The agreement was simple: the Imperial Merchant Fleet had determined that the grain produced here met the Imperium's strategic grain standards and would purchase all of it.
No matter how much grain Oslosa World produced, the Imperial Merchant Fleet would have "priority purchasing rights."
If he signed this agreement, Viscount Akuma would determine the price of grain here from this day onward. He only needed to buy up all the grain, load it aboard his ships, label it as produce from another Agri-World, then unload it again to sell it at a premium.
This grain had supposedly been shipped from another Agri World. Under the Imperial Merchant Charter, it could be sold at a modest markup over its purchase price plus shipping costs.
Essentially, he would be pocketing the "shipping costs."
Nothing would happen unless someone reported it, and anyone who wanted to report it could simply be paid off. Viscount Akuma was not even the ultimate beneficiary. He held this title simply because he was a noble, and even if the whole affair came to light, nothing would happen to him.
Nobody would hold the nobles accountable. Their tangled networks of influence extended throughout the Imperium's departments, and touching one strand would shake the entire web. At the very least, the Governor of Oslosa had no such ability.
"I refuse to sign. This agreement does not comply with this world's overall strategic security plan. Viscount Akuma, for the security of the Emperor's sacred domains, I have the right to submit this proposal to my superior for review."
Akuma was in no hurry. He crossed his legs, played with a gold coin, and leisurely took a puff of a cigar grown in his private gardens.
"Governor of Oslosa, who is your superior?"
"Herlox."
"Oh, what a coincidence! Just a few