When the Saint comes, she does not collect food

#739 - Why can't I come up with a chapter title?

Three days later, top floor of Rapid Falls City Exchange.

Through the expensive crystal glass, the city's outline was faintly visible in the morning light, with a light mist hanging over the distant harbor.

The Libra gold-labeled windows were gently closed by servants to prevent the cold wind from freezing the seventeen gentlemen inside the conference room.

These "gentlemen" were the senior partners of the Megardi Merchant Guild.

To quickly restore the economy after the war, Horn gave the Megardi Merchant Guild considerable support and authority, using them to take over a large number of industries originally belonging to the nobility.

These seventeen individuals were distributed across a range of industries including finance, shipping, dyes, grain, carriages, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and leather goods, and most of them held more than half of the market share.

In the eyes of most commoners, weren't these senior partners essentially "gentlemen"?

But in front of the yet-to-arrive Horn, these partners were like lambs in a winter pen, apprehensive and uneasy.

The long table was placed next to the fireplace, beneath the giant gold-framed painting of 'The Holy Grandson's Smile.' On the table were oranges, teacups, meeting minutes, and paper and pens, all prepared in advance.

The aroma of coffee filled the air, and several waiters moved back and forth, serving fresh snacks and drinks to these upper-class figures.

The partners were all impeccably dressed, wearing dark robes or whalebone skirts, featuring the fashionable narrow-sleeved design, with silk scarves or gold and silver collar clips at the neckline.

The senior partners seated on the carved hardwood short velvet chairs were currently whispering to each other.

Some looked serious, still saying things like, "If you're not afraid, why should I be?" and "I didn't think you had news."

Others appeared relaxed, such as the insurance tycoon Old Eddie and the lottery king Brandon, both looking like they hadn't woken up yet.

Some even left their seats, pacing around the conference room, occasionally leaning down, holding onto the backs of the chairs, and conversing with other partners nearby.

This 'some' specifically referred to Dutti, the person in charge of the Rapid Falls City Exchange.

Dutti was considered one of the veterans of the Megardi Merchant Guild, having initially merged his own guild into Megardi, which was quite a gamble.

However, he won his bet. The Megardi Merchant Guild first swept through Lower River County, and then, by betting on Horn and Melia, extended its reach to all aspects of industry and commerce in Thousand River Valley and even Black Serpent Bay.

During this period, Dutti took the lead, expanding the Megardi Merchant Guild's commercial territory at an astonishing rate and with exceptional execution.

Wearing a wide robe and cloak modeled after the nobility, Dutti was still whispering to a partner: "Madam Margaret, what does the so-called 'Workshop Merchant Guild Registration Act' and 'Proposal to Establish the Holy Father Society within the Megardi Merchant Guild' mean?"

"You know how the emperor often sends a supervisor to monitor the army in the imperial army? Isn't this just a supervisor?"

"I know the Holy Grandson has good intentions, but can you trust those monastic leaders under him? If he obstructs you even a little, it could bankrupt you and ruin your family!"

"If the Holy Father Society is really established, will the Megardi Merchant Guild still be ours? Wouldn't it become the possession of this Holy Grandson?"

"Look, they want to register merchant guilds and financial stocks under real names. Heavens, isn't this for accountability?"

Whether it's real-name registration for workshop merchant guilds or real-name registration for finance stocks, it's impossible to really prevent these 'tycoons' from monopolizing.

But as long as it's implemented, it will significantly increase the cost for the partners to manipulate the market.

The days when they could have servants act as brokers or representatives with anonymously held shares would be gone.

Because once it's registered under a real name, the ownership belongs to the real-name holder. If they have the power but can't exercise it, and can easily shift the risks and debts to the real-name holder, wouldn't that servant rebel?

Dutti's fingers tapped out a rapid rhythm on the back of the chair, as if urging.

When he caught sight of Madam Margaret, who managed the pharmaceutical guild, clutching her pearl handbag tightly, he continued to whisper in her ear: "Don't you think, we used to be able to escape baseless accusations from the Cheka and military police by not registering under real names, but what about now?"

Trembling slightly, Madam Margaret pondered for a few seconds, "I understand."

Dutti stood up and surveyed the entire Megardi Merchant Guild. Apart from those senior partners who depended on Horn for survival, more than ten partners had sided with him.

As long as these senior partners of the Megardi Merchant Guild were united, Horn couldn't really do anything to them.

If that didn't work, they could go and seek refuge with the autocratic Duke. Unless the Holy Grandson wanted to fight a civil war, he wouldn't dare to go too far, at most forcing them to cough up some gold coins.

Dutti was even prepared to painfully part with 8,000 gold pounds in cash!

He knew the Great Patriarch valued his reputation, and would donate it directly to orphanages or similar organizations in the Great Patriarch's name.

Suddenly, the fireplace burst with the sound of firewood cracking, scaring the textile industry partner into knocking over their bone china teacup.

The brown liquid spread across the gold-thread embroidered tablecloth, just like the secret network of transactions beneath the Megardi Merchant Guild's table.

Those rivers of money, consisting of unregistered shell companies and unregistered shareholdings, were slowly flowing in unseen places.

Milson, the shipping industry partner, couldn't help but snort, "Some people shouldn't go too far. Although His Holiness the Holy Grandson seems overly idealistic on some issues, where would we be sitting now without him?

Besides, some people should also search their conscience and think about whether ill-gotten gains are really that good to earn?"

Dutti sneered, glancing at the other party, not bothering to argue with him further.

Milson Shipping's largest order was Horn's border trade, so it was natural for him to speak up for Horn.

Dutti didn't expect to be able to win him over to his side at all. He looked around and raised his teacup: "Everyone, there are treacherous individuals around His Holiness. As loyal citizens of His Holiness, as devout believers of the Holy Father—

If they insist on pushing these absurd bills, we will use every means to prevent the treacherous individuals' schemes from succeeding!"

"Indeed, indeed!" Of the seventeen senior partners present, twelve raised their teacups.

"Tap—"

"His Holiness the Great Patriarch Horn, Her Excellency Catherine, Governor of Lower River County, has arrived!" the master of ceremonies announced loudly.

Almost subconsciously, everyone in the conference room stood up to greet them.

The conference room door opened, and Horn and Catherine walked in side by side.

Horn was wearing a deep purple robe, still with that smiling expression.

Catherine, who was holding Horn's arm, was wearing a light blue men's military uniform, with exquisite gold ornaments on her chest.

"Dutti!" Catherine's glasses glinted coldly, "What were you just saying?"

"Just chatting with everyone, expressing my admiration for the two of you, as endless as the Nauan River." Dutti bowed politely and returned to his seat.

But as he lowered his head and quickly walked towards his seat, a disdainful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Horn calmly scanned the partners in the conference room, paused especially on Dutti, and then walked to the head of the table and sat down.

Catherine sat beside him, quietly watching each of the partners present.

"Now that everyone is here, everyone knows what issues we're here to discuss—real-name registration and the establishment of the Holy Father Society. How do you all feel about it? You can all speak your minds."

Horn still didn't waste any words, and directly addressed the senior partners.