It was a pretty good idea, but not a very realistic one.
Marriage information companies generally charged membership fees and connected clients.
‘If it were targeted at nobles, it might be feasible. But that doesn’t align with this policy.’
Most of the old bachelors and old maids who were social problems were commoners. Many couldn’t marry because they lacked the funds for a dowry or wedding expenses. If you told people who were already struggling to make ends meet to pay a membership fee first, who would actually sign up?
On top of that, relocating people from the north all the way to Perias would be a massive headache.
When I voiced my objections, Aman Balisieta’s face darkened.
“I see. My thinking was too shallow. I didn’t realize the money issue would be involved.”
“No, it was still a very good suggestion. We can just provide the funding.”
“Excuse me? How would that work?”
“By offering loans.”
If they lacked marriage funds?
Then we simply lent it to them and let them repay it slowly.
Of course, the interest rate would have to be very low.
I had no intention of sucking the blood of commoners.
‘Perfect timing. I might as well start a banking business too.’
The Enpher Empire was already showing signs of rapid development. Many people, inspired by the Dapan Group’s success story, were jumping into business. However, only a tiny fraction actually had capital. Only those born into noble bloodlines became part of the established class and seized solid opportunities.
‘Let’s lend money to people who have the skills and ideas but lack the funds to realize them.’
Of course, I would have to weed out all the ridiculous proposals. Banking was supposed to be a very conservative industry by nature. You couldn’t lend large sums to ventures that were obviously going to fail.
“You’re saying you’ll lend business capital… at such low interest rates?”
When I explained my idea, a doubtful look appeared on Aman Balisieta’s face. That reaction was only natural. In the Enpher Empire, lending money almost always meant usury. Interest rates of 50% or higher per year were the standard.
“An interest rate of around 1% should still give them hope of repaying it.”
“You’re basically giving it away for free. You’ll definitely incur losses. The maintenance costs might even be higher.”
“That’s fine. Marriage loans won’t require that large an amount anyway.”
The reason I could do something this unconventional was simple. I had an enormous amount of capital I could operate with. If I just hoarded the money without using it, the economy would freeze up. I needed to practice noblesse oblige.
“Besides, banking alone won’t be enough.”
“I don’t see any reason not to do this?”
“Even if there are benefits, people need to know about them. We’ll also run a newspaper business.”
“Oho?”
“We need to spread the word that there’s a marriage promotion program and newlywed loans available.”
There was nothing even remotely like a newspaper in the Enpher Empire. The only thing close was government notices posted around cities and villages. Even those had little practical value, since most citizens couldn’t read.
If I mentioned starting a newspaper business, everyone would probably make the same face as Aman.
“Who would buy something printed with letters they can’t even read?”
“I-I didn’t say that…….”
“Hey, it’s written all over your face. It’s fine. We’ll keep the text to a minimum anyway.”
There was a way to make it easy for everyone to understand. We could explain it simply with pictures, like comics.
Of course, to do that, we’d have to create new metal type from scratch.
Wow! This is going to take an insane amount of work.
It looked like we wouldn’t be able to launch the newspaper business right away. However, posting illustrated notices was definitely doable. While doing that, we could learn the process of making metal type.
“All right, shall we get to work?”
“What should I do first, Mayor?”
“First, go visit His Majesty the Emperor.”
“
“……Yes?”
For a moment, Aman Balisieta’s face turned deathly pale. No matter that he was the son of a margrave, he was the fourth child with no right to succession. For someone like him to have an audience with the Emperor? It was an order that would make anyone’s legs go weak.
But it had to be reported. There was no way I could start something as big as a banking business without the Emperor’s approval.
“You don’t need to be so nervous. Contrary to the rumors, His Majesty is a warm-hearted man.”
“I-is that so?”
Of course, that was a lie. But wouldn’t it be awkward for me to go see him again every time I started something new? I was quite busy these days too.
A mayor’s secretary should be able to handle an audience with the Emperor.
It definitely wasn’t because I was scared of that old man. There were simply too many areas I wanted to work on.
A few days later, when Aman Balisieta returned, his face was haggard. His usually glossy blond hair was greasy, and dark circles hung heavily under his eyes. The neat appearance had completely vanished, which somehow made him feel more approachable.
“Why do you look like that?”
“M-Mayor.”
“Yes?”
“You said he was a warm-hearted man!”
Aman wailed.
I had a pretty good idea of what kind of situation he had gone through. He probably heard something like:
‘Why did you come instead of the mayor?’
Said in that chilly gaze and dry tone.
I felt a little sorry, but there was one thing I was certain of.
Phew! Good thing I didn’t go myself.
Whatever happened, thanks to the secretary’s sacrifice, the banking business received the Emperor’s approval. Since there were no particular restrictions, it seemed he trusted me firmly. He believed I wouldn’t engage in shady usury.
“Chairman, the advertising flyers have been completed.”
I was in the middle of assigning a building for the new bank when Paul, president of Dapan Industries, came to see me personally.
“You could have had the employees handle something like this.”
“But isn’t this a historic moment?”
The middle-aged man with reddish hair looked slightly excited. It was a bit embarrassing, but he wasn’t entirely wrong. As President Paul said, a public notice made of pictures and a few words had never existed before.
If we posted these throughout the territories, people would flock to the Dapan Marriage Information Company like clouds. Then all we had to do was match them with members from the capital region.
While also providing newlywed loans.
For now, I decided to prioritize Dapan Group employees. Since we didn’t know how effective it would be yet, and the loan amounts wouldn’t balloon too much. Our company employees had very good salaries.
It would also be killing two birds with one stone by moving married employees out of the dormitories.
The dormitories were already bursting at the seams with all the new hires.
Setting up the bank wasn’t particularly difficult. I simply designated one of the buildings in Midias. The complicated part was organizing the interior and building the system. Thanks to my experience living in the modern era, starting the banking business wasn’t too difficult. I had also appointed a very reliable person as bank president.
“I will devote myself completely, Chairman.”
“I trust you, Mr. Sirion Patton.”
This man was the younger brother of Nashville Patton, head of the fire department. Like his brother, he was an extremely strict principled man, making him the perfect talent for handling money. The bank tellers were also trustworthy individuals, and the security police were exceptionally reliable.
I looked around with a satisfied expression.
The beginning won’t be too difficult. All we have to do at first is provide newlywed loans.
Early banking began when goldsmiths lent out other people’s money. But I was providing all the capital myself. That meant I didn’t need deposits for now.
As I’ve said many times, this business wasn’t started to make money.
It didn’t matter if loan repayments were delayed or even if I couldn’t collect them. The original goal was the success of the marriage promotion policy.
Creak!
As I opened the door to leave, I saw a long line of people standing outside.
“Huh? This shouldn’t be possible?”
The public notices hadn’t even been distributed to the territories yet. How did they know to come for the newlywed loans? It was supposed to be handled through the Dapan Marriage Information Company first.
Moreover, judging by their attire, they couldn’t possibly be commoners. Tailored suits made of high-quality fabric easily cost thousands of goldens.
“Oh! Your Grace Carius.”
“Wait a moment. Aren’t you Count Schultz?”
“I never expected to meet my benefactor here.”
“Indeed. But what brings you here?”
“Talking outside is a bit… Since I arrived first, may I come in for a moment?”
“Ah, yes. Please come in.”
I led Count Schultz to the reception room. In truth, this space was originally planned to be used as a staff lounge for the time being. I hadn’t expected any guests at all. Yet on the very first day of opening, it was already proving useful.
“Please have a seat. There are still many shortcomings, and we don’t even have tea prepared. I’m truly sorry.”
“Not at all! It’s fine.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Shall we begin?”
“Yes!”
“What brings you to Dapan Bank?”
“Ah! Well, you see. Ahem!”
Count Schultz cleared his throat loudly before asking in a careful, low voice, as if afraid someone might overhear.
“I heard you’re offering newlywed loans this time.”
“The notices haven’t even been posted yet. How did you hear about it?”
“Haha! The movements of the Dapan Group are of interest to everyone.”
“I won’t ask about your source of information. It’s not exactly confidential anyway. So why are you inquiring about the newlywed loans?”
“If you can apply such incredibly low interest rates, I was wondering if you might be willing to lend out some of the remaining funds for……”
Count Schultz trailed off. No matter how much higher my status was, it couldn’t have been easy for him to bring this up. It was a statement that required setting aside the pride of a high-ranking noble. Where else could he go to ask for a loan? It would only be possible with someone very close or related by blood.
Aha? This man is short on cash?
The Schultz Trading Company had taken a heavy blow due to Billigert’s tyranny. Although they could now operate normally, recovering immediately was difficult. The accumulated damage had been enormous. So he wanted to borrow operating capital for the company in the meantime. It seemed he was confident he could rebound once he got past this crisis.
“It looks like you need money.”
“To be frank, yes, Your Grace.”
“That’s not too difficult. Your credit is excellent, Count Schultz.”
He had gone through some hardship, but it wasn’t bad enough that he couldn’t recover. Count Schultz was still a key figure in the Giovanni noble faction. He would be able to secure plenty of good business opportunities.
Lending him the money wasn’t difficult. However, no matter how good someone’s credit was, there were always variables.
I smiled meaningfully.
“I will lend you the business capital you need, Count Schultz!”
“R-really? Thank you! Thank you so much, Your Grace Carius!”
“However, there is a condition.”
“Please tell me. I will accept anything.”
I began explaining the newlywed loan program. Count Schultz nodded vigorously.
“So that’s why the annual interest rate is only 1%.”
“Business loans probably won’t be able to go that low. Of course, I’ll only charge reasonable rates. I can’t engage in usury when I’m a duke, now can I?”
“Very true!”
“That’s why I’m suggesting this. How about using real estate as collateral?”
“
Count Schultz was momentarily at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected me to say that.
However, his reaction afterward was quite different from what I anticipated.
“Would something like that really be enough?”
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