Gaia’s Purse
Will met with crown prince in the morning. From the discussion, it was clear that this was an undertaking that required all the advisers focus.
The biggest hurdle was the castle's anemic treasury. Will and the Prince had agreed earlier on a multimillion gold loan with an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 2%.
Honestly, it was less of a loan than a government bond. Will wondered how the Royal Family would feel about issuing bonds.
Government bonds were an easily way for municipalities to gain funds for large scale projects. Most government used bonds and loans in the short-term to avoid raising taxes.
With the loan secured, the army moving into the place, the various guild contracts signed all that was missing was the Crown Prince Roland's announcement.
After the Crown Prince's announcement, Will would pay the guilds, the guilds would than assign their laborers to do the work. The army would be responsible for the fringe and other places where guilds had no reach.
Prince Roland, under Will's advisement, agreed to pay the soldiers for their labor. The reason being, most soldiers remitted their salaries to their families. That meant soldiers were another way to spread money throughout the kingdom.
With preparations finalized, the Crown Prince relaxed. Not even his father was this ambitious when he ascended the throne.
Returning home, Will sat in his drawing room. Looking over the Silver Phoenix Yorkshire Auction House blueprints he would hand to Mei later this afternoon. Marquis vont Hanover's bank was a plagiarized version of his own, except the glitter factor increased by an exponent of five. Will planned to split Marquis vont Hanover's bank in half. The front half would remain almost the same.
Guest would enter and see a long desk where saleswoman would greet guest. The same ostentatious interior would stay.
The first floor loan officer desk would be removed and the front half of the second floor and third floors would display items for auction.
The back half of the bank would an auditorium. With the second and third floors reserved for VIPs. The king, cardinals, duke and Will would have third floor suites. The suites could not be reserved year round like his theatre. The auction suites could only be purchase for day.
Each night the items would enter the vault and each day the items would be displayed from inexpensive to expensive on the first, second, and third floors.
When the bank's deed transfer to Will so did the employees. The former bank manager would become the auction house manager. The tellers would return and so would the loan officers, except they were now called appraisers. Of course Will would hire a master appraiser to supervise the others. The only employees not returning were the stock brokers.
Will only wanted one auction house. That meant the Hanover Bank in Guidon would sit empty for now. Will thought and thought but nothing came to mind.
At the 12th bell, an adept, Mei and Elizabeth were escorted into the dining room. Elizabeth's maid in waiting, Sasha, stood behind her with her back to the wall. Will walked in a few minutes later and took his seat at the table.
"Let's enjoy lunch, then we can handle business in the lady's drawing room," Will said.
A delicious Peking Duck was served with crisp bean sprouts, cucumber, celery, and pancakes with a tart fruit wine.
"Will why did you go back to the capital?" Elizabeth asked in her usual bluntness.
"The Crown Prince has appointed me his temporary chief economic adviser."
"My father told me Roland will be proclaimed Regent," Elizabeth said.
"Yes, that's my understanding," Will replied.
"Are we to live here after we're married," Elizabeth asked.
Will chocked on his wine at the suddenness of the question.
"Elizabeth, you deserve to know the truth. I plan to advance in rank to a Baron. As my wife I'd like you to live with me in our barony," Will said.
Mei and the adept did their best to fade into the background.
Mei wasn't sure why Boss Will requested her presence, but she had no plans to interrupt her boss and his fiancé.
"Thank you for telling me," Elizabeth said softly.
"I understand, as the lady of my house I know you have certain responsibilities," Will said.
"My mother keeps asking," Elizabeth said.
"Yes, mothers can be troublesome, indeed," Will agreed.
After lunch Michael escorted them to the Lady's Drawing room.
"Michael, bring the Housekeeper and Cook to meet my fiancée," Will directed.
"At once, master," Michael said bowing.
"Elizabeth, I want you feel comfortable in this house. You may change whatever decor you wish," Will said.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said.
"However, that is not why I asked you here. I asked you here because I want to find ways to help people, like Ms. Jane in the Rabble Quarter," Will said.
Immediately, Elizabeth's countenance beamed with happiness and excitement.
"Mei, assign Elizabeth a junior clerk who shares her passion," Will assertive.
"Yes, Boss Will," Mei said surprised.
"Elizabeth, I want to do something after the Award Ceremony. Do you have any suggestions?" Will asked.
"The churches are the primary philanthropist" the adept said.
"What's your name," Will said to the brown haired, green eyed, devout adept.
"I am Cicelye, Lord Champion. I am your devoted adept. The church has assigned to you. Where you go, I go, I am yours wholly. Do with me as you wish," Cicely said passionately.
The more Cicely spoke the angrier Elizabeth became. Will laughed, he found Elizabeth's jealousy cute.
"Well met, Cicely! As champion, I'd like you to serve Elizabeth, along with Mei's junior clerk. The three of you shall spread Gaia's love by helping others. Elizabeth shall lead my new business, Gaia's Purse!" Will said emphatically.
"Boss Will, might I understand correctly. You want to create a business that gives money away?" Mei confirmed.
"Yes!" Will confirmed.
This charitable organization was his greatest idea. By tying his money to Gaia, no one could get mad about his millions of gold coins. That's because his success was the result of divine providence. Moreover, donating a pittance of his coin would garner people's respect.
Will laughed internally. While he crafted a public image of a pious philanthropist, he would dominate the world economy.
"Gaia's Purse," the three women said stunned.
"Yes, a joint effort between the church and my business with my dear bride Elizabeth in charge.
"Oh dear! This sounds wonderful!" Elizabeth almost screamed in glee, before she regained composure.
"Gaia's champion is wise and pious. Gaia desires for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them," Cicely said clasping her hands and smiling.
"Yes, the mission of Gaia's Purse shall be to aid the world's poor, sick, and suffering. This organization will be an effective means of reaching hurting people around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the name of Gaia. Any questions?" Will asked.
"Boss Will, what's budget for this charity?" Mei asked.
"The budget shall be 100 gold a month. Your junior clerk is responsible for the budget and fundraising," Will said. Again laughing internally, 1,200 gold was nothing to him.
"Boss Will, may I ask one last question?" Mei asked, not wanting to be impertinent.
"Of course," Will said graciously.
"Shall this charity be responsible Miss Jane's Home for children?" Mei asked.
"Yes, fold the budget for the orphanage in Gaia's Purse!" Will ordered.
"Very well, sir," Mei said.
"After the award ceremony, Gaia's Purse shall give free food and clothes to the poor.
'Food drives were always a popular choice back on Earth,' Will thought.
"It's cold and people shall appreciate a warm meal and clothing," Cicely said.
'Philanthropy is the same on Terra food, clothing, health care. That's three of the big five. The other two were education and environment,' Will thought.
"Mei your junior clerk shall be responsible for purchasing the food and clothing. Cicely, you shall be responsible for providing healers. Since our launch is one week, we shall meet daily here," Elizabeth ordered.
Unbeknownst to Will, Elizabeth thought this charity was a test of compatibility. With that belief, Elizabeth would throw herself at this challenge and surpass Will's expectations.
Oh Mei, before you go, here are my plans for the Marquis vont Hanover's Yorkshire bank," Will said.
"Will, I've never accomplished such a task. How shall, I proceed?" Elizabeth asked excitedly.
"Take your clerk and visit commoner tailors. Buy entire stores and bakeries. The clerk can handle the expenses.
Then set up a large table and have volunteers hand out the clothes and food. Invite the churches to offer blessings and healing. Pay the before hand so it looks like the churches are blessings people for free," Will instructed.
"What a marvelous idea. Sasha and I, will visit some establishments today," Elizabeth clapped.
"Lady Elizabeth, I will send someone over very soon," Mei said curtsying and leaving.
As soon as Mei, left Michael presented the housekeeper and cook to Elizabeth. It was Will's first time meeting them as well. Will usually only spoke to Michael.
"Master and Lady Elizabeth may I present the Housekeeper Ms. Park, and the cook Ms. O'Daniel," Michael said.
"Greetings your Lord and Lady," they curtsied.
"Well met," Elizabeth said. She greeted them from her chair, not rising.
"Ms. Park and Ms. O'Daniel, from now Lady Elizabeth Will supervisor the household staff, except for Michael," Will said.
This was the same arrangements in many noble house.
"Yes, Master Will," they said.
"Well let's us first begin by discussing the upcoming Award Ceremony.
No doubt my fiancée will earn a new title. We need to be prepared for company. I want hors d'oeuvre, charcuterie, and a pastry tower.
Ms. Park, how may servants are there, bring them here so I may inspect them? Also Ms. O'Daniel bring me the silverware, I wish to know if it's suitable," Elizabeth said.
The housekeeper and the cook immensely set off and followed, Elizabeth's directions.
Soon a parade of male servants, and female maids and cook aides entered the drawing room.
"This silverware not meet the standard of this house. Immediately send out an order for the most expensive silverware.
Also, I want fresh flowers in the house everyday.
Hire more servants for the party, tell him if they work hard they'll be invited to work in the barony. Are there any questions," Elizabeth asked.
The servants curtsied or bowed and then left.
"You are rather good at this?" Will said impressed.
"It's different when you're a woman. My whole life was training to become lord's wife and run a house. You failed to remember, Home Economics is one of my electrics," Elizabeth said.
"Truly, I lucky to have a wife as cultured as you," Will said thankfully.
Elizabeth blushed at the comments. She had not yet groan accustomed to Will's flattery.
"As they lady of the house, there are still things we yet to discuss," Elizabeth said.
"Speak then," Will said.
"I need to know if I can remove household staff," Elizabeth asked.
"Certainly," Will said.
"Then about your maid, April? I hear you two are close" Elizabeth said.
"Of course, she help raise me as my attendant," Will said.
"Is she nothing else?" Elizabeth asked plainly.
"My feelings between you two are different like heaven and earth, how can another woman compare to your beauty and my feelings towards you?" Will answered.
"Well..," Elizabeth felt flush.
"Elizabeth you have nothing to fear!" Will said.
"Very Well, I believe you," Elizabeth.
"Micheal and Sasha, I'd like to ask you both leave this room. I need to have a private conversation with my fiancée," Will said.
When the left, Will communicated his plans for his fiefdom. This was the first time, he told someone his plans. Elizabeth listened carefully, not speaking. An hour later, Will ended.
"What do you think?" Will asked.
"It's quite ambitious, but it's sounds like you thought everything through. I will join you this summer, then" Elizabeth said.
"Michael, Sasha, you may enter," Will said.
"Master Will, Mei sent over the junior clerk," Michael informed him.
"Bring her in, let's hear from her," Will said.
Moments later a short, reddish blood woman entered. She looks close to 15, Will and Elizabeth ages. She had red freckles and an infectious smile. She was short about 1.5 meters tall, she was a short woman.
"Greetings, Boss Will, Lady Elizabeth," she curtsied.
"Greetings," Will and Elizabeth said.
"What did Mei tell you?" Will asked.
"She simply told me to hurry over," the junior clerk looked nervous.
"What is your name?" Elizabeth asked.
"Beatrice, your ladyship," Beatrice said.
"You will serve Lady Elizabeth ask her personal clerk. My wife, will supervise my charities. You will be responsible for the day to day charitable operation. Any questions," Will asked.