Let Cairne Off the Hook

While currency has certain drawbacks in relation to social development, it generally plays a vital role in driving progress. More importantly, if others already possess something you don't, you become dependent on them and risk losing a significant amount of money. ✩ 🎀 🎀 ✩

After Zul'ra's explanation, Cairne Bloodhoof, Vol'jin, and the Shu'halo, Trolls, and Orcs represented by Saurfang all suddenly realized that banks and currencies were indispensable, both in practical terms and in strategic planning.

Because of the importance of currency, Zul'ra proposed the establishment of a bank along with centralized power. Even if the suggestion of centralized power was not accepted, he was determined to push for the establishment of a bank to unify the economies of Shu'halo, the Orcs, and the Trolls. He planned to implement centralized power when he became the Warchief.

Fortunately, since most of the Horde members were still in a primitive state, they were eager to explore new models. In order to facilitate command, Zul'ra's centralized authority was accepted by everyone, which meant he didn't need to think of any other solutions. However, he still had to explain things clearly to everyone, because only in this way could everyone work harder.

"Zul'ra, thank you. You've considered more than all of us combined, which makes me feel incredibly ashamed." Cairne Bloodhoof was deeply moved after listening to Zul'ra's explanation of the bank and currency. Zul'ra had thought so much about the Horde's future, something he couldn't do, and something that no one else could do, including perhaps the Warchief.

"Don't be ashamed yet, you still owe me a favor!" Zul'ra looked at the easily moved old ox and couldn't help but snort.

"Conditions?" Cairne Bloodhoof was a little confused by Zul'ra's words.

"Cairne Bloodhoof, about that bet you made with Zul'ra Jin last time." A cold glint flashed in Moira's eyes as she recalled the bet between Zul'ra and Cairne Bloodhoof that steel could float on water. Under that bet, Cairne Bloodhoof would have to do something for Zul'ra.

"Ah! Well, I'm willing to accept your conditions. Tell me, Zul'ra, I'm willing to do anything for you." Cairne Bloodhoof suddenly remembered, and then very readily admitted defeat to Zul'ra.

"Really?" Zul'ra looked at the conceding old bull, her eyes narrowing comfortably. She hadn't gotten the satisfaction of being slapped in the face because of the old bull's bad memory, but making the old bull stand outside Orgrimmar and sing love songs all night might give her some comfort.

"Really." Cairne Bloodhoof looked at Zul'ra and nodded sincerely. He believed that Zul'ra wouldn't let him do anything excessive.

"From now on, you must trust me unconditionally." Zul'ra opened her eyes. Although she really wanted the old ox to sing love songs outside Orgrimmar all night, she thought about it and realized that if she really made him lose face and things got ugly between them, it would be a loss for her. So she decided to let him go for now.

"Zul'ra, my friend, your terms make me feel utterly ashamed." Cairne Bloodhoof felt a burning sensation on his face as he faced Zul'ra's words. He realized that he might have indeed lacked trust in Zul'ra before, a trust stemming from his own shortsightedness and alienation from his companions, which went against the teachings of Earth Mother.

"No need, because I was planning to have you sing love songs outside Orgrimmar all night!" Zul'ra looked at the ashamed Cairne Bloodhoof, feeling slightly satisfied. Cairne Bloodhoof, this old bastard, was really a reliable teammate.

"Uh..." Faced with Zul'ra's undisguised words, Cairne Bloodhoof's initial feelings of shame and gratitude froze, and then he felt as if he couldn't process what he was saying, feeling like he had been fed to a dog.

Cairne Bloodhoof, the person directly involved, was utterly devastated. Saurfang, Hamuul Runetotem, and the others nearby were stunned for a moment before turning their gazes away with ill intent. Even Moira, who was dead, was met with a smirk from Vol'jin, who was usually rather cold. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought of the Shu'halo United Tribes Warchief Shuharu singing love songs all night outside Orgrimmar, which seemed rather appealing, especially considering that his son Baine Bloodhoof was already so grown up.

"So, are you surprised?" Zul'ra asked Cairne Bloodhoof with a grin.

"Give me back my gratitude." Cairne Bloodhoof looked at his smiling colleagues beside him, his face completely falling. If he did that, he would lose face completely and be ridiculed by Baine Bloodhoof for the rest of his life.

"I didn't ask you to do it!" Zul'ra looked at Cairne Bloodhoof with an expression that said, "I'm very magnanimous."

"I promise, Zul'ra, I'll never distrust you again." Cairne Bloodhoof found Zul'ra's "magnanimity" both amusing and solemnly promised again, hoping to salvage the atmosphere. However, Hamuul Runetotem next to him lowered his head and shook his shoulders, while Saurfang's unscrupulous laughter almost burst out of his nose.

"Ahem, let's leave it at that. There's one thing everyone must remember: the plan for the ironclad warship must be kept a secret." Zul'ra stopped the situation from spiraling out of control. Jokes should have limits; going too far could lead to trouble. Hamuul Runetotem and Saurfang quickly composed themselves and nodded.

"Okay, no problem. But could you give me this steel box? I need it to remind myself to be careful with my promises in the future." Cairne Bloodhoof looked down at the steel box floating on the water and made a request, his tone tinged with self-deprecation, showing that he was very relaxed.

"Of course." Zul'ra nodded, and Hamuul Runetotem and the others beside her also smiled.

"Oh, by the way, Vol'jin, has the payment for Amani been sent out yet?" Zul'ra suddenly remembered something and asked the tax chief Vol'jin.

"Not yet." Vol'jin shook his head.

"That's good. There's no need to rush to send it. I need it now." Zul'ra nodded. He had previously deposited Amani's gold coins into the Horde bank to obtain a sum of money, which he now needed.

"What do you want to do?" Vol'jin asked, his expression turning serious.

"Let's buy some food and send it back to the Eastern Kingdoms first. Amani might be facing a food shortage right now. We just received news that we've accepted refugees from Zuldrak in the north." Zul'ra was paving the way for Orgrimmar regarding Amani's annexation of the Ice Trolls.

"Zuldrak, how did you end up with them?" Vol'jin looked slightly surprised.

"My troops are already marching north to Northrend to pave the way for Horde Horde's attack on the the Scourge. We've promised the outside world that we'll fight the the Scourge. Although development is important now, we can't just sit idly by," Zul'ra explained. Lirath and Moira, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. Both the Sin'dorei and the Forsaken were actively involved in the fight against the the Scourge.

"So that's how it is." Everyone accepted Zul'ra's explanation.