Chapter 340: Chapter 301 Still Talking Business_1
Watching this scene, Old Mumu’s eyelids couldn’t help but twitch.
This human named Yan Xing is indeed no simple man. I wonder what purpose he has for personally coming to Frostleaf City.
The air was still filled with an aroma that greatly aroused one’s appetite.
Fortunately, that pot of delicious food had already been taken away, and my subordinates had gradually returned to normal.
The grim, murderous aura rose again.
However, the drool dripping from their fangs made the scene somewhat comical.
"Please, have a seat." Old Mumu invited Yan Xing to sit, then asked, "Lord Yan Xing, I am very pleased to welcome you to my Frostleaf City. I am also willing to establish friendly diplomatic relations with Thunderous Swamp. But I have one condition... Hand over all the Elves who have entered Thunderous Swamp to me. Alive is fine; dead is also fine."
Old Mumu glanced at Arlanda, who was beside Yan Xing, and added, "This Elf, you can keep."
Yan Xing smiled and countered, "Marshal... if I were to give you all these fifty thousand Elves alive, how many of them would survive after one winter? Fifty thousand elite Elven warriors dead in Frostleaf City, plus the Elven civilians of this city... Do the Barbaric Orcs really wish to become mortal enemies with the Snow Elves? Do you have the strength to wage war against both humans and Elves simultaneously?"
Old Mumu’s expression changed.
At this point, a Big-eared Monster stood up and said to Yan Xing, "Whether the Elves are dead or alive, that’s our business. If you shelter the enemies of our Orcs, then you are our enemy. As our enemy, there is only one outcome."
Yan Xing asked, "Who are you? I didn’t notice you just now."
The Big-eared Monster knew he was being ridiculed and said angrily, "I am Chief Little Lillia, and I still remember Gustav’s death!"
"As your enemy, there is only one outcome?" Yan Xing chuckled. "That’s not something you would want Marquis Anderson to hear. And don’t casually regard the Elves as enemies of the Orcs. It’s inevitable for two different races to have some friction. If you really push the Elves to the opposing side of the Orcs, that would be truly foolish. With the Elven army in Thunderous Swamp, you have leeway to ease tensions with Snowland. How Frostleaf City is fought over and to whom it belongs is a local war. The initiative for handling relations with Snowland is in your hands. If I give these fifty thousand Elves to you, you won’t be able to support them. You’ll be forced to make a choice: either kill them or set them free. Killing or releasing them, I fear, aligns with neither of your current interests. As for Gustav? Chief Little Lillia, if you were to invade my domain, you would meet the same fate."
Chief Little Lillia, incensed by Yan Xing, jumped onto the table and drew the scimitar from his waist.
Li Zhua immediately stepped in front of Yan Xing, a flail gripped in his hands.
At this, Old Mumu shouted, "Enough! Chief Little Lillia, step down! Do not bring up Gustav ever again. Lord Yan Xing, let the Elves remain in your Thunderous Swamp. You’re right. It’s better to keep the war with Snowland contained within the Wildwind Highlands. But I do not wish for Thunderous Swamp to become involved in our dispute with the Elves."
Yan Xing replied, "Thunderous Swamp will absolutely not get directly involved in your war. We love peace and prefer only to make friends and conduct business."
"I also like making friends," Old Mumu said. "But establishing diplomatic relations with the Eternal Domain is not something I can decide on my own. Moreover, we do not trust you at present. To gain our trust, you’ll need some patience and sincerity."
Yan Xing knew what Old Mumu meant by "sincerity."
But I can’t be the one to bring it up.
Being too proactive wouldn’t be good for negotiating the price.
Yan Xing laughed heartily. "Of course, our Eternal Domain is sincere! I am willing to fund the construction of roads from Thunderous Swamp to Frostleaf City and Highland City, and I’ll also give you ten thousand catties of grain. If you feel that the Elves in Frostleaf City are a burden, you can sell them to me. The price will definitely be fair."
Building roads would facilitate the flow of materials, which was good for the Orcs. Receiving free grain was definitely a good thing. Selling off the Elves in the city could both generate profit and resolve a potential threat—also a good thing.
But these were not what Old Mumu wanted.
Old Mumu asked Yan Xing, "I hear you have an excellent relationship with Count Theodore of Nuta City, wield considerable influence there, and are on good terms with many merchants?"
Yan Xing replied, "But of course. Count Theodore owes me a great deal of money—a very great deal. The merchants in Nuta City have extremely close ties with me; getting anything is just a matter of a word. Whatever Marshal Mumu wants, just say the word. I have plenty of ways to transport goods from Nuta City to Frostleaf City."
Yan Xing’s hint was very clear.
Upon hearing that Yan Xing had ways to smuggle goods from Nuta City to Frostleaf City, Old Mumu immediately dismissed all nonessential Orcs from the hall.
Then, he asked Yan Xing in a low voice, "I want you to help me purchase a batch of winter supplies in Nuta City. If you can do that, the Eternal Domain will be our Barbaric Orcs’ most honored friend."
"Winter supplies?" Yan Xing adopted a troubled expression. "This year’s winter has come early, and heavy snow has made transportation difficult. Winter supplies are in very tight demand."
Old Mumu could read between Yan Xing’s lines.
Available, but expensive.
But could it be more expensive than the lives of Orc warriors?
More expensive than Frostleaf City?
Thunderous Swamp has underfloor heating. Although it’s a bit damp, the majority of Elves there could survive until spring.
By then, these Elves will definitely counterattack Frostleaf City.
And Marquis Anderson will certainly take the opportunity to constrict the Orcs’ operational space in the Wildwind Highlands.
One can imagine that spring will bring another fierce battle.
Moreover, the Orcs will be facing two enemies: humans and Elves.
If we hesitate to spend money and let a large number of Orc warriors freeze to death or suffer frostbite, forget defending Frostleaf City. Whether we can even hold Highland City will be uncertain.
Realizing Yan Xing could secure winter supplies, Old Mumu immediately said, "Lord Yan Xing, I know that in this weather, everyone in the Wildwind Highlands wants to get their hands on winter supplies... We won’t let you take this risk for nothing. If you can procure them for us, price is no object. The Orcs will also regard you as our best friend in the Wildwind Highlands. If you need our help in the future, we will do our utmost to assist you."
Since the Orcs are sticking their necks out for the chopping...
Yan Xing decided not to be polite.
"Actually, I can get a batch of cotton clothes and quilts. My soldiers use these in the field, and as it happens, we have some in the caravan." Yan Xing then said to Li Zhua, "Go, bring a few sets of our spare cotton clothes and quilts."
Li Zhua acknowledged and walked out.
For Old Mumu, a solution for the winter supplies was finally in sight. Although I don’t know how much Yan Xing can smuggle for me, a little is better than nothing.
"HAHAHA..." The old marshal, Mumu, who had been worried for days, was suddenly in high spirits, greatly anticipating the clothing and bedding Yan Xing was about to show.