The Shadow Tycoon
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 98: The Party Behind the Policy
Early the next morning, content related to Saturday’s Secondhand Goods Auction became the focus of public discussion.
The economy was poor, and unemployment was high, but consumption levels would not retreat, nor could they retreat. This turned the needs of many families into needs that existed forever only in plans.
In truth, Sabine City, and even the entire Federation, had places for secondhand trade before this. For example, in some alleys downtown, people would cheaply dispose of things stolen from elsewhere, with clothing making up the bulk of it.
Antique shops would also, much of the time, take in secondhand goods that looked relatively new. Aside from antique shops, there were small stores that specialized in recycling used appliances, as well as real pawnshops.
But pawnshops in the Baler Federation were not the same thing as pawnshops in another world. In the Baler Federation, pawnshops only dealt in luxury goods. They had no interest at all in business that might be worth only a few dollars.
So the entire secondhand trade industry was still in a half-barren stage. Many people had not yet realized the wealth inside it, which happened to let William pick up a bargain.
As for a Secondhand Goods Auction on the scale William had organized yesterday, nothing like it had ever happened in Federation history. It drew the public’s attention all at once.
The core reasons it could attract everyone’s attention came mainly in two parts.
The first part was whether William’s Secondhand Goods Auction was truly like the newspapers said: everything available, complete in variety, and cheap in price.
The second point that drew discussion was yesterday’s deal value, which had almost reached five hundred thousand.
This money had to be reported for tax purposes, and William had no intention of hiding it. He generously disclosed the real information to the newspapers, including the IRS, and shocked the entire public of Sabine City at once.
To create five hundred thousand dollars in transaction volume in a single afternoon during a season like this, how many things had they sold, and for how much?
No matter how the outside discussed or guessed, it could not change one fact: William’s Interstellar Trading Company, and this Secondhand Auction, had become popular all at once. Along with them, Mr. Mayor also became popular.
The lunch originally scheduled for the day after tomorrow was also moved by Mr. Mayor to Sunday noon.
At this time, he should originally have been staying with his family and spending a happy weekend. But William’s great surprise forced him to take a little time at noon to handle matters in this area.
Their lunch was arranged at a relatively private venue. From the countryside to the core of the Federation, there were all kinds of privately operated places, convenient for people in need to discuss secret matters anytime, anywhere.
It was a simple lunch. William arrived at the appointed place ten minutes early, and the mayor arrived right after.
The mayor was in his forties this year. His hair was somewhat gray, and he looked as if he had been worn down by work.
His build was slightly on the plump side, but not fat, only fuller than a normal figure. He was about five feet seven inches tall, which was not considered short in this era.
He was a man who gave people a somewhat stern impression, but also seemed rather approachable.
Under Ferraler’s introduction, the two greeted each other, and that counted as becoming acquainted.
Ferraler took the initiative to go watch the chef cook their food, deliberately leaving this space to the two men.
The mayor took a cloth pouch out of his pocket. Inside was a very handsome pipe, with golden wood grain that gave it a rich and precious feeling.
“Do you mind?” the mayor asked. William shook his head. Only then did he stuff some tobacco into the pipe, light it with a torch, and take two puffs with a series of small smacking draws. His whole person seemed to relax.
“I like this, although some people say they are unhealthy...” He smiled, and the topic quickly shifted from the pipe to what had happened yesterday. “Today, my original plan was to be with my children, but I saw the news this morning. To be honest, it startled me.”
“Five hundred thousand dollars in deal value. You may have created history!” The mayor did not hold back his praise. After the news came out, his aides had gathered in his study and talked about this consignment auction.
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