Chapter 21 Facing Death
"See you later, Lord Sura."
In the air of spices and pickled meat, sturdy slaves carried rolls of cowhide, sheepskin, bamboo boards, and metal sheets from behind their masters, which served as IOUs. When they put them on the ground with a muffled groan, red indentations appeared on their shoulders.
There were so many IOUs that they paved the road to the coffin, piled up with the gifts.
The singing and dancing actors and the fire-breathing and ball-playing acrobatics could no longer attract people's attention. Everyone turned their eyes to the heated confrontation.
The Muala family is saddled with debt! Who knows, who knows—Meliya from the Muala family might become a debt slave!
People's faces flushed with excitement.
Despite having eaten Muala's funeral meals for several days, many people still disliked Melia. Even though many people didn't know exactly what Melia had done, her status as the daughter of a wealthy man was enough to arouse jealousy.
The daughter of the richest man is about to become a debt slave - this is not a delusion, but a reality.
Generally speaking, if the debt wasn't enough to bring down a family, they wouldn't make it to the funeral. The elders' audacity to unite with the merchants on the final day, completely disregarding the Muala family's past friendship, simply demonstrated their determination to win.
In Sura's warm smile, Melia gently pressed her nails against her palms.
Here it comes, it’s finally here, the scene in the original novel that made the original owner become a debt slave.
The original owner did not jump around like her. Surprisingly, she helped her father arrange the funeral very well, and strictly followed Muala's will in every step.
So the original owner didn't notice the missing contract, the stolen vault, and the betrayed slaves.
She was very curious. Since she had plugged all the loopholes, how much truth was there in the IOU?
"Respected Supreme Elder," Melia replied with a smile, leaning back in her chair with a hint of arrogance. "When my father was seriously ill, why didn't anyone come to collect the debt?"
Before Sura could speak, an old man who looked very kind sighed repeatedly: "Hey, we have known Master Muala for so many years, how can we have the nerve to upset him at the end."
Lies, Melia sneered: "In other words, you don't have any evidence to prove that my father really signed these IOUs? Not to mention the handwriting, some people are good at imitating handwriting. I'm not a fool, who would recognize the IOUs without a notary public?"
The ranks of senators and merchants were suddenly in an uproar. Not everyone had Sulla's cunning, and it was inevitable that they would feel guilty.
To ensure that Melia's property could not protect her and allow her to make a comeback, a large number of forged IOUs were mixed in.
Originally, there wasn't a need for so many, but the secret agents planted in the house couldn't steal all the contracts. To offset so much property, the forged IOUs far outnumbered the genuine ones generated by business transactions.
Every IOU worth more than 100 gold coins must be approved by five highly respected notaries before it can be effective. Notaries have a heavy responsibility, and few are willing to take the risk.
Besides, the fewer people who know about the forgery, the better.
Therefore, once a thorough investigation is conducted, it will be discovered that the notaries involved in the vast majority of fake IOUs are actually each other, and they are guaranteeing that each other's IOUs are genuine.
If the case were brought to Caesar or the Grand Court, it would undoubtedly be dismissed. Given the enormous amount involved, there's a good chance they'd be outmaneuvered.
Sensing the unrest in the crowd, Sulla walked over to the VIP chair and sat down. "Melia, you have to understand... oftentimes, these IOUs are signed at banquets, and we can only find a notary on the spot. You will also be an important partner of ours in the future. You must first settle your parents' debts and preserve your reputation."
Sura's light gray eyes were always looking at Melia. He was too familiar with this child. She was the most brainless child he had ever seen.
Ordinary fools would have capable subordinates to advise them, but this one was arrogant and self-righteous to the extreme. As long as someone higher up gave her the slightest reward, she would get carried away and jump into the trap they had dug.
He still remembers Melia's birthday party two years ago.
The child was deeply loved by Muala, and all the members of the House of Lords gathered for his birthday party that year - only a small part of the guests. The tables were lined up from the inside to the outside just like today, and anyone who passed by could share in the delicious food.
It was at this moment when everyone was paying attention that Melia made a bet with the children who coveted her jewelry.
They made slaves lie on the ground to act as horses, and they themselves rode as riders. This behavior was harmless, after all, there were many more outrageous things at the banquet.
But Melia, instigated by her companions, set her "enemy's" hair on fire with red-hot charcoal in public, giggling. Finally, to show her victory, she even forced another councilor's child to kneel on the ground so she could ride on him.
That was in the hall where Muala was receiving guests, and no one could get angry, including the parents of the two children who were severely burned and insulted - they were not only parliamentarians, but also wealthy families and had always been good friends with Muala.
The matter was left unresolved, and Muala apologized privately.
Three months later, one of the MPs was killed by bandits during a family outing, while the other has remained silent to this day and is still ostensibly a member of Muala's camp.
Melia has done similar things more than once or twice.
Oh, what lovely stupidity.
"Really?" The clear eyes blinked, a hint of confusion appearing. "But doesn't this behavior violate the laws established by His Majesty?"
Melia stood up from behind the table and took a step toward Sulla. "Lord Sulla, are you saying that many of these IOUs don't comply with Roman law at all? They're just private documents?"
Her tone was full of disbelief, and she pinched her fingers together, as if to say, "No way, no way, do you really think that what you wrote in private is useful?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The common people didn't quite understand, and basically just listened to whoever said what. Melia just mentioned that the IOU didn't comply with Roman law, so IOUs were useless? Didn't the senators object?
Sura remained silent, and the merchant behind him grew furious. "How can you say that? Are you, are you going to deny everything?"
[Oh no, she's waiting here! ]
In an instant, Sura tore Melia's stupid label to pieces. He suddenly raised his head and saw the triumphant smile on her lips.
"Of course I won't deny it~"
Melia raised a hand, and everyone's eyes focused on her fingertips. Following the direction of her finger, they saw heavy wooden boxes placed directly across from the IOUs.
[She was prepared. Who leaked the news?] Sura's expression darkened slightly. He had just noticed the slave who had lifted the blanket.
Click and clang.
A female slave dressed in colorful clothes opened the first box. When the sunlight shone on it, golden light burst out. If there were not so many guards surrounding it, someone would definitely come forward.
It was a whole box of heavy gold coins! From a distance, the luster was so fresh that it pierced the eyes.
Gold has always been the hardest currency among hard currencies. It is said that ten large silver coins can be exchanged for one small gold coin. In reality, the exchange price must be at least 10% to 20% higher, not to mention that the quality is so good.
The moment they saw the box of gold coins, Sulla and the clear-headed elders realized that their plan had failed halfway:
The traitors and thieves responsible for transferring the gold all failed. Even with Ali's promise and Melia being such a fool...it still failed.
The woman sitting on Sura's right waved her hands in panic. She wanted to say something but didn't dare to say it in public.
Sura knew what she wanted to say [“I can’t find her gold!”]
Those thieves are professionals. If there is any gold left in the vault, they will definitely be able to get it out.
There was no time to think about where she hid everything, the focus was on what came next.
Melia had already walked onto the stage set for the play. Her clear voice echoed throughout the room: "Dear elders, distinguished guests, many of you are expecting me to redeem IOUs, real or fake. You all know that if you do not file a petition today, the debt will be written off."
The whole audience was shrouded in silence, and they were all listening to the things that concerned them most.
"Don't worry, there's plenty of gold here, but—I'll only honor genuine IOUs. Come up, Idito."
As soon as she finished speaking, Idido came up with several assistants.
Each of them held a thick parchment scroll in their hands, and from the metal pendant inside, it was clear that it was Muala's record.
Melia cleared her throat, her emerald eyes suddenly taking on a sense of oppression. "Everyone, I believe many of you are old friends of my father. Every transaction you have has been recorded by my father. The few of you here are his trusted servants. They will not forget your interactions."
"But where is Ali? I'm connecting with him—" someone in the crowd raised his voice in dissatisfaction.
"Ali?" Melia chuckled. "He stole my family's contract and hid the gold in the outer house. If I hadn't been quick, it would have been dismantled and sold by everyone today."
These words were spoken lightly, but they made people feel cold.
"What should we do then?" the man insisted, "You guys just say you don't recognize me, so what?"
Melia refused to be led away by him and raised her voice. "Guests who have no doubts, clear and legitimate witnesses, and guests who have made agreements with my father's servants, please bring your credentials here. I will verify and redeem them on the spot. If the rest of you still have questions, I will see you in court and let Caesar decide!"
Sura clasped his hands tightly, this move had reached its limit. Compared to the slight loss of reputation, at least he wouldn't have to endure huge damage.
How could she escape so easily?
He was about to speak when he saw Melia open her arms and declare loudly.
"Everyone—I know many of you still owe money to the Muala family! Father has set the annual interest rate for you at around one-third."
What was she going to do? One-third of the annual interest rate was a normal rate. Sura frowned: Muala had a good reputation for lending money and occupied a large market.
Melia is not stupid now, she can't possibly forgive their debt, right?
"...From today on, as long as you repay me, Melia, the interest rate will be calculated at 1/20th of the annual interest rate."
Melia's voice mingled with the sudden cheers: "My lending rules will become stricter, and the annual interest rate will be fixed at around one tenth."
"oh--"
Sura heard enthusiastic cheers coming from behind her. They were a bunch of fence-sitters, following whoever offered them the best deal. One tenth of annual interest, one tenth… How much profit would she have to give up, how many lenders would she have to offend? How could she dare!
"Meliya." He heard his own hoarse voice: "Don't waste time. If you have anything to say, wait until the play is over. You come down first and let the actors come on stage."
The girl's smiling face turned around, brimming with confidence. "Drama? Lord Sura, just let the actors wait for their pay. I'll be very busy next. I also have to sort out everyone's IOUs and--"
Ding-dong! The silver ring slipped from Sura's finger and spun on the ground. A metal arrow streaked through the sky and fell like a meteor towards the girl on the stage.
Assassination
I miscalculated. I didn't expect Sura to be so decisive!
Melia's pupils contracted. She thought of the gold coins and the intersection of time and space, but there was not enough time.
Twenty seconds is way too long.
"Miss--"
Taffy jumped out from the shadows and pounced on the arrow that was flying through the air. The tip of the arrow pierced through his tender body and fell heavily along with Taffy.
The blood that seeped out was mixed with the dark blue color of the venom. Taffy's eyes were wide open, her dark pupils fixed on the sky, as if she wanted to see if her master was safe, but she could no longer speak.
"Ms. Melia, come down quickly!"
Ronnie grabbed her arm and she and the gladiators blocked several masters who suddenly appeared in the crowd.
Melia lost her balance and staggered to the side of the coffin.
She raised her head and looked at Sura's ashen face: Ah, his plan failed.
She too.
You think you've won? We'll see.
Sura's expression seemed to convey future malice.
Melia walked to the long table guarded by slaves, picked up a glass of wine, and greeted Sura: "Lord Sura, see you later."
Then drink it all in one gulp.
The author has something to say:
Thanks to Catmint and Lei Lei who worked hard in the factory~
Thanks to Xiaoquan, x, An, Shiqi, 180, Yunzhongfeixiang, and Anshu for their support~
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