85_85536 In fact, things are very different from what John the merchant thought. How could William not understand the benefits of banking? In fact, William probably understood more about finance, about banking, and about finance, the benefits of banking, than John, the businessman.

But at the same time, William also knew the importance of these things. As well as the enormous "power".

Finance, banking, banknote issuance. There are also loans and interest...... In a way, the monarchs of the world's nations are fighting each other. In the case of internal annexation of various princes in the country, and external competition for hegemony in the world. It's likely that they don't get as much as the bankers get.

Usury can control not only the individual, but also the state. Uninformed, even stupid, kings and rulers often want to go to war, but don't have the money - in a world where the mainstream army is made up of mercenaries, it is a matter of course that it costs money to fight. And in general, if nothing "miracles" happen, then usury will only increase, more and more.

And when the kings and nobles took out loans that were so large that they could not even pay the interest on them. Then they will have to be at the mercy of the bankers.

Of course, they can also choose to cheat. That's another story. In William's previous life, a large part of the persecution of the Jews in the Middle Ages was that the monarchs of the continent wanted to get rid of the money they owed to the Jewish merchants.

Of course, because of the monarchs, the vast majority of Catholics in Europe, except for the Jews, have the right to speak. Therefore, they can even do such a shameful thing as "defaulting on debts".

It's like the Merchant of Venice book. The current government has given it a name, saying that it sees the bad roots of capitalism or something. But in fact, at the time when it was born, capitalism or something was actually just born.

Although capitalism or something, from the current point of view, it is really very unreliable. But in that era of feudal serfdom, capitalism was indeed progressive.

So, the book The Merchant of Venice is not about capitalism. It's the Jews who are black. Jewish merchant, Jewish usury merchant. The whole story is about how bad the Jewish loan sharks were. The problem is finally solved. Jewish loan sharks have always adhered to the contract. On the other hand, the righteous side uses sophistry nonsense such as white horses and non-horses to win.

In William's view, this is a great irony, a huge self-irony.

And if you take 10,000 steps back, it is true that Jews are greedy and Jewish financial capital is bloody. Jewish loan shark merchants are nothing good. But because of this, is it right not to pay back the money you owe? Because people are bad, you borrow money from other people, and then you don't pay it back. Not only did he not pay it back, but he also wanted other people's lives. Loot the other party. Is this correct?

But of course, it's right to get rid of it. If you look at it from a cold utilitarian point of view. Fighting the Jews is indeed a good thing that does not cost much money:

Because the Jews are greedy, the Jews are infidels, the Jews are bad, the Jews still have money, and they owe money to the Jews. The Jews did not yet have much military power.

With such a person, robbing him can also gain the popularity and support of the rest of the wider public. You can also let these people be backstabbers. Once there is any turmoil in the country, or internal contradictions. It can be advertised that it is the Jews who are making trouble, that the Jews are stealing the wealth that belongs to us. Pull them out, smash them, and burn them. And then drive away.

Then, because the wealth of the Jews was annexed by the extermination of the family, the wealth of society increased, and the internal contradictions eased...... But the problem is that in those days, if a country wanted its economy and finance to work well, they couldn't do without those smart Jews who were good at trading. Soon, they had to get back the Jews who had been expelled.

Then, wait until the social contradictions become acute again. Or maybe the ruling class is out of money again. Then they could slaughter and deport the Jews again. Write off all debts owed.

And so on and so forth, and so on, and so on, and again For the exploitation, expulsion, exclusion and exploitation of the Jews, especially the Jewish loan sharks, Jewish financial capital, and the Jewish merchants. It pervades the entire history of Europe.

On the other hand, William's current world is partly similar to the world he was in. But there are also quite a few differences.

It's like on this side of usury. In the world in which William lived, there was no such thing as Jews. William didn't specifically inquire about them. However, in the absence of these people, the world's financial markets have not shrunk.

This is mainly because the Church of the Lord of Light is somewhat different from the Catholic Church in previous generations. Although they also have a slight rejection of usury, they are not as powerful as the Catholic Church. It is stipulated that all Catholics cannot work in finance.

In fact, in this world, the Church of the Lord of Light, as well as several knightly orders under the name of the Church. He is the world's biggest loan shark.

In addition to these religious forces, the people who meddled in usury were big merchants with great strength, such as the Blue Hat Merchant Group.

With the development of the paper industry, as well as the development of the financial industry. In some areas with a strong commercial atmosphere, modern banks with certain rules and regulations have emerged. At the same time, the most basic financial products. Checks have also begun to circulate on a small scale.

Of course, those who have the ability to issue checks are not professional financial banks at present. It's more of a traditional business alliance like the Blue Hat Business Group, which does everything and makes money. And their cheques are generally not external, but circulated within their own circles, when they are doing business with other large merchant groups.

However, after discovering the benefits of bill trading, the blue hat merchant group began to pay attention to this new type of financial product. And hope to sell to the outside world, in order to enhance their own trade speed and trade efficiency.

It's just, it's a pity. The vast majority of customers rejected it. After all, it's very difficult to get people to accept the notion that "a piece of paper can take their goods".

"What ...... this?"

William deliberately lengthened his voice to make himself appear hesitant and inclined to refuse. He did so to make it easy for him to bargain. The second is to let myself think more.

Before answering, he had to think about two things.

The first is whether the Blue Hat Merchant Group has the ability to cash his check.

The second is whether it will be more beneficial to agree to the condition of the blue hat merchant group.

The first question, William thinks it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

He chose to cooperate with the Blue Hat Merchant Group because the Blue Hat Merchant Group has the best credibility in the Polotsk United Provincial Republic. Even receiving, in the region of the Polotsk Sea coast, are the best.

At the same time, the scale of the blue hat merchant group is also very large. Strong capital. The way itself is also sufficient. It is said that the Merchant Clan, a joint company formed by the Merchant Clan's allies, occupies a significant territory in the New World. And in that territory, although it is not as exaggerated as the outside world advertises, it is full of gold, silver and something. But William was sure that there must have been gold deposits there.

Every year, the Blue Hat Merchant Group has to take up a share of the treasure fleet that returns from the New World to the Old World. And gold, precious metals, is the general equivalent. It is the guarantee of opening a bank, printing money.

Therefore, the blue hat merchant group does have the ability to cash in on its own payment. And the risk of default is not significant.

After thinking about the first point, William had already made a decision, and decided to agree to use the bill for settlement--so that it was not only convenient for the Blue Hat merchants. William will be equally handy. And as for the various other additional benefits. That's all counted separately, it's the same as picking it up for nothing.

But of course, William couldn't say that on the surface.

After a moment of feigned "hesitation", William spoke:

"Mr. John. This, I'm afraid...... You think, in terms of the price of cereals, I've pushed down the price a little. This is tantamount to you taking advantage of here. But then then you ask not to pay with cash. Instead, use a ticket. This one...... You can't all the good things in this world, right?"

"No, listen to me, it's good for you. ”

"If it's really beneficial, then why don't other nobles use it?" William said to the merchant John.

"But, but...... This ......" merchant John was a little speechless for a moment. This made William feel a little anxious.

His aim was not to win the debate over John the Merchant - that would be meaningless, and would not give William any sense of accomplishment. What he wants is for the agreement to be passed. There are more additional terms to be added to the guò. Get the most benefits you can.

Of course, William couldn't say this explicitly. Otherwise, no matter how stupid John the merchant is, he can understand that something is wrong.

William could only give him some hints indirectly.

"So, it was necessary for me to ask for cash. You know, my friend, my family's realm is on the rise right now. We need to buy all kinds of things through guò channels. Whether it's farm tools, fine pasture, or weapons and equipment. It's all the same. So I really need the money. William said to John the Merchant very seriously