157 -) Shareholders’ Meeting (3)
Everyone was talking based on their own calculated numbers from the start. No one asked what the actual value is, or how much of it is theirs. How much weight their words have, if it has any at all. So when the question was asked, I should answer it truthfully, right?
“Before deciding anything, we should all know the numbers, right?” I said with a smile. “You all have been assuming how much the Guild has made all these times. However, it is not even close to what you think at all.”
“Huh?!” Everyone turned to me with a surprised expression at that moment.
“Sir Han, then could you tell us how much money the Guild made?” One of the merchants who shared his willingness for long-term investment asked.
“The guild’s revenue was 300 gold coins last month,” I said.
“... W-what?!” The room turned silent for a second, and the merchant who was speaking most exclaimed. “T-then, does that mean I can only get 3 gold coins per month even if I manage to convince them?” He said as he pointed toward the artisans.
“No.” I shook my head. “As I said, the revenue is 300 gold coins. The profit is around 100 gold coins. So even if everyone agrees and the Guilds stop profiting, you can only get 1 gold coin per month, and that is in the case that you still have 1% of the share.”
I have no intention of stopping them from asking what they own. Albeit they are annoying and asking for too much, I intended to hold their shares in safekeeping. I have nothing to lose in this after all.
“W-wait, Sir Han.” One of the investing merchants called me. “Then how could you make the Guild this big with this much profit?”
“Hahaha, actually, we started making a profit just 2 months ago,” I said while laughing. “The 100 gold coins were just last month’s profit, as I said. We were operating at a loss for the first six months.”
“T-then, how?” He asked again desperately.
“Well, there is only one possible answer, isn’t it?” I said and smirked. “I used my own for all of that.”
“What?!” Everyone in the room except Orzhan was shocked.
“Don’t get me wrong,” I said, this time my voice chilling. “I had no reason to explain myself to you from the beginning. You had so few shares even when the Guild was newly established after all.”
“B-but we are still shareholders, aren’t we?” Someone asked.
“What if you are?” I tilted my head. “Even when we took a meeting at the beginning, the shares of everyone aside from mine were 10% at most. Do you think you can intervene in my decision-making? After that, I spent more than 1,000 platinum coins, around 1,200 actually. Don’t you think it is less than 2% in total right now?”
“B-but you did not even ask us before doing so.” Someone said again.
“Why should I?” I said in an irritated tone. “I already told you when you were investing at the beginning. I told you that I am not accepting a high amount because of this. But what? Should I have asked you for everything beforehand? Should I comply with what you say when I hold more than 90% of the shares?”
“...” The room turned silent.
“Then, what should we do, Sir Han?” One of the investing merchants asked. He was most cool headed among the crowd from the beginning. “According to you, I don’t even have 1% share. So should I just stay silent?”
“You have a point.” I nodded. “However, I already promised some benefits. For me, it is most important that I can decide everything without caring about others’ opinions. So as long as that is provided, I will make it so everyone will profit from our deal.”
“I can already see the benefits those artisans are receiving.” He said in agreement. “However, you said everyone. How will you do that?”
“You can ask for the Guild to support your business like theirs in any way.” I decided to offer benefits. “You can ask the Guild to prioritize buying the products from you, or you can act as a middleman for some goods for us. If you don’t want that either, you can just sell your shares to me. I will buy it at 10 times the value that you paid at the beginning.”
“Hmm…” He turned silent and started to think. Others also waited for his decision as if it could be a catalyst. “I gave you 150 gold coins as an investment. So if I agree, will you give me 1,500 gold coins?”
“I can give you 15 platinum coins right now, if you want,” I said.
“Do I have to take this deal now?” He looked reluctant. “Can I ask it later when the Guild’s value is higher?”
“Of course.” I nodded. “I said that you can sell your share back to me, and it sounded like you don’t have any other options, but that is not it. You can’t just ask for more than what you deserve. That is what I meant. You can decide to sell now or later. However, let me correct you if you have any misconceptions. I am not giving you tenfold of your investment because your shares’ value increased that much. In truth, the Guild was at a loss for months. So it should have fallen instead. The growth was all my money, so your shares shrank instead. So I am giving you this much because you trusted me and invested in my business. So the amount you will receive in 1 or 2 years will probably be the same, if not less.”
“I see.” He nodded weakly as if to understand. “I don’t have any business I could use to increase its profit while working with you. So it seems like my best option is to sell now.”
“That is your choice,” I said. “As for the others, you can also continue to do business with me, and when you need immediate coins, you can sell your shares to me at that time. Just don’t try to act greedy.”
“It would be best for me to sell my shares too, it seems.” The other merchant, who was silent most of the time, said.
“Then, here,” I said and placed 15 platinum coins in front of one of the merchants and 10 platinum coins in front of the other.
“I-I also want to sell.”
“Me too.”
Seeing the platinum coins handed over, the other 2 merchants who were trying to rip me off said hurriedly. It was a fun sight to see, so I also took 25 platinum coins from my inventory before they could change their minds.
“Here you go,” I said as I handed 20 platinum coins to one and 5 to the other.
The one who took 5 platinum coins looked regretful, as if he was lamenting why he did not invest more. It is always the same. Gaining tenfold what you invest is already a great achievement. However, a human’s greed is never-ending.
None of the artisans said a word, despite the fact that they were eyeing the platinum coins with great interest. It can’t be helped. Since the amount they are earning and will continue to earn weighs much more than their shares. I just wondered whether some of them would give in to their desire and ask to sell their share as well.
“It seems like everyone has made up their mind,” I said as I clapped my hands. “I bought most of the investors’ shares, and the remaining ones are the Guild’s partners. So as long as you offer a good price, we will continue to work with you. I hope we can earn countless coins together.”
“Yes, Sir Han.” The artisans said with a satisfied smile.
“You have quite a lot of patience,” Orzhan said after all the guests left. “I would have just dismissed them or wouldn’t even have bothered listening to them. They were just like some leeches.”
“Don't be so petty,” I said as I shook my head. “Do you think I am so eager to give some free money to those bastards? It was to both keep my name clean and boost the eagerness of those artisans. They trusted me when they invested their money after all.
“Huh!” He let out a sigh. “I am happy to be a middleman. I don’t want to deal with those people as you did at all.”
“Hahaha.” I laughed, and he let out a soft laugh in return.
“Knock, Knock! Click!” While we were sitting face to face with Orzhan, the door was knocked on and opened afterward.
I understood immediately who they were. Only Wyn, Woya, and Elaris could get inside the room I am in without getting permission. Since Elaris would not be here, it should be either Woya or Wyn, or both. Since they saw even my naked body countless times, I have nothing to hide from them.
“Master, sorry for interrupting,” Wyn said as Woya was behind her. When I beckoned, she said, “We got a report that the preparations for the construction of the new branch at Lupinkel’s are completed.”
“Already?” I was taken aback a bit. “You two and Silas must have worked hard.”
“Not at all, master.” Wyn shook her head. “It was mostly Mr. Silas’s doing.”
“Whatever, I am happy that things are progressing smoothly.” I smiled and said. “Then they should depart tomorrow at first light. Do you want to go as well? You can if you want.”
“No, master.” Wyn shook her head as Woya looked reluctant. “Our place is where you are.”
“Is that so?” I said, a deep smile etched on my face while Orzhan looked at me with contempt… Or is it jealousy?