"What... do you wish to trade for?"
"What do you desire? Power? Wealth? Or perhaps... authority?"
"Can you help me ascend to the throne?" Prince Hongde's attention was immediately captured by this clear implication.
"Oh~ Why not? I am the King of a Hundred Ghosts, Your Highness." Mochuan said playfully. "Although I haven't been to Neon, my subordinates must have already integrated the ghosts of Neon by now..."
"If you can help me gain the throne, what do you want?" Prince Hongde was tempted, but still feigned composure as he inquired.
"I want you to do three things. If you do them well, the throne is yours. If you fail, I can also push Miss Zhi Zi forward."
"...Please, speak."
"First, this negotiation requires you to cease all your tiresome tricks, and to stop your cooperation with the Cross Alliance, the Extreme Sun Empire, and others. Return to your country as quickly as possible and clearly explain this matter to the financiers and political figures behind you."
"But... if this compensation isn't settled, I will still lose my Imperial Father's favor..."
"With my support, you won't need the Emperor's favor." Mochuan said calmly. "Second, you were able to transfer the Hundred Ghosts' Night Parade that descended upon Neon to Jibei. It's likely that besides our Yama's Palace, someone on your side was involved, right? Hand over the main culprits, claiming they died in an accidental incident."
Seeing Prince Hongde clearly start to hesitate, Mochuan began to speak in a semi-coaxing, semi-threatening tone: "Think carefully. You only have this one opportunity to trade with me. After this, I cannot guarantee that I won't eliminate you when I'm helping Zhi Zi clear obstacles..."
Nurturing these useless, freeloading cowards was clearly not as practical as having a real ally before him. Prince Hongde pondered for a moment, gritted his teeth, and said, "Upon returning to Neon, these individuals will perish in a drunk driving accident."
"You understand the rules." Mochuan nodded and continued, "I know you contacted people on our side to create chaos. Give me their names or any other useful information."
Prince Hongde's face turned pale upon hearing this. Mochuan's three conditions would undoubtedly leave him isolated. If he agreed to the first, he would lose his Imperial Father's support. If he agreed to the second, he would lose the trust of Neon's political circles. If he agreed to the third, he would lose his influence and credibility in China's underworld, and might even be ostracized and hunted by them collectively.
This was a demand for Prince Hongde to completely rely on him!
But how could he help me ascend to the throne? With this, my only allies would be the Mitsui Consortium and these great demons and evil spirits... Wait, could it be that he...?
Thinking of this, Prince Hongde couldn't help but look up at Mochuan, his eyes filled with apprehension.
Seeing Prince Hongde's expression, Mochuan let out a cold smile. Clearly, this brat wasn't an idiot and had seen through his intentions. However, this was good. Cooperating with a waste was better than cooperating with a fool, as the former was easier to deal with and clearer about the benefits; the latter always surprised you.
"Alright... Your Highness, can you accept these terms?" Mochuan continued to feign negotiation.
"Since it's a trade, what will I receive?" Prince Hongde couldn't help but ask.
"Hahahaha... I told you, power, wealth, authority, what do you want?"
"Power! I'll leave Yamamoto Rokujushis' group to you, and you give me power!" Prince Hongde said, revealing his supernatural ability—the Demon Blade Muramasa—and declared, "I want to become stronger!"
"System, check relationship," Mochuan said inwardly.
"Prince Hongde: 60% (Wary and cooperating)"
As expected, this was asking for a down payment... He still doubted my abilities as a Ghost King...
"Hehehehe... As you wish..." Mochuan got off his stone chair and walked step by step in front of Prince Hongde. A cluster of ethereal green flames lit up in his hand, and he asked, "Are you sure?"
Looking at the dark red flames in Mochuan's hand, Prince Hongde swallowed and said with a slight tremble, "I am sure!"
"Ah!!"—
A scream echoed through the [Avici Hell].
...
The next morning, the third meeting.
The Minister of Rites was already utterly disgusted by the actions of these people.
As soon as they raised their prices, the Extreme Sun Empire immediately objected. As soon as they tried to suppress Neon, the Cross Alliance immediately stepped in to mediate. It was a situation where they could only draw, never win.
Even when the Russian Empire hinted, the Cross Alliance and the Extreme Sun Empire pretended ignorance. But the problem was that none of the mediation teams could overturn the table.
And this morally bankrupt prince across them, he cried poverty when raising prices, acted decisively when demanding goods, feigned deafness when threatened, and played dumb when asked about his bottom line. This wasn't negotiation! This was blatant quibbling!
These three "great intellects" greatly slowed down the progress of the negotiation. In two sessions, they only discussed three joint infrastructure recovery donation projects in Jibei, and they were half-cooperative at that.
Seeing Prince Hongde looking somewhat pale, the Minister of Rites couldn't help but frown slightly. Had this prodigal son been indulging in debauchery all night? Did he not know that the negotiation would continue today?
For the sake of face, the Minister of Rites merely organized his documents. After everyone had arrived, he began, "Yesterday we discussed matters related to infrastructure repair. Today, as planned, it's about cash compensation... Our demand is for gold compensation valued at 230 million Dragon Kingdom currency and the purchase of 200 million Dragon Kingdom national debt. We agree to asset collateral within 150 million."
To his surprise, Prince Hongde merely frowned and then said, "We hope the Neon side can lower the gold compensation to 190 million and increase the asset collateral limit to 200 million."
"This is already my lowest figure... What?" The Minister of Rites almost thought he misheard. Why wasn't this morally bankrupt prince crying poverty today? Did he just state his price simply?
On the other side, the people from the Cross Alliance and the Extreme Sun Empire also frowned slightly. This was not what they had agreed upon before.
"Uh... May I know what the Neon representatives' expectations are?" The Minister of Rites intended to discuss the Neon side's bottom line to see what they were up to.
"The expectation is gold valued at 170 million, national debt of 150 million, and asset collateral of around 200 million."
Prince Hongde now only wanted to conclude the negotiation as quickly as possible, return to refine the power Mochuan had given him, and begin preparing to obtain the throne. After all, the sooner such matters were discussed, the more time there would be to handle them.
"This..." The Minister of Rites couldn't help but examine Prince Hongde carefully. He had revealed his hand so easily? Why was he completely different from the shameless, morally bankrupt appearance yesterday?
No, did he switch to an alt account?