The negotiations between the Xinfei Merchant Guild and the Candel Empire Navy were, of course, about more than the Xinfei Merchant Guild unilaterally satisfying the navy's demands.
In fact, resolving the Guard Frigates' ongoing maintenance issues was merely the foundation of these negotiations. What truly required serious discussion were the demands the Xinfei Merchant Guild had made of the Candel Empire Navy.
Under the agreement signed by both sides, the Candel Empire Navy would purchase three Guard Frigates from the Xinfei Merchant Guild at five hundred thousand gold coins each, but it also had to satisfy various other conditions. Otherwise, the shortfall of a full one and a half million gold coins would hardly be so easy to make up.
After leaving their respective subordinates to negotiate the details of the Guard Frigates' ongoing maintenance, Russell led Xu Yi to another room in the barracks.
Waiting for Xu Yi there was a slightly plump middle-aged man with a warm, kindly smile and shrewd eyes, who looked far more like a merchant than a soldier.
In fact, he was indeed a merchant.
"President Xu, this is Roberto Zeni, president of the Lavender Merchant Guild."
The middle-aged man immediately gave him an enthusiastic smile, took Xu Yi's hand, and said cheerfully, "President Xu, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope I can count on your support in the future."
"Not at all. We'll be working together, so there's no need to talk about doing anyone favors."
As Xu Yi exchanged pleasantries, he studied Roberto Zeni closely.
The Lavender Merchant Guild was quite famous within the Candel Empire. It was among the first-rate merchant guilds in the empire that Xu Yi had learned were worth keeping an eye on.
He had never expected, however, that the Candel Empire Navy was backing it.