Chapter 528 — Another Deal

The Eastern Region was, after all, only the Eastern Region. Though its army was strong, and the proportion of extraordinary individuals within it far higher than in the royal army, in terms of territory, population, and resource output it could not possibly compare with the royal army, which held the Holy Spirit Plain and was sustained by the "Western Region–Ogure Tribal Nation" trade line.

Clearly, their "capacity to pay" was very much in question.

The negotiations seemed to have deadlocked once more, but Gao Yang suddenly broke the silence. "There is another option."

Young Belk looked up at once. "What option do you have?"

"In the southwestern part of the Eastern Region, near the triangle where the Southern Region and the Dark Mountains meet, is there not an area called the White Sand Hills?" Gao Heng said unhurriedly. "They say it produces iron and copper, and a few small veins of magic-conducting crystal."

"You want the White Sand Hills?" Belk's eyes went wide, and he shook his head at once. "Forgive me, but I must refuse—that is impossible. That region is undeveloped as yet, but it is the Eastern Region's long-term future mining ground, and it is precious territory besides. To trade a permanent piece of land for temporary alchemical potions and factories—the price is too great."

"I do not intend to take it," Gao Yang cut him off. "I only mean to mine it for a time—five years. The Southern Region mines the White Sand Hills for five years, and afterward it is yours again. Given the present situation, this civil war should be over in five years no matter what; by then the dust will have settled, and we shall be well placed to enter a new era."

Looking at the grave, earnest expression on Gao Yang's face, the Eastern Region's future heir, young Marquis Belk, fell into hesitation for a time.

Five years…

He rose again and conferred rapidly with his accompanying advisers and subordinates.

A few minutes later he returned once more before Gao Yang.

They surely will not be able to mine much.

"We agree."