Facts have proved that the description of Rorge is not exaggerated at all.
House of Order In the private reception room on the third floor, Corleone sat on one side of the long table, with Balerion habitually resting on his knees.
The man opposite was in his forties and was wearing a standard Braavos-style robe with a very gorgeous look.
His facial features were deep, but there was an innate arrogance in his movements, especially the look in his eyes that was always looking down at others, which made Corleone feel very familiar.
Like who?
He thought about it.
Yes, he looks very much like those capitalists in his previous life.
Those sitting in high-end office buildings, wearing customized suits, drinking coffee, looking at others with condescending eyes, as if everyone except themselves are rednecks.
That's the look.
The most outrageous thing is that from the moment the guy walked in until now, he didn't even say a word to introduce himself. He just stared at Corleone with his nostrils turned upward, as if he was the master here and Corleone was just a servant waiting to be summoned.
Only now did Corleone understand that Rorge described this guy as "very arrogant" before, which was not outrageous at all.
Except for the sentence "not as good-looking as me".
However, the other party didn't speak, and Corleone didn't intend to speak. He just stroked Black Cat on his knee, looking leisurely and contented.
Use it up.
Anyway, he was the one who owed the money, and he was not in a hurry to see who could spend more money than the other.
Sure enough, after a long period of silent confrontation, the guy finally couldn't sit still.
"Lord Corleone." He sat on the chair and spoke slowly, his voice low and steady, with the unique roll of the Braavos people, but the tone was still condescending.
"My name is Naho·Dimittis. High Steward of the Iron Bank of Braavos."
He had no intention of standing up to salute. He just sat with his chin slightly raised and looked down at Corleone with his gray eyes.
"I'm here to collect money."
Hearing this, Corleone seemed to notice that there were other people in the room, and raised his head to look at him.
However, he still had no intention of speaking. He just stared at the other person with his dark eyes without saying a word.
Naho waited for five seconds.
Ten seconds.
Corleone still didn't speak for a minute.
Naho's brows couldn't help but move closer to the middle. He felt that Corleone was a little too rude, but at the same time he felt a little confused.
He saw many people who were in debt.
Those people were either nervous and incoherent in front of him, or they tried their best to please and flatter him, or they tried to quibble and deny.
But he can guess almost everyone's reaction.
But the guy in front of me seems... different.
"Corleone-sama!"
He spoke again, his voice louder than before. "I am here on behalf of the Iron Bank!"
"You should know the rules of the Iron Bank. The money you borrow must be repaid. If you don't repay it when it's due... the consequences will be serious!"
He paused, the smile on his lips deepened, and he looked more arrogant.
It was as if the money lent by the Iron Bank belonged to him.
"Your Excellency Dimittis."
Seeing that the other party's patience was almost exhausted, Corleone finally spoke, but he still did not intend to mention the matter of paying back the money.
In matters like negotiations, the anxious party is always at a disadvantage.
Just at this moment, Rorge came in with hot tea, and Corleone took advantage of the situation and spread his hands. "Please have tea."
"I heard that you were a little dissatisfied with the tea we provided before, so I sent someone to get this mountain green tea produced in the valley."
As soon as these words came out, Naho was stunned.
Seeing that Corleone actually started to pick up the teacup and taste it slowly, he looked down at the tea at hand and couldn't help but become anxious.
I'm here to ask for fucking money, not tea!
However, as Emissary, the iron banker, he still retained a trace of grace. He picked up the tea cup and took a sip, then looked at Corleone longingly.
After waiting for a while, he saw that Corleone was just enjoying his tea and had no intention of answering the call. He could only take the initiative to urge him again, "The Iron Throne owes the Iron Treasury 1.5 million Gold Dragon!"
"This money was borrowed ten years ago from Lord Petyr Baelish, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer."
As he spoke, he took out a roll of parchment from his arms, unfolded it, and pushed it in front of Corleone.
"Here is a copy of the loan agreement for you to check."
However, Corleone didn't take it at all. He just glanced down at the roll of parchment, then raised his head, and his eyes fell on Naho's face again.
"How long have you been in King's Landing, Lord Dimittis."
"More than two months." Naho replied instinctively and casually.
"More than two months." Corleone repeated, "Then you must have seen many scenery in King's Landing."
Hearing this, Naho frowned and urged, "Sir Corleone, I'm here to talk about debts, not to chat with you...
"Have you been to the Red Fort?" Corleone raised his hand to interrupt, Naho's words stuck in his throat.
"Been there."
He frowned and said impatiently, "When I first arrived, Hand of the King Tywin said that the then Finance Minister Tyrion Lannister was on trial and the debt issue would need to wait until the new Finance Minister took office."
"Then what?"
"Then I'll wait."
Naho sounded quite dissatisfied, "I have been waiting for a long time for the news of your taking office."
"Sir Corleone, I have been waiting for more than two months. The Iron Bank cannot afford to default. Our patience is limited."
Although Naho tried to look more oppressive, Corleone still saw something else in his gray eyes.
eager.
Sure enough, it seems that this guy has a very heavy task.
Corleone The corners of his mouth raised slightly. After all, it was a huge debt of 1.5 million Gold Dragon. No one could afford such a huge responsibility.
If he returns empty-handed, it is equivalent to Naho admitting his incompetence among all his colleagues in the Iron Bank.
That's why this guy is so eager.
"Your Excellency Dimittis."
Corleone leaned back slightly, leaned on the back of the chair, and asked, "Do you know what the first rule of negotiation is?"
Hearing this, Naho did not speak.
But Corleone raised a finger and said, "The first rule."
"It's honesty."
As soon as these words came out, Naho's eyes shrank slightly, flashing a dangerous light.
"What do you mean?"
"Literally."
Corleone said matter-of-factly, then picked up the teacup, took another sip, and put it down.
"I understand your feelings, Your Excellency. After all, it is such a large amount of money. As far as I know, the Iron Bank has been writing letters urging repayment since last year."
"However, the current situation is turbulent and the period in King's Landing is not very peaceful. You said that you have been waiting for more than two months. I personally sympathize with this."
"But...
Corleone paused. "I can't pay back the money."
As soon as these words came out, Naho's face suddenly fell down, and he asked gloomily, "What did you say?"
Immediately afterwards, he stood up suddenly and accused impassionedly. "What do you mean, Lord Corleone, is the Iron Throne planning to default on its debt!"
However, Corleone just said nothing, folded his hands on his chest and watched him get angry with interest.
Naho's chest was heaving violently, and he felt that Corleone's calm face gave him a sudden urge to flip the table.
But fortunately, he still retained a trace of reason and took a deep breath and sat down again.
"You'd better give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise I will report exactly what happened here to Twenty-three Keyholders."
This can already be considered a threat.
However, Corleone just continued to stare at Naho until his heart started to tremble, and then he slowly spoke.
"Do you know, Your Excellency Dimittis."
"After receiving the appointment letter as Chancellor of the Exchequer, I spent a lot of time checking the Iron Throne's loan records for the past ten years."
"Then I discovered something interesting."
Hearing this, Naho's heart skipped a beat. "What's the matter?"
Corleone did not answer directly, but took out a few pieces of parchment from his arms and pushed them in front of him.
"This is a copy of the contract for the one and a half million Gold Dragon from the Iron Bank. It is clearly written on it that the loan amount is one and a half million and will be paid in three installments."
Immediately afterwards, he picked up the second piece of parchment.
"This is the Iron Throne's account record. The first installment is 300,000, the second is 300,000, and the third is 400,000."
"That adds up to... exactly one million?"
"I'm very curious, Sir Dimittis."
"Where did the five hundred thousand Gold Dragon that disappeared... go?"
As soon as these words came out, Naho's expression froze. He swallowed, then danced and explained, "I don't know!"
"This is none of my business, I'm just responsible for collecting debts!"
"The person handling this money was Lord Petyr Baelish, who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time!"
"Petyr Baelish."
Corleone looked at his quibbles and raised the corners of his mouth again. "How long have you known Lord Petyr Baelish?"
Naho was stunned. "I... I don't understand what you mean!"
"My meaning is very clear."
Corleone leaned forward. "Petyr Baelish has been the finance minister in King's Landing for ten years. During these ten years, he has handled countless loans."
"And you are the one responsible for signing the contract and issuing these debts every time."
"Do you think this is just a coincidence?"
As soon as these words came out, Naho's face began to turn pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
But Corleone is still striking while the iron is hot.
"How much is your monthly salary at Tiejinku, Mr. Dimittis?"
"One hundred Gold Dragon, or two hundred?"
Naho did not answer, but Corleone smiled, "Even if it's two hundred Gold Dragon, it's two thousand and forty a year, ten years... it's less than thirty thousand."
"But the coat you are wearing is studded with gems. The value of these gems alone is already tens of thousands Gold Dragon."
"Tell me, Mr. Dimittis, would anyone really spend years of savings buying a gorgeous coat?"
As Corleone questioned, Naho's body began to tremble more and more, and even his lips began to tremble.
"I... I...
","You don't need to explain."
However, Corleone interrupted him, and his tone suddenly turned gentle. "To be honest, I don't care at all how many kickbacks you have received, nor how much money you and Petyr Baelish have made over the years."
"But, I can help you solve your trouble now."
Hearing this, Naho was stunned again and asked doubtfully, "What do you mean, what do you mean by helping me solve my trouble?"
"You hold a high position in the Iron Bank, Your Excellency, but if you go back empty-handed this time, then so many years of hard work will be in vain, right?"
"But what if you don't go back empty-handed?"
Naho's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you going to pay back the money?"
"No."
Corleone raised a finger and shook it gently, then smiled and said, "I mean, you can bring a new contract with you when you go back."
"I plan to... borrow another five hundred thousand Gold Dragon from the Iron Bank in the name of the Iron Throne!"
As soon as these words came out, Naho immediately opened his mouth and felt that his throat was a little blocked.
He has worked in the Iron Bank for twenty years and has seen countless people borrow money, but he has never seen anyone... so shameless.
There is no reason to continue borrowing money even if the last debt has not been repaid!
"This is impossible."
Even though there might be a clue falling into the hands of Corleone, Naho still refused decisively. "The credibility of the Iron Throne can no longer be borrowed from Gold Dragon!"
"The Iron Throne may not be affordable now, but it hasn't fallen yet."
Corleone said calmly, "Fifty thousand Gold Dragon, when the money arrives, I can use this money to pay back the interest of the previous one and a half million Gold Dragon."
"The interest has been repaid and you have added another piece of business. Isn't this a great idea?"
Listening to Corleone's suggestions, Naho's breathing began to become rapid.
This method... doesn't seem to work?
But the risk is too great. If Corleone borrows another 500,000 Gold Dragon and then chooses to default on the loan, then even the family's power will not be able to maintain its position in the Iron Bank.
"I need to think about it."
However, Naho did not refuse directly. He just stood up, straightened his coat, and raised his chin again.
"Of course."
Corleone nodded. "You can think about it slowly, we have plenty of time.
3
Hearing this, Naho turned around and walked towards the door, but stopped after taking a few steps.
"Sir Corleone." He turned back. "Those things you just mentioned... about the accounts...
","Don't worry, Your Excellency Dimittis."
Corleone smiled, "I am a businessman, and I know what to do to best serve the interests of both parties."
Hearing this, Naho felt relieved.
"I understand."
Then he opened the door and walked out, but the footsteps were much softer than before.
Wait until the room becomes quiet.
Rorge then walked out of the corner and stood next to Corleone.
"Sir." He lowered his voice. "Do you need me to send someone to teach that rude guy a lesson?"
Hearing this, Corleone raised his head and looked at Rorge.
The expression on that noseless face is very serious, always with a kind of loyalty of "As long as you say a word, I will do it"0
Corleone was silent for a while.
He was indeed tempted.
That's right, the best way to resolve a debt is to make the creditor disappear.
Although Naho·Dimittis is just a senior deacon of the Iron Bank, killing him will not completely solve the debt, but the narrow sea is too far away.
It will take at least two or three months to wait for the people from the Iron Bank to react and investigate the matter clearly.
Two or three months is enough time to do a lot of things.
By then, he may no longer be the finance minister.
But...
Corleone shook his head.
"No."
"That guy is still useful."
Hearing this, Rorge scratched his head in confusion. "Didn't that guy not agree to the five hundred thousand Gold Dragon thing?"
Corleone stroked Balerion's soft hair and raised the corners of his mouth slightly. "Negotiations cannot be accomplished in one go."
"But it will work out."
At the same time, House of Order was outside the door.
Naho·Dimittis walked out angrily, and his originally arrogant face was now severely distorted.
His steps were fast, and his boots hit the stone floor heavily, making an angry sound, the same as when he was upstairs.
The kind of caution is completely different.
Bastard!
Damn bastard!
Not only did he not pay back the money, he even wanted to borrow another five hundred thousand. Did he think the Iron Bank was opened by his own family?
Damn...
I didn't expect that bastard Petyr Baelish to be so unreliable that he would keep such an important document!
He walked quickly in front, and the servant behind him trotted to keep up.
"Let's go to Silk Street!"
"I'm very angry now!"
After saying that, Naho got directly into the carriage, slammed the door, and drove towards Silk Street.
But no one noticed that in the shadows across the street, several pairs of eyes like venomous snakes were staring at him.