Chapter 523: 0521 Mutual assistance is an obligation between friends
The same person, in different stages and states, can have many different ideas.
Previously, Mayor Landon would prefer to offend the Governor rather than loosen his grip on real power, but now his thinking is rapidly changing, contributing to the Federation’s public is much nobler than being greedy for power, thus society will naturally feedback some concrete values to him.
So when Lynch asked this question again, he wouldn’t feel offended. He casually nodded and shared his thoughts, "I’m not young anymore, even though I seem quite youthful now. In reality, in ten years I’ll be called ’Grandpa’ by some kids; even now, some call me that."
"I’ve been seriously thinking, even if I hold power, what can it really bring me?"
He seemed to reflect, as if he had suddenly understood some mysterious truth, grasping the laws of the universe, thus becoming... wise, "It brings nothing, power can’t make me young, power can’t make everything happen as I wish, there are many things power can’t achieve, it exhausts me."
"Next, I want to dedicate my time to this country, someone has to do something for it, whether it’s good or bad, someone has to do it..."
"Actually, all these inspirations are thanks to you, Lynch...", the Mayor looked at Lynch with affection, as if everything he said was true, "During this period, you solved many problems for us and offered numerous constructive suggestions, such as household workshops, you’re different from others."
"They only think about what they can take from ordinary people, while you consider taking on more societal responsibilities, your selfless attitude towards society touched me and helped me find a pursuit in life..."
These words weren’t entirely nonsense or mere pleasantries; in fact, the household workshops promoted by Lynch have already alleviated many families’ livelihoods, with Lynch’s increasing orders, more ordinary families will benefit from this.
Don’t underestimate the manufacturing costs of each finished product that earn thirty to fifty cents or a dollar; a family can earn at least three dollars in pure profit per day, enough to support themselves.
Praise for Lynch wasn’t entirely flattery.
These flattering words sounded very pleasant, Lynch almost believed it; if it weren’t for the constantly changing figures on his bank deposit slip, he might have truly thought he’s a noble person!
No, he is indeed a noble person, at least nobler than other capitalists, so the Mayor’s words weren’t entirely flattering flattery.
He nodded approvingly, "You are right..."
The Mayor was briefly stunned; he hadn’t expected such... in this world, but his mental resilience was strong, "That’s my reason for letting go; next, I’ll leave it to you all."
He glanced at Ferrari, feeling some amazement that Ferrari could bring Lynch to rely on, otherwise this mayor might not have landed in Ferrari’s hands.
Don’t underestimate a mayor destined to "resign"; such opportunities aren’t always available. Two years of mayoral experience can greatly enhance a politician’s personal resume, at least proving governance.
When it came to this, the Mayor glanced at Ferrari again and asked, "Lynch, is there anything you need us to do on your return?"
Lynch sincerely nodded, "There are some, I need some information on factories producing daily necessities and their current production status."
Seeing the Mayor’s puzzled expression, Lynch briefly explained, "I plan to acquire some factories to resume operations; we can’t let those workers idle without anything to do, we need to give them something to do. Doesn’t this lighten the government’s burden?"
The Mayor wasn’t distracted by Lynch’s seemingly joking remark; he fully focused on Lynch’s plan to acquire factories and resume production, as Sabin City is most lacking in job opportunities right now.
If he can truly do this, regardless of whether ordinary people will benefit or not, simply demonstrating with action that "we are trying" can earn a high evaluation.
The Mayor hesitated, "This matter you’ll have to delay until Ferrari announces his inauguration," to which Ferrari sitting beside showed some expression change, clearly, he also heard the Mayor’s words.
However, he could feel a... completely different situation from before; the Mayor intentionally said this in front of Lynch and him, actually to make him remember this favor.
Of course, Ferrari must comply since the Mayor could choose not to do this, but still decided to give this opportunity to Ferrari, regardless of whether it’s for selling a personal favor, Ferrari must agree.
"I’m about to resign; these things don’t have any practical meaning for me, Ferrari is different, he still has to stay here for two more years; if he doesn’t have any notable achievements, it will be difficult to intimidate some people here."
The Mayor hinted, "Even with power in hand, it doesn’t mean there are no challengers. How does that saying go?", he turned to look at Ferrari, as if asking him.
The two were actually very familiar with each other, having worked together for so many years. Just a single glance was enough for Ferrari to understand the mayor’s intention. He quickly followed up on the mayor’s implied message, "Challengers see all powerful forces as embodiments of evil, which is a scene from the opera ’Day of the End’."
’Day of the End’ is an anti-mainstream opera, also known as a classic in cult operas. It was banned by the Federation for a period because it promoted a very peculiar idea: "I am justice, my opponent is evil."
This kind of thought was mainstream back then as it is now. The protagonist in every cultural work is always a good person. No one would dare to depict the protagonist as a bad person. However, in the middle of the opera, another way of thinking is presented that illustrates a truly terrifying thought.
"Am ’I’ really ’justice’?"
"Is the ’justice’ I represent necessarily ’justice’?"
"Is my opponent certainly ’evil’?"
Or is it that the opponent’s "evil" is simply because they stand against "me," therefore they become "evil," and "I" become "justice"?
In the end, the hero of the opera becomes a demon, while those he defeated become heroes who protect humanity. This massive reversal, combined with the opera’s critique of mainstream society, made it popular yet branded as a "cult" opera.
In a time when "justice is absolute justice, evil is absolute evil," this kind of reversal storyline made it hard for many to bear and left them at a loss.
Mayor Landon brought up this notion at this moment to actually tell Lynch more about the deeper situations here.
For power, for wealth, for anything that can be considered a benefit, people go crazy. If Ferrari doesn’t have achievements to show, or doesn’t demonstrate Lynch’s attitude and level of support for him, people will launch unjust challenges to defy his authority and position. Although Ferrari may not represent absolute justice, he will indeed face numerous challenges.
Lynch nodded slightly, "I understand, so let’s start with preliminary investigations. I might acquire at least four or five factories..."
Mayor Landon nodded after hearing this, but he was also a bit curious, "We’re just talking privately. Is Nagariel really like some reports and returnees have said, full of money everywhere?"
Ferrari was also eagerly curious, looking at Lynch. This is currently the mainstream voice in Federation society: Nagariel is full of gold.
After hearing it, Lynch laughed out loud. He shook his head while laughing, "Of course not, it’s very poor there. So poor, you can buy a human life for just a hundred bucks."
"But it’s also wealthy there. For our civilized society, the most expensive cost is labor. But for a poor, backward, and barbaric society, the last thing they lack is an abundance of labor!"
Sensing they might not understand, Lynch specifically gave an example, "If you have a factory and now you have a hundred workers who don’t need wages, what do you think can make money?"
Mayor Landon almost immediately responded, "Everything can make money!"
He suddenly realized, understanding why everyone says it’s full of gold there. Damn, with such a project team, anyone can make a profit because the locals require no wages at all.
As he woke up to this realization, he also proposed a new question, "You know Mark, my nephew, he’s not young anymore, and I want him to find something proper to do. Do you think it’s appropriate for him to go to Nagariel?"
Of course, it’s appropriate. In fact, not only Mark, but Mayor Landon also kindly suggested letting Ferrari’s brother go with Mark to Nagariel to seek opportunities. He’s quite skilled at dealing with people.
The meeting with the mayor lasted over an hour before Lynch finally stood up to take his leave.
Ferrari escorted Lynch outside City Hall, feeling a bit embarrassed for the mayor’s suggestion earlier about sending his brother to Nagariel, and apologized to Lynch, "I didn’t know he would say that. My brother won’t leave the Federation."
"No, no need to say that. Actually, I hope more people from the Federation come to realize this point. There are abundant opportunities outside the Federation..." He handed Ferrari his business card from Nagariel, "If your brother gets there, he can contact me, and I’ll arrange a suitable job for him."
Ferrari took the card and kept it safely, knowing that this is a process a politician must go through in their political career—a collusion of power and capital, something unavoidable even for the President, let alone a vice mayor not yet a mayor.
"Thank you for doing so much for me!" he said sincerely.
Lynch patted his arm, equally sincere, "We are friends!"