area51novel Chapter 269 Stock Market
Chapter 269 Stock Market
Chapter 269 Stock Market
The atmosphere in the manager's office at the Loggert Arms Factory was somewhat somber.
"Why are there problems with the sales channels again? —"
Lorne looked at the latest financial report in front of him, his brows furrowed, and his tone was somewhat irritable.
He finally managed to secure some orders from Congressman Macht, which were more symbolic than actual, barely enough to keep him afloat. But now, his previously stable sales channels are facing problems again.
"Didn't you tell me the other day that my new gun sold quite a bit?"
"How come now—even the most basic bullets can't be sold?" Lorne raised his head, staring sharply at the factory manager, Ted.
"Boss, this really isn't my fault—it's just that the market has been a bit... lately—" Ted's expression was also very distressed, his face full of helplessness.
"Didn't I give you some money in the first place to handle these things?" Lorne leaned forward, his tone serious.
In order to quickly establish a foothold and resolve the sales channel issue, Lorne once gave Ted a sum of money. The main purpose was for him to "grease the palms" of the purchasing departments of major shopping malls and weapons wholesalers.
After all, the factory was on the verge of bankruptcy before, and now it wants to reopen the market. Without some tricks, the old channels might not give you face.
In today's relatively saturated market, spending money on interpersonal relationships to gain sales is considered an unspoken rule in the industry.
"Could it be—you embezzled all that money?" Lorne's eyes turned dangerous.
He kept the man as factory manager because he thought the man was relatively honest.
If the other party is not honest—
"No! No, boss!" Ted felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze and quickly waved his hands. "I really didn't! I even have the ledgers!"
As he spoke, he hurriedly took a small notebook out of the drawer and handed it to Lorne with both hands.
Lorne took it and quickly flipped through it. It was filled with detailed records of Ted's recent gifts and money.
At least on paper, there's nothing wrong—Lorne gestured for the other person to continue.
Ted breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "After all, I built this factory from scratch, and of course I don't want it to go bankrupt again!"
"What exactly is the reason?"
"Several wholesalers who had good relationships with us recently sold off their own companies, even their core businesses! Now their transitions are in disarray, so naturally they can't take care of things here anymore—"
"There were also some verbal promises made privately before, but the new managers who have taken over those companies are completely denying them and even think there's something wrong with us —"
"Sell it? Why would you sell it out of the blue?" Lorne asked, puzzled.
"Boss, are you aware of the recent surge in the Backlunds stock market?" Ted asked.
"It seems that there is such a thing." Lorne remembered the news he saw in the newspaper a couple of days ago.
"Yes, the owners of those wholesalers sold off their companies and businesses to raise money to speculate in stocks."
"Huh? Sell your real business to speculate in stocks?" Lorne looked surprised.
"Boss, you have no idea how good the market is lately! I heard some people have doubled their wealth in just one month! So, a lot of people are getting greedy and want to jump in and make a killing."
"—This is outrageous!" Although he had never bought stocks, Lorne knew very well that many so-called bull markets were actually just a game of musical chairs. One wrong step and you could easily lose everything.
Seeing Ted's animated and gleaming expression, Lorne narrowed his eyes slightly, resting his chin on his hand suspiciously, and asked, "You—you didn't buy it too, did you?"
"Uh—" Ted's expression froze instantly, revealing an extremely awkward smile.
"You didn't use the money I gave you—" Lorne's tone instantly rose.
"No! No!" Ted waved his hands repeatedly, "I just—I just gave—my house to—"
"You sold the house?!"
"No, it wasn't sold." Ted's voice trailed off.
"It was just—just mortgaged to Bavaria Bank."
Lorne glanced at him speechlessly.
He finally understood why the other party had gone bankrupt.
"Economic prosperity and rising stock market—let's hope it doesn't end up being a major depression."
Lorne put down the Backlund Daily and couldn't help but mutter a complaint.
From international news in the newspapers, Lorne learned that this irrational rise in the stock market seemed to be happening not only in Backlund, but also in other countries such as Intis and Fussac.
Before he transmigrated, the term "Great Depression" was very well-known, even to someone like him who wasn't particularly interested in history.
"However, given the vast difference in historical context and the lack of product oversupply, it shouldn't be that bad, right?"
"Forget it, this kind of thing has nothing to do with a nobody like me."
He stood up, abandoning these grand questions, and walked towards the weapons testing room partitioned off in a corner of the factory. He needed to prepare for the upcoming hunt for the "Indulgence" Extraordinary.
"There aren't many talismans left."
Edwina's spells were very effective, but there weren't many left. The remaining ones had to be used to their fullest potential.
Essential oils, peppermint leaves — and a touch of gold dust.
He poured the spiritual materials one by one into a wide-mouthed basin of water. Then, he took out a talisman inscribed with a sun rune and activated it. When the surface of the talisman began to emit a soft and stable milky-white glow, he carefully immersed it in the water.
With a soft golden light, a large basin of "holy water" imbued with a sacred aura emerged from the water, and thus the process was complete.
Lorne then placed a large number of bullet heads into the "holy water" to soak them, allowing the power of the holy water to slowly permeate.
Once these treated bullets are reassembled, a batch of special bullets with a purification effect will be completed.
Of course, this crude method, originating from pirates, produced bullets with mediocre results. Truly exceptional bullets were forged from special metals and engraved with corresponding mystical patterns, a process that was extremely complex.
His approach is merely a shortcut and can't compare to professional, high-quality bullets. Its only advantage is that it's plentiful and sufficient.
Looking at the metal bullets bobbing up and down in the basin, Lorne sighed softly.
"I hope everything goes well—"
Meanwhile, on the other side...
"Sherlock, you've done a good job lately. It's about time to close the net." Charles looked at the latest financial statements, in a very good mood.
Their hype campaign for "Continental United Mining Company" was exceptionally successful.
With the society's relentless promotion and the covert assistance of extraordinary individuals such as "lawyers" and "spectators" brought in from other places, many nobles and members of parliament who initially only intended to invest a small amount of money and make a profit have now been blinded by the crazy price increases and are willing to squander their entire fortunes to invest in it.
There's no way around it; when everyone around you is talking about making money, and when wealth seems within reach, that collective frenzy and greed is impossible to suppress.
"Don't look so glum. After this mission, I'll put in a good word for you and make you a captain too," Charles said, seeing that Klein was still in a bad mood.
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"Director, I don't really want to be the captain. How about I be rewarded with some gold pounds instead?" Klein forced a smile and politely declined.
At this moment, all he wants to do is save as much money as possible to prepare for future promotions and "going home".
"Sigh, you're all you care about is money," Charles sighed softly. "No ambition whatsoever—"
"Speaking of rewards, don't forget me~ I helped a lot too." "Witch" Irene swayed her hips and walked over with elegant cat steps, speaking in a coquettish tone.
Her persuasive abilities are incredibly effective against investors who are already caught up in the hype; often, just a few words are enough to get them to hand over more money.
"Don't worry, I will report your contribution truthfully," Charles said.
"However, those people from Bavaria Bank and Backlund Bank are actually trying to steal our business—"
"Tch, those aristocrats who play the financial game have also set their sights on this lucrative opportunity."
"Aren't all nobles greedy?" Irene smiled charmingly, her tone laced with sarcasm.
"Um—" Klein suddenly spoke up, "I looked at those reports, and it seems our funds are running low. Shouldn't we—close to cash out now?"
He cautiously suggested that the scam should be ended as soon as possible so that those blinded by greed could suffer less loss.
Upon hearing this, Charles gave Klein a deep look.
This guy has the ability—but he's too kind-hearted and can't bring himself to be ruthless.
"No need. Everything will proceed as planned."
"But—" Klein wanted to try again.
"Mind your own business," Charles said sternly.
"You don't need to worry about the money."
"Yes, great detective." Irene came up behind Klein, gently placed her hand on his shoulder, and said in a seductive tone, "Being too righteous can be a big problem, you know~"