Chapter 202: Corrosion spreads from top to bottom
The morning dawned at the entrance of the elegantly decorated tea shop in the Queens District of Thunder City. Although the sky was not completely bright yet, the air was already filled with excitement and tension.
On the street in front of the tea shop, a group of people dressed in different ways gathered together. Some were wearing elegant woolen coats, while others were wrapped in slightly worn coats.
The name of this tea shop is "Red Leaf". It used to be a clothing store that was not operating well. After a mysterious businessman bought the place, the business here was changed to black tea, providing people with 1 silver coin a cup of hot black tea.
A cup of black tea costs 1 silver coin. Even in the "Diamond City" where mattresses can be sold for 20 gold coins, this is considered a sky-high price. After all, the tea shop on the next street only costs 5 copper coins and comes with a spoon of sugar and a small piece of sponge cake or thumb biscuit.
Those who can accept this expensive price almost always have servants to serve them, and will not stand on the roadside and breathe into their teacups.
All people in the industry were sure that the owner of this store would lose all his money. However, the situation after opening was completely opposite.
They not only attracted the customers of the 5-copper-coin black tea, but also the 5-gold-coin black tea customers.
"The latest purchase order is 11 gold coins and 50 silver. I want to buy 100 shares. Who wants to sell? Or does anyone offer a higher price?" A young clerk stood on a high stool, facing the crowded crowd, and shouted in a loud voice.
Behind him is a blackboard with numbers, quantities and prices written on it, just like a notice board in a grain market.
That number is actually the order number. Every guest who consumes at least one cup of black tea can get a number used to place an order... which is equivalent to the handling fee for placing an order.
The faces of the people standing in front of him were full of excitement and anticipation, chatting in low voices, and looking at the blackboard behind him from time to time.
In addition to the purchase order, the latest transaction price of Colin Mining Company's stock was clearly written in chalk next to it - 11 gold coins per share, which was a full gold coin increase from the "issue price"!
And it’s still priceless!
So far, there are only buy orders hanging on the blackboard, and there are no sell orders yet, because once they appear, they will be snapped up by enthusiastic people.
"Is there a higher price? Or which generous gentleman is willing to pass on the shares in his hands to those who need him?" The clerk shouted, wiping the hot sweat on his forehead with the hand holding the chalk, hesitating whether to get off the ladder first.
The noise around him is getting louder and louder.
At this time, a wrinkled old gentleman took off his top hat, as if he had made up his mind, straightened his arms and shouted loudly.
"I'm offering 12 gold coins! I want to buy 200 shares! Please write it down for me!"
As soon as his voice fell, the crowd was like a pot exploding. They all stared at him with wide-eyed surprise, and there seemed to be a thousand expressions on a thousand faces.
Some people think he is crazy, others think he is playing a big game, or they are just envious of his wealth.
A businessman in plain clothes immediately stepped forward and said in a hurry: "I have 150 shares on hand, and I will sell them all to you for 12 gold coins!"
150 shares were sold at a price of 12 gold coins!
The two signed a note in the presence of everyone, and then went to a nearby bank together.
The clerk erased the numbers on the blackboard, changed the purchase order of 200 shares to 50 shares, and wrote the transaction record on the side of the blackboard.
Although these stocks are all registered notes, the batch of stocks that flowed out to the market were registered either in the name of the bank or the original major shareholder, and this name, like Colin's company's account book, can be changed at any time.
But on the other hand, if you change the name, you have to be prepared to hold it for a long time, or change the name back to the bank the next time you trade.
In a period when exchanges were not yet born, banks played the role of guarantee and certification, ensuring that the circulating notes in the hands of customers were authentic and that every transaction could be traced.
Looking at the latest transaction price, the people gathered around the tea shop showed expressions of wonder. When they looked at the old gentleman wearing a top hat, there was only envy in their eyes.
The old gentleman looked unsatisfied, as if he was still regretting not being able to buy more and not waiting for the generous seller to make a move.
But he is not the most regretful person.
The most regrettable thing is the people who bought stocks here earlier for 10 gold coins and 50 silver coins, and then hurriedly put them out for 11 gold coins.
Although they also made a lot of money, seeing the price on the blackboard reaching 12 gold coins, they felt regretful that they had taken action too early.
Think about it carefully, that is a company that even the Andes family is optimistic about, how could it be worth only such a small amount of money?
"I'm so stupid..." the man in the woolen coat said angrily, and began to search the crowd for the person who had bought the stocks from him, wondering if he could discuss with that guy and spend some money to buy those tickets back.
The worst he can do is compensate the guy a little money.
However, this is obviously wishful thinking.
After all, the purchase price of 12 gold coins is still hanging on the blackboard, and the people standing around are not blind. How could he be allowed to buy it back at a lower price than the price on the blackboard?
Not far away from him, a young man's face turned red with excitement. He held up the accounting book in his hand and shouted loudly: "Sir, I only want 100 shares, just 100 shares! Which kind person is willing to sell it to me for 11 gold coins and 50 silver? Please, please!"
No one paid any attention to him, they just thought that this kid was wishful thinking.
"This is simply a casino!" A believer of Saint Sith stamped his foot angrily, as if he had suddenly come to his senses, shook his head and turned around and walked away.
He is a rare sober person, at least now.
But this is not important at all.
Because he had just left, the space left was quickly filled by more people, as if it had never been vacant.
The clerks in the tea shops are very busy. In addition to serving hot black tea and snacks and facing the urging of customers, they also have to maintain order on the scene.
Looking at the crowded tea shop at the door, even the owner of the bakery on the next street came over curiously to watch the excitement.
This grand occasion lasted from early morning to noon, and reached its peak in the afternoon.
At this point, the really wealthy people in Queens have woken up.
After the fermentation in the past few days, most of them also heard about someone trading stocks in front of the tea shop on Queen Street, and they all wandered over to join in the fun.
"12 gold coins and 20 silver!"
In the crowd, a fashionably dressed lady shouted out the new price. She was holding an exquisite money bag in her hand and her eyes were filled with joy. She was arrogant and confident of winning, "I want 300 shares!"
The servant next to her had already lined up to get the numbers and black tea, but she didn't even bother to look at it, so she drove the servant aside with her eyes.
"I'm sorry, madam, that was the previous transaction price. The purchase order has been placed at 12 gold coins and 30 silver coins." The clerk sitting on the high stool swallowed, shook his head and glanced at the old man holding a cane next to him, "Or... you are willing to buy the sale order that this gentleman just placed for 13 gold coins."
Hitchhiked, the noble lady said without hesitation: "Then 13 gold coins! Hurry up, my time is very valuable, and I don't have time to waste it here."
HI heard that as long as you become a shareholder of Colin Mining, you can see the respected Mr. Colin at the shareholders' meeting.
She is bound to win this ticket!
I have to say that her ideas are very novel, but with her clear goals, she is the most normal one among all the people here.
The citizens of Thunder City have gone crazy.
“It’s so crazy. It’s obviously just a pile of paper... When will this increase?” A young apprentice stood on the periphery of the crowd, watching the lively scene, and couldn’t help but sigh.
"Who knows! I heard that Colin Mining has new diamonds to be shipped to the port, and I'm afraid the price will be doubled!" He held up his felt hat stained with engine oil on his head, and his companions looked at those who were spending money with envy. The country gentlemen and ladies, "I wish I had some capital in my hands!"
Although this beast has been in the house for a long time, this is probably the first time it has appeared in the hearts of the citizens of Thunder City.
In fact, perhaps even the Andes family themselves did not expect that the power in their hands could be so terrifying.
The craze continued into the evening.
It wasn't until the five o'clock bell rang that the clerk, who had a sore back, got off the stool, and the people gathered at the door of the store also went home without knowing what was going on.
Because the beating numbers affected everyone's heartbeats, many people even forgot to eat and didn't feel hungry until everything was over.
Thanks to this, the restaurants on the whole street are doing good business tonight, and the shelves of the nearby bakery are even more expensive.
Both those who bought stocks and those who sold stocks felt that they had made a fortune and spent money lavishly.
Just as the guests at the entrance of the "Red Leaf" tea shop dispersed one after another, Punk, who was sitting in front of the carriage, finally looked away from the gathering crowd and said with emotion.
"I have lived in Lei Ming County for so many years, and this is the first time I have seen people so crazy about a few pieces of paper..."
Although he did not think that Mr. Colin planned to sell any tea at the beginning, no matter how hard he thought about it, he would never have imagined that this respected gentleman actually had this intention.
No wonder he let himself decorate it in the style of a bank.
I am still too conservative!
Luo Yan, who was sitting in the carriage, was not surprised. He opened the curtains of the carriage with his index finger and took a look, then closed the curtains again.
"This is nothing, they are still buying and selling these things with their own money. When the banks in Thunder City lend them loans, you will see even more amazing miracles."
Unable to imagine that scene, Punk swallowed and said incomprehensibly.
"But I don't understand, who sold the first batch of shares? Since Colin Mining Company is so valuable, why did those people sell it?"
This is a good question.
Why is someone selling such a valuable thing?
Luo Yan smiled mysteriously, but did not answer.
"Guess."
Punke said with a bitter smile.
"I...can't guess."
"That means it's not yet time," Luo Yan leaned on the seat and said in a gentle tone, "Let's go back to the hotel."
He had almost absorbed the power of faith.
“Yes, sir.”
Having become accustomed to asking less questions about things that shouldn't be asked, Punk responded respectfully, shook the reins in his hands, and drove the carriage back on the road, heading in the direction of the Morning Embrace Hotel.
Please collect_(Six\\\Nine\\\\Books\\\!)
Previously, Luo Yan went to the Andes family's manor to have afternoon tea with her at the invitation of Princess Irene. By the way, he chatted with Yan Andes about the recent events in Thunder City, especially the recently popular "secondary market."
Although Luo Yan never said that he was behind this matter, the old fox Andes guessed that it was his handiwork almost instantly, and guessed that people from the Colin family were bidding at the public auction at that time.
In terms of perspective, punk really cannot compare with Andes, and there is still a lot to learn. However, he also has his own advantage, which is the ability to observe words and emotions that he learned while training horses.
Getting off the car in front of the hotel, Luo Yan looked at the snow that had almost melted in front of the door, thinking that it was almost time, so he spoke.
"I need you to do the second thing now, buy a newspaper at the port of Thunder City, recruit a few retired people who have worked in banks as editors...even security guards, as long as they have acquaintances in the units where they have worked."
Thunder City has a newspaper, and it may be the first in the world, but there is no moving newspaper like the Magic City, and it is not as popular as the Magic City.
After all, the Demon City is the territory of demons, and the collapse of rituals and joy is commonplace. However, the land under the rule of Saint Sith is different. People pursue sanctity and orthodoxy. Over time, newspapers become boring, and then slowly die in the long river of time.
Of course, it is not ruled out that the nobles of Osland deliberately let it die. After all, it was a legacy from the Isaac Dynasty.
The devastating power left such a profound shock to them that they gradually forgot about it until the past few hundred years.
"Okay, sir." Punk took note of Mr. Colin's instructions carefully and took the coat from his hand.
Luo Yan didn't say anything more to him, but returned to the room before the guests in the hotel noticed him.
Tomorrow is the day to set off for Silver Pine Town.
Originally, Irene invited him to stay one night at the Andes family's manor and set off together tomorrow morning. However, he still had some things to tell the people below, so he came back with the excuse that he was not used to sleeping in a strange bed, and instead met at the Andes family's manor early tomorrow morning.
When he came upstairs, Jack, the godfather of the fraternity, was waiting at his door.
Seeing Lord Demon King, Jack nodded and saluted, and said with a respectful expression.
"Dear... Sir."
"Come in and talk."
Luo Yan nodded towards him, then opened the door, led him into the house, and casually recited the incantation of soundproofing magic.
As for Sarah, she stood at the door.
Jack cleared his throat and continued.
"According to your instructions, I have sold all the 200,000 shares purchased at the auction, at an average price of 7 gold coins."
Compared with the current stock price of Colin Mining, this price is undoubtedly cheap. After all, a purchase order of 13 gold coins has been completed just tonight.
However, Jack did not feel any loss.
After all, his cost was only 7 gold coins, but it doubled over time, and 1.4 million gold coins became 2.34 million!
To be honest, even though he knew that worldly money was nothing to the Demon King, he still couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
This is faster than robbery!
No——
This is robbery!
It is legal and reasonable, and everyone is willing to do so.
"Very good."
Looking at Jack who did as he was told, Luo Yan nodded approvingly and continued.
"The money you earn is all your reward. Now I ask you to do the second thing. Find a few core members of the fraternity that you trust, trade stocks at the door of the tea shops I designated, pick up the chips you threw out before, and turn those places into your "territory"."
The trading market appeared before the exchange, and now this market has been formed.
Attracted by funds, all kinds of people will soon focus on this cake. It is impossible to maintain order with just a few clerks. At this time, the "charlatans" of the Brotherhood need to take action.
This is actually nothing new.
Although there is no precedent in other worlds, it has happened countless times on Earth, and those who have always been able to accomplish such things are strong organizations, the so-called gangs.
The most famous among them is probably Wall Street. Before the New York Stock Exchange was established, when most people were still buying and selling stocks in coffee shops and under the sycamore trees, the Irish Gang was responsible for maintaining the order of transactions. Even the first Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, John F. Kennedy, was a member of the "dark forces".
As for putting on a suit and tie, that will happen later.
After listening to His Majesty the Demon King's instructions, Jack was slightly stunned and spoke carefully.
"No problem, but...if we don't take coercive measures, those people may not hand over the chips in their hands easily."
Luo Yan smiled lightly and said in a gentle tone.
"They will, but the chips in their hands are not the key. Your goal is the chips in the hands of the people sitting with you in the theater that night. Do you want me to put it more clearly? You have to create a scene of hot trading by turning your left hand over your right hand. , push the price per share to more than 20 gold coins, and then lure out the really big fish. "20 gold coins..." Jack couldn't help but take a breath and said tremblingly, "Then if they sell all the stocks to us..."
The money in his pocket is simply not enough!
Doubling it again is not enough!
However, Luo Yan was not worried and just continued speaking unhurriedly.
"That's just right, Colin Mining Company's stock will soon be cut in half, and investors who are not convinced enough will rush to sell their stocks. Then we can get the chips back from them at a cheaper price, and then raise the price to a height that no one can imagine when everyone is desperate..."
“At this time, those people you arrange to buy the bottom will become saviors in the eyes of investors, and they will follow them like the chosen ones of God. And those who originally doubted us will gradually become doubtful about themselves, and then become our most loyal believers. Or if you are interested, you can also do this yourself, so that your unknown origins I can also take this opportunity to launder the money with you. "
"As for the money, don't worry, I have already said hello to Andes, and I will withdraw part of the 80 million gold coins used to develop the New World to rescue the market when necessary. Of course, only you know about this matter except Jan Andes himself, and I don't want a fourth person."
This guy is simply a devil!
Jack couldn't help groaning in his heart.
Wrong——
He is what he is!
Sarah, carrying a tray, walked over from the side and placed the black tea at the right temperature on the table in front of Luo Yan.
She is not interested in human money games. She is only worried that the Demon King who just came back from outside is cold.
Luo Yan picked up the teacup and took a sip to moisten his throat.
Looking at Jack who was holding his breath and speechless, he continued in a casual tone.
"Take a long-term view and don't care too much about the immediate gains and losses. Do you think what I want is their money? Or the pieces of paper in their hands?"
"Those are just props to bribe them. What I want is their souls and their beliefs——"
“It’s just that before they can harvest these things, they have to experience despair several times.”