Xu Yi looked at the representative of the Kingdom of Ruhr who was in charge of this negotiation, Count Didamans, the director of the Kingdom of Ruhr's Foreign Affairs Department. His gaze was filled with undisguised scrutiny.
This time, the Kandla Empire's proposal for peace talks was both within and outside of his expectations.
As the war continued, the Kandla Empire suffered crushing defeat after crushing defeat. From these crushing defeats, they realized that the powerful army they were so proud of and the magi they relied on the most were meaningless. As such, they were bound to realize that it would be very difficult for them to win this war.
Since this was the case, in order to ensure the integrity of the Kandla Empire's territory and prevent further losses, initiating peace talks was a necessary measure for the Kandla Empire. This was because if the peace talks were successful, it would at least buy a lot of time for the Kandla Empire.
What Xu Yi didn't expect was that the Kandla Empire would actually recognize the fact that they couldn't compete with the New Flyer on the battlefield so early. As such, they proposed peace talks much earlier than Xu Yi expected.
This was enough to prove that the Kandla Empire wasn't just a bunch of people who lived in tradition and still had the mentality of 'I'm number one in the world'. There were many people who could clearly see the situation clearly.
This was why Xu Yi personally represented the New Flyer in this negotiation.
If the Kandla Empire could truly see the situation clearly and come up with a plan that satisfied Xu Yi, then he wouldn't mind negotiating for peace.
In the end, the Kandla Empire was one of the two great empires on this continent. With the strength of the New Flyer, even if they cooperated with the other empires, it was basically impossible for them to swallow the entire Kandla Empire.
Xu Yi also didn't wish to see the Kandla Empire being riddled with holes and in a complete mess through war.
In the history of Earth, there had actually been a similar situation.
The ancient Mongol army had the ability to be completely invincible on the battlefield. This allowed them to ride on warhorses and sweep across the Eurasian continent, establishing an incomparably huge empire that covered almost the entire Eurasian continent.
However, such an empire was only nominally occupied. In reality, the Mongol Empire's control over its own territory was extremely weak. It didn't last long before it was completely divided and gradually died out.
New Flyer now relied on countless military magic machines that were countless times more advanced and had invincible fighting strength on the battlefield.
If Xu Yi was willing, he could actually let the New Flyer's cooperation with the other empires and invincible in the Sines.
However, this was meaningless.
Xu Yi's dream was to create a complete magic machine industry system on the Sines Continent. Then he would use this system to greatly increase the productivity and production level of the continent, improving the civilization of the continent and improving the lives of everyone.
War was only a means, not an end.
The reason why there was a war with the traditional powers represented by the two empires was because the two empires wanted to snatch the leadership of the magic industry from New Flyer and the huge benefits it contained.
Xu Yi didn't care about these benefits, but Xu Yi wouldn't allow the leadership to fall into the hands of others.
Apart from himself, Xu Yi didn't believe that there was another person on the continent who had the same knowledge and experience in building a magic industry.
"If this peace talk is successful, we will certainly compensate your country. I believe that you will be satisfied."
At this time, Marquis Descartes had finished the preliminary negotiations with Count Didamans and turned to look at Xu Yi.
"Chairman Xu, what is the opinion of New Flyer?"
Xu Yi smiled, "The peace talk was initiated by the Kandla Empire, so of course you should be the one to propose the conditions first."
"Chairman Xu is right." Marquis Descartes nodded and raised his hand to make a gesture.
Two people walked out from the diplomatic group of the Kandla Empire behind him and came in front of Xu Yi and Count Didamans. They took out two documents and handed them to each of them.
"This is the preliminary peace talk agreement drafted by the Empire's Council of Elders. Please take a look."
Xu Yi and Count Didamans looked at each other and reached out to take the document. They opened it and read it carefully, then frowned slightly.
In this peace talk agreement, the Kandla Empire proposed that after the two sides agreed to a truce, the Kingdom of Ruhr and New Flyer would withdraw from the Kandla Empire's territory, and the Kandla Empire would not pursue the losses they caused to the Kandla Empire in this war.
This was normal, after all, this was the basis of the truce between the two sides.
However, in this agreement, the Kandla Empire's words still had a hint of arrogance, which made people uncomfortable.
Of course, the tone and words were not important. What was important was the conditions.
And in the terms of the truce proposed by the Kandla Empire, the Kandla Empire stated that after the truce, the Kandla Empire would be fully open to the Kingdom of Ruhr and New Flyer, and would provide a series of preferential policies.
The opening to the Kingdom of Ruhr was mainly to remove the long-standing hostile policy between the two sides on the border, allowing the Kingdom of Ruhr's civilians and merchants to freely enter the Kandla Empire. At the same time, they would be given special treatment that was second only to the Kandla Empire's civilians.
At the same time, the Kandla Empire would also withdraw the troops that were originally hoarded on the border between the two sides. They would also select ten cities on the border as cities for in-depth cooperation between the two sides. The Kingdom of Ruhr's citizens would not have to pay taxes when entering these ten cities.
In short, this series of conditions revolved around the preferential policies that the Kandla Empire would give to the Kingdom of Ruhr. Although it seemed good, there was not much to it. The Kandla Empire would not invest too little manpower and resources in this.
In fact ….. these conditions even had a hint of charity.
In comparison, the conditions that the Kandla Empire gave to the New Flyer were much better.
The Kandla Empire promised that after the truce between the two sides, the Kandla Empire would give the New Flyer the same treatment as the Kandla Empire's internal Chamber of Commerce.
In other words, any products of the New Flyer that entered the Kandla Empire would not have to pay taxes. They would only have to pay the same tax as the Kandla Empire's Chamber of Commerce.
At the same time, the New Flyer would be protected by the Kandla Empire's laws. If there were any disputes or accidents, the Kandla Empire would provide all kinds of support to the New Flyer.
In addition, the Kandla Empire also promised to further cooperate with the New Flyer, guaranteeing that any cooperation with the New Flyer would receive the highest priority from the Kandla Empire and enjoy all kinds of benefits and privileges.
At first glance, these conditions were very tempting. This was because for a Chamber of Commerce like the New Flyer, it could be said to be extremely convenient.
Just the removal of taxes would allow the New Flyer's imports from the Kandla Empire to increase by leaps and bounds, resulting in even more shocking profits.
If any other normal Chamber of Commerce received these conditions, they would undoubtedly be deeply grateful and honoured to the Kandla Empire.
However, when Xu Yi saw these conditions, he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
"Descartes Marquis, are these all the conditions that the Kandla Empire has proposed?" Xu Yi raised the peace agreement in his hand and asked Descartes Marquis.
Descartes Marquis smiled and replied, "This is only a preliminary agreement.
If Chairman Xu is dissatisfied in any way, we can discuss further. "
"I'm not dissatisfied in any way."
Xu Yi shook his head and lightly tossed the peace agreement in his hand. The agreement flew back as if it had grown wings and landed on the table in front of Descartes Marquis with a thump.
Xu Yi then raised his voice slightly and continued with a serious expression, "I'm not satisfied with this entire agreement!
Descartes Marquis, if the Kandla Empire wishes to negotiate with such an attitude, then please go back. We'll meet on the battlefield. "
Descartes Marquis glanced at the agreement on the table. There was no trace of panic on his face. After a moment of silence, he continued with a smile, "Chairman Xu, peace talks are meant to be discussed slowly.
If you're not satisfied with the conditions, we can make new ones.
Or you can just state the conditions that New Flyer wants, and we'll adjust according to the situation. What do you think? "
Xu Yi glanced at him, then stood up and left the meeting room.
The other members of New Flyer present didn't hesitate in the slightest and followed Xu Yi out.
Descartes Marquis and all the members of the Kandla Empire's diplomatic corps were immediately stunned.
They never would've thought that Xu Yi would have such a bad temper and leave on the spot.
This was completely different from the various negotiations they had in mind.
If you're not satisfied with the conditions, then Descartes Marquis had already said that they could negotiate slowly. But you didn't say anything and just left. What's going on?
Descartes Marquis was stunned for a while, then he turned to Count Didamans and asked, "Sir Count, isn't Chairman Xu … a bit unreasonable?
Since you've already agreed to negotiate with us, isn't it a bit too much to put on such an attitude? "
Count Didamans, on the other hand, had a relaxed smile on his face. He glanced at Marquis Descartes and slowly took a sip of his wine. Then he slowly said, "Marquis Descartes, do you still not understand?
This is the peace talk that your Kandla Empire proposed.
But you put forward such conditions that are like trying to coax a child. Don't you think it's ridiculous?
You said that Chairman Xu's attitude wasn't good, then I'd like to ask you, is your attitude good enough? "
Descartes Marquis' face darkened, "I've already said that if you're not satisfied with the conditions, we can negotiate in detail.
The so-called negotiation is to find a result that everyone is satisfied with, isn't it? "
Count Didamans chuckled and shook his head. He put the teacup in his hand on the table, got up, and slowly walked out of the room.
The other members of the Kingdom of Ruhr in the room also left.
In the blink of an eye, only the members of the Kandla Empire's diplomatic corps were left in the large meeting room. Even the servants who were in charge of serving tea and water had left.
Descartes Marquis and the other members of the diplomatic corps looked at each other, speechless for a while.