Chapter 49: A Transaction of False Compliance

The decision of Jiao Tu Zhen was transmitted at the fastest speed.

Only two days later, that squad of black-clad knights returned.

The scar-faced captain's face bore undisguised arrogance and a hint of ease at completing the mission soon.

In his view, this bunch of mud-legs had undergone several days of 'careful consideration'.

Finally choosing to submit was utterly natural.

This time, Chen Wen did not receive them on the wall but set the negotiation place in the council wooden house.

This small change in demeanor hinted at some kind of 'equality' or at least 'formality'.

It made the scar-faced captain frown slightly, but he said nothing more.

Inside the wooden house, the atmosphere was solemn.

On Chen Wen's side only Lady Wang and Zhang Cheng kept him company; Lady Wang took notes, while Zhang Cheng stood like an angry vajra behind Chen Wen, his hand always on his sword hilt.

The other side had only the scar-faced captain and a deputy enter, the rest of the cavalry stayed outside, but an invisible pressure had already spread.

"Chen Wen, several days have passed; you must have thought it through."

The scar-faced captain sat down boldly and got straight to the point.

His tone left no room for doubt.

"Is Liu Du Tou's condition to be accepted, or……not accepted?"

He emphasized the three words "not accepted" heavily, the threat evident in his words.

Chen Wen's face remained calm, even carrying a hint of just-right 'helplessness' and 'submission'.

He personally poured a bowl of coarse tea for the scar-faced captain and then spoke slowly:

"General, please calm your anger!"

"General Liu Du Tou's fame spreads far; we humble folk dare not defy."

"But……the number the general mentioned last time……"

"Is truly beyond what our Jiao Tu Zhen can possibly manage."

The scar-faced captain's face darkened, about to erupt.

Chen Wen shifted his tone, cutting him off to continue:

"However, Liu Du Tou's willingness to accept us is our honor."

"To show sincerity, Jiao Tu Zhen will do its utmost, regularly presenting tribute to Liu Du Tou."

"We only seek a place of peace in this chaotic world."

His words were quite smooth, expressing 'allegiance' while cleverly defining the precondition of 'paying tribute' as 'within our means'.

The scar-faced captain is no fool; he caught the implication, gave a cold snort:

"Oh? Then how much can you produce?"

【Entering "earnest forget-self" state! Negotiation skills, psychological warfare, and rhetoric boosted eightfold!】

Chen Wen had long prepared his lines, and without haste he gave a string of numbers:

"Each month: fifty pieces of top-grade fur, ten dan of various medicinal herbs, grain…… fifty shi."

Compared to the original demand, the fur is halved, the herbs greatly reduced, and the grain is only one-tenth!

"Fifty shi of grain? Are you sending off a beggar!"

The deputy behind the scar-faced captain couldn't help but slam the table.

The scar-faced captain's face also turned iron‑blue, cold light flashing in his eyes.

"General, please see clearly!"

Chen Wen immediately showed an expression of unbearable suffering; his eightfold acting made him look utterly sincere.

"It's not that we are stingy; it's just that the town is newly established, the population is large but mostly old and weak, and the cultivated land is still thin!"

"After this summer's harvest, aside from keeping seed and feeding the townsfolk, there's hardly anything left!"

"These fifty shi are what we've scraped together from the cracks!"

"If we give any more, next spring's famine will leave the whole town to starve!"

"Would the general like to see Liu Du Tou's domain gain another stretch of barren land littered with corpses?"

While he spoke, he carefully observed the scar-faced captain's reaction.

When mentioning "many old and weak" and "cultivated land still thin,"

a hint of contempt flashed in the scar-faced captain's eyes—just what Chen Wen wanted—showing weakness to the enemy.

But when mentioning "starvation" and "wasteland," the other side showed a hint of weighing.

After all, a vassal that can continually supply goods is more valuable than a drained ruin.

"As for furs and herbs……" Chen Wen seized the moment.

"Our town lies near mountains and forests, with many hunters and a few herbalists; gathering these is comparatively easy."

"These are the utmost sincerity we can offer."

The scar-faced captain remained silent, his fingers tapping the table.

Though Chen Wen's list fell far short of expectations, the furs and herbs are indeed needed by the army, especially the herbs.

Fifty shi of grain may be little, but even a mosquito leg is meat.

More importantly, his primary mission this trip is to have Jiao Tu Zhen "nominally" submit.

Eliminate this unstable factor to secure Liu Du Tou's flank for the next step against the Mountain‑Leopard den.

If pressed too hard, they might really fight to the death, which would be a loss.

"The tribute matter shall, for now, follow your proposal."

The scar‑faced captain finally spoke, thereby making a concession.

But immediately afterwards, a more core demand was raised.

However, since you have submitted, Liu Du Tou must station an 'assistant' here to help manage, and conscript fifty able-bodied youths to serve in the camp—that's the rule!

This is the true bottom line!

Once stationed officials are sent and the able-bodied youths are conscripted, Jiao Tu Zhen will exist in name only.

Chen Wen felt a chill in his heart, but on his face he showed an even more 'sincere' expression:

General, this is absolutely impossible!

It's not that I, Chen, am shirking; I truly have difficulties!

He lowered his voice, as if opening his heart.

General, you've also seen that our town has taken in many refugees; the people's hearts are not yet settled, and the internal situation is complicated.

If officials are sent to conscript troops now, it will easily provoke a civilian uprising!

If this causes a disturbance and delays the tribute, that's a minor matter……

If we let the Piercing Mountain Leopard side seize the opportunity and exploit a loophole, ruining Liu Du Tou's major undertaking, I, Chen, would die a thousand deaths without being able to atone for my fault!

He once again precisely threw out the keyword 'Piercing Mountain Leopard'.

And skillfully bound Jiao Tu Zhen's request for 'autonomy' together with Liu Du Tou's strategic interests.

Dao Ba Lian's eyes flashed intensely.

The Piercing Mountain Leopard is indeed Liu Du Tou's grave hidden threat.

Chen Wen's words woke him up—a Jiao Tu Zhen that is internally stable, able to pay tribute on time, and can serve as a buffer zone.

Under the current circumstances!

It is indeed more valuable than a Jiao Tu Zhen that might fall into chaos from forceful intervention, or even be exploited by the enemy.

After a long silence, Dao Ba Lian drew a deep breath and fixed his gaze on Chen Wen:

Chen Wen, you are a smart person.

Good, regarding the stationing and conscription, I can temporarily suppress it and report to the Du Tou for a decision.

But the tribute must be paid in full and on time!

If there is even a single delay, or if I discover you have divided loyalties……

General, rest assured!

Chen Wen immediately replied, his tone firm and unyielding.

I, Chen, having already pledged submission, must surely keep my promise!

The tribute will certainly be prepared on time!

All of Jiao Tu Zhen looks to Liu Du Tou as their leader!

His words resonated powerfully, as if spoken sincerely.

【Successfully completed the dangerous negotiation, gaining development time at minimal cost, diplomatic skill and psychological warfare ability increased (x Bonus)! Diligence Points (WP) +180!】

【Current WP: 7681】

A negotiation that seemed impossible was achieved under Chen Wen's eightfold eloquence and precise benefit analysis, resulting in a fragile balance.

Dao Ba Lian brought an agreement far below expectations but barely acceptable.

And a deep impression of Chen Wen as a 'slippery fellow,' he left Jiao Tu Zhen.

Seeing the envoy off, Zhang Cheng let out a long breath, his back soaked in cold sweat:

Boss, your gift of gab is deadlier than my blade!

Madam Wang also still had lingering fears:

At least we've managed to get by for now.

Chen Wen's face showed no relaxation at all; instead, it grew more solemn:

Getting by? This is only the beginning.

Liu Du Tou isn't a fool; he'll eventually catch on.

Every second of the time we've bought must not be wasted.

He gazed toward the workshops and training grounds, his eyes sharp as a blade.

From now on, we must 'keep our promise' and 'strive' to prepare 'tribute' for Liu Du Tou.

A hint of a cold arc curled at the corner of his mouth.

But the direction of this 'effort' is likely the complete opposite of what they expect.

Jiao Tu Zhen, this small boat, completed a dangerous detour amidst the stormy waves, while the real tempests still lie ahead.