Count Duoer opened his mouth, ready to reel off the conditions he had long prepared, only for Xu Yi to shut him down the moment he began. He coughed and stared at Xu Yi in astonishment.
"President Xu, what did you say?" Count Duoer's eyes widened in disbelief. "You said it's impossible? I've only just mentioned the first condition, and you're already saying it's impossible? Did you actually come here to negotiate with me?"
"I'm only addressing your first condition," Xu Yi replied calmly. "Now that the nobles' private fiefs have been abolished, there is no possibility of restoring them. That is one condition I absolutely cannot accept."
"Then do you even want to continue these negotiations?" Count Duoer demanded angrily.
"Of course." Xu Yi smiled slightly. "Please state your other conditions. There should still be room for discussion."
Count Duoer flung out his hand in anger. "The first condition is the most important and fundamental one! If you won't agree to it, we have nothing more to discuss!"
"Oh?" Xu Yi smiled, stood up, and bowed to Count Duoer. "Then let's leave it here for today. Once you've thought things through, Count Duoer, we can resume negotiations."
Count Duoer watched Xu Yi turn and leave without the slightest hesitation after his bow, utterly stunned.
"President Xu, are you really going to leave just like that? Aren't you going to rescue your subordinates?"
Xu Yi turned and glanced at Count Duoer. "Of course I intend to rescue them, but I absolutely cannot agree to that condition either. Count Duoer, let's talk again once you've calmed down and given it some thought."
With those words, Xu Yi walked straight out without looking back.
Count Duoer instinctively raised his arm to pull Xu Yi back, but ultimately restrained himself.
After Xu Yi