"So, my plan was to set up a couple of companies -- crusader companies. www.biquge.info"Before John, the merchant who had returned from the dust, had no time to catch his breath, William called him into his office.

After successfully making a mission to the Ottoman Empire and fulfilling his mandate, William felt that he could make the merchant Johanna his confidant. He didn't have enough loyalty, but he did have enough reverence. And William can also give him enough benefits......

If a year ago, John the Merchant had hesitated, now he was certain that he would have gained much more under William's rule than he had gained in the Blue Hat Merchants.

Of course, this does not mean that John the Merchant will break away from the Blue Hat Merchants. He is still a steward of the Merchant Order. At the same time, it is also the most profitable of the various caravans under the merchant group.

The Blue Hat Merchant Group turned a blind eye to the ambiguous situation of the merchant John, who stepped on two boats. He even said that he was happy to see it happen. It seems that the merchant group wants to infiltrate the Duchy of Mystia in this way. And more importantly, compared with a businessman, the profits of grain and vegetable oil are more worthy of the attention of the business group. Therefore, the blue hat merchant group acquiesced to this situation. And after a series of adjustments, the status of businessman John was promoted from a subordinate to an independent partner.

That's it. John, the businessman, has greater freedom, but he is also more constrained. This constraint came from William, whom he had sworn allegiance.

After exchanging pleasantries, William laid out his plans: "I want you to set up a new investment company in Polotsk. His investment target is the Crusaders. ”

After that, William explained in detail to the businessman John how he raised funds and how to make a profit - issuing stocks and bonds. Promote the invincibility of the Crusaders and the prospect of profitability...... Of course, in reality, this is not what William wants to achieve. William wanted to create a huge financial bubble. Speculation frenzy in Polotsk with "crusader stocks":

"Think about it. They are reaping the riches of the Slavic world as fast as they can. Lots of gold, silver, diamond jewelry. Something of value.

There are also more valuable fields, manors, and castles. Or even towns. Isn't it too wasteful to put these things in the hands of stupid aristocrats who only know how to fight and kill, and at the same time, it would be too unseemly for us to join in this process of fighting and killing—so it doesn't matter. The Holy Investment Company of the Crusaders will settle all your problems!

We will make agreements with the Crusaders to give them support and help - weapons, food, even women. And after they annexed the wealth and land of the Slavians. The investment we give will reap tenfold, a hundredfold. And even more - this is a sure deal...... Of course, these are only outsiders. Also, my Cheka organization will assist you in this series of tasks. ”

William clapped his hands as he said this. After this, the door to the room opened. A couple of knights, a couple of merchants, and a couple of nobles walked in - of course, they were all members of the Cheka.

"Don't come forward. Just behind control, my friend. William smiled and said to the merchant John, "These friends of mine will help you with specific things." ”

"Yes, yes, my master. At the sight of William's malicious smile, John the Merchant immediately calmed down - before that, he had really become agitated by William von Hereford's words. But after calming down for a moment and thinking about it again, he knew that this was definitely not a good thing.

In fact, this is indeed the case, and it is indeed not a good thing. A few days later, John, a businessman watching the battle in the shadows, sensed this new good way to raise money.

The early public opinion of the Crusaders' investment in stocks did not have to be of much concern to William. In recent times, the topic of crusaders has become as popular in the human world as it has been. Even in the westernmost kingdoms of Asturias and Briton, the Crusaders were the most popular and hot topics. As one of the members of the Great Frontier Region, the Polotsk people were naturally more enthusiastic about the Crusaders than in the interior of the Old World.

In this case, the collection of donations by Crusader knights, disguised by Cheka members, was naturally very popular in Polotsk.

On July 12, 1747, in Riga, the largest commercial port city in the United Province of Polotsk, several pseudo-Crusader knights, with the approval of the city council, set up a platform in the square in the center of the city, and then began to advertise and collect donations with borrowed alchemical amplifiers.

Their speeches quickly attracted many people. And they stammer, and they can even be said to have some old-fashioned voices, their unseen appearances in the world, and their relative bravery and strength. Make them look trustworthy. And the victory of the crusaders that they preached was also quite exciting......

It was in this situation that a businessman squeezed into the crowd. The round-looking, treacherous-looking merchant dressed in expensive silk first saluted the knights in an exaggerated manner. Then he began to ask them tentatively about the harvest of the Crusaders.

Under the shrewd, or treacherous, temptation of the merchants, the Crusader knights were quick to tell everything they knew—as William had said, money, jewels, estates, real estate, land. All these things that can make people crazy and fight for can be achieved with the help of the Crusaders.

When the people who watched the speech heard these things, they became extremely excited—as they had discussed them before—but now, these things that they had imagined were actually spoken by the person concerned, and proved to be true. This excitement, this joy, and this mania. The onlookers could hardly resist the desire to join the crusaders immediately.

But immediately after, the fat merchant frowned, revealing a sad expression: "But, honorable knights. You see, I also want to be part of the Crusaders and become a noble Crusader...... But, you see, people like me......" he said, gesturing at the people with his big belly. That funny appearance made the onlookers laugh out loud.

Hearing the laughter of the citizens, the big fat merchant seemed to have some trouble hanging his face. Straight straight to the blush. Then he pointed at the onlookers and shouted, "What are you laughing at?!What are you laughing at?!Do you have the courage to fight those heretics, those centaurs, and those messy monsters?!

Hearing the fat merchant say this, the other citizens gradually stopped laughing. Yes, indeed, though those riches, those lands, the titles are gratifying. But they should give up their present life and sell their property to join the crusade. They certainly don't want to.

Polotsk has a well-developed business, and the burgher class is relatively wealthy and has a relatively high standard of living. It's not like the landless peasants in the interior of the Empire, or the adventurers who have nothing. In fact, the subjects who carried out the oceans, the great voyages, the colonial expeditions or the crusades were the people who had nothing. Guys like Polotsk citizens who have a certain industry, except for some really fanatical guys, really don't dare to do such a headless business.

That's it. The enthusiasm of the citizens is like being poured with ice water. It cooled down all at once.

The big fat merchant raised his head vividly: "Hmph! Now you know how powerful it is?! I'm different from you poor ghosts! I have money! Even if I don't go to the crusade myself." I can also hire hundreds of mercenaries to join the Crusaders. When the time comes, it doesn't matter which nobleman's army he joins. In the end, you can grab a piece of land and get a knighthood! You poor devils don't have such a good chance!"

Hearing the words of the merchants, the townspeople were all unconvinced. Some people want to refute, but they don't know what to say. Then the big fat merchant became even more proud: "Look! you people do not have the courage to join the crusade yourself. I don't have enough money to invest!What does this feast have to do with you?How happy are you?!Hahahaha......haha

This made the citizens even more discouraged......

It was at this time that the brokers of the Crusader Investment Company, with the help of two of his retinue, climbed onto the podium.

"I don't agree with what you're saying, sir!"

The securities merchant, who was also dressed as a businessman, but whose appearance and affinity were much better than those of the fat merchant, shouted: "Although we alone have very little strength, we have very little money. But if our power and wealth are combined, then it is not a small amount!"

“...... Who are you?" Seeing that someone interrupted him, the big fat merchant was a little upset.

"I'm a businessman, just like you. It's just that what I'm selling isn't the same. What I sell is hope, a bright future. There is still a chance to join the crusade!" shouted the dealer to the fat merchant - and then looked at the citizens in the audience:

"I am a securities dealer working for the investment firms of the Crusaders! Citizens, don't be discouraged by your inability to seize this opportunity! We can provide the perfect service to make your participation in the Crusaders safely! Just buy the securities of our company. All the money we raise will be used for mercenary armies, adventurers, and cooperation with the Crusader nobles! Our securities can be tenfold, hundredfold, or even higher......"

Hearing the words of the securities dealer, the citizens were a little eager to try. There were even places that began to cheer...... Then, the fat merchant felt a little unconvinced: "Even if that's the case, how much money can be raised? Also, why should they believe you? Who knows if what you say is true or false? What if you run away with the money?"

He asked a whole bunch of key questions in one breath, and then continued to grow smug. And after that, some voices from the citizens also came out:

"Yes, who knows if what you say is true or false?! We don't have any money, so how can we compare to those merchants?"

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please continue to listen to me!" shouted the broker-dealer as he pulled out several hardcover certificates, several scroll contracts, and metal medals from his bosom:

"Look! This is a permit from the Riga Municipality! This is issued by a business association, and this, these are the Crusader nobles, and the Knights of the Holy Sword, which proves that we are indeed cooperating with them. And then here! This is the knightly medal of the Knights of the Holy Sword! All this proves that I am legitimate, true, and correct! I have absolutely no intention of deceiving you! Gentlemen, you cannot question the good character of an honest merchant in such a way!"

After seeing the documents with good quality paper, clear ink, and stamped seals, the citizens were much less skeptical. And after that, the brokerage shouted loudly again:

"As for whether or not you can raise money, that's perfectly fine. May I ask this gentleman—" he said, looking at the fat merchant who was gray and about to leave, "sir, do you think it is better for you to invest in the Crusaders alone, or in a group of people?"

"Of course it's good to be in partnership, but even if I do, I'll definitely go to other businessmen—"

"-- Of course, we will take the money of other businessmen as well!" interrupted him, and then cried out:

"At the same time, we will not refuse money from citizens. After all, the more you invest, the more you get! Think about it. There are 50,000 citizens in the city of Riga! Every man who gives out one Imperial gold coin can get 50,000 gold coins! And there are millions of people in the whole of Polotsk! Every person who gives one Imperial gold coin is a few million! I believe that it is much better to raise money in this way than to go it alone, sir?"

“...... Perhaps. The fat businessman's expression became hesitant, as if he were fighting a psychological battle between his own face and actual interests—but then, like all "good businessmen." He ended up choosing profit:

"I'm going to buy your investment securities!!How much is it?!I'll give you five hundred Imperial Gold Coins!!"

As he said this, he pulled out his checkbook: "I can pay the bill now!"

"Please wait a minute, calm down-" The securities merchant seemed to be frightened by the fat merchant's expression: "We have a special trading market for securities business. If you want to buy securities, you can go there. I can't call the shots. ”

"Where is that place?" asked the fat merchant, with a twinkle in his eyes - and the dealer said that he had given him an address, and an address to the townspeople - after which the fat merchant left in a hurry, according to him, to buy a few thousand shares of investment securities. In this way, he may be able to get a noble lord of an earl or baron.

Many citizens left the central square with their eyes shining like fat businessmen. However, more citizens did not move, but continued to gather around the securities dealers and asked enthusiastically:

"What is the price of your securities?"

"After buying securities, is it considered to be a member of the Crusader? Can I qualify as a Crusader?"

"How much do you need to invest to get a knight?"

There are all kinds of problems. But all the townspeople seem to have forgotten the question, "Will the crusade succeed?"

Of course, the crusade would have succeeded. Everyone thinks so. Everyone felt that this was not a problem at all.

In other words, after confirming that investment securities are "regular, not fraud", it can be regarded as a profitable and loss-making transaction......

So, every once in a while, every time a few questions were asked, a few citizens would turn away with cheers. Rush to the trading market for securities sales. It felt like gold panning......

And such a scene is not only in Riga, but also in more than a dozen major commercial cities of the Polotsk United Voivodeship. Several investment companies with different names, but with the same basic philosophy and investment targets, were established in two days. In just a dozen days, the news spread throughout Polotsk. People buy shares of various investment companies with great enthusiasm. This frenzy soon rose from the burgher class to the middle and small merchant class. The enthusiasm of the small and medium-sized merchants, who had only a small caravan, or a merchant ship, or a shop, was greater than that of the burghers.

Because they are closer to "success". And they've already tasted a little bit of the sweetness of "fortune". It feels like the various bureau chiefs or department directors in the system have a greater desire for power than ordinary civil servants. At the same time, the business system in Polotsk has taken shape. Large merchant groups composed of big businessmen have monopolized most of the profitable businesses. Those small and medium-sized businessmen are struggling, but they can no longer find any room for growth.

That is, in this case, a "absolutely impossible to lose." Definitely make money, and definitely make a lot of money" investment project appeared.

In this way, the Crusader securities were sold out in Polotsk, and despite repeated new issuances, they were still in short supply. The first phase of William's program was completed.

And in this case, it is only natural that the price of the investment securities of the crusaders will rise. And this price has risen slightly faster - fueled by the Cheka and some "smart people", a speculative frenzy of investment in securities against the Crusaders began.