Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 903 - 16 Speculative Business_4
Chapter 903: Chapter 16 Speculative Business_4 Chapter 903: Chapter 16 Speculative Business_4 “Perhaps… there’s still a way.”
…
Revodan, Yile’s goldsmith workshop.
There are three precious metal craftsmen in Revodan, and the other two have already been invited by Yile to the workshop.
Precious metal craftsmen often make investments because they hold many customers’ stored gold and silver.
“Wait, what are you going to do?” a square-faced goldsmith asked, frowning.
Tiny Priskin repeated firmly, “I’m asking you to buy shares.”
...
“Buy shares?” another long-faced silversmith glanced at Yile and asked, “Buy shares in what?”
Tiny Priskin talked about his small business.
Both the goldsmith and silversmith obviously knew about the matter regarding Herders’ heads.
But the square-faced goldsmith quickly shook his head: “Business has its ups and downs, it’s fine when you profit, but if it fails, we could lose everything and still not be able to cover it.”
After saying that, the square-faced goldsmith stood up, looking like he was about to leave.
The long-faced silversmith nodded in agreement and got up from his chair.
“Buying shares won’t work.” Tiny Priskin loudly inquired, “What about a loan then?”
“How much?”
“A lot.”
“What will you use as collateral?”
“The Herders’ heads.”
The goldsmith flatly refused: “No, who knows if the Herders’ heads will still hold value tomorrow?”
Tiny Priskin mentioned a very high interest rate.
The square-faced goldsmith fell silent.
The long-faced silversmith asked, “If you can’t pay back the principal, what good does a high interest rate do?”
“Do you know who I am?” Tiny Priskin retorted, “Do you think I won’t be able to pay you back?”
“Mr. Priskin,” the square-faced goldsmith’s attitude softened, “are you acting on your grandfather’s orders now, or are you making your own decisions?”
“Of course, it’s a task from my grandfather,” Tiny Priskin glossed over, then added a more tempting proposition: “I can double the interest for you—but there’s one condition.”
The long-faced silversmith didn’t refuse outright but hesitated to ask, “What condition?”
“I can pay you high interest, or even use my family’s estate as collateral,” Tiny Priskin proposed confidently, “but when it’s time to repay, you must allow me to do so in the form of heads.”
…
Old Priskin’s study.
“Did they agree?” Old Priskin squinted and asked.
“No,” Tiny Priskin replied dejectedly.
“Not too stupid.”
Tiny Priskin swallowed a gulp of saliva, “But in the end, they agreed to lend me some money—with the heads and Megan’s family house deed as collateral.”
“Oh?”
This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
“One for your face, and two… something happened the next day.”
“What?”
“The county government issued a notice saying they would convert all the heads into ‘Head Coupons.'”
…
In the following days, Tiny Priskin’s actions became very simple.
He bought grain from villages with surplus and transported it to famine-stricken villages in exchange for heads.
On the other hand, he outright bought head coupons from soldiers stranded in Saint Town, with the Piaoqi Troops being major clients.
The Piaoqi Troops brought by Gessa were auxiliaries; even if they collected many heads, they couldn’t settle in Iron Peak County directly.
Thus, most Piaoqi Troops traded their head coupons for alcohol, although some secretly kept a few coupons.
Meanwhile, Tiny Priskin sold some of the heads but used them as collateral more often.
Using methods of [buying, mortgaging, and buying again] and [attracting shareholders], Tiny Priskin’s speculative business thrived until Old Priskin, hearing rumors, called him into the study for questioning.
…
Old Priskin put down his pipe, and Tiny Priskin immediately stood up.
“You’ve caused many troubles from childhood to adulthood, and I’ve rarely scolded you. Do you know why?” Old Priskin asked.
“Because you love me,” Tiny Priskin answered softly.
“Because your great-grandfather once told me,” Old Priskin slowly recited his father’s words, “‘Those who can cause big troubles can also accomplish great things.'”
Old Priskin paused, then continued, “But those capable of great deeds can also cause great troubles. Between accomplishing great deeds and causing great troubles, often lies a fine line. I will die sooner or later, and you must learn to discern the difference yourself.”
Tiny Priskin was silent for a long time before quietly replying, “I understand, Grandfather.”
“It’s too late to understand now,” Old Priskin sighed, “You go ask Blood Wolf for mercy yourself.”
…
Bachelor officer’s quarters, reception room.
Three knocks at the door.
“Come in.”
Tiny Priskin, nervous, pushed open the door and saw Blood Wolf wearing an ugly knitted jacket, lounging relaxedly on a long chair, chatting with a chubby, round-faced middle-aged man in a dialect he couldn’t understand.
As he entered the room, Blood Wolf sat up straight.
“Do you have a guest?” the chubby middle-aged man tactfully took his leave, “Then I will step out.”
“No need, you should stay; this is the person you wanted to meet.” Blood Wolf smiled, looking at Tiny Priskin, “This is the one with the ‘strange-sounding Sea Blue dialect’.”
Seeing the chubby middle-aged man sizing him up and down, he suddenly burst into laughter, “So it’s our little mouse!”
