Chapter 92

Regarding the reliability of the Elven Federation is one thing, but whether they can be utilized is another matter. At this moment, when Luo Zhengdao realized his previous cognitive bias, he reflected on himself a bit. Then, he looked at Vina Dubov thoughtfully and said:

"Well, then let's gather all the officers for a meeting to discuss it! I also look forward to hearing everyone's opinions."

A leader who acts on his own will not have a good outcome; the saying 'a lone wolf' is a clear example. Soon, the news of Luo Zhengdao convening a meeting reached the ears of the pirates who were enjoying their rare leisure time. These rough men, indulged in revelry, crawled out of the arms of beauties and bars, eager to head to the residence where Luo Zhengdao was staying, fearing they would be left out.

"Gentlemen, I have accepted the exchange conditions offered by the Elven Empress and received military aid from the Elven Empire. I believe everyone is well aware of this. Now, it seems the Elven Federation also has the intention to follow suit. Do you think I should accept their request, or should I directly reject their proposal?"

Seeing that almost everyone who should be there had arrived, Luo Zhengdao stood up, cleared his throat, and began speaking, leaning on the table with both hands.

Despite his efforts to maintain the demeanor of a democratic leader, Luo Zhengdao rarely consulted his subordinates about major issues such as future trends and strategic directions. These matters were always decided by him alone, and others just needed to follow. Today, he was breaking the norm by raising such a significant issue, which inevitably sparked intense debate. The pirates, each with their own views and positions, quickly turned the temporary meeting room into a chaotic scene. If it weren't for Luo Zhengdao's presence, these rough men would have been ready to roll up their sleeves and punch those who disagreed with them.

Luo Zhengdao watched his subordinates argue with flushed faces, sipping his tea calmly as if he was in no hurry to make a decision, adopting a posture of waiting to see the outcome.

The debate quickly escalated to a fever pitch, and even Luo Zhengdao could no longer remain aloof. The boatswain, Zola Hegel, said to him:

"Captain, the Elven Empire is unreliable, and the Elven Federation is no different. We cannot trust these guys; we can only rely on ourselves."

As is known from online forum discussions, no matter how correct a viewpoint is or how sufficient the arguments presented are, no opinion can gain unanimous agreement. Before the boatswain's words had even finished, Brandt Fiery, the first mate, sitting opposite him, retorted:

"Hey, this is all about mutual exploitation. What does it have to do with reliability? Zola, you old stubborn, your brain is rusted."

Zola Hegel's black face immediately turned deep purple with blood rushing to it. He clenched his fists and pounded the table, roaring like a wild beast:

"Damn it, how dare you talk to me like that? Do you want to die?"

Luo Zhengdao, who had been observing the situation without a word, suddenly stood up and said in a cold tone:

"Enough, gentlemen, arguing won't solve the problem. You only need to tell me one thing: should we accept the Elven Federation's proposal or not?"

At the sound of his voice, the heated atmosphere in the living room suddenly turned eerily quiet. The pirates were all thinking about how to express their opinions to persuade Luo Zhengdao. The one-eyed Foule Chopin coughed and said:

"Your Excellency, if we can reach a deal with both allies, it's better than dealing with just one and being underpriced!"

Hearing this, Luo Zhengdao did not show any clear inclination of approval or disapproval. His gaze then turned to the half-elf beauty sitting beside him, and he said:

"Vina, what do you think?"

Not knowing what Luo Zhengdao was up to, Vina Dubov thought carefully and replied:

"Your Excellency, I agree with Captain Chopin. Having one more option is not a bad thing."

Luo Zhengdao's scrutinizing gaze swept over everyone's faces, and he said calmly:

"Alright, since that's the case, let's end today's discussion here!"

"Sir, what is your decision?"

Regardless of whether their intentions were genuine or feigned, the subordinates had to give their boss some face at this moment, or the consequences would be dire. Luo Zhengdao put on a deep-thinking demeanor, and many of the attendees shivered at his cold smile as he said to himself:

"Alright! I've decided. Tomorrow, I will meet with the representative of the Elven Trade Guild. We should know what price the Elven Federation is willing to offer, right? Hahaha, meeting adjourned."

...

The Elven Federation is a group of free-market enthusiasts, and although the New World may not have this exact term, the reality is not far off. Wherever there is money to be made in this world, the elves are always eager to get involved.

In a commercial metropolis like Zelan, the influence of the Elven Trade Guild is not as deeply rooted as that of the native Elven Empire's guilds, but these wealthy merchants still hold a significant position. The three-story white-painted building that Luo Zhengdao now faced was the Zelan branch of the Elven Trade Guild. Although the building's exterior appeared unremarkable, visitors would discover its inner splendor upon entering. The interior decoration and furnishings were extremely luxurious.

While it was not as ostentatious as the golden bricks on the floor that the nouveau riche might enjoy, every piece of furniture, every oil painting, and every artwork hanging on the walls were masterpieces by renowned artists, fully demonstrating the Elven Trade Guild's substantial economic power and historical depth, far surpassing the average nouveau riche. If Luo Zhengdao had not already considered the Elven Federation's basic stance and understood that they were essentially unreliable opportunists, anyone else coming here might have been tempted to kneel and beg for their patronage, given the grandeur of the Elven Trade Guild's branch. Truly, the Elven Federation, known as the second naval power in the New World, was also the economic powerhouse.

Upon meeting, the two parties exchanged pleasantries and chatted about the recent weather in Zelan and the taste of the new tea. Luo Zhengdao was the first to break the ice, speaking bluntly:

"May I ask what conditions your country can offer me? If your price is too high, there's no need to continue the discussion."

A matter known by more than two people cannot be considered an absolute secret. It was clear that the content of the agreement between the Elven Empire and Luo Zhengdao had not escaped the Elven Federation's notice. If they lacked the ability to gather such intelligence, they would not deserve their status as a major power. Since the Elven Empire's aid conditions had met Luo Zhengdao's practical needs, he no longer had to worry about the lack of supplies and funds. Any additional offers from the elves would only be icing on the cake, and even without considering their sincerity, Luo Zhengdao's lukewarm attitude was understandable.

Unequal status in negotiations is a disadvantage. The Elven Federation's representative, unwilling to be at a disadvantage, smiled gracefully and said:

"Your Excellency, you are not our only choice."

Hearing this, Luo Zhengdao also smiled, shaking his finger and saying:

"Yes, while drifting on the Aether Sea, I met Baron God Nidham. Oh, and that scoundrel Najef. Indeed, they can also be your country's sponsors, and the Elven Federation does not have to choose me. Is that what you mean, sir?"

Unconcerned about revealing his opponent's cards, Luo Zhengdao maintained a proud and unshaken demeanor, which made his opponent suspect that he had even stronger cards up his sleeve.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Yarol Tido quickly explained to avoid a僵硬的谈判气氛，他面带微笑地说：

"Oh, Your Excellency, please don't misunderstand. Our country always considers Your Excellency to be the most qualified candidate to inherit the throne of the Light Dynasty. No one can compare to Your Excellency."

Luo Zhengdao was not particularly concerned with the Elven Federation's rhetoric. He was well-prepared for such childish threats, which were insulting. Was he really to be treated like a sheltered flower that had never faced the storms of life? Frankly, in a society where one's worth is determined by bloodline and birth, one must rely on one's family background. This was the normal way of competition. In fact, personal talent, character, and capacity were secondary; the key was to have a noble bloodline that could be convincingly traced. Otherwise, there was no point in talking about anything; it was a direct strikeout.

After the Light Dynasty's army was annihilated, the human nobles fled the soon-to-fall capital and their fiefs. The goblins were ruthless in their pursuit and never stopped hunting the fleeing nobles.

As the saying goes, those who seek death will find it. At this critical moment, the human nobles made a grave mistake, and long-standing grievances erupted. Many noble families were uprooted by their old enemies. Informing the goblin invaders to eliminate rivals was a common and despicable tactic that anyone could think of. By the time the wave of refugees from the mainland settled, the few human nobles who had managed to escape the goblins' relentless pursuit were few and far between. To a certain extent, these people had brought their own downfall upon themselves.