Chapter 364 - 305: The Crazy Loan Contract (Part 2)

Chapter 364: Chapter 305: The Crazy Loan Contract (Part 2)

He was at a loss for words, then glanced in the direction of the Alchemy Workshop. "Do you know how many goblin ears 50,000 Gold Coins can get you?"

"A lot," Shire said, shaking his head slightly. "It’s just that for my company, that’s actually not enough."

’After all, my people are about to "take over" the goblins of the Feathered Serpent Kingdom, and there’s also the City of Ten Thousand Races waiting to be rebuilt. 50,000 Gold Coins sounds like a lot, but in practice, it really isn’t enough.’

"Your company is just an affiliate under the Earth Church’s system, and you don’t have any significant assets." The bank employee’s tone turned hostile. He shot a contemptuous glance at the "oddball" across from him. ’Does this guy take the bank for a fool?’

"Besides, I’ve read the contract." Shire set the document down and rested his clasped hands on his knees. "I believe there are some issues with two of the clauses here."

Without waiting for the man to ask, he continued, "Article two of the addendum stipulates that my company cannot default. If a default occurs, it will trigger an acceleration clause, causing the entire loan to be due immediately. And this condition explicitly states that it applies to *any* transaction with other parties."

"Of course, this agreement is based on those artisans..."

Shire waved a hand, cutting off the man’s excuse. "And Article Five of the addendum states the bank will have a first-priority lien on all my company’s assets, including future acquisitions. Doesn’t that mean I’ll be unable to obtain any other effective financing, even from the Church or the nobility?"

"That..."

"What’s more, these two clauses may look separate, but they actually constitute a cross-default. If just one of my partners is manipulated into making me default on a delivery or payment, you can call the entire loan due. And since I wouldn’t be able to borrow from anyone else to cover it, the Commerce Bank could then liquidate my company. As the creditor, you’d be able to acquire my core assets for next to nothing."

Now that Shire had exposed the "poison pill" in the contract, the bank employee said calmly, "That’s just speculation. As long as you operate in compliance, none of this will happen. And..."

He looked down, took a handkerchief from the pocket of his fine jacket, and dabbed at the coffee stain on his trousers. "50,000 Gold Coins is not a sum that just any small company can obtain."

"No." A corner of Shire’s mouth lifted as he tapped the contract on the coffee table. "For others, 50,000 Gold Coins is a lot. But for me, it’s far too little."

He raised his head slightly, his eyes fixed on the bank employee across from him. "I need a loan of 300,000 Gold Coins."

"Three hundred thousand?" the banker exclaimed. "What are you planning? Do you have any idea how much money that is? That’s Shire Merlot’s entire bounty!"

"Heh," Shire chuckled. "That is indeed the highest bounty in the Fran Kingdom. But it’s also the amount I want."

"No, that’s impossible."

"Don’t be so quick to refuse. Hear my terms," Shire said, rapping on the coffee table. "I’ll pay it back within a year, and I guarantee I’ll pay it in full. As for these... strange clauses, I don’t think they’ll be necessary."

The bank employee didn’t answer, simply continuing to shake his head.

"Also, I will make the repayment in both Gold Coins and Silver Coins. I know that for you, Silver Coins are actually better for day-to-day circulation. If I fail to repay the loan within a year, then this company, my partnership agreement with the Church, and the Alchemy Workshop... will all be yours."

"This is insane." The bank employee stood up and grabbed his square leather bag, looking as if he didn’t want to spend another second in this shabby meeting room.

"Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. You can report my proposal up the chain. I think someone will be willing to listen." Shire didn’t get up, watching the employee’s frantic exit with a calm and collected expression.

"Hmph." The bank employee shot Shire a look. "I will. And if you don’t mind me saying, your coffee is very mediocre."

With that, he roughly shoved the door open and strode out.

「 ... 」

"That was his proposal?" In Yangjiao Town, on the third floor of the Commerce Alliance Building, Crow leaned back in his high-backed, velvet-cushioned chair. He propped his head up with his fingers, listening quietly to his subordinate’s report.

"Yes, Boss." The employee nodded quickly. "The man is incredibly arrogant. 300,000 Gold Coins... that’s just..."

"And he said he’d repay it with Gold and Silver Coins?" Crow completely ignored his subordinate’s grumbling. ’An interesting person.’

"Boss, he must be planning to use some of the Gold Coins to buy goods for resale. Then, when the year is up, he’ll pay back the loan using his profits and the gold he didn’t even touch," the employee said dismissively. "We’ve seen plenty of people try that, but none have been as brazen as him. I suggest we just ignore..."

"Loan it to him," Crow said directly.

The words startled the subordinate, who had been standing there respectfully, causing him to take a step back. "B-Boss, what did you say?"

"I said, loan it to him. But," Crow smiled and raised a single finger, "we add a clause to the contract: repayment must be made entirely in Silver Coins."

"Repayment in Silver Coins?" The banker frowned for a moment before it dawned on him. "Of course! That would make his scheme impossible. To repay the loan, he’d have to exchange everything for Silver Coins, but converting that much isn’t easy at all."

"I don’t know what this man is thinking to even suggest such a thing," Crow said, chuckling and shaking his head. "But I quite like his proposal. Not only will it increase our circulation of Silver Coins, but in the end, we’ll get a company for free."

He glanced out the window, which faced the eastern part of the city. "A company with great potential."

"Understood, Boss. I’ll draw up the contract right away."

"Do a good job. And keep a close eye on him. Don’t let anything happen to that company. If you see any suspicious activity, report it immediately to me and the local Public Security Bureau. That way, he won’t be able to run. I’m leaving for Torch City tomorrow. As for the Gold Coins, they will be gathered and delivered within a month."

"Then, Boss," the subordinate hesitated for a moment, "will this affect your business?"

"My business?" Crow’s gaze sharpened as he looked at his subordinate. "The election of the Alliance Chairman is not your place to comment on."

"Yes, yes, of course." The subordinate nodded frantically and fled the room.

’300,000 Gold Coins... how greedy,’ Crow thought with a smirk. ’But if you can really repay the entire amount in Silver Coins within a year, then you truly are the kind of person the Lord of Greed is looking for.’

「 ... 」

"It can be ready within a month?" Shire asked, rubbing his chin as he looked at the somewhat timid bank employee across from him.

"Yes, as long as you sign the contract." The banker’s expression was a little stiff.

"Alright, let me see the contract. You can try the coffee in the meantime." Shire gestured to the table, where Mary had just placed a fresh cup.

"Oh, alright." The banker immediately reached for the cup and took a small sip, then instantly spat it out because it was too hot.

"Entirely in Silver Coins?" Shire asked calmly, glancing up at the man.

"Yes. That was the decision from the Commerce Bank’s upper management. I believe it aligns with your wishes," the banker said cautiously. He was conflicted. On one hand, he desperately wanted to close this deal to make a good impression on his boss. On the other, he knew that surely no one could be foolish enough to accept such a "trap contract."

"Alright. I choose..." Shire smiled, bent over, and picked up the pen. He signed the name "Shell Green Egg" on the contract. "...to accept the terms."

PFFT! The bank employee spat out his coffee again. This time, the motion was so violent that he ended up dousing his trousers once more.

"What’s wrong?" Shire asked, smiling at him. "Is the coffee not to your liking?"

"Ah, no, it’s good. It’s good. Very good."