City of London.

Arthur sat on the neat and clean trading floor, looking up at the company's signboard above the quaint mahogany counter in front of him, London Property Consultancy.

While sipping the black tea used to entertain guests, Alexandre Dumas commented pertinently: "This tea tastes much better than the one sold in English restaurants, and the meal I had with you at noon today almost made me vomit, and the meat used in that restaurant is absolutely not fresh, and I dare to assure you of this with the honor of being French." ”

Elder replied with interest: "Doesn't that mean there is no guarantee?" Buying a house is really troublesome, after reading the house, the buyer and seller have agreed, isn't it? How long has it been since I had to get two lawyers to verify the contract, and then I had to apply to the Land and Exchange Commission under the Ministry of Finance to verify the property rights information? If we don't give them sweetness, it is estimated that it may not be possible to do it in half a month. ”

Darwin said, "But wouldn't it be better if we continued to look at a few more houses?" We looked at the three buildings in the morning, and bought them all as soon as we raised our hands, and we didn't know whether it was expensive or cheap. I've heard that there are a lot of scammers in the real estate agent industry, what if he plans to cheat Arthur? ”

"How dare he pit Arthur?" Elder raised an eyebrow, "Unless he doesn't have a big brain, and he doesn't want to mess around in London." Didn't he know that sitting here was the most promising police officer in Scotland Yard? ”

Arthur looked up the hall and across from him sat the perfect place to work more than half a year ago—the London Stock Exchange, where people were bustling, traffic was endless, and he felt the smell of copper when he took a breath.

He said, "It's not for sure, and even if he really wants to trick me, there's really nothing I can do." After all, the security of the City is not the responsibility of Scotland Yard. ”

"Huh?" Elder sat up from the sofa suddenly: "Then you know that he may cheat, and you are still ready to sign a contract with him?" Arthur, is there something wrong with your little brain? You've been much smarter than that. ”

Arthur took a slight breath when he heard this: "You don't understand, Elder, my money is not clean, and I always feel uneasy if I don't spend it as soon as possible." And you don't know how an apartment building with a grocery store and a two-story cottage can appeal to an oriental soul. This has been my dream for many years, and if I lose a little money, I will lose a little, so you will make me happy. ”

Elder frowned and asked, "What are you talking about?" You're going to get sick every once in a while. If you want to do a loss-making business, I can't agree to it, but my brother killed it with a knife, why did you cheapen that dog thing? You can't spend too much money, you can invite me to watch a few plays, it's really not good, we can come and have some more leisure activities at night. ”

With that, Elder glanced around, and then pulled Darwin, who was reading a book, out of the door.

At the time of parting, he did not forget to tell Alexandre Dumas: "Fatty! You helped me take care of him. I've just seen several real estate agents on the way here, and I'm going to ask over there, and you must not get Arthur to sign the contract until I get back. ”

Alexandre Dumas shook his head at Elder with disdain and watched him walk out of the trading floor.

He said to himself: "The British are stingy, and we French men have never been too lazy to care about this little profit." Money, just earn it after you spend it, what's the big deal? ”

After speaking, he couldn't help but poke the lost Arthur with his elbow, and nodded appreciatively at him: "Arthur, I have to say that your personality really looks like an old French lurking among the British." ”

Arthur woke up like a dream, he heard Alexandre Dumas's words, he was stunned for a moment, and then he took the teacup and asked, "I'm sorry, I didn't pay attention just now, did I offend you in something?" ”

When Dumas heard this, the teacup brought to his lips paused for a long time, and he looked at Arthur for a long time before he spoke: "I think what you said to me before is right, if I want to live in England permanently, I really need a good temper." ”

Arthur looked around and asked, "Where did Elder and Charles go?" ”

Alexandre Dumas snorted, "The two little rats went out to find the crumbs, and you don't have to worry about them." You signed the contract early, let's find a good restaurant, get some good wine, and congratulate you on moving to your new home. ”

As soon as Dumas finished speaking, a smiling real estate agent came over with a notary lawyer.

He put the more than a dozen pages of land title transfer documents on the coffee table, and said to Arthur very politely.

"All the documents have been checked by Mr. Lawyer, all the information is fine, and if you have no doubts after looking at it, you can now sign the blank section below. From the moment your name lands on the paperwork, all the houses on plots A-25 to A-27 on Central Street in Greenwich are all surnamed Hastings. ”

Arthur picked up the title document and flipped through the pages, he couldn't quite understand what was written, but the standard words 'freehold' on it still made him a little excited.

Just as Arthur picked up the quill in the inkwell to sign, he suddenly heard a standing sound of brushes on the trading floor.

He looked up, only to find that all the salesmen in the hall had stood up and looked at the position in front of the hall door.

Even the real estate agent who was sitting in front of him bowed slightly flatteringly, took off his hat and saluted in front of the door: "Good afternoon, Mr. Rothschild." ”

Arthur turned his head and saw that the person known as Mr. Rothschild was actually a familiar face he knew.

It was none other than Lionel Rothschild, the eldest young master of the London branch of the Rothschild family, whom he had befriended from the Duke of Sussex.

Lionel smiled and nodded to the many eyes in the hall, but when he looked to Arthur's side, he couldn't help but pause.

He turned, smiled and took off his hat, "Mr. Hastings, long time no see." Are you looking for investment advice from me today, or are you looking for me to go out hunting? ”

Arthur then remembered the business card that Lionel had left him earlier, and he took out his wallet and took out the business card to look at it.

The business card reads - Lionel Rothschild, a consultant at Rothschild Bank, and chairman of the board of directors of a London property consulting company.

Seeing this, Arthur couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

He pondered for most of the day how to invest in real estate, how could he forget the human incarnation of Mammon?

Lionel walked to Arthur's side, and suddenly saw a large pile of documents on the coffee table, he couldn't help but smile: "It seems that you have accepted the company's investment and real estate proposal, I don't know where you plan to buy the house this time?" ”

As soon as Lionel said this, the face of the real estate agent next to him turned green.

He stammered, "Mr. Rothschild, this gentleman wants to buy some property in Greenwich, and we are still reviewing the specific value of the property." ”

"Really?" Lionel nodded slightly, smiled and said to Arthur, "You don't mind if I help you take a look, right?" ”

Arthur glanced at the real estate agent's expression, and roughly knew what was going on, although he didn't mind suffering a small loss, but why not make more money?

He smiled and handed over the papers on the coffee table: "Then I'll trouble you." ”

Lionel took the file and just glanced up and down, and his smile quickly became a little stiff, he still kept smiling, but the tone of his voice was slowly becoming a little wrong.

He turned to the agent and asked, "Are house prices in Greenwich rising too fast lately?" ”

The agent understood, and he replied with sweat on his forehead: "I also think it's going up a little fast, but Mr. Hastings works in Greenwich, so I can only try to meet his needs and choose a suitable house for him over there." ”

Lionel shook his head, and he spoke, "You are not well-informed, and from the information I have received, Mr. Hastings is estimated to be on the verge of ascension. He should be based mainly at the Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Street, and you'll need to recommend properties close to that. This house price appraisal report is not for Mr. Hastings, you can take it back for me and do it again. ”

The major shareholders have already spoken, where do the real estate agents dare to say half a word.

He tentatively asked his boss, "Mr. Rothschild, where do you think the property is more suitable for Mr. Hastings?" ”

Lionel thought for a moment and asked, "Near Knightsbridge, there were two four-bedroom suites at Ennismore, and the house opposite Hyde Park didn't sell, right?" And in the Regency Crescent Building......"

When the intermediary heard this, he couldn't help but remind: "Mr. Rothschild, forget about the first few rooms, but the one in Hyde Park and the Regency Crescent Building...... I forgot to tell you that Mr. Hastings' budget was £1,500. ”

When Lionel heard this, he first shook his head slightly at the intermediary, and then smiled at the corner of his mouth.

"That's right, the ones I just said meet the standard of 1,500 pounds, and even Ennismore's two suites can be done for 300-400 pounds, and the detached houses in Hyde Park are a little more expensive, but they can also be won for 1,000 pounds, and they are very suitable for a single man like Mr. Hastings."

Only then did the intermediary understand the real intentions of the boss, and the boss was planning to lose money and earn friendship.

Lionel looked at his dull face and couldn't help but pick up his cane and tap the floor in dissatisfaction.

"What are you doing here? Why don't you show the information about these houses to Mr. Hastings? ”

"Wow!" When the intermediary heard this, he hurriedly put away the papers, then hurriedly bowed to Arthur, and then rushed to the back hall in a hurry: "I'm sorry, Mr. Hastings, I'll be back soon." ”

Seeing him gone, Lionel raised his hand and pointed to the couch across from Arthur and asked, "Can I sit here?" ”

"Of course, please."

Lionel sat down with a smile, and then said apologetically: "Mr. Hastings, if you want to seek real estate services next time, just come to me directly, and you don't need to communicate with them." You know, some new hires are always lacking in business.

But as compensation for their mistakes, I can provide you with some other investment advice, such as stocks, bonds, etc. Betting all your assets on real estate doesn't seem to make sense. ”

(End of chapter)