The Tyrant Billionaire

"I can tell you that no bank, not even a local Japanese one, would offer a collateral loan using these artifacts as security, except for our company doing this business."

"These antiques hold no real value for us. We're only using them as collateral to stimulate the investment market."

"If you want cash, go ahead and ask a bank yourself. I doubt any bank will take on this deal."

The business manager wasn't wrong. Abe had indeed asked his son to inquire at banks about using antiques as collateral. In the past, it might have been possible, but nowadays no bank would engage in this business. With limited funds, most banks preferred investing in tangible industries rather than earning meager loan interest from antiques.

Moreover, all the banks were controlled by the seven major financial groups, and since Hardy didn't allow them to engage in such deals, no one dared to do so.

So, at present, only Wells Fargo Bank in Japan was offering this service.

"Alright, I will pledge the collection to your company," Abe Fusajiro nodded.

The business manager handed over the contract, which Abe took and read. He found that the agreement stipulated that the investment needed to stay with the financial company for at least two years before cash withdrawal was allowed.

"Isn't this clause too restrictive?" Abe pointed to the specific condition.

"We have no choice; we need to prevent anyone from using the loan platform to withdraw the cash quickly and abandon the artifacts, which would leave us with significant losses," the business manager explained.

"But aren't the antiques already collateralized?"

"For our financial company, cash is more valuable than anything else. These artifacts are extremely difficult to sell. If the cash is gone and we're left with a pile of unsellable antiques, we won't be able to continue our financial operations, which goes against our objectives," the business manager explained.

Abe Fusajiro agreed with the business manager's reasoning, as cash was indeed the most important asset for businesses, which was also why he was collateralizing his antiques.

Picking up a pen, Abe signed the contract. The financial company quickly sent a team to carefully pack each piece of the Abe family's artifacts and transport them securely in a safe.

Then, Abe Fusajiro went to Wells Fargo Bank to finalize the collateral procedure, and everything was completed. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire

Back at home.

As he looked at the now-empty exhibition and storage rooms, Abe felt a pang of sadness. "I hope everything goes smoothly. If this investment succeeds, it will help the Abe family rebuild its wealth."

"Don't worry, Father. I did some research beforehand. This company is very strong, and the artifacts are pledged to a bank—Wells Fargo Bank, which is associated with Hardy's envoy. They won't have any issues," Abe's son reassured him with a smile.

Businesspeople, collectors, even professors, Many held significant collections of Malaysian, Portugues and Filipino antiques.

Some, due to financial difficulties, chose to entrust their artifacts to investment companies, while others did it purely for profit.

These days, times were tough, even extremely so. With such a moneymaking opportunity available, many felt it would be a loss not to take advantage.

After all, the artifacts weren't going anywhere.

Newspapers reported on the American stock market, which had been in a strong bull market for the past several years. Analysts predicted that with the post-war economic boom in the United States, this bull market would last a long time.

With no way to invest in Japan and limited funds, this was an ideal opportunity—to use antiques as collateral and invest the proceeds in the American stock market for potential profit.

So, many people turned to collateral companies, pledging their artifacts to banks and letting them handle the investments.

It wasn't just businesspeople—some members of the Japanese royal family, who had escaped punishment after participating in the Southeast Asian occupation, saw this as an opportunity. They discreetly sent their butlers or relatives in disguise to the collateral companies for investment purposes.

These individuals often had large collections of antiques. In the Philippines, they had looted like beasts, bringing the treasures back to Japan, which had since become their property. The quantity of artifacts they held was far greater than what the merchants owned.

Their motivations included not just making money, but also a deep-seated fear that the Americans might one day seek retribution.

If that happened, the artifacts wouldn't be safe either. By pledging them to banks and investing in the American stock market, they could make money now and, in two years, when they were free to withdraw, they planned to transfer a portion of the funds elsewhere.

To the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland—wherever would secure their family's future.

Hardy didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt. They had used their power to snatch these artworks, and now he was using his power to take them back. This is a jungle where capital is king, and in this market, the strong devour the weak.

...

The antique mortgage investment finance business took off right from the start. Although the identities of those mortgaging antiques remain undisclosed, the company openly shared figures.

The Antique Mortgage Financial Investment Company continued to advertise in newspapers, now stating:

"The company has processed 856 mortgages, amounting to $16.52 million, all of which has been invested in the U.S. stock futures market."

"Based on weekly fund accounting, a 6.3% profit has already been achieved. With the robust U.S. economy and Europe's economic recovery, our experts predict that this year's investment return rate will exceed last year's, potentially reaching over 80%."

"If you invest $1,000, we'll return $1,800; if you invest $10,000, we'll return $18,000; if you invest a million, we'll return $1.8 million."

"Our company has a professional investment team ensuring secure profits. Even our promised minimum 10% profit is more advantageous than any other investment. So, what are you waiting for? If you own antiques, contact us at +13239047433."