A noble carriage slowly left the side entrance of the palace and entered a minister's residence in the central district of the Holy City. Not long after, a light carriage came out from a hotel a street away from the residence. After that, this car looked
It seemed that ordinary merchants were using horse-drawn carriages to go to the famous Fengyue Street in the Holy Capital in a leisurely manner.
In the holy city where merchants gather, this is a normal thing.
"What's normal? Tell me what's normal!" In the carriage, Princess Dill in casual clothes was pinching Cohen's ears: "It's already a big mistake to visit a brothel by yourself, but it's also a big mistake to visit a brothel with your family.
Only you can figure it out!"
Seeing this scene, Lucy, who had just met Cohen and others, naturally secretly imagined what would happen if His Majesty Cohen was exposed while visiting a brothel alone... How serious it would be was unpredictable, but it definitely couldn't be done by pulling the ear.
Finished things.
Although Princess Dill was losing her temper on the surface at this moment, she was very happy to be able to go out with Cohen, whether she was doing business or messing around.
"Speaking of which... I can't be blamed for this." Cohen smiled, looked sideways at the scene on the street, held Dill's soft little hand, and rubbed his ear with the other hand: "You want
Weird, you have to blame those reptiles who have meetings in brothels."
"So, there will be something good to watch soon?" Dill's eyes lit up.
"Of course there are good shows to watch, and there are more than one." Cohen looked at his wife: "But having said that, you change your clothes very quickly. To be honest, how many times have you gone out in private?"
"I go out a lot, inspecting industries and meeting with subordinates." Dill let go: "What? You want to change the subject?"
"There is no need to use this excuse to change the subject. I just want to care about your daily life."
When Cohen said this, the carriage had already entered the back door of the brothel.
Cohen got out of the car first, and then picked up Dill. When he turned around, there were people standing in various hidden places in the backyard with their hands hanging. Needless to say, the key points of the entire neighborhood should be under a fairly tight guard, but without being discovered.
It's not a coincidence or something, but the place where some people plotted this time was in the same room as last time. After the last incident, Lucy renovated all the brothels on this street, so they no longer need to use magic.
You can see and hear everything happening downstairs from the mezzanine. Even the seats have been re-paved, making it extremely comfortable.
As soon as he entered the room, Cohen gave a long whistle that attracted Dill's side eyes. The former shrugged his shoulders: "I'm sure you can't hear the sound from downstairs, right Lucy?"
"Yes, everything is one-way." Lucy replied: "I'll step back first."
"No, stay and listen together. Anyway, the place here is spacious." Cohen sat down in the middle first and stared at the row of crystal-clear mirrors in front of him. After a brief glance, he could distinguish many figures reflected in them: "
Oh, a lot of my ministers have come! It seems that the other party has spent a lot of money. Look at how formal this guy Lip is now. You can't pay ordinary prices."
Compared with before, Mr. Lip has completely changed. In fact, this is a logical thing, because from the beginning, this middle-aged uncle has been hanging around Cohen for a long time. When he entered the imperial government, the Prime Minister personally mentioned it.
At this point, he has repeatedly experienced in the diplomatic affairs assigned by the empire, and has developed an elegant demeanor from inside to outside, and his speech and behavior are even more aristocratic. In recent years, the impression left on envoys from various countries can be used in eight words.
Summary: Treat people with sincerity and work conscientiously.
"Here's the dignified deputy foreign minister." Dill also recognized the slightly fatter Lip: "I asked why you didn't attend the dance."
"I didn't invite him." Cohen said clearly: "It was arranged this way intentionally."
"Who are the other people downstairs?" Dill's eyes stayed on the other people.
"Let me take a look." Cohen shook his wrist, shook off a stack of documents that he got from nowhere, and began to compare them one by one: "Although they are not special envoys in name, each of them has a big background - chief position
People above don’t need to pay attention, it’s just a mouthpiece for rules. See the smiling guy on the left? He is the young master of a multinational business company, and his family’s wealth is among the best in the Demon Alliance.
.The one on the right is the noble queen of the Erina Empire, and she is also from a family that dominates the sky with one hand."
"Who is speaking to our Deputy Foreign Secretary?"
"Why did this guy appear here like a dog?" Cohen looked carefully and found that the young man with a big appetite was the duel partner with whom he had made a bet of a hundred love letters: "Certificate of Credence"
The name on it is Viscount Cissa, but unfortunately I happen to know his true identity - one of the young masters of the Henan family, and he is a count!"
"You look very young, and your appearance should be lovable." At this point, Dill sighed: "But our Deputy Foreign Secretary hates this kind of aristocratic pretty boy from the bottom of his heart."
"What? Have you found any results about the people who went to spy on Lip?" Cohen asked casually.
"After checking it out, it's basically something that doesn't make people happy." Dill replied: "It will take a few days for the documents to be reported to you. I have completed the preparations for the previous things and am waiting for your approval before I can start.
, it’s a group of targets!”
"Lipp is capable of doing things, but there is a knot in his heart that he has not solved." Cohen shook his head: "Lipp, Lip, don't let me down this time."
"Lord Lip, please don't let me down..." Earl Henan, who had disguised his identity, showed his most sincere smile and reached out to pour wine for Lip: "It's not easy to meet you once.
I have been waiting for so many days for you to be free."
"Everyone said that they have something to consult, so I came here." The smile on Lip's face was a hundred times more sincere than that of the pretty-faced nobleman. When he spoke, his eyes turned around in the hall, which was considered polite and thoughtful: "What's going on?
I can’t say I’m disappointing you, right?”
"Yes, yes, Lord Lip is very trustworthy and a role model of noble moral character. Sir Lip is the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Sbia Empire. Of course you can understand the mood of us people." The microphone answered without losing the opportunity.
: "The reason why we took the liberty of inviting you here is because of this important matter at hand."
"The big thing at the moment?" Lip thought for a moment and then waved his hand: "No, no, everyone, we have to talk about such big things in the diplomatic residence. It is very inappropriate to talk about it in private. It seems to be overstepping the bounds."
This is true, but the most inappropriate place to talk about foreign affairs is the diplomatic residence, even in the fields. Lip himself will not understand this, and his current rhetoric is a typical diplomatic routine.
"Actually, it's just a casual chat. Sir, please rest assured that in terms of status, we are just assistants to the special envoy. We have no right to interfere in national affairs, let alone put you in an overstepping position. We still have this awareness.
." The microphone said with a smile: "Sir, what we can talk about between us is naturally other than major diplomatic matters, some things that everyone likes..."
"Are you talking about something that everyone likes?" Lip breathed a sigh of relief: "Then I am all ears."
"Wealth, a lot of wealth." The microphone suddenly raised its voice: "I wonder if Mr. Lip is interested?"
"Wealth is a necessity in life. If I say that I don't need it, it would be contrary to my intentions. In foreign affairs, I give you some small gifts, and you give me some small gifts. This is normal." Lip smiled slightly.
: "But ladies and gentlemen, a gentleman loves money and must acquire it wisely. A deputy foreign minister will never disregard the laws of the country and violate his duties. This is my belief. Please understand."
"Sir, please allow me to say something." The young man sitting on the left side of the microphone stood up with a smile and gave a distant salute: "Because I am late, you must not know me yet. Let me introduce myself first. I am a member of the Brook Empire.
Sey Kalaw.”
"It turns out that you are one of the heirs of the Kalaw family. I am honored to meet you." Lip returned the gift and sat down: "I saw your name in the credentials submitted. It is a bit strange. As an earl,
How can he be just a clerk?"
"I am ashamed to say that the number of special envoys is limited. It is not easy to join. Only those who perform the duties of acting secretary can come to Sbia." Sai Kalou said with no shame: "In fact, I am
He is a rebellious member of the family. He doesn't like being an official, but he particularly likes doing business. Don't think about inheriting the title. His interest lies in earning more extraneous things."
"I can see that you are very energetic." The smile on Lip's face did not deepen or weaken, but as he spoke, this smile could naturally change into various forms, making people feel
The diplomat's smile came from the bottom of his heart: "The significance of Your Excellency's visit to the Sibia Empire is..."
"The most fundamental thing is that the Sibia Empire is so attractive to me. Along the way, Sibia has amazed me in every aspect." Sai Kalaw is not pretentious: "I have liked new things since I was a child.
I feel that the Sibia Empire will be a turning point in my life."
"Turning?" Mr. Lip put away his smile slightly: "Your Excellency, please make it clear."
"Self-definition, I am a businessman. In fact, the vast majority of people here today are businessmen." Sai Kalou smiled: "Dear Deputy Foreign Minister, you realize that you are being surrounded by business representatives from the Demon Alliance.
?"
"I am often surrounded by people, but this is the first time I am surrounded by businessmen from other countries." The language Lip chose is neither agitating nor offensive, but it has the function of connecting the past and the following: "I have to say
, this is a completely new experience.”
"Sir, you know that businessmen are different from diplomats. They are more direct when communicating. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me." Sey Kalaw used the previous foreshadowing to start the real conversation today.
: "Of course, we have made complete preparations before coming. The premise of any of our proposals must not make you feel embarrassed."
When it comes to the topic, Deputy Foreign Minister Sibia sat upright: "In this case, I look forward to your proposal."
"The special envoys from each empire are here for various matters related to the end of the war. No matter how the talks with the Sibia Empire went or what agreement was reached in the end, we actually have a certain consensus on the general direction. So, put aside these things
, we are a group of businessmen who only seek wealth, and our empire will drain us dry in the near future due to various considerations..."
"Such matters are the internal affairs of every empire." Deputy Foreign Minister Sbia adhered to his duty.
"The empire, the nobility, and the merchants may have some overlap, but they are essentially separate." Sai Kalaw doesn't like to explain things clearly in a few sentences, but prefers to go one step further.
Layer reveals the mystery: "Our respective empires have to plan for themselves. Nobles can exist no matter what, but what about merchants? Of course we also need to exist, and we also hope to take advantage of some opportunities to achieve further development."
"Your Excellency's proposal involves many aspects." Deputy Foreign Minister Sibia was obviously still digesting the other party's words: "It does not make me feel embarrassed at first glance, but when I taste it carefully, it is far beyond what a deputy foreign minister can do.
The scope of consideration.”
"Why did you say this?" After hearing Lip's words, Count Hernan, who was sitting next to him, quickly came out to smooth things over: "We are just having a private communication with you, sir, and it will never involve any practical matters."
When Cohen in the mezzanine room upstairs heard this, he couldn't help but laugh out loud: Lip, the deputy foreign minister, has lived up to his reputation. He knows how to be still in his speech and actions. He has completely mastered the rhythm when dealing with veterans in the field.
, and can also induce the rookie next to him to make mistakes - Earl Hernan is obviously the first to be fooled. His eagerness to stabilize Lip's mood will arouse Lip's high vigilance. At the same time, Lip can also learn from him.
Get enough implicit information from the person to formulate a strategy for the following conversation.
"Then I'm relieved." Lip raised his hand and said to Sai Kalaw: "Please continue."
"As I just said, the Demonic Empire after this war is in a period of great shortage both in cash and materials. And we, even in the worst wars, rely on ourselves
The merchants who work hard and regularly have something the empire needs in their hands." Sai Kalaw is undoubtedly a master of acting, with a look of misery that contains tenacity and injustice: "The empire... will not consider us.
Even if we use strong methods, they will come to rob us of our life and death."
"It sounds like." Lip's body moved slightly forward, and the expression on his face showed that he was exercising humane care: "Something unfortunate is going to happen?"
"It's more than just misfortune. Your Excellency, this will turn into a round of collective massacre of businessmen!" The dignitary of Erina on the right side of the microphone was playing a relatively impulsive role. He put his hand on the short table in front of him and shouted: "It's a massacre.
Your Excellency, our family members will be purged and all property will be confiscated! When everything passes, a new family will take over everything from us!"
"This..." Lip pressed his chest in surprise: "This is certainly unfortunate, but how can outsiders speak about this kind of thing?"
What an "outsider" can be interpreted as Sibia or Lip as a person, but no matter how it is explained, this sentence promotes the depth and breadth of the entire conversation, so that the other party can no longer judge him.
If the other party can't bring out the real thing, Mr. Lip can go home; if there is the real thing, Mr. Lip can still listen to it from the perspective of an "outsider"... The deputy foreign minister not only takes the initiative to advance and retreat, but also
It can force the other party to reveal more information for him to analyze.
"Although we are businessmen, we are also descendants of nobles. We are not afraid of death, but we are not willing to die in this way." Sai Kalou's next words are very straightforward: "We have decided to resist this fate!"
Before Lip could express his "exclamation", Count Hernan leaned down and shouted in a voice that could scare people to death: "Your Excellency, Foreign Secretary! Please help us!"
Faced with Count Hernan's "sudden attack", Lord Lip showed a "frightened" expression in a cooperative manner. Of course, this expression was fleeting. As a senior minister of the Sbia Empire, he was very
He helped Earl Henan up in a graceful manner, while repeatedly comforting him: "Your Excellency, your words are serious, the matter is not so serious..."
"Your Excellency, we really have no other way. Looking at the entire alliance, no one is willing to help us, and no one has the ability." Elina's face was full of grief and anger, and his trembling hands almost overturned the table.
: "When the special envoy returns to China, we will be killed. There is no doubt about it! Maybe they are ready to take action now..."
"The situation is already very critical, Your Excellency, Minister of Foreign Affairs." Count Hernan must have received performance training in advance and made careful preparations. Under the influence of excitement, he promoted Lip in a timely manner: "Now, the only way to make
The only thing left for us to survive is the Sbia Empire on the entire continent, and only His Majesty Emperor Korn Keda can save us!"
"This..." Looking at Count Henan who was still in his hands, Lip was quite embarrassed.
"Sir, what these young people said is the truth." The mouthpiece, which had been silent until now, stood up, took a stack of information from Konoe, and walked to Lip: "Your Excellency, please see, these are these young people.
The true identity of the family, various assets, etc. are all written on it. Your country can check them one by one. We are very sorry for concealing the identity of some young people and are willing to be punished. However, please
Don't let your country reveal it, because we have entrusted our lives to your hands."
Before Lip could say anything, another box was delivered to Lip.
"This is one-fifth of the total wealth of several families including mine, and now it is all under your sole authority!" Sai Kalaw, who presented the box, knelt down on one knee: "Sir, I know you must be in a difficult position.
But for the tens of thousands of lives of our families, we have to go beyond etiquette - please save us!"
Lip first helped Sai Kalaw up, then reached out to flip through the information, and played a little push: "It turns out that you are Count Hernan!"
"Yes, please forgive me!" Earl Henan immediately unscrewed the gem from the ring on his right hand and put the ring on his neck: "If you blame me, sir, I will commit suicide immediately to apologize!"
"No, put it away quickly!" The microphone turned around and scolded Earl Henan: "You are trying to frame the Lord in disguise!"
"Yes, I was reckless." Earl Henan lowered his head, and a few tears rolled down the carpet. His expression no longer sounded like he was acting: "But I, I still have three younger sisters at home...
...The youngest is only six years old...just six years old..."
"Your Excellency, you have also seen it, please give me a helping hand." Sey Kalaw's big eyes were shining with fine tears, making his green eyes even more crystal clear: "We are businessmen, we understand
To repay a great favor, whether it is to you, the Sibia Empire, or everyone who has helped us, we will repay it with our own efforts!"
"For now, we are not at this level of discussion." With a solemn look, Deputy Foreign Minister Sibia closed the document and spoke in a dignified manner: "You have said so much today, which is enough for me.
I understand everyone’s current situation, so now, who can tell me clearly what you want to do?”
The microphone gestured backwards, and the accompanying guards stood at the door and window, closely monitoring the outside. Representatives of several major families came to Lip.
"Your Excellency." Everyone knelt on one knee and said in unison: "We want to do business with the royal family of the Sibia Empire!"
"General trade is not enough to save our lives." The mouthpiece added sternly: "What we need is the royal charter of the Sibia Empire-exclusive trade rights!" (To be continued)