Amidst the infuriated gazes of the Bathing Envoy Group, Yang Yu straightened his posture, paying no heed to what might happen next in the meeting room.
Yang Yu's purpose for being here was clear, and it was highly unlikely that he would come a second time.
Since the other party wasn't willing to show some courtesy, he too didn't need to go out of his way to foster good relations with them.
Moreover, aligning himself with the Military Faction naturally created a barrier between him and the Civil Official Faction.
To bridge this gap would require daily interaction and mutual understanding, tasks for which Yang Yu had no spare time.
"Sorry about that. They are probably overly confident in their abilities, thinking that sending someone else instead of Minister Ming Dalak indicates a lack of trust in their work," Qing Zhu said with a helpless wry smile as he led the way for Yang Yu.
"It's more accurate to say that they have had an extremely negative attitude towards the war from the beginning, so negative that they somewhat wish to 'please' the Luo Ze Empire."
Qing Zhu didn't refute Yang Yu's pointed critique, sighing instead,
"It has been a long time since the prisoner exchange numbers have been so closely matched as they are this year.
At the start of the war, the gap in numbers of prisoners on both sides wasn't large, and everyone worked energetically and passionately.
But as the years passed, the difference in numbers gradually widened.
Only the year when the Wanzhang Lion personally entered the battlefield did we slightly recover the declining morale, but unfortunately, His Majesty had already been seriously injured, and the elevated morale quickly faded...
Despite their current state, they were once considered to have made meritorious contributions..."
"And what of it? If they don't trust their own country and keep making compromises without seeking ways to change, they might as well let passionate young people take their places," Yang Yu replied, cutting to the heart of the matter.
"You really don't mince words.
Prisoner exchange is a complex matter; often, hands are tied. Having gotten used to being overridden, they no longer know how to make changes.
Tomorrow, we will set the prices for Luo Ze's captive officers. Before then, feel free to examine any information you'd like."
Saying this, Qing Zhu opened the archive room's door and called on staff to help Yang Yu search for relevant documents pertaining to past prisoner exchanges.
Yang Yu, without any reservation, stated what he needed.
Once the librarian had piled the documents on a long table in the archive room, Qing Zhu advised Yang Yu a few more things before leaving the archives.
With Iyas and Bai Jin assisting him, Yang Yu opened one document bag after another, reviewing the meeting records regarding prisoner exchanges in recent years as well as the negotiation details with the Luo Ze Empire.
The archives from the earlier years were somewhat worn, frequently reviewed, while the recent documents were brand new, indicating the stark difference in consultations.
As Yang Yu anticipated, the prisoner exchanges had become increasingly procedural and rigid.
The envoy team of Wansheng Country had been compromising for a very long time.
Even if they occasionally attempted assertiveness, following a rejection of their requests, few would robustly assert their original demands or seek a middle ground.
In the early stages of the war, Wansheng Country had also made numerous mistakes in prisoner exchanges, having not given the war the due respect it warranted.
Many in power saw the war as a pathway to social ascension, sending countless incompetent heirs into battle to earn achievements.
Initially, many unfair swaps were made in an ostensibly fair manner to retrieve these heirs of nobility and prevent their bloodlines from ending.
Yang Yu felt something was amiss,
"Yellow Flower, Mu Jin, tally up the exchange records of officers rated below 'B' for each year."
Hearing Yang Yu's command, Bai Jin and Iyas swiftly went through the documents and soon reported their findings.
Upon reviewing it again, Yang Yu's brows furrowed, and even Lotcar, who had transformed into a human form, seemed to catch on to the anomaly.
The practice of sending a large number of noble heirs due to seeking glory in the first couple of years was understandable, but the fact that during the third and fourth years of the war, a large number of noble heirs continued to be sent to the front lines as officers...
There were indeed many wise individuals within Wansheng Country; it was implausible that they failed to see the consequences of such actions.
Slowly closing the file, Yang Yu lay back in his chair and thought for a long time before taking out some paper and pen, jotting down the current intelligence along with the information that was still unknown, adjusting his current options.
He also began to prepare for the upcoming "battle." Dıscover more novels at novèlfire.net
Just like that, the day quickly passed by.
In the year 415 of the Lux calendar, on February 28.
Little Night City welcomed a special guest whose arrival none in the Envoy Team had anticipated.
In the meeting room, all the envoys were restless, cautiously observing the handsome elf seated in the principal seat.
"Minister Ming Dalak, we are about to formulate our exchange list to the Luoze Empire, may I ask why you have come here?"
Having tasted the tea brewed by Qing Zhu, Ming Dalak set down his teacup and began to speak:
"This year, a considerable number of soldiers have fallen into the hands of the Luoze Empire.
Thanks to the outstanding performance of a certain individual on our side, we also hold quite a few advantageous chips.
This prisoner exchange will definitely influence our subsequent defense and counterattack plans.
After consulting with Emperor Qian Xialan, it seemed most suitable for me to personally oversee this prisoner exchange.
There's no need to worry about state affairs; I've found reliable personnel to temporarily replace me."
Ming Dalak spoke with every word weighed.
Before this winter had ended, the Envoy Team had never expected to house so many Luoze prisoners.
To continuously expand the detention center, they had run up and down, exerting considerable effort.
"Since the Prime Minister has said so, we can rest assured, but may I ask what insights do you have regarding this prisoner exchange?
And exactly which general performed outstandingly and reversed our worsening situation?
We've heard some rumors from the battlefield.
It was only known that Ajiket's troops and the support units of the West Fifth Army brought so many prisoners here..."
Ming Dalak did not immediately answer Tu Fen's questions but instead looked around, searching for clues of Yang Yu's presence.
Not finding Yang Yu anywhere, Ming Dalak was just about to inquire about Yang Yu's whereabouts when Yang Yu appeared at the doorway of the meeting room with his team.
"Prime Minister, good to see you well, I am pleased to see you again."
Ming Dalak's lips curved slightly upwards as he also greeted Yang Yu,
"Good to see you in good health, Lord Potato.
Your performance this winter was indeed astonishing.
Without you, we could never have captured so many human prisoners."
As he said this, the faces of several envoy ministers turned unsightly, but Ming Dalak continued speaking,
"I heard you found a loophole in the prisoner exchange, which is why you came here. Have you made any discoveries in the past few days? Have you had a good conversation with the Envoy Team here?"
"I'd have liked to have a proper talk."
Yang Yu's gaze swept across the meeting room, and the envoys seated there slightly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes,
"But it seems these elders do not welcome my arrival, so I had to investigate in the archives myself."
Looking around and seeing the unnatural expressions on the faces of the envoys, Ming Dalak seemed to have understood something, but he did not expose or reprimand them and instead continued to inquire Yang Yu:
"Have you discovered anything?"