The official banquet hall where the diplomatic envoy meeting between the Yufitero and Lisandro nations was held was filled with a tense atmosphere.
The struggle between Caelon and Prince Lisandro, who sat across from each other at the table as representatives of their respective sides, was evident. Although their stances of not giving in were the same, the temperature conveyed through their gaze and voices was quite different.
“Does the Duke Elios suggest adjusting the tariffs on the Lebeta Empire?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It seems appropriate for both nations to align them at around 15%.”
“What nonsense! Isn’t this clearly a loss for Lisandro?”
“Well… I don’t think it’s a loss from Lisandro’s perspective.”
As Prince Lisandro seemed to irritate the first prince with a smirking expression, Caelon responded with a tilt of his head and a hint of sarcasm. The expression mocked the first prince, who, oblivious to one side and oblivious to the other, was reacting with anger.
In response to Caelon’s expression, the first prince, whose face had turned red, struck the table with both fists.
“It’s not a loss! Lisandro imposes a 20% tariff on Lebeta, while Yufitero imposes only 10%, and you want to change it to 15% together…!”
The first prince wanted to strike the daring Duke once again. It was clear that this time, too, he was attempting to gain an advantage for Yufitero using Lisandro.
“Isn’t Yufitero using Lisandro’s name to justify raising the tariffs on Lebeta? Yufitero may benefit, but Lisandro will clearly suffer, and I cannot accept that!”
The first prince shouted loudly with an angry face, fully understanding the Duke’s cunning scheme. Even the Yufitero diplomatic delegation frowned and clicked their tongues at the sight of the furious first prince in the silent banquet hall.
‘In diplomacy, the most basic virtues are patience and composure…’
‘Even if he is a strong candidate for the next emperor, acting like this…’
Because Caelon was the daring participant in the bold exchange of words, the agitated first prince’s appearance was even more vividly contrasted with the composed demeanor of the calm Duke.
“Brother, it would be best to calm your anger for now. The Duke Elios’s words seem to have some merit.”
Ranian, who was quietly observing the situation while sitting next to the first prince, whispered calmly. However, instead of calming down, the first prince seemed even more provoked, glaring at him.
“What do you know to dare speak such nonsense? Studying abroad in Yufitero and now acting like one of them, huh?”
The first prince’s derisive words resounded in the quiet banquet hall, reaching the ears of the others clearly. In the end, even the followers of the Lisandro side lowered their heads, as they, too, sensed the imposing Duke’s calmness in contrast to the first prince’s fury.
It was distressing how to deal with the impulsive language of the first prince, who was dividing sides in a diplomatic dialogue with Yufitero.
“… That’s not the case. I mentioned adjusting the tariffs on Lebeta, as it could be beneficial for Lisandro as well.”
Even in the face of the first prince’s attitude that brought shame upon himself, Rainian’s expression remained calm and undisturbed. He explained in a calm voice.
“…No alliances between Lisandro and Yufitero have tariffs. However, Lebeta is different. Both countries impose independent tariffs on Lebeta, which is why we need to adjust them.”
“Huh, who here doesn’t know that fact! Are you boasting about it as if it’s something extraordinary?”
“Lebeta is taking advantage of this loophole for their advantageous foreign trade. First, they export goods to Yufitero, which has tariffs 10% lower than Lisandro, and then export them from Yufitero to Lisandro without tariffs. As a result, Lisandro is losing 10%.”
“What…?”
Shocked by Rainian’s words, the first prince opened his mouth wide. He couldn’t believe that Lebeta was engaging in such cunning behavior!
“So, if Lisandro and Yufitero impose the same tariffs on foreign countries, we can correct this loophole in foreign trade.”
“The only person who seems to clearly understand the proposed tariff adjustment is Prince Rainian.”
Rainian’s words, accurately discerning the intention behind the proposal, seemed to satisfy Caelon, as his deep gaze met with satisfaction. In response to Caelon’s words, seemingly acknowledging Rainian’s capabilities, the first prince shivered with a cold look of suspicion.
“In this situation, how about forming a tariff alliance, setting tariffs uniformly not only for Lebeta but also for other foreign countries? As Prince Rainian explained, this would benefit both nations.”
Caelon smoothly brought up the purpose he had in mind during Lisandro’s envoy visit this time. Initially cautious of the Duke’s proposal, even Lisandro’s aides began nodding in agreement as positive sentiments were conveyed.
Rainian chuckled at Caelon’s appearance, securing the grounds for a tariff alliance by borrowing the opponent’s mouth and ultimately achieving his desired goal.
‘Indeed, not an easy opponent.’
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
