Chapter 2342 Free Trade

Chapter 2342 Free Trade

He should have expected it, considering how important the Shionel Confederation was. However, it was more than just a bit shameless, considering that the alliance was also threatening to destroy the nation if it didn't agree with their terms.

Unfortunately, they could get away with it.

Power was threatening to destroy your host and still be treated like a guest despite the hostility.

"What did he offer you?" Rui raised an eyebrow. "Must have been something special. I highly doubt that just an offering of financial compensation could have moved you."

The guildmaster stared at Rui with an inscrutable expression.

"However, it's not like they're in the best position themselves," Rui mused. "The Sekigahara Confederate sure as hell did not put up anything taxing. The Republic of Gorteau is not in the best place either. And while the Britannian Empire is fine, they probably offered you something that involved all of them as an alliance. No one partner would ever foot the bill of their peers. So..."

His eyes narrowed. "...They must have offered you something that wasn't resource or capital-intensive in the first place. Probably something involving their authority and influence."

A mild smile cracked at the edge of the guildmaster's mouth. "They offered an exclusive free-trade agreement treaty between myself and all members of the East Panama Treaty Alliance."

Rui's eyes sharpened gravely. "...With you as the guildmaster of this nation or you as the chairman of your company?"

"As the chairman of my company," Guildmaster Bradt replied lightly. "It is exclusive to my company alone. And I'm sure I do not need to tell you the advantages of this agreement."

"If they come to rely on me to supply them food, energy, material resources, then my absence would be devastating to the nation's stability. That gives me power. It gives me leverage. It helps that my nation is already an established oligarch in this sector in East Panama."

Rui stared at him as he understood why the man was considering it.

While he did indeed give the East Panamic Treaty Alliance too much power, he could also gain an equal amount of leverage if he played his cards immaculately.

However, a single mistake or unexpected outcome could cause this entire plan to come crashing down like a house of cards.

It was high-risk and high-reward.

"In comparison, our proposal is low-risk and high-reward," Rui remarked. "I don't see how the two plans are comparable. We are offering to give your company a nation for a base. A whole coastal nation with a highly developed sea-faring foundation that can more than replace your land-faring foundation and get rid of most tariffs, which is what they are offering. Our offer has that and more."

The guildmaster gazed at Rui with an unimpressed expression. "Only one plan involves the Shionel Confederation and my company getting attacked, Your Highness. This offer alone does not match yours, but I have not forgotten that I would be going to war with the East Panamic Treaty Alliance should I accept yours. As a businessman, I do not enjoy doing things that make me a lot of enemies. Especially in my sector."

Rui simply stared at him. "Yes, but having more enemies is not the same as having more risk. The Kandrian Empire has proven its ability to protect its allies. We have fewer Martial Artists, but we have an extraordinary advantage in tactical intel."

The guildmaster heaved a sigh. "That is why I'm seriously considering your offer. I'm afraid that it is deeply difficult for me to choose. However, I cannot delay this decision for too much longer. And so, I have come to a conclusion."

He closed his eyes. "I will make my decision after a joint conference with both the representatives of the Britannian Empire and Kandrian Empire."

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