161: Chapter 157: Cooperation 161: Chapter 157: Cooperation “What do you an by that?” lia asked, tilting her head back to look at Luo’er.
“Just a suggestion,” Luo’er shrugged, “I can’t judge your actions.
Since you’ve chosen this path, all I can do is wish you success.”
“Thank you for your concern.” lia smiled at him.
Luo’er was taken aback, sensing ambiguity in her eyes.
He coughed lightly, then turned away, shifting his gaze.
“Tomorrow, they should respond to you.
I’m sorry, I can’t help you with anything.
Take care.”
“Hmm.” Watching Luo’er turned his head, lia looked down with a sense of disappointnt, gazing into the water, falling into a prolonged silence.
After a good while of a stalemate between them, Luo’er decided to break the silence, “I’m going now, you should also go back early.
It’s a bit chilly in the evening, don’t catch a cold.”
Finishing those words, he walked back towards the villa without turning back.
lia raised her head, watching Luo’er slowly disappearing into the distance.
She rembered his words, and although her face didn’t show any expression, her heart couldn’t calm down for a long ti.
The headquarters communicated quickly and by noon the next day both parties had reconvened for a chat.
Luo’er and his companion got the opportunity to attend the negotiation scene, however, unlike last ti, they didn’t have to stand in the corner.
They sat on either side of Wang Xu, facing lia across the table.
For Wang Xu, the directive from headquarters was crucial.
After all, with such a serious issue, no one wanted any mishaps.
Fortunately, he received the feedback from headquarters early in the morning.
The headquarters suggested them to support lia’s plan to a limited extent in a relatively confidential situation.
As per their intentions, firstly, both parties can’t expose their partnership.
Secondly, the headquarters would only unconditionally provide weapons and training for battle strategies and tactics while not interfering with lia’s plan.
Conversely, lia needs to stick with their promise and refrain from acting against the interest of the headquarters.
Along with the viewpoint of the headquarters, a list was also issued, outlining the demands of lia.
Wang Xu needed to present the terms to lia as per the list, and lia was obliged to follow these terms after seizing the power in Masya.
“Have you read all the conditions on the list, is there anything you need to be explained?” Wang Xu translated the words from the list into Tasta language and handed it over to lia to look over.
“No, I can accept all these conditions!” lia decisively replied.
She briefly looked over the list, which included several acceptable conditions such as most-favoured-nation treatnt, Masya never taking part in the war against Earth, and leasing so mining rights, etc.
Apparently, the headquarters didn’t want to control Masya entirely, true cooperation ant that both parties were negotiating on relatively equal terms.
“So, can we cooperate now?” lia asked Wang Xu.
“Before we take the next step, could I ask you a few questions?” Wang Xu asked.
“Please, go ahead.” lia nodded.
“Where are you planning to assemble your army, your highness?” Wang Xu asked.
“Within the territory controlled by the kingdom, west of Masya,” lia answered without any hesitation.
Wang Xu nodded.
If we’re talking about the area west of Masya, it possibly would be the territory to the east of the Roen River.
Thus it would be possible to transport the weapons via waterways, avoiding the dangers of going through rebel-occupied areas.
“How many people do you plan to recruit, your highness?” Wang Xu asked.
“Approximately 30,000,” lia responded.
She noticed that while Wang Xu was speaking, he took a piece of paper and a pen from a secretary and bent to write sothing down.
“Who will pay for the food supplies and salaries of these 30,000 people?” Wang Xu asked.
“I…” lia was taken aback, at a loss for words.
Truthfully, although she was adept at scheming, she was still a novice when it ca to military organization.
If not for the support of the knight, she didn’t even know how to assemble a troop.
Wang Xu scribbled sothing on the paper and held it up, continuing with, “If you’re planning to seize power with your army, wouldn’t you fear to have your supplies cut off by the Galan during the takeover if you get the supplies from them?
If you plan to get the supplies from us, leaving aside how we are to transport them to your hands, wouldn’t you fear the exposure of our partnership?”
lia blinked in surprise, realizing she had never thought about this aspect before.
She only knew she needed an army to seize power, but had no idea how to ensure the functioning of an army.
Just as Wang Xu said, an army would consu resources every day.
If not supplied, her soldiers might disperse before they even started to fight.
Getting supplies transported from the Kingdom was obviously not feasible, as her n would then be part of the Kingdom’s army, ultimately serving the King and the Crown Prince.
Although receiving supplies from Yazhi City might work, as Wang Xu had promised to provide any assistance unconditionally, the frequent transportation might reveal their collaboration, which would be irreparable once exposed.
With a furrowed brow, lia contemplated, her previously confident smile now gone.
She pondered on the issue raised by Wang Xu, desperately searching her mind for solutions.
She looked up, eting Luo’er’s eyes.
Fixating on him, she suddenly recalled his words from the evening before.
Recognize who are enemies and who are friends, and unite all possible allies.
lia had a sudden realization.
Luo’er was right.
Recognize enemies and friends and try to unite all possible forces, regardless of who they are.
The Earth headquarters that Luo’er was serving was indeed one of the potential allies, but relying solely on their power would not be enough.
The rebels were able to expand not only because they were supported by the Earthlings, but more importantly, they gained support from the civilians, who were the main force of the rebels.
Therefore, if lia wants to raise an army to seize power, she needs to find cooperative forces in Masya, since relying solely on the headquarters won’t be enough.
Masya was not monolithic as the previous siege on Obus revealed.
The barons and earls of Obus didn’t think highly of the Crown Prince, so they deployed their troops to the outskirts of the city, giving Luo’er an opportunity for attack.
So, if she wants to secure a foothold in Masya, she needs to find forces she could unite with dostically.
As the saying goes, the enemy of one’s enemy can beco a friend.
These people are essential to her goals.
Currently, there are three main forces inside Masya, the rebels representing civilians, and the Kingdom representing the orthodox nobility.
Besides, an erging force is gradually growing on the rise, acting on behalf of the rchants.
In earthling’s words, they represent the erging bourgeoisie, who would be her best allies.
With these considerations, the situation becos crystal clear.
lia wants to seize power to initiate reforms, and the capitalists aspire to gain benefits from nobles.
They share mutual benefits, becoming natural allies.
Thinking this, lia looked up and gratefully glanced at Luo’er, who was taken aback.
“I plan to seek the support of those businessn.
They possess great wealth, but the control over Masya is monopolized by the nobility.
If I promise to diminish the power of nobles, they will gladly cooperate with .”
Wang Xu was surprised.
lia had given the standard answer without a mont’s hesitation.
His proposal was rendered redundant now.
For so reason, he turned to Luo’er and shot him a glance, making him increasingly puzzled.
If lia chooses to cooperate with these budding capitalists, there would be nothing more profitable.
The capitalists have the money, and they have the access.
Combined with lia’s cooperation, they certainly can accomplish remarkable achievents.
Wang Xu nodded in approval, “The weapon deploynt and related personnel training will be arranged by us.
I hope your Highness won’t forget our agreent once you succeed.”
“Of course, I won’t go back on my word,” lia firmly responded.
“That’s very good,” Wang Xu nodded and waited for the secretary to write up the cooperation agreent, and then handed it over to lia, “This is the agreent.
If you have no objections, please sign.”
lia quickly read through it, finding no points to object to.
She took a pen from the secretary and confidently signed her na on the agreent.
After lia signed, the secretary brought the agreent to Wang Xu.
He picked up a pen, seriously signing his own na.
This signified both parties officially entering into a cooperative state.
“A pleasure to cooperate with you.” lia stood up and reached out her hand.
Seeing her action, Luo’er made an awkward face, as it was the sa way lia had exposed his identity before, which beca an unforgettable mory.
“A pleasure is ours!” Wang Xu also stood up, smiling and shaking her hand.
“By the way, about that information,” lia pulled back her hand and suddenly recalled sothing.
“The intelligence Luo’er was interested in, let it be our cooperation’s welco gift.”
“You refer to?” Wang Xu glanced at Luo’er, then back to lia, asking hesitantly.
“About the Royal Artillery Battalion’s cannons,” lia said, “Those cannons were purchased from the High-peak people, including the follow-up ammunition.”
Hearing her words, Wang Xu’s face changed significantly, and he hurriedly asked, “Your Highness, is this true?”
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