Meeting the Goldsmith (4)
"I'm not sure if you've heard, but there's been quite a stir lately due to the orcs. For some reason, they've been appearing more frequently. In the past, we might have just ignored it, but now it's become too serious to overlook. Just a few days ago, one of the domain's residents was attacked, and now, it’s happened again. This time, two strong young men were the victims."
"Is that so?"
"So, I might soon ask you for a favor. I’m thinking of hiring a well-known mercenary troop to deal with these orcs."
"A mercenary troop, that's a good idea. There's no need for you, my lord, to personally get involved."
"Why use my own people for such a task when I can easily solve it with money, right?"
As the lord brought up the matter, the goldsmith Carter smiled subtly.
There was only one reason for the lord to seek out Carter, a goldsmith.
It was the urgent need for money.
"If you need money for this, I am more than willing to lend you as much as you require. It’s all for the sake of you, my lord, and your domain. What's a little money in comparison?"
In the case of the lord, Carter found him to be one of the most creditworthy clients he dealt with.
Being a noble, he had pride, so there was little worry of him defaulting on loans, and since he could secure stable tax revenue within his territory, he was the best kind of customer for a goldsmith banker.
"Well, I suppose, as long as I borrow the money from you, that's all that matters."
The lord, slowly starting the conversation, glanced at the goldsmith banker.
It was said that those who play with interest in this world are nothing but swine who will fall into hell.
He didn't even want to associate with such people if he could help it, but since he needed the money, he had no choice but to face him.
"The problem is the interest. You wouldn’t just lend it to me for nothing, right?"
As the lord fiddled with his beard, the goldsmith banker also subtly watched his reaction and began to speak.
"Lord, I too make my living through money lending. I can't just lend you money for nothing, can I? Please consider my situation as well."
"They say those who lend money and live off the interest will fall into hell... Don't you worry about that sort of thing?"
As the words were spoken, the goldsmith scoffed inwardly.
"I've heard such nonsense thousands, tens of thousands of times."
"I also donate generously to the church. Although I might incur the wrath of God through my money dealings, if I donate a lot, wouldn't the priests pray for me more than others? In this way, people like us receive less of God's displeasure."
The lord openly shook his head.
"Offerings are not everything."
"Nor is faith in the church everything."
"You are... somewhat presumptuous in clinging to my every word."
"Oh! If my words have caused any displeasure, I truly regret it. It was merely a discussion about the church, with no other intent. My point was simply that by making generous donations, perhaps God would look upon me more favorably."
Money was power.
No matter how lowly a commoner, even a lord had to yield before money.
'This is why one mustn't associate with those involved in money dealings. I wish I could find some fault to take advantage of...'
The omnipotent ruler of this domain had his reasons for disliking the goldsmiths yet being unable to easily deal with them.
‘I must endure. After all, these kinds of people are those forsaken by God.’
No matter how much he disliked those involved in money dealings, there were times when urgent funds were necessary in the operation of the domain.
At such times, the only place to borrow money quickly and easily was the goldsmiths' bank located within the domain, and since all the goldsmiths working at such a banco were of this sort, he couldn't simply dismiss them no matter how much he detested them.
‘I sometimes need emergency funds, after all.’
Moreover, the goldsmiths had deep connections with the imperial court and, as a profession hated by everyone, they formed a strong solidarity amongst themselves, jointly responding to any scandalous incidents related to them.
Therefore, even though the lord detested the goldsmith, he couldn't act rashly, as it could lead to problems when borrowing money later.
‘That damned money, what is it really.’
The lord knew that money was an essential element in managing his domain.
Thus, even he, as a lord, had no choice but to be mindful of the goldsmith's opinion in the operation of his domain.
"You may dislike me, but you shouldn't despise money."
The goldsmith immediately wore a merchant's smile on his face.
"I'm truly grateful that you see it that way."
"It's because I dislike you that I say this. Could you reduce the interest on the money I'm borrowing this time?"
"We are always consistent. No matter how much you borrow from me, I charge 6 percent interest per month. This is the same for you, Lord, and the same for other customers. There are no exceptions here."
After all, the borrowed money would simply be repaid later with the taxes collected from the people of his domain.
But he was not so ignorant a lord.
He had heard a story from his father.
'When running things here, don’t borrow too much money. It might seem good at the moment of borrowing, but if the amount to be repaid later becomes too great, it becomes unmanageable,' his father had advised.
