Chapter 1293: The Things We Want Are All Reasonable

Nine o'clock sharp.

The holographic projection in the center of the Meeting Room lit up, and the figure of Guilliman gradually coalesced.

"Representatives of the Daikong Star Alliance, good morning. I am Guilliman. Today, we shall hold talks regarding the matter of your diplomatic mission."

Kewake bowed slightly.

"Lord Guilliman, thank you for making the time. I am Kewake, Diplomatic Commissioner of the Daikong Star Alliance. This is General Serafen, our military representative; Doctor Tailanisi, our scientific research representative; Vitas, our Trade Representative; and Zuola, our Minister of Intelligence."

Guilliman nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone present in turn.

"I am pleased to meet you all."

He did not engage in small talk or pleasantries, cutting straight to the subject.

"Commissioner Kewake, your diplomatic mission, led by Ms. Aolana, was intercepted and detained by our forces during the war between the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and the Feng Qi Xing Alliance. Regarding this, I would like to clarify a few points first."

Kewake nodded.

"Please, speak."

Guilliman brought up a holographic document.

"First, the detention occurred during a state of war. Your mission was visiting the Feng Qi Xing Alliance at the time, and the Feng Qi Xing Alliance is a belligerent nation against us."

Kewake's brow furrowed slightly.

"Lord Guilliman, the Daikong Star Alliance is not an ally of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance. We were merely on a standard diplomatic visit."

Guilliman looked at him.

"Commissioner Kewake, the Feng Qi Xing Alliance has requested military support from your side multiple times. Although you did not agree, the diplomatic relationship between the two sides is clear. In a state of war, a diplomatic mission visiting the capital of a belligerent nation is viewed as support for that belligerent nation."

Serafen's expression darkened.

"Lord Guilliman, we signed a Non-Aggression Treaty. Does this not prove our neutral stance?"

Guilliman looked toward Serafen.

"General, the Non-Aggression Treaty was signed after the mission was detained. Before the signing, your side's position was not clear."

Serafen wanted to say something more, but Kewake raised a hand to stop him.

"Lord Guilliman, what is past is past. What we wish to discuss now is how to resolve this issue. What are your conditions?"

Guilliman leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed, yet the light in his eyes made one afraid to look directly at them.

"Commissioner Kewake, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not a power that takes advantage of others' misfortune. We detained your mission because of the needs of war. Now that the war has ended, we are willing to resolve this issue through negotiation."

He paused.

"But the premise is that your side must acknowledge that the detention of the mission was a legitimate act under a state of war, and not a unilateral fault of ours."

Kewake's eyes narrowed.

What Guilliman wanted was not an apology, but an acknowledgment.

An acknowledgment that the actions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance were legitimate, and an acknowledgment that the Daikong Star Alliance was in the wrong.

"Lord Guilliman, we can acknowledge that the detention during a state of war was legitimate. But we also hope that you will acknowledge that the Daikong Star Alliance never actively participated in hostile actions against the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Guilliman nodded.

"Very well. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance acknowledges that the Daikong Star Alliance maintained neutrality during the war and did not participate in any hostile actions."

Kewake's heart relaxed slightly.

"Then, can we discuss the conditions now?"

The corners of Guilliman's mouth turned up slightly.

"We can."

Guilliman brought up another holographic document.

"Commissioner Kewake, the conditions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are very simple."

He held up one finger.

"First, your side must formally acknowledge that the detention of the mission was a legitimate act under a state of war, and waive all claims for compensation."

Kewake nodded.

"Agreed."

Guilliman held up a second finger.

"Second, you need to provide all diplomatic records and cooperation agreements with the Feng Qi Xing Alliance from the past five years. We need to confirm that there is no content within them that poses a threat to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Tailanisi's expression changed.

"Lord Guilliman, many of those records involve internal affairs of the Daikong Star Alliance and are not suitable for public disclosure."

Guilliman looked at him.

"Doctor, I understand your concerns. But please understand our position. The Feng Qi Xing Alliance once spread Forbidden Technology throughout the entire Bode Star System; we need to confirm whether your side also received those materials, and whether you conducted research on them."

Tailanisi fell into Silence.

Kewake spoke up.

"Lord Guilliman, we can provide the diplomatic records with the Feng Qi Xing Alliance. But the parts involving internal affairs will need to be redacted."

Guilliman thought for a moment.

"Very well. But the standards for redaction shall be determined by both of us together. It cannot be decided unilaterally by your side."

Kewake nodded.

"Fine. Agreed."

Guilliman held up a third finger.

"Third, you need to open trade channels with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance and grant us most-favored-nation status. At the same time, lower the tariffs on Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance goods to the same level as those of the Daikong Star Alliance's allies."

Vitas's brow furrowed.

"Lord Guilliman, most-favored-nation status can be discussed, but regarding the tariff issue, we need time to evaluate. Lowering them too quickly will cause a shock to our domestic industries."

Guilliman looked at him.

"Lord Vitas, the goods from the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance are of high quality and low price, which is a good thing for your consumers. Local industries can respond to competition by upgrading their technology, rather than relying on tariff protection."

Vitas wanted to say something more, but Kewake raised a hand to stop him.

"The issue of tariffs can be discussed. But it needs to be implemented in stages to give us a buffer period."

Guilliman thought for a moment.

"Very well. It will be implemented over three years, with a one-third reduction each year."

Kewake looked at Vitas.

Vitas nodded.

Guilliman held up a fourth finger.

"Fourth, your side needs to sign a technological cooperation agreement with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance to conduct exchanges and cooperation in fields such as Psionic Physics, materials science, and biotechnology."

Tailanisi's expression changed again.

"Lord Guilliman, technological cooperation is a good thing. But what exactly to cooperate on and how to cooperate requires detailed discussion."

Guilliman nodded.

"Of course. The specific details can be agreed upon later. But the general direction is for both sides to share scientific research achievements in non-military fields and jointly promote technological progress in the Bode Star System."

Kewake asked.

"Non-military fields?"

Guilliman looked at him.

"Yes. Non-military fields. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not interested in your military technology."

Kewake was silent for a few seconds.

"In principle, this condition is acceptable. But the specific terms will require subsequent negotiations."

Guilliman nodded.

"Very well."

He put away the holographic document.

"Commissioner Kewake, the above are all the conditions of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance. If your side accepts them, our delegation can be released within thirty days."

Kewake was silent for a long time.

Then he asked.

"Lord Guilliman, are there no other conditions?"

"Commissioner Kewake, the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not a greedy power. The things we ask for are all reasonable. Acknowledging facts, opening trade, and technological cooperation—these are beneficial to both sides."

He paused.

"We do not need your territory, we do not need your military bases, and we do not need your resources. We only need you to acknowledge that the Daikong Star Alliance and the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance can be friends."

Kewake's heart skipped a beat.

Friends?

This word, coming from Guilliman's mouth, made him feel an indescribable pressure.

"Lord Guilliman, we need time to discuss this."

Guilliman nodded.

"Of course. I will give you three days. In three days, I will await your reply."

The holographic projection dissipated.