Talks Continued

The open-area exchange proposed by Jaina, viewed from another perspective, is essentially the equivalent of China's concessions in modern times. 🍪😝 ☮♜

In modern times, colonial powers, led by Britain and France, used their superpowers to seize territory from late Qing China. They also created concessions on China territory and exercised various privileges within them, essentially creating states within a state. Such concessions were a symbol of government incompetence, and Zul'ra absolutely could not allow them to exist.

Jaina isn't like those modern colonial nations on Earth; she's just been driven to desperation. Theramore is overpopulated, and she wants to both alleviate the population flow and resolve conflicts with the Horde. Naturally, she's thinking of killing two birds with one stone, thus wishfully forgetting the impact of opening up new areas.

It's important to understand that in modern history, the British and French often used the concessions to spread their cultural influence. This is not inherently wrong, as different civilizations should interact. However, they were essentially using a different method to encroach on other countries' territories.

Jaina is kind, but she can't represent everyone. Once those humans get used to living in the open areas, they'll habitually try to take over. Even if they don't, they'll cause trouble every few days, which is enough to give the Horde a headache. They can't just start a massacre over such a small matter and slap themselves in the face!

After being questioned by Zul'ra, Jaina thought about it all night and realized that she had been inconsiderate. She apologized when they talked again the next day.

"I'm so sorry, Zul'ra Jin, I didn't think things through. It's my fault. I didn't consider the open areas enough. This plan was too naive. However, the territories between Theramore and the Horde need to be clearly defined." Jaina apologized and raised the issue of dividing the territory, speaking before Zul'ra could reply.

"Although my father was the one who instigated this humiliating treaty, he made enormous concessions. We've already given up all our strongholds in Durotar and Darkspear Islands." Jaina's implication was clear: we've conceded a great deal in this humiliating treaty; you should reciprocate with some concessions of your own.

"Jaina, I understand your predicament, but I don't agree with your words. Your father was the instigator, but don't forget that your strongholds on Darkspear Islands and Durotar were illegally occupied." Zul'ra said firmly, her face grim, determined to make her point clear.

To be honest, Theramore has a large population and limited land, while the Horde has a small Horde and abundant land. The issue of territory is not unnecessarily negotiable. Pressuring Theramore too much and driving the humans to desperation will not do any good. However, some things need to be clarified.

"Orcs are outsiders just like you, and as for Darkspear Islands..." Jaina lacked a certain imposing manner, which was understandable, given the Orcs' unfortunate history, where they often suffered losses and were bullied. Human history wasn't much better either.

"Orcs are indeed outsiders, but we Trolls are not..." Zul'ra needed to give Jaina a history lesson. Orcs were indeed outsiders, but we Trolls were not. We had lived in this world for a long time, and we could even assert our right to claim the territory of Lordaeron, which had been our tradition since ancient times.

"Can we stop talking about this? Let's come up with a suitable solution regarding the territory!" Jaina interrupted Zul'ra, looking somewhat annoyed; this historical issue was what she feared most.

Just as the Orcs were outsiders who once started wars, the human nations of Stormwind, Kul Tiras, and Lordaeron were all colonies whose territories were created by ruthlessly squeezing out the living environment of Trolls, Kobold, and Gnoll.

"Alright! Let's not talk about it. Let me think. Do you have a map?" Zul'ra looked at Jaina and wisely stopped the conversation. She decided not to bully this beautiful and kind-hearted girl. While she still had some advantage, she knew that even the ancient Trolls weren't without their weaknesses. Even Darkspear Islands wasn't inhabited solely by Darkspear Trolls.

"Yes, we got a map of Kalimdor from the Goblins, a map they surveyed, from Dustwallow Marsh to the the Barrens, Durotar, Mulgore, Ashenvale, and Mount Hyjal!" Jaina nodded and had someone bring her a map of the Kalimdor.

Faced with the map Jaina presented, Zul'ra blinked. The map appeared to Goblins, but in reality, humans themselves had also been surveying it. The Horde, the Horde lacked such talent; it was quite a problem.

Leaving aside the map issue, since many races also live on this land, it's impossible for the Horde and Theramore to divide their territory like cutting a cake, with a line separating which side belongs to you and which side belongs to me, because it's simply impossible to eat it all.

After discussing it, Zul'ra and Jaina decided to designate a base on each side, and then, within the boundaries of that base, neither side would invade the other's territory; outside the base, it would be a matter of individual ability.

Zul'ra drew a line for the Horde, using the entire Durotar region, including the Echo Isles, half of Ashenvale, as well as the Mulgore Plains and Thousand Needle Forest, as its base. In fact, these areas are also inhabited by races such as Harpies, Centaur, and Quilboar, but Jaina approved of Zul'ra's plan.

Jaina herself was not greedy. She carved out half of Dustwallow Marsh, using the coastline including Dustwallow Bay and Tidefury Cove as her base. In this region, apart from the Naga Murloc, lobster people, and sea giants along the coast, there were really not many other races.

Based on Jaina's approval of her base, Zul'ra, after some thought, also approved of the base Jaina had designated and promised to have the Stonemaul Ogres retreat to Brackenwall Village. As for the original Stonemaul stronghold, it was within Jaina's territory and could no longer remain there.

"That's settled then! Next, let's talk about cultural exchange." Jaina let out a long sigh. For a long time, she had been restricting her subordinates from leaving the city. Today, she had made an agreement with the Horde so that they could properly develop Dustwallow Marsh after returning. The problem of too many people and too little land was solved. The next issue was exchange.

"On this matter, I think Theramore could send an ambassador to Orgrimmar, and the Horde could send an ambassador to Theramore. What do you think?" Zul'ra suggested with a smile, glancing sideways at her.

"On this matter, I cannot decide alone; I need to go back and consult my advisors. Moreover, I believe that such an official approach is not suitable for exchanges between people and cultures." Jaina politely declined, as exchanging ambassadors between Theramore and Orgrimmar would lead to Theramore being ostracized by the Alliance nations.

"On the contrary, I think this approach is perfect for our people and for exchanging ideas with our culture. What could be more effective than this form of exchange?" Zul'ra said with a smile.

"Zul'ra Jin..." Jaina drawled, her beautiful eyes filled with pain. How could this Trolls be such a bastard, always trying to harm her?

"Alright, alright!" Zul'ra quickly stopped smiling when she saw Jaina's slightly reproachful voice, and then lowered her head to stare at the map in deep thought.

"Actually, your earlier idea of opening up a region was quite good. How about this? The Horde can open up a region here for communication with Theramore," Zul'ra suddenly said to Jaina, pointing to the border between Dustwallow Marsh and the the Barrens to the west of Theramore.