493 Open the bank to Hang City (2/2)
”No worries.” Jiang Chen in a delighted mood continued, ”But my guess is that the purpose of your trip is not to catch up with me and drink tea.”
”That's right,” Kong Qian sat up straight and cautiously suggested, ”I'm here to be certain about our friendship.”
”There is no need to doubt our friendship. One month ago, you already made the correct choice, one fitting for our friendship.”
Kong Qian was relieved.
After a pause, he proposed with a cautious tone.
”We are grateful for your party's effort in establishing a clear trade route. To reinforce our friendship, I have a proposal.”
”Let's hear it.” Jiang Chen smiled.
”Based on our estimates, there are currently 1121 merchants utilizing the trade route to the Sixth Street. Now that the mutated humans in Jia City and the Seventh Area have been eliminated, the dangerous level of Wanghai decreased significantly. In the foreseeable future, the number will exponentially increase by next year. So we hope we could establish a division of the Merchant Guild at the Sixth Street.”
”Guild?” Jiang Chen looked at Kong Qian feeling intrigued, ”Could the Sixth Street council not protect your rights?”
”No, no, no, Mr. General, you're misunderstanding the situation.” Kong Qian rushed to explain, ”This guild is not political, it is only here to provide information support to merchants as well as trade fleet security contracts…”
”The mercenary guild can provide the last item.”
Without other solutions, Kong Qian had to compromise, ”We can take out the last item.”
”I obviously won't reject the proposal to establish the merchant guild, but an organization with a guild nature must be established under the supervision of the local government.”
”I want to know the definition of supervision. Do they have to wear NAC uniforms during work?” Kong Qian asked carefully.
”Of course not.” Jiang Chen shook his head. ”We'll send out an inspector to be stationed in the guild. We will pay the salary. Other than attending public meetings, he will not interfere with your day-to-day work. Or, as long as you do things that a merchant should do, he won't cause any disturbances to your daily work.
”Just that?” Kong Qian was skeptical.
”Just that.” Jiang Chen nodded.
Jiang Chen paused and continued.
”Relatively, we want to establish a similar partnership with your party. For example, establish a division of the mercenary guild in your jurisdiction. Don't be anxious, other than providing employees, we won't send any military units to be stationed there as we have full confidence that you can protect their lives and assets. We'll provide you with mercenary information, the channels for mercenary hiring as well as credit ratings.”
”On the other hand, if you're interested, we can open up a branch of the Sixth Street Bank in your area. Crystals are currently depreciating at a rapid speed in the Sixth Street. With the trade route being more open than ever, the depreciation would spread to other areas in no time. The Sixth Street trade has mostly eliminated crystals for its trade which would further accelerate the depreciation of crystals. Of course, if you are not confident with the purchasing power of the credit, we won't have to talk about this.”
Kong Qian hastened to say, ”No, we are very interested, it's just that we heard the digital channel of the credit could only be done in Wanghai—”
”It is currently only available in Wanghai. But if we expand our relay station to Hang City, then you will be included in our established network and the area for this payment channel will expand westward by two hundred kilometers.” Jiang Chen smiled.
Kong Qian held his breath.
Establishing a mercenary guild division and a branch of the Sixth Street Bank, build a relay station, and join the information network of Wanghai. Jiang Chen's offer made it impossible for Kong Qian to refuse.
The risk that existed in this was also difficult to neglect.
While NAC promised not to send forces into Hang City, and Jiang Chen did prove his creditability with his action and NAC's noninvasive nature. But anyone would feel instinctively uneasy beside such a powerful neighbor.
Once the proposal is agreed upon, NAC's influence would without a doubt expand to Hang City. If the influence were setting up for the inevitable invasion, then it would be fearful. But if it only existed to increase trade relationship, then it would only be beneficial.
”Your proposal is enticing, but it also makes people uneasy,” Kong Qian sighed and spoke with honesty.
”With the current situation of the wasteland, how much people could fit in Wanghai and Jia City?” Jiang Chen asked abruptly.
Kong Qian thought for a moment, ”Around a few million.”
”Then did your military force pose a threat to us?”
Kong Qian had a wry smile on his face.
Their people had witnessed NAC's ”financial power” the rockets that covered the sky. Despite the lack of technical expertise in that, it was not something that they could do with their production capability.
”Then why are you afraid.” Jiang Chen laughed.
Kong Qian took a moment to process this before he understood Jiang Chen's message as a troubled but understanding smile appeared.
The entire Suhang Province had less than one million people, and they didn't need to fight for space to survive. NAC had enough on their plate to develop Wanghai alone. From the power perspective, they didn't pose any threat to NAC.
There was no need to invade.
Once credit becomes common, Suhang Province's survivors must depend on NAC's economy.
”This is a flabbergasting reality. The reason we can survive is that we look harmless.” Kong Qian stood up. ”I'll send your message to the Merchant Alliance. Of course, I don't think it will hard to pass.”
”Then I'll wish the best for our potential partnership.” Jiang Chen also stood up and extended his hand.
”Pleasure to work with you.” Kong Qian shook Jiang Chen hand and nodded.