Add One More Thing

The bald man's expression tightened. "Refined ore. Everything the Empire provides will be refined ore."

Elena made a note beside her and continued reading.

Su Li spoke up then.

"I want to add one more thing."

The bald man looked at him.

"Materials for an ocean-going vessel. I want one prototype set each of your Empire's deep-sea forged steel plates and magitech propulsion units."

The side hall fell silent for three seconds. The two civil officials behind the bald man exchanged a glance.

Ocean-going hull materials and propulsion units were core technological reserves of the Imperial Navy. They were not the highest-level secrets, but they had never been sold externally.

The bald man furrowed his brow.

Su Li added, "I won't take them for free. I can provide equivalent high-grade furnace materials in exchange."

The bald man considered it. "A propulsion prototype is possible, but the formula for the forged steel plates..."

"I don't want the formula." Su Li cut him off. "I want finished plates—enough to build one medium-sized ocean-going ship."

This request was far gentler than "I want the formula." The bald man visibly let out a breath of relief.

"Agreed."

After saying that, he added, "The Empire can also include three-year service contracts for two senior shipyard engineers, responsible for installation and calibration."

Su Li raised a brow. "That generous?"

The bald man answered bluntly, "Mr. Su Li, you have four fifth-rank fighters at your command. The Empire does not want you to think us stingy."

Elena was already copying every term onto formal contract paper.

Every item was precise down to quantity, quality, delivery date, and breach-of-contract clauses.

Su Li leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling beyond the window.

The negotiation entered the fine-print stage, mainly a tug-of-war between Elena and the Empire's civil