Chapter 200 - Chapter 200: Salieri Trading Company
When the Marquis returned home, the butler announced a visitor.
"The branch manager of the Salieri Trading Company is here."
"What is the matter? What is he thinking with such a sudden visit?"
"Something about increasing capital."
"I see, increasing capital."
For the Marquis, who wanted to obtain operating funds, receiving a proposal for increasing capital was welcome. Thus, he decided to meet him.
The Salieri Trading Company was the merchant guild for the Sowell family, and the Marquis knew this, so he could not believe they would commit such a rude act as a visit without an appointment, but hearing about increasing capital, he admired their information gathering ability as expected.
When the Marquis entered the reception room, there stood a slender, clean-looking middle-aged man.
"My Lord, thank you very much for forgiving our sudden visit."
Although slightly overly polite, no rudeness was felt from his demeanor.
And then, the talk turned to increasing capital. The increasing capital would involve issuing 50% of the outstanding shares newly and selling them on the market. This was what was known as a public offering increase in capital.
After the amount of capital increase was decided, the explanation until the sale was completed followed.
"We will take charge of the capital increase. However, collateral will be required until the sale is completed."
"Collateral? If it is cash, make other conditions."
"Yes. It is only until we receive the commission fee later, so if you lend us your shares, that would be fine. We will not even change the name registration."
Since there was no name change, the Marquis agreed with two quick replies.
This capital increase was a public offering increase. It was a method of raising funds by selling new share certificates on the market. The collateral was merely a pretext; since it was obvious that the share price would drop due to the increase in share certificates, they would sell the borrowed shares and buy them back at the lower price after the capital increase to earn more than the commission fee.
Since they would sell once, the contract stated that during the period the collateral was pledged, the right to exercise would belong to the Salieri Trading Company. This took precedence over the name change registration.
However, lacking knowledge and facing a desperate need for funds right before his eyes, the Marquis could not refuse.
Furthermore, although his shareholding ratio of 35% would drop to about 23% with this capital increase, making him the largest shareholder, he did not consider that his decision-making power would become diluted.
Thus, once the capital increase discussion was settled, the Marquis added numbers such as the amount to the prepared contract and signed it. After the contract exchange was successfully completed, the branch manager of the Salieri Trading Company departed.
The butler asked the Marquis.
"Is that alright? You will be parting with the shares, even if only temporarily."
"I am only lending them temporarily. It is written in the contract as well. There is no worry."
"Yes --"
The butler still seemed to want to say something, but since offending the Marquis's mood would be troublesome, he said no more.
However, regarding the good timing of the Salieri Trading Company, he had thoughts, and this created a feeling of unease like a fish bone stuck in his throat. The ones short-selling were the Valier Trading Company, and the ones bringing the capital increase proposal were the Salieri Trading Company. Behind both of them was Margrave Sowell. He had not lived in such a soft world that he could think this was a coincidence.
But, he kept that inside his chest.
Just then, the Marquis seemed to have thought of something and suddenly raised his face.
"Hmm, I was so full of thoughts about money that I forgot, but I must show those who made a fool of me a painful lesson."
Yes, he had thought of revenge.
"My Lord, if you touch the Valier Trading Company, you will clash with Margrave Sowell."
"No, I will not touch that one, as expected. However, I will not forgive that guy Granville. Not satisfied with just taking Helena, he even gave him work, yet the pet dog bit the hand. Arrange it immediately!"
"I understand."
Even though the Marquis was angry, he was not so much that he could not calculate.
Thus, he decided to target Sir Granville, whom he could touch without problem.