“What is your method, Lord? I would like to hear it in detail,” Sola asked Anke.
“It is for your three families to purchase the Border City Construction Bonds I am issuing, thereby indirectly investing in my Alchemy Workshop. The term is 3 months. Upon maturity, the full principal and interest amounting to 10% of the principal will be repaid. That is, if you buy 100 gold worth of bonds, you will receive 100 gold in principal and 10 gold in interest after 3 months,” Anke said.
As he spoke, he ordered someone to bring out a pre-prepared sample bond.
It bore the crest of the Black Cross Empire’s royal family and Anke’s wax seal as the Fourth Prince and Lord, looking very official.
“It looks like the high-interest loans issued by the Wheel People.”
Sola keenly perceived that these so-called Border City Construction Bonds were actually no different from high-interest loans.
“As a prince, is it not beneath your dignity to borrow money from us small local nobles, Lord?”
Hote did not want to lend any money at all, so he played the card of noble status.
‘100 gold… my private treasury has over 5,600 Gold Markors. If I give it all to the Fourth Prince, then in 3 months I’ll have… ones, tens, hundreds, thousands… I can earn 560 gold coins!’
After hearing Anke’s idea, Hannah calculated seriously and realized she could actually earn over 500 gold coins!
She immediately had the idea of purchasing Anke’s bonds.
“This is not a high-interest loan; it is a bond, an investment in the Border City,” Anke emphasized the difference between his idea and a high-interest loan.
“Fourth Prince! Fourth Prince! I only have over 5,600 gold coins. Can I use other things to offset the cost?” Hannah asked Anke.
“Of course. Craftsmen and alchemy raw materials can all be converted into money to purchase bonds,” Anke replied.
“We can send craftsmen to the Border City to offset the gold for buying bonds?” Sola caught a key point in Anke’s words.
“Naturally. After all, the revitalization of the Border City requires a great deal of manpower. Once I have the money, I will also hire more craftsmen to come here.”
“I see. Please allow me to consider this for a moment.” Sola weighed the investment in her heart to see if it was worth doing.
“Lord, I admit the bonds you propose are very tempting, but I must also be responsible for my family. Although I have witnessed the prosperity of your Alchemy Workshop and the wonders of your alchemical creations, and I believe they can indeed bring wealth like a mountain of gold — what if you do not have enough money to pay us the principal and interest when the bonds mature? After all, a 10% profit is much harder to earn than 10% interest, is it not?”
Seeing that Sola was about to be convinced, Hote spoke up to interfere with Anke’s plan.
“So that is your concern? If Earl Oca is worried that I will be unable to pay enough gold coins, then I can use my Alchemy Workshop as collateral for these bonds. If I cannot produce that much money by then, those of you who have purchased my bonds can use them to divide up all the formulas and products within my workshop. I have great confidence in the formulas developed in the workshop. The value they can create is a true mountain of gold!”
Anke took the opportunity to cast his second bait: his Alchemy Workshop and its various alchemy formulas.
“I naturally believe in you, Lord. I will do my best to persuade Earl Rohark to finalize this investment.”
Sola made up her mind. This was a win-win situation.
If Anke made money, the Rohaoke family would get paid; if he didn’t, they would take the workshop and formulas.
When that time came, the Rohaoke family could make a fortune through those formulas and perhaps even replace the Oca family as the number one family in Hanover Province!
“It is a deal, then. I look forward to your good news, Lady Sola.” A smile appeared on Anke’s face; a large sum of money was about to arrive.
“Fourth Prince! Fourth Prince! I will also do my best to persuade my mother. And even if I can’t, I will invest all my own money in Your Highness!” After their brief interaction, Hannah was showing signs of becoming Anke’s little fan.
“I will also discuss this thoroughly with my father.” Hote smiled, but he hated Sola in his heart.
‘That damned woman!’ Because of her, he was forced to persuade his father to invest in Anke.
Otherwise, if Anke went bankrupt, all the formulas would go to the Rohaoke family.
The Rohaoke family would never pass up an opportunity to climb higher.
At that time, the Oca family would surely be threatened!
Since it concerned the purchase of Anke’s bonds, the messengers of the three counts did not stay for the banquet.
After finishing their tour of the Alchemy Workshop, they immediately boarded their carriages to return to their family fiefs.
“Your Highness, the convoys of the three counts’ messengers have all left the Border City!” a guard reported as he rode up to Anke.
“Alright, alright! It’s over! Everyone, come out and call it a day!” Upon receiving the report, Anke immediately pulled out a tin megaphone and shouted to the surroundings.
Led by the gardener Einstein, the numerous “alchemists” and “assistants” who had been walking back and forth in the workshop emerged like a flock of sheep and stood before Anke.
“Everyone, every single one of you! You did a fantastic job today! Everyone, go to that small shed over there, return your clothes, and collect 10 catties (about 8 kilograms) of coarse flour and 2 Silver Markors!”
Anke praised these extras and directed them to collect their payment.
“Our Lord is wise!”
“Thank you, Lord!”
“Long live the Lord!”
The people praised, thanked, and cheered for Anke.
“Enough, enough. Go get your food and money. Go home and cook a nice meal for your families.”
Anke waved his hand and put down the megaphone, letting the subjects who had been acting all day collect their well-deserved rewards.
Looking at the commoners laughing and talking with happy smiles, Vera found it incredible.
A group of ordinary people, who were nothing in the eyes of nobles, had actually put on such a perfect play and fooled three high-born messengers.
“Your Highness, are you certain the three counts will buy your bonds? You must know that the Oca family has already allied with the First Prince. They will never allow Your Highness to grow strong,” Vera spoke with concern, fearing that Anke’s plan might fail.
“Don’t worry, Vera. Earl Oca’s alliance with my big brother is actually a good thing for me. After all, my brother will definitely not pass up the chance to seize this free leverage — the Border City Construction Bonds.”
After speaking, Anke looked into the distance, as if making eye contact with his eldest brother in the Golden City.