Chapter 5: Loans

While the bonds were being sent to the back office for inspection, Alberto Casapes continuously explained that the emphasis on risk was to lower the face value of the bonds

Sir, we offer short-term loans as well as medium to long-term loans

Sir, Wall Street has arrived

Sir, you should understand that this is a bearer bond, and it will take another thirty years to redeem

Yes?

Of course, if you wish to apply for a loan, you will need to provide appropriate collateral, such as real estate or ...

At the moment he received the bond, Alport Casapes felt his heart race several times in an instant, a series of zeros... This was a £100,000 British bond. When he took the bond, Alport merely glanced at it and immediately knew it was not counterfeit. British bonds, like the pound, have very simple surface designs, yet anyone knows that the seemingly simple pound is often referred to as the "Queen of Banknotes" due to its extremely intricate design. Its paper is exceptionally unique, made from densely woven cross-patterned linen, and the multilayered processing technique used is unparalleled. When he took the bond, Alport merely glanced at it and immediately knew it was not counterfeit. British bonds, like the pound, have very simple surface designs, yet anyone knows that the seemingly simple pound is often referred to as the "Queen of Banknotes" due to its extremely intricate design. Its paper is exceptionally unique, made from densely woven cross-patterned linen, and the multilayered processing technique used is unparalleled. Moreover, it employs highly complex watermark printing, with hundreds of anti-counterfeiting points on every pound. The pound has always been recognized as an artwork among currencies that is virtually impossible to counterfeit. As for the large bearer bonds issued by the UK, their complexity far surpasses that of the pound, not to mention that no one would be foolish enough to counterfeit a bond that can be easily verified.

Alberto Casapes was also observing the Oriental man before him, who seemed to be wearing a custom-made suit. Every piece of his clothing revealed exquisite craftsmanship, perhaps from a renowned tailor. Just this suit alone would leave no doubt that he was a wealthy gentleman. Banks have always opened their doors to the rich, regardless of race or nationality

Nervous, how could one not be nervous? Even though in Atlanta, I exchanged ten kilograms of gold at the bank for over six thousand six hundred dollars, and to this day I have only spent a few hundred dollars, that money will eventually run out. Moreover, this amount is simply insufficient to resolve my problems.

Is it possible to have bearer bonds

A crisp response escaped from Li Zicheng's lips as a bank clerk approached with a telegram and bearer bonds. Upon receiving the telegram sent by the Bank of England, Alberto Casapes glanced at it, and his smile grew even broader.

Sir, although your bonds are fully registered bearer bonds, considering that they are long-term bonds with a duration of forty years, if the bank accepts the bonds as collateral, and you... Of course, this does not imply any doubt regarding your creditworthiness; however, the bank must take into account the risks we are required to bear

Sir, I would like to proceed with signing the contract!

I think we need to discuss this business deal at hand, don't we

While responding to the other party's inquiry, I deftly untied the string of the paper bag with one hand and took out a British bond from within the bag

I would like to say that any bank in New York would be very willing to accept the mortgage I offer

Upon entering the bank lobby, Li Zicheng glanced at the Americans who were lined up, and then proceeded directly to the manager's office on the left side to handle financial matters

Looking up, Alport Casapes saw a young Oriental man approaching his table, and a professional smile appeared on his face.

When this number was mentioned, Alport and the librarian Casapes couldn't help but swallow hard. Would this person accept this ratio

A Si, wait for me outside

As countless possibilities emerged in his mind, Li Zicheng smiled as he placed the bonds into the briefcase. Perhaps after circling around the leaders for a long time, he had encountered such individuals often and naturally knew how to deal with them

This is essential

I believe we need to conduct further verification of the bonds. Of course, while you are waiting, we can discuss the ratio of the collateral

Exposing those bonds merely showcases one's capital, but if one wishes to secure a mortgage, one can only pledge one bond at most to a single bank. If all of these bonds worth over one million pounds are pledged to one bank, it is likely that by tomorrow, the entire New York will know that a Chinese individual is holding bonds worth over one million pounds, which would only bring countless troubles upon oneself

So what

It is imperative to return to the island to retrieve the treasures within the submarine, especially those technical patents. Perhaps in this era, the patent blueprints stored in stainless steel tubes are the true priceless treasures, even capable of...

At the moment he stepped down from the carriage, Li Zicheng adjusted the top hat on his head, his eyes fixed on the nearby "Morgan Bank".

Nodding slightly, Li Zicheng was not concerned about what they might uncover. The ways in which such bearer bonds became part of the Nazi treasure could be numerous, but one thing is certain: even if they conducted a verification, they would not find any issues. Many people purchase bearer bonds precisely to conceal their identities; even the Bank of England does not know to whom it has sold the bonds.

The gaze of the client, who remained silent yet wore a smile, made Alberto Casapes feel somewhat anxious. Why did this emotion arise?

Seeing the appearance of the attendant outside the door after cutting off his braid, Alberto Casapes instinctively understood the background of this Oriental man who came to secure a loan with bonds. He was Chinese. Reflecting on the revolution currently unfolding in China, he vaguely grasped why this man held bonds in his hand. Perhaps after using these thirty-year bonds to secure a mortgage, he would be utterly unable to repay the loan

As he pondered, Li Zicheng had already reached the entrance of Morgan Bank. Just before entering, he turned back and instructed A Si with a word.

The moment the carriage door was opened, a voice reached my ears. In the next second, the coachman swiftly attached the carriage steps and respectfully held the door open.

Transaction completed

In an instant, a look of utmost humility appeared on Alport Casapes's face. As he made this request, he found his heart inexplicably racing. At the same time, he was contemplating how to maximize profits. Perhaps... perhaps this person before him was a noble from the Qing Dynasty who had fled to America. Perhaps... he was in dire need of money. Perhaps this person before him was a noble from the Qing Dynasty who had fled to America. Perhaps... he was in dire need of money

90%, loan term

However ... ...

Moreover, I believe we also need you to provide appropriate documentation to prove that these bonds are ... ...

Therefore, we can only provide 80% of the loan

Without waiting for the duty manager to finish speaking, Li Zicheng directly took a brown paper bag from his briefcase and placed it on the table

This is a bearer bond

Call!

Of course, may I take a look at the picture book?

We can only provide loans for a maximum term of two years

Without waiting for him to finish speaking, Li Zicheng immediately interjected, understanding the person's intention

The bank manager's words made Li Zicheng raise his eyebrows; here it comes. The bank has always been something that gnaws on bones without spitting out the residue, and he is certainly trying to take the opportunity to drive down the price

While speaking, Li Zicheng sat on the chair at the table, placing his briefcase on his lap and looking at the other party. He had come here specifically to arrange a loan, using those eighteen British bonds as collateral. This was the only asset he had that could be converted into cash. Although those bonds had not yet matured, they could at least serve as a guarantee for the loan.

Of course, Li Zicheng did not ask this; he simply stared at the other party. Sometimes silence is the best rebuttal, especially at this moment. For the bank, they pursue profit, while he needs a sum of money to buy a ship, recruit reliable crew members, and transport the treasures from the submarine, and if possible, that aircraft as well.

Having said that, Li Zicheng walked into the bank, his leather shoes making a clear sound on the marble floor. The bank employees, hearing the noise, occasionally glanced up at this newly arrived "gentleman". However, in the next moment, they categorized this well-dressed gentleman simply as "a person", solely because he was of Eastern descent

Taking a deep breath, with his left hand holding a black briefcase, Li Zicheng walked towards the bank. Following closely beside the young master was Ah Si, who had just disembarked from the carriage. The hard-soled leather shoes struck the cobblestones along the roadside, producing a rhythmic sound. As he approached the increasingly nearer Morgan Bank, Li Zicheng could clearly feel the sweat forming in the palm of his hand

Of course, a thorough examination is essential, especially when dealing with such a substantial amount. Albert Louis carefully checked this bond issued ten years ago. After confirming the authenticity of the bond, he glanced at the Oriental man and then looked at the assistant standing outside the door, a Chinese person

Thinking that this might be a significant business opportunity, Alberto Casapes quickly introduced the types of loans and interest rates to the Eastern individual, while also keeping an eye on the other person's demeanor during the introduction

Looking at the more than ten bonds, Alport Casapes found his heart racing uncontrollably. If these bonds were all worth one hundred thousand pounds each, heavens! If this deal went through, it would be enough for him to have an independent office upstairs

bonds

As a Jew, Alport Casapes has encountered too many so-called "cunning guests," but Alport Casapes believes that there are, unfortunately, no merchants in this world more astute than the Jews

The response from the other party momentarily stunned Alberto Casapes, but it was only for an instant; the fleeting surprise was quickly replaced by a look of humility

While speaking, Li Zicheng took out another seventeen bonds from his briefcase. These were taken from a metal box on the submarine, and at that time, it was merely curiosity. How could he have imagined that now he would question whether he could survive in this era, or even whether he could reclaim that "treasure that belonged to him," relying solely on these thin British bonds.

Before Li Zicheng could finish speaking, Albert Casapes, fearing that this lucrative deal might slip through his fingers, immediately interjected.

Hello! Sir, is there anything I can assist you with

Yes, the government bonds issued by the United Kingdom

Apply for a loan