Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Making a deal.
Su Cheng looked at him silently.
Galen met her gaze with a broad smile. "I've heard you're chosen by both the God of Law and the God of Contract. I believe your opinion is crucial. After all, you must be well-versed in the laws of the empire and possess unique and precise insights. You are also the most qualified person to witness and judge the fairness of any transaction—"
Su Cheng: “…”
Wasn't this guy really mocking her?
Su Cheng: "Are you serious, Your Excellency? If I say that those favored by the God of Wealth are all honest, trustworthy, and rule-abiding businessmen, how would you feel?"
Galen raised his eyebrows slightly, "I would feel that you are right."
"Okay," Su Cheng sighed. "Since that's what you think, I'm sure you have a lot of professionals around you. But if you ask me, who's in charge of the Prince's residence right now? It's the Prince's eldest child, right? What does that person say?"
"The steward of the Prince's residence was conveying Princess Cygnus's response. As the heir to the Prince's estate and title, she clearly stated that the residence did not accept the auction items mentioned in the contract, and there is no relevant record in the accounts or inventory. She will not pay such a sum, otherwise anyone can use the bill to blackmail her."
Su Cheng blinked. "I don't know what the situation is at your auction house, but back home, once a deal is done, you sign a contract and pay. You said the prince didn't pay right away. Where's the contract?"
"Her Royal Highness does not approve of that contract."
"Does it have magical effects?"
"Yes, but she insisted it could be faked, and even if it was real, I had to pay for it on sight."
Su Cheng continued to sigh, "...It sounds like both sides have a point, but I think the core issue now isn't whether or not to pay, but the whereabouts of the auction item. Before the item is found and ownership is confirmed, any discussion about payment is premature, both legally and in terms of the spirit of the contract. If I were a princess, I wouldn't pay either. I don't know what happened at the time. What if the item is still in the Jinzhan Palace? Oh, I'm not saying your employees are blackmailing members of the royal family."
To be honest, if it was just about money, she would be willing to sell everything she had to scrape together 60% to 70% of the full amount.
However, she really could not admit that she was pretending to be the prince. If nothing else, anyone would think that she had killed Aquila.
She could say she killed the suit, but would they believe it?
The Imperial Court does have the means to verify memories, but memories can be forged, and she doesn't want anyone to touch her memories.
If it were just some ordinary cases, it would be fine, but this is a major case involving the life of the imperial prince. If she is involved, she will not be able to live in peace for a long time.
I'm afraid my personal freedom will also be lost.
If Galen was just asking her for money—
Could she lie and say she had sneaked into the Jinzhan Palace and found the bracelet containing the dragon bone in the ruins? Then give him the money and be done with it?
But nominally, Prince Aguila signed the contract, and although she promised to give it to Vanessa, she was not the real Vanessa.
Unless I can produce evidence, what if the princess asks me to return the dragon bones?
Of course, this also depends on the intention of the Duke in front of him.
What is his attitude?
Was his purpose in saying this just to ask for money?
"I certainly wouldn't think so," Galen smiled, "but you seem very worried. I'm sorry to put you through this difficult time."
Su Cheng couldn't help but look at him.
The Duke couldn't help laughing, "Sir, how would you define a businessman?"
Su Cheng pondered for a moment, "Someone who facilitates value exchange and then makes a profit from the difference?"
"Hmm," Galen stared at her for a moment. "Precise. So I'll view the loss as an investment, using it to exchange for more opportunities for profit. You see, in my case, I lost an auction item worth seven figures in gold coins, and a prince was attacked in my territory. Many people will put pressure on me because of this, or try to seize my seat on the Imperial Council."
Su Cheng sighed, "I'm sorry to hear that."
"...I believe you are sincere," Galen raised his eyebrows slightly, "but I can also not pursue these losses, because that would make the situation ugly. To be honest with you, I already have enough enemies. Now I just want to make more friends."
Su Cheng looked at him silently, "You sound very sincere."
She totally didn't believe it.
Just like she felt that others shouldn't trust her.
Su Cheng didn't know what to do, so he decided to eat more delicious shrimp meat while thinking.
As she finished her second plate, the Duke had a thick stack of beautifully bound parchment in his hand.
"This is my proposal. I want to establish a foundation to provide start-up funds to talented craftsmen, artists, and alchemists in the empire who lack opportunities—"
He handed the things over to the girl in front of him as she put down her plate.
Su Cheng flipped through it.
The proposal is very well done, providing various sufficient reasons and a beautiful vision. The funds will help the beneficiaries open workshops and purchase materials.
These people only need to return the principal and a symbolic thank-you fee of 10% of the profit after making profits more than twice the principal.
The foundation will use the money to help more people.
If these people continue to suffer losses, or make very little profit, or are unable to continue operating for some reason, the foundation will not use any form to recover the principal.
Su Cheng looked at this part carefully and found that the specific details were well written. "Very good, you are very kind."
Galen: "I thought you would have more ideas?"
Su Cheng was still looking at the plan. "It depends on your question, otherwise I would think you just want to hear my compliments."
Galen sighed softly. "Thousands of years ago, the royal family and the Vatican signed an ancient law regarding the Empire's charities and donation regulations. Any organization established as a non-profit organization that wishes to enjoy tax breaks and legal privileges within the Empire must obtain a permit from the Vatican. Now, Archbishop Johnson has rejected me."
"...Why? She'll have to give a reason, right?"
"Because," he spread his hands, "she said the essence of charity is giving, not taking. It should be given to recipients free of charge, rather than forming any form of predictable profit-return relationship with them. She believes that although I call this a risk-sharing investment, it is essentially a contract for return with conditions attached. She said it is a 'noble, innovative, and respectable business practice.'"
Su Cheng almost laughed out loud.
The Duke said calmly, "...but it's still a commercial activity, so I can't get a license. She also suggested that I use the name 'Oulu Family Venture Capital Guild'."
"Well," Su Cheng said, finding it increasingly difficult to suppress his laughter. "To be honest, even if we become an investment guild, we'll just face high taxes and strict regulations. I don't think these are problems for you, right? After all, the officials involved in these matters, well, should all be aware of what kind of honest and reliable businessman you are."
The blond man stared at her, a smile still on his handsome face. "Your Excellency, do you know how many people are investigating what happened at the Golden Marigold Palace yesterday? This includes those who came into contact with Prince Aguilar. Although several of them died, the bodies of others have yet to be found. I mean, not even a fragment remains, like Miss Kahn."
Su Cheng: "...I don't know who that is, but I think that since Lord Johnson brought up the definition in the Imperial Code, you should change your perspective and prove that the Holy See has done something similar, defining conditional return contracts as charity - just like the Holy See once funded royal families in war-torn areas and signed contracts that required those people to return wealth after they came to power. The Holy See seems to call this sacred charity."
Galen's eyes flickered. "I can indeed produce such evidence, but I don't want to go against the Vatican, Your Excellency. This behavior is not known to the public. The public is not aware of the Vatican's previous actions. If I say this, Johnson will think I'm threatening her, and perhaps I'll be burned to ashes by some god tomorrow."
Su Cheng looked around and found that there was almost no one in the banquet hall, only a few waiters standing in the distance with their heads down.
Su Cheng: "...Why on earth doesn't she allow you to do this? Because she thinks you're lending money in disguise?"
Galen sighed again, picked up a plate, and gracefully picked up a few crayfish slices. "I'd also like to know if her objection is procedural or personal. If it's the latter, is it directed at me or my mother—she once defeated Johnson when she was still alive."
Su Cheng took a breath, "What level of warrior was the previous Duke of Oulu? Level eight? Level nine?"
"Three stars, tenth rank, sir. That's the rank she reached before her fall. Most people just don't know it. They just think she was still at the seventh rank. You know, you and her are actually a bit similar."
The blond man said as he ate shrimp, "...you are the kind of people who like to hide yourself so that you can strike when you need to."
Su Cheng: “?”
He is a favored one of the God of Contract, and he is afraid that people will be on guard after knowing it.
A tenth-level warrior, the Emperor of War, what else is there to hide? What if others find out? Can you defend against it?
Well, she could think of some reasons. Sometimes hiding one's strength could help one catch the enemy by surprise.
"In fact," Galen seemed to guess her thoughts, "she has accomplished many things because of this habit, some of which I think it would be difficult for me to replicate."
Su Cheng suddenly found things interesting again.
At least this guy is starting to talk like a human being.
Su Cheng: "Is she also a favored one of the God of Wealth?"
Galen didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at her and said, "If I say I want to make a deal with you—"
Su Cheng's expression remained unchanged, but he became nervous almost instinctively and became more focused.
"Look," the blond man put down his fork with interest. "Typically, His Majesty's followers get excited when they hear words like this, because it's their chance. They'll do everything they can to strike a deal that's 'profitable without paying a price.' Of course, this is an ideal situation. Usually, there's a price to pay, because even if you kill your opponent, you might get into trouble, so that's a price to pay as well."
Su Cheng looked at the giant shrimp head that died with its eyes wide open. "You know what kind of people they are. Why would you want to do business with them?"
"I know. After all, my father is the one favored by the God of Contract. He entered our family because of this."
"Huh? I thought it was because of you."
"Thank you, but I don't consider myself the best among my siblings. However, their biological father... is clearly lacking something."
He seemed pleased by her compliment. "Father was so absorbed in the joy of winning at gambling that he died in the game he loved most. When I was little, I always thought that every follower of the Contracted God would have the same fate. Oh, sorry, I'm not cursing you. Like I said before, I think you're different from them."
Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a headache. "Do you want me to ask Her Excellency Johnson why she didn't approve it? Or do you want me to convince her?"
"I don't want to embarrass you, Your Excellency," the Duke said softly. "Of course it's the former. I just want to know her views and attitude. Perhaps you can serve as a bridge, conveying some opinions between us. If she still refuses, that's not your problem. If you want to start, there are some distinguished guests from the Vatican at today's banquet. Of course, if you want to rest for a while, I'm not in a hurry."
Su Cheng looked at the plan in his hand and said, "If I help you get the answer and you are not satisfied, then this matter will not end?"
"No, you don't need to make any promises to me," Galen said with a smile, "Forcing you to make a contract with me is definitely not a good thing for me."
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