"Human value is infinite!"

Perhaps influenced by Patuxian's apparent "reversal," Mr. Wardrick, who originally didn't intend to speak at length, suddenly felt inclined to talk more. Lynch was indeed a fascinating individual, as he managed to persuade Mr. Patuxian.

At this moment, Mr. Wardrick realized what drove his success—it's about the interests.

Discussing interests, touching on the favorite subject of capitalists, Mr. Wardrick felt compelled to elaborate using "human value" as his opening statement.

Human value is infinite, and that's genuinely what he thought. As he said this, he intentionally glanced at Lynch, who nodded cheerfully, exuding an innocent and sunny demeanor.

Seeing that little rascal's expression made the smile on Mr. Wardrick's face even more significant.

"We've constantly been receiving similar messages that human potential is infinite; actually, human value is infinite as well."

"If a worker works all 365 days a year and creates a profit of one dollar daily for us, then we can obtain a profit of 365 dollars from one person."

"But if we provide him a bit of motivation, add some pressure, and offer an opportunity, can we potentially gain even more?"

The only sound reverberating in the conference room was Mr. Wardrick's, and everyone else was deep in thought—this is the importance of money, status, and power.

Even if you were to pass gas, people would ponder whether it's just gas or a hint.

Not to mention, he's discussing things both simple and complex in nature, and when people listen earnestly, it's hard not to be attracted by some underlying substance, diving deeper into the matter.

"The answer is yes; my company has over 100,000 employees. Not each of them merely contributes a dollar or two daily—they contribute much more."

"As long as your methods are good enough, and your approach effective enough, you can fully tap into a person's potential, transforming it into value."

"The Federation has various laws safeguarding the relationship between labor and capital, preventing us from excessively extracting value from workers, but not here, gentlemen, not in Nagariel."

"We can employ the natives for a dollar a day, having them work twelve hours, then reap profits several times their wages. Many believe this is the limit."

"But gentlemen, have you considered going one step further?"

"Without changing their wage structure, by assigning them work capable of generating more profit, wouldn't our gains be greater?"

As Mr. Wardrick came to this concluding remark, he then closed his mouth—saying more would cause him trouble, trouble that wouldn't truly bother him, but would annoy him, so he wisely stayed silent.

People were still speculating what he might have left unsaid when suddenly Lynch spoke up, "May I add something here?"

Everyone looked towards Mr. Wardrick. Some unfamiliar with Lynch thought he was too audacious for interrupting without considering the level of the meeting—a young man impudently interjecting.

Others carried smiles of obvious goodwill as they looked at Lynch and Mr. Wardrick, knowing some inside stories, like the relationship between Lynch and Severa.

"Of course!", Mr. Wardrick generously allowed Lynch to speak without holding a grudge for the interruption.

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Wardrick. While listening to you, I had some specific insights—perhaps not entirely accurate, but I believe that sitting together for discussion, rather than selfishly concealing all one's thoughts, is where our value lies..."

People nodded. This premise was at least correct; whether prominent figures wish to discuss with you is another matter.

"I've roughly understood what Mr. Wardrick mentioned. I also have some ideas, simple ones: can we use the simplest substitution method to measure the economic value a Nagariel laborer creates for us?"

Without waiting for others to answer, Lynch continued, "For the same work, federation workers earn around two hundred thirty dollars a month. If we substitute Nagariel workers, paying them only thirty dollars, then wouldn't the remaining two hundred dollars become our profit?"

The previously somewhat noisy meeting room suddenly fell silent, still like a grave under moonlight, enveloped in extreme tranquility.

Goosebumps climbed up some people's skin, akin to a virus rapidly ascending from the spine to the top of the head.

Mr. Jeruno paused, immediately comprehending Lynch's meaning, realizing Lynch's words were clearer, more specific, and direct than Mr. Wardrick's.

Mr. Wardrick might need to consider his wording and impact more carefully, but Lynch entirely lacked such concerns.

A Federation senior skilled worker's monthly wage could be between four hundred to six hundred dollars, but if it's a Nagariel skilled worker, might we only need to pay them fifty dollars monthly?

Turning original expenditures into profits, if these Nagariel workers can do more advanced work, their value will be magnified by the nature and rate of return from their work. That is the correct way to use cheap labor.

Instead of letting them perform the simplest tasks with minimal profit generation.

As Mr. Wardrick said earlier, over ten thousand work for him—and if these workers earn no more than a hundred dollars monthly, then in just one month, Mr. Wardrick's wealth could experience substantial growth.

In just a year, his assets might double, all due to this concealed profit.

Although Mr. Jeruno felt this notion might not be entirely accurate, he couldn't pinpoint obvious errors. However, he knew it wasn't entirely correct.

Nonetheless, whether entirely accurate, the idea and its underlying philosophy are certainly unique, prompting serious contemplation from Mr. Jeruno. He now understands what changed Mr. Patuxian's stance—it's this crude yet gleaming theory.

Upon reflection, it indeed seems logical. If a factory employs a thousand workers, monthly losses amount to ten thousand after wages. But if they replace them with laborers from Nagariel, the factory could instantly become profitable, even earning an additional ten thousand!

Marefak—a sense of temptation!

Mr. Wardrick gave Lynch another look, first frowning slightly, then relaxing, nodding minimally, affirming Lynch's perspective.

"I am young, and though I have some thoughts, they may not be mature. If I've misspoken, I hope everyone will point it out," he concluded with a slight bow of courtesy, then sat back down.

Though he ostensibly welcomed corrections to his theory, it seemed like he was daring others to challenge him.

His proposal profoundly shook many people's minds, including Mr. Jeruno's perspective.

Mr. Jeruno initially focused on exchanging free labor for infinite minerals, but now his attention shifted towards the labor value issue.

Selling a worker's labor for two hundred dollars, beyond the incredibly cheap salaries, all remaining is pure profit. Crucially, labor is renewable—as long as the person lives, production continues. Mineral resources don't have this trait!

He had unknowingly utilized this method—cheap laborers mining for him—yet he never realized this "cheapness," was an expression of profit applicable across industries!

Regardless of the accuracy of Lynch's approach or its solid grounding, at least it triggered reflection.

"Your name, Lynch!", Mr. Jeruno couldn't resist observing Lynch keenly; he envied Lynch's everything.

Young, handsome, confident, bright—these qualities are what aging elders desire most—time, which money can't buy.

Lynch bowed again, indicating respect. Mr. Jeruno sighed, "Every era in the Federation has outstanding youth—embodying cross-generational symbols!"

With Lynch's interjection, the proposal outcome was essentially sealed; the United Development Company would adopt a more lenient stance towards Nagariel natives. Future plans to elevate their cultural level and work capabilities to maximize self-value realization belonged to another discussion.

These intricate, complex issues wouldn't be debated in this conference, as everyone has their distinct viewpoints.

Some are builders, believing labor fits best in construction, while factory owners think industry yields maximum profits. Such matters appear in periodic company internal reports instead of conference forums.

The conference only discusses directional issues, not minute details.

...

The conference stretched into the evening, still unresolved—some topics resisted quick settlement.

For instance, the closing agenda argued that the United Development Company's growth surpasses expectations, prompting initial non-investors to reconsider joining, including political and business leaders.

Hence, should they be accepted, how should they be integrated? If issuing new shares, how many; or proportionate reduction—who contributes more, who less—all these aren't settled in a day, possibly not even several days.

Ultimately, it involves billions of interests, striving for maximum personal gain.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.