Chapter 493: Negotiations Part 2

Hokage, what you say makes perfect sense~

After Dong Shilang finished speaking, the conference room indeed fell into a brief silence.

Whether it was the few Kage present, their guards behind them, or Sanchuan serving as a witness, they all agreed with Dong Shilang's viewpoint.

Unfortunately, agreement does not mean consent.

But… Dayemu's face showed no expression as he coldly said, "In my view, what kind of strength one has determines what kind of treatment they receive."

We don't need to worry too much about the feelings of those small villages.

Once we five great nations reach a consensus, these people's opinions are utterly insignificant.

Even if they are unwilling, what else can they do besides stirring up trouble behind the scenes?

In Dayemu's view, the world works like this: the strong are respected, the weak suffering loss is normal.

Among the five great ninja villages, it's enough to mutually observe this so-called compensation agreement; there's no need to involve those small villages.

These folks neither participated in the talks nor had any strength; they could almost be said to have done nothing, yet what qualifies them for compensation?

Even these compensations are things I don't approve of.

Tsuchikage, the reason we brought these people in is to better maintain peace, which is conducive to proposing the next item.

Dong Shilang glanced at the other Kage present.

Raikage's face showed utter indifference; he obviously didn't care much about this.

Kazekage… Rōsa, this fellow still has some scheming; his face shows no obvious expression, but with keen eyesight one can notice that the muscles at the corners of his mouth seem to be slightly upturned.

Is this… mockery?

As for Zhao Meiming, her conduct was perfectly proper. Seated in her chair, when she saw Dong Shilang looking over, she even gave him a smile.

One couldn't tell at all what this woman was thinking.

Between the great nations, border trade has existed intermittently, but its scale has always been small, and most of it is conducted through third parties to complete transactions.

Not to mention the scale being very limited, the prices become extremely expensive, and upon entry one constantly worries about being detected by the various nations' ninja.

Trade being such, no matter how the nations' ninja guard against it, there will always be someone who, for profit, takes risks with scarce supplies.

Such as the medicinal herbs and grain of Huo Zhi Guo, the mountain delicacies and seafood of Lei Zhi Guo and Shui Zhi Guo, and the mineral resources and sand gold of Tu Zhi Guo and Feng Zhi Guo.

Simply selling these goods to another country can yield several times, even tenfold or more profit, prompting some to take the risk.

I believe we should increase trade between the great nations, designate specific trade zones, and stipulate what each may sell.

Then, by establishing a scheme allowing goods to flow across borders, we can facilitate material exchange among the great nations.

Those small states sandwiched between us, serving as our respective buffers, if their hearts are filled with resentment and unwillingness, that is highly detrimental to our trade endeavors.

Putting aside other matters, those small states acting as buffers are merely transshipment points for goods moving between the great nations.

If these people constantly think about sabotage, it would be almost a fatal blow to launching trade activities.

Can Hokage explain in detail the specifics of establishing trade between us?

Upon hearing the word 'trade,' Luosha's eyes flashed with a hint of longing.

Feng Zhi Guo lacks nothing in mineral resources, especially precious metals like sand gold.

However, Feng Zhi Guo is short on supplies; even holding gold is useless—it can't be eaten or drunk, and there's no way to exchange it for goods in the market.

If there were a channel to exchange for the supplies they need, for Suna Ninja Village it would be nothing short of fantastic news.

Take Feng Zhi Guo and Huo Zhi Guo as examples; we seek a suitable spot at our respective borders to designate a trade point.

Not only do we allow our own nations' merchants to enter and trade freely here, but we can also permit foreign ninja to enter this specially designated area.

In the ninja world, bandits run rampant; merchants, whether for themselves or their goods, must hire ninja guards for safety.

However, in international trade, these ninja cannot enter the nations' borders, and even crossing those small states carries great risk.

Because these small states have the shadows of the great nations behind them.

Designate a plot of land and allow foreign ninja to enter it as well?

Upon hearing Dong Shilang's words, Luosha as well as Dayemu, and everyone present, even though they already had a rough idea, still found it hard to accept at this moment.

After all, in their view, letting foreign ninja enter one's country entails aggression and risk.

Just for trade, to take such a risk—isn't that somewhat disproportionate?

Of course, these specially designated places require everyone to maintain order and… collect a certain fee.

This so-called fee is actually a tariff; Dong Shilang believes these people will have no trouble discussing it.

Everyone present is a Kage; the village's economic authority has always been held by the daimyo, and he believes these people would be extremely enthusiastic about developing another source of revenue.

Charging fees…

Sure enough, when Dong Shilang mentioned charging fees, the eyes of the several Kage present lit up instantly.

They exchanged a few glances, then broke into a knowing smile.

Of course, this place is chosen by us, the order is maintained by us; if foreign merchants wish to do business in our country or transport goods into our territory, we can also provide ninja protection.

Charging them a certain proportion of fees is also perfectly justified.

After all, even ninja need to eat and support their families~

At this point, not only Luosha, who originally agreed, but also Dayemu, who had previously shown little interest, felt somewhat moved.

Seeing that everyone was somewhat inclined, Dong Shilang struck while the iron was hot.

Which goods can be sold, how foreign ninja entering this trade zone will be managed, what fees to levy on the goods—today we can draft a proposal here.

After everyone returns to their villages, they can further discuss with the village's high-level officials.

Our ultimate goal is to allow goods to cross borders in large quantities.

Such a matter involving trade between two nations cannot be decided merely by those few Kage meeting here and slapping their heads together.

After the Kage return to their villages, they still need to secure the support of most of the village's high-level officials, and afterwards they must select a location, discuss the types of goods, and so on—there are many things to do.

I believe this is feasible!

As soon as Dong Shilang finished speaking, Zhaomei Ming was the first to stand up and show support.

The Mist Ninja are currently in a period of recovery and need a large number of missions to train the next generation of ninjas in their own village.

Moreover, they still owe a loan to Leaf Village, and this time they also managed to obtain Shark Skin from Dong Shilang.

She has no reason to oppose.

"I also agree!"

Next is Luosha.

The Sand Ninja lack everything except sand; if they had this so-called trade zone, it would be an irresistible boon for their village.

"I also agree."

For Ai, whether the matter succeeds or not doesn't make much difference, but having an extra income is never a bad thing.

Old man...

Seeing that all four Kage present agreed, Dayemu still wanted to be stubborn.

"Father, if we miss this opportunity, it will be a huge loss for our Rock Ninja."

Seeing Dayemu still somewhat reluctant, Huangtu, who had always been unnoticed beside him, became a little anxious.

He could see clearly that the Sand Ninja needed no saying, and even the Mist Ninja agreed with the proposal put forward by the Hokage.

Even if his own father opposed, among the Fire, Water, Wind, and Lightning great nations, they could completely ignore their Earth Country and handle it themselves.

By that time, if the Rock Ninja Village did not join, there would be no loss.

But there is a saying that goes well: "If you do not advance when rowing against the current, you will retreat."

The four families gain extra income, while our side sees no change, which will invisibly put the Rock Ninja at a disadvantage.

Moreover, he believes that the Fourth Raikage also saw this point, which is why he decisively joined in.

Old man knows.

He gave Huangtu a dissatisfied glare.

This brat, could it be that he thinks I'm old and confused? For such an obvious matter, how could I possibly not understand?

But in his view, the one who benefits the most from this is undoubtedly the Fire Country located at the center of the world.

Old man still has one question: how can we guarantee the safety of our merchants when they enter other countries, and will trade be restricted?

I have also considered this aspect.

As for the Tsuchikage's question, Dong Shilang naturally has considered it thoroughly.

In each of the established trade zones, we also need to set up a branch for issuing and accepting missions.

Taking the Wind Country as an example, a Wind Country merchant carrying a batch of goods can directly issue an escort mission at these mission posting points, and we will arrange ninjas to protect their safety.

As long as his goods are within our permitted range, our ninjas will protect both his person and his goods.

He can take these goods safely to any trade point he wants, such as the Lightning Country.

Upon reaching the Lightning Country trade point, if he still wants to engage in trade within the Lightning Country, he needs to hire Lightning Country ninjas at the trade point to protect their safety within the Lightning Country's borders.

Doing this gives ordinary people a livelihood, nobles can levy more taxes from them, ninjas also get more missions, and even the major villages gain an extra income.

In order to convince the stubborn Dayemu, Dong Shilang could be said to have exerted all his eloquence.

He went through every benefit he could think of.

PS: There is still one chapter being proofread.