Chapter 353.1: The One Who Owes Money Is The Boss

Borrow a bit of chips?

“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite understand what you meant...” Dulong looked at Luca in utter confusion. “Why would lending you some chips solve the problem?”

Weren’t we discussing trade issues?

If it were an additional condition for negotiations, he could consider it.

However, the person in front of him claimed that the problem could be solved by just lending them some money.

Dulong even doubted if he had misheard Luca.

Noticing the bewildered expression on Dulong’s face, Luca cleared his throat and brought up the administrator’s words. “Aren’t you criticizing us for not spending our chips in the right places? That’s because we don’t have money; deposits have to be spent carefully. But if you’re willing to lend us some, then it’ll be a different story.”

Seeing that the person in front of him still didn’t grasp the wisdom of the administrator, Luca patiently continued, “We’ve just liberated West Continent City. In order to accommodate the survivors, we are currently constructing Daybreak City.”

“There, we need at least 10,000 houses, a large supply of food, cotton textiles, cleaning soap, and other consumables... Aren’t these the things you hope we’ll buy from you?”

“We certainly have the capability to address these shortages on our own, but it might take a year or two, or even longer to enable those people to live self-sufficient lives. However... it’s going to be different with your help.”

Dulong widened his eyes, “Are you suggesting... That we lend you chips, and then you use our chips to buy things from us?”

“Yes,” Luca nodded confidently. It was exactly as the administrator had instructed him.

“Do you think this is reasonable?” Dulong couldn’t help but ask.

“Why wouldn’t it be reasonable? Your factories will receive orders, your workers will get job security. The chips we borrow will eventually be returned to you. This money can, as you said, remain in your accounts, traded using a book-entry method. The chips don’t even need to leave your bank.”

Luca provided a well-reasoned response, which left Dulong feeling stunned.

If you put it this way... The method seems flawless?

At least for the moment, he couldn’t come up with any immediate counterarguments.

In light of the agreement as requested by the residents, the trade between both parties would undoubtedly be suspended at this point with neither side benefiting from the negotiation.

But if they were to follow the proposal put forth by the Mayor of Dawn City, Boulder Town would gain access to a massive market.

The profits of the factories and the employment of the workers would be solved simultaneously, and the money lent to the New Alliance wouldn’t just vanish into thin air... No one would be at a disadvantage, and it seemed like a win-win situation for everyone.

Yet, something didn't feel right!

After holding back for a while, Dulong finally found a point that seemed to be worth questioning. “... How can you guarantee that you can repay the money?”

Luca shot back a question at his inquiry, “Are you questioning our ability to pay you back?”

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Dulong nodded subtly. “Forgive my frankness... But you’ve only existed for half a year at this point, and even Bonechewer Clan has been around longer than you.”

The loans provided by the bank of Boulder Town to traveling merchants often came with high interest rates, primarily because many people engaged in business beyond the giant wall tended to disappear sooner or later.

Indeed, he did have reasons to doubt how long the super suspicious New Alliance could last.

Luca didn’t feel surprised by Dulong’s skepticism.

The administrator had told him before setting out that as long as the other party wasn’t a complete gambler, they would undoubtedly have concerns about the risks.

The future is unpredictable, and one’s judgment of risks won’t change based on a few words.

However, the fear of the unknown could be overcome. And the simplest way would be to promise a bright future!

If a 10% profit wasn’t enough to make them forget the risks, then offer a 100% profit.

Luca looked at Dulong and said, “The Bonechewer Clan might have existed before us, but they have already become history.”

“What about you guys?”

“We've defeated Tide, conquered the mutant humans tribe, triumphed over the Army and marauders, gained the friendship of Ideal City, and became Enterprise’s Permanent Strategic Partner. In just half a year, we’ve evolved from a small town into a settlement of tens of thousands. Why don’t you imagine what the northern suburbs will be like a year from now?”

“Mhm,” Dulong responded noncommittally, making a soft hum with his nose. Yet his solemn expression started to lighten up.

Luca didn’t pause and continued to narrate eloquently, “Long ago, there was an unknown little town in the northern suburbs called Baker Street. Under the exploitation of the slave owner, the survivors there didn’t even get to use a bar of soap in a year. But now, you can find one next to every household’s water basin...”

“This is just a small example, but I believe it is sufficient as an illustration that our alliance is committed to ensuring a better life for our residents.”

“In addition to the civilian industries, we also value the agriculture industries. In just half a year, we have cultivated 20 square kilometres of fertile land. And in our entire plan, this number is expected to double within the next 2 years.”

“Besides agriculture, we also value trade. We plan to connect Clearspring City with the Heavenly Water Municipality through a railway, opening up the trade route to the Great Rift Valley. We also intend to establish a port on the south bank so that in the future, the merchant caravans traveling east won’t have to rely on their two-headed oxen anymore. They can simply sail downstream via a boat while enjoying the scenic mountain ranges on both banks, and reach the estuary of the east coast directly.”

“Why not boldly imagine how colossal this market is?”

In fact, his last sentence was entirely unnecessary.

There was no need for Luca to remind him.

Sitting at the table, Dulong involuntarily held his breath.

From the moment Luca mentioned opening up the trade route to Great Rift Valley, his right hand, which was placed under the table, clenched into a fist as he rubbed his thumb and forefinger repeatedly. Behind his nervous expression were excitement and enthusiasm that he could barely contain.

He was well aware that Luca’s statement painted quite a rosy picture, and he recognized that the person in front of him had indulged in a fair amount of boasting. Even though he wasn’t an accounting professional in tallying numbers, having served as the head of the City Halll for so many years, he still possessed a keen insight into such matters.

But in honesty, he was intrigued.

If managed correctly, he might become the most outstanding City Hall Head in the history of Boulder Town!

Without any hesitation, he reached out and retrieved the list from the table, crumpling it into a ball and tossing it into the nearby wastebasket.

Not only that, but his attitude also underwent a 180-degree transformation. The overbearing expression on his face turned into a friendly smile.

"My apologies for being hasty, dear friend... Let's discuss it again. How much do you need to loan?”

“200 million.”

“Two... HUH? HOW MUCH?!” Hearing the staggering number, Dulong’s eyes widened.

“200 million chips.” Luca repeated, looking at the head in surprise. He then muttered to himself, “I thought you would be eager for me to borrow more after hearing my previous speech.”

“Do you have any idea how much 200 million chips is?!”

Luca replied, “Of course, every decision our administrator makes is carefully considered based on the foundation of our relationship. In the words of our esteemed administrator, it’s the only win-win solution.”

Dulong opened his mouth, taking a while for him to slowly come back to his senses from his astonishment.

He pinched his brow and stood up from the conference table. “... I need to discuss this with my advisors.”

In his entire tenure, he had never encountered such a bizarre situation.

Not only with his advisors, but he also needed to seek opinions from various factions in the outer city.

Watching the Head of City Hall stand up from the table, Luca’s expression slightly relaxed.

The administrator had told him that as long as the other party didn’t outright refuse the proposal, it would mean that he was already intrigued.

“Remember to consult your bank president as well.”

“Just tell them that granting us this loan can save their client’s life.”

The negotiation concluded and it was shorter than expected.

As the meeting room's door closed, Shu Yu, who had been silent throughout, took a deep breath and looked towards Luca, who was sitting not far away.

"Just in case, let me ask first... Does the esteemed administrator truly intend to repay this loan?"

"Of course," Old Luca answered without a hint of doubt.

How could the great administrator become a defaulter? In his memory, every word spoken by that individual had already been fulfilled. Whether it was freeing the slaves, providing them with roofed houses, or ensuring that they had enough to eat and wear, as long as it was promised, he would never go back on his word..

Shu Yu was in daze for a few seconds, sitting silently.

It wasn't that he didn't trust the administrator, but he felt like he was a bit constrained by his imagination.

That was 200 million chips they were talking about.

A sniper rifle would cost only 150 chips, and the income of most Boulder Town residents fluctuated around 100 chips per month. The trade volume in the previous month was less than a million.

A 200 million chip loan... When would they be able to repay it?

...

Shu Yu wasn't the only one in shock. After hearing Chu Guang's plan, the president of the Traveling Merchants’ Association, Charlie, also revealed a bewildered expression.

He thought approving the 200 million silver coin infrastructure plan last time was already crazy enough.

However, what surprised him was that in less than a month, this esteemed administrator had done something even more insane than printing money.

200 million chips...

The old town mayor of Baker Street had saved chips his entire life, and it had only accumulated around a hundred thousand. Following this logic, two hundred million chips would be equivalent to 2,000 Baker Streets?

After a prolonged silence, Charlie cautiously asked a similar question, "Do you have any intention of repaying this loan?"

His instinctive reaction was that the esteemed administrator might just default on this loan. Rationality told him that this wasn't a good idea.

However, the administrator's response was out of his expectation.

Chu Guang said nonchalantly, "Of course I'll pay it back. Do I look like someone who borrows money and default?"

Paying off debts is a fundamental principle and an ethical responsibility. Otherwise, how was he going to borrow more?

Charlie didn't know that Chu Guang, standing in front of him, was already thinking about borrowing yet even more money.

Unable to close his mouth, he finally couldn't help but ask, "... Have you thought about how to repay it?"

Chu Guang replied unhurriedly, "This loan will be divided into an 80-year term. I'll repay a portion each year, and the amount won't exceed 5 million."

Earning 5 million chips within a year wasn't too difficult for the New Alliance.