The sound of weapons scraping against leather scabbards could be heard in the room.
"Get out! There's no fire here!"
There were shouts and curses coming from inside through the door.
"Open the door! Otherwise there will be a fire here soon..."
After Li Ang finished speaking, he took a step back. Kloze very wisely raised his gauntlet and stepped forward to take his previous position, standing in front of the door.
The door opened, and a large column of white smoke poured out - the room was so filled with smoke that it was almost impossible to see anyone.
There are more than a dozen smoking guns inside...
"Who the hell are you?"
Dexian people opened the door and stared warily at a group of tall and muscular men outside.
"Emil Xixis, I plan to negotiate a big deal with you..."
Li Ang stood at the door, waving his hand to fan away the thick smoke. "Ahem... But your house doesn't look suitable for business at all..."
"Li Ang? It's you!"
Brigi seems to have recognized him. Although he and Li Ang only met once in Toba City and the two parties have not even spoken, Brigi's memory is obviously very good.
"It's me... you two, come upstairs with me, I will take you to find Alina... and I can make you get Toba City!"
Li Ang After saying that, he stepped away again. The thick smoke was too choking...
"You want to harm us? This is Xingar..."
Brigi was a little suspicious, but before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Emil Xixis: "Are you the Li Ang marshal of the Lionheart Kingdom? You just said that you know Alina... and can you get Toba City for me?"
"Yes, come with me."
Li Ang smiled, took off his mask, and walked straight to the corridor.
Alina was sitting in room 001 of Li Ang, with two guards, a man and a woman, standing beside her.
The woman is a girl with short hair, she is Julia, the friend Risadiran made when she rescued Ansen.
In fact, Alina was recruited by Li Ang.
To be precise, it was Li Ang who made Julia get in touch with Siyuan City, and then Emperor Marius sent Alina - and by the way, the crime of fratricide that Julia had committed was written off. Marius believed that killing the heretic Snake Worship Cult was not a crime, but meritorious.
The man is a one-eyed dragon, that is Ikram. His injured left eye has been removed by Ansen, and it is wrapped with thick gauze. People who are not particularly familiar with it may not recognize him.
Seeing Li Ang open the door and come in, Alina stood up. "Count Li Ang, we meet again..."
Then, she saw two strangers behind Li Ang being watched by a group of tough men.
"Let me introduce to you... this is Miss Alina, the messenger of Emperor Marius. This is Emil Xixis, one of Dexia's Bahad Khan..."
Li Ang extended his hand and introduced.
"Bahad Khan? As far as I know, there should be only one title for this..."
The expression on Alina's face became a little weird.
"No, no, no, from today on, there are two Bahad Khans, one is Kadan, and the other is Emil Xixis Khan - they will divide Dexia equally from now on."
Li Ang winked at Alina, then put on a serious expression.
"Oh? It seems that I am rude..."
Alina raised his eyebrows with a smile on his face.
"We are all sensible people, so I will keep it short... There is actually no conflict between the three of us - I have no interest in Dexia's territory, but I have worked hard to send tens of thousands of troops, and I certainly cannot go back empty-handed; Miss Alina got Aishikeman, but she is alone and needs support; and Emil Xixis, if you want to compete with Kadan, you also need help..."
Li Ang paused, allowing a few people some time to think, and then continued, "So, I plan to give Toba City to Emil Xixis Khan - of course, you have to give me enough As compensation, I guarantee that Toba City is intact at this time, and I have done nothing wrong even with anyone in the city. Brigi should know that Toba City is now completely under the control of my army."
Brigi nodded, of course he knew, after all, he managed to escape from Toba City...
"You sold Toba City to Mr. Emil Xixis... What does this have to do with me?"
Alina praised him with a smile.
"Of course it does matter - the Emir Khan needs the support of the Bacchus Empire. If it is just to transfer Toba City, then it will be difficult for an isolated city to deal with the army of Kadan... I am a kind businessman. When I do business, I always have to provide some after-sales service, at least to ensure that my customers have no worries..."
Li Ang gave Alina an approving smile and explained it seriously.
This is not after-sales service, this is pre-sales service - if the safety of Emil Xixis cannot be guaranteed, how could he buy Toba City?
Let Aishikeman become Emil Xixis's reinforcements, so that he can defend Toba City and become 'Bahad Khan' in the name of the ruler of the capital - in this way, Dexia is truly divided into two parts.
The land connected by Toba City and Aishikeman is actually the most central place in Dexia, and the holy mountain Gazi Mountain is also in this area.
Even though Kadan is still stronger than Emil Xixis, Kadan has lost these sacred places and lost control of the holy mountain. Emil Xixis is completely able to compete with it.
"So... what do I get out of this?"
Alina is a very professional person. This extremely smart girl has completely understood Li Ang's intention.
"I will share part of the proceeds with you. In addition, you will also get the support of Emil Xixis Khan, Alina - only in this way can Bacchus Empire truly rule Aishikeman. Only by helping each other can Kadan be helpless."
Li Ang spread his hands and gestured to both sides. "I think this is good for everyone, isn't it? I can also get your support so that I won't become a lonely army."
Indeed, Bacchus Empire got Aishikeman, but it is also an isolated city, and as an outsider, it will take a long time to truly implement rule. The presence of the emir as an ally can also ensure the safety of Aishikeman.
"So, what price are you going to make me pay? I mean...Toba City."
Emil Xixis is obviously willing to cooperate, and he has already started asking for prices.
"Gold, silver, horses, medicine, minerals, and even population can be priced... I said that I am a kind businessman. As long as the conditions are right and I can be brought back to my territory, then anything is fine."
Li Ang smiled and said to Emil Xixis, "You can consider it slowly, as long as the total value is not less than two million dinars - Toba City is the capital after all, and it cannot be lower than the price of Aishikeman in any case."
Emil Xixis thought for a while and gritted his teeth, "No problem!"
"Then the deal is settled. I have another thing I want to sell..."
Li Ang held Emil Xixis's hand and lowered his voice. "Emil Xixis is sweating profusely. I know that the title 'Bahad Khan' needs to be obtained. Recognition by the herdsmen of the Holy Mountain and the leaders of various tribes - if you do not really get this title, then even if you occupy Toba City, you will only be regarded as a rebel army, just like a rebel army like Sarafan Sheikh!"
Li Ang raised the value of the goods in his hands again. "I can make you a real Bahad Khan! Of course, this requires a lot of expenditure..."
"What are you going to do?"
Emil Xixis looks a little unconvinced.
"That's my business. Anyway, I can do it - and I can only arrange it after the matter is settled... Just tell me whether you want the real Bahad Khan position?"
Li Ang said it very calmly, as if he was selling carrots.
That's right, this matter hasn't been settled yet, so of course we won't reveal the implementation method.
So Emil Xixis nodded. "As long as I don't become a vassal of other countries, we can talk about anything."
"Very good..."
Li Ang smiled, "As I said before, I only want the total amount to be no less than two million dinars - that is to say, I will take away a total of four million dinars worth of supplies."
After saying that, Li Ang smiled and extended his hand to Emil Xixis: "Is the deal done?"
Emil Xixis stared at Li Ang's eyes for a long time, and finally took Li Ang's hand. "Deal!"
In fact, this is probably the result that Emil Xixis wants most - to be able to obtain the title of Bahad Khan and the capital of Toba City without becoming a vassal or puppet of any country, nor losing his own dignity and status.
The price proposed by Li Ang is not outrageous, and this business is indeed a kind one.
Only Brigi was frowning and thinking. He probably felt that Li Ang had some conspiracy, but he couldn't tell it.
After sending Emil Xixis back to the fourth floor, Li Ang extended his hand to Alina: "Remember to tell Emperor Marius that he owes me another favor."
"Your Majesty paid the money this time, Lord Li Ang, one hundred thousand acres of land."
Alina pinched Li Ang's fingertips, but shook his head and refused to recognize this so-called favor, "Your business is getting bigger and bigger..."
"Don't try to fool me, Alina. I know that one hundred thousand acres of land will be returned to the Bacchus Empire within half a year. Emperor Marius has taken away a lot of horses from the Dexia territory. I guess the new cavalry army has already started training, right? Will they attack Sava Fortress in the summer?"
Li Ang directly revealed Bacchus Empire's plan.
Alina sighed, "Fortunately Sava Fortress is not your territory...Lord Li Ang, to be honest, you should really join 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 unfettered lord... a dictatorial kind."
Li Ang shook his head. "I think you should become the queen of the Bacchus Empire - I guess His Majesty Marus thinks so too."
Alina was stunned, and then smiled again, "Stop joking... let's get down to business, Miss Ruha, what do you think I should do?"
"Aren't you here on behalf of your brother Ares? Just let him marry Ruha. It's a perfect match."
Li Ang glanced at Alina with a smile.
"Originally, His Majesty and my father had indeed planned this... But the problem is that my brother didn't think so. He didn't want his marriage to turn into a political transaction."
Alina smiled bitterly and turned to look at the one-eyed dragon next to him, "Ikram doesn't want his sister to become a political victim... Actually, 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 Aishikeman. As for Ruha...Ikram, what do you think we should do? By the way, let me tell you that Miss Alina is the daughter of Emperor Marius and the true heir of the empire."
Li Ang turned to look at Ikram.
A goddaughter is also a daughter. Marius indeed regards Alina as his heir. He has repeatedly asked Alina to be his representative. This attitude is already very obvious.
Ikram thought about it for a few seconds, and then fell to his knees directly, his forehead heavily touching the ground at Alina's feet.
"I am willing to give up everything I have ever had, and be loyal to the Bacchus Empire from now on, and swear to protect Miss Alina for the rest of my life, and offer my sword and blood to Miss Bacchus Empire and Alina! If you violate this oath, the gods will punish you!"
Alina pulled out the sword from his waist and put it on Ikram's shoulder. "On behalf of His Majesty Marus, in the name of Emperor Bacchus Empire, I accept the allegiance of Ikram! From now on, you will become the lord of the Bacchus Empire. I hope you can make the people live and work in peace and contentment."
That sword is still Marius's sword--Sword of the Orator.
This is Bacchus Empire's oath of allegiance for the past twenty years. Emperor Marius has always had only one request from the lord - to let the people live and work in peace and contentment.
Then, Ikram turned his head and leaned towards Li Ang: "Lord Li Ang, Ruha represents Aishikeman's legal right to rule. I shouldn't express any opinions on this anymore. But I still hope that you will take her away from Dexia so that she can choose her future life according to her own wishes."
Li Ang looked at Ikram, nodded and promised, "Actually Ruha is just a name, no one will take the dowry seriously - let Ruha call himself Alina's maid, just transfer the dowry to Alina. I will take Ruha to Long River Town to 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 usually marry off with their master's lady, which is indeed a reasonable approach.
A smile appeared on Ikram's face, "Thank you, sir, I know you will keep your promise. After all... I am the most suitable hostage."
"If that's the case... then you have to refund at least half of the money to me, Lord Li Ang..."
Alina said half-jokingly and half-seriously.
This is true, if Li Ang takes away Ruha, then the result of Alina's bidding will be missing.
"Otherwise, you can take Ruha to Erudition City. I have no objection..."
Li Ang spread his hands towards Alina.
"Forget it... just get me some horses to express my gratitude..."
Of course Alina cannot take away Ruha, otherwise she will not be able to explain to her brother Ares, and this will lead to Ikram Don't worry - if Ruha goes to Bax, then Ruha is really being used as a hostage to control Ikram.
Ikram will become the acting lord of Aishikeman, so Ruha will definitely face a lot of dangers. Moreover, Alina is a woman, and she obviously does not want to do such a thing.
On the contrary, let Li Ang take Ruha away, which can not only protect Ikram's loyalty, but also avoid the trouble of people who covet Aishikeman looking for Ruha.
"Okay, I will give you all the horses I got from Emil Xixis... Emperor Marius once said that now that I am richer than him, I should try my best to bring a better life to people - the people of Bax need horses to vaccinate Red Death, and I am indeed willing to help with this."
Li Ang looked into Alina's eyes seriously and said.