Forests Don't Support Idle Goblins

"Is this the total loan amount you can provide?" Charles put down the contract and glanced at the Chamber of Commerce bank employee sitting opposite him with some dissatisfaction. The employee seemed completely unaffected by his words and was sitting upright, sipping his coffee.

"Mr. Shell," the bank employee slowly put down his coffee cup, then said calmly, "Twenty thousand gold coins is more than enough to show our sincerity. Although your chamber of commerce has joined the alliance, it hasn't paid its membership fees before, and..."

He paused for a moment, glancing at the short-statured owner of the "White Shell" Chamber of Commerce in front of him. The man was completely covered in clothing, seemingly unwilling to let others see his face. "According to our investigation, although your chamber of commerce has cooperated with many artisan shops during this period and has made payments on time, it has mainly relied on the name of the church. If the church no longer entrusts you with the purchase of goods, your chamber of commerce may not have such a large volume of business."

"You know," the staff member chuckled, "this 'Undying' Alchemy Workshop didn't have a very good reputation among adventurers before. I think the fact that they're now offering a 'buy ten get one free' promotion on healing potions is probably related to the church."

"You've done a pretty thorough investigation." Charles chuckled a few times. The guy across from him on the sofa appeared neither humble nor arrogant, but his inherent arrogance was completely undisguised, or rather, he hadn't even considered trying to hide it. But thinking about it, it made sense. In the Kingdom of Fran, there were only three merchant banks, and these three banks would collude with each other in private. Many small shops were at their mercy. The fact that bank staff were willing to come to his door in person was already a great favor.

The guy's lips twitched unnaturally as he drank his coffee, as if he was disgusted by the taste of the coffee Mary had made.

You should know that this coffee was just bought a few days ago. Although it's not the kind of premium coffee that nobles drink, Uncle Musa bought it specifically for himself.

"I'll let you try some cat poop coffee sometime, though there are no cats," Charles muttered, then nodded and said, "Of course, you're right. Right now, the Church of Earth and Life is temporarily entrusting us with the purchase of goods. Miss Sophia Earth even came to the Chamber of Commerce to inspect it in person before. I think many people saw that."

Seeing that the other party was still savoring his coffee, Charles continued, "Our cooperation with the church is going very well, and the prospects are great. Could we perhaps increase the amount a bit more?"

"Mr. Shell," the bank employee reminded him, pausing as if appraising the strange form of address, "that's a matter for the future, and we all know that those churches are completely clueless about business. They won't get entangled with an 'ordinary' chamber of commerce for long unless you can provide a long-term agency contract. If you do, I believe the bank will definitely consider increasing the amount accordingly."

"This..." Charles hesitated, "I really can't produce it, but those craftsmen can attest that my merchant guild is indeed very promising."

"Click," the bank employee put the cup down again, and then... "Crossing your legs," "What you've said, the craftsmen have already said during my investigation, but sometimes I trust my own eyes more."

He glanced around with a slightly arrogant air. The reception room, located in the corner of the warehouse, looked rather small and very simple, and there was even a strange smell in the air.

The staff member unconsciously sniffed, "I'm sorry."

"What are you talking about? It smells like monster materials," Xia Er thought to himself, but he couldn't say it out loud. So he could only say with a long face, "Is it really not possible? My merchant guild really needs this funding."

Seeing Charles's actions, the bank employee's lips curled up. Although he couldn't see Charles's face, he could imagine his expression. However, he didn't say anything. Instead, he slowly picked up his coffee cup, took another sip, and shook his head, whether to indicate that the coffee tasted bad or that there was no higher loan amount available.

Ten seconds passed in silence before the bank employee finally sighed, "Well, Mr. Shell, all I can say is that these hardworking craftsmen helped you."

He turned around and took out another contract from the well-made square leather bag beside him, placing it on the coffee table. "This is the best solution I can offer. If you cannot repay the loan, my fate will be dire."

Charles narrowed his eyes, quickly snatched the contract from the coffee table, and began to flip through it rapidly.

"5 gold coins...the interest rate is very low..." He flipped through the contract, reading out the key points, "and the repayment time is very flexible."

"Yes," the bank employee leaned back slightly. "Supporting small and medium-sized chambers of commerce or shops is the mission of the Chamber of Commerce Alliance, and it is also the operating philosophy of the Chamber of Commerce Bank. I think this contract should be very suitable for you."

"5 gold coins," Charles said, holding up the contract in one hand and rubbing his chin with the other. "To be frank, 5 gold coins doesn't seem quite enough."

"Hmm, it's 5 gold coins. What…" The bank clerk was still arrogantly sipping his coffee, but Charles's words made him lose his composure. He jerked forward, spilling his coffee all over his clothes. "What did you say? 5 isn't enough? That's 5 gold coins! Do you know how much 5 is? That's not enough…"

He was momentarily speechless, then glanced in the direction of the alchemy workshop, "Do you know how many goblin ears you can get for 5 gold coins?"

"A lot," Charles shook his head slightly, "but for my merchant guild, it is indeed a little too little."

After all, the tribe is about to "take over" the goblins of the Feathered Serpent Kingdom, and there is also a city of all races waiting to be rebuilt. 5 gold coins sounds like a lot, but in practice, it is not enough.

"Your chamber of commerce is merely a subsidiary chamber of commerce affiliated with the Earth Church system; it doesn't have any significant industries." The bank employee's tone was somewhat unfriendly. He glanced contemptuously at the "strange man" opposite him, wondering if the other party thought the bank was stupid.

"Furthermore, I've looked at the contract," Charles put down the contract in his hand, crossed his hands on his knees, "and I feel there seems to be something wrong with two of the clauses here."

Before the other party could ask any questions, he said directly, "The second clause in the attachment stipulates that my chamber of commerce cannot default on any contract. If it does, it will trigger the early expiration of the entire loan agreement, and this condition clearly states that any transaction with others is included."

"Of course, this agreement was made possible by those craftsmen..."

Charles waved his hand to interrupt the other party's explanation and continued, "Article 5 of the appendix states that the bank will own all of my Chamber of Commerce's assets, including the first-priority mortgage on any future acquisitions. Does this mean that I cannot obtain any effective financing from other channels, or even borrow money from the church or nobles?"

"this……"

"Moreover, these two clauses, which seem to be separate, are actually a cross-default agreement. If one of the shops is exploited and I am deliberately made to default on delivery or payment, then you can trigger the expiration of the agreement, and I will not be able to borrow money from others to make up for the loan. In this way, the Chamber of Commerce Bank can liquidate me and, as a creditor, take over my core assets at an extremely low price."

Seeing that Xia Er had exposed the "poison pill" in the contract, the bank employee calmly said, "This is just your conjecture. Of course, as long as you operate in compliance with regulations, none of this will happen, and besides..."

He bent down and pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of his well-tailored jacket, wiping his coffee-soaked trousers. "5 gold coins, not every small merchant guild can afford that."

"No," Charles smirked, tapping the contract on the coffee table. "For others, 5 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 opposite him. "I need a loan of 30 gold coins."

"30?" the bank clerk exclaimed. "What are you going to do with that? Do you know how much money that is? That's enough to buy a Charles Mello."

"Heh," Charles chuckled, "This is indeed the highest wanted amount in the Kingdom of Fran, but it's also the amount I wanted."

"No, that's impossible."

"Don't rush to refuse. Listen to my terms," ​​Charles tapped the coffee table. "I will repay the loan within a year and guarantee to pay it off in full. As for these strange terms, I think they are unnecessary."

The bank staff did not answer, but continued to shake their heads.

"Furthermore, I will repay the loan in gold and silver coins. I know that silver coins are actually more convenient for daily circulation for you. If I fail to repay the loan within a year, then this chamber of commerce, the cooperation agreement with the church, and the alchemy workshop will all belong to you."

"This is insane." The bank employee stood up, picked up his square leather bag, and seemed unwilling to stay in this shabby meeting room for even a second longer.

"Don't rush off. You can submit my proposal; I think someone will be willing to listen." Charles didn't get up but calmly watched the staff member who wanted to leave immediately.

"Hmph," the bank clerk glanced at Charles, then said, "I will, and frankly, the coffee is just so-so."

After saying that, he rudely pushed open the door to the reception room and strode out.

…………

"Is this his proposal?" On the third floor of the Chamber of Commerce building in Giethoorn, old Crowe leaned back in a high-backed chair covered with velvet cushions, propping his head up with his fingers, listening quietly to his subordinate's report.

"Yes, boss," the staff member nodded hurriedly, "This guy is too arrogant, 30 gold coins, this is simply..."

"He also said he'd repay with gold and silver coins?" Old Crowe ignored his subordinates' grumbling. "An interesting man."

"Boss, he definitely plans to use some of the gold coins to buy goods, then resell them, and after a year, return the profits and the useless gold coins." The staff member said with some disdain, "We've seen plenty of people like him, but no one is as brazen as him. I suggest we just ignore him..."

"Lend it to him," old Crowe said directly.

These words startled the subordinate who was standing respectfully opposite him, causing him to take a step back. "Boss, what did you say?"

"I said I'd lend it to him, but," old Crowe smiled and raised a finger, "the contract must include a clause that all repayments must be in silver coins."

"Repay with silver coins?" The bank clerk frowned, then immediately realized, "Yes, that would prevent him from doing so. If he wants to repay, he has to exchange all the money for silver coins, but exchanging so many silver coins is not that easy."

"I don't know what this person was thinking, to come up with such an idea," Old Crowe shook his head with a smile, "but I still quite like this suggestion. Not only will it increase the circulation of our silver coins, but it will also allow us to gain a merchant guild for free in the end."

He glanced out the window, which faced the east of the city, "to a chamber of commerce with great potential."

"Okay, boss, I'll draft the contract right away."

"Do a good job and keep a close eye on things. Don't let this business association have any problems. If there's any unusual activity, report it to me and the local police immediately. Then he won't be able to go anywhere." Old Crowe tapped the solid wood desk in front of him. "I'll be leaving here tomorrow and heading to Torch City. As for the gold coins, they'll be gathered within a month."

"Well, boss," the subordinate hesitated for two seconds, "won't this have any impact on your situation?"

"My business?" Old Crowe withdrew his gaze and gave his subordinate a deep look. "It's none of your business to interfere in the change of the league chairman."

"Yes, yes, yes." The subordinate nodded hurriedly, then fled as if his life depended on it.

"30 gold coins, how greedy," old Kro chuckled. "If you can really repay the full amount in silver coins within a year, then you truly are the kind of person the greedy lord needs."

…………

"Can they be mobilized within a month?" Charles asked, stroking his chin as he looked at the somewhat reserved bank employee across from him.

"Yes, as long as you sign the contract." The bank employee's expression was somewhat unnatural.

"Okay, let me look at the contract. You can have some coffee first." Charles pointed to the coffee on the table, which Mary had just brought over.

"Oh, okay." The bank employee immediately reached for the coffee, took a small sip, and then spat it out because the water was too hot.

"Using only silver coins?" Charles glanced at the other person and said calmly.

"Yes, this was decided by the upper management of the Chamber of Commerce Bank, and I think it meets your expectations." The bank employee said cautiously. He was somewhat conflicted. On the one hand, he really wanted to close this loan deal so that he could make a good impression on his boss. On the other hand, he also knew that probably no one would be so stupid as to accept such a "trap contract".

"Alright, I choose..." Charles smiled, bent down, picked up a pen, and signed his name "Shell Green Egg" on the contract. "I choose to accept the contract."

"Pfft!" The bank employee spat out coffee again, this time making too much noise and accidentally spilling it on his pants.

"What's wrong?" Charles smiled at the other person. "Was the coffee not good?"

"Ah, good, delicious, very delicious."