The news that the envoys from the grassland had come to Loulan City had already spread. These days, the city of Loulan is very lively. In the streets and alleys, in taverns and hotels, coachmen and pawns, everyone is talking about it.
Talking and talking is nothing more than speculation about the outcome of this negotiation.
Northwest Desa Province is close to the vanguard of the prairie people, and Leaving is the place that suffers the most from the prairie people. The people here are strong, and they hate the prairie people deeply. In the chaos in the streets and alleys, the argument of the main battle prevailed. And as Du Wei became more and more majestic in Desa Province, he won the hearts of the people and everyone was convinced. I just feel that although the Duke is young, he is worthy of being wise and powerful, and he also has the status of a mysterious and legendary magician. It only increased the confidence of the people, thinking that even if the hateful prairie people called, with the leadership of this magical duke, they would definitely be able to beat the hateful prairie people to pieces.
However, some business groups that come and go prefer peace talks. After all, businessmen advocate that peace makes money. Moreover, there are many cattle, sheep and horses on the grassland, which are scarce goods in the mainland, and some fabrics, satins, and daily necessities in the mainland can be sold on the grassland for a good price. It is a great source of wealth.
If a war starts, then this source of income will be cut off. Therefore, the caravans that come and go are also very concerned about the news. There are even people from several large business groups waiting outside the Duke's mansion every day to see if there is any new announcement from the Duke.
There was a lot of public opinion outside, but Du Wei sat quietly in the Duke's mansion, quietly waiting for the visit of the prairie mission. In my spare time, I read the minutes of the previous negotiations brought by Villa. It's only for watching quarrels and playing.
Finally on this day. The prairie mission came from the imperial capital, "under the protection" of a thousand royal guards. The mission itself also has a full hundred people.
The leader is a guy named Hanmuye. This Hanmoyeduwei already knew his identity. He is 40 years old this year, and his status on the grassland is also very noble. He is the uncle of the patriarch of the royal court and royal family on the grassland. In other words. He is the uncle of the Prairie King. That is the status of a prince.
Although most of the minutes of the meeting were boring saliva. However, the information on this Hanmuye is also detailed. The information displayed on the record. This guy is not only Uncle Wang. At the same time, he also has a small tribe in his own hands. He also has business dealings with several business groups in the empire. Among the steppe people who were regarded as savages. Many nobles in the empire spoke very highly of this Hanmoye. I think he's fairly civilized.
Hamuye himself was also very depressed. His group of diplomats in the imperial capital and the Roland Empire spat for more than ten days, but made no progress at all. It was pushed to the northwest Desa province again.
most importantly. Hamuye is in the barbaric race of the grassland. It's a rare character with long sleeves and good at dancing. On the grassland, strength is the most respected. But Hanmuye himself was not an outstanding warrior. Purely relying on one's own blood status. After inheriting a tribe, during the decades of his career, he relied on his keen observation skills, stood firmly beside his own nephew, and relied on his mind. It has almost stabilized the position of the number one think tank among members of the royal family. Can do this in a barbarian race. I have to say that he is quite capable.
But. This time the negotiations in the imperial capital. But it made Han Muye extremely suffocated. On the one hand, he was fighting with the officials of the empire. On the one hand, he managed it up and down secretly, and showed off many hidden lines that he had operated for many years. I just hope to find out a little bit about Prince Chen. He knew that Augustine VI was no longer the head of the Roland Empire. It's the Xindi Regent.
Negotiate this kind of thing. If you can know a little tone of the other party's top leader. Find out the attitude of the other party. can take the lead.
But let Han Muye disappointed. This young regent seems difficult to deal with. Do it yourself down the mountain. A lot of money was spent. But there is no news at all. It seems that no one else knows what the regent's attitude is. And now. There was news that the Prince Regent actually made such a big deal. Full authority was given to the Tulip Duke of the Northwest...
What kind of attitude is this
The Rolands want to fight and make peace? in the end is...
What made Hanmuye even more helpless. The Tulip Duke. Even though he is younger than Prince Chen, he is not an easy guy to deal with! because…
Whether it's a politician or not. Officials are worth mentioning. Hamuye has studied the culture of the Roland people for many years. He is very familiar with the bureaucratic customs of the Roland people. Always find the opponent's weakness. However, the Duke of Tulip made it a little difficult for him.
The other party is young... Most of the young people are passionate. Maybe it will be a main combat faction
However, the other party is not a bureaucrat, but a magician! Magicians are eccentric, and everyone knows it! A magician has no national principled position. Doing things is all about whim. It's even more unpredictable.
Any politician opponent. There are always clues to find out the opponent's weaknesses. It is greedy for money. Still horny. Is it a good name or a good power, or bold and tough. Or timid and cowardly. Or calm and cautious.
But these days, while on the road, Hanmoye had carefully read the information he had collected about the Tulip Duke, but came to a very helpless result: the tiger bites the turtle and has nowhere to bite!
Are you greedy for money? The wealth and detachment of the magician will not value wealth.
Femininity? This little duke is only fifteen years old... and it is said that he even refused the marriage of the Marquise Liszt, the most beautiful woman among the nobles of the Roland Empire.
like fame? The little duke's reputation is already very big.
that power? He is already a duke!
bold? Judging from what he did in the northwest, he is a bold guy.
timid? It also seems a little timid. He made peace with the Northwest Army, and heard that he has also shown weakness to Bohan recently...
cautious? It is relatively cautious, at least from the perspective of the opponent's administrative policy, not to blindly expand the army, maintain a province with more than 20,000 troops, and know the principle of gradual progress... It is not easy for a young man at this age.
reckless? Reckless enough! Breaking into the camp alone, and then ran to the old den of the Northwest Army... This is clearly risking your own safety.
at last. Hanmuye came to a conclusion that made him feel like going crazy: this is the opponent in the negotiation. Duke Tulip. He is a magician who is neither greedy for money, nor lustful, nor famous, nor powerful, but at the same time, he is bold and timid when he killed Ha. Cautious and reckless guy...
This... What kind of fucking conclusion is this!
I am afraid that the only bargaining chip that can be used as a reference is: after all, this military friction. It happened in the province of Desa. Duke Tulip is the main "party"!
Then he might fight because of his anger... or because he was closest to the grassland soldiers. And cowardly.
... still no clue!
With this trace of uneasiness, he finally came to Loulan City in Desa Province.
After the previous war ended. Hanmoye was ordered to take the mission to the imperial capital of the Roland Empire, but in order to avoid unnecessary troubles, the group of them set off quietly without passing through Loulan City. Instead, he took a detour. And this time came to Loulan City. Let Hanmuye's first reaction be: there is such a great city in the northwest? !
It was rumored that a new city would be built in three months. Although it was also established in full view at the time. But after all, there is no TV news in this world, and most people still just hear it. The news is so miraculous that it makes people half-believing.
Today I finally saw this majestic city, which made Hanmoye feel emotional: Is such a city... really built in three months
Hmph... I'm afraid it may not be three months. Roland has always been cunning. It's not that there are no mysteries.
The convoy made its way into town. Although protected by soldiers. The Duke of Tulip also ordered martial law. But sitting in the carriage, Hanmoye could faintly feel it. Those onlookers in the distance. Most of the eyes cast are full of hostility.
Hmm... all the people under him have such an attitude, so be the leader. I am afraid it is the same.
Hanmoye didn't care about the attitude of these common people. I calculated in my heart. I will see the young Duke in a while. Should one's own attitude be appropriately tough? Or is it appropriate to show a little friendliness...
The convoy finally arrived at the gate of the Duke's Mansion. The carriage stopped before the drawbridge. Then there were soldiers under martial law standing on both sides of the street. Entire streets are blocked.
Hanmoye was supported by two young grassland guards beside him. After getting off the carriage, he looked up at the castle in front of him, and then at the Roland officials who greeted him in front of him.
Dardanelle, dressed in the uniform of the imperial city guard, greeted him, first introduced himself, and then smiled lightly: "Your envoy, please follow me in."
Hammoyed couldn't help feeling a little dissatisfied. His dignified status as a prince on the prairie. Even if the other party is asking Duke Tulip not to come to greet him, he should send a deputy to come. But only another mere city guard came... Could it be that he was deliberately disowning himself
Follow Dardanelle into the castle. Hammoyed was ushered into a lavishly furnished conference hall. before he enters the door. Take a deep breath. I was faintly looking forward to meeting this opponent in my heart. It's a pity that I opened the door and went in to have a look, but I was disappointed!
A rough and fat man sat in the door. Seeing that Hanmoye opened the door and came in, he quickly stood up. He opened his mouth wide and laughed, which was very hearty. Immediately strode forward. Regardless of the politeness, he gave Hanmoye a warm hug in the way of the prairie people.
"It's a great honor for an old friend to come! It's a pity that this is not a grassland, otherwise there must be good kumiss to entertain the distinguished guests!"
Han Moye was a little confused by the other party's embrace. After taking a step back, he carefully looked at the other party's eyes before he came to his senses. The smile on his face was forced to conceal the weirdness in his heart: "Oh... so it's General Longbottom! I haven't seen you for many years. Your body is still so strong! I heard that you joined the Tulip family last year, and everyone was a good friend on the grassland back then. Friends. Speaking of which, we don’t even know each other!”
Longbottom smiled like a reckless man, and took Muye's hand carelessly into the banquet hall. After sitting down, Hanmuye looked around and said with a smile, "I don't know where the Duke is?"
"Oh, our lord duke was busy with the research of a new set of magic last night, so early this morning, he ordered me to meet the envoy instead of him." Longbottom laughed: "Prince, you know too. Our lord duke He’s a magician, so he’s naturally a bit weird. But when we meet old friends, we can talk about anything!”
Hammoyed was unhappy. He tried not to show his face. He said lightly: "In this case, I might as well go back and rest. When the Lord Duke is free, let's sit down and talk about it."
"No hurry, no hurry!" Longbottom smiled. Then stretched out his giant palm and touched it for a long time. Just found out a document. It's just that he didn't know how to get the ground in his arms, but it was wrinkled. It seemed to be a little sweaty. Longbottom put it on the table with a smile on his face. Push it in front of the ground of Hamuye. He laughed and said: "Our Lord Duke said that although we have some conflicts, the friendship between the empire and the grassland people has a long history. It is a little misunderstanding. It cannot damage the friendship between the two parties. So, since we are good friends, we can't just sit down and take it easy. what about?"
This is like a human saying! Han Muye grumbled in his heart, looking at the wrinkled thing in front of him that seemed to be stained with the sweat of a fat man, he couldn't help feeling a little disgusted, and frowned: "Then this thing is..."
"This is an agreement drafted by our lord duke. We are all good friends, so let's just pretend that this little friction never happened. For the sake of everyone's friendship, lord duke said it. This time, the matter will be made bigger and smaller. Little Forget about it. A good friend shouldn't care about these things."
"Agreement?" Hanmoye took it over. Resisting the disgusting impulse, he opened it and took a look. Seeing the terms above, he immediately flew into a rage. He slapped the table suddenly: "Longbottom! Is Duke Tulip playing tricks on me!!"
This "agreement" clearly states: As the party that provoked this friction. In order to reflect the friendship between the two sides, the grassland people must make certain compensation to the empire. Including: 30,000 horses. Fifty thousand cattle and sheep. Five thousand slaves. At the same time, bear all the costs of rebuilding Gilliat City...
"Longbottom!" Hanmoye said angrily, "It seems that His Excellency the Duke is not sincere about the peace talks. If so, why am I still here! Amuse me with this kind of joke!!"
Longbottom rubbed his nose. The smile on his face faded, and he said in a nonchalant way: "Hamuye, I have been in the Northwest for so many years, do you see that I, Longbottom, am the kind of person who likes to make jokes!"
After finishing speaking, he stood up: "I was just ordered to pass on a message. I will give you something, His Excellency the Duke said. If you want to leave, we will send it respectfully... But he also said. Prince Hanmuye is a man who understands the general situation People. He is a wise and virtuous king who cares about everyone's friendship in his heart. He will not make any reckless actions. Besides, this thing is not impossible to discuss. In this way... you accept this thing, and then think carefully Think about it. When the Duke finishes his work tomorrow, you can come up with another price, so everyone can discuss it."
Han Muye suddenly calmed down... Hmph, this Duke Tulip seems to be a main fighter... The tough posture... can also be regarded as a means of negotiation.
Thinking of this, he laughed instead: "Okay! I'll stay for a few more days. The Lord Duke should be busy with his affairs tomorrow, right? I accept this thing. We will wait for the Lord Duke to be free tomorrow. Let's talk about it."
After finishing speaking, Hanmoye suppressed his anger, still kept a smile on his face, and stood up: "So... please forgive me for being unreasonable. I have worked hard all the way, and I am a little tired. I don't know where I will live tonight?"
Longbottom laughed: "Old friend, our Lord Duke is a hospitable person, how could he neglect his good friend! We have already made arrangements! You are satisfied!"
After finishing speaking, the fat man personally led Hamuye out, exited the castle through the back door, and arrived at the residence specially "specially prepared" for Hamuye.
Originally, Hanmoye could still hold back his anger, but when he saw the "hospitality" of the other party, he couldn't help but turn his face!
"Longbottom! You..."
Longbottom had a warm smile on his face: "My lord duke said that he respects the bravery of men in the prairie, and you are not used to living in the luxurious mansions of our Roland people. And what... Your lord duke said that entertaining guests is the highest state It is to be "home away from home"! That is to say, to make guests feel at home! So... We racked our brains and prepared such a place! Yi? Old friend, don’t you like it? People on the prairie, don’t they all get used to living in this place?”
In front of them, on a clearing behind the castle, a few tents were pitched alone in the middle. Looking at the appearance of the tent, it seems that there is still some air leakage...