Chapter 32 Negotiation: Being a defenseless decorative vase won't last more than a few episodes...
Bai Xiao looked at his tail, which was missing several scales, and said angrily, "Why are you stopping me!"
His sister slapped him on the forehead and said irritably, "You think no one will know? If you make a scene any bigger, people outside will find out, and besides, she doesn't even like you!"
The last sentence successfully deflated the furious Bai Xiao.
They were just pulled apart. He was clearly more seriously injured, but that heartless guy clung to Shen An's arm and yelled—
That's hardly an injury. This guy has been bitten by him since he was a baby. If he wanted to die from poison, he would have died long ago.
Bai Xiao curled up sadly, burying his head under his body, and remained silent.
Bai Jiao sprayed medicine on him and sighed, "It's no use if you like her. She's the person the mercenaries want. There's no reason to go back on a contract that's been agreed upon."
The younger brother wagged his tail and refused to speak.
“If it were before, I would definitely help you keep her here, no matter what the cost, but not now—” Bai Jiao looked at her younger brother and patiently explained to him, “The beast race is facing a life-or-death crisis. The government has sent people to take over, and our previous peace has been broken. Shen An’s willingness to cooperate with us is for the same purpose.”
“We are too weak. Look at the prince she likes. He led a few dozen men and used weapons that we could never make. He easily broke through the royal city’s defenses. Such a gap cannot be bridged by risking one’s life. Humans are always wary of us. Even a weakling like Bai Xu looks down on us, let alone those high and mighty nobles.”
Bai Jiao was also helpless: "That nominal emperor is too lazy to even see us. The beastmen outside have been assimilated. Yi Lan is right. They are either assimilated and transformed or become their slaves."
Even though Asta forcibly united the humans and orcs, the orcs still could not escape the fate of decline. After the energy reform, the orcs' technology level lagged far behind that of the humans. More fatally, their genes caused difficulties in reproduction.
At its peak, YN1 had a population of hundreds of millions.
After the imperial troops were stationed there, their situation became increasingly difficult, and it was at this time that the mercenaries began negotiating with them.
Provide them with all military support and grant them independence, on the condition that they station troops there. However, the Orcs from YN1 can join the mercenary army to manage this star system.
Shi Wei looked at the two dark, bloody holes on Shen An's arm and asked worriedly, "Are you really alright?"
Although medicine was applied, it was only a simple bandage.
"It's alright, he bites me all the time, this dose won't kill me." Shen An held her hand and placed it on his abs, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Want to continue?"
"Continue my ass!" Shi Wei rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away.
If something happens to him, how will she cause trouble?
Shen An patted the seat next to him, gesturing for her to sit beside him, and asked, "Do you really like that prince that much?"
He felt a little tempted.
The sensation was particularly intense when she touched her ear.
It's not that no one has ever touched his ear, but those people were either beaten up or killed by him.
When other people touch him, he only feels irritable and wants to kill, but when she touches him... he only wants to kiss and touch her.
Shi Wei stared at him for a long time and felt that this one seemed easier to talk to; at least his blood was warm. The beautiful siblings were both cold-blooded animals and had been lying to her all along.
She asked earnestly, "Do you want to continue being the Beast King?"
Shen An glanced at her and raised an eyebrow: "My father only has one son, me."
The implication is that, who else but him could take the position?
Shi Wei leaned closer and saw that his ears were starting to twitch again. She lowered her voice and said, "Don't you think the Tengshe clan has too much power?"
Shen An looked at her and smiled: "You want to sow discord?"
Shi Wei shook her head slightly: "I'm doing this for your own good."
Shen An scoffed: "They are my compatriots, you are pure-blooded humans, why should I trust you? Don't worry, I won't kill you."
Shi Wei didn't expose him, but said, "Instead of using me as a bargaining chip, let me help you negotiate. Similan dared to breach the contract and blow up your capital, which shows that he cares about me a lot. Actually, I'm from the Security Bureau, and I can help you a lot."
Shen An looked suspicious: "The State Security Bureau? You?"
He seemed to underestimate his own abilities. He coughed slightly and said, "I am a subordinate of Major General Lu Qi. I was supposed to be punished for failing a mission, but His Highness Similan likes me and asked Major General Lu Qi to intercede for me, so that I could be transferred to be His Majesty's attendant."
"The top management of Tengshe Manufacturing Plant is almost entirely composed of snake and leopard people. Aren't you tempted by such a huge piece of the pie?" Shi Wei began to tempt him: "The core technology is in the hands of the government. I can help you negotiate more terms. What use is it if they have a lot of people? Once you get the technology, you will have a say."
Shen An finally looked at her seriously, and he gained a new understanding of this Omega girl.
"You are very confident, but I can't trust you."
Shi Wei sighed: "Don't be so stubborn, okay? If His Highness Cyril takes over, given his bloodline-focused approach, the beastmen will definitely be suppressed to second-class citizens, and nobles like you will definitely be slaughtered."
"His Highness Similan only wants military power. YN1's geographical location is unique. Your surrender now is like sending charcoal in snowy weather. He will definitely help you obtain more resources—"
"Why should we cooperate with the two princes?" Shen An's light brown eyes smiled. Although YN1 Star was isolated from the world, it didn't mean he didn't understand the situation.
Shi Wei had no choice but to state bluntly: "Cooperating with mercenaries is tantamount to courting death."
Shen An was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Now I believe you are from the Security Bureau. No more than ten people know about this, and you even guessed it—no wonder they insisted on having you."
Shi Wei advised him, "You can't outmaneuver Yi Lan. I've dealt with him before. If you believe him, you might as well declare independence and ask the alliance for help."
Shen An paused for a moment. He had met Yi Lan before, and to be honest, he didn't believe the commander who looked so young either.
However, the Bai siblings had already placed all their bets on the mercenaries.
"Even if you win the gamble and successfully gain independence, YN1 will still be engulfed in war. His Majesty is not known for his good temper. If you team up to trick him, he will definitely pay you back a hundredfold—"
“Yi Lan can hide in the distant Locust Fortress and send you out to bear His Majesty’s wrath. With enough equipment, a few million orcs can at least drag out the war in Manra for ten years.”
Shi Wei said, word by word, "This star field will become a battlefield, and your compatriots will become victims of the power struggle between the two major forces."
Shen An remained silent, gazing out the window.
“Geographical location determines the fate of your race—YN1 Star is very close to the Chaotic Starfield, and His Majesty will never allow you to be independent, flirt with mercenaries, or allow Yi Lan to harass his borders. YN1 Star is also far from the Chaotic Starfield, so the mercenaries cannot send a large number of troops to jump over and support you. Moreover, Yi Lan only wants to use you as cannon fodder.”
“Even if he really does help you out of kindness, and His Majesty accepts the loss, you still can’t compete with the Tengshe Clan and won’t become the Beast King.” Shi Wei delivered the final blow: “Unless you abandon this place and migrate elsewhere.”
The room was quiet, and after a long time, Shi Wei thought he wouldn't respond to her anymore.
Shen An turned to look at her and asked, "What can you give me?"
Shi Wei felt relieved, smiled slightly, and said what she had already thought of: "Help me contact the mayor of Sunset Town, I'll talk to him."
That's a smart person who understands the situation, unlike these easily fooled orcs. Yi Lan captured her and made her surrender with just a few lies.
Upon hearing this, Shen An's expression cracked. He opened his mouth, unable to believe it: "You know he's one of my men?"
Shi smiled and said, "I guessed. I had an accident in Sunset Town. Without his help to cover it up, our whereabouts wouldn't be so hard to trace."
The location of Sunset Town is very special. His Majesty wants to build a military base here and place interstellar missiles. This location was determined after long negotiations among several parties.
That town mayor couldn't have controlled so many resources without the support of the orcs.
He was far more astute than Bai Xu, yet he was merely a minor town mayor—it was quite strange.
Shen An was quickly fooled by her and told her to stay there while he made the arrangements.
Shi Wei appeared calm on the surface, but was actually extremely anxious. She couldn't predict Yi Lan's crazy plan and only hoped that there was enough time.
The mayor arrived as promised. His name was Aldrich, and he looked very honest. He didn't speak to Shi Wei on his own initiative.
"Tell His Majesty that I am here. Have the army use this as a pretext to besiege the city, capture the Bai siblings and other nobles, and at the same time beware of mercenary attacks," she commanded.
Aldrich had seen her with His Majesty and could completely guess her identity.
The town mayor was silent for a moment, probably not expecting her to be so direct, before finally saying, "Miss Shi, this is too dangerous for you."
Shi Wei chuckled softly: "If you hesitate any longer, His Majesty's guards will come."
This person is no good either; he tacitly allowed the Bai siblings to capture her, so he must have been involved in this plan.
Aldridge sighed, "I didn't want to come; it's too conspicuous at this juncture. But His Highness the Crown Prince insisted it was urgent, so I had no choice but to come—"
"Miss Shi, you are very smart."
Her only goal was to reveal her location. Aldrich, who cooperated with the guards' investigations every day, naturally knew how conspicuous his presence was. He just didn't expect that this Omega knew everything.
"I had no choice but to cooperate with them. My whole family's lives were in their hands, so I had no other option... I will convey your message and hope you can put in a good word for me with His Majesty."
“No problem.” Shi Wei nodded.
Aldrich smiled and said, “I will cooperate with Your Majesty to capture the Tengshe people, but this will offend other orcs. Bai Xu doesn’t like me. If you recommend me as the executive officer, I can help Your Majesty coordinate the relationship between the government and the orcs, and I will never betray Your Majesty.”
He was a native of the Manra Empire, so naturally he wouldn't side with the Chaotic Starfield; he was indeed a good candidate.
Shi smiled and said, "I can't decide this."
Aldridge was very sincere: "I am willing to give you ten percent of my taxes as a way of repaying you."
Hehe—very sincere.
Shi Wei shrugged: "Do you think I'd be short of money?"
That's really underestimating her thighs.
Her birthday gifts are worth billions.
Aldridge was taken aback for a moment before finally saying, "Alright, I apologize for the intrusion."
Shi Wei stared at him and finally said, "I can speak on your behalf, but I can't guarantee success. You must understand that no one can influence His Majesty's will."
“That’s enough! You’re so smart, His Majesty will definitely listen to your advice.” Aldrich rubbed his hands together, looking as if he had already become an executive officer.
“I have three requests,” Shi Wei said.
"First, no matter what happens, do not side with the mercenaries."
Aldrich nodded hurriedly: "I understand, I understand. Even if you don't come to me, I will tell His Majesty about your whereabouts in a few days."
Shi smiled and decided to take it seriously: "Secondly, once you become the executive officer, you cannot side with any of the princes."
Aldridge paused for a moment, then quickly nodded: "Okay."
He's not qualified to fight for the throne, but he can remain neutral.
"Thirdly, if I ever need your help in the future..."
Before she could finish speaking, Aldrich immediately said, "I'll listen to you from now on."
He was a wise man. Shi Wei smiled at him and said, "Go ahead, I'll wait for your news."
This person gave her an idea: although she had no connections or resources, countless people would rush to provide her with resources simply because she was in that position.
Yi Lan taught her a lesson: a defenseless pretty face won't last more than a few episodes.
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Author's note: This trashy author hasn't gone home yet. Today, he said he'd post something from the draft box.
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