Imperial Crown.

Chapter 614 The Art of Negotiation

"I have believed in justice all my life."

"Because it ranks first among all the fine qualities of nobility."

Therefore, I believe that justice will bring me glory, good luck, and wealth.

"but"

"I soon encountered the first difficulty of my life." "That was the discovery of a mineral vein in my Gray Territory." "Although it was only a first-tier [Azure Forest Stone Mine]." "I think," "Lord Raven, as you know, Azure Forest Stone contains rich life elements, which can help extraordinary individuals with affinity for nature's battle qi to accelerate their cultivation."

Raven didn't speak. He only nodded almost imperceptibly. The so-called natural battle aura, life element... all refer to the wood attribute among the "metal, wood, water, fire, and earth" elements. For example, the misty iron found in Widow Town under Raven's control is a water attribute ore. Naturally, there are also wood attribute ores. These are all cultivation resources that extraordinary cultivators must use.

“Oh.” “Please forgive me.” “I haven’t told you where my territory is yet.”

Even Wellington himself didn't realize it. Although he was sitting on the sofa, his aged spine was ramrod straight, and fine beads of sweat covered his bald head; his tense state was clearly visible to everyone. The occasional tremor in his voice further betrayed his inner fear. It was as if the person sitting before him was not a fellow human, but a demon king ready to devour him at any moment.

“My territory,” “Grey Territory,” “is located in the northwesternmost tip of the North Sea Province.” “It is very close to Lanxia County of the Nord Province.” “However, it is blocked by the Divine Descendant Mountains.” “My territory is very barren.” “It can even be compared to the Bloodstained Highlands.” “It is completely unsuitable for raising livestock.”

"Therefore, Qinglin Stone Mine can be said to be the only economic pillar in my territory."

"But what have I, who have always believed in justice, suffered?" "Ever since the discovery of this Green Forest Stone Mine," "Count Dipoon sent his men to forcibly break into my castle and threaten me into signing an agreement to sell the Green Forest Stone Mine to him for 1 gold coin."

"Yes." "You heard me right." "1 gold coin."

"But I did not panic." "I maintained the composure and caution befitting a nobleman." "I chose forbearance." "I chose compromise." "I chose to yield." "Because I believed that I could obtain fairness and justice from this country." "Just as the bards have said." "This country is free, democratic, equal, open, fair, just, inclusive, prosperous, and powerful..."

"So I first went to Marquis Huber." "Because he was the only marquis in the entire North Sea province." "I believed he could bring me justice." "But I couldn't even get into his castle." "I stood outside his castle in Daphne County for three whole months." "And I couldn't even see him." "I didn't even step into his castle."

“I was disappointed.” “But I didn’t give up.” “There was no other way.” “I could only go to the Noble Council.” “I hoped the Noble Council could give me justice.” “But after they accepted my case, they told me to go home and wait.” “I waited for three long years.” “Still no news.”

“I was disappointed once again.” “But I still did not give up.” “I set off again and went to the capital. I felt that even if the Marquis and the Council of Nobles could not help me seek justice, then the capital would surely give me true justice.” “After all, I am also an Imperial Baron.” “My ancestors shed blood and risked their lives for this country.” “I am not a vassal of someone else’s territory.”

"But it's laughable." "As soon as I stepped into the capital, I was tricked and swindled out of all my money." "But I was stubborn and unwilling to give up, nor did I want to disappoint my family." "So I was like a vagrant in the capital, sleeping on the streets when I was tired, picking up garbage to eat when I was hungry, drinking fountain water when I was thirsty... even dirtier and smellier than a beggar, lower than a serf..." "And so," "I stayed in the capital for a whole year," "but I still couldn't get close to the Royal Court."

Wellington recounted the past, his voice growing increasingly agitated and trembling, revealing a deep-seated sorrow that brought tears to his eyes and made him shiver. He raised his hands, tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and struggled to hold back his tears, as if he were pleading or lamenting deeply: "From then on," "I understood," "Justice is dead." "There is no fairness in this world." "There has never been justice in this empire."

The old man wept bitterly as he spoke, downing the Angel's Tears in his glass in one gulp. His voice hoarse, he said, "I've never told my family about this. I dare not let them know these cruel truths."

Wellington didn't actually need to say those words. As he recounted these events, his family members standing behind him stared in astonishment, their eyes wide as they watched his retreating figure. The women wept with sorrow, while the men clenched their fists in anger. They were completely unaware of Wellington's ordeal in the capital. They couldn't fathom that the strong and resolute Wellington would make such a tremendous sacrifice for the family's interests, enduring such unbearable humiliation.

Raven listened silently, his expression remaining calm.

First of all, what is Wellington's so-called humiliation compared to his past experiences? When he first took over Eaglelands, Goldshire was in John's hands. The quarry and Thousand Needle Forest were at Angor's feet. A pure catastrophe from the start. Wasn't that far more miserable than Wellington's current situation? Later, to survive and buy himself some time to develop, he even went so far as to deliberately have someone record him kneeling and begging for mercy. If it weren't for his experience in the Orc Empire, if he hadn't subdued the dragon, if he hadn't broken the blood curse, if he hadn't received Orc support... Raven would be dead by now. How could he be sitting here listening to these people's idle chatter?

Secondly, even though the Wellington family suffered such immense injustice, they still didn't respect the commoners and serfs. However, this wasn't entirely their fault. After all, the concept that "only nobles are human" was deeply ingrained on the continent of Middlesbrough. Therefore, they genuinely believed that living like serfs was a disgrace to the dignity and honor of the nobility—worse than death itself. Clearly, the Wellington family would never treat their own people well, let alone seek justice for them. But now that this "injustice" had befallen them, they immediately burst into tears, feeling utterly hopeless.

Finally, there were plenty of nobles who complained, performed, and played the victim in front of Raven every day. Raven had long since developed a strong immunity and resistance to it. So after hearing all this, Raven wasn't greatly moved, and even had the leisure to toss the orange in his hand back and forth like a circus performer.

"What can I do?" Raven repeated his question again in a calm tone.

Wellington stood up and bowed respectfully: “Raven…” “No… I beg Your Excellency to uphold justice for me.” “I hope that” “Earl Deborah will return my Greenwood Stone Mine.” “And pay all the profits from these years of mining.” “And I” “will offer my heart and my loyalty.” “I swear allegiance to the Griffith family.”

“Sorry, I can’t do it.” Raven shrugged.

Wellington's face darkened. His relatives behind him followed suit, their eyes filled with disappointment. Just as he had expected—he had anticipated this; no one in the world would offend an earl for the sake of a mere baron like him. Unless they were out of their minds, unless they'd been kicked in the head by a donkey… Therefore, Wellington wasn't particularly disappointed at this moment. He nodded, his tone indifferent, "Then I have nothing more to say." "Thank you for your audience, Your Excellency."

"Ha!" Seeing the other party's attitude change faster than flipping through a book, a stark contrast between before and after, Raven couldn't help but scoff coldly. He tossed the orange high into the air and then caught it in his palm with a thud. "Wellington, Wellington!" "I don't know what I did wrong!" "How could you be so disrespectful to me!" "If everything you just said is true," "I will offer a condition that Earl Deboron cannot refuse." "I can make him return the Green Forest Stone Mine to you immediately." Saying this, Raven stood up, walked to Wellington, and extended an index finger diagonally into the air. "But," "But," Raven then changed his tone, emphasizing "but" twice, "You must understand." "This happened before I came to the North Sea Province." "I can help you get the Green Forest Stone Mine back." "But I cannot make them pay for the previous profits from the mine." "Only then." "That's fair." "That's justice." No matter the purpose, Raven could never completely satisfy the other party's desires. This is the essence of the art of managing people. After all, human nature is inherently greedy and insatiable. Besides, Raven doesn't even know if the whole thing is true or not. Even if it is, what if Earl Deborah is willing to cede more benefits? If Raven agrees to Wellington's demands now, wouldn't he be shooting himself in the foot? Do they really think he's some kind of upright judge here to settle this case for these people? It's all just Raven's way of dividing and sowing discord among them.

Then, Raven extended his palm and said in a low voice, "Moreover, I don't need you to offer your heart or swear allegiance. I, Raven, am a man who adheres to the highest aristocratic standards. All I need is the friendship of your Wellington family." Raven didn't know the surname of this small baron's family, so he simply used their first name instead. He shamelessly spoke eloquently, "Especially a nobleman like you, Wellington, who has dedicated your life to upholding justice." "I believe in your friendship," he said, "as strong as steel, as pure as crystal."

After these words, disbelief shone in the eyes of everyone in the room, especially Wellington. It was clear from their expressions that they were completely captivated by Raven's powerful personal charisma and brilliance. Wellington put down his glass, walked briskly to Raven, bowed his head, and said with utmost reverence, "God Father." Then, he took Raven's hands in his and gently kissed them.

Raven withdrew his hand, wiped it discreetly on his backside, and then looked toward the hyena at the door.

Soon, the hyena brought in another group of people. It was the Earl of Deborah's family. The earl's family was a large and complex organization, and more than 20 people poured in. The meeting hall suddenly felt even narrower and more cramped.

The two families, with a tacit understanding, stood in two distinct groups, their eyes fixed on each other with hostility.

"yeah"

After entering, Deboron naturally sat down on the sofa opposite Raven. He was in his early fifties, looking young and vigorous. His attire was also very luxurious, clearly indicating his earl status. After quietly listening to Wellington's accusations, Deboron shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, and said nonchalantly, "It seems there was such a thing." "But it's been several years, I've almost forgotten about it." "Marquis Raven," "You should know," "It was just a Tier 50 mine, not worth much." "For a dignified earl like me, it's completely dispensable." "And given Wellington's poverty, it's impossible for him to mine the mine."

"So you sent men to storm into his castle and buy the mine for 1 gold coin?" Raven's voice was calm, with a hint of mockery in his tone.

Dipoon pursed his lips. Faced with the fact that it was priced at "1 gold coin," anything he said at this moment seemed so pale and powerless. A heavy silence fell over the meeting hall, the atmosphere growing increasingly oppressive, and Dipoon felt immense pressure.

“I demand that you immediately return the Green Forest Stone Mine to Wellington.” “And you must pay 2 gold coins as compensation.” “And you must also pay 5 gold coins as a fine.” Seeing that Deboron was hesitant to respond, Raven simply laid out his conditions. If Deboron were even slightly smarter and willing to give him half of the profits, Raven wouldn’t mind letting him continue operating the mine. But clearly, Deboron wasn’t that smart.

Dipoon was clearly taken aback for a moment, then retorted unwillingly, "That mine only sold for less than 10 gold coins. And over the years, more than 60 serfs have died just from mining. Add to that all the operating and transportation costs, and I'll be losing tens of thousands of gold coins."

Raven shrugged, observing his earlier demeanor, and said, "But this mine never truly belonged to you." "Besides the principal, there's also the interest accumulated over the years." Raven didn't want to push too hard, after all, the other party was an earl, whose influence and impact were far greater than that of a baron. Therefore, Raven decided to give him another chance, "If you have a better solution..." "I'm all ears."

Duboon immediately said, “I can return the Green Forest Stone Mine to Wellington. As compensation, the basic infrastructure in the mine will also be given to him. But all the profits from these years will belong to me.”

Raven's eyes narrowed slightly. This kid was completely clueless. He didn't take him seriously at all. Did he really think he was a philanthropist? He didn't even want a share of the profits. This was truly intolerable. "Count Deborah," "You clearly haven't grasped your current situation and reality." "You still think you can bargain." "This behavior is extremely dangerous; it's not a shrewd approach, but rather quite foolish." "Listen to me," "Let me kindly remind you." "I, Raven," "have never been a profit-driven person." "I'm not doing all this for profit." "As the future strictest father of the three northwestern provinces," "I only do three things—" "Fairness," "Fairness," "Fairness, the fuck!" Raven rebuked righteously, "Do you think I'm negotiating with you now?" "This is an order!" "Count Deborah!"

"Raven!!"

Seeing that Raven was showing him no respect or dignity whatsoever, Deborah immediately jumped up, standing on the sofa as well, pointing a finger at Raven across the room. He roared furiously, "Don't think you're safe just because you defeated Ferdinand!" "This is the North Sea Province!" "Not your Nord Province!" "The governor is Marquis Huber, not your little bee!" "Hmph!" "As a registered count of the Empire, bestowed with a title by the Papacy," "a fellow imperial noble!" "I don't need to take your orders!" The two had completely broken off relations, and Deborah was too lazy to continue the pretense. "Raven," he said, "let me remind you," "even a rabbit will bite when cornered!"

“So that’s what you really think!” Raven nodded, understanding the root and key to the problem. It seemed this kid didn’t truly respect him. Raven stepped forward, grabbed the other’s finger, and snapped it in two. The pain caused Dipoon to immediately kneel down, letting out a bloodcurdling scream. “Now,” Raven said, “we can formally discuss how to handle this matter.” “I order you,” he continued, “not only to return the Green Forest Stone Mine to Wellington, but also to pay 10 gold coins as compensation, and another 10 gold coins as a fine, “as a warning to others.” Raven snorted angrily, increasing the pressure on his hand.

"Ahhh!" "Let go!" "Let go now!" Debordion cried out in pain, tears streaming down his face, but he still refused to agree to these incredibly harsh conditions. It's clear that the nobles value profit more than life itself. "Didn't you just say..." "2 in compensation and 5 in fines?!"

"make a deal."

Raven immediately released Deborah's hand, helped him up, and said with admiration, "Wow! You actually managed to propose a condition that I couldn't refuse at all. You're simply a top-notch negotiation expert. If you were willing to write down your art of negotiation in a book, I would definitely spend a fortune to buy it and study it carefully."

Dubois: ...

Dubois's family: ...

Wellington: ...

Wellington's family: ...

At this moment, Deborah could no longer fail to realize that he had already fallen into Raven's negotiation trap from the very beginning.

……

(End of this chapter)