God of Technology: Creating the Internet in Another World-Chapter 343: Why Lend When You Can Profit?

The next day.

City of Gold.

The bond trading market next to the stock trading market next to Dragon Bank—for the first time since it was established a few days ago, it saw a large number of people.

9 o’clock.

The moment the doors opened, a huge crowd rushed in.

Under the lobby manager’s guidance, those wanting to purchase or learn about bonds continued waiting in line on the first floor, while those wanting to issue bonds went up to the second floor for detailed discussions.

The threshold for bond issuance was actually easier compared to going public. Quite a few people came with a "let’s give it a try" attitude, which made things pretty lively.

"Dragon Bank next door has a 5% annual interest rate, and the dragons promised there’s no risk at all. This Dawn Southern Development Company has risk, and the one-year term is only 5.5%. Isn’t that too little?"

At the front of a line, a small merchant looked at the information the staff member showed, somewhat conflicted. "Plus, you have to buy at least 10 gold coins worth at a time. Why is there even this kind of restriction?"

The staff here had all been selected from various Dragon Bank branches, then trained at Dragon Bank headquarters and the Dragon Stock Exchange, and afterwards received professional training specifically for the Dragon Bond Exchange. They could be said to have this information down pat and knew how to talk to customers.

"Bonds are fundamentally different from deposits and stocks. We’re more like providing a platform for borrowing and lending. These annual interest rates are all calculated based on risk. If you think the Dawn Southern Development Company’s one-year term annual interest is too low, you can consider the five-year term, or consider this bond."

As the agent spoke, they pulled up a bond called "Church of Gardens." "The Church of Gardens is a small to medium church in the Gray Fort Empire that believes in the God of Gardens. They want to borrow 3 million gold coins to reach some kind of cooperation with Viscount Roster."

"After our assessment, we’ve set the annual interest for a one-year term at 7%."

"Among all the bonds, it’s one of the highest one-year term interests..."

"But on the stock side, a lot of people can multiply their money dozens of times in a few days. They’re both the dragons’ industries, isn’t this gap too big? You can’t play favorites, right?" The person was still somewhat unwilling to give up.

The agent wasn’t surprised at all by these words and wore a formulaic smile. "You can carefully read the stock trading related terms. Stock trading has extremely high risk. Maybe you can see a stock multiply dozens of times in a few days, but you also have to face stocks that drop to not even a fraction in a few days."

"But our bonds are different. Although our bonds have risk, after our assessment, they’re all medium to low risk. Plus, when applying for bonds, they need to provide asset documents as collateral."

"In other words, even if the company whose bonds you purchased goes bankrupt, our dragon ladies and gentlemen will help us recover the collateral and convert it to money. You won’t lose much. The overall risk can’t be compared."

"Also, since you mentioned the dragons’ industries—Dragon Bank says it’s low risk, but actually it’s basically no risk, because the dragons control the most wealth in this world. Unless the dragons’ wealth disappears, otherwise your capital and your interest are all guaranteed. Of course, precisely because of this, Dragon Bank’s risk is the smallest."

"From what you’re saying, bond interest is determined by risk? After you assess them, the higher the risk, the higher the interest they need to pay? Medium risk is actually just a general term?" Listening to the agent’s introduction, the small merchant’s expression remained conflicted.

"Yes, for example, you can look at this. The largest empire within human territory, the Gray Fort Empire—they came here yesterday to apply to issue government bonds. We’ve already passed the review."

The agent quickly pulled up another bond’s information.

Gray Fort Empire Rail Transit Government Bonds, issuer: Gray Fort Empire Treasury. "1-year term, 10 million gold coins, 5.2% annual interest," "3-year term, 50 million gold coins, 5.8% annual interest," "5-year term, 50 million gold coins, 6.2% annual interest," "10-year term, 100 million gold coins, 6.8% annual interest."

"According to the Gray Fort Empire’s statement, the Gray Fort Empire will build a large number of those rail transit systems invented by Roster Territory throughout Gray Fort territory. Currently they plan to borrow over 200 million gold coins as part of their startup capital, with an annual interest of only 5.2%."

The agent waited briefly, confirming that this small merchant had finished reading the general information, before explaining: "According to our assessment, the Gray Fort Empire’s default risk is extremely low. On one hand, they possess humanity’s most powerful violent organization. On the other hand, this project’s partner is the Kingdom of Dawn, the second strongest nation."

"Plus, the project’s core is a product of the Church of Technology under the God of Technology, and Viscount Roster is very likely to be involved."

"Finally, according to our analysis, this project will greatly promote the Gray Fort Empire’s economic development. This project has extreme value and will give the Gray Fort Empire more profit methods, enough to afford this portion of loans and interest. That’s why we gave this assessment."

The agent explained eloquently.

From their mouth, a very fair, open, and transparent model was displayed to perfection.

"How about it? Sir, do you have any other questions? If you want to subscribe, I can help you subscribe here. Of course, you can also operate yourself using the Magic Net. The operation method isn’t difficult. Look..."

Only then did the small merchant snap back to attention. "Sorry, I’ll operate it myself."

The small merchant stood up and quickly walked to the side. The person behind him quickly stepped forward and began asking about their own doubts regarding bonds and purchasing bonds.

But this small merchant didn’t hesitate at all. He left the Dragon Bond Exchange directly, went straight back to the inn, packed up all his things, and headed straight for the Gray Fort Empire.

He had some capital in hand that he’d originally planned to invest in stocks, but yesterday’s Wool Guild incident had made him somewhat panicked. He only went to the bond trading market to give it a try.

To see if he could find somewhere for his capital to go.

As a professional merchant, he liked doing things with more certainty.

But upon hearing that the Gray Fort Empire was actually planning to borrow over 200 million gold coins to build a nationwide rail transit market, his original plan instantly vanished. Stocks, bonds, deposits—they could all go to hell!

One had too much risk, one had interest too low, one was just a piggy bank. Comparatively, what he was more bullish on was still his own business ability and business skills.

The Gray Fort Empire making such big moves—didn’t that mean there were huge opportunities there?

If he could grasp even the tiniest bit of it, he’d make a fortune. Compared to these current options, it would be way better.

The Gray Fort Emperor probably never imagined there would be this kind of side effect...