I Am A Corrupt Official, Yet They Say I Am A Loyal Minister!

Chapter 268: Accusing Us of Shamelessness? Who’s More Shameless?

Chapter 268: Accusing Us of Shamelessness? Who’s More Shameless?

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After Lin Beifan and his group left, the Great Xia delegation was furious and indignant.

Lin Beifan is despicable. He doesnt even regard us!

Hes deliberately making things difficult for us! Ive never seen such an arrogant person in my life!

Perhaps we should report to the Empress of Great Wu and request someone else to negotiate!

Theres really nothing to negotiate with him! Its hopeless!

At this moment, Mr. Wang let out a sigh of resignation. Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down. Were in a precarious situation. What else can we do? For the sake of our prince and Great Xia, lets bear with it for now and not jeopardize the bigger picture!

Everyone let out a weary sigh. Mr. Wang is absolutely right.

The negotiations continued on the second day. Since sitting down, Lin Beifan hadnt said a word, waiting to see the other sides sincerity.

Mr. Wang, the representative of Great Xia, took a sip of tea to steady himself and then spoke with a composed expression, Mr. Lin, after we returned yesterday, my colleagues and I considered what kind of conditions could satisfy you. So, we thought it would be best for you to propose them.

Lin Beifan nodded slightly, That works too. I finally see a hint of sincerity.

This negotiation primarily involves two matters, Lin Beifan raised two fingers, First, the issue of redeeming the 600,000 Great Xia soldiers, and second, the redemption of Great Xias Prince Xia Tianqiong. Lets start with the issue of the Great Xia soldiers.

Please go ahead, Mr. Lin. Im all ears, Mr. Wang replied in a serious manner.

Lin Beifan asked, I want to know, how much is the annual salary for your ordinary soldiers?

Mr. Wang answered, Around 100 taels of silver.

Lin Beifan continued, How many years do they serve?

Mr. Wang replied again, They start serving at 18 years old and usually serve for two years! After completing their service, they become part of the reserves and engage in farming and other labor. But if a war occurs, they must be called back for duty.

Lin Beifan asked again, On average, how long can your retired soldiers in Great Xia live?

Mr. Wang answered once more, Due to their physical strength, retired soldiers in Great Xia can live to around 50 years old on average.

They went back and forth with questions and answers.

Mr. Wang gradually became puzzled, Mr. Lin, why are you asking these questions? How are they related to our negotiations?

The reason Im asking in such detail is to calculate the value of Great Xias soldiers so that I can determine a reasonable price. Now, Ive figured it out! Lin Beifan took out a small abacus from somewhere and started clicking it. Your Great Xia soldiers serve for about two years, receiving an annual salary of 100 taels of silver, which amounts to 200 taels during their service period.

Retiring to farming and labor, they can earn around 50 taels of silver per year. Living until 50, working for thirty years, they can earn about 1500 taels. Adding the 200 taels from their service, a Great Xia soldiers lifetime value is roughly 1700 taels of silver.

However, being a nation that values etiquette and modesty, Ill make a modest proposal, Lin Beifan looked up, smiled faintly, For one Great Xia soldier, I only ask for 1000 taels! This demand isnt excessive, is it?

What? 1000 taels per person? Isnt that unreasonable?

The Great Xia delegation was about to have a stroke from anger.

Mr. Wang stood up, his anger evident, Mr. Lin, 1000 taels for one Great Xia soldier, thats 60 million taels for 600,000 soldiers! Our Great Xia treasury has an annual income of just over 100 million taels. Youre demanding too much. This is outright robbery. Im sorry, but I cannot agree.

The other representatives also stood up in anger.

Mr. Wang is right. Youre outright robbing us!

60 million taels of silver, your demand is way too much!

We cannot agree! Our Emperor will never approve of this!

Lin Beifan calmly took a sip of tea, Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down. Im not randomly setting a price. Im calculating based on the information youve provided. Its well-founded! And I even gave you a discount. For one Great Xia soldier, Im only asking for 1000 taels. Youre still making a profit of 700 taels!

Not only are you ungrateful, but you also have the audacity to accuse us. What kind of logic is this? Its one thing to be shameless, but not this shameless, dont you agree?

The Great Xia delegation was almost on the verge of collapsing.

Accusing us of shamelessness?

Whos more shameless?

Lin Beifan continued, Besides that, you also need to compensate for the funds required for my armys departure, as well as the pension for the fallen Great Wu soldiers! Im not asking for much. Just casually give me 20 million taels!

The Great Xia delegation turned pale with anger.

20 million taels?

Is this something they can casually offer?

Adding to the previous 60 million taels, thats a total of 80 million taels!

This

It would almost empty their treasury!

Their Emperor would never agree!

And Great Xia would never agree either!

Mr. Wangs face turned pale, muttering, Youre asking for an exorbitant sum. How can the negotiations proceed?

There wasnt much to negotiate from the start! Whether you want to give or not is your business. If we can reach an agreement, good. If not, so be it! Lin Beifan stood up and left, Think it over, everyone. Ill be back tomorrow!

Wait! Theres still the issue of redeeming the Crown Prince! someone called out.

Well discuss that after finishing this matter. Lets talk about your Crown Prince later! Lin Beifan left after patting his buttocks.

After leaving the negotiation table, Lin Beifan didnt head to the office. Instead, he came to the Six Doors.

Even before reaching the Six Doors, Guo, who had received advance notice, was already standing at the entrance to welcome him, his face beaming, Mr. Lin, what brings you here? Please come in!

A particularly warm welcome, an extra degree of politeness!

You see, Lin Beifan was now a second-ranking official in the court, holding a noble title and being favored by the Empress. He could be considered the most influential figure in the court.

Being able to establish a good relationship with Lin Beifan was something that countless people dreamed of.

As someone experienced in officialdom, Guo naturally knew how to act.

Lin Beifan smiled, Master Guo, Im just paying a visit with nothing specific to discuss!

Upon hearing this, Guo, even more delighted, thought, Its good when theres something to discuss. When you have an issue, you come to me to solve it. When I have an issue, Ill come to you to solve it. Isnt this how relationships are built?

Mr. Lin, lets have a private conversation inside.

Sure.

After a cup of tea, Lin Beifan became serious, Master Guo, as you know, Im currently representing Great Wu and negotiating with the Great Xia delegation. However, the negotiations arent going smoothly. So, Im here to ask for your help!

Mr. Lin, please go ahead. Ill do my utmost to assist you. Guos expression became grave.

Dont be nervous; this is a straightforward matter! Lin Beifan smiled, I believe the Six Doors have personnel within the Great Xia territory, right?

Of course! We have personnel stationed in every country, monitoring the martial worlds movements and the courts developments to prevent unforeseen situations. Mr. Lin, may I ask why youre inquiring about this?

Its easy with personnel! Lin Beifan chuckled, Id like to ask the Six Doors to help me vigorously publicize the details of this negotiation. State that Great Xia is unwilling to pay to redeem their surrendered soldiers, that the Great Xia court doesnt care about the lives of its soldiers, and such a court isnt worth the loyalty of its people! The bigger the commotion, the better. It will put pressure on the negotiation delegation!

Upon hearing this, Guo, the Six Doors official, immediately understood what Lin Beifan was planning. He thumped his chest and assured, Mr. Lin, rest assured, this is a simple matter. You can count on me!

Then Ill have to trouble Mr. Guo.

After Lin Beifan left, Guo, the Six Doors official, fell into deep thought. Though this was a small matter, it was personally assigned by Lin Beifan. He rarely sought the help of the Six Doors. If he could handle this matter well and satisfy Lin Beifan, the benefits were unimaginable. Thus, he decided to personally oversee this task.

Summon someone!

A week quickly passed. The representatives from both sides negotiated for a whole week, yet there was no progress. The Great Xia representatives hoped to reduce the redemption fee, but Lin Beifan refused to budge and stuck to his price. Every round of negotiations ended in disagreement.

Lin Beifan wasnt anxious at all, but the Great Xia representatives were growing increasingly impatient.

Because they received news from Great Xia that the rumors were spreading wildly, accusing the court of disregarding the lives of the 600,000 surrendered soldiers, and the Great Xia courts reluctance to pay for their redemption. This had caused unrest among the troops and an unstable situation.

The Great Xia Emperor was furious, sending an urgent letter pressuring them to swiftly resolve the matter. Otherwise, they shouldnt bother returning.

It must be Great Wus scheme! one of the representatives said resentfully, Theyre dragging us while spreading rumors to pressure us. Its despicable!

But what can we do? We cant possibly come up with 80 million taels! Lin Beifan is essentially forcing us into a corner!

Everyone ground their teeth, wishing they could throw that Lin Beifan, that bastard, out and give him a good beating.

Mr. Wang sighed, Given the current situation, it seems theres only one solution.

What solution? They all asked in unison.

Bribe Lin Beifan with money.

What? Everyone exclaimed in surprise.

Mr. Wang sighed again and said, Lin Beifan is immensely greedy, insatiable in his desire for money, and values money more than people. If we secretly bribe him, and get him to lower the redemption fee, this matter might work out.

But can that work? someone asked with a worried expression.

What other options do you have? Mr. Wang retorted.

Everyone shook their heads helplessly.

Regardless, we have to give it a try.

So, on the next evening, they secretly reserved a luxurious restaurant and invited Lin Beifan for a drink.

When the drinks were flowing and the atmosphere was lively, Mr. Wang took out a stack of silver bills, slipped them into Lin Beifans embrace, and whispered, Mr. Lin, could we possibly find a compromise regarding the redemption fee? You are wholeheartedly negotiating the redemption fee for the Great Wu court, but that money belongs to the court and not you! However, if you relax your stance a bit, this money could be yours.

Lin Beifan smiled and weighed the silver bills in his hand, If you had done this earlier, wouldnt the matter have been resolved sooner?

The Great Xia delegation was dumbfounded!

Turns out, the other party had been waiting here all along!