When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

Chapter 735 The Ninth Gold Pound

The moment Horn finished speaking, Duterte had already stood up, holding on to the carved armrests of the padded seat.

"Your Majesty's proposal is really quite bold!" He stroked the silver Magdeburg scale badge on his chest, "But regarding the specific operation, please allow your most loyal servant to ask a few small questions."

"Of course. I'm here today to make a promise to you all. If you have any questions, you can raise them and discuss them with us." Horn still had a gentle smile on his face.

“For example…” Duterte coughed, and the shadow just covered the “Smile of the Saint Grandson” on the wall. “You know, there is a tradition of secret transactions between merchants because they are afraid of persecution by the powerful… Of course, I am talking about the nobles.

This custom is really difficult for us to change, Your Majesty."

"Yes, Your Majesty, too strict regulation will hinder business."

"We are professionals and we can take care of ourselves."

Many senior partners around nodded in agreement. They were originally supervised by the nobles, and now they have turned the tables and become the masters. Do they have to continue to be supervised?

"Shouldn't we care about this?" Before Horn could even speak, Catherine spoke first, "You might as well ask yourselves, are you really that clean?"

"I……"

A senior partner was about to speak, but Catherine interrupted him: "You think you are clean? Do you want me to read you everything you have done in front of so many people?"

The senior partner instantly deflated: "That's not what I meant. Um, add water."

Seeing that his momentum was somewhat depressed by Catherine, Duterte quickly continued to lead the pace: "Many people are hostile to the rich. Implementing this real-name system is undoubtedly like making a list for the robbers and bandits to kidnap people directly according to the list."

“The real-name system does not mean full disclosure to the public. Besides, this is not the past.

Before independence, you had to hide the money you made. After independence, you still have to hide it. Then why are you independent?" Horn spread his hands and said, "The Chamber of Commerce workshops you registered will be kept in the archives of the City Hall, and only people with higher authority can retrieve them.

And unlike the past when ownership relied on trust and personal connections, this real-name ownership system relies on the law.

You all know that the courts today will not make arbitrary decisions based on the words of nobles. Do you think the judge cannot make a fair judgment?"

"No, no, no." Duterte would naturally not give Horn any excuses on such politically correct issues. "I mean, the judge will naturally make a fair judgment, but he always has clerks or other employees... You know, many nobles are not bad in character, it's mainly the people below who fail to execute..."

Even Horn cannot answer this question, because he himself cannot guarantee the moral level of the judges, because there will always be counterexamples.

Even if he used the Cheka for surveillance, he could not ensure that the lowest-level mechanisms were functioning properly, so he could only debug manually time and time again, carrying out campaign-style wave after wave of eliminations.

"That's why I want to establish the Holy Fathers Association in the Magdi Chamber of Commerce. If you can't check and balance the corrupt and petty officials, you will always be coerced."

"But with the real-name system for finance and the Holy Fathers, don't you think that too many people are needed? This actually increases the chances of corruption, right?"

"The real-name system for finance is a national policy!" Milson couldn't stand it any longer and slammed the table. "It benefits the country and the citizens. Why can't this great thing be implemented?"

"Citizens of Xiali, is it you Milson of Xiali?"

"Why do you have to get involved in financial stocks when you can just make money? If you eat something you shouldn't eat, you have to spit it out."

"Why did our Megdi Chamber of Commerce suffer so much? It's only been a few days, why are there people coming to pick peaches again?"

"Are you talking about the Holy Sun picking peaches? You are so brave!"

"I'm talking to you, you Milson are picking everyone's peaches!"

As Milson jumped into the arena, the noise of quarrels poured down like a rainstorm.

Old Eddie looked at the tea leaves floating in his teacup, the fermented leaves trembling in the red water.

When he raised his head, he saw Horn, who was standing diagonally opposite him, turning a hard-rubber fountain pen between his fingers. The pen was dancing on Horn's fingertips like a butterfly.

At this time, Duterte, as the instigator, did not participate in the argument, but slowly sat down.

While picking up the teacup to drink tea, his eyes were looking out through the gap between the lid and the edge of the cup.

In his impression, there should have been 12 people supporting him, but in the chaotic quarrel, the voices of both sides were surprisingly evenly matched.

Of course, this was due to the presence of Horn, but according to his idea, even if Horn was present, the double gap would not be enough to make the voices evenly matched.

People like Old Eddie and Brandon, who had agreed earlier, were also drinking coffee leisurely.

And Lady Margaret, still clutching her pearl bag, remained silent, as if unwilling to get involved in the rude quarrel.

After all, these senior partners were nouveau riche, and they were speechless when they saw a powerful person like Horn.

We can't continue arguing.

Amid the heated arguments and discussions, Duterte, whether intentionally or unintentionally, placed the bone china teacup heavily on the table.

Seeing everyone's gazes converge on him, he suddenly raised his voice: "Since the disagreement is so great, why not follow the Chamber of Commerce tradition and decide by voting under the witness of the Holy Father!"

Soon, the servants came in with a specially made ballot box, which was converted from the early donation box of the Magdi Chamber of Commerce.

"Those who agree with the two proposals, please put your gold pounds into the cash box on the right." Catherine's voice was like the water of the Nauan River in winter, flooding the venue. "Those who oppose, please put your gold pounds into the cash box on the left."

As the proposer, Duterte took the lead and sneered as he took out a gold pound - in the early days, the Magdi Chamber of Commerce could only vote with dinars, but now it can use gold pounds.

After putting some gold pounds into the cash box on the left, he turned around confidently and returned to his seat.

Based on previous work and exchanges of interests, he was sure that at least ten partners would make the same choice.

"Duterte." Catherine looked at this uncle-like figure with a complicated look, not knowing whether to pity him or hate him. "One vote against."

"DeMarcus, one vote against."

"Milson, one vote in favor."

"Heinz..."

After Duterte, senior partners began to step forward to vote one by one, and the sound of gold coins colliding in the cash box was endless.

As Catherine continued to count the votes, the vote count for both parties had reached eight against and five in favor.

Duterte's originally anxious heart was now completely relaxed.

Just one more vote and it would be done.

The sound of chairs rubbing against the ground was heard one after another, and Duterte saw Mrs. Margaret, Old Eddie and Brandon stand up and walk towards the cash box.

Damn it! Duterte secretly tensed his muscles and even winked at Brandon at the end.

If there are three consecutive objections, His Majesty Horn will become angry and embarrassed, and may even use his ten thousand votes to force the bill through.

Duterte immediately began to build up his emotions, preparing his tears and knee pads. As soon as the nine votes were successful, he would rush over to Horn and hug his thighs and cry.

Anyway, I'll calm Saint Sun down first, and after the meeting is over, I'll take the 8000 gold pounds, which will almost calm Saint Sun's temper.

When they want to implement the two proposals of "Real-name system for finance" and "Establishment of the Holy Father Association of the Chamber of Commerce" next time and fully develop the Magdi Chamber of Commerce, Horn will not be able to touch them.

Any movement will result in losses for both sides.

"Clang, clang, clang!"

There were three consecutive sounds of gold coins colliding, and everyone in the conference room held their breath.

"Lady Margaret..."

Duterte's heart began to beat violently.

"One vote in favor! Currently six votes in favor!"

Damn you! Duterte pinched his fingers on the cushion of the armrest. It must be for the alchemy potion!

Currently, the Holy See has begun to build the first batch of centralized alchemy potion workshops, and the old woman Margaret must be going for the alchemy potion.

Fortunately, there are still Old Eddie and Brandon. Old Eddie is not sure whether he will do this or not, but Brandon is definitely supportive of him. If he really wants to use his real name, how can he play the lottery?

"Eddie, one vote for it."

"Brandon, one vote for it."

"Currently eight votes in favor!"

The meeting room, which had been whispering about Lady Margaret's vote, suddenly became quiet at this moment.

The legs of the chair made a sharp and piercing sound as they scraped against the ground. Duterte stood up with a grim face and stared at Old Eddie and Brandon who looked calm.

He could understand why Lady Margaret defected to the enemy.

You two, one of you is an insurance fraud, the other one is a lottery scam, and yet you voted to form the Holy Fathers Society and establish a real-name system for finance. What were you thinking?

Want to commit suicide?
"Your Highness Catherine." But Duterte is a veteran in the business world and can remain calm in this situation. "Can I confirm these two votes with the two partners? I suspect they put them in the wrong box because they were nervous."

If these two people really had to vote in favor because of the pressure from Horn on the spot, then Duterte's move to muddy the waters can directly reduce the credibility of the results.

Catherine glanced at Horn's face before turning to look at the two of them: "Do you want to clarify?"

"Your Highness Catherine, I am not that old yet. I did not make a mistake in voting."

"Your Highness Catherine, I'm not an old, confused person like old Eddie. How could I have voted wrong?"

The two's clear answers made Duterte feel depressed.

"Currently there are eight votes in favor and eight against." Catherine stood in front of the voting box, her eyes swept across the entire conference room, and stopped at a trembling old man, "Mr. Goangzi, what is your choice?"

Almost at the same time, Duterte's burning gaze also fell on Goangzi.

The white-haired old man, who was nearly 80 years old, looked around and stood up tremblingly.

With the help of his servants, he walked step by step to the ballot box and picked up a gold pound.

Looking at Goangzi's hunched back, Duterte's hair stood up for no reason.

"Clang-"

"Brother Angqi, one vote in favor!"

If Duterte hadn't held on to the table with both hands, he would have almost fallen to the ground.

He stared at the white-haired old man, watching him stagger towards him, and said through his clenched teeth: "Why?"

Goangzi and Duterte have been friends for thirty years and have collaborated many times.

Duterte thought of Margaret's betrayal and accepted Old Eddie and Brandon's betrayal.

But I just couldn't believe that Geangqi would actually betray me.

"I'm sorry." Ge Angqi lowered his head in embarrassment. "I'm old, I just want to go back and grow some flowers. My children don't have any talents, I need to find them the biggest backer."

"Can't I protect the Magdi Chamber of Commerce?"

“I’m afraid that if you protect me for too long, the family property will become yours. His Majesty the Holy Sun will probably disdain my little property.

Besides, if the Cheka came to you for someone, could you resist the pressure and refuse to give it to them? I know you too well. "Goangzi looked at his grandson, who was in deep and solemn state, and said, "Duterte, no matter how good a businessman is, there is an end to it.

You have to invest in things that you can buy with money now, but you won’t be able to buy with money in the future.”

"coward!"

"Whatever you say." Ge Angqi seemed a little disappointed.

Looking at Goangzi's departing back, Duterte plopped down on the chair.

Catherine's final vote count sounded like the guillotine's blade falling: "Nine votes in favor, eight against."

Taking out a small hammer, Catherine knocked on the table and said, "The proposal to declare externally that you agree with the Financial Real-Name System and to establish the Holy Fathers Association internally is passed!"

The flames in the fireplace leaped, and a smile appeared on Horn's face, exactly the same as the one in the huge painting "Smile of the Holy Grandson".

"Everyone." Looking at the people who were talking, Horn stood up and the conference room immediately became quiet. "Thank you all for gathering here today. I have prepared a simple lunch at the Uffizi Palace as a reward for your hard work today."

"Your Majesty is joking."

"My stomach ailment was suddenly cured this morning. It turned out to be because I was able to have dinner with His Majesty!"

As they talked, everyone pushed Horn toward the door.

Even those who voted against him rushed to Horn's side.

The matter is done. They were already offended by Horn because of Duterte, so shouldn't they try to improve their relationship now?

However, just as they left the meeting room and walked to the corridor outside the door, they saw a group of more than a dozen Chekas walking towards them quickly.

"Pious! Sincere!"

With the sound of boots clattering, the Chekas stood at attention and saluted Horn, and for a moment the partners were silent.

"What are you doing?"

"Capture the criminal, Your Majesty."

"Okay, let's go."

Then, under the surprised gazes of the partners outside the door, the Chekas turned around and walked into the previous meeting room.

The senior partners who had gathered at the door to curry favor with Horn soon heard Duterte's roar of disbelief coming from inside the conference room.

"What do you mean?"

"What does my nephew's alleged financial fraud have to do with me?"

"Impossible! This must be the result of torture from the Cheka. He doesn't hold any of my stocks or bonds!"

"Didn't you hear? Just now your Majesty said that the real-name system should be implemented. My nephew's Chamber of Commerce is his own and has nothing to do with me!"

The Cheka's voice rang out in the room: "Sorry, a series of bills related to the real-name system will not be implemented until June.

Since it has not been implemented, we still have to follow the previous method. This is your Chamber of Commerce."

"It's not mine! You have no evidence to prove that he is mine!" It was the first time that the people outside the room heard Duterte's panicked voice.

The Cheka commissioner was so angry that he laughed: "But you have no evidence to prove that it is not you. We in the Cheka can arrest first and then try him. And your nephew has a lot of evidence."

"No, it's not me, you can't... um..."

Not long after, Duterte, with a wide robe covering his head and shackles on his hands, was surrounded and taken out by six Cheka soldiers.

The senior partners couldn't help but choke on Duterte as they watched him try his best but still unable to break free from the control.

The wine glass in his hand was stiffly held in mid-air.

They were not awakened until they heard a crisp "ding" sound. They turned around and saw that it was Horn who bounced Duterte's gold coin high up and caught it.

"Mr. Goangzi, Duterte's affairs will be temporarily handed over to you." Smiling, Horn stuffed the gold coin into Goangzi's hand.

"It's my honor." The gold coin was so heavy that Goangzi had to stretch out his hands to receive it.

(End of this chapter)