Blackstone Code

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The Baylor Federation government didn't technically restrict its officials from engaging in commercial activities, as evidenced by the behavior of its members of Congress. Each of them held stakes in numerous private equity funds, and perhaps a stake or two in one or two companies.

Fewer companies but more foundations—the reason was to avoid suspicion.

At the end of the day, it all came down to avoiding suspicion.

While the constitution and laws might allow such practices, that didn't mean politicians could engage in business with reckless abandon. The issue here was one of quid pro quo—the subtle exchange of favors for personal gain.

Determining whether a normal business transaction constituted a corrupt exchange wasn't difficult. One simply had to examine the cause, purpose, result, and beneficiaries of the transaction, then compare these elements against the federal standards for "official misconduct" or the characteristics of illegal benefit transfers.

To put it simply: Suppose Official A held shares in Company A. If Company A conducted business with Company B, made a hefty profit, and somehow facilitated benefits for either Company B or its shareholders through direct or indirect actions by Official A, that would be a textbook case of official misconduct and illegal benefit transfer—a practice strictly forbidden by federal law.

This kind of corruption was hard to detect without thorough investigation. For instance, take Dyson Asset Management. On the surface, it appeared to be jointly owned by an individual named Dyson and another asset management firm. But behind that firm lay layers upon layers of other companies, making it nearly impossible to trace who the true owner of Dyson Asset Management really was unless someone conducted painstaking research.

Everyone did this—layering ownership to hide things they didn't want others to see, while also protecting themselves. When necessary, they could dissolve a company and complete a few routine legal procedures, severing any trail that might lead back to them. This opacity provided opportunities for rivals as well. Opponents could fabricate transactions that looked like secret benefit transfers, then accuse their targets of official misconduct. This was why most members of Congress, including high-ranking politicians, preferred to involve themselves in multiple foundations rather than directly operate companies. Running a company opened too many vulnerabilities.

If Lynch were to become a member of Congress, his current business ventures could quickly turn into vulnerabilities, ripe for exploitation. He had no intention of retreating into obscurity so early in life.

The routine of collecting monthly "donations" funneled through foundations, only to advocate for those groups in Congress—casting votes for their proposals or against their competitors—felt suffocating. Days would be consumed by mingling with lobbyists, brokers, and representatives of interest groups. To many, this lifestyle was enviable: attending endless banquets and galas, brushing shoulders with celebrities and dignitaries, always basking in the spotlight.

But to Lynch, it seemed excruciatingly monotonous. It would feel like being reduced to a puppet, dancing on strings—or worse, a caged beast, confined and stripped of freedom, allowed only the illusion of movement.

That wasn't what he wanted. The world was vast and full of wonders; there was still so much he intended to do.

As the two men locked eyes, Lynch's resolve was unmistakable, reflected not just in his words but in the steely determination etched across his face—unwavering, unyielding, and without flaw.

"Alright," Truman said, leaning back slightly. Though visibly disappointed, he wasn't entirely surprised. Lynch had made it clear before—he wouldn't enter politics, at least not anytime soon. "When you change your mind, we can revisit this conversation."

Lynch nodded absently, already shifting gears. He began outlining further negotiation strategies. Once the delegation and the Baylor Federation reached consensus on establishing diplomatic relations, deeper discussions about political, economic, and cultural cooperation would follow—and likely much more.

"There's something else I've been considering," Lynch added. "Let Nagalier shoulder our burdens. We should encourage more people to seek opportunities there instead of waiting around for handouts here."

They'd touched on this topic during their last discussion, though only briefly. Truman frowned. "But our people may not want to work in such a distant, underdeveloped place."

"No television, no newspapers, no cinemas—just savagery…"

Lynch cut him off. "But there's money. Lots of it. We need to make people understand that wealth is everywhere in Nagalier, if they're willing to look."

He paused, lips tightening. "Create idols."

Truman listened intently. While he possessed a keen understanding of international relations, detailed operational planning wasn't his forte. Like a ship adrift on the ocean, everyone aboard had their role. He could chart the course, but navigating the vessel itself required help from others.

And Lynch could navigate. His ideas aligned seamlessly with Truman's broader vision, yet Lynch thought farther ahead.

"As more citizens venture to Nagalier to carve out their own opportunities, some of the pressing issues within our domestic society will ease. External wealth will accelerate our internal transformations."

"This isn't war, but we'll solve internal problems nonetheless."

Even now, Truman felt a chill run down his spine listening to Lynch's words. There was no doubt that Lynch's plans extended far beyond what he'd revealed today. Some details remained unspoken—not because Lynch refused to share them, but because the timing wasn't right. Truman believed that when the moment came, Lynch would unveil even more astonishing schemes.

Their discussion stretched over two hours before finally concluding. By then, it was past one o'clock. As their focus waned, hunger began to creep in.

Thankfully, there were food trucks near the presidential palace. At one point, some had suggested banning street vendors from this central district—the heart of Bupayne, the core of the federation—but the idea hadn't gained traction.

Politicians often skipped lunch when busy, and many Baylorians regarded lunch as less important than breakfast. A hot dog, a meat-filled sandwich, or a quick stir-fry sufficed. This casual attitude toward meals allowed the street vendors to survive.

It was remarkable, really. Even today, food trucks persisted, and customers kept coming.

As they ate, Truman asked, "Do you have anything planned for the afternoon?"

Lynch thought for a moment. "No. Why?"

"I'm attending an exhibition later. Some intriguing new developments might interest you."

"What's it about?" Lynch polished off the last bite of his meal, wiping his hands and mouth with a handkerchief.

"Technology."

Every year, peculiar exhibitions popped up across the country. They were part of a technological boom few fully understood but which undeniably shaped the era. These events served dual purposes: showcasing advancements and connecting inventors with potential investors to fund further research.

Technological progress ought to have been the domain of scientists, yet many inventions bore little relation to cutting-edge science. Instead, they represented clever combinations and improvements of existing technologies—what some called "folk science." The term might sound dismissive, but these innovations played crucial roles in societal development.

Many small gadgets and contraptions flooding the market originated from amateur inventors. In the past, these creators roamed from company to company, pitching their inventions in hopes of collaboration or sale. Over time, however, success stories inspired dreamers to join the fray, hoping to create the next world-changing device.

Exhibitions emerged naturally, offering inventors a platform to display their creations. Interested parties could negotiate partnerships or investments on the spot. Many significant inventions took root this way, gaining recognition and drawing attention.

High-profile shows attracted top-tier inventors, creating a virtuous cycle. Even Vipe Industries reportedly drew inspiration for modifications to their latest torpedo design from a folk scientist's invention.

For the next fortnight, talented inventors from across the nation would gather at an open field outside Bupayne to showcase their work.

Intrigued, Lynch agreed to attend.

After arranging his office's afternoon tasks, Truman joined Lynch, and forty minutes later, they arrived at the bustling exhibition grounds. The atmosphere rivaled that of a holiday fair. Representatives from industrial conglomerates, military officials, social elites, stockbrokers clutching small yellow sheets, and families eager for novelty filled the space.

"Sir, do you know what a radio reconnaissance array is?"

Before Lynch could respond, a stockbroker approached, asking a question he'd never heard before.

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