The moment of confusion passed as 'Last Breath' spoke in a strong tone as if trying not to lose the upper hand in the negotiations.
"We made every concession possible and brought in all the savage tribesmen from the entire tribe."
I asked, without taking my eyes off him in suspicion.
"Is it true that you brought all the savage tribesmen?"
For a moment, the eyes of 'Last Breath' wavered.
"As far as I know, there are no savage tribesmen in our tribe."
"We'll find out later when we investigate separately. If we hear that our people have been taken away as slaves, we can lead our warriors and attack right away."
At my words that were almost like threats, his eyes twitched as if he was displeased with his 'last breath', but he remained silent as if he had no intention of confronting our 'sun in the sky'.
'also!'
The deliberate display of the buffalo cavalry and training camp had a real effect. As planned, the negotiation atmosphere was going in the direction I wanted from the beginning.
"By the way, the value of the prisoners we have. Also, please take into consideration the fact that we have not been charged with the crime of enslaving our people."
"...."
As if in deep thought, 'Last Breath' remained silent for a while. Time was on my side anyway. I leisurely waited for 'Last Breath' to answer.
At that moment, 'Last Breath' slowly opened its mouth.
"Very well. I believe His Majesty the Emperor has already thought of something. I would like to hear what price we should pay to take our people."
"Yeah."
Finally, I got the answer I wanted. I looked at the senior aide next to me as if I had been waiting.
"A brilliant sunset!"
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
"Tell the Cherokee people what our demands are."
"All right."
'Splendid Sunset', who was holding the documents, stepped forward. Considering the Cherokee people who did not know Korean, 'Splendid Sunset' read the demands in a calm voice with an interpreter.
The Cherokee tribe didn't really need anything. So most of the demands were related to food, like corn and soybeans. Of course, including the savage tribesmen who were slaves.
After a while, as the words of 'Splendid Sunset' ended, the expressions of 'Last Breath' and the Cherokee elders darkened rapidly.
"First of all, I don't think this is something I can decide on my own. I would like to have some time to discuss it with the elders."
"Yes, but I hope you understand that I cannot give you much time because I have so much work to do."
Did they think that I was ignoring them by pretending to be busy? The expression on 'Last Breath' was distorted as if in displeasure.
"Ah, okay. Okay."
I stood up and said to 'Splendid Sunset'.
"Let's step aside for a moment so the Cherokee people can talk comfortably."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
We left the reception room with the 'splendid sunset', the 'vast land', and the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
* * *
I waited in the room next to the reception area for about thirty minutes. Word spread that 'Last Breath' and the Cherokee people were looking for me.
I got up from my seat and headed to the reception room with light steps.
"… I guess they'll try to cut it."
Our demands were excessive. However, they simply overcharged the price to maximize profits. I wondered to what extent the Cherokee tribe would accept our demands.
After a while, negotiations began again with the Cherokee people across the table. As expected, 'Last Breath' wanted to adjust our demands.
"Five years seems too much. I would like you to shorten it to three years."
Our requirements were simple. The Cherokee tribe was required to give us 20 percent of their crops for five years.
'Three years…'
Honestly, this is a really good suggestion. Grain production was 10%, and I was thinking of a maximum two-year deadline, so I made a deliberately uncomfortable expression as if I was displeased with the proposal.
"Let's do it for four years."
'Last Breath' blushed as if he was taken aback by my suggestion.
"You are asking too much. We have made the greatest possible concessions for the sake of our future friendly relations with the 'Sun of the Sky.'"
Just now, he said that he had made the greatest possible concessions.NAnd even in that brief moment, I was troubled.
'Should I try again?'
It was quite possible. The Cherokee Nation must have seen and felt the power of our 'Sun in the Sky' as they traveled from village to village by now.
That is why the Cherokee people will try not to dare to make the 'sun in the sky' hostile. Perhaps if I were to lead a band of warriors into battle, we could subdue the Cherokee tribe in as little as a month.
And I heard that the Cherokee tribe produces quite a lot of corn and grain as well as grain crops with slaves. I took a bold gamble.
"Let's do it for four years. Otherwise, we'll just pretend there was no negotiation."
'Last Breath' was said with a gasp and a gasp.
"Not three years, but four years? Is that even possible?
As soon as he finished speaking, he jumped up from his seat.
"What a glorious sunset! Please send these people off for me."
"Understood, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
Even without saying a word, 'Splendid Sunset' acted as if it had been scripted. And the moment I was about to leave the guest room under the guidance of 'Brilliant Sunset', I heard the urgent voice of 'Last Breath'.
"Okay. Let's do four years."
I turned around, cheering inwardly.
"Since we have made as many concessions as possible, it would be great if you had accepted my proposal earlier, so that neither of us would have to blush."
As I sat down again, 'Last Breath' smiled reluctantly.
"That's true. Hahaha! By the way, before we sign the agreement, I want to make sure our people are doing well."
Unlike the first time, 'Last Breath' was coming out in a low-key manner.
"Of course it should be like that."
I turned my head and winked at the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'Wide Earth'. After a while, the negotiations progressed rapidly as we confirmed the safety of the Cherokee prisoners we were carrying.
After exchanging treaties with the Cherokee tribe and leather-paper treaties, I had a brief conversation with 'Last Breath'.
"I'm glad that the negotiations have concluded well."
"Haha! I am satisfied just by resolving the misunderstanding between the 'Sun of the Sky' and our tribe."
Although the atmosphere is friendly on the outside, the inside of 'Last Breath' may not be so comfortable.
"It seems too late to leave right away. How about staying for another day?"
"If you would do that, we would be grateful."
I asked 'Splendid Sunset' to show me the Cherokee tribe's accommodations and then turned around. At that moment, 'Last Breath', who had been moving her lips as if she had something to say, suddenly grabbed me.
"Your Majesty the Emperor! I have a favor to ask."
I didn't look back as if I had been waiting for those words, and a faint smile appeared on my lips.
'You've been caught.'
I turned around and asked him.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
"That, that is what I would like to do regular business with 'The Sun in the Sky'."
Like all tribes that have seen the goods of the 'Sun in the Sky', the Cherokee wanted to trade with us.
"Why are you saying such a difficult thing? I understand. First of all, I think it's a bit late to talk about that with me. Instead, let's first discuss it with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, and then we can talk about it separately tomorrow."
"Oh? Okay, I understand."
The negotiations just before seemed to have been forgotten, and the faces of the Cherokee people and the Last Breath brightened.
I spoke to the Great Earth in front of the Cherokee people.
"Mr. Foreign Affairs Minister! Please take good care of these people."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor!"
The 'vast earth', which had been secretly exchanging glances with me, answered powerfully.
* * *
Government office.N As soon as the negotiations with the Cherokee tribe were concluded successfully, I went straight to my office and received the report that had been pending from 'Splendid Sunset'.
"The Abnaki Federation has contacted us to discuss trade."
"That went well."
"Yes. But, they are still on high alert."
"Of course. Tell the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Tell them to be more careful when sending the goods so that the Abnaki Federation does not become suspicious."
"Yes. I have already warned the soldiers belonging to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy and the Information and Inspection Department that are part of the upper party."
Even without me giving any specific instructions, 'Splendid Sunset' was doing well on its own.
"Are you ready for the delegate meeting?"
"The fall regular meeting is well underway and without any problems. As a side note, young warriors from the Mohegan and Erie tribes will be entering the training camp for this regular meeting."
I nodded and asked again.
"How are the warriors being deployed?"
"First, I deployed 500 warriors to the territory of the Irie tribe. There was a loss of power after all. Also, although a peace treaty was signed, I thought that the Iroquois Confederacy might provoke us, so I deployed 500 warriors to the territory of the Irie tribe first. The Mohegan tribe does not pose any major threat in the vicinity, and the Pequot and Curie Phi tribes should be able to provide support at any time, so I deployed 100 warriors for now."
There was no specific instruction for this part.
"What about the Iroquois Confederacy?"
"So far, there hasn't been any major problems. However, the position of the Mohawk chief Rising Flame, who led the war against the Irie tribe, is said to be very precarious."
I thought of the 'rising flames' I had encountered at the negotiation table.
"Given the nature of the rising flames, they will not back down easily. They will definitely be plotting behind the scenes and preparing to come to the forefront."
"Then I will tell the Intelligence Service to monitor the rising fire more closely."
After that, 'Splendid Sunset' continued to report as if doing overdue homework. Metal type, currency issuance, etc.
"The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is reporting that this year's harvest will be a bumper crop. After this fall's harvest, food production will likely double compared to last year."
"That's good news."
"yes."
Finally, we received a report on the soldiers who had completed their three-year military service after entering the training camp.
"There is still time until winter, but I plan to ask them in advance about their intentions. If possible, I plan to hire them all in the vigilante group proposed by His Majesty the Emperor. Also, the warriors who learn various skills while serving in the military will be managed separately and thoroughly by the country according to the contract."
It seems like only yesterday that the first soldiers entered the training camp, but three years have already passed. Looking back, time really did fly.
In any case, the vigilantes will now take over the job of keeping the country safe from the warriors who have been in charge of its security up until now.
"First, let's hire a vigilante group as a priority, and then later, if we have the means, let's create a separate fire department."
"Yes, I will do that."
'Splendid Sunset' answered vigorously, writing down my instructions on a piece of paper. After a while, when the report was over, 'Splendid Sunset' asked cautiously.
"Your Majesty! If the Cherokee tribe offered to trade buffalo tomorrow, would you really agree?"
"I intend to agree if you accept the terms I have proposed. Of course, the choice will be yours."
* * *
The next day. In the reception room of the government office, 'Last Breath' and the Cherokee people were waiting for my answer with anxious expressions.
I opened my mouth with difficulty, deliberately putting on a serious expression.
"It seems possible to trade buffalo and divine weapons, but only in exchange for land, not food or hides."