Qin Che and the shrew tensed up instantly and turned their heads to look in the direction of the sound.
In the shadows beneath the beams and pillars, a figure slowly emerged, opening a pair of azure eyes in the darkness, and gradually stepped out of the shadows.
"Who are you!" the gerbil shouted angrily.
However, the next second, his body was covered by shadow claws, which bound him in an instant.
The gerbil made two "ooh ooh" sounds, its mouth being covered.
His face was filled with panic. He struggled twice but couldn't break free, so he could only look at Qin Che.
Qin Che's calm gaze also began to glow with a blue light—
This is a symbol of those who possess psychic powers.
“Your Excellency, I am Zhu Shaoheng, and I am Li Shuai’s subordinate. He sent me here mainly to make a deal with you.”
Are they Li Jiuyuan's men?
Qin Che raised an eyebrow slightly, understanding what Li Jiuyuan wanted to do.
It seems he's not stupid; he knows he's just a 'tool,' so he specifically sent someone to negotiate.
You are the one who takes the initiative.
Qin Che waved his hand, "Let him go first."
Zhu Shaoheng smiled slightly, "Is it any of our business for others to overhear?"
Since Gerald is a member of the Conservative Party, Zhu Shaoheng prefers to negotiate with Qin Che alone.
Qin Che smiled and said, "Gerberus, you go out first and let me talk to him."
The gerbil's terrified gaze calmed down a bit, and then it nodded twice with a "hmm" sound. The next second, the Shadow Claws on its body slowly retracted back to the ground and disappeared without a trace.
The gerbil pinched its neck; it was both painful and numb.
Based on the force he just experienced, he was certain that the young man opposite him could kill him effortlessly.
"Well... I'll head out now."
After the gerbil left dejectedly.
Qin Che invited Zhu Shaoheng to sit across the table and said, "Li Shuai, is there anything you want to talk to me about?"
"Haven't you asked me yet?"
"Qin Che".
"So it's Mr. Qin." Zhu Shaoheng was very polite, bowing slightly to show his attitude without revealing any hostility.
Qin Che crossed his legs and asked him, "Since Commander Li personally led his troops to Black Street, it is an honor for my humble abode. I roughly understand your intentions, but let's state our conditions first."
Zhu Shaoheng spoke calmly and said with a smile, "After this battle, Commander Li will be leaving the army. He only hopes that you will be lenient with him this time."
Qin Che scoffed, "Don't you know how many people Da Bing has killed in the underworld? How can you expect me to show leniency?"
Zhu Shaoheng pondered for a moment, then said calmly, "In war, people always die. Surely you wouldn't be so concerned about some supplies?"
"I'm only interested in the conditions you can offer. Tell me."
Zhu Shaoheng stared at Qin Che, and after a while, he confirmed Qin Che's identity in his heart.
He was undoubtedly a powerful superhuman.
Psionic beings can sense each other, and the more powerful the higher-level life form they are facing, the more sensitive their fellow beings become to their presence.
It's not hard to imagine that this superhuman could sweep through the Third and Fourth Divisions' armies in the Black Street, leaving no one alive except for Lu Bin and the two commanders-in-chief.
Very impressive.
"This battle is just a formality. After it's over, we will give you a portion of the profits from the trade brigade under Li Shuai's name, which will continue to be distributed to you for a year. We will also give you an elite force of 50 men, and you will have full command of them."
Qin Che's heart tightened.
Li Jiuyuan really knows how to spend a lot of money.
Sending troops was out of the question because they were afraid he couldn't afford to support them, so they even handed over the profits from their own brigade.
He thought for a moment, then tapped his finger on the table. "What kind of elite?"
“A small detachment of the First Division, armed with standard rifles and well-trained. As for ammunition and salary… Li Shuai will take care of it for you. Of course, for a year. During this year, you don’t need to worry about anything else.”
Seeing that Qin Che remained silent, Zhu Shaoheng smiled and said, "Your Excellency need not worry that this force is our spy and will do anything to you. They are not even Li Shuai's personal guards, but were recruited from various places and are outsiders belonging to Sand Castle. Here, money and strength alone are not enough. You need troops, you need weapons, and you need a voice. This is the sincerity we can offer."
Qin Che understood.
What Li Jiuyuan gifted was a mercenary-like force.
Although there were only 50 people,
But if, as Zhu Shaoheng said, they are all armed with standard weapons, then they are indeed a force not to be underestimated.
For a mercenary force, 50 people is actually quite a lot.
Because standard-issue weapons and workshop weapons are completely different concepts.
Qin Che understood this as well.
Not only will their combat effectiveness be greatly improved, but their military skills will also be significantly enhanced.
If they only care about salary, then they are mercenaries. Although they still cannot be trusted, they are still a valuable asset.
If we nurture them properly, they might be able to be of use to us.
Because he doesn't lack money.
But since Li Jiuyuan has even given him the brigade's profits, which is equivalent to helping him raise troops, Qin Che will not lose money even if it's only for one year.
He thought for a moment, then made a decisive decision: "I can agree to this condition, but I also have a few conditions..."
Zhu Shaoheng frowned immediately.
Is that not enough?
"You'd better not ask for too much." His tone turned cold.
Qin Che smiled and said, "Let me finish speaking first, then you can express your opinion."
Zhu Shaoheng gestured with his hand, inviting him to speak: "Please go ahead."
"When the deal is finalized, I will make the first round of investment in Li Shuai. I will participate in a portion of his brigade and form an alliance with you. Of course, I will form the alliance as a first-class citizen of Sandcastle... This condition is not an exorbitant demand, is it?"
Zhu Shaoheng was stunned.
Li Jiuyuan also has his own business.
Forming a merchant caravan in the desert and trading with surrounding forces and organizations, with the background of a high-ranking military official in the Sand Fortress, is like having a get-out-of-jail-free card in the vicinity. Foreign cities will generally give them face, after all, there is profit to be made.
If an investment could be injected, the long-standing problem of expanding Li Jiuyuan's business would be easily solved.
At the same time, Qin Che also used this money to essentially tie his interests to Li Jiuyuan's.
Qin Che understood that a mere verbal alliance was far from sufficient.
He not only wanted to form a group of interests with Li Jiuyuan, but also offered him a sum of money to help Li Jiuyuan expand his business. This was a benefit offered to him, and Li Jiuyuan would consider it.
However, the main reason is still that Qin Che does not trust Zheng Shishu.
They were even less willing to engage in unequal negotiations with him, thus ensuring that Zheng Shishu would always maintain the upper hand.
To negotiate with a tiger for its skin is a grave taboo.
You'll only talk if I kill someone?
An arrogant and disdainful attitude immediately comes through.
Don't take yourself too seriously.
Little did they know that in the face of extraordinary individuals, even the most powerful high-ranking officials were nothing more than ants and mortals.
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