Chapter 1294: Those Xenos, Leave Not One Behind

Kewake leaned back in his chair and said wearily.

"Let's talk."

Serafen was the first to speak.

"The conditions are not harsh. Acknowledging the facts, opening trade, and technological cooperation—these were all within our expectations."

Tailanisi nodded.

"The part about technological cooperation needs to be handled with caution. We cannot let them access our core research. But if it is in non-military fields, it can be discussed," Vitas said.

"As for the trade part, a three-year buffer period is reasonable. Our industries can withstand it."

"Regarding trade, a three-year buffer period is reasonable. Our industries can withstand it."

"Intelligence analysis suggests that Guilliman is not lying to us. His conditions are indeed what he stated. There are no hidden clauses, no traps."

"Intelligence analysis suggests that Guilliman is not lying to us. His conditions are indeed what he stated. There are no hidden clauses, no traps."

"So, your meaning is to accept?"

The group looked at each other and nodded in unison.

Kewake was silent for a few seconds.

"Then accept. But we must strive for some things regarding the details."

"Then accept. But we must strive for something in the details."

"For the tariff buffer period, strive to extend it to five years."

He looked at Tailanisi.

"The scope of technological cooperation must be clearly limited to non-military fields."

"The scope of technological cooperation must be clearly limited to non-military fields."

"The declassification standards for diplomatic records must be led by us."

He looked at Serafen.

"On the military side, we must reaffirm the validity of the Non-Aggression Treaty to ensure they do not pull any tricks at the border."

"On the military side, we must reaffirm the validity of the Non-Aggression Treaty to ensure they do not pull any tricks at the border."

"Zuola."

"Present."

"Prepare a reply for Guilliman. Tell him that the Daikong Star Alliance accepts the conditions in principle, but hopes to conduct further consultations on the details."

"Prepare a reply to Guilliman. Tell him that the Daikong Star Alliance accepts the conditions in principle. But we hope to conduct further consultations on the details."

"Commissioner, do you think Guilliman will agree?"

Kewake turned and looked at her.

"He will. He is not here to blackmail us; he is here to establish relations. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance needs friends, needs trade partners, and needs a stable border. We cannot give them much, but at the very least, we can avoid causing trouble."

"He will. He is not here to blackmail us; he is here to build a relationship. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance needs friends, needs trade partners, and needs stable borders. We cannot give them much, but at the very least, we can avoid causing trouble."

"Go. Tell Guilliman that the Daikong Star Alliance is willing to be a friend to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

Zuola nodded, turned, and left.

Xiuluo Holy Star, Primarch Residential Area, Guilliman's study.

Guilliman sat at the table with a holographic screen in front of him, displaying the reply just sent by the Daikong Star Alliance.

"Accepted in principle. Hopes to conduct further consultations on the details."

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Reply to them: The details can be discussed. In three days, we will continue the talks."

He handed the document to the Adjutant.

The Adjutant asked.

"My lord, do you think the Daikong people will go back on their word?"

Guilliman shook his head.

"They will not. They are smarter than the Ash People. Smart people know that the cost of going back on one's word is far greater than the cost of making concessions. Besides, they have no choice."

"They won't. They are smarter than the Ash People. Smart people know that the cost of going back on one's word is much greater than the cost of making concessions. Moreover, they have no choice."

Sunlight spilled in through the window, casting warm patches of light on the dark wooden floor.

Yingzhou sat at the desk with several reports that had just been delivered in front of him.

After Luojia finished handling the diplomatic affairs of the Keloke Empire, he had retreated behind the scenes; Corax's garrison on the border of the Ash Star Alliance had stabilized; and Guilliman had taken over the negotiation work with the Daikong Star Alliance.

After Luojia finished handling the diplomatic affairs of the Luoke Imperium, he retreated behind the scenes; Corax's garrison at the border of the Ash Star Alliance had stabilized, and Guilliman took over the negotiation work with the Daikong Star Alliance.

The door was knocked on lightly.

"Come in."

The door pushed open, and Guilliman walked in.

The door pushed open, and Guilliman walked in.

Guilliman bowed slightly.

"There is a result regarding the Daikong Star Alliance."

Yingzhou nodded, signaling for him to sit opposite.

Yingzhou nodded, signaling for him to sit opposite.

Guilliman sat in the chair and pulled up a Data Pad.

"The Daikong Star Alliance has accepted our conditions in principle."

"Acknowledging that the detention of the delegation was a legitimate act under a state of war, and waiving all claims for compensation."

Admit that the detention of the mission is a legal act under a state of war, and waive all claims for compensation.

Provide all diplomatic records from the past five years with the Fengqi Star Alliance.

Open trade routes, grant most-favored-nation status, and lower tariffs over three years.

Sign a scientific cooperation agreement to conduct exchanges and cooperation in non-military fields."

Yingzhou listened, his expression calm.

"They didn't bargain?"

Guilliman shook his head.

"They did. They wanted to extend the tariff buffer period from three years to five, wanted to narrow the scope of scientific cooperation, and wanted the declassification standards for diplomatic records to be led by them. But those were all details; there was no disagreement on the general direction."

The corners of Yingzhou's mouth lifted slightly.

"The Daikong people are indeed smarter than the Ash People. They know when to be tough and when to make concessions."

Guilliman nodded.

"Yes, Father. Their Diplomatic Commissioner Kewake is a pragmatic man. The military representative Serafen is tough, but not stupid. The scientific representative Tailanisi had some concerns, but was suppressed by Kewake. The Trade Representative Vitas is shrewd but knows his limits. The Minister of Intelligence Zuola did not speak the entire time, but kept recording."

Yingzhou leaned back in his chair.

"Twenty-three people. Aolana, Tuowake, and twenty-one other diplomats and attendants. Where are they being held now?"

Guilliman pulled up another file.

"In a temporary holding facility on an Alien prison planet. The conditions are not harsh; they have basic food and shelter, but their movements are restricted and their communication is cut off."

"Guilliman, do you think we should really let them go back?"

Guilliman paused for a moment.

"Father, what do you mean?"

Yingzhou stood up and walked to the window.

"Regarding the Kuluoke Imperium, we released Kesi, but we released a y-7."

"Father, you want to..."

Yingzhou turned around and looked at him.

"The Daikong Star Alliance is much smaller and weaker than the Kuluoke Imperium. But they are smart, pragmatic, and know when to bow their heads. A power like this, if released, will still be a trouble for us in the future. If we don't release them, the Daikong Star Alliance will be alerted."

He walked back to the desk and sat down.

"But what if the ones released are not them?"

Guilliman was in Silence for a few seconds.

"Father, are you saying we should let Kalidusi assassins replace them?"

Yingzhou nodded.

"Twenty-three people. Aolana is a senior diplomat and the head of the mission. Tuowake is an Academician and a scholar. Plus twenty-one diplomats and attendants. If these people return to the Daikong Star Alliance, they will enter their diplomatic system, scientific research system, and administrative system. If our people replace them..."

Guilliman interjected.

"We would have twenty-three pawns distributed in various key positions within the Daikong Star Alliance."

Yingzhou smiled.

"Correct. Not to be used now, but to be used later. Maybe in a few years, maybe in a few decades. But one day, they will be used."

Guilliman thought for a moment.

"Father, on the Daikong Star Alliance side, Kewake is still waiting for our reply. If we agree to release them but delay doing so, they will become suspicious."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Therefore, we must be fast. Before they come to collect the people, get the matter done."

He pressed the Communication Device on the table.

"Selina."

A holographic projection appeared in the corner of the room.

"His Majesty, I am here."

"Twenty-three people. Aolana, Tuowake, and twenty-one attendants. I need twenty-three assassins, each capable of perfectly disguising themselves as their corresponding target."

Selina said.

"His Majesty, twenty-three assassins can be assembled within six hours. Memory extraction and disguise training will require twenty-four hours."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Then twenty-four hours it is. Guilliman, tell the Daikong Star Alliance that the details require two days of consultation. Two days later, we will continue the talks."

Guilliman stood up.

"Understood, Father."

He turned to leave.

"Guilliman." Yingzhou called him back.

Guilliman turned his head.

"Father?"

"Those Aliens, leave not a single one."

Guilliman nodded.

"Understood."