Will the kemonomimi encounter Alien Ranch Story?

With a quick thought, he understood what Witt meant. He was half testing the waters and half proposing a starting point for cooperation, giving Talulah a way out. If she followed up on this, he could then begin more detailed negotiations.

At the same time, it also revealed their intentions and main purpose, since everyone knows that the two sides are at odds.

Although Black Serpent didn't target the Xia Group, and the Xia Group is nominally just a company registered in a small border town of Ursus, there still needs to be a way to back down gracefully.

We can't just be throwing weapons of mass destruction at each other yesterday and then suddenly make up today; that's unacceptable.

But there has to be a reason, and that's what Talulah has to come up with. As long as she can come up with an excuse that doesn't insult people's intelligence, the emperor will tacitly agree.

"Of course not. It's related to the boss's strategic plan. We need to develop the Lungmen market first and reach some kind of cooperation with Swire Group. After all, the real estate business in Lungmen is much more profitable than farming. You understand, right?"

"Of course, the Empire is very happy to see its companies go global and make a name for themselves in business..."

Witt paused for a moment, then nodded, appearing warm and sincere, but both sides present knew that this was just a formality.

The two sides then talked a lot, but not a single word touched on the noble resistance, the blockade, or a whole host of other issues. The emperor's envoy also offered a lot of seemingly useless platitudes and promises. To the average person, this dialogue seemed insincere, as no so-called "benefits" were offered.

However, Talulah, who was familiar with the ways of the nobility, breathed a sigh of relief. Some of the suggestions that seemed like a loss to her were actually a benefit in themselves.

For example, the issue of the Xia Group's agricultural tax payment. On the surface, it seems like the imperial government is righteously trying to rob them, but some issues cannot be viewed that way.

Just as some people can only see the value of the five hundred yuan and the banner itself, but cannot see the hidden value it represents, similarly, some people can only see that the Xia Group inexplicably needs to spend a large sum of money, but do not realize that "paying taxes" itself represents something very terrible.

A terrorist organization or an illegal criminal group does not need to pay taxes; their income can only be called "illegal income," and their fate is to be confiscated. However, if the imperial government collects taxes from them, it means that it recognizes that their income is legal, reasonable, and protected by imperial law.

This is tantamount to acknowledging that the Integration Movement is a union organization affiliated with the Xia Group.

The Xia Group is a protected enterprise recognized by the Imperial Finance Department and the Emperor.

The things that followed, which seemed like pure favors, actually provided the group with a series of legitimate justifications. This couldn't stop the nobles from extorting money and favors, but it could reduce the trouble caused by the bureaucrats in Victoria.

Furthermore, in terms of transportation, sales, and warehousing, it will no longer be the unstable, tacit behavior it is now. The same request for Hrag to provide transportation and escort services will transform from aiding the enemy into a legitimate and reasonable act of helping one's own merchants and citizens.

The money received by the Helag Army was instantly laundered from bribes into legitimate income for military personnel.

At the same time, it also grants the group access to the Ursus market—something that money can't buy.

"Has Mr. Xia considered getting his products into Saint-Germain Castle? I think His Majesty the Emperor would be very pleased to have some treasures from the snowy plains in his wine cabinet." This was practically a clear indication of the Emperor's and the government's stance.

"Of course, but with all the famous wineries in Saint-Germain, our little specialty from the snowy plains is unlikely to be selected as a royal tribute."

This is a huge advertisement, and the other side is practically sticking their head out to let us take advantage of them, so of course we have to... offer and decline three times, and then secure the profit.

"Well, those wineries have been around for hundreds of years, the royal family has no shortage of them. But I've never seen this kind of specialty before, after all, it's a harsh and cold place in the North Plains..."

"That's true, but our production capacity is limited, and a significant portion of our products have already been used as collateral for Longmen Real Estate Development."

Talulah laughed. She didn't understand business, and she only had a vague understanding of politics, but she knew all about the negotiation skills and bargaining of the nobility.

The emperor has now achieved more than half of his goal. He has accepted the price he offered, and now it's up to him to make exorbitant demands.

“We are not capable of supplying Saint-Germain, the magnificent central city of the empire,” Talulah began to make her offer, now it was up to them to see how the other party would respond.

"That's natural; production is difficult on the snowfields. To be honest, it's a miracle that you were able to establish a farm here. The Imperial government can offer you tax-free benefits."

Witt laughed, first offering some praise, then casually mentioning the worthless tax exemption, a policy that was guaranteed to be in place without any discussion.

If he really dared to take the tax back, the emperor would be furious, not to mention the agreed-upon amount of tax money.

We don't know who Ursus will send, in what form they will receive the money, or even if they will actually receive it. Instead, the official status will be reduced to a transaction involving payment and protection, without any real binding force.

The tax exemption policy was a different matter. Although the emperor could not receive this money, he could earn greater profits from other sources.

Conversely, to maintain this tax-free policy and avoid the military expenses of violent resistance (which far exceed tax revenue), they must support the current emperor, which is tantamount to forming a preliminary economic alliance.

As for investing in or participating in operations, these are things that can only be proposed when the partnership has progressed to the later stages and the relationship is very close. To propose them now would be tantamount to shamelessly trying to take something by force, and you'd have to be able to win the fight first.

“That’s not enough. We’re not worried about the money…” Talulah poured herself a glass of whiskey, added two ice cubes and a little sugar. “Sorry, I’m used to sweet liquor.” She then downed it in one gulp. The Ursus people felt that neither side was being sincere if they didn’t have a couple of drinks during negotiations.

"What difficulties are you facing? The Imperial Government exists to solve problems for everyone—"

Witt's expression shifted slightly as he smiled and uttered the standard phrase, which in jargon is, "Then just tell me what you want."

"I don't know much about business operations, but the escort, the checkpoints along the way, and the road damage must have been considerable. Sending it all the way to Saint-Germain Castle is really..."

Now that Witt had handed her the knife, Talulah naturally started asking for an exorbitant price, immediately raising the most difficult problem that even the emperor probably couldn't solve.

If he could handle the problems of the illegally set up checkpoints along the way, the army commanders of various groups drawing salaries without working, acting as bandits, and running their own military, political, and economic affairs, and if he could tolerate the Xia Group's antics, he would have already used the full force of Ursus to forcibly wipe them out. But when it comes to Old Xia's side, they probably won't be able to withstand it.

The problem is that they can't solve the issue of aristocratic autonomy. They only have an empty crown that few people recognize, which is why they are so generous in talking to them. To put it bluntly, even if he becomes a puppet emperor, he is still an emperor, which is better than a puppet emperor emeritus.

In this negotiation, the emperor and Witte, who seemingly possessed all of Ursus, were actually the weaker party.

Because Talulah truly controls and dominates this land, she can mobilize all human, material, and financial resources, and even has the support of foreign forces.

And the emperor? He could only mobilize a group of greedy nobles, and even then, he had to offer them substantial benefits. Previous emperors, in their attempt to weaken the nobles, had practically exhausted all the royal family's resources, originally intending to incite them to fight and deplete their strength in a brutal war of expansion. [The King's Actions]

The result was that the royal family lost most of its directly controlled territories, and the expanded lands fell into the hands of border warlords and high-ranking nobles. This depleted the strength of the lower and middle-ranking nobles, which in turn eroded the prestige of the royal family.

Having tasted success, these warlords and nobles were now trying to stir up trouble, hoping to get the young emperor to do the same, to see how much more the royal family could be squeezed out of them.

From a certain perspective, in most feudal dynasties, the royal family at the top was actually on the same side as the common people at the bottom.

Therefore, if we're really discussing the direct forces, it's hard to say who's stronger between Talulah and the Ursus Emperor. It's just that the latter holds the title, and if Talulah were to actually rebel, there could be a situation where the whole world attacks her.

"Regarding escort, you can apply for an escort from the Ursus Legion. This is a right that Ursus citizens should enjoy, especially for you as upper-class citizens."

Witt passed the buck back without hesitation, saying, "They will provide you with free and safe escorts."

"Ugh..." Talulah felt a little nauseous. What did she mean by "free and safe"? It meant safely escorting the goods to their own base, which was definitely free.

However, officially this is indeed one of the obligations of the Ursus army, but can you talk to those military leaders about this without taking a cut?

Witt acted like he was saying, "Go ahead and say it was the Emperor who said it." What a joke! If the Emperor of Ursus's word was law, he would have already mobilized the Fifth Army to wipe out Black Serpent's entire gang.

"As for the tax rates of local nobles, according to Ursus law, they should abide by local laws and regulations. However, you can protest to the Imperial Senate."

Nonsense, of course you can, but you must know who is kneeling below the court and why they are accusing this official!

They're asking for exorbitant prices here, but then they're offering to negotiate on a more reasonable basis there. However, this highest price was just a test; they knew before even asking that it was impossible to agree, and even if they did, they couldn't solve the problem objectively.

"In addition, we are short of manpower here, mainly because of infected people. The labor cost of infected people is not low. Many of them are refugees who have suffered discrimination and harm along the way. We still have to support them for several years. As for ordinary people, they simply do not come."

Talulah has offered a second price, which is a more sincere offer. She requests that the Emperor improve the treatment of the infected and prevent the Empire from using the infected as expendable resources. This is also a profitable way for the Emperor to maintain internal stability.

"Regarding this point, infected individuals are not legally recognized as citizens of the Empire. However... it's not without room for negotiation." Witt thought for a moment, then decided that the price was barely negotiable and began to gradually bargain.

After a very intense negotiation filled with coded language, but which on the surface resembled casual conversation, the two sides finally reached a series of agreements without leaving any contracts or treaties. In short, the Empire recognized the legal status of the Xia Group and granted it a series of policies that were more of an endorsement than preferential treatment.

Meanwhile, in terms of manpower, the Empire allowed the Xia Group to recruit infected workers in all locations, including Saint-Germain Castle.

As for transportation and escort, they are not responsible, nor are they responsible for the costs of this "recruitment." To put it bluntly, they are allowing them to engage in human trafficking.

Witt made it very clear: under imperial law, infected people are not considered human. Since they are not human, they can be treated as goods, effectively allowing them to engage in the real slave trade. Moreover, this way, none of the nobles would object.

At the same time, the Empire also agreed in principle that the Xia Group, as a legitimate company, could register legal identities for its employees.

In other words, if this side really wants to seek some kind of welfare for the infected, then they can trade the infected as "goods" in accordance with imperial law. How the slaves are used after they are bought is the slave owner's business. If the slave owner insists on freeing the slaves, then no one else can interfere.

Once these infected individuals return and start working, they become employees of the Xia Group, and they can register for the identities of Longmen or Victoria.

Ursus, in principle, recognizes this foreign status, so they become Ursus people who are not Ursus people—from non-human to human.

Besides recruiting infected individuals, ordinary people are also recruited, but Witt refused the offer to provide free medicine to the infected.

However, he promised that the next time, the medicine would be purchased by a shell company controlled by the royal family.

As for what they'll do with it, I suggest Lao Xia not ask. They won't tell you even if you do.

However, Talulah is not simply a businesswoman, nor is she someone who really wants to establish her own kingdom. No matter what they do with the medicines they purchase, they will ultimately be used on the infected, and it will be enough if they can improve the situation of some of them.

As for the minor details, such as selling agricultural products in the few territories directly under the royal family, luxury goods bearing the royal special supply label, and the emperor himself acting as a de facto spokesperson, the business cooperation went even more smoothly. Besides, the sweet malt whisky and cloudberry mead produced here are really good.

The latter is a sacrificial wine exclusively for Odin, a luxury item in Norse mythology that even if you die and become a Heroic Spirit, you might not be able to drink casually. Now, with labels like "Ursus Royal Family Special Supply," "Recommended and Certified by the Duke Kosichä Family," and "I'm from the Kosichä Family," and "Great Yan Royal Family Secret Recipe," a bottle would cost at least 200,000 Lungmen Dollars, right?

Are you kidding me? Two hundred thousand, at least two million, no discounts, and not just anyone can buy it. You need proof of bloodline and proof of title. This is reserved for royalty. What do you call it if an ordinary person uses it? You call it overstepping boundaries! You call it violating regulations!

They use diamond filters, gold leaf packaging, and have the bottles designed by famous artists. The bottles are made of exquisite crystal by the Xia Group and placed on the shelf. It looks so grand that everyone who sees it will praise it as "grand".

With a kimberlite pipe, diamonds are practically worthless... They're perfectly fine for filtering wine, though of course, they only add a touch of sophistication...

To succeed in the luxury goods business, you have to understand the psychology of your customers. If someone can afford a bottle of wine that costs two million, would they mind spending another two million for a set of wine glasses with a diamond filter that costs less than five thousand?

The wine bottle and accessories, plus a free matte black carbon nanotube packaging box, are priced at a flat five million, with no installment payments or discounts available. They will also be sold in Earl, Duke, Emperor, and Emperor's Exclusive editions, with a zero added as needed, and in limited quantities!

Those who buy luxury goods are all about prestige; they don't necessarily seek the best, but rather the most expensive!

[Please imagine Ge You's tone when reading the above passage.]

Talulah had already figured out the packaging and sales strategy for this series. When she discussed it with Lao Xia before, he looked at her and said that she was really a genius at selling luxury goods.

Of course, such a top salesperson deserves a share of the profits. Old Xia gave her a 15% cut, meaning that 15% of this huge profit belonged to her.

She could use the money for her own expenses, or it could be used for employee benefits and other expenses within the Integration Movement, which, through negotiations with Witt, became a legitimate organization similar to the Xia Group's workers' union.

[PS]

Today I went to fulfill my basic obligation as a citizen of the Republic—paying taxes…

Because this month's royalties exceeded the limit for invoices issued by Maoke, I had to issue the invoice myself.

After all that trouble, I found out it's a local regulation in Zhejiang. There's no such thing here; we can open as many as we want. -_(:з」∠)_

It took all afternoon to get the ticket issued and send it back to the Northwest.

I also got my first tax payment certificate in my life.

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Devil's Time Begins

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

"That's roughly it. We still need to handle the transportation ourselves, as well as the sales outlets, the various exorbitant taxes levied by the local nobles, and the distribution channels."

But at least selling things in Ursus no longer requires going through the black market or illegal channels. And theoretically, we are now a legal company, and our occupation of North Plains' production facilities is also legal. Even if Koschetse attacks, it will be difficult for them to take action against us without a legitimate reason.”

"But he can still use his power, right?"

"Yes, it will just make that old black snake more hesitant. However, if he really attacks, our counterattack will become a legal act, and we won't be strangled by the entire Ursus. Just like you said, at least the other half of Ursus won't be our enemy."

Talulah sighed, "But correspondingly, we can no longer proactively attack the cities where nobles reside, and we can no longer forcibly breach their cities as before."

"That's normal. If you can't effectively occupy the city after it falls, then your actions are no different from those of bandits who plunder."

Blowing through a city is not difficult with the help of the "Shouter" railgun, but taking over a city is a different story.

It's very simple. Even by Chinese standards of governance, the ratio of officials to citizens should be around 1:200. In other words, to effectively govern and manage a city of about 100 million people, Talulah or Lao Xia would need to provide at least 5000 reliable administrative personnel.