C29 Sixty Times the Profit

According to those around him, the most intense conflict was between the East Di Country and the Qian Empire, largely due to their proximity and the historical fact that the East Di Country was once a vassal state of the Qian Empire.

Following its rise, the East Di Country targeted the Qian Empire as their primary strategic objective, leading to the largest scale war between the two nations. Yet, to everyone's surprise, Ryoji Otomo was the first to capitulate.

Under normal circumstances, Ryoji Otomo would never have surrendered. He had ample strategies to counter his adversaries, but with Gao Shaoyi standing before him, Otomo's usual tactics were rendered ineffective. The dull pain on his face, a reminder of Shaoyi's blow, was testament to that.

"I also concur with Mr. Otomo's perspective," declared the Envoy from the Morgen Empire.

Despite the Windsar Empire's status as the world's foremost power, the Morgen Empire had surged to the forefront in industrial potential and high-tech initiatives. With the exception of its colonial and military reach, the Morgen Empire was unrivaled.

The Envoy's statement had the potential to sway the opinions of many.

As the discussions unfolded, Gao Shaoyi was fraught with tension. If the others chose to resist to the bitter end, he couldn't possibly exterminate everyone in the Embassy Area without being branded a criminal against humanity, leaving his future uncertain.

He reviewed his demands, all within the authority of the Lord Ministers. He was confident they would acquiesce; like Otomo, they wouldn't risk their privileged lives. Any disruption to regional stability could abruptly end their comfortable existence.

Shaoyi was certain they lacked the audacity to oppose him.

Twenty minutes later, Ryoji Otomo and Shabarov re-entered the negotiation pavilion.

"We are prepared to accept your terms," they announced, "but you must ensure the personal safety of everyone here, as well as the well-being of all our injured. Spare no effort in their rescue. Moving forward, you must strictly adhere to the laws within the Embassy Area you oversee. All these stipulations must be detailed in our contract, which is to remain confidential. Furthermore, your personnel are not permitted within the embassy premises."

They had made some modifications to the existing contract, effectively aligning it with standard international practice. Gao Shaoyi wouldn't dare to overstep.

After all, achieving this was Gao Shaoyi's objective. Why would he invite further complications?

"The overall terms are acceptable, but you'll need to pay for the rescue of the wounded. I've purchased all my medicines with hard-earned money, and they're highly effective. If you want our assistance in saving them, you'll have to meet our price."

The idea of rescuing your soldiers for free is out of the question.

"Your medicine?"

Shabarov's voice dripped with scorn as he spoke, his eyes reflecting his contempt. What good were your medicines? They were nothing but herbs, hardly capable of treating serious ailments.

At that moment, Gao Shaoyi led the two men to a Junker Empire soldier who had been wounded.

The soldier hadn't been hit by a bullet, just grazed on the thigh. Proper bandaging would have been enough to save his life, but the delay had turned his face ghostly white.

Gao Shaoyi deftly grabbed a medical kit, swiftly applied a piece of hemostatic cotton, and then secured it with a bandage. After administering a shot of Mifei and anti-inflammatory medication, color began to return to the soldier's face.

Ryoji Otomo and Shabarov were astounded. The effect was unlike anything they'd seen, even from the best hemostatics back home. No blood seeped from the wound once Gao Shaoyi finished bandaging. How was this possible?

Had the Qian Empire developed such an innovation? Yet, according to their intelligence, the empire lacked even a basic medical research facility. Could such a miraculous invention have simply fallen from the heavens?

Gao Shaoyi, of course, would offer no explanation. Though it was merely a medical kit, it was a product from sixty or seventy years in the future, and even then, it would be exorbitantly priced.

"How much for this device? We'd like to purchase a thousand units."

Ryoji Otomo's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Securing such technology meant they could return home and thoroughly investigate it. Even if it meant getting fleeced on the first deal, the potential future benefits made it a price worth paying.

Just be aware that even if you're ready to be fleeced, we might not necessarily agree to sell to you.

"My apologies, but this is a top-secret matter of the Qian Empire. If you're intent on saving these soldiers, they'll need to be housed in our military barracks under the care of our personnel. You're welcome to send observers during daylight hours; we won't obstruct that. However, upon leaving the barracks, you must not take anything with you."

Gao Shaoyi's terms were straightforward. We're willing to assist with the rescue efforts, but if you're after the hemostatic cotton and other medical supplies, you might as well be dreaming.

Shabarov and Ryoji Otomo scowled, realizing they had sorely underestimated Gao Shaoyi.

Medications are as crucial as arms. While weapons enable our soldiers to defeat the enemy, medicines have the power to save their lives, particularly those of seasoned veterans.

The embargo on these items is stringent; money alone won't secure them.

"And what's the cost for their medical treatment?"

Ryoji Otomo was no stranger to Gao Shaoyi's dealings and was well aware of the young man's avarice. He knew he had to clarify everything upfront to avoid being duped and left without a shoulder to cry on.

"The fee is five hundred imperial silver coins per person. You may oversee the entire process. We guarantee recovery from minor injuries, but for critical ones, their fate is out of our hands."

Hearing Gao Shaoyi's price, both men nearly passed out from shock. Five hundred imperial silver coins per soldier was extortionate. Were they expected to just roll over and be robbed?

With around one thousand five hundred wounded, the total would come to a staggering seven hundred and fifty thousand imperial silver coins. Did they think everyone ran a bank?

A single merit point equals one imperial silver coin and can be exchanged for a medical kit. A wounded soldier typically needs no more than five kits, yet here they were facing a markup of sixty times the cost...