((joint IC with
@delpiero1234 ,
@Sancronis and
@ThePatriotOfDreumel ))
Ximeno Arantxez stands up as the shareholders come to the headquarters. ‘Welcome to the STC meeting.The future of the company is at stakes here, and as Master of the Coin, I feel that it is necessary to make a change in leadership should the trade company contiune to exist. No criminal shall lead a royally supported company. Any candidates?’
Henry Walpole: ‘I would support making it officially a state owned company, with leadership in the hands of the council.’
Ximeno: ‘This is an intriguing proposal. But the state owns only 25% of the shares. A good amount, yes, but making it more to achieve control would likely hurt the trust of the investors - and actions of the STC would be directly accounted to the kingdom, what, believe me -’ Ximeno thought of his policies in Spain - ‘would give cause for political trouble. Yes, Lord Talbot?’
Oliver Talbot: ‘Mayhaps the STC and the EBC could be united into one strong company. It seems to be that the nation’s economy would benefit greatly from one strong trading company instead of two competing ones’.
Ximeno: ‘We are not competing. Our markets are different. But I would support your decision. Only this would raise the question which company should lead this fusion? As Head of the EBC, I of course support myself, but as Master of the Coin, I’d be skeptical if this is such a good idea to leave much economical power in the hands of one company. Besides, our charters are very different.’
Thomas Lancaster: 'The Crown does not support the proposed plan from Oliver Talbot. The two companies should remain separated. However, we do believe that turning the STC into a Crown-owned company would be a wise decision.'
Ximeno: 'Then we’d have to think of the current shareholders. Would the crown just control most of the shares, or would all shares be bought? A significant investment that is not easy to make.’
Thomas Lancaster: 'The Crown would only require a 51% majority of all shares. The Morgans are criminals and we could take over their shares. This would give us enough stocks.'
Henry Walpole: 'I know that 20% of all profits are going to Alexander Bloodstone, maybe we could take away some of his shares?'
Ximeno: 'Last thing I heard was that he disappeared during a trade mission. As he seems to have no heir to take over, the crown could declare him dead and inherit the shares - if he does show up later, this cause problems along the line. Confiscating the Morgans’ shares is without a doubt possible though.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'I believe we can declare Alexander Bloodstone as dead. Should he show up he can be compensated. That would give the Crown 45% shares; means we need 6% more. Either we confescate those from Morgan or we have to buy them from one of the other shareholders.'
Oliver Talbot: 'Mayhaps I am mistaken, but was Morgan not charged with slander? A crime that carries a prison sentence and title privileges being removed? It does not seem just that his posessions should be confiscated without legislation that permits such an act.'
Ximeno: 'As merchant, I can tell you that forgery is a very serious crime. But you raise a valid point, Lord Talbot. As Master of the Coin, I cannot ignore these concerns. Though I am willing to propose another solution: The Crown won’t take over the majority of the shares - the Morgans didn’t have it either, and still we are debating who should own the STC now instead of them. We canl just transfer ownership from the Morgans to the crown, keeping the current share situation.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'The Crown believes it’s best to turn the STC into a state-owned trading company. We can offer the Morgans a deal to get out of prison sooner in return for their shares.'
Henry Walpole: 'I would be willing to transfer my shares to the crown, bringing the amount up to 50%. But, I will still keep the privilege of 50% of all profits made in Ireland. Furthermore, if the Morgans are released, I request that the crown will keep an eye on them, since they already tried to have me executed before, and I’m almost certain that they want me killed, no matter how they do it.'
-Ximeno smiles, considering that the STC has almost no business in Ireland, but keeps it to himself- he says: 'We should discuss the new leadership before we think of the transfer. The STC will not continue to exist if we don’t deal with that matter. The ownership can wait. As Head of the EBC, I know many Londoner businessmen, some of them in their business with Hanseatic merchants thanks to the Foreign Trade Act, who know the market and are well suited to take over leadership. I would propose to elect one of them, should we find no better candidate.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'Walpole’s request is denied.'
After some thinking and calculating, Ximeno comes to a conclusion: 'If the crown declares Bloodstone as dead and takes over his shares, then it is majority share holder and can therefore be considered owner of the STC. As long as no other investor claims the other shares, this should be sufficient to satisfy the crown’s demands as well as set an example to all future traders. Criminals lose their companies as a further punishment.'
Oliver Talbot: 'I believe I can offer a simple solution here. So as to avoid the crown possibly needing to negotiate with a criminal, I would offer them my ten percent with nothing in return. I imagine this is suspicious, however I assure you it is simply a different goal that has come with age. I wish to support my liege instead of bettering my own position.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'If only all the Crown’s subjects were as wise as Count Talbot. Then the matter is settled.'
Ximeno shakes his head, almost not perceivable. Fools, he thinks. Yet he has to conclude the meeting: 'So that concludes the question of ownership. We have to elect a new company leader then.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'With the Crown owning now the majority of the shares, I believe we can nominate a new head.'
Ximeno: 'The Charter of the STC is not very clear in that matter, but votes are distributed after the shares, so I think that the crown’s candidate, with the majority of the votes, 55%, behind him, will be appointed. Then who is your choice, Sir Thomas?'
Thomas Lancaster: 'I believe the position shall be held by whoever is Master of Coin, a position currently held by Ximeno Arantxez.'
Henry Walpole: 'I can agree with that.'
Oliver Talbot: ‘Although I would consider it unwise to have the two trading companies held by the same person, I am sure that there are men who are more skilled in economic matters than I, so I shall trust their opinion’. Whilst speaking, Oliver would be looking at Thomas.
Ximeno: 'Me? You certainly honour me with that choice, Sir Thomas. But I already have a lot to do, from the EBC to the office of Master of the Coin to which I devote my full attention. Though if this is what the company, and therefore also the crown wants, I can of course not decline it. And as it worked with the Morgans before after their forgery and slander, I am sure that a capable replacement can do everyday business while I am not capable of it.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'Yes, that is no problem at all. You can appoint someone to do the day to day business for you. The responsability of the company’s success rests with the office of Master of Coin though.'
Ximeno: 'I can of course understand that. I have already proven with the EBC that some nudges from the leadership are enough to set a company on the right course.’ He pauses for a while.
‘That would be all I wanted to ask for. Any further concerns towards the STC? If not, then I believe we can all go to celebrate this fruitful conclusion with a nice meal and wine.’
Thomas Lancaster: 'I propose that the STC shall be renamed. First of all, the late king, my brother, had requested a name change which had been ignored by the Morgans. Moreover, the company is no longer Scottish but royal. Royal Trading Company seems a more fitting name, or not?'
Oliver Talbot: 'Mayhaps the Royal English Trading Company?'
Ximeno: 'Considering the focus on the East, I believe Eastern English Company, or a much better name taking this into account, would fit.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'Royal English Trading Company seems like a fitting name, thank you for the suggestion, Count Talbot.'
Ximeno: 'Then I will proceed with the administrative matters. I believe I have some good drop waiting for consumation at my residence.'
Thomas Lancaster: 'Ximeno, thank you for organizing this meeting.'
As he had said, some excellent wine awaited the shareholders of the new RETC at his Londoner residence. As they left shortly after, Arantxez was left wondering. Didn't go too bad, could have gone better though. And now, he is head of the RETC as well. He sighs. Well, for his personal profits, it hardly could have gone better, but for his time, hardly worse... Anyway, he would see what is the current plan of the STC. Then change it for the RETC, considering how best not to get into conflicts with his own EBC. The East and immediate South - that would need to be the focus. Making a tidy profit, all that while leaving the West open for the EBC. Good plan - now, who to appoint as representative?