บท 76: 76

Above the sky near Tongzhou city, Three Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopters, famous in the Vietnam War, are headed for Tongzhou. Zhao Lingxin and the government received news of the seizure of power in Tongzhou and a surrender negotiation message from the peacekeeping council. General Guo Ling then sent a delegation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to speak to Tongzhou.

The delegation in the negotiations is Captain Li Wei. The first officer that Zhao Ling Xin summoned to this world. He was one of Zhao Lingxin's great assistants in clearing out the nobles in the capital. Captain Li Wei was transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This time, Prime Minister General Guo Ling and Major Fang Han Jing, Minister of Internal Affairs. Agree to send Captain Li Wei, who, in addition to combat expertise, is also capable of international diplomacy—joining in negotiations with the Tongzhou side to reunite into the central government. Three helicopters landed outside Tongzhou to avoid the public commotion. Captain Li Wei and several soldiers with ak47 weapons walked off the plane, and someone was already waiting.

"Welcome Captain Li Wei to Tongzhou. We are an intelligence agency from the Ministry of Defense. My name is number 7." Both sides salute each other, even though they are in different divisions, but their identity is all soldiers.

"The famous spy number 7. I have long wanted to meet." Captain Li Wei shook his hand.

"We, the intelligence agency, will lead everyone to Dongzhou," said number 7.

It can be said with absolute certainty that intelligence agencies are most familiar with this area. The intelligence officers had already been prepared to leave.

"Number 7 has a souvenir for you. This is a souvenir from someone I know from the Ministry of Defense." Captain Li Wei didn't move anywhere. Take the radio and put it in the number 7 hand. Captain Li Wei then followed the intelligence officer towards Dongzhou.

Number 7 took the radio. Then, he looked behind the delegation traveling into Tongzhou. Number 7 hurriedly surveyed around that no one would eavesdrop then open the radio.

"Please verify your identity." A female voice rang.

"This is number 7."

"Confirm identity, confirm sound characteristics The signal wave is correct. Direct line to the Minister of Defense."

A familiar voice sounded. After a while, someone answered.

"Number 7, this is Colonel Ma Chun, Minister of Defense. The work you do in Dongzhou is excellent. The emperor was all aware of your sacrifice, but there was a danger threatening the empire. The country still needs you Number 7: Do you accept missions to infiltrate foreign countries? Please note that this mission is dangerous. You may not be returning to your homeland." said Colonel Ma Chun.

"I accept the mission," said number 7 without hesitation. All this life, he lived for the empire. The will of patriotism will not allow anyone to destroy this country.

"If you accept the mission, return to the xxx xxx location if you fail or get caught. The Department of Defense and the government will deny your existence. I wish you good luck."

Upon the end of Colonel Ma Chun's voice, the radio destroys itself. Number 7 disappeared in the dark.

Captain Li Wei and his team met with the leader of he National Council for Peace and Order of Tongzhou. Gu Heng gave a perfect reception. Gu Heng and Captain Li Wei then entered a secret meeting with tight security.

"Dongzhou is willing to surrender to the central government according to the previously submitted documents of intent," Gu Heng opened the discussion. This secret meeting will determine what the future of the merchants in Dongzhou will have in the empire.

"The government is very pleased to be able to join the central area at this time. It is a return to arms again." Captain Li Wei did not hurry to negotiate. Try to say very long words To create a bargaining advantage.

"Tongzhou has made some proposals. Hopefully, the government can fulfill our request." Gu Heng tried to bring Li Wei back to the negotiating table. Not allowing disturbing words.

"Their proposal shows insincere. The government could not accept it." Captain Li Wei did not vaguely speak. Filing refusing to reject all claims.

But the truth is, the government agrees with all. The first is amnesty for treason. This issue, the government has no problem, is the easiest to deal with. Because Tongzhou never goes to war with the government at all. Amnesty can discuss.

The next one is to preserve merchant property. The federal government has no right to occupy, Gu Heng and the merchants in Dongzhou were most afraid of this. To them, money is everything they cannot afford to lose. Gu Heng tried to keep this benefit as much as possible.

"According to the provisions of the Empire's constitution, all citizens have the right to own property. The government cannot seize the property of the people without reason. But don't forget the actions of those of you who supported the Third Prince. Causing great damage to the nation You must pay this compensation." Captain Li Wei suggested that if they do not agree to pay the damage, they will have to go to court.

The result of support for the Third Prince is a civil war. They have a lot to do with this, the government wants these merchants to make partial repayment.

"If this is the case, then we can talk." Gu Heng was slightly relieved. As long as the government does not confiscate them, various matters can be discussed. To pay back the money, the merchants were never afraid.

Captain Li Wei saw the other party accept this condition and sent Gu Heng compensation documents to watch.

"This is a list of the damage done in the country you have to pay for."

Gu Heng took the list to read; his eyes widened because what he saw was too much.

"Sir, this number is too much; we definitely cannot make up for it."

The list describes the damage inflicted on people, their whole lives, and property lost during the war. The damage to the city, buildings, and crops are all calculated. It is also good that this number is only accounted for by the effects of the Tongzhou side. If including the damage from all, it is afraid that Gu Heng would die first.

The damage that the government reported was 20 million yuan. According to financial experts' estimates, Tongzhou's GDP value will be around 30 million yuan. Slightly more than Shenzhou, Because it is an important economic city with a large amount of currency. It was making Dongzhou a little wealthier than the capital.

"We only have the ability to pay ten yuan" Gu Heng immediately cut the price half. This amount of 10 million Yuan, even rich Tongzhou, was a huge sum. Even Gu Heng didn't have this amount of money. Expected later, he would collect taxes from the merchants to compensate for the damages.

These are the prices that merchants have to pay. The two princes protested against Zhao Lingxin, all of them died. The merchant group thought that surrendering would receive kindness from Zhao Lingxin but wholly misunderstood. Zhao Lingxin would not let them float on top of the problem, without responsibility.

"15 million yuan" Captain Li Wei did not relent, try to negotiate.

The negotiations on both sides were ongoing. Both cut prices as if in a very chaotic bazaar. But in the end, both sides got the perfect point.

The city of Dongzhou will make reparations of 10 million yuan. And another 2 million yuan to heal the displaced and died. The financial negotiations ended.

Left the last request from the merchants that have not yet been negotiated.

"What does the government think about our final request?" Gu Heng asked with a tense face.

The last request is Merchants wanted their political position and position in the Empire. The cities of Dongzhou and Shenzhou are very similar; both leaders support commercial trade. However, the difference was that Zhao Lingxin had never allowed traders to enter the political power. Gu Heng knew that the core of the Empire was in the cabinet, mostly from the army.

The city of Dongzhou allowed merchants to ascend to power. It became the first place where people like merchants could manage the city. They are all addicted to power; they don't want to go back to what they were before, no identity must fear government officials. They are very expecting this claim. It is also a question of testing the powerful's attitude in the Empire as to how they view the merchants.

"The government accepts this request, don't worry," Captain Li Wei said with a smiling face.

Gu Heng thought he had heard something wrong. Why is the government so easily accepting this demand? It was impossible for them to distribute a portion of their power to the merchants easily. This deal was originally supposed to be the most difficult topic to negotiate. Didn't think the government would agree so easily. Gu Heng did not believe Li Wei's words.

"This is impossible. Do you really agree?" Gu Heng had to repeat it several times.

"Of course, this is true. The emperor has permitted it," said Captain Li Wei.