Chapter 227: The Contest at the Negotiation Table

"Sir Su said that, so I'll speak plainly." Wang Kai put down his teacup, "Sanfoqi sent pirates to attack our merchant ships; they blew up our dock—how are we to settle this account?"

Su Baluomo's expression did not change.

"General, you've misunderstood." He said slowly, "Those pirates were not sent by our Sanfoqi. The Maliujia Haixia has always had many pirates; attacking merchant ships is just common practice."

"Common practice?" Wang Tie sneered, "Those pirates only target ships that have paid; you call that common practice?"

"Perhaps it's a coincidence." Su Baluomo remained unhurried, "Pirates naturally go for the richest targets. Ships that have paid show they are wealthy, so they naturally become targets."

Wang Kai stared at him, saying nothing.

This old fox, refusing to admit it.

Also true—at the negotiation table, whoever admits fault first loses half.

"Sir Su." Wang Kai's voice calm, "We're both sensible people—no need to beat around the bush. What does Sanfoqi want? Just say it."

Su Baluomo lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"The Maliujia Haixia has always been Sanfoqi's territorial waters." He said leisurely, "You setting up checkpoints here and collecting tolls—by reason and emotion, you ought to consult Sanfoqi."

"Consult?" Wang Tie slapped the table, "When you sent ships to attack us, why didn't you consult then?"

"General Wang, please calm down." Su Baluomo remained unflustered, "That was a misunderstanding. We thought you were pirates, so we acted. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, we should properly negotiate."

Wang Kai raised his hand, stopping Wang Tie.

He knew this old man just wanted to provoke Wang Tie into losing his composure.

"How does Sir Su wish to negotiate?" Wang Kai asked.

"Very simple." Su Baluomo set down his teacup, "The Maliujia Haixia shall be jointly managed by Sanfoqi and you. Toll revenue split fifty-fifty."

Wang Tie nearly laughed out loud.

"Fifty-fifty? Have you contributed men? Ships? Cannons?" He pointed to the window, "Are those two gun emplacements yours? Are those nine warships yours?"

Su Baluomo's face changed slightly.

"General Wang, you are mistaken." He lowered his voice, "The Maliujia Haixia is Sanfoqi's territorial waters. Your collecting fees here is essentially borrowing Sanfoqi's territory. Not pursuing the matter is already magnanimous."

"Magnanimous?" Wang Kai laughed, "Sir Su, the people you blew up in Great Harbor the other day were not few."

Su Baluomo's face sank completely.

He knew this was a reminder—you're not pursuing it? It's because you can't.

"What relation do those thugs have to you?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"No relation." Wang Kai spread his hands, "Just like those pirates have nothing to do with you."

The room fell silent.

Su Baluomo stared at Wang Kai, who returned the gaze with a faint smile.

After a long while, Su Baluomo let out a long sigh.

"Generals." His tone softened, "Sanfoqi has no intention of being your enemy, but we cannot relinquish all the interests of the Maliujia Haixia. How about this: a four‑six split, us four, you six?"

"No way." Wang Tie directly refused, "Not a single coin."

"General Wang!" Su Baluomo slammed the table, "Leave a line of retreat so we can meet again later. Although Sanfoqi cannot match your sturdy ships and powerful cannons, if we both suffer losses, nobody benefits!"

"Both sides losing?" Wang Kai laughed, "Are you threatening us, Sir Su?"

"I wouldn't dare." Su Baluomo took a deep breath, "I'm just stating the facts."

Wang Kai stood up and walked to the window.

He looked at the warships moored outside, then at the distant horizon.

"Sir Su." He turned around, "How many of Sanfoqi's merchant ships pass through the Maliujia Haixia each year?"

Su Baluomo blinked.

"This… about a hundred or so."

"A hundred ships." Wang Kai nodded, "According to the current rule, how much toll should each ship pay?"

"Given the size of Sanfoqi's merchant ships, roughly three hundred taels of silver per ship."

"Three hundred taels times a hundred ships equals thirty thousand taels." Wang Kai calculated quickly, "Sir Su, I have a condition for you."

Su Baluomo's eyes lit up.

"Please speak."

"From now on, Sanfoqi's merchant ships will pass through the Maliujia Haixia toll‑free." Wang Kai said.

Su Baluomo's face showed delight.

But Wang Kai added, "But you must not send people to attack other ships anymore. We guarantee that Sanfoqi's vessels will be absolutely safe within the Maliujia Haixia."

Su Baluomo froze.

He had thought the Wang family would at most concede twenty or thirty percent; he hadn't expected them to say no toll at all.

But he quickly realized why.

Waiving Sanfoqi's fee is because Sanfoqi's own ships are few; the real profit comes from those from Tianzhu, Arabia, and even farther afield. Those vessels are the main source.

The Wang family is trading small gain for the big picture.

"How about it?" Wang Kai asked.

Su Baluomo fell silent for a moment.

"I need to return and report to the king."

"All right." Wang Kai nodded, "But I'll give you only three days. If Sir Su doesn't come by then, it will be a refusal—and the terms will no longer be as they are now."

Su Baluomo rose and clasped his hands.

"Farewell."

Wang Tie watched him leave, then turned his head to look at Wang Kai.

"You're just letting him go like that?"

"What then?" Wang Kai laughed, "Kill him? Then Sanfoqi would really fight us to the death."

"But if we don't take their money, aren't we losing out?"

"What loss?" Wang Kai shook his head, "Sanfoqi has a hundred ships a year, thirty thousand taels of silver. Sounds like a lot, but compared to other merchant ships, it's just a drop in the bucket."

He walked back to the table and sat down.

"Besides, if we don't take Sanfoqi's money, they'll have no reason to bother us anymore. Without this trouble, we can peacefully collect tolls from other ships. In the long run, this deal won't be a loss."

Wang Tie thought for a moment, then nodded.

"You're still the quickest thinker."

Three days later, Su Baluomo came to Maliujia again.

This time, he brought the king's personal letter.

The letter was short; in brief, it said: agreement.

Wang Kai finished reading the letter and laughed.

"Mr. Su, pleasant cooperation."

Su Baluomo also laughed, but his smile was somewhat bitter.

He knew that from now on, control of the Maliujia Haixia would completely fall into the Wang Family's hands; Sanfoqi could only stand by and watch.

But he also knew that this was already the best possible outcome.

At least, Sanfoqi's ships could pass freely, and Great Harbor no longer had to worry about being attacked.