Chapter 286 A Big Business
The sound of weapons rubbing against leather sheaths could be heard from the room.
"Get lost! There's no fire!"
There were shouting and cursing coming from inside through the door.
"Open the door! Otherwise, this place will catch fire soon..."
After Leon finished speaking, he took a step back. Klose sensibly raised his arm armor and stepped forward to take his previous position, standing in front of the door.
The door opened and a large puff of white smoke poured out - the room was filled with smoke and people could hardly be seen.
There are more than a dozen smoking guns inside...
"Who the hell are you?"
The Desha man who opened the door stared vigilantly at the group of tall and strong men outside.
"Emile Xerxes, I want to discuss a big business with you..."
Li Ang stood at the door, waving his hands to fan away the thick smoke: "Ahem... but your room doesn't look like it's suitable for doing business..."
"Leon? It's you!"
Bridget seemed to recognize him. Although he and Leon had only met once in Toba City and they had never even spoken to each other, Bridget's memory was obviously very good.
"It's me...you two, follow me upstairs, I'll take you to find Alina...and I can help you get Toba City!"
Li Ang said this and stepped back again. The thick smoke was too choking...
"You want to harm us? This is Singal..."
Brigitte was a little skeptical, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Emile Xerxes: "Are you Marshal Leon of the Sarleon Kingdom? You just said that you know Alina... and can help me get Toba City?"
"Yes, follow me."
Li Ang smiled, took off his mask, and walked straight to the corridor.
…
Alina was sitting in Leon's room 001 at this time, with two guards, a man and a woman, standing beside her.
The woman was a girl with short hair. That was Julia, a friend that Lisa Dillan made when she rescued Anson before.
In fact, Alina was recruited by Li Ang.
To be precise, it was Leon who put Julia in contact with Siyuan City, and then Emperor Marius sent Alina - and by the way, he also wiped out the crime of patricide that Julia had committed. Marius believed that killing the heretic of the Snake Cult was not a crime, but a meritorious one.
The man was a one-eyed man, Ikram. His injured left eye had been removed by Anson and was now wrapped in thick gauze. People who were not particularly familiar with him might not be able to recognize him.
Seeing Li Ang opening the door and coming in, Alina stood up: "Count Li Ang, we meet again..."
Then she saw two strangers behind Li Ang being watched by a group of strong men.
"Let me introduce you... This is Miss Alina, the emissary of Emperor Marius. This is Emir Xerxes, one of the Bahadur Khans of Desha."
Li Ang extended his hand and introduced.
"Bahad Khan? As far as I know, there should only be one person with this title..."
The expression on Alina's face became a little strange.
"No, no, no. From today on, there are two Bahad Khans. One is Kadan, and the other is Amir Xerxes the Khan - they will divide Dersha equally from now on."
Leon winked at Alina, then put on a serious expression.
"Oh? Then it seems that I am being rude..."
Alina raised her eyebrows and a smile appeared on her face.
"You are all reasonable people, so I will just make it short... There is actually no conflict between the three of us - I am not interested in the territory of Desha, but I have worked hard to send tens of thousands of troops, and I certainly cannot return empty-handed; Miss Alina has obtained Ashcoman, but she is alone and needs support; and Emile Xerxes, you want to fight against Cardan, and you also need help..."
Leon paused, giving them some time to think, and then continued, "So, I plan to give Toba City to Emir Xerxes Khan - of course, you have to give me enough compensation. I guarantee that Toba City will be intact at this time, and I will not harm even the people in the city. Bridge should know that Toba City is now completely under the control of my army."
Bridge nodded. Of course he knew. After all, he had finally escaped from Toba City...
"You sold the city of Toba to Emir Xerxes... What does this have to do with me?"
Alina acted as a supporting role with a smile on her face.
"Of course it is related - the Emir Khan needs the support of the Baccus Empire. If we just transfer Toba City, it will be difficult for a single city to deal with Cardan's army... I am a kind businessman. I always provide some after-sales service when doing business, at least to ensure that my customers have no worries..."
Li Ang gave Alina an approving smile and explained very seriously.
This is not after-sales service, this is pre-sales service - if Emir Xerxes' safety cannot be guaranteed, how could he buy the city of Toba?
By making Ashcoman a reinforcement to Emir Xerxes, he was able to hold the city of Toba and become 'Bahad Khan' in the name of the ruler of the capital - in this way, Desha was truly divided into two parts.
The territory connected to Toba City and Aishkoman is actually the best place in the center of Desha, and the holy mountain Mount Ghazi is also in this area.
Even though Cardan was still stronger than Emile Xerxes, Cardan had lost these fertile lands and control of the Holy Mountain, so Emile Xerxes was fully capable of competing with him.
"So...what good can I get from this?"
Alina is quite professional in her supporting role. This extremely smart girl has fully understood Leon's intention.
"I will share part of the profits with you. In addition, you will also receive support from Emir Khan Xerxes, Alina. Only in this way can the Bacchus Empire truly rule Eshkoman. Only if you help each other can you make Cardan helpless."
Li Ang spread his hands and gestured to both sides: "I think this will benefit everyone, right? I can also get your support and not become a lone army."
Indeed, the Bacchus Empire obtained Ashcoman, but it was also an isolated city, and as an outsider, it would take a long time to truly implement rule. The existence of an ally like Emile could also guarantee the safety of Ashcoman.
"So, what are you going to make me pay for? I mean...Toba City."
Emile Xerxes was obviously willing to cooperate and he had already started asking for the price.
"Gold, silver, horses, medicine, minerals, and even people can all be used as a price... I've said before that I'm a kind businessman. As long as the conditions are right and I can bring them back to my territory, I'll take anything."
Leon smiled and said to Emile Xerxes: "You can take your time to think about it, as long as the total value is not less than two million dinars - Toba City is the capital after all, and it can't be lower than Ashcoman's price anyway."
Emile Xerxes thought about it and gritted his teeth: "No problem!"
"Then the deal is done. I have another thing to sell..."
Li Ang held Emir Xerxes' hand and lowered his voice: "Emir Xerxes Khan, I know that the title of 'Bahd Khan' needs to be recognized by the herdsmen of the Holy Mountain and the leaders of various tribes. If you don't really get this title, then even if you occupy Toba City, you will only be regarded as a rebel, just like the rebels of Sharafan Sheikh!"
Li Ang raised the value of the goods in his hand again: "I can make you a real Bahad Khan! Of course, this will cost a lot of money..."
"What are you going to do?"
Emile Xerxes looked a little unconvinced.
"That's my business. I can do it anyway. Besides, I can only arrange it after the matter is settled... Just tell me whether you want the real Bahad Khanship or not?"
Li Ang spoke calmly, as if he was selling carrots.
That's true. The matter hasn't been settled yet, so of course the implementation method won't be announced.
So Emir Xerxes nodded and said, "As long as you don't make me a vassal of other countries, we can discuss anything."
"very good……"
Li Ang smiled: "Again, I only want things worth no less than two million dinars - that is, I will take away supplies worth four million dinars in total."
After saying that, Leon smiled and stretched out his hand to Emile Xerxes: "Deal?"
Emile Xerxes stared into Leon's eyes for a long time, and finally shook Leon's hand: "Deal!"
In fact, this was probably the result that Emir Xerxes wanted most - without becoming a vassal or puppet of any country, and without losing his own dignity and status, he could obtain the title of Bahad Khan and the capital of Toba.
The price Li Ang offered was not outrageous, so this deal was indeed fair.
Only Bridget was there, frowning and thinking. He probably felt that Leon was up to some conspiracy, but he couldn't put it into words.
After sending Emile Xerxes back to the fourth floor, Leon extended his hand to Alina: "Remember to tell Emperor Marius that he owes me another favor."
"Your Majesty has paid for it this time, Lord Li Ang. It's 100,000 acres of land."
Alina pinched Li Ang's fingertips, but shook her head to deny this so-called favor: "Your business is getting bigger and bigger..."
"Don't try to fool me, Alina. I know that the 100,000 acres of land will return to the Bacchus Empire in less than half a year. Emperor Marius has taken a lot of horses from Desha. I guess the newly formed cavalry has already started training? Will they attack the Sava River Fort in the summer?"
Li Ang directly revealed the plan of the Bacchus Empire in one sentence.
Alina sighed: "Fortunately, Sava River Castle is not your territory... Lord Leon, to be honest, you really should join the Bacchus Empire. You will definitely become the next emperor."
"What's so good about being an emperor? It's so tiring. I just want to be an unrestrained lord... a dictator."
Li Ang shook his head: "I think you should become the empress of the Bacchus Empire - I guess His Majesty Marius thinks so too."
Alina was stunned for a moment, then smiled again: "Stop joking... Let's get down to business. Miss Luha, how do you think I should deal with this?"
"Aren't you here on behalf of your brother Ales? Why not just let him marry Luha? They are a perfect match."
Li Ang smiled and glanced at Alina.
"Originally, Your Majesty and my father did plan this...but the problem is that my brother doesn't think so. He doesn't want his marriage to become a political transaction."
Alina smiled bitterly and turned to look at the one-eyed man next to her: "Ikram doesn't want his sister to become a political sacrifice... To be honest, I don't want to either. Women are always regarded as trading objects, which is unfair..."
"Then let Ikram swear allegiance to the Bacchus Empire and make him the lord of Ashcoman. As for Luha... Ikram, what do you think we should do? By the way, Miss Alina is the daughter of Emperor Marius and the true heir to the empire."
Li Ang turned and looked at Ikram.
A goddaughter is still a daughter, and Marius really regarded Arina as his heir. He repeatedly asked Arina to be his representative, and this attitude was very obvious.
Ikram thought for a few seconds, then fell to his knees, his forehead hitting the ground at Alina's feet.
"I am willing to give up everything I have and pledge my loyalty to the Bacchus Empire from now on. I swear to protect Miss Alina for the rest of my life and offer my sword and blood to the Bacchus Empire and Miss Alina! If you break this oath, the gods will punish you!"
Alina drew the sword from her waist and placed it on Ikram's shoulder: "On behalf of His Majesty Marius, in the name of the Emperor of the Bacchus Empire, I accept Ikram's allegiance! From now on, you will become the lord of the Bacchus Empire. I hope you can make the people live and work in peace."
That sword was still Marius's sword - the Sword of the Orator.
This has been the oath of allegiance of the Bacchus Empire for the past twenty years. Emperor Marius has always had only one requirement for the lords - to ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment.
Then, Ikram turned and leaned towards Leon. "Lord Leon, Luha represents the legitimate right to rule Ashcoman. I shouldn't express any opinion on this. But I still hope that you can take her away from Desha so that she can choose her future life according to her own wishes."
Li Ang looked at Ikram and nodded and promised: "In fact, Luha is just a name. No one will take the dowry seriously. Let Luha call herself Alina's maid and transfer the dowry to Alina. I will take Luha to Changhe Town and keep her away from politics. Maybe she will find a better life there. Don't worry, I am not taking her as a hostage."
Noble maids would usually marry off together with the lady of the master's family, which was indeed a reasonable approach.
Ikram smiled: "Thank you, my Lord. I know you will keep your promise. After all... I am the most suitable hostage."
"If that's the case... then you have to at least return half of the money to me, Lord Leon..."
Alina said half jokingly and half seriously.
That's true. If Leon took Luha away, then Alina's bidding result would be missing a part.
"Or you can take Luha to Boshi City. I have no objection..."
Li Ang spread his hands towards Alina.
"That's all... just get me some horses as a token of your appreciation..."
Of course Alina couldn't take Luha away, otherwise she wouldn't be able to explain to her brother Ales, and this would make Ikram uneasy - if Ruha went to Bacchus, then she would really be using Ruha as a hostage to control Ikram.
Ikram will become the acting lord of Ashkoman, and Luha will definitely face many dangers. Moreover, Alina herself is a woman, and she obviously does not want to do such a thing.
On the contrary, letting Leon take Luha away can not only ensure Ikram's loyalty, but also prevent those who covet Ashcoman from causing trouble for Luha.
"Okay, I'll give you all the horses I got from Emile Xerxes... Emperor Marius once said that now that I'm richer than he is, I should try to give people a better life - the people of Bacchus need horses to vaccinate against the Red Death, and I am indeed willing to help with that."
Li Ang looked into Alina's eyes seriously and said.
