Chapter 127 Bank of El Dorado (8k2)
The waiter's eyes flashed with surprise when he heard the girl in front of him say the three words "Manston".
As for the girl opposite, she even said words like "cooperation".
That was one of the major shareholder families that founded the "Golden Country Bank", and the girl opposite was actually alone, coming to discuss cooperation with the big shots of the "Manston" family...
The Manston family does have family members stationed at the "Golden Country Bank" in the main city of Songyuan. But that is not a direct line, but a branch of the family.
But even so, he is still a figure who can represent the Manston family and has a certain say in the outside world.
Although the Manston family does have a certain influence in the financial world of the Nolan Empire, they have always kept a low profile and not many people know about them.
Therefore, few people would make a special trip to the "Bank of El Dorado" to propose cooperation to the Manston family. They are more like "behind the scenes" figures, and regarding the relevant details of some important cooperation, they are more inclined to draw up contracts with contractual effect in private wineries and manor houses in a semi-casual and semi-formal manner. contract.
The waiter at the "El Dorado Bank", this was the first time he heard that someone came to discuss cooperation matters with the big shots of the Manston family.
The waiter's first reaction was to doubt the authenticity of what the girl said.
"This lady."
The waiter then said to the girl in front of him with professional courtesy: "This is an important announcement. I need to know your identity and purpose of coming."
At this time, the waiter's address to Intis changed from "Miss" to "Ms."
This is a more formal and equal title. Intis then smiled slightly and took out an exquisite emblem from her skirt pocket.
"I'm Index. Index Carlos."
Intis nodded and smiled and said: "My brother is a close friend of Mr. Alerdine Manston. This emblem should be enough to prove my intention."
The waiter's face became solemn, and his eyes immediately drifted to the clan emblem in Intis's hand.
It was an exquisite "iris" emblem made with exquisite carving techniques. Its surface is decorated with platinum coating, which is perfectly plated and reflects a dazzling silver-white luster in the sunlight.
As a waiter at the "Bank of El Dorado", he could recognize the weight of this emblem at a glance.
This is the emblem of the first heir of the Manston family. With this, he can enjoy the highest level of treatment in the property under the name of the Manston family. The lady "Index Carlos" who holds this emblem is an outsider to the "Manston" family, but she has considerable privileges.
Only then did the waiter realize that the young lady from the "Carlos" family in front of him was not lying when he said that she was cooperating with the "Manston" family.
As for the "Carlos" family behind her, although the waiter has never heard of the name of this family, they must have a lot of background.
Intis's eyes showed a smile as calm as the lake in spring. Her expression was as calm as her lord, her fictional brother "Roseux Carlos", waiting for the waiter's reply.
"I understand, you are a friend of the Manston family."
The waiter's attitude became more respectful. He bowed deeply to Intis and said, "Please come with me, you are an important guest. Mr. Gonzalo Manston is in the office at the top of the bank."
…
Intis then followed the waiter and walked into the bank.
The interior of the "El Dorado Bank" adopts the same luxurious decoration style as its facade. In the extremely spacious lobby, people in different costumes paced back and forth nervously and anxiously in the bank. From time to time, they looked at the huge pale gold crystal screen in the center, hoping that what they wanted to see would appear on it.
That is a technology unique to the "El Dorado". The inventors of the "Gongol Academy" under the "El Dorado" created the "Golden Window" that can communicate with other "banks" and update business information in real time. In this way, it monopolized a huge financial market.
This technology also has extremely broad “cross-field” application prospects. However, several major ruling families in the Golden Kingdom are not willing to apply the "Golden Window" technology in non-commercial situations.
The rulers of the "Golden Country" set the technology of the "Golden Window" as top secret, and placed its technological prototype underground in the "Gongor Academy" and handed it over to more than a dozen "Great Guardians" of the "Seventh Path of Destiny" "Guard, the security is quite tight.
Several major forces on the Fanor continent, including the Nolan Empire, are very jealous of this technology. [Intellectual] believers from various forces are trying to decipher the technology of the "Golden Window", but they have not achieved much results over the years.
Suddenly, a strong "spiritual current" passed through the "Golden Window", and the surface of the huge screen flashed, and then the light became brighter and new content appeared.
Intis then heard a burst of cheers like a heat wave.
"——Okay! Great! This year's fishing port's catch is actually 1.3 million tons! The crop harvest has also increased by 20% compared with last year... In this way, the catering profits will expand again, no need Worried about the possible ‘famine’ prediction!”
"——Ah! A new vein of dragon crystal was discovered in the Tamar Desert! This just solves the mineral source problem that my jewelry processing factory urgently needs to face..."
"——Look, Mr. Staff! The empire is preparing to increase investment in the medical industry. The main investment area is in the production of medical devices. Do you think we can..."
"..."
"This is all normal, Ms. Index."
The waiter leading the way noticed that the guests behind him seemed to have stopped, so he turned around and said with a smile:
"These are the sounds of joy, and this is the infinite charm of the 'El Dorado Bank'."
"But, Ms. Index, look. There are more 'down and out' figures hidden among the excited crowd."
As he spoke, the waiter pointed to the people squatting at the base of the wall. Their hands are grasping their hair tightly, their expressions are sad and desperate.
"Some of them are businessmen and some are investors."
The waiter said: "Although, I am not one of them, nor am I the decision-maker of the bank, I am just a small waiter..."
"However, every time I see such a scene, I still feel emotional."
This seems to be what this "waiter", out of professional instinct, is looking for with Intis, a topic that can be used as a chat topic to relieve fatigue.
Indis nodded slightly at the waiter's words.
"Yes, I understand what you mean." Intis said in agreement.
Her gaze once again fell on the corner of the wall, those frustrated businessmen and investors.
Their eyes were covered with dark red bloodshot eyes, and their faces were filled with pale exhaustion. They all looked gloomy, and their lips were trembling, as if they were whispering something.
Intis diffused his senses and heard clearly the sounds in their mouths, as thin as mosquitoes.
"——Why, why did the price of dragon crystal suddenly drop? Just because a new mineral vein was discovered! It was because I read the news about "dragon crystal depletion" last time that I went bankrupt and hoarded so much dragon crystal..."
"——This is fraud! This is fraud! This can't be true..."
"——Why, why does the empire want to increase medical investment! Those poor people... those lower class people, what are their lives worth saving! The private clinic I just opened..."
"..."
"Indeed, it's a very desperate sound." Intis said.
"But that's the reality."
The waiter shook his head, "This is a paradise for pursuing profits. But it will never and cannot be an utopia that satisfies everyone's wishes."
…
This short chat ended when the waiter led Intis to the door of the "Gonzalo Manston" office room.
"Ms. Index, we are here. Lord Gonzalo Manston is waiting for you inside."
The waiter then bowed slightly and saluted Intis, "I hope you guys can get a perfect contract."
"Thank you for your blessing." Intis nodded.
Suddenly, Intis smiled and said:
"Mr. Waiter, you are not an ordinary waiter."
This is Intis's intuition as a "civet".
Although she is a blood disciple of [Red Lotus], the ability given to her by the "Civet" fused with her allows her to detect extremely small and unconventional details in others.
When the "waiter" heard this, he just smiled in return and then turned around and left.
Intis didn't ask any more questions, but gently knocked on the door of "Gonzalo Manston".
Before leaving Sina City, Luo Xiu told her the names of several characters from the "Manston" family she might encounter.
"Gonzalo Manston" was also within Luo Xiu's prediction.
Intis still remembered that according to Luo Xiu's instructions, this was a relatively "kind" and "easy to talk to" person.
"Gonzalo Manston", his position at the "Bank of El Dorado" in the main city of Songyuan is "Vice President".
In the authority system of the "Golden State Bank", the "president" and "vice president" of each bank are served by family members assigned by the shareholder families.
The members of the family that invests the most capital in each bank serve as the "presidents" of that bank.
…
"--Come in."
A gentle voice came from behind the door of Gonzalo Manston's office.
Intis then opened the door and walked in.
In Intis' field of vision, she saw a figure holding a glass of wine in one hand and a newspaper in the other.
But Intis did not observe the other party's appearance carefully, but turned around first, closed and locked the door.
"……Who are you?"
Vice President "Gonzalo Manston" said in a gentle voice:
"The waiter didn't tell me which guests made reservations in advance today."
"Hello, Mr. Gonzalo Manston."
Intis then lightly lifted her long skirt and gave a slight salute to the person opposite.
"On behalf of the Carlos family, I would like to negotiate a valuable 'cooperation' with you."
The Carlos family...? Gonzalo searched his mind for a while, but could not recall any impression of this family name.
As the "vice president" of the Bank of El Dorado, Gonzalo instinctively wanted to refuse.
In his mind, Gonzalo quickly thought up the words to politely refuse the other party, and prepared to express his "helpless" rejection to the other party in the kindest manner possible.
But Gonzalo's words were not spoken.
In Gonzalo's field of vision, he saw the beautiful lady in front of him taking out the "family emblem" symbolizing the "Manston" family!
Gonzalo’s pupils shrank.
Gonzalo's thoughts were racing, and he quickly tore up all the previously conceived sentences in his mind, such as "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm sorry," and threw them into the trash can of memory.
"Please feel free to sit down, Ms. Carlos." Gonzalo said gently and put down the newspaper in his hand.
Intis then sat down in front of a sofa on the side, and then she began to observe the image of the "Gonzalo" vice president.
Gonzalo Manston is a decent middle-aged man with a square face and a clean shave.
He was wearing an elegant black suit with a lapel collar and a gray-blue patterned silk wrap around the collar, exuding the aura of a business elite; at the same time, he was holding the wine glass in his hand, which was high-end. shape.
Gonzalo Manston, he put down the newspaper in his hand without putting down his wine glass, as if to show his taste and identity.
When Gonzalo walked to the opposite side of Intis and sat down, Intis greeted Gonzalo:
"Hello, Mr. Gonzalo. With all due respect, do you also like the red wine produced by Roquetier Winery?"
Hearing this, Gonzalo raised his eyebrows immediately, with a hint of surprise on his face: "How do you know? That is indeed my favorite wine estate..."
"Because that's also my brother's favorite."
Intis smiled and said:
"Mr. Gonzalo, your room is filled with the faint fruity aroma of the red wine of Roquetier Winery. My brother often said: 'Those who like Chateau Roquetier's red wine must have very good taste'.
"That's right! Your brother is really an elegant man."
Gonzalo was not stingy with compliments, and in this moment of communication, Gonzalo felt that the distance between himself and the young lady from the "Carlos Family" in front of him seemed to have suddenly become much closer.
What Gonzalo didn't know was that all of this was actually observed by Intis on the spot and planned in advance.
Just inside the room, in the display window on the other side, a bottle of red wine produced by the "Claudil" winery was placed slightly protruding; and at the position of the bottle stopper, there was a pried trace.
Although Intis doesn't actually understand red wine, it does not prevent her from saying these words.
This was Intis's "way of survival" before she met Luo Xiu. She was quite good at observing.
And her first "social" failure also came from Luo Xiu.
"So, this distinguished lady of the Carlos family."
Gonzalo greeted Intis in a friendly manner, "I haven't asked for your name yet?"
"Index Carlos, sir." Index replied with a smile, "Please call me Index."
"Okay, Ms. Index." Gonzalo nodded, "May the golden wind bless you, Ms. Index. You said you came here to cooperate with us?"
"Yes." Intis nodded, "To be honest, I still hope to seek your help. Otherwise, I will not show you the emblem of the 'Manston' family that my brother treasures."
"I can understand." Gonzalo responded gently, "You hold this family emblem, which means that you are an important guest of the family. It should be an honor for me to help you."
The Manston family emblem given by the Lord is really useful... Intis thought, with an indifferent smile on his face and said:
"Thank you very much! The thing is like this, My brother entrusted me to come to the 'Golden Country Bank' to handle an investment..."
"My brother has conducted transactions with the merchants of the Golden Kingdom through certain personal channels. The transaction went smoothly, but the 'value weights' used by the merchants to pay were merchants from the Golden Kingdom." Vouchers..."
"As you know, these commercial securities are difficult to circulate in the empire's market. Although many banks in the empire have the business of exchanging commercial securities for Nolan gold coins, a high tax of nearly 20% is required. ”
In fact, the main reason is that the Lord is unwilling to have financial entanglements with the empire on this matter... Intis added in his heart, but did not express this to Gonzalo.
"So, you want to store those 'commercial securities' in the 'Bank of Gold' here?" Gonzalo quickly understood the subtext of Intis's words.
"Yes, Lord Gonzalo." Intis said with a smile, "This is exactly the 'help' I am seeking from you."
"As someone who holds the 'Manston' family crest, arranging these for you is the way I should treat guests."
Gonzalo responded gently: "This is a very small matter. You only need to apply for a deposit certificate. Within my authority, I can help you complete it. Do you need to transfer these 'commercial securities' Deposit into an existing account or open a new account?”
"I want to open a new account." Intis replied, "In my own name."
"Yes, Ms. Index." Gonzalo nodded, "I will meet your request."
"So, another thing about your coming here..."
Gonzalo turned to a questioning tone and asked Index: "Ms. Index, what is the 'cooperation' you want to have with us?"
"That's about, what I said earlier, the investment in the 'commercial securities' deposit."
Intis said: "According to my brother's instructions, he hopes to invest in three areas and establish a long-term cooperative relationship with the industries under the name of the 'Manston' family."
"So that's it..."
Gonzalo's expression was dull. He raised the glass in his hand and took a sip. "I can't agree to this rashly. I need to know how much you want to invest."
"Although you are a distinguished guest who holds the 'Manston' family emblem, according to the investment bottom line of the Manston family, a single investment cannot be less than 10,000 commercial bonds..."
Ten thousand commercial bonds are equivalent to about a thousand Nolan gold coins, which is equivalent to the entire income of the middle class in the past year. It is an amount that needs to be considered for investment.
"I understand, Mr. Gonzalo." Intis smiled, "It's our first time to cooperate with the Manston family. Our investment is very sincere."
"——We plan to use all the stored '100,000' commercial bonds for investment."
"..."
Hearing this, the wine glass in Gonzalo's hand suddenly stopped shaking.
Gonzalo's eyes suddenly became profound.
——One hundred thousand commercial certificates.
This is indeed a considerable amount of investment.
Although it does not reach the level of "huge" in Gonzalo's eyes, such a share of investment is still very rare.
Even if Intis does not hold the "Manston" family emblem, making such an amount of investment in the "Bank of Gold" is enough to be regarded as a distinguished guest.
"Okay, I think I have sensed your sincerity, Ms. Index."
With a smile on his face, Gonzalo said:
“This is indeed an exciting cooperation proposal.”
"Then, please allow me to take the liberty of asking. In what field are you...or rather, your brother, planning to invest?"
"'Magic Stone Military Industry', 'Plague Control', and 'Edible Monsters'."
Intis followed the "investment plan" that Luo Xiu had asked him before and said: "According to the investment ratio of two to three to five, this is exactly the investment plan that my brother asked me to do."
"This..." Gonzalo was confused.
"Although the 'Manston' family does have related industry channels, these are not promising areas."
Gonzalo kindly reminded:
"The 'Magic Stone Military Industry' you mentioned is only a theory that has not yet been accepted and has not been proven to have 'market value'. Although we have just discovered a new dragon crystal vein, the newly discovered dragon crystal Stones should be exported more to craft workshops rather than military factories;"
"As for 'plague prevention', there has been no major plague outbreak in the Nolan Empire for more than ten years. This has been an industry forgotten by the market. Now, public opinion about the imminent outbreak of the 'plague' in the empire has been labeled as Rumors and heresies will not change the market environment;"
"As for the 'edible monsters', to be honest, I personally am not optimistic about them. Although many nobles are interested in them, for most people, they will probably never accept the meat of 'monsters' Show up at their table.”
"……so."
Gonzalo finally confirmed to Intis: "Are you still sure you want to invest in these areas?"
"Yes."
Intis nodded firmly and said, "This is also my brother's instruction. No matter what, we firmly believe in our choice, and it will definitely look after our future."
In fact, Intis didn't know much about these "investments".
But before she left, Luo Xiu told her - "No matter who the member of the 'Manston' family you are about to see is, or what kind of doubt he has raised for you, strengthen your belief and show them Just put on a confident face..."
Intis, then strictly and effectively implemented Luo Xiu's instructions.
Sure enough, when Intis expressed his persistence, Gonzalo immediately showed an expression of admiration and said:
"I should apologize to you, Ms. Index. Perhaps you and your brother both have the potential to be real 'big businessmen'."
"I really shouldn't make decisions for you. And any great investment with disruptive significance will be an area that is not optimistic at the beginning."
"Profit-seeking is the essence of a businessman, but it should not be the shackles and constraints of a businessman. Any interest is accompanied by considerable risks, and I respect your judgment."
After speaking, Gonzalo stood up, stretched out his hand to Intis and said: "Then, I wish our cooperation will be smooth sailing."
"Best wishes for our cooperation."
Intis also stretched out his hand and shook Gonzalo's hand gently.
…
Later, Intis and Gonzalo discussed the details of "investment".
Intis interspersed it with the statement that "one hundred thousand commercial coupons" could not be carried with her by herself.
She had temporarily stored all these funds in a secret warehouse in Woubo grassland in advance, and Gonzalo understood this.
At the same time, Intis entrusted Gonzalo with moving these assets, which was not difficult for Gonzalo.
In the afternoon of that day, a convoy set off from the main city of Songyuan and drove quickly towards the Woupo Grassland.
Two days later, the convoy returned carrying 100,000 commercial bonds, and under Gonzalo's operation, they were successfully deposited into the account in the name of "Index Carlos" in the "Bank of El Dorado".
At the same time that the amount was deposited into Index's registered account, Index completed the signing of the contract with Gonzalo in the name of "Intex Carlos".
These 100,000 commercial bonds were invested in the three fields of 'Magic Stone Military Industry', 'Plague Prevention and Control', and 'Edible Monsters' in a ratio of 2:3:5.
If industries in these fields can be profitable, Intis will receive generous returns in proportion to its investment.
Gonzalo has used some guaranteed dividends for Intis. As long as the industries in these three fields have not gone bankrupt, Intis can have half of the "investment property protection."
This protection is provided by the "Golden State Bank", which means that in the worst case, Intis will only lose half of the money at most.
This is a pretty friendly contract term. In addition, Intis can obtain "deposit income" distributed on a monthly basis.
This is also Gonzalo's behind-the-scenes operation. "Deposit income" and "investment income" are calculated separately. If the investment is profitable or flat without loss, then, as a deposit in the "Golden Country Bank", Intis can still receive a monthly deposit income of 0.5%, that is, 500 "Golden Country Commercial Securities", converted to 50 A Nolan gold coin!
And these profits will eventually go into Luo Xiu's pocket.
From the current point of view, as long as the investment in these areas can be maintained at "no loss", Luo Xiu will be able to obtain a total of 250 Nolan gold coins including the "sacred salary" every month after that!
This has transcended from a “middle class” income to an “aristocratic” family income level.
As for the three fields of 'demon stone military industry', 'plague prevention and control', and 'edible monsters', they are "dark horse fields" that only Luo Xiu knows about.
——They respectively represent the empire’s response and preparation for the “Judgment War”, “September Plague” and “October Famine”!
Although the industries in these fields are still flat in the short term, within a few months, the "value" of these fields will explode!
Among them, the earliest one to arrive was the "September Plague".
Now, it is already the end of August, and the "September Plague" is showing its first signs and is already on the verge of breaking out.
And this is information that only Luo Xiu knows.
These are huge advantages.
…
After completing the signing of the contract with the "Golden Country Bank", Intis was ready to leave the main city of Songyuan.
She had just completed a task and felt excited inside.
Intis couldn't wait to return to the city of Sina, repair her life to her "Lord" Luo, and tell him all the gains.
She hopes to get rewards from Luo Xiu - the secret of becoming stronger, more freedom, and even higher power...
Intis has already faintly felt that the trust in her from "Lord" Luo Xiu is constantly increasing.
"Lord" seems to be planning something, this is Intis's intuition.
And her Lord... Luo Xiu Carlos, seemed to have become stronger during the time when she left him and went to the Woubo Grassland.
Intis desperately wanted to know what happened to her "Lord" Luo Xiu.
…
Gonzalo Manston completed all the identity and travel procedures for Intis, and personally saw her off.
After watching the carriage carrying "Index Carlos" drive out of the gate of Songyuan City, Gonzalo walked slowly along the trail and returned to the Bank of El Dorado.
And just at the entrance of the "Golden State Bank", Gonzalo saw a familiar figure.
A "waiter" was watching him with a smile.
"—Good morning, Vice President Gonzalo Manston."
The waiter bowed slightly to Gonzalo and said, "Have you signed a perfect contract with that lady from the Carlos family?"
"...That's a pretty perfect contract."
Gonzalo said: "She invested in three unpopular areas, and the total investment reached 100,000 bonds. To be honest, although I did 'praise' her courage at the time, this is In my opinion, it's still just 'courage'..."
"Maybe? Vice President Gonzalo." The waiter said with a smile, "Any great investment has been accompanied by huge risks."
"That's what I said at the time." Gonzalo shook his head, "And she is a distinguished guest who holds the crest of our 'Manston' family, so I can only comply with her wishes."
"This is not what you really think about," the waiter said. "'Going along with what others want' is a reflection of 'win-win' in the eyes of us businessmen. Others gain pleasure and great expectations, and we Harvest real benefits..."
"Yes, that's true."
Gonzalo nodded, "But, after all, she is a distinguished guest of our 'Manston' family, and I can't imagine the consequences of neglecting her. Therefore..."
"So you used your authority to provide her with a 'guarantee'?"
"——Yes." Gonzalo nodded, "This way, when she really suffers from the loss, the reputation of the 'Manston' family will not be damaged."
"Nice idea."
The waiter nodded and said, "It seems that as a branch of the Manston family, you have indeed grown a lot since you were sent here... Well, I am very pleased."
"...That's because you don't do your job."
Gonzalo's tone was quite helpless, he spread his hands and said:
"Originally, such a contact should be completed by you..."
"And you even chose to take her directly to my office after seeing her showing the 'Manston' family crest..."
"So, after all, when are you going to get down to business?"
"My beloved teacher Qiao Dewen, and..."
"——My respected 'Mr. Governor'."
"..."
Thanks to Tian Tianzhang for the 4,500 coins!
Thanks to Little Asia for the 500 coins!
Also, to make up for what I said before, thank you Zhou Yan for the 500 coins!
This chapter is 8k long, so it can be regarded as a reward and more updates (right?)!
qwq
(End of this chapter)