I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 478 Half-truth, half-deception, a counter-trap

What can one hundred kilograms of gold buy in the Kingdom of Bagnia?
It can currently buy two thousand healthy cattle. If this gold were used to buy cattle in Retalia, excluding additional political factors, it could buy more than three thousand cattle at market price.

The reason for such a large difference is that Bagnia is currently short of cattle, while Reteria, as a major agricultural country, has no shortage of healthy cattle.

So, for the sake of the two thousand cattle, Chris felt he could meet with the ambassador of the Macon Union... Marquis Dirac handed over the one hundred kilograms of gold, which would then be split three-seven.

Dirac received three, and Crisna seven.

With this kind of split, Dirac would receive thirty kilograms of gold, which was already a favor Chris showed him.

Marquis Dirac may have considered keeping the hundred kilograms of gold for himself, but he didn't dare. The tax bureau officers under the Ministry of Finance were too crazy; no one wanted to mess with such a group of ruthless lunatics.

Dirac didn't want to either, and he was even less willing to have a conflict with His Majesty Chris over money.

The topic has gone too far.

Chris decided to meet with the ambassador of the Macon Alliance, but before the formal meeting, he felt he should also meet with the ambassador of the Reteria Empire—Prince Hornloe.

The relationship between the Kingdom of Bagnia and the Empire of Reteria is now very close, as the latter has spent a lot of money to purchase the former's saltpeter technology, which is still being studied. The money and resources they have paid are flowing into Bagnia.

Then there's the purchase of steam locomotives, rails, and the hiring of railway technicians; the relationship between the two parties is that of Party A and Party B.

As long as the money is in place, why would Party B offend the generous Party A?
Therefore, Chris planned to consult with Prince Hornloe beforehand about the matter of the ambassador to the Macon Union and ask for the latter's opinion.

……

On the evening of the second day, in a small banquet hall of the palace, candlelight flickered and silverware gleamed.

There were no elaborate ceremonial guards at the banquet, only a few attentive servants, because it was a private dinner with only Chris, Prince Hornloe, and Marquis Dirac in attendance.

The table was laden with signature dishes prepared by the player chef and fine wines from Reteria, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

The two sides first discussed the progress of the railway construction. The prince praised the efficiency of the Bagnian engineers, while also subtly complaining about the difficulty his own engineers faced in learning the construction techniques.

Chris smiled and said that the workers of the Retalia Empire were very smart, and their progress in learning new technologies was astonishing. They would surely be able to participate independently in the construction of the empire's broader railway network in the future... This was undoubtedly a veiled business guarantee, and the prince understood and raised his glass in acknowledgment.

After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually shifted from specific projects to the broader situation.

Chris wiped his mouth with a napkin and casually lifted it up.

“Your Highness, my town of Wotradnoy has been busier than usual lately. Some new faces have arrived from the south. A gentleman who claims to be the ambassador of the Macon Union seems eager to meet with me to discuss establishing formal relations.”

As you know, Baghnia has only recently stabilized, and we don't know much about the complex situation in the south, which has left me somewhat at a loss as to how to deal with it.

Chris spoke casually, as if he were just sharing a trivial anecdote.

Prince Hornloe paused slightly in his wine glass, his smile unchanged, but a knowing glint flashed in his deep eyes.

Wotradnoy is neither small nor very large; as long as one is willing to spend money, Prince Hornloe can easily establish a well-informed intelligence network here.

Those who received the money didn't need to do anything outrageous. They only needed to gather what they saw and heard every day at the Reteria Embassy, ​​and Prince Hornloe would naturally learn a lot of things.

This includes the fact that the ambassador of the Macon Union secretly arrived and is in contact with the Baghnia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The prince gently swirled the deep red wine in his glass, as if admiring the way it clung to the sides, and pondered for a moment.

"The Macon people?"

Prince Hornloe's voice was steady, with a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm.

"They are always as active as sharks that smell blood, Your Majesty. Please forgive my bluntness, but their eagerness to approach you now is probably not for a pure purpose."

He put down his wine glass, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a more formal tone.

"As far as I know, they haven't gained much advantage in some recent land skirmishes with the Empire, which is putting their president and senators under tremendous political pressure."

In this situation, their journey north to find you, I suspect, is primarily driven by their...technology deal with us.

The prince was very careful with his words, not directly mentioning "salt fields," but everyone present knew the truth.

“They must have eyes and ears within our empire…so much so that something so important has been exposed.”

The prince lowered his voice, and although he still maintained a good expression, a cold anger began to spread.

Prince Hornloe did not suspect that the information had been leaked from Bagnia, because he saw no benefit in doing so, but rather many drawbacks.

At the same time, Prince Hornloe was very knowledgeable about the country and knew that there were countless corrupt officials in the upper echelons of the empire.

On the other hand, in Bagnia, because the country was in a period of rapid development and Chris's reputation was at its peak, those who knew about the Nitrogen Field deal would not leak any information to the outside world.

Thinking of this, Prince Hornloe couldn't help but sigh.

"They are likely already aware of the Empire's cooperation with your country on this crucial technology, and Your Majesty is well aware of what that means."

He looked directly at Chris.

"Once the Empire fully masters and applies this technology on a large scale, we will no longer be subject to others in terms of gunpowder production and quality, and may even be able to surpass them."

This poses a deadly threat to the Macon Union, which relies on naval and firepower superiority; therefore, their most pressing need is to sabotage the deal, or… at least delay its success.

The prince paused for a moment before giving his assessment.

"Their approach to you, offering the bait of so-called cooperation, is most likely an attempt to persuade you to terminate your cooperation with the Empire, or, more insidiously, to obtain or even steal details of the technology through some means."

Whether they succeed or not, as long as they can hinder the process, it's a victory for them.

He concluded by saying that his tone had returned to its previous ease, but the weight of his words remained undiminished.

"Of course, Your Majesty, establishing diplomatic relations with whom is an internal affair of the Kingdom of Bagnia. I am merely sharing some judgments based on my understanding of our old adversary, as a friend."

The promises made by the people of Makon may sound appealing, but they are better at making empty promises, unlike every collaboration we are currently undertaking…

He glanced meaningfully out the window, as if he could see the railway being laid in the distance.

"They are all tangible and visible."

Chris listened attentively, nodding occasionally to show that he had learned a great deal.

"Thank you for your candor, Your Highness."

Chris raised his glass.

"Your analysis has enlightened me. Please rest assured that Bagnia values ​​its friendship with the Empire and every ongoing collaboration."

The technology transfer is proceeding smoothly according to the agreement, I can assure you of that. As for any requests the Macon Union might make…

Chris smiled slightly, a hint of slyness in his smile.

"I think I know how to deal with them now, at least I won't let them interfere with our more important matters."

The two men raised their glasses again without saying a word, and the dinner continued in a deliberately harmonious atmosphere.

……

The following day, in a reception room in the palace that was decorated in a way that was both solemn and comfortable, Chris received Alvarez, the ambassador of the Mâcon Union, with the Marquis Dirac accompanying him as his political deputy.

At the start of the talks, Ambassador Alvarez displayed adept diplomatic manners.

He first expressed his “sincere congratulations” on behalf of the ruling president and the Senate of the Macon Union to the Kingdom of Bagnia for annexing Minicia and achieving the unification of the north, and praised His Majesty Chris for his “great talent and vision”.

He then elaborated on the strong desire of the Macon Union to establish full diplomatic relations with Baghnia, expand bilateral trade, and outlined a promising future for mutually beneficial business cooperation between the two countries.

Chris listened patiently, maintaining a gentle, formulaic smile on his face, nodding occasionally to show his approval.

"Mr. Ambassador, thank you for your country's congratulations and goodwill."

Chris responded.

"Bagnia is a peace-loving country, and we are committed to developing friendly relations with all countries in the world, especially with wealthy and powerful partners like the Macon Union."

Developing trade, exchanging goods, and promoting people-to-people exchanges are entirely in line with my country's development interests. my country's newly established Ministry of Commerce looks forward to engaging in specific consultations with your country's representatives.

Ambassador Alvarez was invigorated by Chris's openness to trade, seeing it as a good start.

He then changed the subject, his tone becoming more candid.

"Your Majesty's open-mindedness is truly a blessing for both countries."

It is precisely because we see the enormous potential for long-term friendly cooperation with Baghnia that our country is paying even closer attention to any destabilizing factors that could affect this prospect.

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.

"Please forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty. Our country has learned that your nation is currently engaged in a transaction with the Retalia Empire regarding... saltpeter refining technology?"

Chris raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying, but simply gesturing for him to continue.

Seeing that Chris did not interrupt, Alvarez continued.

"Your Majesty, the Retalia Empire is known for its expansionist nature. Once they master this key technology, their military strength, especially their ability to deter surrounding regions, will increase dramatically."

Your country borders their territory; aren't you worried that one day this strengthened power might turn against Bagnia and pose a direct threat to its independence and security?

He observed Chris's expression, trying to detect a hint of wavering, but Chris's face remained calm. "Therefore..."

Alvarez put forward his core proposal.

"For the long-term stability of the region, and for Bagnia's own security considerations, our Senate has authorized me to propose to His Majesty whether this technology transaction with the Reteria Empire can be suspended."
As compensation, and to demonstrate our sincerity, the Macon Union is willing to purchase the technology for double their offer, or even at a price we can negotiate further.

Alternatively, even if Your Majesty is unwilling to sell the technology, but merely suspends the transaction, our country is willing to pay a substantial compensation to ensure that this dangerous technology does not fall into the hands of that barbarian nation.

A brief silence fell over the reception room.

Alvarez looked at Chris expectantly, believing the offer was generous enough to entice any monarch.

Chris gently stroked the armrest of the chair, and slowly spoke, his tone still calm but carrying an undeniable firmness.
"Mr. Ambassador, I appreciate your country's concern for maintaining regional security and thank you for the generous terms you have offered. However, I must reiterate that Baghnia is a trustworthy country."

The technology transfer agreement between our country and the Empire of Retalia was signed on a voluntary and equal basis by both parties, and is currently being implemented smoothly.

This transaction is crucial to our country's development; it brings not only money, but also much-needed supplies, technological exchange, and important infrastructure projects.

Chris mentioned the railroad, implying a bundled interest.

"Unilaterally breaking a well-established and effective agreement..."

Chris shook his head.

"This violates our country's principle of establishing credibility in the world and will seriously damage our country's international reputation. I cannot accept it."

He looked at Alvarez's face, which instantly turned from disappointment to anxiety, and added.

"As for your concerns about security, I believe that a strong and contract-abiding Bagnia is itself the most stable force for maintaining regional peace."

We are capable of defending our independence and security, without relying on restricting others to gain a sense of security.

Alvarez was eager to persuade him further.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider the ambitions of the Reteria Empire..."

Chris raised his hand, interrupting him gently but firmly.

"Mr. Ambassador, my decision will not change. Bagnia welcomes trade and friendship with the Macon Union, but only on the condition that this friendship is not based on breaking another commitment."

We can talk about trade, trading ports, and reciprocal tariffs; these are the true paths to promoting prosperity for both countries.

Ambassador Alvarez's face darkened. He knew he had failed on this crucial issue; King Chris's stance was clear and resolute, leaving no room for compromise.

He maintained diplomatic decorum, expressed his regret, and stated that he would convey His Majesty's wishes back to the country as truthfully as possible.

Upon arrival, the atmosphere between the two sides remained barely friendly and harmonious. Soon, Alvarez changed the subject, lowered his stance, and became more earnest.

"Your Majesty, our country has another request, which concerns a certain inhuman threat that we both face."

During the conversation, he carefully avoided directly mentioning the Reteria Empire.

"Beyond the storm barrier, our country possesses a vital colonial island called Casarina."

It was rich in a unique spice and minerals used to make high-grade dyes, making it an important hub for my country's overseas trade.

A look of worry appeared on his face.

"However, when Minicia was attacked by the snake people last year and the Suvano region fell, our colony was also invaded by the snake people."

They seem to have used Casarina as a springboard for invading the Greek mainland; they not only attack our plantations and mines, but have even begun to systematically besiege our fortified outposts.

Our troops defending the island fought bravely, but suffered heavy losses and urgently need reinforcements and better equipment.

Alvarez finally voiced his core request.

"Your Majesty, we have heard that Bagnia's army is equipped with a faster-firing, more reliable flintlock musket, as well as incredibly powerful heavy siege cannons. These weapons have demonstrated unparalleled power in your war to unify the country."

He leaned forward, his tone extremely sincere.

"We are eager to purchase a batch of such excellent weapons from your country... at least five thousand flintlock muskets and twenty large-caliber siege guns capable of bombarding fortified positions."

At the same time, we are well aware of the bravery and discipline of the Bagnian soldiers, and we hope to hire a volunteer force of at least one regiment, commanded by your country's outstanding officers and composed of experienced non-commissioned officers and soldiers, to assist in the defense and clearing operations on Casarina Island.

"certainly……"

He immediately added.

"All costs for weapons procurement and personnel recruitment will be fully paid in gold, silver, or any other materials your country needs, at prices that will absolutely satisfy you."

This is purely a commercial collaboration and security mandate targeting the threat of savage creatures, aimed at protecting our vital overseas assets and trade routes.

Alvarez stared intently at Chris, awaiting his reaction.

This request cleverly concealed the true strategic objective under the guise of a seemingly reasonable and profitable business, and placed the battleground overseas, directly avoiding the sensitive issue of direct conflict with the Retelia Empire.

The threat posed by the snake people was real, which greatly enhanced the credibility of his request.

Chris laughed.

This Alvarez is quite a character; he mixes lies with the truth.

First, Alvarez's statement that the colonies outside the storm belt were attacked by the snake people is highly likely true, because since they hired Bagnia's official mercenaries, the location of the battle obviously cannot be lied about.

Because once Chris agrees, if the mercenaries are hired to go to the combat site and find that the location and combat objectives do not match the contract, the Bagnian mercenaries have the right to refuse to fight and will not return any commission.

However, the claim that they purchased flintlock muskets and siege cannons to deal with the snake people is clearly a lie.

Chris knew exactly what kind of person the Snake Man was.
Using flintlock muskets to deal with them is understandable, but siege artillery is superfluous. Where would the snake people get cities for heavy artillery to bombard?
This clearly indicates that the Macon Alliance suffered a defeat in the war against the Retalia Empire, which prevented the former from sending elite reinforcements to support its colony of Casarina, located outside the storm belt, when it was attacked.

Just then, they learned of Bagnia's situation, and the Macon Union hurriedly sent people to Bagnia to establish diplomatic relations, hoping to hire a group of mercenaries and heavy weapons under the guise of snake hunters.

The mercenaries were obviously there to deal with the snake people, while the flintlock muskets and siege cannons were likely used to fight the Reteria Empire and, incidentally, to be copied.

The Union of Makon is indeed a country with a strong business atmosphere; they've got a good plan, and it's shrewd and efficient.

After a moment of silence, Chris, having roughly figured things out, slowly spoke.

"Mr. Ambassador, I understand the difficulties your country is facing."

Combating inhuman threats is indeed a shared responsibility of the civilized world, and coincidentally, Bagnia's military production capacity has indeed increased, and the performance of its weapons has withstood the test.

He then changed the subject, becoming extremely cautious.

"However, the large-scale export of such a quantity of active-duty standard equipment, and the permission for organized units of soldiers to fight abroad as mercenaries, raises questions about the defense and security of my kingdom, technical secrets, and the complex issue of neutrality."

I need time to conduct an in-depth assessment with my military advisors and political officers.

He did not refuse immediately, but set up many obstacles.

"The specific models, quantities, and prices of the weapons to be purchased, as well as the size of the mercenaries, their charters, command authority, service period, and compensation for casualties, are all details that require professionals from both sides to spend a lot of time negotiating."

Chris said.

"This is not something that can be decided overnight."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Alvarez's eyes, but Chris hadn't closed the door completely, which was better than the worst-case scenario he had anticipated.

He quickly bowed.

"Of course, Your Majesty, such an important matter certainly requires careful consideration and detailed discussion. We are willing to wait and are ready to engage in in-depth communication with the relevant departments of your country at any time."

The talks ended there.

Alvarez left with a preliminary response that "further investigation is needed," and although his main objective was not achieved, he had at least opened a door to possibilities.

Chris, meanwhile, fell into deep thought. The urgency of the Macon Union and the new direction it proposed brought him new ideas and a sense of vigilance.

The snake people in the distance, the struggle for colonies, the trade in advanced weapons... Bagnia seems to be getting caught up in a wider and more dangerous world stage.

Chris was prepared to agree to Alvarez's request for mercenaries because after annexing Minicia, he had been forced to increase the number of players available for the public beta test by 50,000, and this number would have to be increased again after some time.

The reason is simple: the construction of Bagnia requires a lot of funds, and increasing the number of players is an important way to increase the game's revenue. Chris cannot refuse the players' public beta test.

With so many more people, Alvarez's hiring request can help Chris solve some of the problems caused by the new players.

However, he wouldn't agree readily. He could negotiate with the newly established Ministry of Commerce for a while longer, trying to secure more benefits in terms of commissions and command authority.

Secondly, regarding the trade of flintlock muskets and siege cannons, Chris intends to ask Prince Hornloe of the Reteria Empire, since these weapons are clearly intended for use against his country.

Chris is inclined to sell to the Macon Union, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to consult with Prince Hornloe beforehand.

Weapons can be sold, but not cheaply. As the aggrieved party, Prince Hornloe should be happy to help Chris and get the Macon Union to pay more.

Chris could negotiate an agreement with Prince Hornlower to give him a share of the extra funds for weapons procurement.

Based on some things, Chris felt that Prince Hornloah was a very flexible person and he probably wouldn't refuse such a good opportunity.

(End of this chapter)