"That's right. We'll give loans to the commoners and let them learn to run their own businesses."
Lian looked at Emran, the bank manager. "Do you understand what I mean?"
"You want to make Green Shade Territory prosperous, to have everyone create their own value. So many poor people have ideas but no money, forcing them to remain poor their entire lives. You want to use this method to change their destiny."
Emran said, his expression filled with excitement.
He knew all too well how difficult it was for someone from the bottom to achieve anything. For years, he'd worked himself to the bone for the Imperial Capital Bank, yet he'd remained an obscure debt collector. Now, he was the manager of the Green Shade Territory Bank. It was Lian who had made his dream a reality.
Now, Lian's proposal was giving countless talented people of humble birth—people just like him—an equal opportunity. A chance to prove themselves.
'This isn't just about loans, it's about saving a group of people with aspirations!'
Thinking of this, Emran couldn't help but admire Lian even more.
Lian saw the look of adoration in the experienced, level-headed bank manager's eyes and suddenly felt a little ashamed.
'He wasn't thinking about changing anyone's destiny. He just wanted to increase the production of goods. And to do that, he had to get his people excited about starting businesses, right? To start a business, you need capital, right? Besides, the bank only earns interest when it loans out money. That's how you create a virtuous cycle.'
'A bank isn't a money-lender's shop that only takes deposits and never lends. Where would the shareholders' profits come from?'
'Are we supposed to run a pyramid scheme, where everyone recruits new people and the uplines feed on the downlines?'
'That would never last. It'd be a bubble, bound to burst sooner or later.'
'For the bank to work, capital has to circulate.'
'Let the rich, the middle class, and the common folk all make deposits. Anyone willing to deposit, we'll take their money.'
'Then, we'll loan it out to the rich, the middle class, and the common folk. Anyone who meets the criteria gets a loan.'
'Only when money is in motion can it generate real profit.'
As a veteran bank employee, Emran certainly knew this. But he had just realized a lifelong dream, so his emotions were overriding his reason. That's why he was saying such things.
'He's like someone who's just fallen in love—his admiration is soaring, and his IQ is plummeting.'
Lian patted Emran's shoulder and said gravely, "I've only changed one person's destiny—yours. As for everyone else's, that's up to you to change."
'Yes, giving him a sense of mission right now will make him even more loyal.'
'It's all part of building employee morale.'
'In theory, Emran was already the bank manager, the one in charge of the Green Shade Territory Bank.'
'But in reality, I'm the boss behind the scenes.'
Emran knew that full well.
'Increasing Emran's loyalty to me is essential.'
"I understand, Lord Lian. I will not let you down."
Emran said.
Lian broke into a satisfied smile.
Omari Hani, Alex Pool, and Karel Dennis couldn't help but feel another surge of admiration for their young new Lord.
In the days that followed, the Green Shade Territory Bank experienced a peak in deposits.
Green Shade Territory also paid its first installment to the Empire Bank, fulfilling the contract.
Emran had someone discretely spread the word to the other nobles that Romayada and his circle had gotten inside information. The nobles sent spies to watch the territory's wealthiest family and confirmed that Romayada had indeed sent people to withdraw a large sum of money and deposit it in the bank. Only then did they start to take interest.
These nobles, now acting on second-hand information, regretted not attending Lian's High Wall ball. They secretly cursed the other nobles for their lack of camaraderie, grumbling that they had all been at the same orgy just yesterday, yet were completely forgotten when such a good opportunity arose.
However, as the rumors spread, they began to warp.
"Did you hear? Lord Romayada was afraid his vault would be robbed, so he deposited all his money in the Green Shade Territory Bank. Not only is the bank safeguarding his money, but they also promised to give him *this much* in interest every year!"
"Did you hear? Baron Carlson deposited all his money in the Green Shade Territory Bank. The earlier you deposit, the higher the interest! The bank even promised him a dividend at the end of the year!"
"Did you hear? Viscount Jalin deposited all his money in the Green Shade Territory Bank—in a fixed-term account! His mistresses can't squeeze any more jewels or trinkets out of him."
"Did you hear? All the noble lords are putting their money in the bank! The bank pays interest every month. All you have to do is deposit your money, sit at home, and do nothing to get paid!"
"Did you hear? The Green Shade Territory Bank has a golden hen that lays a golden egg every day! If you deposit money, you can get a golden egg!"
The streets and alleys were all abuzz with the news that the Green Shade Territory Bank had a golden hen and that you could get a golden egg by depositing money.
Even the commoners were lining up at the branches in the outer city, hoping they could deposit a little money and get a golden egg.
This put Emran in a difficult position. Where was he supposed to find golden eggs to give to these commoners?
The commoners were one thing, but the nobles were swallowing the rumors whole. They suspected that bank employees were pocketing the golden eggs they were owed and stormed the bank demanding an explanation.
A troubled Emran could only go to the Lord's Mansion, hoping to get advice from the wise new Lord, Lian.
"I have no idea who spread the rumor that you can get a golden egg just by depositing money."
"That would be me," Lian said with a smile.
"Huh? Why?"
Emran looked at Lian in confusion. "But we don't have a hen that lays golden eggs."
"That's right, we don't have a golden hen. But we can't forget the power of hype. The Green Shade Territory Bank needs to be famous. Only with a good reputation will we attract a steady stream of depositors."
Lian took the towel Anna handed him and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He had already practiced 200 swings, 200 cleaves, and 200 slashes and thrusts, earning high praise from his swordsmanship instructor.
'That was enough physical training for the day.'
"I know what you're saying is right, but where are we going to find golden eggs to give to the nobles and commoners now?" Emran asked.
Lian waved his hand. "Come."
Lian led Emran from the backyard to a side hall. The side hall was filled with golden eggs that had been prepared long ago.
Of course, these weren't eggs cast from solid gold. They were hollow plaster eggs coated in gold paint.
"These golden eggs are the surprise I've prepared. Inside each one is a slip of paper with a prize written on it. Every customer who makes a deposit gets to smash one golden egg and go home satisfied with their prize. That way, we keep our promise, and the people won't feel like they've been cheated."
"Oh, and the promotion has a catchy name," Lian added. "We'll call it 'Smash the Golden Egg.'"
Emran愣了愣,"砸金蛋?"
Emran stared blankly. "Smash the Golden Egg?"
"Yes. In the future, this 'Smash the Golden Egg' promotion can become a regular event for the bank to increase customer participation and engagement. As for the prizes, they can range from jewelry down to grain, oil, and salt. You decide."
"Lord Lian, that's a brilliant idea! In a way, it's like we really do have a hen that lays golden eggs!"
"Exactly. From now on, the golden egg will be the symbol of our Green Shade Territory Bank. When people hear 'golden egg,' they'll think of the Green Shade Territory Bank."
A satisfied Emran left the Lord's Mansion with a whole carriage full of golden eggs.
Lian watched the carriage recede into the distance and asked slowly,
"Anna, whose banquet am I attending tonight?"
"Tonight, you are scheduled to be at Lord Romayada's estate."