Chapter 19:
The Baylor Federal Tax Bureau was the first authority to use photosensitive materials for investigative work, which was surprising but true.
Since the invention of the mercury lamp, some photosensitive materials and their functions have primarily been used in the printing and dyeing industries. The Federal Tax Bureau and the Federal Mint also extensively used these photosensitive materials, to the extent that sometimes people weren't even aware that the currency and coins in their hands were marked.
And with a simple exposure under a UV lamp, these marks would be completely revealed.
He was satisfied; there were no marks on this batch of coins, meaning no one was targeting him.
Lin Qi had considered this issue, using a perspective-taking approach before. If he were someone from the Federal Tax Bureau intending to catch Lin Qi in a tight spot, what would be the most likely successful approach?
The answer was simple: use a batch of coins treated with methods approved by the Federal Investigation Bureau or the Sabin City judicial system, "color" them, and then channel them through certain means into Lin Qi's hands, eventually ending up in Mr. Fox's laundry shop.
At that point, neither Lin Qi nor Mr. Fox could explain why there were so many marked coins present. They would only need to tweak some crucial evidence dates, and everything would be over.
The entire criminal chain would be completely exposed to them, allowing them to take down these individuals all at once. Of course, this was a relatively simple method, but simplicity often equaled effectiveness, at least as far as Lin Qi saw it.
Whether it was "himself," a high school student newly entering society, or Mr. Fox, someone who had roamed the social sphere for a while but lacked intelligence, neither was a match for technological advancements.
They wouldn't know there were marks on the money in their hands until they appeared in court, where they might realize why they were caught.
After switching off the UV lamp, Lin Qi scratched his head and poured the coins into a separate iron box. Holding a small bucket, he proceeded to pour detergent over these coins.
Some marks could be revealed through UV light exposure, while others required different means to transform from hidden to visiblesimple chemical cleaning agents would solve them. Regardless of their existence or effectiveness, Lin Qi felt this wasn't excessive caution; every transaction that might land one in jail required excessive caution.
After completing these tasks, he poured some coins onto a sieve and waited for them to dry before preparing to leave. There were still a few things left undone, like needing a coin sorter.
Since this was a business that exploited legal loopholes, it evidently needed to be more formal. Coin allocation would make everything look more legitimate.
Sebin City had several blacksmith shops. While many considered blacksmithing a "medieval" thing unfit for a modern metropolis, every city had numerous blacksmith shops, and their businesses were not bad.
On one hand, in increasingly developed societies, there were anti-intellectual groups that still believed handcrafted metallurgy produced better metal goods than emotionless mechanical production. They believed these handmade products contained the spirit of the craftsman...
On the other hand, not everyone had the budget to create a mold for a specific product. They didn't need heaps of commodities, just one, which made blacksmith shops necessary.
Around Lin Qi's warehouse office were some blacksmith shops. They were located a bit away from the city center, avoiding environmental agency harassment while saving a significant amount on rent.
After asking three blacksmith shops and getting no leads on a "coin sorter," Lin Qi realized he had overlooked something: creating a patent.
A patent was a unique existence; if an ordinary person held many crucial patents, an inexplicable family tragedy might end the protection period directly. However, if these patents were in the hands of capable individuals, they'd be a goldmine.
While contemplating patent registration and hiring a lawyer, Lin Qi quickly returned to his office. Near noon, a woman in her thirties wearing glasses and with some freckles approached the office.
Her attire might not have been trendy but was well-chosen, indicating at least a middle-class status. The clothes she wore would never appear on someone from the lower or working class.
"Hello, I'm Lin Qi..." Lin Qi took the initiative to shake hands. His handsome appearance and unique aura had a way of connecting with people. The young lady didn't hesitate, extending her hand for a handshake and introducing herself.
"Hello, I'm Vera."
Lin Qi quickly released her hand and invited Vera into his office, pouring a cup of instant coffee. "I'm sorry; we've just set up here and haven't had time to decorate yet. If it doesn't bother you..."
Vera graciously showed her understanding. Following this, Lin Qi began explaining the nature of the company and its operations. She listened attentively, occasionally asking questions.
After chatting for about half an hour, Vela also had some instant coffee. She appeared relaxed as she remarked, "I believe I've got it figured out, Mr. Lin Qi. I must say, you have a very clear perspective on financial audits. So, are you planning to hire our firm for agency accounting or directly employ an accountant?"
She explained further, "Please rest assured; our accounting firm has specialized legal advisors and will sign a confidentiality agreement. We won't disclose any financial information without your authorization."
"I personally lean towards the agency accounting model. This way, it could save you a significant amount of capital. Many startups opt for this model in their initial phase."
Lin Qi smiled without giving a clear answer. Instead, he asked a question that made Vera blush, "Are all the accountants in your firm as beautiful as you?"
Embarrassed, Vera lowered her head, pushing the gold-rimmed glasses slightly up her nose to conceal her mix of embarrassment and pleasant surprise at the compliment, while also giving Lin Qi a slight glare.
Looking at her flushed cheeks and a hint of coquettishness on her face, Lin Qi couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean anything else. Actually, I'm not a frivolous person. It's just...," he shrugged, "it's like the ancient poets singing when they saw a beautiful goddess. People can't help but praise when they encounter something beautiful. I hope you can forgive me."
These words made Vera feel a mix of delight and an odd atmosphere in the room. She prepared to stand up to bid farewell to this young man, but Lin Qi took the initiative again, sincerely apologizing for his behavior.
"I forgive you..." Vera seemed moved by Lin Qi's sincere apology or maybe couldn't bear to hassle a handsome young man. Anyway, she forgave Lin Qi's previous recklessness and added, "...and I'm not beautiful either."
Lin Qi's slightly smiling gaze evoked an indescribable emotion in her, fermenting quietly. Hormones surged within her, and the chemical victory caused her breath to quicken slightly.
Rubbing her hot cheeks, she diverted her gaze from the young man, "You haven't answered me yet, Mr. Lin Qi. Which cooperation method do you prefer?"
Appearing to seriously contemplate for a while, Lin Qi answered, "Perhaps I need a full-time accountant, Ms. Vera."
This response surprised Vera. Many small and micro-enterprises used the agency accounting model, and the salary of a full-time accountant could employ almost two ordinary employees. Salary expenses were the first major hurdle for small and micro-enterprises.Please do not delete thisHow to find a list of chaptersPlease find the chapter label next to your favorite translator's name, and click the label.
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