Gally Wix?
Upon hearing this name, Alina curiously poked her head out from behind Professor McGonagall and looked at the one the old goblin had called Gally Wix. She had a rather decent impression of this goblin who had greeted her and Dumbledore at Gringotts. At the very least, he was more similar than most to the professional managers in her last life.
But, frankly speaking, besides differences in sex and age, Alina really couldn’t tell the difference between goblins. They were all short, had dark faces, long and slender fingers, and noses as long as Pinocchio’s. It was only now that she recognized the goblin who had once guided her.
“Ahem, the honorable Minister for Magic for Great Britain, members of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Gringotts has always valued the friendship between goblins and human wizards.”
Gally Wix stood up straight and gripped the long scroll of parchment. After glancing at Fudge, Greengrass, and Dumbledore, he began to stiffly read.
“In consideration of the proposal offered by the British Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts Board of Governors, and after earnest discussion, the Gringotts Council of Elders has decided to make a concession, including waiving the approximately three hundred million Galleons in commission and returning to property deed to Salazar Slytherin’s castle.”
“It seems very tempting. What of the conditions?”
Fudge noncommittally nodded and sternly asked.
Although he was often castigated as lacking and incapable of holding the post of Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge was no mediocre man who had lucked his way into power. He would never believe that the goblins who valued money as much as their own lives would take a loss on a business transaction.
“A few minor, administrative convenience,” Gally Wix bowed and smiled. “Gringotts hopes that Great Britain will try a more convenient currency to replace the heavy metal coin. You can regard each piece of the new currency as a miniature loan contract. Any wizard can take this loan contract to Gringotts and exchange it for the equivalent value in Galleons.”
“Just like those Muggle countries, those little green pieces of paper called pound notes or dollars?”
“Correct, exactly like that. The Non-Magic World has been using this system of currency for a very long time, and time has proved this to be an extremely effective method of promoting commercial activity throughout society.”
“But this does not seem to have any benefit to the goblins, yes?”
Fudge frowned. His intuition told him that something was wrong, but he couldn’t pin down exactly what.
“No, no, no, we already benefit immensely from this.”
Gally Wix smiled and shook his head, raising his slender index finger as a serious expression appeared on his dark face. “My dear Minister, just like how human women like sparkling jewels, the only thing we goblins enjoy is hearing the sounds of Galleons bumping against each other.”
“Fine, there’s something else, right?” Fudge had an understanding look on his face as he raised an eyebrow. This matched his understanding of goblins. These cunning magical creatures had an obsession with gold coins that bordered on illness.
Upon seeing that Fudge’s tone had relaxed, Gally Wix bowed even deeper, a sharp flash of light in his eyes. He humbly continued, “The second condition: Gringotts hopes for broader cooperation with the Magic World. For each year, we would like to add an additional five hundred human employees to work at Gringotts Wizarding Bank and assist in its daily operations.”
“Oh, raising the employment quota? That’s something that interests me. In actuality, there are quite a few wizards in the Magic World who can’t find proper jobs. This proposal is wonderful in my book.”
Fudge gave a nod of approval as he warmly replied.
“Yes. We also wish to use this opportunity to deepen our mutual friendship. While this castle is very enchanting, we believe that there are even more important matters that need to be done.”
Gally Wix’s expression relaxed as he happily smiled. “For the last condition, you must understand that if we simply terminate the contract, Gringotts will lose a fortune of nearly eight hundred million Galleons. We must recover the principal of this loan.”
“Oh, do you really think that’s possible? The Ministry of Magic doesn’t have that much in liquid funds,” Fudge waved his hand and said.
“The Ministry of Magic has always played an important role in the stability of the Magic World, but for their own interest, many businesses and workshops conceal their profits to avoid paying taxes.”
Gally Wix pointed at himself and continued, “We at Gringotts can help the Ministry of Magic audit the accounts and find those people who have been avoiding taxes. We simply require that a percentage of the additional taxes be given to Gringotts to pay off the principal of the loan.”
“Gentlemen, I don’t hear any reason to refuse. Anyone who refused such sincerity would definitely be the biggest fool in the world.”
Fudge looked at the bitter-faced Greengrass and then at the pensive Dumbledore, and then he chuckled.
“Of course, then let’s get along. Tomorrow, Gringotts will send the property deed to your office…”
Gally Wix chuckled with him and began to roll up the parchment. At the same time, he patted his goblin colleague on the shoulder, a hint of pride in his eyes.
“I’m sorry! I refuse!”
The smile on Fudge’s face disappeared as he gravely declared.
“Eh?” The smiles on the faces of the goblins froze.
“I said that the Ministry of Magic would not agree to those conditions,” Cornelius Fudge repeated himself.
“Sir, this is a joke, yes…it’s not a very funny joke.” Gally Wix sensed that he almost certainly had an ugly smile on his face as he stiffly spoke.
“As you’ve said, I am not a particularly smart or capable Minister for Magic, and the greatest guiding principle that has helped me avoid any large mishaps in the year that I’ve been in this office is that I’ve never made promises about something I don’t understand. If there’s a problem that makes a wizard such as Dumbledore hesitant, then it’s not something I can simply decide on.”
Fudge shook his head, exchanged a glance with Greengrass, and tidied up his suit.
Seeing the stiff atmosphere, Greengrass smiled, took a step forward, and lightly clapped his hands.
“Then, gentlemen, let’s change subjects. If the Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts Board of Governors can obtain enough Galleons to repay the debt, then can we legally take back the deed for Hogwarts Castle from you?”
“Think it over. This is eight hundred million Galleons…”
Gally Wix’s voice was rather shrill. He did not understand why such tempting demands had still been refused.
Fudge shook his head again.
“I presume that you did not come with the youngsters to breathe in some of the fresh air of the Scottish highlands, yes? Venerable Leos, one of the twelve goblin elders of Gringotts.”
Fudge suddenly turned his gaze to the old wrinkled goblin whose eyes had been closed in slumber this entire time.
“Alright, Gally Wix, come back. I said before, while human wizards aren’t that sharp when it comes to money, that doesn’t mean they’re foolish and easily deceived.”
Leos opened his eyes, and those turbid eyes suddenly shone with an intimidating light.
“Let us discuss the contract itself.”