Of course, Xia Zhe was not idle during these three days.
After careful consideration, he asked Lillian to call Hector to the study for a private meeting.
Although I haven't received a reply from my father yet.
But seeing that the entire city of Stobi has been mobilized in the past few days, armies from various city-states have rushed here.
Hector knew that a great war was about to begin.
There are also rumors in the city that King Stobi is going to lead the army in person!
If King Stobi leads the army himself, who will he negotiate with?
After receiving the news that King Stobi had summoned him, Hector gritted his teeth and decided to obey the king's orders while away from home!
As long as King Stobi doesn't go too far, agree to any exchange conditions!
Otherwise, if you miss this village, you will miss this store!
When they arrived at the study, Hector spoke before Xia Zhe could open his mouth.
"Your Majesty! You promised the day before yesterday that Greek fire can be exchanged as long as the conditions are right! Now that you have spoken, you naturally cannot go back on your word. But I have a few words that need to be made clear first!" said Hector.
I have already planned to let Troy exchange the Heart of the King for a low-end version of Greek Fire, but I don't know how to start the conversation.
Hearing that Hector was going to speak first, Xia Zhe was happy to let the other party make the conditions first, and nodded quickly.
"There are three things that are related to the foundation of the country and cannot be exchanged. I must make it clear first. Apart from these, the king's other conditions can be met." Hector said.
"Which three things?" Xia Zhe became a little nervous and asked quickly.
"First! The cities of Troy and Byzantium, as well as the surrounding territory within 200 kilometers, cannot be used as trading conditions! This is the core of our country!"
"Second! The sea area and coastal lowlands to the north, directly reaching the Danube estuary, cannot be used as a bargaining chip! This is our country's traditional naval training area. Without it, we will lose the initiative in coastal defense!"
"Third! Our country can form an alliance with Stroby, but we cannot send members of the royal family as hostages! Troy is one of the five great powers of the Greek world, even above Macedonia and Eubia! We cannot lose our dignity!"
Hector finished speaking in one breath, feeling uneasy, and unconsciously stole a glance at Xia Zhe to see his reaction.
Hector decided to draw his own bottom line first after considering it for a day and two nights.
My father's authorization didn't arrive so quickly.
If the conditions offered by Stoby are too excessive and I have no right to make the decision, I will inevitably miss this rare opportunity!
It would be better to draw a red line from the beginning.
If you can reach an agreement, then talk about it. If you can’t, then wait for an opportunity in the future. That’s more satisfying!
Otherwise, you will end up wasting precious deployment time without any result.
"Is this your bottom line? Apart from these, you can ask for anything else, right?"
After hearing what Hector said, Xia Zhe spoke with relief.
Very good!
I have no interest in your core territories and royal dignity.
As long as you didn’t say that the King’s Heart cannot be changed!
Then there’s hope!
However, asking right away if the King's Heart could be exchanged would inevitably make one appear impatient.
The other party is using this as an opportunity to bargain, but they will probably suffer losses.
It would be better to first state a few requirements that touch the other party's bottom line, forcing the other party to always be unable to accept them.
Then I will talk about the heart of a king.
At that time, the other party will feel embarrassed to keep refusing, and the possibility of nodding in agreement will be greatly increased.
After thinking this over in his mind, Xia Zhe finally spoke.
"You can't take the two cities of Troy and Byzantium. Then can I take the port of Alexandros and the surrounding territories?" Xia Zhe said.
Alexandros is a famous city on the east coast of the Aegean Sea. It is also the first seaport within a radius of thousands of kilometers and the third largest city in Troy!
Xia Zhe accurately took advantage of the loophole in Hector's words and asked to exchange Alexander for him first.
“Well… okay!”
Hector had never expected King Stobi to be so cruel. After hesitating for a long time, he nodded in agreement.
If someone had made such an unreasonable request ten years ago, Hector would have drawn his sword immediately and fought him to the death!
But now, the situation is completely different!
The pressure from the Persian Empire was getting more and more intense.
All Greek cities on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea were in danger of being annexed by Persia.
Not only Alexandria of Troy, but also the famous cities of Miletus and Rhodes in the south were shrouded in a fatalistic panic.
Stoica's attempt to seize Alexandria was undoubtedly a great loss to Troy.
But if this could force Stobi into the front line against the Persian Empire, it would actually be a great thing.
It can relieve a lot of pressure for Troy!
Hector felt that his father would understand his difficulties, and his subjects would not accuse him of selling out his country.
after all.
Since Alexandria would be lost sooner or later, it would definitely be better to lose it to Stoica, a country with a similar Greek civilization, rather than to the brutal Persian race!
What?
He actually agreed?
He is willing to exchange such a famous oriental city, a famous port, and a large piece of land?
Is he out of his mind?
In this case, how can I still have the heart of the king?
"Wait, wait! I just said I want Alexandros, but I didn't say that one Alexandros can be exchanged for my Greek fire! You have to know that my weapon is very powerful! It is definitely worth a higher price!" Xia Zhe said shamelessly.
"Alright! If your Majesty has any other requests, please let me know!"
Hector was a little displeased, but still maintained the necessary diplomatic etiquette.
He knew that King Stobi was different from others and knew Alexandros' situation very well!
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