Chapter 1446: Fooling left and right
Come whatever you want.
Zong Shen understood everything when he saw the subtle change in the expression on Viscount Albert's face.
The other party didn't know that Marquis Ekmeledin Clift had also sent an envoy here.
Perhaps he was not as loyal to Grand Duke Chloë as he appeared to be.
At the same time, this also means that Zong Shen's rapidly rising territory is no longer a secret to the aboriginal forces in the area.
To this, he did not answer immediately, but glanced at Albert Jenkins with a half-smile.
Then he spoke in a playful tone: "Sir Albert, it seems that Marquis Cliff's mind is more delicate than what you described."
"Behold, his messengers are waiting for my audience."
The situation before him proved that Marquis Ekmeledin Clift was careful.
Moreover, Archduke Chloé did not consult with him about the actions in this area.
The relationship between the two people is not as close as Viscount Albert said.
Otherwise, they would not have sent envoys to Zong Shen's territory on the same day to try to communicate.
Faced with this embarrassing question, Viscount Albert smiled coquettishly.
He didn't open his mouth to refute, and there was no point in refuting.
In the eyes of the indigenous people, it is natural for the big nobles to exploit the small nobles.
Just like the petty nobles exploiting the farmers under their command.
Because of this, Archduke Chloé had no intention of discussing with Marquis Eckmeledin Clift in advance.
He just needed to talk to Zong Shen.
Then decide the subsequent strategy based on the results of the discussion.
Zong Shen did not continue to mock.
Through the verbal test just now, he gradually understood how to take the upper hand.
"Do you plan to accompany me here to receive the envoy of Marquis Ekmeledin Clift, or are you going to take a rest first?"
He spoke again.
Albert hesitated for a moment and decided to stay.
He is the viscount who follows the Grand Duke and is considered a confidant.
Among the human nobles of the Endless Continent, it is not uncommon for small nobles to serve big nobles.
Many minor nobles would try their best to let their nephews serve as servants of the larger nobles.
Therefore, the messenger from the great city of Dagalisni may not be able to recognize him.
And based on Albert’s understanding of Marquis Eckmeledin Clift, he would never come here in person.
So he planned to stay here and see what the Marquis's envoy would say.
Zong Shen could roughly guess Albert's intention.
This didn't surprise him at all.
Shrugging, he motioned for Viscount Albert to take his seat again.
He then gave instructions loudly to the hero who came to report.
"Bring the messenger here."
"Find an intermediate space mage to open a passage and save yourself the hassle of trekking on horseback."
The hero simply accepted the order and left.
Viscount Albert could only do as he was told.
However, after sitting down again, he took off the city emblem that he and his entourage wore on their chests.
Zong Shen, who was sitting on the big seat, lowered his eyes and looked like he was dozing off.
In fact, he caught all of Albert's little moves from the corner of his eye.
I couldn't help but laugh in my heart.
He found the petty petty intrigues between nobles and this kind of relationship without any friendship or credibility very interesting to him.
About a moment later, a blue light flashed outside the door. With the help of space displacement magic, several envoys from the giant city of Dagalisini quickly arrived here.
They were guided into the living room.
After seeing Zong Shen, he immediately bowed and saluted.
"Hello, my lord."
"I am Hisham Conway, Chief Administrative Officer of Dagalisni and Baron of the Kingdom."
The middle-aged man wearing a crystal monocle bowed again.
He was accompanied by a space mage and two heavily armored warriors carrying axes and shields.
Zong Shen waved his hand and motioned for him to take a seat, but did not introduce himself.
He didn't ask until Hisham Conway sat in the chair next to him.
"Messenger from the great city of Dagalisni."
"I heard that you brought the greetings and friendship of Marquis Ecmeledin Clift?"
He rested his right elbow on the armrest of the chair, tilted his head slightly, and asked in a lazy and casual tone.
At this time, Baron Hisham Conway was quietly looking at Viscount Albert sitting opposite with thoughtful eyes.
In the Kingdom of Avalon, whether they are honorary nobles or fiefdom nobles.
There are so many minor nobles with titles of sons and barons.
However, as a political officer, Baron Hisham Conway's keen observation skills still discovered some situations.
"The silk scarf on the neckline is woven from the finest southern mulberry silk."
"The boots on my feet are also made from popular craftsmanship in the Southern Region..."
Suspicion arose in his mind.
But before he could further speculate on the origins of Viscount Albert, Zong Shen spoke.
Therefore, he could only gather his thoughts and focus on dealing with this mysterious lord.
After a brief pause, Hisham Conway replied in as calm and clear a tone as possible.
"Come here under the orders of the Marquis of the Eastern Region of Avalon, the master of the Clift family, and the leader of the prosperity of Dagarisni... Lord Ecmeledin Clift."
As usual, it was another ridiculously long title introduction.
The nobles of the Endless Continent are like this.
It seems that the longer the title, the more impressive one is.
In fact, many titles are self-imposed and have no reference value.
After the introduction, Hisham Conway changed the subject.
"My Lord Marquis wishes to conclude a friendship and neighbor agreement with you."
"Including detailed rules for mutual assistance, trade exchanges, territorial negotiations, etc..."
This guy stepped into the role of lobbyist and actually introduced it seriously.
Zong Shen did not interrupt his speech, but looked at Viscount Albert while listening.
The other party's expression was awkward at first, and then became solemn.
It's like they haven't said hello to the giant city of Dagalisini when they came here.
Marquis Eckmeledin Clift also did not report the arrangements to the Grand Duke.
The relationship between the two parties has a feeling of being in name only.
Baron Hisham Conway spoke for a quarter of an hour.
During this period, several "favorable" cooperation conditions were also proposed.
For example, the giant city of Dagalisini is willing to exempt merchants under Zong Shen from half of the commodity tax.
Also willing to sell grain at a lower price.
I barely listened to him finish all this nonsense.
Zong Shen twisted his neck.
He has no interest in these conditions, and naturally he cannot feel the slightest sincerity.
During this period, he used the strategy module to check the information and learned about the inference made by Marquis Ekmeledin Clift not long ago.
In fact, that guy was just a messenger sent because he was timid and cautious.
He didn't know much about the inside story.
It is only speculated that the giant city-level settlement that emerged in a short period of time in Zongshen's territory is suspected to be inseparable from the destruction of the giant city of Lentax.
Everything is based on guesswork.
This included sending the political officer, Baron Hisham Conway, to negotiate.
It is essentially a part of testing.
"How cowardly."
Zong Shen made an evaluation in his heart.
Margrave Ekmeledin Clift was a real coward.
As for bumping into Viscount Abel, it was purely accidental.
Without saying a word, he pondered a countermeasure in his mind.
Zong Shen was originally prepared to take down the giant city of Dagalisini by force.
But since Grand Duke Chloë sent an envoy, he didn't mind having a good talk.
See if you can successfully cheat.
If you can reach the giant city of Galisni from the hands of the Grand Duke, that would be great.
This also saves him from using force to attack the giant city.
After the battle is over, we may have to face a counterattack from Archduke Chloë.
In Zong Shen's opinion, it was best for him to make reasonable use of the conflicts between the princes.
Only in this way can benefits be maximized.
And found a foothold between the two archdukes Chloé and Jonathan.
Plans cannot keep up with changes and many things are unpredictable.
After thinking for a while, Zong Shen licked the corner of his mouth, then picked up the wine glass and took a sip of the drink.
The bitter wine flowed down his throat, and it also made his thinking become sharper.
He still did not look at Viscount Albert, but raised his head to meet the slightly hopeful eyes of Baron Hisham Conway, the Administrative Officer of Dagalisni.
The other party did not know the true intention of Marquis Ekmeledin.
I also believe that these terms are sincere.
He hoped that Zong Shen would agree so that he could go back and deliver the mission smoothly.
And this can be considered a credit.
"Sir Hisham, please go back and report to His Majesty the Marquis."
"I am willing to cooperate with the great city of Dagalisni and conclude a friendly agreement."
He gave his name casually.
Anyway, he couldn't find any background or background in the Kingdom of Avalon.
To the Aboriginal people, his origins are like a blank slate.
When you fool someone, you naturally look confident.
The unknown creates awe.
After saying some polite words, he took out a small pocket with his backhand.
It contains more than a dozen sixth-level magic gems.
"Please pass my gift to His Excellency the Marquis."
"And tell him that I will personally visit the giant city of Dagalisini in seven days."
"The agreement will be formally concluded at that time."
The waiter took the bag and handed it into the hands of Baron Hisham.
The latter held his pockets in both hands and bowed.
Then he happily resigned.
Zong Shen narrowed his eyes slightly.
With his current net worth, these sixth-level gems are nothing.
It is enough to be used as bait.
High-level magic gems are equally precious to the indigenous people.
Besides, this is just a gift given casually, and there is no need to pull it too high.
Hisham Conway was in such a hurry to return to his life that he had no intention of staying.
After all, Marquis Eckmeledin seemed very eager when he received this task.
Without knowing the inside story, he could only analyze it from a pragmatic perspective.
The butt determines the head. As a political affairs officer, the only things he can think of and manage are business and internal affairs.
In addition, Marquis Ekmeledin sent him here just to test his attitude.
So he gave Hisham free reign.
Try to see some problems from the subsequent situation.
Even Marquis Ekmeleddin was ready to sacrifice Hisham.
That's why there were those fancy trade agreements before.
In this regard, Zong Shen chose to deal with it temporarily.
After Baron Hisham Conway left, he turned his head to look at Albert again.
"It seems that the Marquis of Ekmeledin you mentioned is not as loyal as you described."
"New conditions."
"listen."
"I am willing to cooperate with Grand Duke Chloé."
"I will take the giant city of Dagalisni personally, and the respected Duke only needs to acquiesce in the consequences afterwards."
"In addition, I also need the support of soldiers, ordnance, food and various war supplies."
Viscount Albert's lips murmured as he wanted to say something.
But before the words came out, he was directly interrupted by Zong Shen.
"Don't rush to express your position. I'll give you time to ask for instructions again."
"This is your third chance."
"There is a slang in my hometown called 'Things don't happen until three times.' I can tolerate the first two meaningless communications, but I will never let it happen a third time."
"By the way, the reason why we are asking for war supplies is because there is a high probability that Archduke Jonathan will start a war in this area. The tens of millions of troops he has assembled are still next to the ruins of Lentax."
Zong Shen reminded in a serious tone.
He really didn't have the patience to keep grinding.
If he doesn't have this courage, then Grand Duke Chloé is not worthy of his cooperation.
He would rather deal with Archduke Jonathan himself and slowly tear off Jonathan's flesh and blood like a lone wolf.
Anyway, the lord has various methods, and he also has enough strong men.
A comprehensive attack may not be enough, but defense based on the situation is definitely more than enough.
Hearing the determination in Zong Shen's words, Viscount Albert also looked solemn.
He bowed and retreated to the side room, communicating with Grand Duke Chloé again.
After just a few minutes, the communication came to fruition.
Viscount Albert was seen returning to the hall.
In his hand, he was also holding something covered with runes that looked like a large dried bat's ear.
This is a magical communication item.
It's called [Night Devil's Ear], and its effect is long-distance voice communication.
"I agree to your request."
"I will not interfere with any of your actions against the giant city of Dagalisini."
"But if you want to get the support of ordnance, soldiers and strategic equipment, you must show sincerity."
Grand Duke Kouyi's voice came out with majesty and solemnity.
Zong Shen held the [Night Devil's Ear] in one hand with a smile on his lips, and answered in a leisurely tone.
"Can."
"You'll soon know it's a wise choice."
After finishing speaking, without waiting for Grand Duke Chloë's reply, he threw the [Ear of the Night Devil] back to Viscount Albert.
Chloe is indeed not that easy to fool.
If you want to get benefits from him in the future, I'm afraid you have to achieve some results against Jonathan.
But for now, Zong Shen's goal has been achieved.
As long as Grand Duke Chloé does not interfere, he is sure to easily capture the giant city of Dagalisini.
Thus, a matrix of a large territory area was initially formed.
In this way, he would have more confidence when dealing with Archduke Jonathan.
As long as he can withstand the first round of offensive, Zong Shen will be able to support the war with war.
Lords can become more courageous in wars.
As long as Jonathan cannot defeat him once, Zong Shen and his territory will only get stronger and stronger in the future.
In this way, he can realize the strategy that he has always pursued: using small things to do big things. (End of chapter)
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