Sales Pitch
Developing industry in peacetime faces many limitations, such as a lack of funds, difficulty in mobilizing personnel, the impact of industrial development on the surrounding areas, and the level of industrial capacity. These are all issues that need to be carefully considered. However, in an emergency such as war, all mobilization becomes no longer an issue.
The Second War of the Shifting Sands was decided more than 6,000 years ago during the First War of the Shifting Sands. Since this war was unavoidable, Zul'ra had to think about how to make this war, while ensuring victory, play a greater role for the Horde.
First, Zul'ra, Tyrande Whisperwind, and Jaina determined the personnel to participate in this great battle, estimated their own military strength, and calculated the military expenditure figures.
The forces that have already decided to participate in the war are: the sentinels of the Sisterhood of Elune, the Druid of the Cenarion Circle, plus the Horde and Theramore combat forces, totaling more than 20,000 troops. Although this number is not large, they are all elite soldiers, and there are no ordinary farmers participating in the war. Moreover, other races and forces may join the war later.
Regardless of how many people the coalition forces will have in the future, the current consumption of food, water, medicine, and equipment by these troops is astronomical. Fortunately, the insectoids of Ahn'Qiraj have not yet fully broken out, and everyone still has some time to prepare for battle.
Although there was still time to prepare, Jaina couldn't help but look troubled, saying that Theramore was currently facing many problems with food and armor. Tyrande Whisperwind also looked embarrassed, saying that the Kaldorei might be able to provide some food, but armor and weapons would be a problem.
Because the Kaldorei previously supported the Horde with timber and other supplies, and also contributed to eliminating the remaining demons, they are now somewhat lacking in resources. Even if they had surplus supplies, transportation would be a major problem, as Silithus is geographically too remote and lacks a coastline.
When Jaina and Tyrande Whisperwind were struggling, Zul'ra didn't immediately offer to take on all the responsibilities, as that would be a waste of his time. Instead, he first pointed out that the Horde was facing economic difficulties, lacking money, iron, timber, oil, and medicine. He argued that if these problems could be solved, then none of the other issues would remain problems.
Faced with Zul'ra's complaints about lacking this and that, the High Elves advisor standing behind Jaina almost burst out laughing, drawing stares from Tyrande Whisperwind and Zul'ra. Jaina had no choice but to turn around and shake her, then softly apologize to Tyrande Whisperwind and Zul'ra on her behalf, and solemnly ask Zul'ra if she could really solve the problem.
Zul'ra, of course, wouldn't undermine his own cause. His goal was to get the Horde the war contract, so he boasted about the situation, telling Jaina that as long as she provided the details of the required supplies and met the Horde's needs, the Horde could gather enough supplies in a short time.
When asked about Zul'ra's request, Tyrande Whisperwind first probed whether the Horde could provide 200,000 arrows if she wanted them. These arrows were no small number; if the Kaldorei were to make and collect them themselves, it would take at least half a year to accumulate them.
Zul'ra didn't dare to make a direct promise. Instead, he first asked Tyrande Whisperwind about the arrow's requirements. After confirming that the iron arrowhead and fletching could meet the requirements, he then asked about the arrow's length. So he turned to his secretary Righan, and asked the craftsmen if they could make a sample on the spot.
Seeing Zul'ra's earnest expression, Tyrande Whisperwind's eyes gleamed slightly. Jaina turned and whispered something to the High Elves advisor beside her, then turned to Zul'ra and asked if he could provide five thousand sets of armor and six thousand steel swords, enough to feed nine thousand people.
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The armor and steel swords need to be provided in terms of style and size. As for the food for nine thousand people, Zul'ra made a direct guarantee. The Horde inherited the Amani's previous tradition of storing grain and agricultural technology. While satisfying their own needs, they also stored a large amount of food, which is currently estimated to be enough to feed the entire Horde for a year.
Zul'ra gave full assurances about the food, and also sent someone to bring over Horde's stored food for everyone to taste. There were various kinds of biscuits, cakes, canned fruit, instant noodles, and even half a carcass of pork taken from the Goblins's freezer.
Food preservation technology is constantly being updated, allowing Horde to store a wider variety of foods for longer periods. In the past two years Horde in Kalimdor have been preparing to shift their agriculture towards cash crops.
Faced with a table laden with pastries and food, and half a frozen pork carcass carried in one hand by a guard, the war council turned into a sales pitch. Jaina's expression froze, and she asked hesitantly, "Isn't the Horde currently facing financial difficulties?"
It's absolutely true that the Horde is facing financial difficulties. Facing Jaina's questioning, Zul'ra calmly pointed to the food on the table and said, "You think this belongs to the Horde? You're wrong. This belongs to the Horde's people. We can't just rob the commoners, but we don't have the money to buy it. We still owe the Goblins money!"
As Zul'ra spoke, he also pulled in Tax Minister Vol'jin to testify on his behalf. Chieftain Darkspear glanced somewhat helplessly at the expressionless Cairne Bloodhoof and the others, then followed suit, nodding with a straight face, and explained to Jaina and Tyrande Whisperwind that the Horde currently owed the Steamwheedle Cartel a large sum of money.
Faced with the Horde that still owed the Goblins money, Jaina was at a loss for words and could only look at her female advisor with pleading eyes. Meanwhile, Righan returned with a hastily made feathered arrow for Zul'ra.
Zul'ra took the bamboo arrow, raised an eyebrow at the triangular cylindrical arrowhead and the plastic three-winged fletching, and then handed it to Tyrande Whisperwind so she could test its quality.
Tyrande Whisperwind was tasting her second chocolate chip cookie when she saw this, so she quickly put down her food, first inquired about the material of the arrow fletching, felt the weight of the entire arrow, and then handed it to her female guard who was eating almond cookies.
The female guard was incredibly fierce. After putting down the food, she magically produced a hardwood bow from behind her back and nocked an arrow, but Zul'ra stopped her immediately. Here, it wouldn't be good to shoot anyone or even damage anything.
Zul'ra waved for the Amani guards carrying the pork to take the goods away, and then had Righan take the female guards outside to practice archery. At the same time, she turned to ask Jaina, who was talking to the advisor, about the situation.
Jaina didn't speak, but instead had her advisor leave using a teleportation spell. She then told Zul'ra that she had returned to Theramore to retrieve the designs for the armor and sword. As for how to sell the food provided by the Horde, she could place large orders, but only if it was delivered to her door.
If Jaina still couldn't see that Zul'ra was using the opportunity to steal orders, Jaina might as well kill herself. However, in her view, problems that can be solved with money aren't really problems. Theramore is currently a bit tight on finances, but she can get sponsorships from Kul Tiras and Stormwind. She won't participate in the war to defend the world, but she still has to pay a sum of money.