World Development System 266 197. Start of Negotiations Part 2.

Luke thought that since they were prisoners of war it was natural and spoke without much consideration of the topic, "Of course, we understand those rules. That won't be a problem. However, you can't charge the nobles overwhelmingly. What I mean is, there should be a standard and personal grudges or vendetta can't be allowed after negotiations."

Taylor got to his main point and spoke, "That's ok, We too will be redeeming our spies and soldiers caught in the war. They won't be entering Aelius from on if they are agreed to be released. So it's a give and take situation."

Taylor meanwhile thought, 'I wonder how many million gold coins will be spent on this migration endeavor. I guess it can still be redeemed by extorting the nobles that we caught previously in the war. It was good that we found several gold mines at Aurora and 9 Settlements city or else we would be forced to export our technology earlier to balance the treasury.'

Taylor spoke and gave him a hint of some policies, "Yes, King John's coronation will be held in a month. The trade and peace deal with Aelius will be signed in 2 days so you guys won't lose face. Currently, we are going to start minting our own gold coins and start our own currency. There will also be the paper currency which we will be using and it would be easy for future business transactions."

Luke asked with a confused and angry face, "Paper currency? Are you guys playing with your economy? I thought King John was quite a brilliant man when it came to managing a state or domain even when he was at Aelius. How can you guys play like this."

Taylor spoke, "Don't worry, those paper currency will be supported by Gold coins in the various branches of our banks. Anyway, I will inform my spies to act and save Antonio now that we have agreed to the deal. You must inform Plato immediately. If my men are caught and treated unfairly then bear the consequences."

Taylor smiled and thought as Luke made an angry face over the paper currency, 'Well our main aim is to control the gold which comes in or goes out of our treasury and keep an account on it. You guys won't understand the brilliance of these paper currency unless you use it yourself.''

Suddenly Plato's voice came from the Crystal ball which was inside Luke's pocket, "You don't need to worry about that Luke. Taylor you can activate the operations of your men without hesitation in the Imperial city. As for Hector, I will deal with him if he tries to create any more ruckus. You don't need to worry. However, I don't want your media to report Antonio's assassination on your papers. Just report it as Normal transfer procedure for a fairer trial." 

Plato thought, 'I guess they want to control the flow of Gold coins in their kingdom via the use of these paper currency. I need to warn his majesty early on.'

Luke sheepishly looked elsewhere so as not to meet his eyes with Taylor while Taylor looked at the Crystal ball and spoke, "Ok, that won't be a problem."

Taylor took his small communication stone and spoke, "Dearil, Grey, you can order your men to start."

Taylor then looked at the big Crystal ball and spoke, "I don't think you would reveal yourself for no reason unless there is a problem."

Plato nodded and spoke, "Well, this was an important treaty that needed to be signed and hence my presence. I heard that you guys are apparently investing millions of gold coins on Transportation and some wires throughout the households of Sky's various territories, Even the new 9 settlements city is upgraded as per the required future needs. And I guess that is also the reason you guys are in shortage of labor unlike what you project for vast lands for Agriculture, right? Because I know that guy Mist and Alison are also there to help you guys with their nature magic. So I don't think you guys would have any problem in the next harvest no matter the shortage of labor."

Taylor sighed and thought, 'Aah, I guess he is talking about Trains and electrification, it seems we still have some spies or blabbermouths who can't keep their mouth shut. I guess such a big project cant be done under the wraps anyway. Well, there were many loopholes in my excuse in the first place. I will try to give him as less information as I try.'

Taylor sighed and spoke, "I guess it can't be hidden. Yeah, we are transforming our Transportation network for better connectivity, As for those wires even I don't know much. It is under the jurisdiction of Tornwall and Professor Will." 

Plato thought, 'I guess he won't reveal much anything as of now. We will know the results slowly later on anyway on both those wires and Transportation network. We can't lag behind any other country if we hope to rule everyone or at least compete with others.'

After waiting for some time, Plato hesitantly asked, "Are you guys interested in sending the concrete and cement to Aelius. We saw that the building time in Rose's domain has reduced a lot due to these ingredients which have saved a lot of labor and time. We would also like to contract you guys for building the road network in Aelius. However, there will be a time period requirement."

Plato had already experienced the results of a better transportation network and hence asked hesitantly.

Taylor smiled and understood that they have seen the results in Pearl city and Duke Rose's domain so he asked, "Well, why are you guys suddenly raining flowers on us. I am kinda getting suspicious. Were you guys really our enemies previously?"

Plato answered sheepishly, "Hahaha, there is nothing suspicious about it, the answer is simple, it is because both Bryndyll and Fire-abyss are doing the same. I don't want Aelius to lag behind them in years due to political differences of the past caused by Prince Hector. And after watching the development of Pearl City to a city comparable to Imperial City just within a year I am quite surprised and hence I am sure we will have great results. From what I know they saved a lot of labor costs and were able to maintain law and order at the trade routes which has inevitably attracted Traders because of the reduced mercenary costs and travel costs."

Plato continued, "This time, I am going to invest in Lord John instead of Prince Hector, Duke Fjord or compromising with the radiant church. There are dangerous movements being carried out by Radiant church and hence I want to nip them in the bud."

Plato thought, 'Most importantly, John is quite a cunning individual and thinks of dangers ahead of time. Just looking at the way he is treating religions as a political entity means he knows what danger they pose in the future and what could happen after he dies. I guess his only weakness is that he is not imperialistic in nature. It seems this is because it is the first time he has tasted power or has other plans or other foresight. I wish I worked under him and could influence him to dominate the whole continent. I guess I am too greedy to have a very sturdy political foundation of a kingdom.

Just looking at the way the Radiant church has increased its influence in Aelius. I wish I could turn back time and nip them in the bud. Well, there is still time, this trade deal is quite important to us. Their very hegemony because of light magic has caused a lot of headaches to us. This time they will be crushed for sure.

Or maybe we can try the demon's way when the Fire-abyss family crushed the netherworld church but we don't enough power and resources to try those endeavors. Anyway, betting on Lord John is safer as he already has a grudge with Radiant Church.'

Plato asked to conclude the deal, "Would you guys be taking back your army at your borders from Dolores? And what are your thoughts in regards to investment in Sky from Aelius."

Taylor reassured him, "Yes, We plan to withdraw In batches and as Baron Mendez forms his local army after the Treaty is signed. We will soon make a policy for foreign investment. Most likely it will be open to everyone without restrictions as Milord believes in more trade to improve the quality of life for people. However, those foreign investments will be under our scrutiny from our various departments so they can't be used by people with malicious intent. The most important thing will be, people will have to obey our laws strictly."

Plato nodded and thought, 'I guess Lord John, really isn't interested in Expanding his borders and is intended on securing the internal situation first. He may try to be imperialistic in the future and we must be careful of that. I wonder how would their paper currency work. I hope it goes down in the gutter and we benefit from this to make a recovery.'

Chapter end