ebookland Chapter 813 Negotiations to End Oppression
Chapter 813 Negotiations to End Oppression
The atmosphere in the meeting room was so tense that you could almost hear a pin drop. The sunlight coming in from the window was cut into a few narrow beams by the heavy curtains, which just happened to be projected on Suzuki Taro's trembling figure, infinitely magnifying his humiliation and helplessness at the moment.
All around, eyes of surprise, curiosity, or indifference were focused on Taro Suzuki, forming a complex picture.
Suzuki Taro, the chief cabinet minister who had the final say in Fuso, abandoned all the dignity and pride that a high-ranking official should have. He slowly bent his knees and knelt heavily on the cold ground, making a dull sound, which was the aftermath of the collision between power and reality.
Without any hesitation, he pressed his forehead to the ground three times in a row, and each time there was a crisp knocking sound that echoed in the silent conference room, as if it was an expression of deep reflection and repentance for his past actions in his heart.
"President Su, please forgive my rudeness. I am here to apologize to you." Suzuki Taro's voice was low, and although every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, the sincerity in it could not be ignored.
His eyes were tightly closed, as if he didn't want anyone to see his fragility and unwillingness at the moment.
Su Zhengyang stood at the other end of the conference table, observing all this with an almost playful look. A faint smile appeared on his lips, which showed both surprise at Suzuki Taro's behavior and confidence in the control of the situation.
"Mr. Suzuki, you are the chief cabinet minister of the Fuso Empire. How could you kneel down so easily? There is an old saying in China, 'A man's knees are made of gold.' By doing this, aren't you losing all your dignity?"
There was a hint of teasing and sarcasm in Su Zhengyang's words, but he still gracefully reminded the other party of his identity and position.
Suzuki Taro clenched his fists, his nails piercing deep into his palms. The pain seemed to be the only reality he could feel at the moment. He tried hard to suppress the humiliation and anger in his heart. His face was calm and almost indifferent, but a hint of determination flashed in his tightly closed eyes.
"As long as President Su is willing to continue the talks, I will pay any price."
Su Zhengyang heard this, slowly turned around and sat back on the chair that symbolized power, his movements were elegant and calm. "If you say so, I can continue to talk to you." His tone became gentle, but the power in his words should not be underestimated.
Then, he gently raised his hand and signaled Suzuki Taro to stand up. "Stand up, I accept your apology." This sentence was both an acknowledgement of Suzuki Taro's behavior and a signal that the negotiations between the two sides could continue.
Upon hearing this, Suzuki Taro slowly stood up. Although his body was still a little shaky, a glimmer of hope had rekindled in his eyes.
Su Zhengyang's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's as he stared directly at Suzuki Taro and Fujita Teru who was standing beside him.
"The conditions I proposed before,"
"This is China's bottom line. There is no room for negotiation. Do you understand?" His eyes revealed a strong sense of oppression that made people dare not look directly at him.
Taro Suzuki's lips moved and he clenched his teeth, as if he was struggling fiercely in his heart.
He knew that the current conditions were undoubtedly harsh for Fuso, but Su Zhengyang's attitude made him feel unprecedented pressure. After hesitating for a few seconds, he slowly said: "President Su, forgive me for being frank..."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he was interrupted impatiently by Su Zhengyang.
"Don't bargain with me anymore," Su Zhengyang said with a hint of impatience, "My patience is almost exhausted. Either agree to our terms or continue the war. There is no third choice."
His voice echoed in the conference room like a bell of judgment, impossible to avoid.
Taro Suzuki was almost out of breath from this series of strong words. He gasped, his chest heaving violently, as if he was trying to calm the waves in his heart.
"President Su, I can't make a decision," he finally said with difficulty, "I need to communicate with His Majesty the Emperor." There was a sense of powerlessness in his tone.
Su Zhengyang nodded slightly, with a barely perceptible sneer in his eyes. "Then let's put an end to this negotiation for now."
His words were concise and decisive, without any procrastination. "Go and communicate with your so-called emperor. Remember, I only give you one day." After saying that, he stood up, straightened his collar, and announced the temporary suspension of the negotiations in a condescending manner.
With Su Zhengyang's departure, the atmosphere in the conference room finally relaxed a little.
Suzuki Taro and Fujita Teru looked at each other, and saw heavy pressure and helplessness in each other's eyes. They knew that the next task would be even more difficult - to convince His Majesty the Emperor to accept this almost impossible condition, or to prepare for the upcoming war.
Suzuki Taro's face became even gloomier with anger and disappointment. He stared at Sekt, but only saw the other party's deliberately avoiding eyes. That attitude was undoubtedly an indifferent response to their current predicament in Fuso.
His fists were slightly clenched, his knuckles turning white from the force, and it was obvious that he was trying his best to suppress his emotions.
"You two," Suzuki Taro said, "are all envoys representing the Fuso Empire's allies. I thought you would stand on Fuso's side and use your international influence to help us mediate with China and jointly find a peaceful solution. But at this moment, you have chosen to stand by and watch, indifferent, which makes me deeply disappointed."
Hearing this, Sekt shrugged slightly, with a faint smile on his lips.
"Mr. Suzuki, please understand our position. Our Prime Minister's order is clear, requiring us not to choose a position easily and to remain neutral. Although we sympathize with your situation, as an independent country, we cannot rashly get involved in any party's dispute. This is both responsible for our own interests and a respect for the international order."
Marco immediately echoed, "Mr. Seckt is right. We understand that Fuso is facing unprecedented challenges at the moment, but to get out of the predicament, you still have to rely on yourselves. As for us, as bystanders, we do not have enough say to influence President Su's decision. What's more, I don't want our own country to be at odds with China for the benefit of Fuso. That kind of price is not something we can afford."
As they spoke, the two of them had already packed their clothes and were ready to leave the meeting room filled with tension and confrontation.
Taro Suzuki looked at the two people walking away, feeling mixed emotions.
He knew very well that under the current circumstances, it was almost impossible for Fuso to turn the tide on its own.
Although he was deeply disappointed by the actions of the two allied envoys, he also understood that he could not give up any hope.
He must find a way to safeguard Fuso's interests while avoiding further conflict and war.