Shadow of great britain

City of London.

Arthur sat in the neat and tidy trading hall and looked up at the company sign above the quaint mahogany counter in front of him - London Real Estate Consulting Company.

While tasting the black tea used to entertain guests, Alexandre Dumas commented pertinently: "This tea tastes much better than the tea sold in British restaurants. The meal I had with you at noon today almost made me vomit. The meat used in that restaurant is definitely not fresh, I can guarantee you this with the honor of being a Frenchman."

Elder replied without interest: "Doesn't that mean there is no guarantee? Buying a house is really troublesome. Isn't it enough that both the buyer and the seller agree after seeing the house? You also have to get two lawyers to verify the contract, and then ask for it again. How long did it take to apply to the Land Exchange Committee under the Ministry of Finance for checking property rights information? We just stuffed the money and took the fast track. If we didn't give them any sweeteners, it might not be possible to get it done in half a month. "

Darwin heard this and said: "But wouldn't it be better if we continued to look at a few more houses? We looked at those three houses in the morning and bought them all as soon as we raised our hands. We don't know whether they were expensive. It’s still cheaper. I’ve heard that there are a lot of scammers in the real estate agency industry, what if he plans to cheat Arthur?”

"He dares to trick Arthur?" Elder raised his eyebrows and said, "Unless he has no brains and doesn't want to hang out in London. Doesn't he know that the most promising police officer sitting here is Scotland Yard?"

Arthur raised his eyes and looked out along the hall. Opposite him was his most ideal workplace more than half a year ago - the London Stock Exchange, where people were coming and going, traffic was constantly flowing, and every breath he took felt full of the smell of copper. Place.

He said: "That's not certain, and even if he really intends to trick me, there is actually nothing I can do. After all, Scotland Yard is not responsible for the security of the Financial City."

"Ah?" Elder suddenly sat up from the sofa after hearing this: "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 head? Question? You were much smarter than this in the past."

Arthur took a slight breath after hearing this: "You don't understand, Elder, my money is not clean. If I don't spend it as soon as possible, I always feel uneasy. Moreover, you don't understand that an apartment building plus How attractive is a grocery store and a two-story single-family villa to an Eastern soul? This has been my dream for many years. If I lose a little money, I will lose a little. You can at least let me have fun. "

Elder frowned and asked: "What weird things are you talking about? You guy, you get sick every now and then. If you want to do a loss-making business, I can't agree to it. This is what my brother killed with one knife. Why is it cheap?" That piece of shit? You have too much money to spend, so why don’t you treat me to a few shows? If that doesn’t work, we can also have some extra-night activities.”

After saying this, Elder looked around and then pulled Darwin, who was reading a book, out the door.

Before leaving, he did not forget to tell Alexandre Dumas: "Fat man! Look after him for me. I just saw several real estate agencies on the way here. I will go there to inquire about it. Before I come back, you But Arthur must not be allowed to sign the contract."

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 are never too lazy to care about this little profit. As for money, you just earn it after you spend it. What's the big deal?"

After saying this, he couldn't help but poked the absent-minded Arthur with his elbow, nodded approvingly at him and said: "Arthur, I have to say, your character is really like an old Frenchman lurking among the British. "

Arthur woke up from a dream. When he heard Dumas' words, he was stunned for a moment, and then asked with a teacup in hand: "I'm sorry, I didn't pay attention just now. Did I offend you in some way?"

Hearing this, Alexandre Dumas paused for a long time with the tea cup brought to his lips. He looked at Arthur for a long time, and then he said: "I think what you said to me before is right. If you 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 mice are out looking for bread crumbs, you don't have to worry about them. You sign the contract as soon as possible, let's quickly find a better restaurant, get some good wine, and congratulate you on moving into your new home." "

As soon as Dumas finished speaking, the real estate agent with a smile on his face came over with a notary lawyer.

He placed the land property transfer document, which was full of more than ten pages, on the coffee table, and said to Arthur very politely.

"All documents have been checked by Mr. Lawyer, and all the information is correct. If you have no doubts after reviewing it, you can sign in the blank part below now. From the moment your name is placed on the document, Green All the houses on plots A-25 to A-27 of Central Street in Wyndham are all named Hastings."

Arthur picked up the property rights document and flipped through the pages. He didn't quite understand what was written in detail, but the standard words "freehold" on it still made him feel a little excited. .

Just as Arthur picked up the quill in the ink bottle and was about to sign, suddenly he heard a standing sound in the trading hall.

He looked up and found 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 with a flattering look on his face, took off his hat and saluted in front of the door: "Good afternoon, Mr. Rothschild."

Arthur turned around and saw that the man called Mr. Rothschild was actually a familiar face that he recognized.

That was Lionel Rothschild, the eldest son of the London branch of the Rothschild family whom he met at the Duke of Sussex.

Lionel smiled and nodded to the many eyes in the hall, but when he looked to Arthur's side, he inevitably paused.

He turned around, took off his hat with a smile and said: "Mr. Hastings, long time no see. Are you coming to me for investment advice today, or do you want to go hunting with me?"

Arthur then remembered the business card Lionel had left for him before. He took out his wallet and took out the business card and took a look at it.

The business card clearly read - Lionel Rothschild, Rothschild Bank Consultant, Chairman of the Board of Directors of London Real Estate Consulting Company.

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

He had been thinking about how to invest in real estate for a long time. How could he forget the human incarnation of Mammon?

Lionel walked to Arthur and suddenly saw a lot of documents on the coffee table. He couldn't help laughing and said: "It seems that you have accepted our company's investment and property advice. I wonder what your plan is this time." Where did you buy the house?”

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

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

"Really?" Lionel nodded slightly, smiled and said to Arthur: "Do you mind if I help you with the details?"

Arthur glanced at the real estate agent's expression and roughly understood what was going on. Although he didn't mind taking a small loss, why not make more if he could?

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

Lionel took the document and just glanced up and down. His smile soon became slightly stiff. He still maintained his smile, but his tone of voice gradually became a little strange.

He asked the agent: "Have house prices in Greenwich increased too rapidly recently?"

The intermediary understood this and agreed with sweat on his forehead: "I also think the price has risen a bit too fast, but Mr. Hastings works in Greenwich, so I can only try my best to meet his needs and provide him with everything he needs." Choose a suitable house over there.”

Lionel shook his head and said: "You are not well informed. Judging from the information I have obtained, Mr. Hastings is expected to be promoted soon. In the future, he should mainly work at No. 4 Whitehall Street. The Metropolitan Police Headquarters in London, you have to recommend a property near there. This house price assessment report is not suitable for Mr. Hastings, please take it back and make it again."

The major shareholders have already spoken. How dare the real estate agency say no?

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

Lionel thought for a moment and asked: "Near Knightsbridge, I remember there were two four-bedroom apartments in Ennismore. The house opposite Hyde Park has not been sold, right? There is also Regency Crescent. In the building…”

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

When Lionel heard this, he shook his head slightly at the intermediary, and then smiled with his lips raised.

"Yes, what I just mentioned all meet the standard of being within 1,500 pounds. Even the two apartments in Ennismore can be purchased for 300-400 pounds. The single-family house in Hyde Park is a bit more expensive, but 1,000 pounds is also OK. Take it, they are all very suitable for a single man like Mr. Hastings."

Only then did the intermediary understand the boss's true intentions. The boss was planning to lose money and gain friendship.

Lionel looked at his dull face and couldn't help but lift his cane and tapped the floor with dissatisfaction.

"Why are you still standing here? Why don't you show the information about these houses to Mr. Hastings?"

"Oh!" Upon hearing this, the intermediary hurriedly collected the documents, then hurriedly bowed to Arthur, and then rushed into the back hall: "I'm sorry, Mr. Hastings, I'll be right back. "

Seeing him leaving, Lionel raised his hand and pointed to the sofa opposite 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. There is no need to communicate with them. You know, Some new employees always lack professional skills.

However, as compensation for their work mistakes, I can provide you with some other investment suggestions, such as stocks, bonds, etc. It actually seems a little unreasonable to invest all your assets in real estate. "