The goddesses attempted to gain my salvation.

If exchanging Orichalcos, mining rights, and distillery rights for grain purchasing rights was a high-stakes gamble...

Therefore, Tracy's terms of the deal can only be described as an all-in bet.

The city-state that Tracy was assigned to was a very remote and barren place, far less prosperous than the city-state of Alvin.

Therefore, on the surface, Tracy doesn't have Alvino's cards.

However, Tracy is really daring!

She first used all the mineral resources in the city-state, along with the Orichalcos refinery, as collateral to apply for a high-interest loan from the Duchy of Ferrante, and then used these loans to purchase the Duchy of Ferrante's staple food.

At the same time, the city-state's weapons smelting center was leased to the People's Council for ten years!

The weapon-forging technology of the Auguston Empire was excellent. The cold winds and harsh environment of the far north nurtured countless genius craftsmen.

The legendary craftsman Fernandez was from the Auguston Empire.

Tracy's actions amounted to selling the entire city-state to the Duchy of Ferrante, including the core of the empire, the forging industry, all in exchange for a large amount of staple food.

Even Alvin couldn't help but admire such courage.

I really don't know if she's gone mad or just acting recklessly.

It's important to understand that Alvin was merely speculating that a large-scale food crisis might occur in the future.

He was simply willing to use a portion of his assets to gamble on this possibility.

He still has room to maneuver if a food crisis does not occur.

However, Tracy sold off all of the city-state's core industries. If a food crisis didn't erupt as expected, Tracy would have no room to maneuver.

The sale of core industries meant that Tracy completely lost its economic autonomy, and even the right to forge weapons.

If other family members send troops to attack, she can't even muster a counter-offensive army and has no choice but to surrender.

Alvin couldn't offer such terms.

Meanwhile, Alvin was also thinking.

Where did Tracy get the audacity to do this?

Did she know she couldn't win, so she simply gave up?

Or is it just that it's disgusting?

Alvin had no idea what she was thinking.

Chapter 211 Negotiation Strategies

A rational person cannot compete with a madman to see who can spend more money.

In Alvin's eyes, Tracy had become a complete madman.

“Since Tracy has already offered his terms, and Mr. Alvin… I’m afraid he can’t offer any more favorable terms.”

"So, I'm sorry."

"I came here specifically to see you and apologize to you in person."

"The Duchy of Ferrante has decided to make a deal with Miss Tracy and lease three Bohai ship docks in Moon Bay Port."

Alvin smiled bitterly.

However, they quickly regrouped and continued to maneuver against Claire.

"Indeed, I cannot offer such terms."

"However, your deal with Tracy will not affect the deal between you and me."

"Wouldn't this be icing on the cake for you once the deal is done?"

Claire shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Alvin."

"Although I had the same idea, Member of Parliament Filio has already done the calculations. Currently, in addition to Ms. Tracy, there are five other major clients who have ordered food from us."

"Once the deal with Ms. Tracy is finalized and the autumn settlement period begins, the remaining staple food stocks in the Duchy of Ferrante will reach an all-time low."

"This amount is barely enough for the duchy's normal use. We have no more grain that we can trade."

Five major clients?

Alvin's thoughts raced.

It seems the other three kingdoms had already heard the news and taken corresponding actions. As for the Empire, besides King Gulandon's regular purchases, Tracy's side had already seized the initiative.

It seems I was a step too slow.

With a sigh, Alvin bowed respectfully to Claire.

"what a pity."

"In that case, there's no need for me to stay here any longer."

"Then I shall take my leave..."

However, before Alvin could leave, Claire continued to speak.

"Mr. Alvin, the staple food of the Duchy of Ferrante has been sold out, that's an undeniable fact. But I wonder if you'd be interested in what I'm about to mention?"

"If you're interested, perhaps you can sit down and we can continue discussing the deal."

After saying that, Hanris took out a map.

Above, there are many areas circled in red.

Alvin glanced around and realized that all the circled areas were farmland!

“Speaker Claire, this is…”

This time, it was Foreign Minister Henri who answered Alvin.

“Mr. Alvin, I think you should also know that the Duchy of Ferrante was recently plunged into turmoil. Fortunately, Speaker Claire turned the tide and quelled this turmoil that should never have happened.”

Alvin nodded.

"The principality is currently in a state of disrepair and needs to be rebuilt. There are many industries and reconstruction projects that require a large amount of manpower."

"That is why some of the principality's high-quality farmland is now vacant."

"These vacant farmlands have all been marked on the map."

Alvin immediately realized: "Congressman Hanris, do you mean you want to give up the planting rights to some of the farmland?"

Hans shook his head.

"To be precise, it's a leasehold arrangement."

“You provide the seeds and labor, and we provide the farmland. We only take 10% of the harvest as a handling fee. The rest is all yours.”

"Of course, since we are providing the site rather than finished products, you don't need to provide as much as before. Just a certain amount of Orichalcos and some industrial products will suffice. As for the mines and distillery, they remain yours."

Alvin had never imagined that there was such a way of trading.

I've always considered myself knowledgeable and well-informed, but now I have to admit that there are always people more knowledgeable than me.

Speaker Claire is not only beautiful, but also has many interesting ideas.

Alvin quickly calculated in his mind. This kind of transaction undoubtedly reduced the risks he bore. Not only did it leave the city-state with mines and wineries, but it also made the quality control of the grain, which he had always been worried about, much easier to manage, since he was the one who sent people to cultivate the land.

Most importantly, the Duchy of Ferrante only takes 10% of the grain produced, keeping the remaining 90%.

The duchy's land is extremely fertile, and every field can produce a huge amount of grain.

If we can really get 90%, not only will this year's food crisis be over, but the city-state's granaries will be full next year, and we can even resell them for profit.

For Alvin, it was like a windfall!

But......

“Speaker Claire.”

"I think there shouldn't be any problems with this deal on my end."

"However, this means we'll be sending a large number of people. Aren't you worried about... sovereignty issues?"

Claire smiled calmly: "It would be a lie to say I'm not worried."

"Therefore, we have strict requirements for the personnel we assign to you. They must be ordinary civilians who have never served in the military. Even retired soldiers are not allowed."

"Please understand in this regard."

Alvin could certainly understand.

If it were him, he would also worry that the other side might take the opportunity to send a large number of soldiers to attack.

"I have no problem here."

Hanris produced several documents: "In that case, let's discuss the details of the transaction."

------

As dusk fell, the negotiations finally came to an end.

Alvin invited Claire to dinner, but she flatly declined.

Although there were some regrets, he accomplished his mission on this trip, and it far exceeded his expectations.

Of course, Alvin was unaware that Claire and his team had tampered with Tracy's documents from the very beginning.

What Tracy truly mortgaged were only Orichalcos, the weapons forging smelter, and a large number of elite craftsmen.

This was the idea of ​​Foreign Minister Henritter.

By leveraging the competition between the Tracy and Alvin royal selection ceremonies, they could drive up prices while ensuring their own country's interests as much as possible.

Especially for staple grains, the export volume must not exceed the red line.

It is imperative to prioritize maintaining stability in the event of a potential food crisis in the future.

Therefore, when Tracy found Claire, Claire communicated with her using the same words.

Alvin offered them attractive terms that they couldn't refuse.

Personal friendship is one thing, but at the negotiating table, Claire represents the Duchy of Ferrante.