Old Ford took a folded contract from his coat, unfolded it, and spread it across the table.
"Royal Wilderness, all of it. Thirty percent of the Northern Shipyard shares. All forging materials and ores in the old royal vault—you may take your pick. In addition, once the matter is done, Red Leaf Manor will formally recognize Ginkgo Alley No. 3 Courtyard as an independent territory, never to be taxed and never to be conscripted."
Su Li did not reach for the contract right away.
Elena had already leaned over.
Her gaze swiftly swept across every clause, her finger pausing over several key terms.
"The 'thirty percent' of the shipyard shares—is that based on total market value, or an annual profit share?"
"Annual profit share."
"Change it to thirty percent equity based on total market value, transferable and inheritable."
Old Ford glanced at her. "Fine."
Elena pointed to another line.
"'You may freely choose materials from the old royal vault' is too vague. Change it to: priority selection rights, with no quantity limit for the first three rounds. If others compete for what remains, our side retains the right of first purchase under equal terms."
Old Ford tapped the tabletop once with his finger.
"Unlimited for the first two rounds. The third round is capped at fifty items."
Elena considered it for three seconds. "A hundred items for the third round, and any item weighing less than half a ton does not count toward the limit."
"...Sixty items. Overweight items don't count."
"Eighty."
Old Ford drew a deep breath. "Seventy-five. Final offer."
Elena set down her pen. "Deal."
She took a blank sheet of formal contract paper from her bag and began copying out the revised clauses on the spot.
Su Li did not interrupt once throughout the process.
After finishing