"Exactly. We loan money to the commoners so they can learn to run their own businesses."
Lian looked at the bank manager, Emran. "Do you understand what I mean?"
"You want to make the Green Shade Territory prosperous, allowing everyone to create their own value. Many poor people have ideas but lack the money, so they are forced to remain poor their entire lives. You want to use this method to change their destinies," Emran said, his expression filled with excitement.
He understood all too well how difficult it was for someone at the bottom to achieve anything. Over the years, he had worked his fingers to the bone for the Imperial Capital Bank, yet he had remained an obscure debt collector. Now, he was the manager of the Green Shade Territory Bank. Lian was the one who had made his dreams come true.
Now, this proposal of Lian's would give countless people—those born into humble beginnings but possessing talent, just like himself—an equal opportunity to prove themselves.
This was no longer just about issuing loans; it was about saving a group of people with ideals!
At this thought, Emran's admiration for Lian deepened.
Lian looked at the usually steady and experienced bank manager, now gazing at him with sheer worship, and suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.
He hadn't actually thought about changing anyone's destiny. He simply wanted to increase material production. To do that, he had to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit of the territory's citizens, right? And starting a business required financial support. Besides, only by loaning money out could the bank collect interest and form a virtuous cycle.
A bank wasn't just a vault. If it only took in deposits without lending anything out, where would the shareholders' profits come from?
Were they supposed to rely on a pyramid scheme, pulling people in one by one so the upline could feed off the downline?
That definitely wouldn't last. It would inevitably turn into a bubble and crash.
For the bank to operate, capital had to flow.
Let the wealthy, the middle class, and the commoners make deposits. As long as they were willing to deposit their money, let them.
Then, loan it back out to the wealthy, the middle class, and the commoners. As long as they met the requirements, approve the loans.
Only when money formed a flowing current could it create true profit.
As a veteran bank employee, Emran definitely knew this. But having suddenly realized half of his life's ideals, his emotions had overpowered his logic, leading him to say such things.
It was just like someone falling in love—their affection skyrocketed while their IQ plummeted.
Lian patted Emran on the shoulder and said solemnly, "I have only changed your destiny. As for the destinies of the others, it is up to you to change them."
Yes, increasing his sense of mission at a time like this would only make Emran more loyal.
This was also part of ideological team-building.
Although theoretically, Emran was already the manager and the head of the Green Shade Territory Bank.
In reality, Lian himself was the true boss behind the scenes.
Emran was well aware of this fact, too.
It was highly necessary to increase Emran's Loyalty to him.
"I understand, Lord Lian. I will not let you down," Emran said.
Lian revealed a satisfied smile.
Omari Hani, Alex Pool, and Karel Dennis couldn't help but feel even more respect for their young new Lord.
Over the next few days, the Green Shade Territory Bank experienced a peak in deposits.
The Green Shade Territory also made its first repayment to the Empire Bank, fulfilling their contract.
Emran quietly had someone spread the rumor to the other nobles that Romayada and his peers had received insider information. The nobles sent spies to keep an eye on the wealthiest family and discovered that Romayada had indeed sent someone to withdraw a massive sum of money and deposit it into the bank. Only then were they finally moved to act.
These nobles, operating on secondhand information, regretted not attending Lian's High Wall ball while secretly cursing the other nobles for their lack of loyalty. Just yesterday, they had all been throwing wild parties together, but today, they were completely forgotten when such a lucrative opportunity arose!
However, as the information spread, it began to distort.
"Have you heard? Mr. Romayada was afraid the wealth in his vault would be stolen, so he deposited all his money into the Green Shade Territory Bank. Not only is the bank safeguarding his money, but they also promised him this much interest every year!"
"Have you heard? Baron Carlson deposited all his money into the Green Shade Territory Bank! The earlier you deposit, the higher the interest rate, and the bank even promised him a year-end dividend!"
"Have you heard? Viscount Jalin deposited all his money into the Green Shade Territory Bank, and it's a fixed-term deposit too! His mistresses won't be able to coax any more jewelry or accessories out of him anymore."
"Have you heard? All the noble lords have deposited their money into the bank! The bank returns interest every single month. All you have to do is deposit your money, sit at home doing nothing, and you'll get paid!"
"Have you heard? The Green Shade Territory Bank has a gold hen that lays gold eggs every day! If you deposit money, you get a gold egg!"
The streets and alleys were buzzing with rumors that the Green Shade Territory Bank possessed a gold hen, and that depositing money would earn them gold eggs.
Even the commoners formed massive lines at the outer city branch, hoping that by depositing a little money, they could get their hands on a gold egg.
This gave Emran a massive headache. Where was he supposed to find gold eggs to give to all these commoners?
The commoners were one thing, but the nobles also blindly believed the rumors. Suspecting that the gold eggs they were rightfully owed had been pocketed by the bank employees, they marched over to the bank to demand an explanation.
Put in a difficult position, Emran had no choice but to head to the Lord's Mansion, hoping to seek advice from their wise new Lord, Lian.
"I don't know who spread the news, saying that making a deposit would earn them a gold egg," Emran sighed.
"That was me," Lian said with a smile.
"Huh? Why?" Emran looked at Lian in confusion. "But we don't have a hen that lays gold eggs."
"That's right, we don't have a gold hen, but we must never forget the Power of hype. The Green Shade Territory Bank needs fame. Only by building a strong reputation can we continuously attract people to deposit their money."
Lian took the towel Anna handed to him and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Today, he had already practiced 200 swings, 200 chops, and 200 slashes and thrusts, earning high praise from his Swordsmanship instructor.
His Physical Strength training for the day concluded here.
"I know you are right, but where are we supposed to find gold eggs for the nobles and commoners now?" Emran asked.
Lian waved his hand. "Come."
Lian led Emran from the backyard to a side hall, which was filled with gold eggs that had been prepared well in advance.
Of course, these weren't solid eggs cast from gold, but hollow eggs made of plaster, coated in a layer of gold paint.
"These gold eggs are the gifts I have prepared for you. Inside them are slips of paper, and written on those slips are prizes. Every customer who makes a deposit gets to smash a gold egg once, and then they can happily take their prize home. This way, we haven't broken our promise, and the citizens won't feel cheated.
"Oh, and this event has a catchy name. It's called 'Smash the Gold Egg,'" Lian reminded him.
Emran blanked for a moment. "Smash the Gold Egg?"
"Yes. In the future, this gold egg smashing event can become a regular tradition for the bank to increase everyone's engagement and participation. As for the prizes, ranging from jewelry down to grain, oil, and salt, you can choose them yourself."
"Lord Lian, this is truly a fantastic idea! This way, we might actually possess a hen that lays gold eggs!"
"Exactly. From now on, the gold egg will be the symbol of our Green Shade Territory Bank. Whenever people hear about gold eggs, they will immediately think of the Green Shade Territory Bank."
A thoroughly satisfied Emran left the Lord's Mansion with an entire carriage full of gold eggs.
Lian watched the retreating silhouette of the carriage and slowly asked, "Anna, where should I be attending a banquet today?"
"You should be going to Mr. Romayada's home today."