Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest

When the waiter heard the girl in front of him say the three words "Manston", a layer of surprise flashed across his eyes.

And the girl opposite, she even said the word "cooperation".

That was one of the major shareholder families that founded the "Gold Country Bank", and the girl opposite, unexpectedly, came alone to discuss cooperation with the bigwigs of the "Manston" family...

The Manston family did have family members stationed in the "Gold Country Bank" in the main city of Songyuan. However, they were not direct descendants, but side branches of the family.

But even so, they were also people who could represent the Manston family and had a certain voice outside.

Although the Manston family did have a certain influence in the financial world of the Nolan Empire, they had always been low-key, and not many people knew about them.

Therefore, few people would come to the "Gold Country Bank" to propose cooperation to the Manston family. They are more like "behind-the-scenes" figures, and they prefer to draft contracts with contractual effect in a semi-casual and semi-formal manner in private wineries and manor houses for the details of some important cooperation.

The waiter of the "Gold Country Bank" heard for the first time that someone came to negotiate cooperation with the big shots of the Manston family.

The waiter's first reaction was to doubt the authenticity of the girl's words.

"This lady."

The waiter then said to the girl in front of him with professional courtesy:

"This is an important notice. I need to know your identity and purpose."

At this time, the waiter's address to Intis changed from "Miss" to "Ms."

This is a more formal and more equal title. Intis then smiled slightly and took out a beautiful badge from her skirt pocket.

"I am Index. Index Carlos."

Indy nodded and smiled and said, "My brother is a close friend of Mr. Alardin Manston. This emblem should be enough to prove my purpose."

The waiter's face became serious, and his eyes drifted to the family emblem in Index's hand.

It was an exquisitely shaped "iris" emblem made with exquisite carving craftsmanship. Its surface was decorated with platinum, which was plated tightly and reflected a dazzling silver-white luster in the sun.

As a waiter of the "Gold Country Bank", he could recognize the weight of this emblem at a glance.

This is the emblem of the first heir of the Manston family. With this, he can enjoy the highest level of treatment in the Manston family's name. Although Ms. "Indy Carlos", who holds this emblem, is an outsider to the "Manston" family, she has considerable privileges.

The waiter then realized that the young lady of the "Carlos" family in front of him, who said that she was cooperating with the "Manston" family, was not lying.

Although the waiter had never heard of the name of the "Carlos" family behind her, it must be of great origin.

Intis's eyes revealed a calm smile like the water of a spring lake. Her expression was the same calm as her master, the brother "Rosius Carlos" she had made up, waiting for the waiter's reply.

"I understand, you are a friend of the "Manston" family."

The waiter's attitude became more respectful. He bowed deeply to Intis and said, "Please follow me, you are an important guest. Lord "Gonzalo Manston" is in the office on the top floor of the bank."

...

Intis followed the waiter and entered the bank.

The interior of the "Gold Country Bank" adopts the same luxurious decoration style as its facade. In the extremely spacious lobby, people in different clothes paced back and forth in the bank with nervous and anxious expressions. From time to time, they looked at a huge light gold crystal screen in the center, expecting the content they wanted to see to appear on it.

That is a technology unique to the "Golden Country". The "Gongol College" under the "Golden Country", their inventors of [Intellectual] Destiny, created the "Golden Window" that can communicate with other "banks" and update business intelligence in real time, and monopolized the huge financial market with it.

This technology also has extremely broad "cross-domain" application prospects. However, the several ruling families of the Golden Country are not willing to apply the "Golden Window" technology to non-commercial occasions.

The rulers of the "Golden Country" set the "Golden Window" technology as top secret, and placed its technical prototype underground in the "Gongol College" and handed it over to dozens of "Great Guardians" of the "Sevenfold Destiny" for supervision, with very strict security.

Several major forces on the Fanol continent, including the Nolan Empire, are very jealous of this technology. The [Intellectual] believers of various forces are trying to decipher the technology of the "Golden Window", but they have not achieved much success over the years.

Suddenly, a strong "spiritual current" passed through the "Golden Window", and the surface of the huge screen flashed, and then the light was bright, and new content appeared.

Intis then heard a cheer like a heat wave.

"- Great! Great! The catch of Haiyi Fishing Port this year is 1.3 million tons! The crop harvest has also increased by 20% compared to last year... In this way, the profit of catering will expand again, and there is no need to worry about the possible "famine" prophecy!"

"- Ah! A new dragon crystal vein has been discovered in the Tama Desert! This just solves the problem of mineral sources that my jewelry processing factory needs to face..."

"——Look, Mr. Staff! The empire is preparing to increase investment in the medical industry. The main investment area is in the production of medical devices. Do you think we can..."

"..."

"This is all normal, Ms. Index."

The waiter leading the way noticed that the guests behind him seemed to have stopped, so he turned around and said with a smile:

"These are the sounds of joy, and this is the infinite charm of the 'El Dorado Bank'."

"But, Ms. Index, look. There are more 'down and out' figures hidden among the excited crowd."

As he spoke, the waiter pointed to the people squatting at the base of the wall. Their hands are grasping their hair tightly, their expressions are sad and desperate.

"Some of them are businessmen and some are investors."

The waiter said: "Although, I am not one of them, nor am I the decision-maker of the bank, I am just a small waiter..."

"However, every time I see such a scene, I still feel emotional."

This seems to be what this "waiter", out of professional instinct, is looking for with Intis, a topic that can be used as a chat to relieve fatigue.

Indis nodded slightly at the waiter's words.

"Yes, I understand what you mean." Intis said in agreement.

Her gaze once again fell on the corner, those frustrated businessmen and investors.

Their eyes were covered with dark red bloodshot eyes, and their faces were filled with pale exhaustion. They all looked gloomy, and their lips were trembling, as if they were mumbling something.

Intis diffused his senses and heard clearly the sounds in their mouths, as thin as mosquitoes.

"——Why, why did the price of dragon crystal suddenly drop? Just because a new mineral vein was discovered! It was because I read the news about "dragon crystal depletion" last time that I went bankrupt and hoarded so much dragon crystal..."

"——This is fraud! This is fraud! This can't be true..."

"——Why, why does the empire want to increase investment in medical care! Those poor people... those lower class people, what are their lives worth saving! The private clinic I just opened..."

"..."

"Indeed, it's a very desperate sound." Intis said.

"But that's the reality."

The waiter shook his head, "This is a paradise for pursuing profits. But it will never and cannot be an utopia that satisfies everyone's wishes."

…

This short chat ended when the waiter led Intis to the door of the "Gonzalo Manston" office room.

"Ms. Index, we are here. Lord Gonzalo Manston is waiting for you inside."

The waiter then bowed slightly and saluted Intis, "I hope you guys can get a perfect contract."

"Thank you for your blessing." Intis nodded.

Suddenly, Intis smiled and said:

"Mr. Waiter, you are not an ordinary waiter."

This is Intis's intuition as a "civet".

Although she is a blood disciple of [Red Lotus], the ability given to her by the "Civet" fused with her allows her to detect extremely small and unconventional details in others.

When the "waiter" heard this, he just smiled in return and then turned around and left.

Intis didn't ask any more questions, but gently knocked on the door of "Gonzalo Manston".

Before leaving Sina City, Luo Xiu told her the names of several characters from the "Manston" family she might encounter.

"Gonzalo Manston" was also within Luo Xiu's prediction.

Intis still remembered that according to Luo Xiu's instructions, this was a relatively "kind" and "easy to talk to" person.

"Gonzalo Manston", his position at the "Bank of Eldorado" in the main city of Songyuan is "Vice President".

In the authority system of the "Golden State Bank", the "president" and "vice president" of each bank are served by family members assigned by the shareholder families.

The members of the family that invests the most capital in each bank serve as the "presidents" of that bank.

…

"--Come in."

A gentle voice came from behind the door of Gonzalo Manston's office.

Intis then opened the door and walked in.

In Intis' field of vision, she saw a figure holding a glass of wine in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

But Intis did not observe the other party's appearance carefully, but turned around first, closed and locked the door.

"……Who are you?"

Vice President "Gonzalo Manston" said in a gentle voice:

"The waiter didn't tell me which customer made a reservation in advance today."

"Hello, Mr. Gonzalo Manston."

Intis then lightly lifted her long skirt and gave a slight salute to the person opposite.

"On behalf of the Carlos family, I would like to negotiate a valuable 'cooperation' with you."

The Carlos family...? Gonzalo searched his mind for a while, but could not recall any impression of this family name.

As the "vice president" of the Bank of El Dorado, Gonzalo instinctively wanted to refuse.

In his mind, Gonzalo quickly thought up the words to politely refuse the other party, and prepared to express his "helpless" rejection to the other party in the kindest manner possible.

But Gonzalo's words were not spoken.

In Gonzalo's field of vision, he saw the beautiful lady in front of him taking out the "family emblem" symbolizing the "Manston" family!

Gonzalo's pupils shrank.

Gonzalo's thoughts were racing, and he quickly tore up all the previously conceived sentences in his mind, such as "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm sorry," and threw them into the trash can of memory.

"Please feel free to sit down, Ms. Carlos." Gonzalo said gently and put down the newspaper in his hand.

Intis then sat down in front of a sofa on the side, and then she began to observe the image of the "Gonzalo" vice president.

Gonzalo Manston is a decent middle-aged man with a square face and a clean shaven beard.

He was wearing an elegant black suit with a lapel collar and a gray-blue patterned silk wrap around the collar, exuding the aura of a business elite; at the same time, he was holding the wine glass in his hand, which was high-end. shape.

Gonzalo Manston, he put down the newspaper in his hand without putting down his wine glass, as if to show his taste and identity.

When Gonzalo walked to the opposite side of Intis and sat down, Intis greeted Gonzalo:

"Hello, Mr. Gonzalo. With all due respect, do you also like the red wine produced by Roquetier Winery?"

Hearing this, Gonzalo raised his eyebrows immediately, with a hint of surprise on his face: "How do you know? That is indeed my favorite wine estate..."

"Because that's also my brother's favorite."

Intis smiled and said:

"Mr. Gonzalo, your room is filled with the faint fruity aroma of Roquetier wine. My brother often said: 'Those who like Roquetier red wine , they must all be very tasteful'.

"That's right! Your brother is really an elegant man."

Gonzalo was not stingy with compliments, and in this moment of communication, Gonzalo felt that the distance between himself and the young lady from the "Carlos Family" in front of him seemed to have suddenly become much closer.

What Gonzalo didn't know was that all of this was actually observed by Intis on the spot and planned in advance.

Just inside the room, in the window on the other side, a bottle of red wine produced by the "Claudil" winery was placed slightly protruding; and at the position of the bottle stopper, there was a pried trace.

Although Intis doesn't actually understand red wine, it does not prevent her from saying these words.

This was Intis's "way of survival" before she met Luo Xiu. She was quite good at observing.

And her first "social" failure also came from Luo Xiu.

"So, this distinguished lady of the Carlos family."

Gonzalo greeted Intis in a friendly manner, "I haven't asked for your name yet?"

"Index Carlos, sir." Index replied with a smile, "Please call me Index."

"Okay, Ms. Index."

Gonzalo nodded, "May the golden wind bless you, Ms. Index. You said you came here to cooperate with us?"

"Yes." Intis nodded, "To be honest, I still hope to seek your help. Otherwise, I will not show you the emblem of the 'Manston' family that my brother treasures."

"I can understand." Gonzalo responded gently, "You hold this family emblem, which means you are an important guest of the family. It should be an honor for me to help you."

The Manston family emblem given by the Lord is really useful... Intis thought with an indifferent smile on his face and said:

"Thank you so much! The thing is, my brother entrusted me to come to the 'Golden Country Bank' to handle an investment..."

"My brother has conducted transactions with the merchants of the 'Golden Country' through certain personal channels. The transaction went smoothly, but the 'value weights' used by the merchants to pay were actually merchants of the 'Golden Country'" Vouchers..."

"As you know, these commercial securities are difficult to circulate in the empire's market. Although many banks in the empire have the business of exchanging commercial securities into Nolan gold coins, they require a high tax of nearly 20%. ”

In fact, the main reason is that the Lord is unwilling to have financial entanglements with the empire on this matter... Intis added in his heart, but did not express this to Gonzalo.

"So, you want to store those 'commercial securities' in the 'Bank of Gold' here?" Gonzalo quickly understood the subtext of Intis's words.

"Yes, Lord Gonzalo." Intis said with a smile, "This is exactly the 'help' I am seeking from you."

"As you who hold the 'Manston' family crest, arranging these for you is the way I should treat guests."

Gonzalo responded mildly:

"This is a very small matter. You only need to apply for a deposit certificate. Within my authority, I can help you complete it. Do you need to deposit these 'commercial securities' into an existing account, or open one? New account?"

"I want to open a new account." Intis replied, "In my own name."

"Yes, Ms. Index." Gonzalo nodded, "I will meet your request."

"So, another thing about your coming here..."

Gonzalo turned to a questioning tone and asked Index: "Ms. Index, what is the 'cooperation' you want to have with us?"

"That's about, what I said earlier, the investment in the 'commercial securities' deposit."

Intis said: "According to my brother's instructions, he hopes to invest in three areas and establish a long-term cooperative relationship with the industries under the name of the 'Manston' family."

"So that's it..."

Gonzalo's expression was dull. He raised the glass in his hand and took a sip. "I can't agree to this rashly. I need to know how much you want to invest."

"Although you are a distinguished guest who holds the 'Manston' family crest, according to the Manston family's investment bottom line, a single investment cannot be less than 10,000 commercial bonds..."

Ten thousand commercial bonds are equivalent to approximately one thousand Nolan gold coins, which is equivalent to the entire income of the middle class in the past year. It is an amount that needs to be considered for investment.

"I understand, Mr. Gonzalo." Intis smiled, "This is our first time to cooperate with the Manston family. Our investment is very sincere."

"——We plan to use all the 'one hundred thousand' commercial securities stored for investment."

"..."

Hearing this, the wine glass in Gonzalo's hand suddenly stopped shaking.

Gonzalo's eyes suddenly became profound.

——One hundred thousand commercial certificates.

This is indeed a considerable amount of investment.

Although it does not reach the level of "huge" in Gonzalo's eyes, such a share of investment is still very rare.

Even if Intis does not hold the "Manston" family emblem, making such an amount of investment in the "Golden Country Bank" is enough to be regarded as a distinguished guest.

"Okay, I think I have sensed your sincerity, Ms. Index."

Gonzalo said with a smile on his face:

"This is indeed an exciting cooperation proposal."

"Then, please allow me to take the liberty of asking. In what field are you...or, rather, your brother, planning to invest?"

"'Magic Stone Military Industry', 'Plague Control', and 'Edible Monsters'."

Intis followed the "investment plan" that Luo Xiu had asked him before and said: "According to the investment ratio of two to three to five, this is exactly the investment plan that my brother asked me to do."

"This..." Gonzalo was confused.

"Although the 'Manston' family does have related industry channels, these are not areas that are promising."

Gonzalo kindly reminded:

"The 'Magic Stone Military Industry' you mentioned is only a theory that has not yet been accepted and has not yet been proven to have 'market value.' Although we have just discovered a new dragon crystal vein, the newly discovered dragon crystal Stones should be exported more to craft workshops rather than military factories;"

"As for 'plague prevention', there has been no major plague outbreak in the Nolan Empire for more than ten years. This has been an industry forgotten by the market. Now, public opinion about the imminent outbreak of the 'plague' in the empire has been labeled as Rumors and heresies will not change the market environment;"

"As for the 'edible monsters', to be honest, I personally am not optimistic about them. Although many nobles are interested in them, for most people, they will probably never accept the meat of 'monsters' Show up at their table.”

"……so."

Gonzalo finally confirmed to Intis: "Are you still sure you want to invest in these areas?"

"Yes."

Intis nodded firmly and said, "This is also my brother's instruction. No matter what, we firmly believe in our choice and it will definitely benefit our future."

In fact, Intis didn't know much about these "investments".

But before she left, Luo Xiu told her - "No matter who the 'Manston' family member you are about to meet is, or what kind of doubt he has raised for you, strengthen your belief and show them Just put on a confident face..."

Intis, then strictly and effectively implemented Luo Xiu's instructions.

Sure enough, when Intis expressed his persistence, Gonzalo immediately showed an expression of admiration and said:

"I should apologize to you, Ms. Index. Perhaps you and your brother both have the potential to be real 'big businessmen'."

"I really shouldn't make decisions for you. And any great investment with disruptive significance will be an area that is not optimistic at the beginning."

"Profit-seeking is the essence of a businessman, but it should not be the shackles and constraints of a businessman. Any interest is accompanied by considerable risks, and I respect your judgment."

After speaking, Gonzalo stood up, stretched out his hand to Intis and said: "Then, I wish our cooperation will be smooth sailing."

"Best wishes for our cooperation."

Intis also stretched out his hand and shook Gonzalo's hand gently.

…

Later, Intis and Gonzalo discussed the details of "investment".

Intis interspersed it with the statement that "one hundred thousand commercial coupons" could not be carried with her by herself.

She had temporarily stored all the money in a secret warehouse on the Woubo grassland in advance, and Gonzalo understood this.

At the same time, Intis entrusted Gonzalo with moving these assets, which was not difficult for Gonzalo.

In the afternoon of that day, a convoy set off from the main city of Songyuan and drove quickly towards the Woupo Grassland.

Two days later, the convoy returned carrying 100,000 commercial bonds, and under Gonzalo's operation, they were successfully deposited into the account in the name of "Index Carlos" in the "Bank of El Dorado".

At the same time that the amount was deposited into Index's registered account, Index completed the signing of the contract with Gonzalo in the name of "Intex Carlos".

These 100,000 commercial bonds were invested in the three fields of 'Magic Stone Military Industry', 'Plague Prevention and Control', and 'Edible Monsters' at a ratio of 2:3:5.

If industries in these fields can be profitable, Intis will receive generous returns in proportion to its investment.

Gonzalo has used some guaranteed dividends for Intis. As long as the industries in these three fields have not gone bankrupt, Intis can have half of the "investment property protection."

This protection is provided by the "Golden Country Bank", which means that in the worst case, Intis will only lose half of the money at most.

This is a pretty friendly contract term. In addition, Intis can obtain "deposit income" distributed on a monthly basis.

This is also Gonzalo's behind-the-scenes operation. "Deposit income" and "investment income" are calculated separately. If the investment is profitable or flat without loss, then, as a deposit in the "Golden Country Bank", Intis can still receive a monthly deposit income of 0.5%, that is, 500 "Golden Country Commercial Securities", converted to 50 A Nolan gold coin!

And these profits will eventually go into Luo Xiu's pocket.

From the current point of view, as long as the investment in these areas can be maintained at "no loss", Luo Xiu will be able to obtain a total of 250 Nolan gold coins including the "sacred salary" every month after that!

This has transcended from a “middle class” income to an “aristocratic” family income level.

As for the three fields of 'demon stone military industry', 'plague prevention and control', and 'edible monsters', they are "dark horse fields" that only Luo Xiu knows about.

——They respectively represent the empire’s response and preparation for the “Judgment War”, “September Plague” and “October Famine”!

Although the industries in these fields are still flat in the short term, within a few months, the "value" of these fields will explode!

Among them, the earliest one to arrive was the "September Plague".

Now, it is already the end of August, and the "September Plague" is showing its first signs and is already on the verge of breaking out.

And this is information that only Luo Xiu knows.

These are huge advantages.

…

After completing the signing of the contract with the "Golden Country Bank", Intis was ready to leave the main city of Songyuan.

She had just completed a task and felt excited inside.

Intis couldn't wait to return to the city of Sina, repair her life to her "Lord" Luo, and tell him all the gains.

She hopes to get rewards from Luo Xiu - the secret of becoming stronger, more freedom, and even higher power...

Intis has already faintly felt that the trust in her from "Lord" Luo Xiu is constantly increasing.

The "Lord" seems to be planning something, this is Intis's intuition.

And her Lord... Luo Xiu Carlos, seemed to have become stronger during the time when she left him and went to the Woubo Grassland.

Intis desperately wanted to know what happened to her "Lord" Luo Xiu.

…

Gonzalo Manston completed all the identity and travel procedures for Intis, and personally saw her off.

After watching the carriage carrying "Index Carlos" drive out of the gate of Songyuan City, Gonzalo walked slowly along the trail and returned to the Bank of El Dorado.

And just at the entrance of the "Bank of El Dorado", Gonzalo saw a familiar figure.

A "waiter" was watching him with a smile.

"—Good morning, Vice President Gonzalo Manston."

The waiter bowed slightly to Gonzalo and said, "Have you signed a perfect contract with that lady from the Carlos family?"

"...That's a pretty perfect contract."

Gonzalo said:

"She invested in three unpopular areas, and the total investment amounted to 100,000 commercial securities. To be honest, although I did 'praise' her courage at the time, in my opinion, this is still just 'courage' '..."

"Maybe? Vice President Gonzalo." The waiter said with a smile, "Any great investment has been accompanied by huge risks."

"That's what I said at the time." Gonzalo shook his head, "And she is a distinguished guest who holds the crest of our 'Manston' family, so I can only comply with her wishes."

"This is not what you really think," the waiter said. "'Going along with what others want' is a reflection of 'win-win' in the eyes of us businessmen. Others gain pleasure and great expectations, and we Harvest real benefits..."

"Yes, that's true."

Gonzalo nodded, "But, after all, she is a distinguished guest of our 'Manston' family, and I can't imagine the consequences of neglecting her. Therefore..."

"So you used your authority to provide her with a 'guarantee'?"

"——Yes." Gonzalo nodded, "This way, when she really suffers from the loss, the reputation of the 'Manston' family will not be damaged."

"Nice idea."

The waiter nodded and said, "It seems that as a branch of the 'Manston' family, you have indeed grown a lot since you were sent here... Well, I am very pleased."

"...That's because you don't do your job."

Gonzalo's tone was quite helpless, he spread his hands and said:

"Originally, such a contact should be completed by you..."

"And you even chose to take her directly to my office after seeing her showing the 'Manston' family crest..."

"So, after all, when are you going to get down to business?"

"My beloved teacher Qiao Dewen, and..."

“——My respected ‘bank president’.”

“…”

Thanks to Tian Tianzhang for the 4,500 coins!

Thank you to Xiao Xiao A Xia for the 500 coins!

And, to make up for the previous one, thank you to Zhou Yan for the 500 coins!

This chapter is 8k big, it can be regarded as a reward for extra chapters (right?)!

qwq