The Founder of the Great Financial Family

Chapter 6: Venturing into Gold Hunting (3)

"Raw gold is still gold, but it's not usually used in that form. To ensure ease of transport and a guaranteed value, it's typically processed into gold coins. You all know about gold coins, right?"

"Of course, we know!"

The third child answered with the most confidence.

"When you think of gold, you usually think of gold coins. But why gold coins?"

"Who do you think makes these gold coins?"

The second child responded to that question.

"Could it be... are you talking about goldsmiths? Gold coins are usually made by goldsmiths." The younger siblings were not ignorant, though they were young.

Rockefeller continued with a faint smile.

"That's right. Gold coins are usually made by goldsmiths who have the imperial sanction. While silver coins are directly managed by the lord and circulate only in their region, gold coins are different. The standards for gold coins are set by the imperial court, and only a few goldsmiths with imperial permission can mint them. And for convenience, these goldsmiths are located in each territory, distributing the gold coins they make in that region."

At that moment, the third brother finally caught on to Rockefeller's intention and began to respond with a flushed face of excitement.

"So, we can just sell the canned gold to that goldsmith, right? That person has nothing to do with the lord."

"Exactly. They are craftsmen authorized by the royal family. Of course, they aren't completely unrelated to the local lords, but they are not directly managed by them. So, for us who need to sell the gold secretly, it's worth a try."

The third brother seemed convinced, while the second brother had a somewhat doubtful expression.

"Rockefeller, are you sure this won't cause any problems?"

As Rockefeller turned his gaze towards him, the second brother shared his concerns.

"After all, that person is doing business on the lord's land, right? Doesn't that mean he's not entirely unrelated to the lord?"

"There is some connection, but if we make things convenient for him, then from his point of view, there's no need to inform the lord about the dealings with us. Those people are purely profit-driven. You shouldn't think of the goldsmiths as sincere and moral. They are the kind who would deal with the devil if it means making a profit."

"Even with the devil?"

The younger siblings looked slightly startled and frightened at the mention of the devil.

'Kids, as always.'

Rockefeller knew all too well that goldsmiths were trusted by everyone in their profession, yet he was also aware of their inherent corruption.

For someone to be granted the right to work as a goldsmith by the royal family, they had to prove their creditworthiness and reliability to the monarchy.

They had to demonstrate how diligently they had lived, how loyal they were to the royal family, and how well they could pay their taxes, and only then, with great difficulty, would they be granted permission.

'The royal family wouldn't appoint a goldsmith with moral issues. After all, the creation and circulation of gold coins are largely based on trust.'

However, this morality only extended to showing the purity of the gold used in the coins and the sincerity in paying taxes to the royal family.

What happened afterward didn't really require morality, and the royal family didn't make a big issue out of it.

'That's how the first usury business was born.'