Chapter 9

In later times, methods for resolving corporate debt disputes, besides going to court, also included hiring debt collection agencies. One of the most common tactics used by these agencies was to create various scandals, tarnishing the reputation of the debtor company, thereby forcing them to pay up to avoid greater losses.

In this era, due to the imperfect commercial system, business credibility was highly valued. At the time, an entrepreneur could have a bad reputation for being greedy, cruel, or even brutal, but it wasn't a problem. However, they could not afford to have a reputation for lacking business integrity. Once they had such a reputation, they would face various issues in business, whether it was extending credit or raising funds. Therefore, in that era, once a contract was signed, the cost of breaking it would often be very high.

"If they refuse to pay, you can camp out at their company's door and tell everyone who passes by that they owe money and refuse to pay. I believe they won't be willing to damage their reputation over such a small amount of money," Scrooge said to John D. Rockefeller.

"Good idea, this way they won't dare to resist. And the pressure can be controlled, I can gradually increase it to avoid a complete falling out," John D. Rockefeller nodded and said.

...

Later, according to John D. Rockefeller's account, within a month, he helped the company identify over sixty dollars in accounting issues and recovered over a hundred dollars in debt. Additionally, he helped his boss Hewitt collect rent, which was not the company's business but a personal matter for the boss. However, when the boss asked, how could he refuse?

Hewitt loved buying houses and renting them out. At first, with one or two, or even three or five houses, he either collected the rent himself or sent someone temporarily, which wasn't difficult. Later, with dozens of houses, Hewitt found it impossible to collect rent, and even sending company employees wasn't enough. Over time, this led to rent arrears and evictions, which gave Hewitt a headache. Now, with a new employee skilled in debt collection, Hewitt naturally thought of assigning this task to him.

With the boss's order, Rockefeller had to comply. After finishing his accounting work each day, Hewitt's carriage would take Rockefeller out to collect rent, just like Mu Renzhi's business.

Rockefeller didn't immediately start the collection process. Instead, he spent a few days gathering information from tenants who paid on time, sorting out the relationships, and designing a process. Then he began negotiating new lease contracts with each tenant. In the new contracts, Rockefeller strictly specified the rent payment deadlines. He also added a clause: "Only tenants who pay their rent on time in the current year will have the right to renew their lease at a discount the following year."

This condition was quite attractive. Cleveland's economy was thriving, and with a large floating population, finding a place to rent wasn't easy. With this clause, tenants would be more willing to pay their rent on time. Of course, there were still some stubborn tenants who refused to pay. For these, Rockefeller used his old tactics, blocking their doors and telling everyone who passed by that they owed rent. As a result, Rockefeller successfully recovered the money again.

Both bosses were very satisfied with Rockefeller's performance. They also noticed that some of their business partners, even those who had just been pressured by Rockefeller to pay, praised their new employee and sincerely complimented their ability to recognize talent.

"Hewitt, do you think we should end that young man's probation early and make him a full-time employee next month?" Tattle said to Hewitt in the office.

"Yes, that young man is indeed capable, and our company needs to keep him. I heard that some people, like Daly, are trying to poach him," Hewitt replied.

Captain Daly was an old client of the company, running a shipping company with many economic ties and debt disputes with Tattle and Hewitt's company. Rockefeller had been tasked to negotiate with Captain Daly, and he successfully convinced him to pay. The subdued Captain Daly was very impressed with Rockefeller and even asked if he would consider working for him.

"Daly is a real scoundrel!" Tattle muttered, tossing a pencil onto the desk, which rolled and hit the calendar. His eyes followed the rolling pencil to the calendar, where he saw a line of text:

"Every five cents is important, as it is the interest earned on one dollar deposited in the bank for a whole year."

Tattle had written this a few days ago, inspired by a conversation with Rockefeller.

"Mr. Tattle, Maus Company owes us five cents, which should be recovered by the end of the month according to the contract."

"Very good. However, going specifically to collect five cents is neither cost-effective nor good for relationships. He's an old client, so we shouldn't be too picky," Tattle replied casually to Rockefeller.

"Mr. Tattle, it can't be delayed until next month, or our accounts will become messy. Besides, business is business, and relationships are relationships; it won't hurt the relationship," Rockefeller said calmly.

"Are you lecturing me, young man?" Tattle said, clearly displeased.

"No! Mr. Tattle, please don't misunderstand me. It's my responsibility to report on other companies' debts. Besides, five cents is the interest on one dollar for a year."

"Five cents is the interest on one dollar for a year." This statement moved Tattle, making him realize he might have lost the seriousness of his early entrepreneurial days. So he wrote it on his calendar to motivate himself.

"So, how much do you plan to pay him weekly?" Tattle asked.

"What about six dollars a week? I know it's a bit high for a new employee, but this young man is more capable than most of the old employees, and everyone can see that. I don't think the old employees will be dissatisfied," Hewitt thought for a moment and said.

"Yes, his ability is worth it," Tattle said. "But, my friend, you should know that by shortening his probation by nearly two months, we're already spending a significant amount, several dozen dollars. And... and if this salary can retain him, it's a good deal, but... Hewitt, do you really think he will stay with our company for long?"

"Do you mean other companies will try to poach him?" Hewitt didn't fully understand his partner's concern.

"No, I mean he's not the type to be a loyal employee. A person who only thinks about being an employee can be diligent, but not as proactive as he is. I think, given the opportunity, he will start his own business. He's young and capable, and in the process of running business, he will surely build his own network. With the current good economic situation, starting a business isn't too difficult if he has the initial capital. Therefore, the time he leaves our company will depend on when he can build his network and when he has enough capital," Tattle laid out his thoughts completely.

"Alright, let's start with five dollars a week..." Hewitt thought for a moment and said, "Tattle, if one day this young man has a significant amount of money and shows great ability, could we consider bringing him in as a partner..."

...

"Alright, it's time, let's read to everyone," Scrooge said eagerly after dinner, watching his mother clear the dishes and light the lamp, with the family gathered around the table.

"Sure, right away," Carol said, opening the borrowed copy of "Old Goriot" (which Scrooge had chosen) and preparing to read aloud.

"Wait a moment," old Joseph spoke up, "I have something to discuss with you two."

"What is it?" Scrooge asked, looking up at his father, who had a serious expression, making him also become serious.

"It's about your future livelihood," Joseph said.

"Scrooge, you're a smart boy. Just in terms of intelligence, your brother, though not stupid, is no match for you," Joseph frowned slightly.

Scrooge looked at his brother, seeing that Carol actually smiled when their father called him "stupid," showing no displeasure at the insult but rather happiness that his brother was smart.

"However, Scrooge, do you know? Your mother and I are not worried about Carol's future, but we are very worried about yours. Carol will definitely be a good cobbler, but you might not be. Of course, if you're willing to be a cobbler, you can do it well, even better than Carol. But your mother and I feel you won't be content to be just a cobbler. Scrooge, tell us, is our view correct?"

"Ah," Joseph's words were unexpected, leaving Scrooge a bit unprepared. He thought for a moment and decided there was no need to hide his intentions from his parents and brother, so he decided to be honest.

"Father, Mother, I don't plan to be a cobbler. I hope to start my own factory and do big business," Scrooge said.

"I knew it would be like this," Joseph shook his head. "Of course, it's good, but it's also very risky. The story your brother has been reading these days has scared me, especially the terrible and evil schemes. But, Scrooge, I noticed that when you heard those parts, you weren't afraid; instead, your eyes lit up, as if you wished you could be part of it. So I know you won't be content to be a cobbler. Here, I can only warn you: although you are smart, the ones who drown are often the ones who can swim. If you decide to do big business, you must be very careful... Our family isn't wealthy... So, I will leave this shop to Carol in the future. As for you, I have a savings of about 4,000 dollars. Although the shop will go to your brother, I can't give you all the money. If you decide to start a business, I can give you 2,000 dollars, and the rest will go to your brother."

"Father, that's not fair!" Carol said.

"Carol, don't be upset for your brother. In my view, you are your brother's insurance. Your brother might become rich or go bankrupt. If he goes bankrupt, I hope your door will always be open to him," old Joseph said. "Of course, if you become rich, don't forget your brother."

"Alright!" Carol nodded seriously.

---

---

"Alright, it's time, let's read to everyone," Scrooge said eagerly after dinner, watching his mother clear the dishes and light the lamp, with the family gathered around the table.

"Sure, right away," Carol said, opening the borrowed copy of "Old Goriot" (which Scrooge had chosen) and preparing to read aloud.

"Wait a moment," old Joseph spoke up, "I have something to discuss with you two."

"What is it?" Scrooge asked, looking up at his father, who had a serious expression, making him also become serious.

"It's about your future livelihood," Joseph said.

"Scrooge, you're a smart boy. Just in terms of intelligence, your brother, though not stupid, is no match for you," Joseph frowned slightly.

Scrooge looked at his brother, seeing that Carol actually smiled when their father called him "stupid," showing no displeasure at the insult but rather happiness that his brother was smart.

"However, Scrooge, do you know? Your mother and I are not worried about Carol's future, but we are very worried about yours. Carol will definitely be a good cobbler, but you might not be. Of course, if you're willing to be a cobbler, you can do it well, even better than Carol. But your mother and I feel you won't be content to be just a cobbler. Scrooge, tell us, is our view correct?"

"Ah," Joseph's words were unexpected, leaving Scrooge a bit unprepared. He thought for a moment and decided there was no need to hide his intentions from his parents and brother, so he decided to be honest.

"Father, Mother, I don't plan to be a cobbler. I hope to start my own factory and do big business," Scrooge said.

"I knew it would be like this," Joseph shook his head. "Of course, it's good, but it's also very risky. The story your brother has been reading these days has scared me, especially the terrible and evil schemes. But, Scrooge, I noticed that when you heard those parts, you weren't afraid; instead, your eyes lit up, as if you wished you could be part of it. So I know you won't be content to be a cobbler. Here, I can only warn you: although you are smart, the ones who drown are often the ones who can swim. If you decide to do big business, you must be very careful... Our family isn't wealthy... So, I will leave this shop to Carol in the future. As for you, I have a savings of about 4,000 dollars. Although the shop will go to your brother, I can't give you all the money. If you decide to start a business, I can give you 2,000 dollars, and the rest will go to your brother."

"Father, that's not fair!" Carol said.

"Carol, don't be upset for your brother. In my view, you are your brother's insurance. Your brother might become rich or go bankrupt. If he goes bankrupt, I hope your door will always be open to him," old Joseph said. "Of course, if you become rich, don't forget your brother."

"Alright!" Carol nodded seriously.