Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios The Commerce Alliance admitting defeat so easily was beyond Laurist's expectations. The higher-ups of the Norton Family believed that the Commerce Alliance would persevere in the battle and launch relentless attacks on the newly independent Petersen Kingdom. Thus, the Norton Family's armed forces had already prepared for a prolonged battle. They had also called back the Monolith Army that had returned to the north to defend the defensive line in Cuadro Province.
The plan that Laurist and Malek had discussed was to use two years to slowly wear down the Commerce Alliance's strength and drive. They didn't need to defeat the Commerce Alliance in one go. Instead, they needed to force the Commerce Alliance into a corner step by step until they could no longer resist. From a military point of view, this plan was to reduce the damage to the Norton Family's armed forces. Moreover, after half a year, the Petersen Kingdom's armed forces, which had been trained and supported by the Norton Family, would be able to move to the frontlines. Only when the Petersen Kingdom's armed forces and the Commerce Alliance's armed forces were at each other's throats would Laurist be able to watch from the sidelines.
As for the lack of salt in the Commerce Alliance, Laurist had already decided to have Duke Peterson organize people to smuggle salt into the Commerce Alliance. This was not only to keep the Commerce Alliance alive, but also to continuously bleed the Commerce Alliance. Using the high price of the smuggled rock salt to earn profits from the Commerce Alliance to support this long term war, it was almost like using the Commerce Alliance's gold coins to equip and train soldiers to fight against the Commerce Alliance. Why not?
But now that the Commerce Alliance had sent an emissary to ask for peace, Laurist was furious. What were you doing earlier? Back then, when we wanted to have peace talks, you rejected our repeated requests for peace talks and our efforts. You were dismissive of the sincerity we showed. Now, we're prepared to fight you to the end. We've already made plans, but you're asking for peace instead, making all our plans useless. This is preposterous!
"Should we reject the Trade Union's request for peace and continue this war?" Laurist asked Fatty Shi.
Fatty Shi understood what Laurist was thinking. He shook his head. "Your Highness, we originally wanted to negotiate. It's understandable that the Commerce Alliance rejected our conditions. Of course, we couldn't accept their conditions either, so it was inevitable that the negotiations wouldn't succeed. Now that the Commerce Alliance is asking for peace, it's almost like they're surrendering. Basically, all the conditions are based on our opinions and suggestions. Therefore, in this situation, if we were to reject their request for peace, it would give others the impression that we were too domineering. Instead, it would cause the Trade Alliance to turn into a pitiful weakling.
From our family's standpoint, we shouldn't stop or reject the Commerce Alliance's request. Everyone knows that the reason our armed forces joined the war was to restore peace, just as we claimed. We wanted the Andinac Kingdom, the Freedom Alliance, and the Trade Federation to sign a truce agreement so that peace could return to the Mana Hill Plains. Now that we have achieved our goal, we cannot go back on our words. If we continue this war, it will affect the reputation of the Norton Family and leave a bad impression on the countries in the central and southern regions.
Although the king has appointed you to be in charge of this war, the outcome has already been decided. The fate of the Commerce Alliance has to be handed over to the king. Although His Majesty appointed you to be in charge of this war, the outcome has already been decided. The fate of the Commerce Alliance has to be handed over to His Majesty. I think that before that, we should first gather the Freedom Alliance, the Petersen Kingdom, and the four countries that have just been reestablished to discuss the Commerce Alliance's request. It's most important to come up with conditions that are in line with the interests of each country. "
Laurist nodded. Fatty Shi was right. The Commerce Alliance had already given up on all the benefits it once had by lowering its head. Recognizing the four countries that had just been reestablished, as well as the Freedom Alliance and the Petersen Kingdom's legal rights and territories, was a prerequisite. As for the southern provinces that were occupied by the independent Chikede Chamber of Commerce and the Mayflower Chamber of Commerce, the Commerce Alliance had no choice but to give up. It no longer had the confidence to take back these lost territories.
To the Norton Family, they had already achieved their goal. They had even seized all of the Commerce Alliance's markets in the southern and central parts of the continent. This was a pleasant surprise. Now that the Commerce Alliance had admitted defeat, Laurist and the Norton Family did not have to step forward to be the bad guys. They could completely push this matter to the second prince. With the second prince's harsh nature, he would not easily let go of a good opportunity to beat someone who was down, especially the Commerce Alliance that had deeply offended him.
"Alright, we'll do as you say. Also, inform His Majesty and ask him to come and deal with the Commerce Alliance's request for peace." Laurist thought of something. "Right, did the Commerce Alliance make any requests when they sent an envoy to seek peace?"
"They only have one request. They hope that we can grant them the right to trade freely," Fatty Shi replied.
"Haha, so they still haven't given up. They want to wrestle with us in business …" Laurist laughed. "These merchants are finally wise for once. They know that they are no match for us military nobles in war. It's not too late for them to realize this. They're going to return to being merchants and compete with us in business. They sure are confident."
"Then should we reject their request for the right to trade freely?" Fatty Shi asked.
Laurist lightly tapped the table with his fingers. "There's no need. Actually, the right to trade freely is not a big deal. The nobles in the central and southern kingdoms have all kinds of merchant caravans and chambers of commerce to sell the products of their territories. The Commerce Alliance only wants the same rights as these nobles. They want to be treated fairly in terms of customs fees and market taxes. They will not be criticized or discriminated against by others. We can promise them to treat them equally and not make things difficult for them. "
"Alright, Your Highness. I understand." Fatty Shi stood up and prepared to leave.
"Wait, Shredder. You can discuss with Grand Duke Peterson in private and implement a salt monopoly system in his kingdom. Private trading and transportation of salt were not allowed. All salt trading must be controlled by the Peterson Chamber of Commerce. Isn't the Commerce Alliance short of salt? After implementing the salt monopoly system, the Commerce Alliance will not be able to buy salt from the outside through the Peterson Kingdom's territory unless they trade with the Peterson Chamber of Commerce. Tell Grand Duke Peterson that although the salt monopoly system will not bring in the huge profits of smuggling, it can still sell for a high price. This will allow him to quickly repay the loan our family has provided to them. In addition, the South-Central Kingdom's coalition forces stationed in Tenerig and Seruniga provinces should also be notified to prevent salt smuggling from there into the Commerce Alliance. As for the distribution of profits, you can coordinate with them and the Peterson Chamber of Commerce to discuss it. Don't hurt the harmony. "
Fatty Shi was more and more impressed as he listened. In the end, he gave a thumbs up. "Your Highness, your proposal is really great. The Commerce Alliance may not be able to make a comeback anymore. No matter how hard they try, I'm afraid that the salt monopoly system will tighten around their necks. In the long run, they will only deeply resent the Peterson Kingdom …"
"Haha, the more they hate, the more relieved we are. Even if the Commerce Alliance recovers its strength, it will have to pass through the Peterson Kingdom first. Otherwise, it will forever shrink in the territory of these four provinces. "Laurist proudly raised the teacup in his hand and drank the dark green tea in one gulp.
Tagger knocked on the door and walked in. "Your Highness, a messenger eagle from the imperial capital has sent a message. The new queen successfully gave birth to a healthy little prince in March. His Majesty is very happy and gave the little prince the name Helisted. "
"Aha, our Majesty is really efficient. He has a little prince already. Shredder, prepare a sumptuous congratulatory gift and send it to the imperial capital to congratulate His Majesty for having a legitimate son as his successor. Also, tell him the Commerce Alliance's request for peace and ask him to come to Moronte City as soon as possible to preside over and handle the Commerce Alliance's affairs, "Laurist ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness, I'll do it right away," Fatty Shi responded.
…
The envoy of the Commercial Union stayed in Moronte City for nearly a month to negotiate with the representatives of the various parties. Finally, a preliminary agreement was reached. For the Commerce Alliance, this was an unforgettable and humiliating agreement. The Commerce Alliance recognized the legitimacy and inviolability of the territories of the newly restored Kingdom of Kikdo, Grand Duchy of Mokby, Grand Duchy of Kabi, and Grand Duchy of Samaria. They also compensated the four countries with 500,000 gold fords as compensation for the invasion and annexation of the four countries in the past, and obtained the forgiveness of the four countries.
At the same time, the envoy of the Commerce Alliance and the negotiator of the Peterson Kingdom, Duke Miledas (because of his great contribution to the independence of the Peterson Kingdom, Count Miledas was conferred as the only duke of the Peterson Kingdom by His Majesty the King) came to negotiate with the envoy of the Commerce Alliance. They signed an understanding of armistice and non-aggression. Both sides recognized each other's territory as sacred and inviolable.
The funny thing was that both sides seemed to have forgotten that one-third of the territory of the Commerce Alliance in the Kuyadero Province was controlled by the Norton Family's armed forces, forming a defensive line to protect the Peterson Kingdom. In the agreement, both sides declared that they would respect each other's rights and interests. Duke Miledas also announced that the Commerce Alliance's caravans were welcome to trade through the Peterson Kingdom's territory. As long as they followed the law, they would naturally be unimpeded.
Fatty Shi, who was on the side, laughed inwardly. If the Commerce Alliance knew that the Peterson Kingdom and the four surrounding countries were about to announce the implementation of the salt monopoly system, how would they react? Would they immediately tear up the agreement and declare war on the Peterson Kingdom? Because according to the salt monopoly system, even if the Commerce Alliance bought salt from outside, as long as it passed through the four countries and the Peterson Kingdom, the salt would all be confiscated because it violated the monopoly system.
As for the negotiations between the Freedom Alliance and the Commerce Alliance, it was very simple. The negotiator of the Freedom Alliance always lacked some confidence against the Commerce Alliance. Even if the Freedom Alliance followed the Norton Family's armed forces to participate in two battles against the Commerce Alliance, they basically played the role of bystanders and did not play any key role.
So when the envoy of the Commerce Alliance was willing to compensate the Freedom Alliance one million gold fords, the negotiations immediately made progress. The negotiator of the Freedom Alliance quickly signed an understanding agreement with the envoy of the Commerce Alliance to recognize each other's territory and identity. They agreed to the Commerce Alliance's request for peace, and allowed the Commerce Alliance's affiliated chambers of commerce to come to Moronte City for trade and other activities. Of course, this was inseparable from the fact that the envoy of the Commerce Alliance had privately paid a friendly visit to the Freedom Alliance's negotiator. The Freedom Alliance's negotiator unanimously said that the Commerce Alliance's sincerity had moved them …
But what made the envoy of the Commerce Alliance anxious was that after settling the matter with the Freedom Alliance and the other countries, the Norton Family, the most important party in the negotiations, had refused to talk with the envoy. The chubby Baron Shredder, who looked like a sly old fox, had publicly announced that the Norton Family had not sent their troops to fight against the Trade Conglomerate because they wanted to gain some benefits from the Trade Conglomerate. Instead, they had come for peace. As long as the Commerce Alliance could sign an armistice agreement with the surrounding countries, the Norton Family's armed forces would naturally not deliberately make things difficult for the Commerce Alliance. They would respect and abide by all the peace agreements that had been reached.
Soon, the envoy of the Commerce Alliance understood why the Norton Family's armed forces had said so. It was because the King of the Andinac Kingdom, His Majesty Ognesero, had come. The second prince, who was travel-worn, arrived at Moronte City with a team of a thousand guards. He immediately threw himself into the negotiations with the envoy of the Commerce Alliance.
As the mortal enemy of the Commerce Alliance, the second prince had made two requests. First, the highest ruling officer of the Commerce Alliance, Duke Camberlet, had to publicly apologize to the Andinac Kingdom, reflect on the crimes that the Commerce Alliance had committed against the Andinac Kingdom, and bow to the second prince. Second, the Commerce Alliance had to compensate the Andinac Kingdom for the losses it had caused, amounting to ten million gold fords. Only by agreeing to these two requests would the Andinac Kingdom be willing to sign an armistice agreement with the Commerce Alliance and reach a mutual understanding.
This time, the envoy of the Commerce Alliance could not take it anymore. How could they bully others like this? Especially when the victor of the war was not the Andinac Kingdom's armed forces, but the Norton Family's armed forces. What right did a king who had been defeated by us have to make such a rude request?
However, when the news spread to the Commerce Alliance, Duke Camberlet personally went to Moronte City and had a sincere discussion with the second prince. In the end, Camberlet expressed his willingness to publicly apologize to the second prince. The second prince also took a step back and reduced the compensation to five million. Considering that the Commerce Alliance would not be able to pay such a huge amount of compensation immediately due to the long war, the second prince considerately took two million in cash first, and the rest could be paid in five years.
Thus, the Commerce Alliance and the Andinac Kingdom came to an understanding, and peace finally came.
…
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