The art of negotiation lies in controlling the aura and the power dynamics. Luo Zheng was no stranger to negotiations and knew what to do. After so probing, he found his opponent, who called himself Punard, was not simple either. He was a person who could remain calm under pressure, and Luo Zheng couldn't help but concentrate fully. He spoke slowly yet deliberately, "You have so guts coming here alone. It seems you know us well and are confident we won't take you hostage."
"It's not about guts; I co with the intention of peace. I believe you also desire peace. Since we have mutual goals, why not sit down and discuss matters properly? As long as both parties are willing to negotiate, we can always find a balance, right? I forgot to introduce myself; my father once visited your country during the great anti-Fascism war to assist in fighting against the Fascists. He was a pilot." Punard said with an enthusiastic smile.
"Oh, really?" Luo Zheng smiled calmly, a hint of suspicion flickering across his eyes.
Soon, Lan Xing's reminder sounded in Luo Zheng's earpiece: "I've checked, it's true. He was with the Flying Tiger Team, an international friend of ours."
"What, don't believe ?" Punard smiled.
Having confird Punard's identity through Lan Xing, Luo Zheng smiled and said, "I deeply admire and am grateful for your father's contributions, but that only represents your father, and it has nothing to do with this matter. If you're trying to use this to forge a personal connection between us, it's aningless. Let's keep things separate. Let's talk about business. What are your intentions?"
"Can you represent the Hook Tribe?" Punard asked provocatively, glancing at Hook, with a tone mixed with probing, but more seeking to sow discord.
Hook was no longer the naive native; after experiencing so much, he had matured. He knew who was truly good to him, who wanted to use him, and how to act to gain more benefits. Hearing Punard's instigative words, Hook smiled lightly and said, "He is my brother; his matters are mine, his decisions are mine. Do you think he can represent the Hook Tribe?"
"Brother, what a beautiful term." Punard did not expect Hook to trust Luo Zheng so much. He quickly changed strategy, praising warmly, "May your friendship be as evergreen as this vast forest. Given this, let's get down to business. What are your demands?"
Hook said nothing, glanced at Luo Zheng, and continued to play with the barbecue over the bonfire. He cut off a piece with a knife and handed it to Luo Zheng, indicating his stance to Punard. Luo Zheng waved it away and looked at Punard without expression, saying, "You're a clever person, so speak cleverly. Don't try to probe or provoke; that will only end negotiations early or cause resentnt. If you want to talk, lay your cards on the table. If it's suitable, we can continue; if not, we'll just fight. Don't try to hold back. Since you ca, you should know my temper—no bargaining, no negotiating."
"I've co to understand your style—saying one thing and sticking to it. The facts have proven this many tis. Your credibility and reputation are trustworthy, and your attitude and determination can be maddening, but I like it. A soldier should have the style of a soldier, straightforward." Punard said with a smile.
Luo Zheng silently watched the other party without speaking. Punard took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Our conditions consist of three points. First, for external propaganda, our country supports the Hook Tribe to establish a nation, with the tribe's chieftaincy electing Hook as the Grand Chieftain; Second, our forces will withdraw to the base; Third...?" At this point, Punard hesitated.
"What?" Luo Zheng casually asked, digesting Punard's conditions quickly in his mind. The first point was understandable; Sam Country needed a reason for external diplomacy. As long as it is stated externally that Sam Country assisted in establishing the tribal chieftaincy under their support, it suffices to prove Sam Country won this war and secured a political footing. As for not withdrawing troops, there were two considerations: continuing to pose a threat to the Hook Tribe and needing a military force in the area to balance and maintain Sam Country's interests.
"What is the third point?" Hook asked unperturbedly, weighing the pros and cons.
Punard hesitated sowhat, but Luo Zheng guessed what it was and said derisively, "Is it about tantalum?"
"You already know?" Punard's expression changed slightly, unable to maintain a calm deanor anymore, looking at Luo Zheng with suspicion. Seeing Luo Zheng sneer disdainfully, Punard could see through the reasoning, and his face changed again, while Hook next to him asked in surprise, "What tantalum?"
"A rare tal located near your tribe's valley—a tal ore that can be refined into tantalum. This tal is an indispensable strategic material for the developnt of the electronics industry and aerospace technology, with broad applications, especially in military equipnt. My people accidentally discovered it, but it wasn't confird, so I hadn't had ti to tell you." Luo Zheng explained seriously.
"So that's how it is? I never expected us to be sitting on a rare tal mine without knowing it." Hook said self-deprecatingly, his expression suddenly turning cold as he glared at Punard and asked coldly, "So, your real purpose in besieging us was to take over this tal mine? For a tal mine, you disregarded any loss of life, truly predatory by nature, insatiably greedy."
Luo Zheng saw Hook getting more agitated, placed a large hand on his shoulder, sighed, and comforted him, "Without interests, how could a war be waged? This should've been anticipated by us long ago. Sam Country never engages in loss-making deals. Tantalum is a rare resource; for it, certain politicians and interest groups would spare no expense. It's the others who die, but it's you who suffer."
"Bastards, those brutes! Then what's there to negotiate? Ignorance was one thing, but now that I know, even at the cost of my family's demise, I won't give it to you. If that's your third point, there's no need to continue." Hook said coldly, looking at Punard with eyes flashing with murderous intent.
"Certain politicians started this war for profit, but the war has happened and cannot be changed. The priority now is how to end this war. If it cannot be resolved peacefully, it's a regret for both you and . Continuing to fight is to no one's advantage. Wouldn't you agree?" Punard spoke, his gaze turning to Luo Zheng.
"I warned you not to try threatening us. Uttering such words has no effect on us. Continue fighting, and you'll get nowhere either. Ten years? Twenty years? Thirty years? Can you afford that battle? I don't mind continuing the fight. Only war showcases a soldier's value; don't you think so?" Luo Zheng countered coldly, carrying an icy murderous intent.
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