If it were not for Duque's video and the Orcs' bloody battles, Duke Barov would have scoffed at Duque's "fifty thousand elite soldiers."
In this era, the so-called rumors always had too much of an exaggeration.
A hundred thousand soldiers? It would be good enough if there were thirty thousand soldiers. Of course, the nobles and generals of this era were also used to counting peasant soldiers who had little fighting power and would go to the battlefield with pitchforks. They even counted auxiliary soldiers who helped transport food.
After feeling the threat of the Orcs so clearly, Duke Barov's view of Duque and the Stormwind behind Duque changed greatly. Encountering such a terrifying and organized barbarian race who could protect so many citizens and elite soldiers, Duke Barov felt that it was a miracle.
Duque saw that Duke Barov was tempted.
A very sincere smile appeared on Duque's face. "Of course, this is only a possible future. There is no absolute certainty that the Horde will come from the Hinterlands. But, Duke, don't you think that selling food in exchange for my personal friendship with Stormwind, His Majesty Wrynn, and me is a very good deal? "
At this time, Duque raised three fingers. "On behalf of Stormwind, I propose to purchase 5,000 tons of wheat at a premium of 30% over the current market price, and it will be paid in Arathor gold coins. At the same time, as a symbol of personal friendship, I can unconditionally transfer the exclusive rights of the 'New Pearl Line' in the Hilbrad Hills and Arathor Highlands to you. "
Duke Barov's expression was one of shock.
Duque was too smart. 5,000 tons was exactly the total amount of the Barov Family's old wheat. Duke Barov wouldn't believe it even if he was beaten to death to say that Duke didn't secretly gather intelligence.
In this era, storage technology was also quite bad. Even if the grain was stored in a cool, dry cave, it would rot in at most three years. Of course, Duke Barov knew that as refugees, it was good enough to fill their stomachs. But 5,000 tons of old grain in exchange for a large amount of money and Stormwind's friendship was not a bad deal.
Prince Barov could not think of any reason why he should refuse, either from a commercial point of view, or as an insurance for the future.
Duque stood up and stretched out his right hand. "Dear Duke, for the future of the Stormwind people, and for the future of all humans in Azeroth, please agree to help."
As a Best Actor, as a leader who was likely to control the future of humanity, Duque's smile was very sincere, at least on the surface.
Duke Barov and his wife looked at each other and sighed deeply. They stood up together and extended their hands to Duque. "Even though I still have many doubts about the strength of the Horde and the direction of their attack, even though I am not a prophet who can see the future, I choose to believe in you, the person who created such an atmosphere in order to successfully negotiate. I believe in you, the person who has such spirit. I agree to this! "
As the dust settled, Makarov's heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down.
Makarov did not participate in the final defense of Stormwind City. He had been sent to take care of the refugee camp in Southshore. If Edwin van Cleef was only in charge of the construction department, then before Duque's arrival, he was the real person in charge.
Duque had done a lot of preparatory work for the refugee camp in Southshore, from the delineation of residential and functional areas, to water, sanitation, and security. Duque had drawn no less than 50 blueprints for this.
But the most important thing, food, had not been settled.
As the number of refugees increased day by day, the food hoarded in Southshore decreased at a visible rate. Even if each refugee could only get two pitifully small pieces of black bread a day, it still could not reduce the rate of food consumption.
After all, the number of refugees had increased by nearly ten thousand every day.
Now, Duque had negotiated the food deal. At long last, the urgent matter had been resolved.
Patriarch Barov smiled and clasped Duque's hand tightly. "Duke Marcus, I still have to discuss this matter with His Majesty. If there are no surprises, it won't be a problem. Eden will listen to my opinion most of the time. Actually, what I want the most is your personal friendship. "
Alex Barov was indeed a shrewd old man, and Duque could tell the meaning behind his words. Only a small number of people could call the king by his name. Just like now, only Andoine and the queen of Laing would call the king of Laing as Laing. The fact that Duke Barov could call King Alterac by his name was a subtle reminder of the special relationship between him and the king.
As someone who knew the direction of history, Duque naturally wouldn't say it out loud. He said to Duke Barov with incomparable familiarity, "I think so too. How about Uncle Alex just call me Duque from now on? I'll feel much more comfortable that way. "
"Duque, Uncle is very happy to meet you."
After saying that, the two foxes had already left the negotiation table, and were passionately hugging each other's shoulders.
While Duque's negotiation had made decisive progress, Laing's negotiation had reached a stalemate. No, it should be said that there was no progress at all!
In the guesthouse of Rotterdam, Lothar kept pacing around, and finally punched the solid wall.
"Bastard! How many days has it been! Menethil II actually refused to meet us!? "
Lothar's anger was justified. He and Laing had been in Rotterdam for three days. After the division of the Arathor Empire, Terenas Menethil II, the king of Lordaeron, the strongest of the seven human kingdoms, refused to meet King Leon, using his illness as an excuse.
"Calm down, Andoine. A meeting between kings is not as simple as you think. "Laing sat upright on the chair, and casually took a sip of black tea.
"But the tribe is getting stronger every day. The Gryphon Knights and spies I left on the other side of the sea have discovered that the Dark Portal has been reopened. Large numbers of Orcs continue to pour into this world, but the king of Rotterdam refuses to meet us. And that stupid duke, he looks at us like we're beggars! "Lothar couldn't control his temper.
King Laing put down his exquisite teacup. "A king who has lost his kingdom is indeed no different from a beggar. Andoine, we need to be patient. "
"Patience!? Our enemies are increasing their troops crazily, and our people are starving in Southshore. To hell with patience. "
At this moment, the only remaining Morning Star court mage who had been guarding Laing suddenly opened his old and muddy eyes.
"Your Majesty, the latest news is that Duke Marcus and Duke Barov's negotiations have been successful. He has already reached an agreement with the Barov Family, and purchased 5,000 tonnes of wheat at a premium of 30% over the market price. "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
