In the Federation Government, there's a regulation stating that to prevent corruption among Federation Government employees, all items requiring auction must be handed over to a third-party organization, like banks, for auction.

Meanwhile, the judicial authorities have the power to supervise the entire auction process, ensuring no other forms of corruption manifest.

In fact, it's not only the Ministry of Justice that can entrust banks to auction certain items; individuals can too.

Lynch certainly wouldn't handle these matters himself; he lacks experts in this area and doesn't have sufficiently professional companies. In other words, he's unable to accurately calculate the specific value of any collateral that Mr. Herbs brings forth, so he delegates this task to banking departments.

He doesn't need a bank to auction these items, just to appraise them and store the related documents and items in the bank vault.

The average person certainly can't have a bank do this. Though banks appear to serve ordinary people, in reality, they hold ordinary people in the least regard.

Bow to wealthy capitalists while looking down on ordinary people, the banks even putting a clear price tag on "time"—VIP reception lounge.

The poor might spend an entire day waiting for those ahead to finish their business before it's their turn, but for the wealthy, they can receive the bank's most complete services anytime, anywhere; Lynch falls into this tier of VIPs.

Mr. Herbs' people would take the appraisable assets to the bank for entrusted evaluation, and once the appraisal concludes, Lynch would sign a mortgage loan contract with him, after which the Federation Government would lend him the money.

Is this a trap?

It's no exaggeration to say it is, and even though Mr. Herbs knows it's a trap, he must jump.

Jumping possibly affords a way out; he's betting on his skills being more elaborate than Lynch's schemes. He reckons as long as he clears these 10 billion Nagariel entirely, he could at least obtain around 10 to 20 million Federation Sol.

This figure is based on calculations from selling at a lower price; realistically, the exchange rate between Nagariel and Federation Sol hasn't yet reached two hundred to one. But selling actual goods at market value is virtually impossible.

Amid Nagariel's unclear circumstances and panic-driven sell-offs already emerging, even if one wants to "bottom-fish," they choose to wait until market activity entirely dies off, when Nagariel in the foreign exchange market becomes stagnant, dredging Nagariel and accompanying silt from the depths.

Currently, they would only stand by as Nagariel completely collapses.

If you want these people to take over, you must recklessly press on, precisely why Lynch shouting "10 billion," was a reason Mr. Herbs couldn't refuse.

Based on the current international exchange rates, this equals roughly 60 million Federation Sol in currency. He's snapping his own legs selling at 20 million... or if necessary at 15 million, but he can at least recover 10 to 20 million Federation Sol.

This amount of money is enough to fill most of his gaps, and he might even have some surplus.

Even if the actual sales revenue is less than this number, just barely covering investor losses, he might face some personal loss, but the investor's money won't change significantly.

As long as investors don't face substantial losses, they might even generate a sense of "Even facing such a situation, Mr. Herbs could reverse fortunes (alter outcomes through deft management), minimizing losses. Mr. Herbs' skill and caliber are both astonishing and make him suitable for continued cooperation."

Afterward, people will trust him even more with their money, with these funds, he still has hope to recover.

So he must grit his teeth, even knowing this might be a trap, he must blindly jump!

The bank evaluators would press the price to the limit, squeezing out every last bit of value he possesses.

After leaving the hotel, Mr. Herbs' demeanor quickly transformed, losing the weakness from when he met Lynch, becoming unexpectedly resolute.

Standing in front of the car, he turned back to glance at the hotel behind him, gaze piercing through the glass reflecting bright sunlight, as if locking onto Lynch's face.

Moments later, he got into the car and quickly drove away.

Upon returning to his residence, he contacted asset management companies from various locations to swiftly organize a series of asset certificates while tasking his butler to prepare a substantial gift, a truly significant gift, as he planned to visit the Minister of Finance.

Besides Lynch's 10 billion, he indeed has a path to survival, which is his wager agreement with Lynch.

As long as he could get the Gafura people to refuse Lynch's bond redemption, these bonds would become his possessions; all losses could be offset by this batch of bonds, and there'd still be some surplus.

Before long, he appeared outside the Minister of Finance's house. After a brief wait, he was led into the house by the Minister's butler.

A very large house, as these aristocrats' houses have a history of at least three to five hundred years, longer than the Federation's founding. When they were being constructed, this area wasn't yet flourishing, so they could occupy more land.

So much so, that within several kilometers of the Imperial Palace's left side, there are houses occupying extensive lands like these.

After waiting for over twenty minutes, Mr. Herbs met the Minister of Finance, in the study.

"I'm sorry, I had a very important call..." the Minister of Finance explained the reason for not immediately having Mr. Herbs over.

Although speaking apologetically, there was little sincerity in his tone, as if casually finding an excuse, even carrying a hint of arrogance.

Gafura people are consistent in this regard, as their arrogance manifests bit by bit when facing those of other races.

"It's alright, your affairs are far more important than mine," Mr. Herbs smiled ingratiatingly and placed a case on the table, "I heard you enjoy collecting peculiar items; I happen to have this very special, little thing..."

As Mr. Herbs opened the case before him, a burst of colorful sparkles were projected, causing the Minister of Finance's previously impassive face to show signs of emotion.

Seeing the Minister's expression made Mr. Herbs, although heartbroken, breathe a sigh of relief.

"Crown of Clan!" the Minister of Finance exclaimed involuntarily. He was about to reach to touch the item in the case when he seemed to recall something, opened a drawer, and donned thin gloves before lifting the item from the case.

It's a crown, structured with gold, and adorned with ninety-nine jewels, some of which are now extinct.

Beyond its material value, it also holds strong value in the realms of art, history, and culture.

Besides, many legends relate to it, things like curses or blessings, and it rarely appearing in front of people adds a layer of mystery.

Actually, in terms of sheer price, its last public deal wasn't too expensive, over a million Fla, but the problem is no one knows who owns it, and even if known, one might not sell it.

"Absolutely stunning!" the Minister of Finance continuously praised; for a person like him, money might pique slight interest but rarely moves him.

Only these peculiar items could stir him; he marveled intently, while Mr. Herbs didn't disturb, only after over ten minutes did he reluctantly return the crown to the case.

"It's genuine. Where did you get it?" The Minister's focus shifted from the crown to Mr. Herbs, half-jokingly saying, "Next time you need to pay me the appraisal fee. You know I never casually appraise things. You'll need to pay a high price."

This seemingly joking statement is essentially probing. In his heart, he knows Mr. Herbs brought this item not for "evaluation." But asking for it and Mr. Herbs voluntarily gifting it have vastly different implications on subsequent events.

Him seeking it owed Mr. Herbs significant favor, once or twice might not repay it, losing initiative.

But Mr. Herbs offering it voluntarily shifts initiative, allowing him to even "choose picky."

He smiled looking at Mr. Herbs, the latter dared not be evasive at this moment. His face broke into smiles, "It's good that it's genuine, but I'm unable to afford your appraisal fees, so..."

"So how about I just gift it to you? When in my hands, I merely lock it in a safe; when given to you, it allows more people to see it; it's also an honor for it!"

The Minister's expressions were lively, his eyebrows beamed, "That's not too appropriate, is it...?"

"Appropriate, very much so!" Mr. Herbs closed the case and actively pushed it over.

The Minister glanced at the case, nodding slightly, "If it's given, it's not good; spreading might imply a covert deal, how about you quote a price, and I'll buy it..."

No matter Mr. Herbs' inner dissatisfaction, he could only maintain his smiles now, "Then a single coin by you is fine!"

After paying the single coin, the Minister appropriately stored the item, speaking leisurely, "Running here specifically for this, I feel somewhat indebted..."

Looking at Mr. Herbs, it wasn't until now Mr. Herbs smiling said his intention, "Actually, I have another matter to ask of you..."

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