137: Amazing negotiations

Lin Yue entered a tent and, upon walking in, saw a white-haired Xiongnu elder waiting behind a table.

"I've finally met you, Lieutenant Lin," Aikala said, rising and patting his chest.

"Welcome, Elder Aikala.

Wuluoli told me you are the wisest person among the Xiongnu," Lin Yue said with a smile.

"Oh? Is Wuluoli doing well?" Aikala's spirits lifted when he heard Wuluoli's name.

"He's very well; we won't mistreat the little prince of the Xiongnu," Lin Yue explained.

"Lieutenant Lin, may I see him first?" Aikala asked with a sigh of relief.

"I'm afraid that's not possible yet. Don't worry, once we've reached an agreement, you'll be able to see him very soon," Lin Yue said with a smile.

"Then, without further ado, let's begin," Aikala said.

"Alright!" The two then sat facing each other.

"I have already agreed to General Wang Li's terms. We will no longer send people to attack your Qin Army beyond the Great Wall,

and we will not raid south this year. We have already agreed to the military's conditions.

Now we can discuss the terms of the imperial court you represent!" Aikala said with a smile.

The imperial court? It seems Wang Li fabricated an identity for himself, Lin Yue thought.

"Then I'll get straight to the point," Lin Yue said with a smile, "Considering your Xiongnu's shortage of gold and silver, and to teach you a lesson, we require some warhorses and livestock as compensation."

Aikala frowned, then asked, "How much do you need?"

"Cattle, sheep, warhorses—this many of each," Lin Yue said, silently holding up one finger.

"No, that's too much!

I don't have the authority to agree to such a large quantity. Moreover, although Wuluoli is favored, the Chanyu has twenty-three sons in total.

Even if I agree, the Chanyu will not!

Wuluoli is not as important as you imagine, Lieutenant Lin, you are too greedy!" Aikala said, shaking his head.

Lin Yue saw that he didn't seem to be faking it, and for a moment, he couldn't tell whether Aikala or Wuluoli was telling the truth.

But hearing Wuluoli say that Aikala was a famous wise man among the Xiongnu, he was more inclined to believe Aikala was trying to drive down the price, because he trusted Wuluoli.

He believed that Wuluoli, a foolish son from a wealthy family, wouldn't lie!

So he decided to take a gamble. After all, there's no business that can't be done, only prices that aren't right.

If they couldn't agree, he could always come back tomorrow and lower the price; the initiative was currently in his hands!

Lin Yue took a sip of tea, then calmly stood up: "This is the bottom line, Elder, please consider it again."

Then Lin Yue walked out, silently chanting: Call me back! Call me back!

Aikala stared at Lin Yue, who turned and left, a bit bewildered for a moment. How did the negotiations suddenly break down?

He couldn't wait any longer. Aikala stood up with a swish and said,

"You are too greedy! You think we have warhorses everywhere and countless cattle and sheep. You don't understand how much effort we put into raising a cow, a sheep, or a warhorse!"

Lin Yue stopped in his tracks and heard Aikala continue:

"Although we have vast grasslands, to the east are the Wuhuan and Xianbei, and the Mongol are also stirring!

Nearby are also countries like Loulan, Wusun, and Hujie; to the west are Yuezhi; to the north are Hunyu, Qushe, Dingling, Gekun, Xinli, and other countries. We are also frequently harassed and plundered!"

"But Wuluoli is in our hands!"

Lin Yue said. Since he called him back, it meant there was still room for negotiation, and he didn't mind adding fuel to the fire!

Aikala was momentarily speechless. He took a deep breath, readjusted his emotions, and said with a mournful tone,

"Do you know, it takes two years for a calf to grow, and at least two and a half years of training for a foal to be ridden!

They must endure at least two terrifying winters. Even in heavy snow, our tribesmen must drive the herds of cattle and sheep to forage on the grasslands, caring for them as if they were their own children.

When they fall ill, our tribesmen wish they could take their place!

Even so, every year, 30% of the cattle and sheep die due to the cold winter!

In fact, many of our tribesmen also freeze to death because of these cattle and sheep!"

This was the first time Lin Yue had heard about the process of raising livestock. He had never imagined it was so arduous!

However, he still hardened his heart and said, "I understand you, but Wuluoli is in our hands!"

Aikala was interrupted again. He had no choice but to take another deep breath, readjust his emotions, and say in a desolate tone,

"Every time a cow or sheep dies, our tribesmen feel immense pain.

Even a small foal needs constant training to become a warhorse, to lead warriors across the grasslands. This requires countless efforts from our tribesmen!

We are not like you; you are favored by the heavens, able to live in the Central Plains.

We live on the grasslands, and have always lived in precarious conditions, struggling against heaven, against earth, and against various tribes. White disasters, droughts, and plagues occur frequently, and many people die from them every year.

You demand so much at once! Do you know how many tribes' wealth that is?

Moreover, this year's southern raids have been forced to halt. If we give you these cattle, sheep, and warhorses, millions of our tribesmen will die this winter!

Millions of tribesmen will die because of your greed. Can you truly sleep at night?

Aren't you afraid that as soon as you close your eyes, countless vengeful spirits will come to claim your life!"

Aikala roared with all his might!

"I am a soldier of Great Qin. If any Xiongnu evil spirits come to claim my life, my ancestors who died in battle for Great Qin, and my comrades who fell by my side, will all protect me!"

Lin Yue said, finding such childish threats amusing.

Then he added, "And Wuluoli is in our hands!"

After speaking, Lin Yue continued to walk out. Everything that needed to be said had been said; it was better to let Aikala think it over himself now.

Just as he was about to exit the tent, Aikala said in a mournful tone, "Ten million of each is too much. I can only agree to one-third at most!"

"What!" Lin Yue suddenly turned around!

"I can only agree to three million of each at most; there really isn't any more!" Aikala's back instantly slumped, and he collapsed weakly into his chair. He could already imagine how many people on the grassland would die this winter, but he was powerless to change it.

Three million cattle and sheep! This was undoubtedly a huge fortune for Great Qin, which lacked livestock!

It turned out Wuluoli hadn't lied; the Xiongnu really could afford it! He had even concealed the truth from him; the price he had offered was far lower than what the Xiongnu could truly provide!

Fortunately, he hadn't spoken directly but had held up a finger, causing Aikala to misunderstand. Otherwise, he might have truly been fooled.

Three million warhorses! These three million warhorses could form ten armies! The Qin Army's combat situation against the Xiongnu would be effectively reversed! He had almost become a sinner of Great Qin by believing Wuluoli's words!

Lin Yue tried hard to control his legs to keep them from trembling. He cautiously walked step by step towards Aikala, then sat down in a chair, exhaled a cloudy breath, and then revealed a sly white-toothed smile, saying, "Eight million!"