The corners of the little lion's mouth held a forgiving smile:"'Iron Peak County Lord', as long as you're not planning on defaulting, there's no worry about finding a way to settle accounts."
"Such as?" There wasn't the slightest hint of a smile on Winters' face.
Seeing Winters so intent on getting a clear answer on the spot, the little lion blinked, leaned forward to get close to Winters, just about to speak but was interrupted by footsteps.
Pierre lifted the curtain and walked in, carrying a stool.
The little lion imdiately stopped, distanced himself from Winters, and winked at the latter.
However, Winters turned a blind eye and repeated the earlier question: "Such as what?"
Upon hearing this, the little lion politely smiled at Pierre, then turned to Winters and asked amicably: "[Hurd Language] Such as could you send away your puppy?"
Winters half-smiled, "Pierre," he slightly tilted his head, truthfully translating for Michel, "Lord Yahachi says you're my 'puppy', and he asked if I could send you away."
Pierre stood solemnly behind the Blood Wolf, not even glancing at the little lion, and answered in a deep voice: "I am indeed Your Excellency's mastiff. Wherever you wish to go, I'll go."
Winters turned back to the little lion, solemnly informing the latter: "Pierre Gerardnovich Mitchell holds my unwavering trust. So whatever you need to say, you can say it in front of him."
He paused for emphasis: "Moreover, it's Mr. Mitchell who will be liaising with the Red River Tribe in the future. The more significant matters you wish to discuss, the more he should be present."
The little lion looked up at Pierre, who clearly had been significantly praised by the Blood Wolf, yet didn't show any gratitude or smugness.
The Governor-General of the Newly Reclaid Outlands stood behind the Blood Wolf like a sculpture, observing with his eyes, nose, mouth, and heart.
The little lion eyed Pierre for a while, shrugged, stood up, shook his robes, formally extended his hand toward Pierre with a slight smile: "Mr. Governor-General, from now on, it's our turn to do business."
Pierre initially had no reaction until Winters slightly nodded at him, then he stepped forward, wordlessly extended his hand, and symbolically shook hands with the little lion.
"Alright, alright, I've understood the position of the Governor-General. Now it's ti to talk business."
The little lion flung his robe, sat down carelessly on the stool, and went straight to the point:
"Settling accounts is actually very simple — it's not like you lack goods, Hestas. The hamrs keep ringing daily on both banks of the St. George River, and the furnaces at Tie Feng Mountain's foot billow smoke day after day; you can't hide it from ."
"If your information is as well-inford as you think, then you should know, little lion." Winters calmly replied: "At present, we indeed lack sufficient iron tools to exchange for what your side has delivered."
The little lion feigned bewildernt: "Since you know the scrap tal in your hands isn't enough to settle accounts, and yet you urgently need our goods, why not bring out more valuable items to trade?"
"Such as?" Winters' speaking pace was unhurried.
Seeing soone deliberately asking trivial questions, the little lion furrowed his brow, a short low growl erging from his throat: "I'm really tired of you Venetians, just stop pretending!"
Pierre felt the little lion's gaze deliberately sweeping over him.
The little lion spoke gruffly: "Bring out the things we truly want! Sabers! Firearms! Armor! Drugs! Whatever you can bring out, we want it all, you can set the price yourself — Of course, it must be fair, not too excessive..."
The little lion took a breath, stared at Winters, enticingly saying: "I know, you are currently in great need of large livestock, and as for us, we lack nothing in this regard. As long as you nod, Hestas, in the na of my brother White Lion, I assure you that horses and cattle will be delivered continuously to Iron Peak County, right to your doorstep, just as long as you nod..."
"Is the Red River Tribe's military situation unsuccessful?" Winters interrupted the little lion's endless speaking.
The little lion raised an eyebrow: "Why do you ask that?"
Winters didn't answer, rely using his eyes to tell the other, "You know why I ask."
"On the prairie, no one complains they have too many bows and swords." The little lion retorted: "Is your military situation unsuccessful? Aren't you also continuously forging weapons?"
Winters gave no definitive answer; instead, Pierre almost imperceptibly narrowed his eyes — the little lion's words were a bit too much.
After a mont of thought, Winters courteously asked: "May I presu, if my side declines your request, then the existing business between us will be affected."
"Of course." The little lion grinned, revealing two sharp teeth: "Do you really think we ca all the way from the North Shore to the South Bank just to buy your two rusty pans?"
Pierre's nose made a cold huff.
"Your request has been noted." Winters paused: "But I cannot imdiately respond to your request; this matter requires not only my approval but also the understanding of my colleagues."
"Oh! Right! I heard about it!" The little lion slapped his thigh, feigning sudden realization: "You've created sothing... like an Alliance of Various Tribes..."
"Hey!" The little lion looked at Winters, half provocatively, half jokingly asking: "What was originally your decision, now requires others' nod; what was once solely your tribe's, is now soone else's property. This... this isn't just like finding a father for yourself? Why put yourself through this?"
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