CHAPTER 322: 0320 THE KEY TO OPENING THE DOOR TO THE FUTURE

Rumors about Nagariel being rich with gold mines and gemstone mines have always circulated, and many believe that these mineral deposits indeed exist, even though there has been no formal authoritative survey report so far.

The reasons preventing people from discovering and exploiting these mineral resources are many, with the most important being the non-cooperative attitude of Nagariel’s officials, which has dissuaded many from pursuing this idea.

Developing mineral resources is not something that can be done casually with a mere "I’m here" declaration. From early large-scale exploration, to discovery, to mining, transportation, local smelting, and ultimately international shipping through ports, almost every stage requires the cooperation of the local government.

Nagariel’s government has expressed a non-cooperative stance, making it impossible to complete many of these stages, and simultaneously, these stages cannot bypass the local government, so considering numerous factors, the rumors remain just that—rumors.

Listening to Lynch’s somewhat provocative rebuttal, Mr. Wardrick did not become embarrassed or angry; instead, he found this young man’s courage appealing and interesting. The most crucial part was that Lynch hit the core of all problems—interest.

Where there is interest, there are benefits. Mr. Wardrick is known to be a model of upper society.

With no interest, no benefits, and possibly losses, Mr. Wardrick becomes the cold-hearted capitalist.

At this moment, he smiled gently, which signifies that Lynch had convinced him.

Gold mines and gold are immensely important to both a company and a nation, and he believes that Nagariel possesses more than just gold mines.

Lynch dared to present this point as "bait," suggesting that he had the possibility of realization. Mr. Wardrick understood this well; otherwise, he would make Lynch and others who deceived him understand why some followers always say the Federation is the devil’s den.

Of course, understanding aside, the questions that need to be asked won’t be few.

Mr. Wardrick took out a rare light gold Kleve from the box on the table—this is a pure color variant. Compared to ordinary reds, blues, yellows, greens, and purples, this light gold variety is scarce in the market.

It resembles a slightly petite spindle, thicker in the middle, tapering at both ends, bulging, and the exterior looks like gold foil, reflecting the vibrant luster of gold.

This golden festival version pure color costs over five hundred per piece and is not available for general purchase or ordering. The annual output from the production area is limited; only investors from the production site can enjoy it according to equity shares.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Wardrick is also one of the investors. As Lynch looked at this Kleve, he thought of their discussion topic, gold.

"Very fitting!" Lynch skillfully received the cutter and torch handed by Mr. Wardrick, quickly taking a puff, surprised by the rich creamy slight sweetness in his mouth and an even stronger multifaceted impact.

He dared not inhale it because this pure color Kleve does not provide the basis for inhalation; only the multicolored ones with spiral patterns of colored and white circles can be inhaled.

The strong, almost tangible sensation in the mouth is a surprising and delightful experience, but inhaling would be a disaster.

He slowly exhaled, nodding appreciatively, "A very special enjoyment, with a hint of milky flavor. I always believed that the milky flavor has no commonality with these things," he raised the Kleve in his hand, "but it seems not to be the case."

Mr. Wardrick was very satisfied with Lynch’s review. He briefly introduced that these Kleve tobaccos are handpicked by sixteen-year-old girls and meticulously processed. A special technique is also involved, using the first naturally secreted milk of certain mammals to wash and soak the tobacco three times, integrating the milky flavor rather than adding chemical milk flavoring.

It’s not milk from cows or sheep, and some people might be unaccustomed to it. Anyone could adapt to this kind of ordinary animal’s milk.

This also explains why its yield is so low, as large-scale production is difficult.

The milky aroma is obvious but does not overshadow the original flavors meant to be showcased. Adding the layer-by-layer release and eventual burst of flavor and scent, the five hundred price per piece is actually not high.

Sometimes it’s not just a luxury for enjoyment, but for some, it’s a symbol of identity and status.

"How do you intend to proceed?" Mr. Wardrick lit one as well; he had a box of them and didn’t care if this one was saved to be slowly finished or just smoked this once.

For the question he posed himself, he also provided some explanation, "What you’re saying, we all know and don’t know, but to persuade others I must provide something reliable, do you understand?"

Lynch nodded affirmatively. Though Mr. Wardrick is a director of a major consortium and a capitalist capable of influencing national policies, he still needs to convince others; only then will others believe him.

The higher he climbs in such societal classes, the harder it becomes to persuade others.

Persuading those newly entering society might not require anything substantial; a few slogans, depictions of grand future plans, can make them fight tirelessly with their dry rations.

But when facing the upper echelons of society, if you want to persuade them to make a decision, you must win their trust, by using facts rather than boasting.

"In Nagariel, the control of gold, jungles, mineral resources, these things are not actually in the hands of the Central Government of the Nagariel United Kingdom, nor in the hands of the Provincial Governors, but in the hands of religion..."

At this moment, Severa happened to pass by the study door. She had just finished her etiquette class. With the mutual understanding and integration between the Federation and the international community, not only did the Federation Government welcome many foreign visits and outgoing visits, but some major consortiums also began actively deepening international cooperation.

Recently, Mr. Wardrick’s consortium plans to engage in a series of energy development cooperation with the imperial family of a small country, marking their first step in international development, cautiously choosing a place they believe they can handle.

To highlight the significance of this cooperation, Mr. and Mrs. Wardrick and their daughter, Severa, will accompany the delegation to this country to negotiate cooperation projects, during which they will stay in the Imperial Palace for a period.

To avoid losing face, neither for Mr. Wardrick’s prestigious reputation nor for the Bail Federal’s image, Mr. Wardrick specially hired a court etiquette teacher with twenty years of experience working with the imperial family to teach Severa some palace etiquette.

She had just said goodbye to the teacher who gave her a headache and happened to pass by the study on her way to practice piano.

The study’s door wasn’t entirely closed. In this family, no one dared to do anything they shouldn’t. She heard Lynch chatting with her father and couldn’t help but secretly push the door ajar to take a glance.

At this time, Lynch was sitting comfortably and relaxed opposite Mr. Wardrick. Facing him was Severa’s father, the renowned capitalist. The seriousness and solemnity on his face were enough to make the girl understand how seriously he took this moment.

Sunlight filtered through the luxurious window curtains, no longer as fierce and rampant as outside; tiny motes of dust danced in the air, mingling with the rising blue smoke.

This scene deeply attracted her. She had never seen a young man able to display such... she didn’t know how to express her thoughts before her father.

Her father had never treated a young person so respectfully, nor had any young person dared to speak so boldly in his presence, but all this was broken on such an afternoon.

Lynch’s confident aura infected everything around him—the subtle movements of his brows, his small gestures while smoking, the barely-there smile at the corner of his lips—these were etched into the girl’s heart like a painting.

"Ahem..." Mr. Wardrick quickly noticed his "peeking" daughter outside the door, Lynch also promptly paused. He turned back and glanced, waved to the girl in front of Mr. Wardrick, and even greeted her.

Mr. Wardrick glanced at Lynch, then turned his gaze to his daughter, "It’s time for your piano practice now, don’t let your piano teacher wait too long, okay?"

The girl apologized for her behavior with a flushed face and closed the door again. Mr. Wardrick explained with a smile, "She’s very mischievous!"

Lynch, however, corrected him without hesitation, "She’s lively!"

The two men exchanged glances, then naturally resumed their previous topic.

"Gold holds a very special position in Nagariel’s native religion; all things golden do, so whether to develop the gold mines and how to develop them, the real key is convincing those High Priests."

"Do you know I brought back a kid when I returned this time?"

Mr. Wardrick shook his head, not explaining why he didn’t know, because he wasn’t interested in small fries.

"He’s the most favored son of the Magulana Province’s High Priest, how to put it?" Lynch frowned slightly for a moment, "The High Priest is equivalent to our Parish Shepherd, has absolute control over the religious forces within the parish. They are hereditary, you know."

The previous words couldn’t move Mr. Wardrick; religious struggles are no simpler than those among politicians or capitalists. Everyone has enemies, including the President and himself.

But Lynch’s last statement immediately made them understand his confidence; is there anything more ridiculously decayed than a hereditary Parish Shepherd?

No, there is nothing more decayed, but also nothing more perfect. It means absolute power, and now the key to unlocking this power lies in their hands.

Mysteriously, in Mr. Wardrick’s eyes, Lynch was no longer just a young man; he was an adult full of boldness, cunning, and clever strategies.

He didn’t know what "mature beyond his years" meant, but Lynch was giving him that feeling now, like facing a peer, an opponent!

No longer disdain, but respect, and vigilance!