Chapter 269: The Stock Market
Inside the manager's office of the Loguet Firearms Factory, the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
"Why are the sales channels having problems again—"
Lorne looked at the latest financial statement in front of him, his brows tightly furrowed, his tone slightly annoyed.
He had finally managed to secure some orders from Councilor Macht, though their symbolic significance outweighed their actual quantity, barely allowing the factory to catch its breath.
As a result, the previously stable and normal sales channels were now encountering issues again.
"Didn't you tell me two days ago that my new gun model sold quite a bit?"
"So why is it that now—even the most basic ammunition can't be sold?" Lorne raised his head, staring sharply at the factory manager, Ted.
"Boss, you really can't blame me—the market recently has been a bit too much—" Ted's expression was miserable, his face full of helplessness.
"Didn't I give you a sum of money at the very beginning to solve these problems?" Lorne leaned forward, his tone serious.
In order to quickly open up the situation and resolve the sales channel issues, Lorne had previously given Ted a fund.
The main purpose was for him to 'smooth things over' with the purchasing departments of major shopping centers and weapon wholesalers.
After all, the factory had been on the verge of bankruptcy, and if they wanted to re-enter the market now, without using some methods, the old channels might not give them face.
In this era of relative market saturation, spending money on relationships to secure sales was considered an unwritten rule of the industry.
"Don't tell me—you embezzled that money?" Lorne's eyes turned dangerous.
He had originally kept him on as factory manager because of his relatively honest demeanor.
If he wasn't honest—
"No! It's not true! Boss!" Ted felt a chill under his gaze and quickly waved his hands, "I really didn't! I even have the ledger!"
Saying this, he frantically pulled a small notebook from his drawer and handed it to Lorne with both hands.
Lorne took it and flipped through it quickly.
It was densely filled with detailed records of Ted's recent expenditures on bribes and gifts.
At least on the surface, there were no issues—Lorne motioned with his eyes for him to continue.
Ted sighed in relief and continued, "No matter what, I started this factory myself, so of course I don't want it to go bankrupt again!"
"Then what exactly is the reason?"
"Several wholesalers who worked well with us recently sold off their companies, and even their core businesses! Now, the handover process on their end is chaotic, and they naturally can't attend to our matters—
"Furthermore, the new managers who took over those companies don't acknowledge some of the verbal agreements we privately reached before, and they even think we are the problem—"
"Sold off? Why would they sell them off out of the blue?" Lorne asked, puzzled.
"Boss, are you aware of the news about the recent surge in the Backlund stock market?" Ted asked.
"It seems—that is the case." Lorne recalled the news he had read in the newspaper two days ago.
"Yes, the owners of those wholesalers sold off their companies and businesses specifically to raise money to speculate on stocks—"
"What? Sell off real industry—to play the stock market?" Lorne was astonished.
"Boss, you don't know how incredibly good the market has been recently! I heard that some people doubled their wealth in just one month! So, many people are now green with envy and want to jump in to make a fortune."
"—That's too ridiculous." Although he had never bought stocks, Lorne knew very well that many so-called bull markets were essentially games of musical chairs.
One wrong step, and it was easy for the bubble to burst in your hands.
Watching Ted speak endlessly, his eyes shining brightly, Lorne narrowed his eyes slightly, pressed his chin, and asked suspiciously, "You—you didn't buy any too, did you?"
"Uh—" Ted's expression instantly froze, and he forced an extremely awkward smile.
"You didn't use the money I gave you—" Lorne's tone instantly rose.
"No! It's not that!" Ted waved his hands repeatedly, "I just—I just put my house up for—"
"You sold your house?!"
"No, I didn't sell it." Ted's voice dropped.
"I just—just mortgaged it to the Bavatt Bank."
Lorne glanced at him, speechless.
He finally understood why the man had gone bankrupt before.
"Economic prosperity, rising stock market—let's hope this doesn't end up creating a Great Depression."
Lorne put down the Backlund Daily in his hand and couldn't help but complain.
From the international news in the newspaper, Lorne learned that this kind of irrational stock market surge was happening not only in Backlund but also in other countries like Intis and Forsake.
Before he transmigrated, the term "Great Depression" was widely known, even by people like him who weren't particularly interested in history.
"However, the historical context is so different, and there's no commodity overflow, so it shouldn't—it shouldn't come to that."
"Forget it, this kind of thing has nothing to do with a small fry like me."
He stood up, no longer dwelling on these grand issues, and instead walked toward the weapon testing room partitioned off in the corner of the factory.
He needed to make some preparations for the upcoming operation to hunt the Indulgence Faction Beyonders.
"Charms—I don't have many left."
Although the charms Edwina made were highly effective, the quantity was indeed limited.
He had to make sure the remaining ones were used efficiently.
Essential oil, mint leaves—and a little bit of gold powder.
He poured these spiritual materials sequentially into a large, wide-mouthed basin.
Then, he took out a charm inscribed with a Sun rune and activated it.
Once the surface of the charm began to emit a soft, steady, milky-white glow, he carefully immersed it in the water.
*Buzz.* Accompanied by a soft golden light rising from the water, a large basin of "Holy Water" imbued with a sacred aura was thus completed.
Next, Lorne placed a large quantity of bullet heads into the "Holy Water" to soak, allowing the power of the Holy Water to slowly permeate them.
Once these treated bullet heads were reassembled, a batch of special ammunition with purifying effects would be complete.
Of course, this crude method, originating from pirates, produced ammunition with very ordinary effects.
True Beyonder bullets were usually forged from special metals and had corresponding mystical patterns carved into the casing, making the craftsmanship extremely complex.
His method was merely a shortcut and certainly couldn't compare to professional Beyonder bullets.
The only advantage was that it was plentiful and sufficient.
Looking at the metal bullet heads bobbing in the basin, Lorne sighed softly.
"I hope everything goes smoothly—"
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Sherlock, you've been doing well lately.
It's almost time to close the net." Charles looked at the latest financial statement and was in a rather good mood.
Their scheme to hype up the "Continental United Mining Company" was exceptionally successful.
Under the Society's tireless promotion, and with the secret assistance of Beyonders from the Lawyer and Spectator Pathways mobilized from elsewhere, many nobles and councilors who initially only planned to invest a small amount and pick up a bargain have now been completely overwhelmed by the crazy surge, pouring their entire fortunes into it.
There was nothing to be done; when everyone around was talking about making money, and when wealth seemed within reach, the collective fanaticism and greed that arose could not be suppressed.
"Don't look so glum.
After this mission is over, I'll recommend you for merit and let you become a Captain too," Charles said, seeing that Klein still looked unhappy.
"Director, I don't really want to be a Captain, Just reward me with some gold pounds," Klein said, forcing a smile and politely declining.
At this moment, he only wanted to accumulate as much capital as possible in preparation for his future advancement and "going home."
"Alas, you fellow, you only care about money." Charles sighed softly.
"No ambition—"
"Speaking of rewards, don't forget me~ I helped a lot too." The Demoness Irin swayed her waist, walking over with an elegant, cat-like stride, speaking in a coquettish tone.
Her "Instigation" ability was almost invincible against those investors who were already hyped up; often, just a few words were enough to make them shell out even more money.
"Don't worry, I will report your merits truthfully as well," Charles said.
"However, those people from the Bavatt Bank and the Backlund Bank actually want to compete with us for this business—"
"Hmph, those nobles playing with finance have also set their sights on this piece of fat meat."
"Aren't all nobles greedy?" Irin smiled charmingly, her tone laced with mockery.
"Um—" Klein suddenly spoke up, "I looked at those statements, and it seems our funds aren't plentiful anymore.
Can't we—can't we close the net early?"
He cautiously suggested this, hoping to end the scam early so that those blinded by greed would suffer fewer losses.
Upon hearing this, Charles gave Klein a deep look.
This fellow certainly had ability—but he was too kind-hearted; he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless—
"No need.
Everything will proceed according to the original plan."
"But—" Klein wanted to argue further.
"Just mind your own business," Charles's tone became serious.
"You don't need to worry about the money."
"That's right, Great Detective." Irin came up behind Klein, gently resting her hand on his shoulder, and said in a seductive tone, "If you have too much Justice, you might suffer a great loss~"