That Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, should name the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's present plight and situation outright
did not trouble Zhao Chen in the least; he said calmly, "Your Excellency the Radiant Elf King is right. For now our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire, to prepare for the oath-duel with the Devourer Civilization, has put a great deal into its military budget. Some shortfalls have indeed appeared. That's why we want to set up this universe trade alliance; that way we can meet the urgent need. And it's equally a good thing for our many interstellar civilizations' universes. Those who benefit aren't only our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire, but anyone willing to take part. If only the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire benefited, it would be no partnership at all."
Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, fixed his eyes on Zhao Chen and said gravely, "Your Excellency the Owl Dragon Emperor. I know that in your eyes we old fossils are narrow in our outlook. But I still have to say something selfish here. Setting up this universe trade alliance looks, on the face of it, good for the many interstellar universe civilizations. I don't deny it. With your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's universe star-gate technology and interstellar transport ship technology, the efficiency of cross-universe interstellar trade can be greatly raised. But…"
At this, the Radiant Elf King paused; his tone turned, and he said, "But it will equally bring your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's prestige, influence and even power among the many universes to a peak. It's true we're allies now. But there's a saying that those of us who lead should all know: in this world there are no permanent allies and no permanent enemies. So…"
Hearing what the Radiant Elf King said, Minister Li Yaqi, Huaya Lanlan and the others all changed color slightly.
The wind of his words was not blowing quite right.
"What Your Excellency the Radiant Elf King says is right. I can even tell you outright. Once this universe alliance is set up, our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire's goods will spread into every interstellar civilization's universe too, and so make our Owl Dragon brand famous among the many universes. By then everyone will naturally know a mighty Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire exists. And with the profit drawn from this alliance, our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire will hold this money tree, and we'll eat the biggest slice of this cake too. That's all fact. I don't deny it."
Zhao Chen fixed his eyes on the Radiant Elf King and went on, "But on this matter I can put it this way. Along the path of the universe's development, unless everyone is wiped out by the Devourer Civilization, someone is bound to take this road. It's just as it was in the planetary age and the space age before. Development is inevitable. Whatever resists development is doomed to be weeded out by time. To put it a little unkindly: such a chance was once set before the Holy Elf Empire too, only because of your principles and your stubbornness you never developed this far. And now that our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire is about to take this step, if the Holy Elf Empire doesn't catch this last train, the Holy Elf Empire may very well be weeded out in future. To put it another way: today it's our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire stepping up to do this, and I reckon that's still a good case. Because I don't bully others on the strength of my power; I sit down and talk with you. But what if it's some other interstellar civilization doing this in future? Then can Your Excellency the Radiant Elf King guarantee they'll be willing to sit down and talk? Or would you rather face an unknown opponent than sit here with a friend who shows you goodwill? We haven't known each other for just a year or half a year. To your elf race's long lives, the time is nothing much. But in the time we've known each other, a great deal has happened. Our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire has done a great deal too. I imagine the Holy Elf Empire knows something of all of it. I don't believe your assessment of our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire is so bad that you can't trust me at all."
Zhao Chen stood up, put his hand on the low table, and looked straight at the Radiant Elf King beside him: "Elder, you're older than I am, and more experienced. Here I'll address you respectfully as Elder. I'm not the kind to make trouble without reason. And I know your standing and your voice in the Holy Elf Empire; so long as you're willing, this matter is basically halfway to success. So here I, Zhao Chen, your junior, ask you one question: are you willing to work with our Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire and seek growth together?"
As he spoke, Zhao Chen took up a cup of wine from the table and gazed at the Radiant Elf King, waiting for the Radiant Elf King's answer.
The Radiant Elf King had never thought this Owl Dragon Emperor would be so direct; this was as good as forcing his hand.
To make him decide so quickly went somewhat against the Radiant Elf King's present nature.
He could not help looking to Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, at Zhao Chen's left hand.
But Salaman, the Flame Elf Queen, had her head down, wholly absorbed in her own food and fine wine.
To all appearances, she was saying: don't mind me; you two talk it out.
I have no objection.
Anyway, if I object, you few Elf Sovereigns won't listen to me, so I'll just say nothing now; isn't that all right?
There was something too of the Flame Elf Queen venting her feelings about running into a wall at the High Council again and again before.
Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, showed a hesitant look; he looked at Zhao Chen, troubled. "Your Majesty the Owl Dragon Emperor, a matter this important, I need…"
Zhao Chen said gravely, "I don't want to wait. My people have already arranged the itinerary ahead. I'll be frank with you: next I'll visit those interstellar civilizations' powers one by one and have them sign this alliance agreement. If you're willing to talk, we'll go on talking. If you're not, I won't trouble you any further now, and I'll take my leave at once."
Zhao Chen was pressing him step by step, giving the Radiant Elf King no chance at all to give ground.
While the Radiant Elf King hesitated,
Zhao Chen's gaze softened somewhat; he looked at the Radiant Elf King and said, "I can understand your caution. But don't forget, you were young once too, and brash in your youth. Sometimes one can't be cautious all the time, or one will be stuck forever in the circle one has drawn for oneself. Think: if it were you in your youth, would you have made such an arrangement over this matter? If I remember right, back when you were young, the Devourer Civilization launched a war of invasion against a certain interstellar universe civilization. At the time, the youngest of the several Elf Sovereigns was the first to propose sending support and declaring war on the Devourer Civilization. The other Elf Sovereigns at the time all hesitated and objected. But even so, you went your own way, and even at the risk of breaking the High Council's laws, you ordered your own legion fleets straight off to give support to that star civilization's universe!"
Hearing Zhao Chen bring up this past,
the Radiant Elf King's look froze; he seemed to see his young self.
And just then that young figure seemed to merge with the figure of the Flame Elf Queen before.
It brought a melancholy look to the Radiant Elf King's face.
In fact, among the several Elf Sovereigns, it had always been he who protected the Flame Elf Queen; had it not been for him, the Flame Elf Queen's several outrageous acts would long since have got her impeached.
The chief reason for it was that the Radiant Elf King seemed to see his own shadow in the Flame Elf Queen!
The Radiant Elf King took a deep breath.
He looked over Zhao Chen before him, a faint smile came to his face, and he said, "I thought before that you were out of the ordinary. Now it seems you really are different, different from the ordinary sort of leader and ruler. No wonder that Salaman gets on with you. Probably only someone like you could win Salaman over heart and soul."
Hearing the Radiant Elf King mention her, the Flame Elf Queen rolled her eyes beside them.
The Radiant Elf King stood up and raised his wine cup, and just as it was about to touch the cup in Zhao Chen's hand,
he stopped, and looked at Zhao Chen with a stern face and said, "My agreeing to what you're doing now doesn't mean I'll agree later. I'm an old fossil, and I'm cautious now; I don't deny it. Because I don't want the Holy Elf Empire's future, handed down for so many years through so many Elf Sovereigns' hands, to go wrong in mine. Likewise, our Holy Elf Empire will not do anything against its principles either. And there's one of them: if I ever learn your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire has broken it, then however great your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire grows in future, we'll end all cooperation at once. Your Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire is not to launch a war of invasion against any other interstellar civilization's universe without cause!"
The corners of Zhao Chen's mouth turned up, and he said with a grave look, "That I can promise you. So long as I, Zhao Chen, am in the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire for one day, I can promise that for that day the Owl Dragon Interstellar Empire will not be first to start a war on any interstellar civilization's power. But likewise, I'll say this up front too. I've always repaid a foot of respect with ten feet, but if anyone offends me, I'll hit back without the least mercy!"
At this, Zhao Chen raised his head a little.
Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, laughed aloud now, and the wine cup in his hand touched the cup in Zhao Chen's hand at last.
"Interesting, interesting. Truly an interesting young man. Good. At least on setting up this universe trade alliance, I back you. But you know our Holy Elf Empire's system. For this matter to pass in full, it has to pass the five Elf Sovereigns and the High Council. My agreeing with you doesn't mean you'll get it through in full," Gustav, the Radiant Elf King, said, putting the unwelcome part up front.
The Flame Elf Queen beside them spoke up now: "So long as you consent, will that lot still not consent?"
The Radiant Elf King laughed and said nothing more.