"You're worried!"

After half a minute of silence, a single sentence from Governor Sedel directly struck the president's heart.

Just as he was about to say something, Governor Sedel waved his hand, "Don't deny it. I understand your worries. My pressures are no less than yours. Not long ago, His Majesty talked to me, but I convinced him."

"I know what you're afraid of, and now I've taken the pressure upon myself. You need to win, and win beautifully. Only then can we maintain our interests in this region and...," he smiled faintly, "...protect yourselves."

If someone were to be abandoned, it would clearly be the president of the chamber of commerce as an ideal candidate.

He has a certain reputation, a certain status, abandoning him could satisfy some people's needs for development without disrupting the actual exercise of local power, and more importantly, without embarrassing anyone, for instance, the Governor.

That's why he hurriedly came to probe for insights. Some things have changed too quickly in these days, and he fears becoming the abandoned one.

Generations of effort have led to the wealth and power he possesses today, and he truly can't bear to let it go.

Upon hearing the Governor comforting him like this, he breathed a sigh of relief, concealed his true thoughts, "I've never considered that. Serving you and the Empire is our honor!"

Governor Sedel pointed at him, decisively revealing his insincere words, "Hypocrite!"

The chamber of commerce president dared not take offense, instead, he smiled accommodatingly, "Yes, I might be a bit hypocritical, but now I am quite reassured. Your support for us is the best news this year."

This is the charming aspect of power. In others' eyes, a seemingly unreachable chamber of commerce president must maintain cautiousness in the face of power, fearing any misstep might displease the Governor.

Even at his age, he must lower himself to cater—is it because of love?

Is it because of responsibility?

No!

It's because of power.

The smile on Governor Sedel's face gradually faded, "I've already arranged some appropriate countermeasures. You also have a task—to win."

"Win openly, secure all the projects, let the world know, even though we've had disputes, when facing the Federation, we choose never to back down!"

The defeat in the naval battle hit the people of Gafura hard, sparking some unexpected issues domestically.

A proud, even arrogant group faces emotional swings tending to extreme bipolarity when struck by a devastating blow.

The first type won't admit defeat, finding various reasons for the failure, and thus firmly believe the so-called failure is merely a coincidental result, inadequate for effective judgment.

The second type has their arrogance shattered by failure instantly, leading to self-doubt and denial, immersing in pessimistic emotions they find hard to escape.

This bipolar situation mirrors in Gafura's society, and the number of the second type is increasing.

When confronting issues with the Federation, these individuals hope the Empire wouldn't be too aggressive—understandingly so, since Gafura is just a "small country" without strategic depth. If their primary military tool, navy and naval battles, can't gain them a military advantage, it means the flames of war could spread to Gafura's mainland.

For an island nation, that would be utterly destructive, breeding pessimism, insecurity, and even fear of war.

If those in power in Amelia faced the Federation's approach with willing acquiescence, it might exacerbate internal fears.

During the Federation's previous escapism phase, everyone saw it, people feared the war and opposed it; this could very well occur in Gafura. Hence, it's crucial to boost national confidence.

As a key minister of the Empire and Governor of Amelia, Governor Sedel knows what's the right course of action.

He can afford to relax a bit after the fact with the Federation, but initially, he must make them understand this isn't a capital-over-authority Federation—here one must follow Gafura's rules instead of prioritizing Federation's capital.

"Go boldly, I will support you, His Majesty will support you, the entire nation will support you..."

The re-confident president of the chamber of commerce soon rose to leave, having received the attitude from above, knowing what he needs to do.

By late April, the weather was already somewhat hot. Back at the temporary base, Lynch was discussing some upcoming plans with seven or eight Federation merchants who had arrived.

Several electric fans were set up in the room to provide comfort for everyone.

The fan blades kept spinning, bringing cool air, but suddenly the speed of all the fans began to decrease, until they stopped entirely after a minute or so.

"What's going on?" He frowned, "Go check what's happening."

He turned back to the merchants in front of him, explaining with a smile, "It might be a circuitry issue. Compared to the Federation, this place is very backward. I'm not sure if it's due to Gafura's technology limitations or if they haven't maintained the circuits here."

Everyone agreed with this, but before long, the staff brought unexpected news, "Mr. Lynch, there's nothing wrong with the circuitry, the issue is a power outage."

"Power outage?"

"Wasn't it said there'd be continuous power in the Imperial zone?"

The area of the Imperial zone isn't large and houses over ninety percent of Gafura's locals. As Lynch previously understood, it maintains a twenty-four-hour uninterrupted power supply with no issues.

The staff's lips trembled before Lynch's reassurance prompted the truth.

"Only our area has a blackout, everywhere else is fine."

"How big is our area?" Lynch's eyes sparkled, having roughly understood the situation.

"Five buildings..."

Upon hearing this, Lynch couldn't help but laugh, turning to the solemn or worried Federation merchants and smiling, "Seems like they're scared of us!"

"It reminds me of a book I read where a couple disliked and feared the protagonist, yet he moved into their house."

"To ensure their interests weren't harmed, they tried various ways to drive him away without being overt because they were afraid."

"They threw mice in the soup pot and put mud in the bathtub—all to get rid of these people."

"Now it's an electricity cutoff, so next, will it be a water cutoff?"

"The more they do, the more it shows they're afraid of us, gentlemen, this isn't something to fear—they understand they can't defeat us on the frontal battlefield, so they resort to these despicable means to nauseate us."

"The more they do, the more it signifies their fear..."

A very peculiar viewpoint, fitting the current situation. People's emotions began stabilizing, and then more staff entered, softly saying, "Mr. Lynch, our water has been cut off too..."

The gentlemen in the room exchanged glances, not only did they show no anger or anxiety from this, surprisingly they burst into laughter, seeming no longer enraged or uneasy.

After letting the staff leave, Lynch slowly breathed a sigh of relief, "I know, some people think I'm too sensitive and nervous, exaggerating a tiny issue immensely; they think it's merely a power plant project and unnecessary to fall out with the chamber of commerce here."

"Since they want it, let them have it..."

Recently, the issues Lynch encountered in Zulis have spread among overseas Federation merchants, who know the local attitude toward Lynch is unfriendly, even brutally rude—also aware Lynch has been equally tough in dealing back.

Many don't understand his approach, so now, he needs to explain at least to the Federation people here why he acts this way.

"...This idea is very foolish, gentlemen, to these people we are practically robbers, despite doing business our actions resemble plundering."

"We've barged into their home, armed, holding their money-filled bags, now they suddenly say, 'Hey, put down the money bag you're holding."

"The conflicts between us are irreconcilable; if we put down the money bag, they'll soon ask us to lay down our weapons, then ask us to roll out of their house, and finally demand that we close the door!"

"So from the very beginning, from the start we cannot give them any illusion, we must make them understand our position!"

"Plunderers don't negotiate nor concede to the plundered—we must let them know, our pursuit for profit is unwavering!"

Lynch used a very simple method to establish a clear image to tell these people about their relationship with Gafura merchants, and the local authorities when doing business in Amelia.

If anyone still fantasizes about cooperation, resolving these issues amicably, then they are simply too naïve and not fit for business.

Just then, a Federation merchant cautiously raised a question, "Mr. Lynch, should we just watch them do this without retaliating?"

"Moreover, is this place necessary for us, for the Federation?"

Perhaps this is many people's thoughts—whether it's necessary to visit Gafura's territory and seize business and territory from them. If it's unnecessary, we might as well not do it.

Looking at these people, Lynch didn't tell them many reasons, only said one thing.

"Heaven won't drop pies, if you want something, you have to fight for it, snatch it!"

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