Chapter 676: Arxan Protocol (2)
They had arrived at Khuree. The carriage continued to plow through the empty streets until it finally came to a halt right in front of a church.
Their bodies were all clad in silver-white armor, gorgeous and elegant, and obviously forged with excellent workmanship. There were even beautiful reliefs etched on the surface of the armor and gilded etchings on the edges of the armor. These ensembles made the soldiers look little like war machines, and far more as though they were beautiful pieces of art.
Qin Ye walked up to the church together with Peter the Great. Then, with a casual word of apology, Peter the Great walked ahead into the church, leaving him behind to marvel at the church’s grandeur. But before he could take a closer look at his surroundings, a Yin spirit dressed in priest’s clothing knelt in front of Qin Ye respectfully, “Welcome, Emissary of Hell. Please follow me to the conference hall.”
As he followed the spiral stone staircase down into the depths of the church, the area below opened up in front of his eyes.
There were several parchment scrolls placed right on top of the stone table. Several Yin spirits stood at either side of the table. As soon as Qin Ye arrived, they immediately knelt down onto the ground, “Mongol Empire… Bogd Khan, greets the esteemed Emissary.”
But before Qin Ye could say another word, the Harken promptly sneered at him, “This is the meeting between Hell and the Russian Underworld. What are you doing here?”
Qin Ye carried the Harken and took his seat at the table. Then, he chuckled coldly, “No wonder your name sounded so familiar. Bogd Khan… You must be the Jebtsundamba. Rest assured, even if the Mongol Underworld is destroyed, I won’t do anything to you.”
On 28 December 1911, the Mongol Empire declared its independence, and Rus declared the Mongol Empire to be its protectorate. The leader in charge at that time was none other than Bogd Khan, or the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, otherwise known as the reincarnation of the scholar Taranatha of the Jonang school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Later, on 3 February 1921, the White Guards of the Russian Baron Roman Fyodorovich von Ungern-Sternberg defeated the Cathayan Beiyang army and once again installed the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu to the throne and established the so-called autonomous government. On 10 July that same year, the Mongol Empire formally declared independence. Three years later, the Cathayan government and the Soviet government signed the Sino-Soviet Outline Agreement on Unsettled Issues that stipulated that Outer Mongol was still a part of Cathayan territory, over which Cathay enjoyed sovereignty.
These were the rough details of what transpired during those tumultuous years, and the exact details aren’t known. That said, there was an alternative theory that posited that the 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was murdered by Rus to propel the Mongol Empire to independence.
Just then, before Bogd Khan could even say a word, Peter the Great walked right back into the room in a different, more formal set of aristocratic garments, “The Mongol regime needs to undergo some reorganization.”
All in all, he exuded an aura of nobility that seemed almost innate. Even if he was nothing more than a skeleton, his outfit didn’t do anything to take away from his brilliance and radiance.
Then, he began to spread out all of the scrolls on the table one by one, “These are all of the original treaties relating to the Mongol Empire and its independence.”
Qin Ye’s eyes flickered softly - What determination.
The first reason for this was naturally to curry favour with Hell. The second reason was such that if the Federation of Underworlds takes issue with this, Hell would clearly be able to show that this was a decision undertaken pursuant to consultation with both underworlds. Finally, the third reason for this was to give Hell a taste of the sweetness of this deal so that Hell wouldn’t hesitate to snap up the offer! This was a bold offer that instantly sweetened the deal on three fronts! Qin Ye couldn’t help but revisit his assessment of international affairs once more. In fact, it even dawned on him that he still had much to learn.
“So… the Russian Underworld will send troops for the Mongol Underworld.” Peter the Great completely ignored the still-kneeling 8th Jebtsundamba Khutuktu as he stared straight into Qin Ye’s eyes, “Tomorrow morning, 5.00 a.m., at the witching hour, the 300,000 Cossacks cavalrymen and the Queen’s 50,000 imperial soldiers will march for the Mongol Underworld.”
He paused, and the entire room was filled with an eerie silence. A Duke and an Abyssal Prefect locked eyes for several moments. About ten seconds later, Peter the Great asked, “Does Hell… have anything to add?”
Qin Ye continued to stroke the Harken’s fur for several moments, before finally responding, “Will the Mongol Empire become a part of Hell once the Russian Underworld cedes all of the treaties to us?”
“The Russian Underworld will immediately withdraw our ambassador to the Mongol Empire and enter trade and border negotiations with Cathay in respect of the Mongol Empire.”
What humiliation. Two powers were discussing how to destroy the Mongol Empire right in front of one of the former kings of the nation, and there was nothing he could do about it at all.
Qin Ye nodded, “And can you confirm that the Russian Underworld only intends to take the Resentment Crystals from the Mongol Empire?”
As a Duke, he was willing to cast his pride aside and act respectfully to an Abyssal Prefect, so long as it meant he could gain Hell’s nod of approval in return.
He took a deep breath and then pulled out another scroll from his pocket.
“And to this end, we give you our word that apart from the usual applicable taxes, no fees shall be charged for your mining and excavating operations, and you’ll have exclusive access to this mine. This is the Red Queen Entry Permit, and the license, and the draft agreement setting out everything I’ve just mentioned.”
Their eyes met, and Qin Ye responded with a somber expression, “Of course.”
The netherflames in Peter the Great’s eyes flickered wildly, and his heart instantly leapt for joy, “Are you certain? Can the Harken also confirm this?”
“Very well.” As he spoke, Peter the Great sat down at once. Yin energy poured out of his seven apertures as he continued with great excitement, “Deal! Then… I’ll have to trouble both of you to wait here patiently till tomorrow. Rest assured, I’ll be staying right here with you so that you won’t feel in the slightest bit bored.”
That was the sound of the stone door shutting behind them!
But before Qin Ye could even say a word, the Harken immediately rose to its feet with its hair standing on end and copious amounts of Yin energy pouring right out of its body, “How dare you imprison the Emissaries of Hell?! Peter, you’re playing with fire!”
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