Making Money with Mammon

"Ha-ha, we truly are like-minded," Lord Mammon praised Will.

"I'm willing to purchase human slaves," the demon advised.

"I'm sorry, I don't sell chattel slavery. It goes against my morals," replied Will.

"Are you opposed to collaborating with me?" the demon asked.

"I am not opposed to partnering with you. We could trade, we could devise a ploy against another kingdom, or we could negotiate your withdrawal from Terra," Will said slyly.

"We do not need trade. Nor, shall I modify my plans. And only the gods are capable of closing the portal between Terra and Tartarus," Lord Mammon answered.

"Surely, one of my businesses must be attractive to your race?" Will said in disbelief.

"The only entertainment in Tartarus is a battle arena. And do not stereotypically think all demons love to battle. Most demons find entertainment by meddling in Terra," Lord Mammon shared.

"Why bother us on Terra?" Will asked interestedly.

"The gods trap us in Tartarus for no reason other than jealousy. Do you know most demons share the counter-opposite of gods? Can you image the top of a coin banishing its bottom half to obscurity?" Lord Mammon described the demons' abuse.

"Like a coin, every story has two sides. I shall make my decision when I've heard the other," said diplomatically.

"Then I fear we are at an impasse," said Will sadly.

"Yes, it appears so," agreed Lord Mammon said getting up to leave. "I look forward to our next meeting."

Will watched the demon leave the building and disappear into the crowds on Tirana street.

Just as he left, Mei and Diego arrived with castle guards.

"Where's the demon?" Mei asked.

"Did we miss him?" Diego asked.

"Yes, he's gone," Will replied.

"Marquis vont Ballard, Duke Francis wishes to see you," the captain of the castle guard informed him.

Will was led from his newspaper company to the palace where Duke Francis nervously paced back and forth.

"Quick, tell me what happened. What did you discuss?" wondered Duke Francis.

Will explained his conversation with the demon.

"You think he is responsible for the same crime against the Orca Clan?" Duke Francis said in shock after listening to Will.

"Yes, it is the most likely explanation," Will replied.

"You should inform Emperor Kaiser at once. Should the empire fall, our war effort might fall apart as well," warned the duke.

Will did not share his father-in-law's worry. He that knew that while the Nazi's counterfeiting plot had initial tactical success, the plot was a strategic failure.

If Orca Clan could overcome counterfeiting, then so could the Great Eastern Empire. But the empire would suffer for a few months.

And just because Will wouldn't work with Lord Mammon, didn't mean he wouldn't benefit from the demon's scheme.

Will knew a few things about a counterfeit plot during wartime vs. peace.

First, during the war, stable currency — even when it was false — was in frantic demand.

In port cities, sailors coming off ships were mobbed with offers to buy their foreign currency.

With each passing minute, the local coins were worth dramatically more or less, depending on monetary fluctuations that undermined society and trust in authority.

Second, in war, especially a global war, money became a weapon. Trade could be manipulated by raising tariffs and devaluing currency to favor local products, thus seizing jobs and profits from other nations.

It was an economic policy known as "beggar thy neighbor."

Third, what kingdoms and empires demanded most was access to raw resources. There was an insatiable appetite for cheap food. And the easiest way to purchase cheap food was either through conquest or international trade.

While Will believed the demon's plan was doomed to failure, it most likely would force the Great Eastern Empire to squeeze resources from its conquered territories and slave labor.

Moreover, some nobles would find themselves in need of credit. Something he'd be so happy to provide.

Or better yet, some nobles might auction family heirlooms to pay for their debt. Will was not opposed to purchasing imperial heirlooms on the cheap.

Will cast [Gate] and stepped outside the imperial palace. A few minutes later and he stood outside the imperial palace's throne room.

"Announcing the honorary Marquise von Ballard," the steward at the door announced.

"What brings my son's martial master to court, I hope it is not delivering bad news?" asked Emperor Kaiser curiously.

The nobles at court waited on bated breath for Will's response.

"Your son is safe. Alas, I do come barging good news and bad," Will replied.

"Always good news first, it takes the sting off the bad news," the old tyrant commanded.

Will explained the Allied Army's most recent victory and the role Prince Lukas played in detail.

"Good, another ally has joined. And the army is making satisfactory progress. However, the army is certainly in a difficult position. It shall be difficult to advance, without the help of the dragons," the emperor said talking to himself.

Then Will explained the bad news.

"You met with a demon? He plans to counterfeit our coin. And he thinks that'll stop us?

Ha-Ha!

Do you know how many sabotage attempts I've dealt with in my time as emperor? Hundreds maybe thousands?" Emperor Kaiser laughed.

"But your highness, I fear counterfeiting our currency may inhibit war rations. We cannot allow people to purchase war bonds with fake currency," warned the emperor's finance minister.

"Then make new coins," the emperor said flippantly.

"But your majesty, people shall lose faith in our currency. When that happens, our currency shall be worth less," advised the finance minister.

Will was certainly impressed by the imperial finance minister.

"What do you suggest?" the emperor said in boredom.

Like most people, he found macroeconomics a trivial subject.

"Let's wait until we have proof, and if what the honorable Marquis says is true, we can tell our people to accept Fermion coin while we build up a stock of new coins," said the finance minister widely.

"Very well," said the old tyrant ready to move on to the next topic.

"I bid you farewell your imperial majesty," Will said walking to his bank in Annapolis.

For a long while, Will had built boutique banks inside the Great Eastern Empire.

Will and Duke von Mueller, from a merchant standpoint, had almost carved the empire in half.

In the empire, Will businesses held a stronghold in the imperial port cities. While Duke von Mueller's businesses held a stronghold inside the empire.

Duke von Mueller's businesses far and away outnumbered and outgrossed his in the empire.

Moreover, the men had a strong non-compete agreement.

It would not be a stretch to say the men held a monopoly, as even their prices were identical, if not for small localized business banks, casinos, horse tracks, auction houses, etc.

To uphold his non-compete agreement, Will built a small boutique investment bank dedicated to helping his imperial clients purchase a Fermion company's stock or depositary receipt.

A depositary receipt refers to a negotiable certificate issued by his Fermion bank which listed the specified number of shares of a foreign company's stock.

Not only do depositary receipts offer imperial investors a way to purchase stock in overseas companies that would not otherwise be available, but it also lets imperial firms also benefit, as it enables them to attract Fermion investors and capital without the hassle and expense of listing on FTSE.

"Boss Will, why are you here? Is this a surprise inspection?" the tall, skinny, well-dressed, old, senior clerk asked curiously.

"I came out of curiosity. But I might as well review your accounts. Will said out of boredom.

"A cup of tea, sir?" the merchant asked.

Will nodded as he examined the ledger.

No sooner had he finished reading, than his senior clerk rushed through the door.

"Boss Will, there's a run on the banks!" the well-dressed man said frantically.

Will knew the clerk meant to say there was a run on Duke von Mueller and other imperial banks.

Savvy people would flood the bank to exchange their imperial gold for the more stable Fermion gold.

As Will expected stable currency was in frantic demand, especially during wartime. While all the imperial banks carried Fermion coinage, they did not carry much.

That meant if they ran out, they had either find some more or close down for good.

And as the former Marquis vont Hannover learned, closing a bank during a run was akin to closing for good.

No customer would trust a bank again that blocked access to their funds.

"It's fine, that crowd won't bother us. Let's wait and see if any imperial bank owners or senior clerks show up asking to borrow more," Will directed.

"Imperial bank owners or senior clerks?" Will's clerk repeated in disbelief.

True to his word, the first to arrive was Duke von Mueller's senior bank clerk who asked for much-needed relief.

As a 25% stockholder of Duke von Mueller's company, Will agreed to help the banks albeit with a small collateral down payment and low APR attached.

When word got out that his boutique bank was willing to loan Fermion, senior bank clerks quickly made their way there with palms stretched wide like beggars.

The currency exchange between Fermion and the Great Eastern Empire was too closely traded. And the imperial finance minister's aptitude where two reasons why Will knew Lord Mammon's plan was doomed to failure.

The same was true back on Earth, the Nazi's counterfeit plan while its initial tactical success embarrassed London, the plot overall was a strategic failure.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't make money with Mammon.