After confirming the willingness to negotiate, the next step was to discuss the conditions. Luo Zheng and the others made a rough plan and then woke everyone up to explain the situation. When they heard about peace talks, they were all stunned. A great military superpower wanting to negotiate peace? The first thing that ca to mind was deception tactics aid at stalling for ti, which seed to defy logic.
After so discussion, there was no consensus, but also no objection to the negotiations. Everyone felt there was sothing strange about it. Luo Zheng signaled for quiet and said, "There's no point in discussing further. Whether it is a real negotiation, we'll soon find out."
Everyone was curious and looked to Luo Zheng. Ghost Hand voiced everyone's thoughts, "How do we test it?"
Luo Zheng smiled and said, "It's simple. From the enemy base to here by helicopter would only take a dozen minutes. We'll send out a peace signal right now, give them the coordinates, and demand they co imdiately, without bringing more people. If they don't show up within a dozen minutes, we'll retreat at once; even if they deploy ground forces, they can't do much to us."
"Makes sense. If they co, it ans they have the intention to negotiate; if not, it's fake." Ghost Hand agreed.
Others also found it reasonable and agreed. Seeing the consensus, Luo Zheng glanced at Hook, who nodded to show support for Luo Zheng's decision. With a serious expression, Luo Zheng said, "Then it's decided. Mountain Eagle, take your n and cover the left side; Ghost Hand covers the right side; Snow Leopard covers the front; Scholar, your n cover the rear, all advance three kiloters forward and remain ambushed, keep observing enemy movents, Farr, Suitable, Gardener, take your n to ambush on the high ground on both sides of the canyon, and await orders. Move out."
"Yes." Everyone quickly agreed and swiftly took their n and dispersed.
Soon, only Luo Zheng, Lan Xue, and Hook remained at the canyon cave. Through the earpiece, Luo Zheng continued, "Lan Xing, promptly send a ssage to the other side, tell them to co for negotiations imdiately, or else."
"Understood." Lan Xing quickly agreed.
Whether the negotiations would be successful was uncertain, but they had done what needed to be done. Now, it was ti to wait. The three chatted casually around the campfire about the upcoming negotiations. A few minutes later, Lan Xing's voice ca through the earpiece: "Brother-in-law, a helicopter has taken off from the Sam Country base and is heading toward you."
"Oh? Interesting." Luo Zheng remarked upon hearing this, then looked at Lan Xue and Hook and continued, "He actually ca, which shows there is indeed an intention to negotiate, and more importantly, he isn't afraid to die, coming here himself; clearly, he is soone significant."
"Perhaps he ca sincerely, with confidence in persuading us to accept peace talks, so he isn't afraid. It seems they've decided to make concessions. Besides, killing him won't do any good, just unify the enemy more, making their counterattack even fiercer, not benefitting us." Lan Xue reminded.
"Indeed, killing him would damage our reputation, pointless." Hook said indifferently. "I am more interested in their bottom line. Old friend, you lead the negotiations; I trust you."
"Sure, since it's just an initial contact, no direct response or promises, let's talk first." Luo Zheng agreed nonchalantly.
After chatting for a while, a helicopter roared in during twilight; it was a transport helicopter, without any offensive weapons, which showed the other side's attitude. Luo Zheng led Hook and Lan Xue out of the cave, standing in the open area of the canyon, and fired a shot into the sky.
The gunshot attracted the helicopter's attention, and it quickly adjusted its angle and flew over, significantly slowing its speed, gradually descending, and stopping in the open canyon area, the roaring sound of the rotors also gradually ceased. Shortly, a middle-aged man in a military uniform jumped out of the helicopter.
The visitor was less than sixty, with his military attire sowhat decent. After jumping out, he signaled for his attendants not to follow, adjusted his military hat and uniform, and walked alone toward Luo Zheng with firm and strong steps, without a trace of panic, his eyes curiously examining with so scrutiny.
Seeing the other side ca alone with a good negotiating attitude, Luo Zheng said, "Let's go, sit by the campfire and wait." Saying this, he led the way to the campfire in the cave, sat down on a stone, flipping a roasted rabbit with Lan Xue and Hook each taking a seat on either side, waiting patiently.
Soon, the negotiating representative walked up, curiously glanced at the three, but didn't mind when he saw they had no intention of standing to greet him, looked around, and said wistfully, "It's a nice place, with beautiful mountains and waters, enjoying genuine wild flavors. Would you mind sharing a little with this old man?" he said, not waiting for Luo Zheng and the others to agree, sat himself onto a stone next to the campfire, smiling as he observed the three.
"Guests are welco." Luo Zheng said indifferently, observing the other side, seeing that he hadn't brought any weapons, though listening devices and pinhole caras were certainly there, Luo Zheng carelessly overlooked searching him, considering it petty, tore off a leg to offer and said, "Try it; these delicacies are rare in the civilized world outside."
"Indeed, let introduce myself; I am Punard, ranked Major General, but I prefer everyone calling Old Soldier. Eating barbecue in the night, discussing life, what a pleasant thing, such charming moonlight, such enchanting forests, hoping my arrival could bring peace and result in a 'charming' outco. Honestly, I am quite reluctant to ruin this beautiful atmosphere. What do you think?"
"Depends on what your bottom line is." Luo Zheng replied indifferently.
"I ca with peace intentions; continuing to fight ans little to Sam Country; we have vast military power and are poised for war, capable of ending this quickly, but we wish to avoid more deaths due to war; isn't peacefully resolving better?" Punard said, his deanor calm, like a neighbor uncle chatting, hiding his true feelings.
Luo Zheng knew people who didn't show anger or joy were harder to deal with, so he replied unemotionally, "Your words could be seen as threats, but threats have proven ineffective against us. Sam Country's military strength is beyond question, no need to doubt it, but ending this war quickly might not be easy; decades ago, your war with Yue Country, how long did it last? This is a primitive forest, more dangerous than Yue Country's jungles. Unless you mobilize your entire nation, overcoming this war won't succeed, instead dragging your country into a quagmire of war, not benefiting you, wouldn't you agree?"
"Interesting, you are competent, even sharper than my intelligence, I must say you make a formidable opponent, if possible, I would much rather be friends, what do you say?" Punard said aningfully.
"Friendship is mutual, what do you say?" Luo Zheng responded knowingly.
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