156 -) Shareholders’ Meeting (2)
“It seems like you are quite happy with what you heard until now,” I said as I was about to get to the main topic. “However, you seem to be unaware of something. Do you all think that the Guild grew up this much with its own income?”
“We assumed that you might have spent some from your own pocket,” another merchant said before adding. “However, isn’t it mostly because the Guild is functioning well?”
“Sir Han, the Guild is buying many products from us.” A tailor said as she joined the conversation. “That alone shows how much money the Guild is earning. I am also aware that the Guild buys at least that much from people here, let alone the products you buy from other merchants and artisans.”
She was right. I prioritise buying products from the shareholders’ shops. That is to give a sense of ownership over the Guild and make them act more in its best interest. Most of the products I purchase are clothes, weapons, and armor. Even though Sarya and Thrain took most of those orders, there are still many shares they could benefit from. So they must be sure that the Guild is earning that much to buy those things. There is no way I would spend my own money on all those products, right?
“So, you all think that since the Guild is spending so much money, it must be earning at least that much, right?” I asked as I watched their expression.
“Of course,” the man who spoke first said. “We are grateful to you for managing to enrich the Guild this much, but we want to keep an eye on it as shareholders.”
“Hmm…” I put my hand on my chin as if pondering what to say before asking, “Then, what do you want?”
“It is not much.” He said, while I could see his greed was materializing before me. “Since we all have shares of the Guild, we should get some money it earns as well.”
“I see.” I nodded, then continued. “However, wouldn’t it be better to use that money to grow the Guild further? You see how much I managed to nourish it until now, right?”
“Yes, it is indeed a good way to go, but…” He said with a smile. Then his smile mostly vanished on his face before she added, “How can we be sure that you are using all that money for the Guild? We don’t ask for all of the money, either. Just give us a portion of it, then we will know how much the Guild makes in total. Such a small amount wouldn’t have much impact on the growth of such a profound business, would it?”
“I understand your concern.” His words were daring, but I did not show any emotions on my face as I said. “It seems like you have some questions regarding the income of the Guild. How much do you think the Guild makes, actually?”
“It is hard to predict the exact amount.” The merchant who was sitting beside him said.
“Just make a guess, please,” I said and crossed my arms as I waited for his estimation.
“Hmm…” He started to ponder, then said, “You are building more than 20 branches around Yargan. “You bought more than 200 slaves, and you even train and equip some back-street guys. If we sum it up, you must have spent more than 1,000 platinum coins.”
He didn’t look much, but he was quite close. I spent around 1,200 platinum coins in 8 months. If I did not sell equipment in capital, I would have to slow down the growth because of the lack of money, despite the enormous gain I got from the skill crystal business.
“So?” I tilted my head and asked. “How much do you think you deserve from that amount?”
To my question, everyone looked restless. Even the artisans who were earning quite a lot of money thanks to me and seemed satisfied with it looked at me with greed. The merchant who spoke first could not hide his emotions anymore and unintentionally licked his lips before turning to me.
“We should get money based on how much we invested.” He said as if he were being considerate. “If I remember correctly, the total amount was 200 platinum coins when the land selection and start of the business were decided at the meeting. I gave 2 platinum coins at that time, which was equal to 1% of the total amount.”
“So, you are asking for at least 10 platinum coins?” I asked to be sure.
“1% is such a small amount, isn’t it?” He said with a sly smile. “I don’t think that it will hinder the growth of the Guild in any way, though I should admit that I did not expect the 2 platinum coins I invested at that time would bring me more than 10 platinum coins annually, hahaha!” He said as if it was only natural and laughed with joy.
He was sure that the Guild earned so much money and now wants a cut from it. He doesn’t know nor care where the money exactly comes from. He even disregarded the problem that he should have just asked for a part of his percentage, not the whole %1. If everyone takes their shares, there will be no money remaining for the Guild to use. He did not even count the money I used from my pocket, despite the fact that he mentioned it himself just a while ago.
“What do others think about this?” I turned to the other people here and asked. “I want to hear your opinions, too.”
“I don’t want my whole share, not regularly at least.” The merchant beside him said. “It would be good if we could get money when we are in need.”
He was asking less than the previous merchant. He was asking for money when it was necessary, not regularly. It is so ironic that this kind of guy looked better than someone else. I had a hard time holding my laughter.
“We would like the money the Guild earned to be spent on the Guild itself.” The other 2 merchants said. “Seeing how it grows, we would like to witness how much it will continue.”
The other two merchants looked like investors. They could see that the Guild is expanding at an increasing pace, so it was more profitable to wait and harvest when it is at its peak.
“We are satisfied with the Guild’s current way of operation.” The artisans were generally in consensus on continuing what we are doing already. “As we promote the Guild, the Guild also makes us benefit from the purchases it makes. So we are okay with how things are for now.”
For now, they say. They are benefiting currently, so they don’t ask anything. However, as soon as their interest stop aligning with the Guild, they will ask for some changes. That is mostly because they are the minority shareholders.
One side blatantly asks for money. They act like they have all the rights to get the dividends they claimed. The others were after the maximum profit, aside from the immediate gain, like others. The last group was enjoying pouring coins, so they did not have much desire for change.
However, one thing is common among them. Despite being the minority shareholders, they want to assert their right to influence the Guild. They want to take the biggest return for their investment. The only difference is how they express it. It is clear that others put the merchant who blatantly asks for money as their scapegoat.
Every person has their own interest and agendas. It is only natural to seek different things. However, there is one thing that all of them got wrong. The Guild thought their own, at least a part of it, was not earning even a fragment of what they assumed.
“Okay, I listened to everyone.” I started to make a final decision after all of them spoke. “If someone takes any cut from the Guild’s income, it is only right to give others the same amount proportional to their portion ownership.”
“Wait, so if you gave me my cut, does that mean everyone also has their shares?” The merchant asked in a taken aback tone.
“It is only natural, isn’t it?” I asked. “Do you want to be the only one who can get the money?”
It is only natural for every shareholder to take money without exception based on the shares they hold. He either doesn’t even know that or has something else on his mind. I doubt someone like him would try to fool everyone here.
“O-of course, it is how the money should be distributed.” He said in a rushed tone. “But it also means that others should agree as shareholders for a distribution to happen.”
He was clever enough to think that. Among the 10 people here, he and the other merchant, 2 people, are the only ones who were asking for a dividend from the beginning. What if others find it unreasonable and refuse to comply, and I use this chance to refuse him?
“As we said, we are fine with the current progression.” One of the artisans intervened. “So we are not in favor of distributing the money of the Guild. You speak like you should be okay to take money whenever you want without consulting us.”
“What?!” The merchant looked flabbergasted. “Should I ask for your cooperation whenever I need money? Is that what you are implying?”
“Isn’t that only natural? It is everyone’s money after all.” The artisan replied as a matter of fact. “If you need money that much, you can just give up on your shares and take your money. That will be a one-time thing, though.”
“Hmm?” The merchant was lost for words. He was unsure about what to say, but then sighed as if he had made up his mind. “I also find this business potentially bright, you know? However, how much do you think I would get if I wanted to liquidate my shares? It should be much more than 10 platinum, right?”