The Count sighed, “Gredly had become increasingly brazen in
the interest rates he offered the Kingdom.
They were outrageous rates. He
possessed the resources to make it difficult to find competitors. My family, however, found alternate sources
of financing from outside Sartan, eager to do business. Gredly found himself without his largest
debtor. He was completely cut out of
Sartanian government economics. We had
caught him by surprise. By placing the
Donivis in the Treasury, he assured himself of all the loans he could ever want
from the government at any rate he might choose. So really, he removed my family for both of
the reasons you mentioned.”
Linvin leaned on his desk and blew a smoke ring. “That fills some gaps in my information, but it
is largely what I expected. My dear Count, I have a business proposition for
you. As a businessman, I hope that you
will hear me out.”
Venicci smiled and said, “There is never harm in hearing a
business proposal. Please proceed.”
“My father was a great man.
This company has become so large that I doubt even he could have managed
all the affairs he once did.
Furthermore, I plan to expand the company. I have the capital, but I do not have the
people to handle that capital.
“It is clear to me that the company’s system of handling
finances is inadequate and an open invitation for impropriety. For that reason, I plan to streamline the
finances of my company. I cannot afford
to lose vendors over clerical errors, whether deliberate or accidental.
“I also need accountants whom I can trust. If I were to disappear from the world, I would
want the Grithinshield Trading Company to continue without missing a thing.
“In summary, Count Venicci, I want to hire you and your
family to handle all of my company’s accounting. You will see that every bill is paid in a
timely fashion. You will audit all
books, including the stores. Your family
will monitor inventory and compare it to what the ledgers say we are supposed
to have. Buyers working for the company
will also be subject to audits.
“Inasmuch as it was a matter of public record, I know how
much your family earned for their former duties. I am willing to pay you that figure, plus ten
percent.”
The Count folded his arms and tilted his head as he looked
at Linvin. “That is an intriguing
proposal, but my family has more wealth than we could spend in a lifetime. Why would we bother running your assets?”
Linvin inched closer to his guest. “In a word, pride. Your clan has just been dishonored and has no
use for their time. You do not wish to
sink all your resources into your own bank for fear of loss. If you sit on your money, you will fade away
into obscurity and Gredly will have beaten you.
“Now, consider what will happen when you accept my
proposal. You will be allied with the
most powerful trading force in this country and one day, the world. The Veniccis will hold a place of honor
again, with arms that can stretch as far as your imagination will let
them. My company is the only one that
can afford to pay what you deserve and the only company grand enough to deserve
your services.”
Venicci nodded along.
“That is quite the sales pitch.
Dirk could not have done better had he been here, but there remains
unanswered questions. For example, why
hire us? If you are looking for a
competent accountant, there are many far cheaper than my family.”
“You said it yourself,” Linvin answered. “You do not need the money. If I had a store full of food, I would not
hire a starving man to guard it.
“My company will be run professionally, cleanly and in an
orderly fashion. There will be no payoffs,
kickbacks, extortion, skimming, or any other similar behaviors tolerated by
anyone in this company. Having your
unique family history, you have seen every trick ever invented. You know all the angles. Those games will not happen in my company. You will see to that and root out corruption
from within.”
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