this time, the market in Nagariel has been gradually nurtured, not saying Nagariel citizens reached wealth freedom with the Federation United Development Company’s enthusiastic aid.

Rather, they’ve adapted to the model the Federation people offered, earning rewards through labor, and started habitual consumption, even pre-consuming.

The Workers’ Union immediately saw vast prospects—a two hundred million person scale market. If one in ten, say two thousand people, choose to train through the Workers’ Union...

They continuously earn revenue from subsequent worker incomes, possibly having Nagariel income surpass home earnings, becoming the Workers’ Union’s primary economic source, bar none!

This deeply entices decision-makers at the Workers’ Union, but they face one issue—how to penetrate this market?

Currently, the United Development Company internally has its human resource development department; companies everywhere train their employees—Lynch’s crew’s skill training is quite comprehensive.

They see themselves missing out as the opportunity approaches, and without the United Development Company, they don’t dare act recklessly. Thus, they took this occasion to discuss it.

Lynch was incredulous, "I don’t know whose idea it is, but I have to say this person isn’t too bright."

The Workers’ Union official seemed taken aback by Lynch’s reaction, "I don’t understand, Mr. Lynch."

Lynch flicked cigarette ash, "Nagariel belongs to the United Development Company; you think you can profit from Nagariel or snatch from our mouths to eat—does the Workers’ Union think they can confront the United Development Company head-on?"

Shaking his head, "If I were you, I wouldn’t be happy, nor would I say this, because it can easily make you our enemy too."

Patting his pants, he stood up, "You’d better send the people I need on time; I don’t want to waste my limited time on this matter.", he glanced condescendingly at the dumbfounded Workers’ Union official, "Good luck to you."

A bit later, the construction company informed Lynch they had secured the technical workforce, and Lynch casually called Mr. Jeruno to relay the matter.

He is the chairman of the United Development Company’s board, and naturally, as the representative of all shareholders interests, he deserved to be informed first.

After hanging up, Jeruno rubbed his temples; Federation Government people had been hounding tightly, questioning if his decisions were wrong.

But soon, he reaffirmed his stance.

The Jeruno Clan’s biggest "business" isn’t their vast industry ownership but maintaining close relations with global elites!

Even the recently deceased Emperor Gafura was their client, purchasing slaves from them.

Besides, time for completing industrial upgrades has already passed.

Each industry is monopolized by major capitalists and consortiums, entering recklessly only sparks entire chains of issues.

Not everyone is as lucky as Lynch; initially, people ignored him for being weak.

By the time people cared, it was too late.

But the Duncan Clan differs; whatever they do garners attention.

This also causes immense trouble for their industrial upgrades.

What’s more, there’s trouble brewing with someone targeting their primary goods source—it’s unacceptable!