Chapter 41: 41 Negotiation

Luoning brought Feilidun into the fortress hall of Shanlin Castle; this could actually be considered a rather formal gesture.

"Apologies, Sir Feilidun. Due to Pulinsite's betrayal, my castle currently lacks sufficient manpower, so I am unable to provide you with wine or other services!"

Luoning took his seat first, speaking empty pleasantries while gesturing for the other party to sit as well.

The Shanlin Castle fortress was very simple; the hall, constructed of giant stones, had very small windows on the surrounding walls, and even with sunlight shining in, the brightness was minimal.

Maiken could only direct the guards to light the candles in the hall.

Feilidun had some objections to such an unceremonious reception from Luoning, but naturally, he would not voice them, merely offering a chuckle and flattery: "Baron, you are truly efficient in your work; your style is very similar to your father's!"

Luoning raised an eyebrow; was this person praising him or insulting him?

"I wonder what important matter brings you here today?" Luoning did not want to beat around the bush and chose to ask directly about the other party's intentions.

Feilidun did not answer immediately, instead asking: "Lord Luoning, I wonder what the letter you had the guards send to Wushan Castle was regarding?"

He was still dedicated to finding out the contents of the letter sent by Baobo and Masai.

Nobles cared deeply about face; even if there was conflict between two parties, they would generally laugh and smile when meeting in public, leaving the backstabbing for behind the scenes.

Therefore, during the time Luoning met with Feilidun, he also took care to maintain the hospitable posture of a host.

However, when he heard this question from Feilidun, after two seconds of thought, his expression turned cold.

"You should know what the Sain Territory has obtained from my Shanlin Town over these years!"

If he were timid now, he would be wasting yesterday's brilliant performance; Luoning had to act in a way that let the other party know he was not afraid of offending the Sain Territory.

The expression on Feilidun's face grew more solemn, while at the same time, he felt fortunate that he had intercepted those two messengers on the road; otherwise, the Sain Territory would be in trouble this time.

He also complained inwardly about why Luoning was acting so hastily, not giving both sides any room for mitigation.

Sure enough, just as the rumors said, Weijinsi and Luoning were indeed a pair of similar father and son from Wushan Castle.

"I know a little of what you speak, My Lord."

Feilidun brought out the lines he had prepared: "My Lord may not know, but the security situation in Shanlin Town is not good. To the west, there is the Wushan Magical Beast Mountain Range harassing the town, and in the woodlands to the north and east, there are remnants of savage tribes. Pulinsite, as Administrator, could only seek help from the nearest Sain Territory to maintain order here and ensure service to Wushan Castle."

Luoning deliberately questioned: "So, you extracted so much wealth from Shanlin Town? For this kind of embezzlement, I will report it to Wushan Castle and have my father and grandfather issue a judgment against Baron Leisen!"

"My Lord, that is not a correct way to put it!"

Feilidun stood up, performed a Knight Salute, and began to argue: "My Lord, my master, Baron Leisen, has fulfilled his duty as a vassal of Wushan Castle, sending troops and effort to guard Shanlin Town for Wushan Castle. The things Pulinsite gave were merely payment for our services; how can this be called embezzling Wushan Castle's wealth?"

Luoning mocked: "As a vassal, helping the liege lord suppress rebellions is a duty that should be fulfilled; Baron Leisen still wants payment?"

"You are right, but that applies when Wushan Castle orders the Sain Territory to take action."

Feilidun argued again: "And our actions were in response to Pulinsite's request and promise; Wushan Castle did not issue an order. If this matter is to be investigated, the greatest criminal is Pulinsite!"

"Whose fault is greater or smaller, I do not wish to know, nor do I wish to inquire."

Luoning said indifferently: "I only need to tell my father about your actions; I think, given his personality, he will definitely make Baron Leisen pay the price!"

Feilidun knew that talking to Luoning like this would not work, so he stopped rambling and began to reveal Baron Leisen's plan.

"My Lord, if you report this matter to Wushan Castle, in the end, the Sain Territory might have to compensate Wushan Castle with a certain amount of money or resources."

As he spoke, he sat back down, his tone carrying a hint of temptation: "That money would be handed over to Wushan Castle; you wouldn't get a single cent."

Luoning's heart stirred; it was here, the other party's true intention had arrived.

He waved his hand and sat sideways in his chair: "I have no interest in money; I only hope Wushan Castle can teach Baron Leisen a lesson, so he knows not to reach his hand too far!"

Knight Feilidun cursed Luoning a hundred times in his heart, feeling that the other party had no brains at all; things had been said to this point, and he still didn't understand?

"My Lord, Baron Leisen wishes to compensate you!"

He stopped wasting words and laid his cards on the table: "As long as you no longer pursue the mistakes the Sain Territory made by falling into Pulinsite's trap over these years, Baron Leisen is willing to compensate you."

Perhaps worried that Luoning still didn't understand, Feilidun continued to explain: "If you report it to Wushan Castle, the Sain Territory pays Wushan Castle. But if you don't pursue it, our compensation will fall into your pocket!"

Luoning was overjoyed; he had just been thinking about not having enough money to spend, and he hadn't expected the Sain Territory to come and deliver it.

"Compensate me?"

He pretended to be very interested: "How does Baron Leisen say he will compensate?"

Feilidun held up two fingers: "Baron Leisen is willing to pay two hundred gold coins to Shanlin Town in a lump sum!"

Two hundred gold coins and he wants to dismiss people?

Luoning shook his head repeatedly: "I am of the Wushan Family bloodline; how could I join him in deceiving Wushan Castle?"

He looked disdainful: "Sir Feilidun, please return. Also, please do not block my messengers again; otherwise, I don't mind letting Knight Maiken have you stay in Shanlin Castle for Along time!"

Feilidun was thoroughly disgusted by Luoning's words; he had just observed that Luoning's attitude was clearly one of interest, and now this resolute refusal was nothing more than dissatisfaction with the small amount of money.

At such a young age, he was actually so much like a greedy merchant.

"Three hundred!"

Feilidun held up three fingers: "Three hundred gold coins, I hope you can change your mind, My Lord!"

Luoning asked coldly: "Fairness and justice are my creeds; is Baron Leisen testing me?"

"Four hundred, My Lord, four hundred should be enough, right?"

Feilidun felt like he was doing business with a disgusting merchant: "Shanlin Town only provided some grain to the Sain Territory each year; adding it all up over so many years, it probably doesn't even total four hundred gold coins!"

Luoning chuckled; although he didn't know exactly how much Pulinsite had given the Sain Territory, it was definitely more than four hundred gold coins.

"Sir Feilidun, you must know that Baron Leisen is committing a crime! Once Wushan Castle finds out, who knows how much the penalty will be."

Feilidun, while cursing that Luoning was clearly dissatisfied with the amount and just pretending to be righteous, showed a look of difficulty: "My Lord, four hundred gold coins is really not a small amount!"

Luoning extended one finger: "I won't make it difficult for you; one thousand gold coins. As long as Baron Leisen compensates me one thousand gold coins, I can pretend I never discovered the matter between you and Pulinsite!"

Feilidun opened his mouth, seemingly feeling that he had misheard.

Good heavens, to open his mouth and demand one thousand gold coins directly; he was truly greedy to the core!

Did the other party know what the concept of one thousand gold coins was?

Feilidun calmed his fluctuating breathing; if it weren't for seeing the big and tall Maiken standing by the side the whole time, he really would have wanted to rush up and strangle this greedy fellow.

"My Lord, although Baron Leisen has a little savings, asking him to take out one thousand gold coins at once is impossible!"

Feilidun shook his head, "Even if you were to report this to Wushan Castle, by the time the Marquis makes a final judgment, I fear it wouldn't reach that amount. It would be better for you to report it yourself!"

Is it really impossible to come up with one thousand gold coins?

Luoning laughed and said, "It doesn't matter if you don't have one thousand gold coins; Baron Leisen can use cattle to pay it off. I hear there are quite a few Black Water Buffalo in Swamp Town. I like eating beef, so just give me thirty or forty of them."

Feilidun twitched the corner of his mouth. It was true, Sain Territory had plenty of Zhaoze, which were suitable for the survival of Black Water Buffalo.

Over these years, Baron Leisen had indeed earned quite a lot of money by domesticating Black Water Buffalo, but for Luoning to open his mouth and ask for thirty or forty of them was complete nonsense!

To tell the truth, if it weren't for Baron Leisen repeatedly requesting that he first facilitate a de-escalation of the situation, he would have likely stood up and left immediately.

But the negotiation had to continue, "My lord, there really aren't that many!"

(End of this chapter)