Inducements...... Ashrufat pondered Carrie's opinion.

"Yes, the lure. Carrie's voice whispered in his head. "And don't we have such a suitable tool in our hands?"

"The right tool?"

"Of course it's the Baku. Carrie explained. "Aren't they the tools that the Rat God left for you?"

"Tool ......," Ashruphat repeated Carrie's words in a low voice.

Time passed quickly, and the two subordinates quickly brought news to Ashrufat. The news is one good and one bad. The bad news is that the original residence of the Baku tribe has been occupied by another clan, and this clan is in the way of the relocation of the Ashorufat scheme. If it passes, I am afraid that a battle that will be difficult to win will break out due to hostility and suspicion. The good news is that after knowing that the Baku clan intends to buy war beasts, the Maude clan is willing to make a relatively large discount.

"Lord...... The master ......," Captain Blackskin reported to Ashrufat. They said...... I want to come to you, and the messenger has come with me. ”

"See me?" said Ashrufat, curious. At this moment, he can be said to be an outsider in the society of the rat people, and no one knows him, and he doesn't know anyone. Except for the group of gray prophets who constantly showed kindness to him because they confirmed that he was the messenger of the rat god, almost no one of the other rat people knew his identity. The other Abyss Lords, of course, were exceptional, but they didn't care as much about Ashrufat's status as the Chosen One as the Grey Prophets.

In short, Ashrufat did not think that he would attract guests. But since he came, he didn't feel the need to refuse.

"Okay, let him in. He ordered. After a short moment, he saw a messenger in a black cloak.

Ashrufat was now accustomed to the hygiene of the nezumi - even the most high-ranking nezumi leaders were not in the habit of cleaning their bodies. By the standards of surface creatures, all nezumi are filthy and filthy, with a rotting stench all over their bodies. At first, Ashruphat was uncomfortable with the stench, but after spending so many days in the Underworld, he found himself completely numb to the stench. From this point of view, the most common clothing of the rat people, gray or black clothing, is very valuable. Because no matter how dirty they are, at least the clothes don't look disgusting.

"Lord Ashrufat. The messenger lifted his cloak and showed his face. He bowed politely to Ashrufat, and then asked him to drive the idlers away.

Ashrufat did not refuse this request, and soon, only he and the messenger of the Maud clan were left in this cavern.

The messenger began to babble on and on to express the goodwill of the Maud clan towards Ashrufat, and for ten minutes he was foaming at the mouth, without any repetition in between. Ashrufat was one hundred percent sure that the envoy was a professional diplomat, but he didn't know why the Mordaud clan was sending a diplomat to him.

"I already understand the kindness of the Maude clan. Ashruphat remembered that there was also a leader of the Maud clan in the Abyss Council, whose name seemed to be Forgin. Of course, Ashruphat had no affection for him, in fact, all the Abyss Lords except the Grey Prophet. It's these selfish rats who like to shirk the blame that complicate his task. "However, I believe you didn't come to me specifically to show kindness. ”

The diplomat immediately changed his tone and humbly suggested that the Maud clan wished to form an alliance with Ashrufat in the Parliament.

"Good way. In her mind, Carrie said directly in a sarcastic voice. "Master, these rat men are really masters of power. ”

"What do you mean?" Ashrufat was a little puzzled. He was no stranger to this parliamentary system, which was adopted by many autonomous human cities. It is easy to understand that if a parliamentarian wants to increase his influence in parliament, one of the most important means is to form alliances. There is nothing surprising about this. It is important to know that if a member of parliament reaches a political alliance with half of the members of parliament, it means that he controls the entire parliament.

"Master, you have to understand that you are a newcomer. This means that you will spend a while familiarizing yourself with the situation and will not make any proposals for a short period of time. And on the first few things, you'll take a neutral stand. At this time, reaching an alliance with you is a sure deal. Because you have to support them in the meeting. ”

"But as time goes on, I will learn more and more, and at this point I may make a proposal, and the Maude clan must support me in accordance with the Alliance's obligations. ”

"yes, but that's 'later'. Even if your proposal adversely affects the Mauds, they can terminate the alliance at any time! Otherwise, why would they send such a diplomat to see you secretly? In short, forming an alliance with you is equivalent to getting your support vote at any cost for a period of time in the future, and they will not lose money. ”

"I see, then I'll refuse it. ”

"That's not good, master, the principle of power is to use strength, find advantages from disadvantages, and find opportunities from crises. The Mauds want to ally with you at the conference table, and it's as simple as making them pay a realistic price. Master, aren't you planning to relocate with the Baku clan? And there is a clan called the Sakaraha clan that doesn't know how to get in your way? The Maud clan produces war beasts, and that's right. You can ask Maud to lend them to you for free!"

"What do you mean......"

"People who want to take advantage of others are always more likely to be taken advantage of. Carrie replied.

The Maud diplomat looked at Ashrufat for a long time and didn't react, thinking that he had just said something wrong.

"Lord Ashrufat, as a testament of goodwill, the Maud Clan is willing to give you a thirty percent discount on the purchase of war beasts...... "He then began to explain how these war beasts were rare, how well trained, and how useful.

"In addition to this sale, I would like to rent a lot. Ashrufat interrupted his chatter. "I remember renting for a third of the purchase price?"

"If it is lost in battle, it will be considered a normal price purchase. The diplomat replied without thinking, and the next moment, he realized that he had said the wrong thing. "Of course, for you, the Maude Clan will use the same discount, both for purchase and rental. ”

"I would like to defer the payment of the rental fee. Ashrufat replied. He walked to the door and called outside, and in the next moment, several of his attendants rushed over to bring Ashrufat a piece of leather paper and pens. Ashurufat scribbled on the vellum for a long time under the diplomat's puzzled gaze.

"A contract for deferred payments. Ashrufat delivered the paper to the diplomat's eyes. The mouse's eyes widened, and it was clear that he had not expected Ashrufat to be so honest and unceremonious. This contract is an agreement on the purchase and lease of war beasts, but the position in the number of war beasts leased is vacant, and Ashrufat does not fill in the specific numbers here. Moreover, in terms of textual expression, the so-called "deferred payment" completely refers to the purchase of war beasts, and the commission for renting war beasts is not mentioned.

"I believe in the goodwill of the Maude Clan. Ashrufaat forcefully put the contract in the diplomat's hand, "But I think goodwill should be proven by deeds." I believe you should be given carte blanche in this regard. ”

"Excuse me, you bought and leased the War Beast ......" The diplomat's expression was complicated, and for a moment, he looked as if he wanted to tear this unfair contract to shreds, but in the end he didn't do it. "What are you going to do?"

"War. Ashrufat smiled. His bloody armor perfectly disguised him as a nezumi. In the eyes of the Maud diplomat, the Abyssal Lord in front of him was baring razor-sharp teeth.

"War?" the diplomat looked at Ashrufat, hesitating. "So, the specific number ......"

"I don't know the way yet, but I'll know it soon. But that's not a problem, because I want the beasts I buy to be delivered first. "Ashrufat already knows that the Sakalaha clan is a fairly powerful nezumi clan, and its strength is greater than that of ordinary clans. He needed to meet these war beasts now, and then understand how much strength they had, and then estimate how many war beasts he needed to win this battle with more confidence.

The diplomat seemed to be struggling fiercely, but at last he compromised. He signed the contract. What follows is a boring routine scene - in fact, it is not fundamentally different from humans. After some politeness, compliments and boring small talk, the deal came to a successful conclusion.

The diplomats of the Maude clan left. The cunning fellow was still full of sweet words when he left.

"Master, do you see his skill?" asked Carrie in her mind after the diplomat had left.

"Well, I understand. Ashruphat replied in his mind. "They have kept a back hand for themselves. If my demands are too high, then the Maude clan will refuse to execute this contract on the grounds that this diplomat does not have authority. Conversely, if the number of beasts I'm going to lease is reasonable, they'll enforce the resolution. ”

"That's right, master. Carrie seemed to be laughing. "Your mind is open. I must say, despite the fact that these rat men seem to be backward, but they seem to have a unique skill in political games. But, master, let's play with them. ”

"If they agree to our lend-lease request, then what is it?"

"Bribes, of course. Carrie replied. "You have to admit that the Rat God has arranged for you the most suitable position, with the right tools and reliable allies for you. It seems that he really put a certain amount of thought into it. By the way, master, you should also pay attention to your men. ”

"What happened to my men?" asked Ashrufat.

"Although they are low-level, they are also natural players in the political game. You may not have been paying attention just now, but I heard a conversation with your men outside. They are discussing which clan's warlord or captain is being made vulnerable by going downhill. Looks like they've spent a lot of time learning this, and your subordinates know more than you think. ”

"How did you hear that?" Ashruphat looked at the rock walls around him, confused.