“Respected Lord Shen Mu, these are our Negotiation Experts. They were all carefully selected by me and were already famous for their negotiation skills even before the apocalypse descended.”
Zhang Bo respectfully reported at this moment, “As members of this negotiation team, I believe they can secure sufficient benefits for you, Respected Lord Shen Mu, in the negotiations with Green Leaf Group.”
“Hmm, very good.” Shen Mu, still seated in the main position, looked at Zhang Bo and the other 10 people, nodded, and said with satisfaction, “Since Mage Zhang Bo, you have decided, then they will be the members of this negotiation team. If anything comes up, Mage Zhang Bo, you can decide, because I trust you quite a bit. You are also the general supervisor, so you don't need to consult me at all times; you have the right to make your own decisions.”
These words were spoken beautifully, as if everything had been handed over to Zhang Bo.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Bo showed a look of apprehension and gratitude: “Thank you for your trust, Respected Lord Shen Mu. I will perfectly complete the task you have assigned with these Negotiation Experts, and I will do my utmost to ensure that Deherim and your authority will not be desecrated in the slightest by Green Leaf Group.”
“Very good, Mage Zhang Bo, with your words, I am very much at ease.” A smile appeared on Shen Mu's face.
“Respected Lord Shen Mu, Knight Fatis requests an audience outside.”
As Shen Mu and Zhang Bo were conversing, a Swadian Sergeant quickly walked in, approached them, and reported respectfully.
“Let him in,” Shen Mu waved his hand, signaling for the Swadian Sergeant to inform Fatis to enter.
“Understood.” The Swadian Sergeant bowed again, then turned and left to inform him.
However, at this moment, Zhang Bo seemed to sense something amiss, so he spoke, “Respected Lord Shen Mu, our report is that the team of Negotiation Experts has been formed. If you need to handle other matters now, then we will withdraw first and not disturb you.”
At such a time, one must humbly recognize their place. One cannot simply stand there when Shen Mu is discussing sensitive matters with others.
If they waited for Shen Mu to tell them to leave, that would clearly be a bit presumptuous.
But at this moment, Shen Mu smiled and said to him, “No need, you can stay here. Knight Fatis is also here to discuss the upcoming pressure on Green Leaf Group. You can also discuss some detailed issues here and see if there are any improprieties so we can correct them in time.”
“Understood.” Zhang Bo immediately lowered his head again, and at the same time waved his hand for the 10 Negotiation Experts behind him to move aside.
Because just outside the door, they had already heard the clanking sound of chainmail and weapons colliding due to rapid movement.
Then a burly, strong man walked in.
“Greetings, Respected Lord Shen Mu.”
The person who entered was Fatis.
“Hmm, Fatis, you've come at just the right time. Mage Zhang Bo is also here, and he is the person in charge of the negotiations with Green Leaf Group.”
Shen Mu spoke, introducing him, and at the same time asked Fatis, “How is the assembly of the troops to put pressure on Green Leaf Group coming along?”
“They have all been assembled,”
Fatis answered respectfully, with a resolute expression on his face, “And they have all lined up outside the city walls. As soon as you give the order, our troops can immediately move out and head to New Uxhall.”
“Hmm, that's excellent.” Shen Mu nodded in satisfaction.
Fatis's arrival now was part of a plan he had arranged, specifically to continue to deceive Zhang Bo, making him believe that he had no intention of directly attacking Green Leaf Group.
The purpose was to make Zhang Bo believe that Shen Mu's goal in seeking peace talks was for the future of Blue Star Humans, for Blue Star Civilization, and even more so, to subdue Green Leaf Group and its Wood Elf Village.
In short, one word:
Deceive.
This kind of tactical deception is also quite useful.
As long as Green Leaf Group believes it, he can completely eliminate Green Leaf Group and its Wood Elf Village in the shortest time and in the easiest way.
After all, surprise attacks are indeed very effective.
If those Green Leaf Group fellows could use a surprise attack to try and completely eliminate him, then why couldn't Shen Mu retaliate in kind, using a surprise attack to completely wipe out Green Leaf Group's Wood Elf Village?
It's all the same.
And the key to this plan, as he had thought before, was to make Zhang Bo believe that he, Shen Mu, wanted peace talks and absolutely did not want war.
Then, due to Zhang Bo himself being a spy for Green Leaf Group,
This plan would be relayed back to Green Leaf Group.
This would also make Green Leaf Group firmly believe that Shen Mu had no intention of taking advantage of a complete victory and Green Leaf Group's heavy losses, where the strength of both sides was no longer proportionate, to engage in peace talks for the so-called future of Blue Star Humans, wanting to subdue Green Leaf Group or Wood Elf Village as vassals.
He had no intention of annihilating Green Leaf Group and Wood Elf Village at all.
This way, it could prevent them from jumping the gun.
Preventing a cornered beast from fighting back.
To solve them completely in the fastest and easiest way to eliminate his worries.
Therefore, Shen Mu had long sent people to secretly follow Zhang Bo, constantly relaying messages back to the Noble Residence.
Then, after Zhang Bo brought those Negotiation Experts into the Noble Residence, he followed the plan and had Fatis come in to report on the current situation.
Of course, this also included the question Fatis suddenly asked after a moment of silence: “Respected Lord Shen Mu, there’s one more thing I don’t understand. Why did you only have me organize low-level soldiers? And left all the high-level soldiers in Deherim? I think this might be too risky, right? What if Green Leaf Group attacks us? Our low-level soldiers might suffer significant casualties.”
This was not just a question; it actually revealed the tactical deployment he had made.
Especially the most crucial troop allocation.
The fact that they were all low-level soldiers.
It was clearly and completely told to Zhang Bo, who was still listening nearby.
In other words, he revealed the full extent of the deterrent force going to Green Leaf Group to Zhang Bo.
So much so that after Fatis said these words, Zhang Bo, who was still standing obediently nearby, pricked up his ears and began to listen carefully to Fatis's words and Shen Mu's subsequent reply.
After all, no matter what, anything involving Green Leaf Group from now on, Zhang Bo had to listen carefully and clearly.
Otherwise, how could he and Green Leaf Group obtain the greatest benefits later on?
If Green Leaf Group could survive, that would naturally be the best.
But if they could not only survive but also gain greater benefits from Shen Mu and Deherim through negotiations, that would be even better.
“Don’t say that, my Knight Fatis. After all, we are not truly going to attack Green Leaf Group. Sending these low-level soldiers is just to deter Green Leaf Group, to make them understand that we are not without the qualifications or the power to completely eliminate them.”
Shen Mu said with a faint smile at this moment, “It’s easy to understand that those seasonal soldiers are also the most numerous among us, and most of them are infantry. Therefore, when Zhang Bo and the Negotiation Experts enter Green Leaf Group for negotiations, we will send these soldiers forward to set up camp not far from Green Leaf Group, making it look as if they are constantly waiting to attack if negotiations break down. In this way, won’t those Green Leaf Group fellows be afraid?”
The reasoning is indeed sound.
This was originally an act of deterrence.
However, Fatis frowned slightly and asked again, “But Respected Lord Shen Mu, wouldn’t it be fine if we sent some elite high-level infantry? After all, our high-level soldiers have guaranteed equipment and combat power. If Green Leaf Group truly wants to burn their bridges and perish with us, we can quickly eliminate them.”
“You are too extreme, Knight Fatis.”
But Shen Mu directly waved his hand, rejecting his suggestion: “We are only deterring them, and also making Green Leaf Group retreat in the face of difficulty. I think they can also see that the soldiers we sent are only a form of deterrence. If they refuse to cooperate, then our low-level soldiers can change from a temporary camp to a regular camp immediately, firmly entrenched there like a nail, keeping an eye on Green Leaf Group’s strategic locations.”
Fatis said nothing; he knew Shen Mu had more to say.
And beside them, Zhang Bo was still listening carefully to their conversation, his eyes growing increasingly complex.
Because he had already understood that Fatis was actually a Spirit World Lord who wanted to directly destroy Green Leaf Group. He did not have the same compassion for Blue Star World, Blue Star Humans, and Blue Star Civilization as Shen Mu, the Spirit World Lord who had transformed from a Blue Star Human.
But thinking about it, it’s understandable: Shen Mu himself is a Blue Star Human, so of course he would be concerned about the future of Blue Star World, Blue Star Civilization, and Blue Star Humans.
Then, as a Spiritual Realm Human Race, Fatis
He only had to worry about the safety of the Spiritual Realm Human Race and the human forces within the Spirit World.
Why would he need to care about their Blue Star World, Blue Star Civilization, and Blue Star Humans? He simply had an indifferent attitude.
“Then I understand.” Fatis saw Shen Mu’s very serious expression, with no room for suggestions, and nodded resignedly: “Since that’s the case, I will also be prepared. If those Green Leaf Group fellows still refuse to cooperate and don’t want to negotiate peace, then I won’t be polite to them either.”
“Hmm, just be prepared. If they don't plan to negotiate, then you'll need to step in, Knight Fatis.”
Shen Mu smiled: “I merely gave them a chance; it doesn’t mean I am so cowardly as to let them off. And this opportunity for peace talks is also because they haven’t posed any threat or caused any casualties to me. I also hope they understand that it’s not like before; now, they must clearly think about who is stronger, who is weaker, and who is the strongest Lord in Long City before speaking to me.”
Shen Mu seemed to be speaking to Fatis, but in reality, he was also speaking to Zhang Bo and the others nearby.
Because after he finished speaking, he also looked at Zhang Bo and the other 10 Negotiation Experts who formed the negotiation team: “After you go to Green Leaf Group, first see what their intentions are. Of course, you must also ensure your own safety inside; do not directly conflict because of some of their words. After all, you are all my subordinates, and it would not be good if you needlessly lost your lives in Green Leaf Group.”
“Thank you for your trust, Respected Lord Shen Mu. We will do our utmost to successfully arrange this negotiation, and we will not lose your dignity or Deherim’s.” Zhang Bo bowed his head repeatedly in thanks.
Including the Negotiation Experts behind him, they also bowed respectfully, thanking Shen Mu.
Because Shen Mu's attitude was very clear: he valued their safety.
Having such a leader is, of course, very good.
“And rest assured, if anything truly happens to you, then I will no longer negotiate with Green Leaf Group. If even my negotiation team can encounter problems, then I don't think Green Leaf Group could ever truly be on my side in the future.”
Shen Mu then pretended to be angry and snorted coldly: “So, when the time comes, you also make it clear to Green Leaf Group that you only have one chance for this negotiation. If it works, it works; if it doesn't, it doesn't. If they dare to lay a hand on you, then the consequences will be beyond what they can bear.”
“Understood.” Zhang Bo and the negotiation team members all bowed respectfully again.
After discussing some more detailed issues, Shen Mu waved his hand and dismissed them.
And after Zhang Bo and the members of the negotiation team had left, Shen Mu looked at Fatis, his previously stern face suddenly breaking into a smile: “Knight Fatis, I didn’t expect you to have such a profound talent for acting. I always thought you were a very upright knight.”
This was clearly teasing.
However, Fatis's face was slightly flushed at this moment, and he lowered his head and said, “After all, I have traveled in Calradia for such a long time, so I do need to have some acting skills.”
Of course, the two did not delve into such matters.
A couple of jokes were enough.
Shen Mu then brought the conversation back to the main topic: “How are the elite troops prepared?” (End of this chapter)
“How are the elite troops prepared?” (End of this chapter)
