Although in the eyes of many people this was simply a refusal to negotiate, in the eyes of the two of us who had other intentions, these conditions were equal to nothing, because we did not need to occupy the city, and we did not intend to ask the other party to make compensation immediately.
Judging from Hegma's expression, it was very different from when I first came to this world. When I first saw the Black Wolf Legion, I saw an elite officer who had wiped out two legions with eight light cavalry divisions and achieved full targets; but now, he has become a downtrodden man who has been completely defeated several times. From the loneliness and gloom that inadvertently revealed between his eyebrows, as well as the melancholy eyes, everyone can imagine how he feels now.
"Count Hegmar, I think you misunderstood. I am not here to persuade you to surrender or ask for any spoils of war. I am here entirely on behalf of our Captain Sack to express to you our Majesty's yearning for peace." Norman had a very sincere expression, and I was almost moved by him. If I didn't know that he knew something about my plan, I would have thought this guy was an angel.
"I hope so. Then what are you planning to do here? Just to say this? Don't beat around the bush. Just tell me straight. As long as you temporarily stop attacking the city, I can agree to anything within my authority..." Hegma, who is nearly 40 years old, knows a lot about official documents and other aspects. Under the current circumstances, Huangshi City and Hegma are just like pigs and sheep waiting to be slaughtered. He has never had any intention of making a move.
"Then I'll be frank! Although it was your country's actions that triggered this war, our Majesty does not want this war to continue, and has no plans to fight further. However, your country's previous bad performance in the war has had a bad influence on our local troops. Now, whether it is our Majesty or Commander Sack, it is difficult to suppress their determination to avenge their comrades.
In addition, as you know, the impression of your country from all sides in our country is not so good, and they are still urging our army to continue to move forward. Therefore, it is difficult for His Majesty to directly order the local army to give up their idea of attacking your army.
However, in order to protect your people from bloody revenge, and for the sake of long-term friendship and stability between our two countries, His Majesty has decided not to send the Flame Legion and the Special Attack Division to join the siege operation. . . . . "
"So, your other three divisions with 60,000 people and the magician troops will also launch an attack on the city?" Hearing this, Hegma frowned even more tightly and spoke in a hurried tone.
"I'm sorry, you should know that your country's previous actions threatened the interests of those money-loving people headed by the financial department of my country. And in this war, your country's massacre of captured soldiers and wounded soldiers also lost face for the bigwigs of my country's military department. Now that they have united, even our Majesty will find it difficult to refuse their proposal, so I have this visit to see if there is any way to make up for the reconciliation between the two countries..." With a very natural sentence, Norman pushed all the problems away and even acted like a good guy.
"Hmph, 60,000 troops, plus a troop of magicians, isn't that equivalent to taking our city... Let's not talk about this. I've already said it last time, we don't have the food to wait for the arrival of the envoys sent by His Majesty the King to negotiate peace. If you push me into a corner, then I will make you pay the price even if I die... If nothing else, you can go back!" Hegma was extremely disappointed to hear such an outcome, but thinking that he didn't have anything on hand that would make the other party worth his while, Hegma had to give up the idea of continuing the conversation.
"Sir, I know that although our country's attack caused great harm to the residents of your city, as far as I know, that was only in the houses and property. There were not many casualties among the real young people. Can't you mobilize more people? In addition, our legion commander also knows your difficulties and has done everything possible to purchase a batch of food and fodder from various places in his private name. I don't know if you..."
"You mean..." Hegma's eyes lit up almost immediately after hearing Norman's words. It's not that he didn't mobilize civilians to defend the city, but due to the shortage of food, it doesn't matter if civilians starve to death, but if the soldiers are hungry, it will cause serious problems.
"Lord Sack can transfer that batch of grain to you for use, but you also know that these grains were purchased by our lord in a private capacity, and due to the current situation, they have to be transported here secretly, and our lord has paid too much for it..." The implication is that it is about money, just how to pay.
"I can sell..." As soon as he said that, Hegma was in trouble again. How could this Waste Stone City have so much money to buy enough food for its army, or even for the entire city? Distribute? The civilians' houses have been burned down, and even if they have money, it has probably been taken away by those unscrupulous businessmen. Find those nobles? Even if His Majesty the King comes, it will be difficult to squeeze a penny out of them...
"I don't have that much money now, but I can promise that once the war is stopped, I will immediately raise the money for Sack. What do you think?" Hesitantly, Hegma made a suggestion that even he felt was unlikely.
"This... this is not good. You should know that if the war is over, our Lord will definitely return to the imperial capital immediately, and it will be very troublesome in the future..." It was just a polite remark. Who would believe it after the fact? If he didn't return it, would Thacker still risk the charge of treason and ask them for it? He was courting death.
"Your Excellency, can't you raise even such a small amount of money? I just saw that there are many nobles and wealthy businessmen from your country here! Can't you raise some from them, or even borrow from them? Are they unwilling to give up even such a small amount of money? Will they be happy only if they lose their heads?" Seeing that the conversation was a bit awkward, I had to continue the topic.
"If it were possible, I would have agreed to you long ago, but I really have no choice. But if I force them to raise money today, I may not survive the peace negotiation period between our two countries." Thacker smiled bitterly after hearing what I said, and the voice was so suppressed.
"Well, since it's inconvenient for you to ask those nobles for money, let us ask for it instead! We will ask for money for you, and then send you food. Is that okay?"
"Xiao Shen, this is not a joke. How can we ask for money from the nobles in the city without taking the city? This...this..."
Norman was confused by what I said. Although he was a noble and I was still a commoner, my military rank was much higher than his, so he didn't say the following words for a long time. But those who should understand had already understood what I meant. Hegmar hesitated for a moment, then nodded fiercely. What is a dying struggle? That's it...
"Then, I will ask you to give you the 1/3 of the food we agreed on first, and then when exchanging food, I hope you have prepared what I need for me..." I hesitated for a moment, afraid that I didn't make myself clear enough, and continued, "The maps and notes for withdrawing money... Then I will ask the legion commander to give you the rest of the supplies. What do you think?" I'm not afraid that he will play any tricks on me, unless he wants to bury himself and the entire city with us. And I'm not worried that Hegmar is afraid that we will cheat him, because we don't need to do that.
A strange and puzzling deal was reached. . . . . . (To be continued)