Munitions Empire

Chapter 189: Mr. 186 Special Envoy

"What do you mean by 'you were here first'? Since when does business follow a first-come, first-served basis?" The wealthy merchant evidently had no intention of giving face to the Earl next to him, adamantly refusing to budge an inch.

A super profitable deal like this was a joke to pass up. It would be better to recognize someone else as your father than to give up on such a thing.

"I am an Earl, the head of the Morman Family from the Southwest of the Kingdom! Mr. Tang Mo! I am willing to cooperate with you! I am willing to invest! To invest in the construction of a railroad approximately 110 kilometers long!" The Earl, blocked by a guard, waved a booklet in his hand, shouting from a distance towards Tang Moyuan.

"I am the most famous traveling poet from the eastern continent, Mr. Tang Mo! Are you interested in having a talk with me? I am willing to write an epic in honor of your deeds!" On the other side, a man with exceptional good looks also tried to break through the guards' blockade, shouting loudly.

"Can this thing really make a round trip every day?" Alice asked in surprise as she watched the workers moving the goods from the train onto the platform.

She had never seen such a vast amount of material piled up together; the mountain-like stack of wooden boxes gave her the illusion that it could transport innumerable items at once.

"Almost, it can operate at night too, so to be precise, it can make at least two round trips in a single day."

"It could transport all the things from Northern Ridge to Brunas in just a few days," Alice exaggeratedly said.

"That's why it needs to go both ways, carrying things from Northern Ridge to Brunas and then bringing goods from Brunas back to Northern Ridge," Tang Mo proudly corrected Alice.

"You're truly a genius, Tang Mo!" Alice said excitedly; she understood too well the theory of business activities. As long as goods began to circulate, commerce would immediately prosper.

"Everyone can exchange their thoughts with Mr. Tang Mo at dinner! Don't rush! Don't push! Move back! Move back!" Not far away, the guards were irritably pushing away the elegantly dressed officials, preventing them from getting close to Tang Mo.

At the evening banquet that day, Tang Mo soon parted ways with Alice, as too many people were seeking him out. And because Alice was by Tang Mo's side, many others found it difficult to speak up, like the representative from the Suthers Kingdom currently standing beside him.

This envoy from the Suthers Kingdom was also invited by the Great Tang Group. At the moment, he felt fortunate to be there.

Frankly, Suthers, almost an inland country with insignificant ports and a navy that paled compared to the Leite Kingdom's, found itself in a regrettable position.

But the country did possess vast inland territories, with the core interests of the nation lying inland; thus, they valued their land more than maritime supremacy.

So, when this envoy from Suthers saw the railroad, a way to strengthen control over Suthers' territory, it appeared before his very eyes.

Therefore, holding his glass, he engaged in a pleasant conversation with Tang Mo, discussing the local Suthers customs and various anecdotes from the past.

Then, after the pleasantries were over, he steered the conversation to the main point, "Congratulations, Mr. Tang Mo! The King of the Suthers Kingdom has always admired your abilities. Trade between the Great Tang Group and the Suthers Kingdom has always been smooth, and our cooperation has never broken down. We hope to maintain an unbreakable friendship between us."

"Hmm?" However, the Suthers envoy picked up something different from this statement.

Indeed, Tang Mo explained, "If the Suthers Kingdom wants to gather strength and strive for more interests to the north, then the two kingdoms will form back-to-back allies. I also hope that between the two nations, we can trust each other and become friends who help one another."

The Suthers envoy caught on to Tang Mo's implication and excitedly asked, "So... you would support the Suthers Kingdom in expanding its territory northward?"

Tang Mo laid out his bargaining chip, "I will train at least 4,500 men for the new Suthers land forces, supply the entire troops with military equipment, and after the deeds are done, I want forty percent of the benefits."

The Suthers Kingdom's envoy looked visibly thrilled, bowing slightly to show his respect to Tang Mo, "I understand, His Majesty will be most delighted to hear such good news."

Tang Mo shook his wine glass with a smile, "Believe me, cooperation is the path to mutual victory."

"Beyond doubt, Mr. Tang! This is the most memorable banquet I have ever attended," the envoy from Suthers said with a beaming face, agreeing with Tang Mo.

"If you have the chance in the future, you can visit Brunas and drop my name, play in the casinos. It's on me," Tang Mo also extended a personal invitation to him.

The envoy's smile brightened, as it was almost an act of personal goodwill from Tang Mo. With private matters now dealt with, the envoy finally remembered his public duties, "Then I can't thank you enough, Mr. Tang! If..."

"If?" Tang Mo looked at the envoy.

Testing the waters, the envoy asked, "If Suthers wishes to build a railroad within its own territory..."

"I can provide technical support, 1 engineer, 10 technical workers, 100 training slots... I can transfer technology, set up a steel mill in Suthers specialized in producing steel rails," Tang Mo generously said.

The Suthers envoy immediately showed joy and gave his assurance, "By the gods above, your generosity rivals that of the sun and the moon! When the Suthers Kingdom rises, the Great Tang Group will also have free rein within Suthers territory!"

And such an assurance was actually the promise given by the king of the Suthers Kingdom when the envoy had set out.

Tang Mo raised his glass with a smile, offering a toast from afar, "To our mutual interests! Cheers!"

"My regards to Earl Alice," the envoy knew it was time to take leave, bowing slightly, and making room as he whispered his farewell.

The meaning of his words was pretty clear—by sending regards to Miss Alice, the Suthers Kingdom had practically acknowledged Ice Crystal City's affiliation with the Northern Ridge.

For a considerable time to come, there would be no wars between them, and they might even maintain a cooperative relationship to a certain extent—this was the meaning behind sending regards to Miss Alice.