When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

#740 - The ninth gold pound

The moment Horn's voice fell, Dutti had already stood up, supporting himself on the carved armrest of the cushioned seat.

“His Grace the Holy Grandson's proposal is indeed quite bold!” He stroked the silver Megeddi scales badge on his chest. “However, regarding the specific operations, please allow your most loyal servant to raise a few small questions.”

“Of course, I came here today to give everyone a guarantee. Everyone can raise any questions and discuss them.” Horn still had a gentle smile.

“For example…” Dutti coughed, the shadow perfectly covering the painting of 'The Holy Grandson's Smile' on the wall. “You know, secret transactions between merchants have traditions, because they fear the persecution of the powerful… Of course, I’m talking about nobles.

This custom is really hard to change for us, Your Grace.”

“Yes, Your Grace, too strict supervision will hinder commerce.”

“We are professional talents and will manage ourselves.”

Many of the senior partners around nodded in agreement. They were originally supervised by nobles, and now that they have turned over to become masters, why should they continue to be supervised?

“Shouldn’t you be supervised?” Before Horn could speak, Catherine interjected, “Why don’t you ask yourselves, are you all so clean?”

“I…”

A senior partner was about to speak, but Catherine cut him off: “You think you are clean? Do you want me to read out what you have done in front of so many people?”

The senior partner instantly deflated: “I didn’t mean that, uh, someone, add water.”

Seeing that his side's momentum was being suppressed by Catherine, Dutti quickly continued to lead the rhythm: “Many people hate the rich. Implementing this real-name system is undoubtedly giving bandits and robbers a list to directly use for kidnapping.”

“The real-name system does not mean complete public disclosure, and besides, this is not the past.

Before independence, you had to hide your money. After independence, you still have to hide your money. Then what did you become independent for?” Horn spread his hands. “The chambers of commerce and workshops you register will be kept in the city hall archives, and only those with sufficient authority can access them.

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

You all know that the current courts will not be arbitrarily judged by the nobles with a few words. Do you think the judge cannot judge impartially?”

“No, no, no.” Dutti naturally would not give Horn a handle on such major issues of political correctness. “I mean the judge will naturally judge fairly, but he always has clerks or other employees… You know, many nobles are not bad in character, but the people below them carry out bad things…”

Even Horn could not answer this, because he himself could not guarantee the moral level of the judges, because there were always counterexamples.

Even if he used the Cheka to monitor, he could not ensure the operation of the most basic mechanisms, and could only manually debug it time and time again, carrying out wave after wave of purge-like movements.

“That’s why I want to establish the Society of the Holy Father in the Megeddi Chamber of Commerce. Without a check on corrupt officials and petty officials, you will always be coerced.”

“But with the financial real-name system and the Society of the Holy Father, don’t you think you need too many people? Doesn’t this increase the chances of corrupt officials?”

“The financial real-name system is a national policy!” Milson, who couldn’t stand it any longer, slammed the table and stood up. “It benefits the country above and the citizens below. Why can’t this great thing be implemented!”

“Benefits the citizens below, is it benefiting you, Milson?”

“You should just make money properly. Why do you have to get involved in finance and stocks? If you eat what you shouldn’t eat, you have to spit it out.”

“Why did we, the Megeddi Chamber of Commerce, suffer so much before finally getting a little better? How come someone is already here to pick the peaches?”

“Are you saying that the Holy Grandson is picking peaches? How dare you!”

“I’m talking about you, you Milson, picking everyone’s peaches!”

As Milson jumped into the fray, the sound of arguments poured down like a rainstorm.

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

When he looked up, he was facing Horn diagonally opposite him, twirling a hard plastic tube pen between his fingers, the pen dancing like a butterfly on Horn's fingertips.

At this time, Dutti, 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 teacup lid and the edge of the teacup.

In his impression, there should have been 12 people supporting him, but in the midst of the chaotic argument, the volume of the two sides was evenly matched.

Of course, there was the factor of Horn being present, but according to his idea, even if Horn was present, twice the difference would not be enough to make the volume evenly matched.

Like Old Eddie and Brandon, who had agreed beforehand, were now leisurely drinking coffee.

And Mrs. Margaret was still silently clutching her small pearl bag, as if unwilling to get involved in the rude quarrel.

These senior partners were still upstarts after all. As soon as they saw a powerful figure like Horn present, they couldn't speak.

They can't continue arguing.

In the midst of the fierce arguments and discussions, Dutti slammed the bone china teacup heavily on the table, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Seeing everyone's attention gathering, he suddenly raised his voice: “Since there is such a big disagreement, why not follow the tradition of the Chamber of Commerce and use a vote witnessed by the Holy Father to decide!”

Soon, a servant came in carrying a special ballot box, a ballot box converted from the early Megeddi Chamber of Commerce donation box.

“Those who agree with the two proposals, please put the gold pounds into the money box on the right.” Catherine's voice swept through the venue like the Norn River water in winter. “Those who disagree, please put the gold pounds into the money box on the left.”

As the proposer, Dutti took out a gold pound with a cold smile—in the early days, the Megeddi Chamber of Commerce could only vote with dinars, but now it can use gold pounds.

After casting the gold pound in the left money box, he confidently turned around and returned to his seat.

After the work and exchange of benefits he had done before, he was sure that at least ten partners would make the same choice.

“Dutti.” Catherine's complicated gaze swept over this figure who was once like an uncle. She didn't know whether to pity or hate him. “One vote against.”

“DeMarcus, one vote against.”

“Milson, one vote in favor.”

“Black Heinz…”

After Dutti, the senior partners began to step forward to vote in turn, and the sound of gold coins colliding in the money box was endless.

As Catherine continued to count the votes, the number of votes on both sides had reached eight votes against and five votes in favor.

Dutti's originally suspended heart was now completely relaxed.

As long as one more vote came, it would be done.

The sound of chairs scraping on the ground rang out one after another. Dutti saw Mrs. Margaret, Old Eddie, and Brandon stand up and walk towards the money box.

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

If these were three consecutive votes against, causing His Grace Horn to become angry, he might use his ten thousand vote power to force it through.

Dutti immediately began to brew his emotions, preparing his tears and knee pads. As soon as the ninth vote was successful, he would pounce on Horn's thigh and cry.

Anyway, first stabilize the Holy Grandson's emotions, and after the meeting, take the 8,000 gold pounds, which is almost enough to dispel the Holy Grandson's temper.

When he wants to implement the two proposals of the 'Financial Real-Name System' and the 'Establishment of the Society of the Holy Father in the Chamber of Commerce' next time, the fully developed Megeddi Chamber of Commerce will be untouchable by Horn.

Moving it would be a lose-lose situation.

“Clang, clang, clang!”

The sound of three consecutive gold coins colliding made everyone in the conference room hold their breath.

“Mrs. Margaret…”

Dutti's heart beat violently.

“One vote in favor! Currently, six votes in favor!”

Damn bitch! Dutti's fingers pinched the cushion of the armrest. It must be for the alchemical potions!

Currently, the Holy Machine Court has begun to establish the first batch of centralized alchemical potion workshops, and this old woman Margaret must be going for the alchemical potions.

Fortunately, there are Old Eddie and Brandon. Old Eddie is two-faced and hard to say, but Brandon must be very supportive of him.

If it's really real-name, how can he play his lottery?

“Eddie, one vote in favor.”

“Brandon, one vote in favor.”

“Currently, eight votes in favor!”

The conference room, which was originally whispering because of Mrs. Margaret's vote, suddenly became quiet at this moment.

The sound of chair legs scratching the ground was sharp and ear-piercing. Dutti stood up with a livid face, staring at the calm Old Eddie and Brandon.

He could understand Margaret's betrayal.

But how could he believe that Eddie and Brandon would betray him, one an insurance fraud and the other a lottery scam, voting to establish the Society of the Holy Father and establish a financial real-name system?

Are you trying to commit suicide?

“Your Highness Catherine.” But Dutti was an old fox who had been floating in the business world for many years. He could still remain calm in this situation. “Can I confirm these two votes with the two partners? I suspect they put 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 scene, then Dutti's move to muddy the waters could directly reduce the credibility of the result.

Catherine glanced at Horn's face before turning to look at the two: “Do you want to clarify?”

“Your Highness Catherine, I'm not old enough to do that. I didn't put it in the wrong place.”

“Your Highness Catherine, I'm not as confused as Old Eddie. How could I put it in the wrong place?”

The clear answers from the two made Dutti's mood sink to the bottom.

“Currently, eight votes in favor and eight votes against.” Catherine stood in front of the ballot box and looked around the entire conference room, stopping on a trembling old man. “Old Mr. Gognazzi, what is your choice?”

Almost at the same time, Dutti's scorching gaze also rested on Gognazzi.

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

With the support of the servant, he walked to the ballot box step by step, picking up a gold pound.

Looking at Gognazzi's hunched back, the hairs on Dutti's body stood up for no reason.

“Clang—”

“Gognazzi, one vote in favor!”

If he hadn't supported the table with both hands, Dutti would have almost fallen to the ground.

He stared at the white-haired old man, watching him approach with a staggering pace, his voice leaking out from his tightly closed teeth: “Why?”

Gognazzi and Dutti had been friends for thirty years and had cooperated many times.

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

But he couldn't believe that Gognazzi would betray him.

“Sorry.” Gognazzi lowered his head awkwardly. “I'm old. I just want to go back to raise flowers. My children are not capable. I need to find them the biggest backer.”

“Can't the Megeddi Chamber of Commerce, can't I protect them?”

“I'm afraid you'll protect them for too long, and the family property will become yours. His Grace the Holy Grandson probably doesn't disdain my little property.

Besides, if the Cheka asks you for someone, can you withstand the pressure and not give them? I know you too well.” Gognazzi looked at the Holy Grandson who was as stable as a mountain. “Dutti, no matter how well a merchant does, there is an end to it.

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

“Coward!”

“Say whatever you want.” Gognazzi seemed a little disappointed.

Looking at Gognazzi's departing back, Dutti sat down on the chair with a thud.

Catherine's final vote counting sounded like the guillotine of the guillotine falling: “Nine votes in favor, eight votes against.”

Taking out a small hammer, Catherine tapped the table: “The motion to publicly declare agreement with the 'Financial Real-Name System' and establish the Society of the Holy Father internally is passed!”

The flames of the fireplace jumped, and a smile identical to the huge painting of 'The Holy Grandson's Smile' appeared on Horn's face.

“Everyone.” Looking at the discussing crowd, 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, which will be my reward for your hard work today.”

“Your Grace is joking.”

“My stomach illness suddenly healed this morning. It turns out it was so I could have dinner with Your Grace!”

While saying this, everyone crowded around Horn and walked towards the door.

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

What's done is done. They had already offended Horn because of Dutti. Shouldn't they try to build a relationship now?

However, as soon as they left the conference room and walked into the corridor outside, they saw a group of more than a dozen Cheka walking quickly.

“Pi! Ous!”

With the sound of boots hitting, the Cheka saluted Horn, and the partners were silent.

“What are you doing?”

“Arresting criminals, Your Grace.”

“Okay, then go ahead.”

Then, to the surprise of the partners outside the door, the Cheka turned around and walked into the previous conference room.

Soon, the senior partners gathered at the door flattering Horn heard Dutti's incredible roar from the conference room.

“What do you mean by this?”

“What does my nephew's involvement in financial fraud have to do with me?”

“Impossible, it must be because of your Cheka's forced confession. He doesn't hold any of my stocks or bonds!”

“Didn't you hear? Your Grace just said that he wants to implement the real-name system. My nephew's chamber of commerce is his own and has nothing to do with me!”

Meanwhile, inside the room, Cheka's voice echoed softly, "I apologize, a series of real-name registration-related laws won't be implemented until June.

Since it hasn't been implemented yet, we still have to follow the old methods. This is your merchant guild."

"It's not mine! You have no proof that it's mine!" It was the first time the people outside the room had heard Duterte's voice so panicked and broken.

The Cheka Commissioner was amused by his reaction. "But you have no proof that it isn't yours. We Cheka can arrest first and then investigate, and the evidence against your nephew is abundant."

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

Before long, Duterte, with a wide robe and hood over his head and shackles on his hands, was escorted out by six Cheka officers.

The senior partners, watching Duterte struggle with all his might, unable to escape the restraint, couldn't help but feel a lump in their throats.

The wine glasses in their hands were frozen in mid-air.

It wasn't until they heard a crisp "ding" that they woke up, turning their heads to see Horn flicking Duterte's gold coin high into the air and catching it again.

"Mr. Gorangi, Duterte's affairs will be temporarily managed by you." Smiling, Horn placed the gold coin into Gorangi's hands.

"It is an honor." The gold coin was incredibly heavy, and Gorangi had to reach out with both hands to receive it.