Baron Stantine's eyes narrowed, making him think of a poisonous snake.
"Sir, any actions that insult the Ironthorn Family's reputation will be seen as a provocation to the Ironthorn Family. You are provoking a war, so please reconsider! "
In truth, Stantine's words were very unreasonable. The Ironthorn Family was in the wrong in this matter.
However, on the negotiation table, it wasn't about who was right, but who was stronger. It was clear that Baron Stantine was very confident in the Ironthorn Family's strength, so he provoked a war.
Sometimes, Bai Xiaowen felt that he was very particular. Using peaceful means before using force was a tradition of the Hua Xia. Since Baron Stantine brought up war, Bai Xiaowen felt that he didn't need to be polite.
"Nonsense, if you want to fight, then fight!"
Bai Xiaowen coldly said, "It seems that I have been quiet for too long. Some people have already forgotten the terror of the White Stone Army!"
The White Stone Army was responsible for spreading the "biological weapon", the super plague bane drug during the Black Rock City defense. They were the root cause of the zombies in the Northern Border. After the war ended, there were rumors that this army had been demonized. Baron Dior, who created the umbrella plan, was synonymous with the devil in the eyes of many believers of the God of Light.
The reason why the Ironthorn Family of Black Rock City racked their brains to use such wretched methods was to steal White Stone City's secret, the recipe for the plague bane.
Of course, the zombie inducing liquid and zombie camouflage liquid were very important in the zombie-infested Northern Border, so the Ironthorn Family also wanted to get their hands on them. In short, the Ironthorn Family wanted to find a chance to steal White Stone City's alchemy potion.
Once the plan succeeded, the Ironthorn Family would be able to move freely in the Northern Border. Moreover, when the Sin Domain survivors attacked again, they would have the ultimate plague bane in their hands. They would have more confidence and could use it to bargain with the Empire.
These were the motives that Bai Xiaowen deduced.
When Bai Xiaowen mentioned the White Stone Army, Baron Stantine couldn't help but think of the terrifying army that spread the zombie virus. He didn't know that the Ultimate Bane of the Plague would only turn the "Plague of the Dead Spirit Infected" into zombies. He thought that it would work on healthy people as well.
"Viscount Dior, if you dare to spread the zombie plague, the Empire will definitely get to the bottom of it!"
Constantine's words were more or less threatening.
"Bullshit, do you believe that I won't cut you down and declare war on the Ironthorn Family?" Bai Xiaowen scornfully stepped on the stool.
He couldn't help but sigh. As an outsider, it was much more straightforward to deal with these hypocritical nobles. He was just trying to maintain a polite aristocratic image in front of Cecilia.
"You … What do you want?" Stantine's voice trembled. Although he had received an elite aristocratic education, he had too little experience. He had only gained a superficial understanding of the world. When it came to the real thing, he would still be terrified.
"Take my conditions and scram back to Black Rock City! You have to agree to these conditions. Otherwise, everything I said will come true! "
In response to the Ironthorn Family's assassination plot, Bai Xiaowen listed three conditions as compensation.
First, the Ironthorn Family would compensate White Rock City with 100,000 gold coins, as well as wood, copper, iron, and food of equivalent value.
Second, the Ironthorn Family would compensate White Rock City with 100 blacksmiths, jewelry makers, and other professionals. Each profession must have an intermediate talent (level 4 or above) to lead the team. The other spots could be filled with apprentices.
Third, Black Rock City would open up a trading street to White Rock City and would be exempt from taxes forever.
Stantine said in disbelief, "Viscount Dior, your appetite is too big. The family will never agree to these three conditions!"
"It's not up to you to decide whether to agree or not!" Bai Xiaowen directly threatened, "Go back and tell your old man that if you agree to my conditions, then it's fine. If you refuse, then the White Rock Army will be here in three days! I don't mind letting him see the new plague drug that I've developed. "
Baron Stantine came with a card up his sleeve, but when he left, the soles of his feet were floating.
Looking at the Ironthorn Family's carriage leaving, Cecilia smiled, "You really want to go to war with the Ironthorn Family?"
"You don't agree?" Bai Xiaowen smiled and asked.
"I'll listen to you. Who asked you to be the master of this land? " Cecilia's smile was enough to thaw the earth. It was beautiful beyond compare, "Even if you sit on the chariot of hell and wage war against the God of Light, I'm willing to charge at the front and shoot blasphemous arrows."
Bai Xiaowen hugged Cecilia and said with emotion, "If you give me more time … … Even if it's just a month, I'll dare to lead an army to attack Black Rock City and turn the largest stronghold in the north into my territory! Actually, if I really want to take over the city, a week is enough. The rest of the time is used to guard against the enemy's counterattack and communicate with Prince Nicholas to eliminate the pressure from the upper echelons of the Empire. "
Cecilia's eyes lit up as she looked at Bai Xiaowen. What she liked the most was Bai Xiaowen's confident appearance.
Cecilia did not doubt Bai Xiaowen's words at all. "Dior's military talent had already been proven in the war against the survivors."
"It's a pity," Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "The time I can stay in this plane is too short. After saving up for half a year, I only have five days left. I can't just leave after messing up everything and leave the mess to you. So, when facing the Ironthorn Family, it's best to negotiate. "
Cecilia nodded, "Actually, of the three conditions you mentioned, as long as we can fulfill a tenth of the second condition, an intermediate blacksmith will bring an apprentice to White Stone City. I'm confident that White Stone City's military power will rise to another level. At that time, even if you're not here, I can guarantee that White Stone City will not be invaded by the Ironthorn Family. "
After that, Bai Xiaowen and Cecilia stuck together. The two of them walked on the streets of White Stone City, patrolling their territory. This feeling was especially warm.
The Ironthorn Family was wary of the threat of Bai Xiaowen's plague medicine (although it didn't exist), but they weren't willing to agree to such harsh conditions. After many negotiations, they finally agreed to cut off a large portion of the compensation and reached a compromise.
The final compensation was:
The Ironthorn Family compensated Bai Xiaowen with 30,000 gold coins, as well as 100,000 gold coins worth of wood, copper, iron, and food resources. Here, the compensation was cut off by 70,000 gold coins. At that time, the 100,000 gold coins request was originally Bai Xiaowen's exorbitant demand. But unexpectedly, the compensation was not cut off at all. This allowed Bai Xiaowen to mock the group of misers in front of Cecilia.
The Ironthorn Family sent 42 blacksmiths and other professionals to White Stone City, including two intermediate blacksmiths, two intermediate jewelry craftsmen, and a beginner pastry chef. As for the talents in the field of inscription, they were all honorable magicians. At the very least, they were magic apprentices. The Ironthorn Family was not willing to give any of them.
The third condition, regarding the tax exemption, the Ironthorn Family sternly rejected. They only promised to open up the trade zone and would not impose any discriminatory taxes on White Stone City's caravans.
These conditions, Bai Xiaowen actually felt that he had profited greatly, but on the surface, he still looked dissatisfied, causing Baron Stantine, who was in charge of signing the contract, to say a lot of good words. This was a bloody negotiation caused by information asymmetry.
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