I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Let's get back to the main topic.

"Aki, I have witnessed your strength firsthand."

"Now, let's get down to business."

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng immediately straightened up and became more alert.

The highlight of this trip to Osaka has finally arrived!

"'The alliance between Qin Jinfan and Hulu House'...a good idea."

"To be honest, I'm quite interested in your plan—but only 'interested'."

"Otsu is a blessed land rich in resources."

"If you can get financial support from my Gourd House, your Qin Jin Fan will be completely transformed."

"Within two years, it will leap to become a powerful and formidable vassal state."

"This is indeed a huge benefit for you."

"But what benefit can we, the Gourd House, gain from this?"

"I don't like losing money in business deals that don't generate profit or don't go my way."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng felt a chill run down his spine.

How could he not know the implication behind Kinoshita Rin's words?

She reminded Qingdeng: Don't try to get something for nothing from us!

On the other hand, she also bluntly hinted to Qingdeng that she was "interested" in the collaboration between the two parties.

Whether you succeed in the end depends entirely on your performance going forward.

Although Qing Deng is Kuro's last disciple, he also has a special "quasi-marital" relationship with Kinoshita Mai. In this way, Qing Deng can be considered half of Kinoshita Rin's own people.

However, in the face of naked self-interest, all emotions and all ties are meaningless.

Moreover, Kinoshita Rin is also a businesswoman.

As the saying goes, "Merchants value profit above all else."

If you don't show sincerity and offer tangible benefits, don't even think about winning her over!

Qingdeng had prepared himself mentally well in advance, so he was not flustered at all.

He paused briefly to consider his words, then spoke slowly and deliberately, with a serious expression:

"Ms. Kinoshita, I have always despised 'selfishness at the expense of others' and only value 'win-win' situations."

"Since I dared to propose this plan, I am confident that both of us can benefit from it!"

Kinoshita Rin smiled slightly:

"Oh? Then tell me about it. Let me hear your idea of ​​a 'win-win' situation."

Qingdeng took a deep breath and then began to speak.

To figure out how to persuade Kinoshita Rin, Aoto held numerous meetings with Hijikata Toshizo, Yamanami Keisuke, and others to discuss strategies.

Qingdeng firmly believes that there is nothing that cannot be resolved through negotiation. If there is, then increase the stakes!

After repeated discussions, Qing Deng and others finally settled on the "final bargaining chip".

In short, it means adopting a "profit-sharing system" and granting Huluwu certain privileges when conducting business activities within the Qinjin domain!

The former is easy to understand—as long as Huluwu is willing to invest, it will directly collect a certain percentage of the returns in Qin Jinfan's subsequent revenue-generating activities, based on the amount of investment.

As for the latter, it's easy to understand.

There are simply too many exploitable commodities and lands within the Qinjin Domain.

If the Hulu House wishes to conduct business activities within the Qin Jin Domain, they will enjoy various privileges such as tax reductions or even tax exemptions.

According to Qing Deng and others' calculations, if Kinoshita Rin agrees to their conditions, her annual income will be at least in the tens of thousands!

It won't be long before we can recoup our costs.

Aoto, Hijikata Toshizo, Yamanami Keisuke, and others unanimously agreed: no merchant could resist such temptation!

Aoto was confident that he could win over Kinoshita Rin and facilitate the alliance between the two parties.

However... when he began to explain his terms of cooperation, Kinoshita Rin's reaction made him uneasy...

No matter what he said, no matter how enthusiastically he spoke, the other person's facial expression remained unchanged—a smile on his lips, his eyes fixed intently on him as if trying to see through him to the core.

A short while later, Qingdeng finished speaking.

He had barely finished speaking when Kinoshita Rin spoke softly:

"Hmm...not bad."

"You really take today's meeting very seriously."

"You and your staff must have put in a lot of effort to persuade me."

"I must say, the conditions you've proposed are quite tempting."

"It's truly astonishing that you're willing to make such a significant concession."

"After listening to it, I couldn't help but be a little tempted."

"only……"

Hearing this, Qingdeng's heart skipped a beat.

Anyone with a little common sense knows that the words following "but" or "however" are the most important.

"For me, these conditions are still a bit lacking."

As she spoke, she extended her right thumb and forefinger, making a "little bit" gesture.

"While I wouldn't dare to boast that I have more money than I can spend, I certainly don't lack money."

"Therefore, please forgive my bluntness—if this is the level of conditions we are given, then we, the Gourd House, will not form an alliance with your Qin Jin Domain."

Kinoshita Rin's meaning was clear: the conditions weren't right!

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng's expression changed slightly, but he quickly adjusted his facial expression under the influence of his innate "Emperor's Art".

From the very beginning, he didn't think that today's meeting would end quickly, and he never expected that he and Kinoshita Rin would reach a satisfactory consensus so quickly.

—Looks like this is going to turn into a protracted war.

The conditions he just presented are far from his "bottom line" for negotiation, leaving ample room for further negotiation.

So, he composed himself and began to speak again:

"If that's the case, how about this—"

Qingdeng offered new terms.

After hearing this, Kinoshita Rin quickly responded—firmly refusing.

Qingdeng then offered new terms.

Then I was rejected again...

……

……

time flies.

In the blink of an eye, the minute hand on the clock has completed a full circle.

Although a considerable amount of time has passed, the talks between the two have not yet broken the deadlock.

Qingdeng kept offering new and increasingly generous terms.

Anyone with eyes can see that he has shown his sincerity, and it can be said that he is extremely sincere.

However, Kinoshita Rin remained steadfast in her attitude and response: refuse, refuse, and refuse again...

After the new conditions were rejected, even with the help of "the art of emperors," Qing Deng couldn't help but look confused, and his expression gradually turned ugly.

The conditions he's currently proposing are almost at his "bottom line" in negotiations!

If they were to offer further concessions, then the Qin Jin Fan would have no money left to make!

If there's no profit to be made, why bother with cooperation?

—With such good terms, you still won't agree... Isn't that a bit too greedy!

Thinking of this, Qingdeng couldn't help but feel resentful.

He believed that the conditions he had offered were good enough, almost enough to make Hulu House their Qin Jin Fan's official merchant and privileged merchant.

If it were any other businessman, they would probably have agreed long ago given such favorable terms.

Therefore, he couldn't help but speculate:

—Could it be that… she never intended to cooperate with me from the very beginning, and has been teasing and playing tricks on me all along?

—No, that's impossible... She couldn't be that bored.

—Discard pointless distractions…think carefully…think carefully…

What kind of conditions should I offer to satisfy her?

The most touching condition is one that perfectly meets the needs of others... So, what exactly does she need?

Qingdeng stopped speaking immediately.

Instead, they remained silent, deep in thought.

Kinoshita Rin didn't urge him; she remained calm with a smile on her lips, letting Aoto take his time to think.

Kiryu seems to have anticipated this situation.

He kept his eyes half-closed, calm and composed, without uttering a word, showing no intention of helping Qingdeng.

Kinoshita Mai seemed quite nervous.

On one side is her husband's family, and on the other side is her own family... She is caught in the middle, at a loss, and doesn't know which side to support.

—What should we do? Should we raise the requirements further? Or…?