Chapter 327: The Delegation

Standing at the port, Lynch, as an important participant, naturally became one of the greeters.

The momentum for establishing diplomatic relations with Nagaryll was not very strong. On one hand, Nagaryll was a backward, feudal country, and the Federation people instinctively disliked such nations.

As things progressed, the Federation government would have to publicize some information about Nagaryll, even if only to show its positive side. To the Federation’s citizens, Nagaryll was a repressive society that was hard to accept. They disliked the country and its rulers but felt sympathy and pity for its lower-class people.

On the other hand, the final outcome of the negotiations was still unknown. Until there was a definite result, the Federation society would not expand publicity.

If the publicity was too strong but the result disappointing, the contrast would cause unbearable humiliation—especially since Nagaryll was just a small, backward country.

The Federation, asserting its value in the international community, did not consider itself inferior to Nagaryll and would not accept such a harsh reality.

It was better to keep publicity low now. If a good result came unexpectedly, it would be a pleasant surprise.

As the cruise ship from afar appeared over an hour later than scheduled, some gentlemen came out of the port bar.

The sea breeze was strong, and some curious locals watched the gathering. Watching foreigners seemed to have become a popular pastime near the port.

These foreigners were different from those seen on TV—more real and of higher status.

As the ship docked, a group of clearly Nagaryll natives, different from the Baylor people, disembarked.

They had darker skin than the Baylor people, mostly deep brown or black hair, and were shorter on average than the Federation people.

To represent Nagaryll’s culture and identity, they all wore traditional clothing—roughly long skirt-pants with an outer coat.

They wore many animal accessories: bird feathers, animal teeth, gold, and gems.

When these people appeared in the crowd’s view, some showed obvious discomfort—perhaps they thought these people too savage. Not long ago, a report had described how Nagaryll people plucked feathers alive from a beautiful bird to make exquisite decorations.

The birds, living freely in the forest all their lives, lost their freedom to fly and ended up as food on people’s plates.

Federation people, who loved freedom and valued life above all, hated such cruelty. This was one reason some animal protection groups opposed Nagaryll—though most members were not vegetarians and ate meat happily.

Among the group, Lynch soon spotted the provincial governor, who stayed near the center of the group.

The welcoming party included the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, a 46-year-old official who graduated from a Saint Harmony university and was a member of the Society.

He was a promising official. It was widely believed that if the president won the upcoming election against the Progressive Party’s radical faction in a year and seven months, this deputy minister would likely advance further.

Lynch glanced at Mr. Truman, just a step behind him, whose face wore a faint, indescribable smirk—seemingly unimpressed with the deputy minister ahead of him.

Perhaps Lynch’s gaze was special; Truman quickly noticed he was being watched and found Lynch.

Seeing Lynch, he slightly raised the corner of his mouth in a subtle smile, then averted his eyes. The hidden mockery disappeared, and he stood respectfully, unremarkable.

Lynch didn’t know the president had some plans. Only three months into office, his control over the cabinet and departments was nearly nonexistent.

Although he placed some own people in key posts, they were actually party loyalists, not his close aides, and their stances often differed.

For example, the president recently advocated giving Truman more responsibility, but some in the Progressive Party disagreed, which frustrated him.

The key conflict was the overlapping authority between the International Policy Affairs Office and the Foreign Ministry. Increasing the former’s power would infringe on the latter’s interests, hurting the foreign minister and deputy minister.

Where there are people, there are conflicts. Though outwardly calm, tension was brewing between Truman and the deputy minister.

Truman lacked a title. Otherwise, he would lead this foreign affairs mission, not the younger deputy minister.

After the Nagaryll delegation fully disembarked, the young deputy minister stepped forward to greet them, delivering greetings from the foreign minister and president. He made sure to be photographed for the media—this would become a highlight of his career.

Then, the two sides introduced themselves. Lynch was fortunate to be among the last in the reception team.

According to plan, after publicly welcoming the foreign delegation, they would be taken to local hotels to rest and conduct preliminary talks. The delegation would then split into three groups to visit and negotiate with the Federation.

The most important group, officials from Nagaryll’s central government, would accompany the deputy minister to Eminence, the political, economic, and cultural center, best suited for handling such affairs.

The second group would tour Federation customs and local life. Officially, this was to learn about the country, but in reality, they were members of Nagaryll’s ruling class here mainly to enjoy themselves.

They would not join any official or commercial negotiations. Their trip was basically a leisure visit, though nominally to understand the potential new ally.

Thus, close contact with local life and everything here was unproblematic.

The third group consisted of commercial negotiators. They would visit the Federation’s main industrial cities and factories, aiming to secure technology import contracts to build Nagaryll’s industrial base.

This was the main reason for the diplomatic mission. As a country that had to import even bullets from the Preyton Trading Company, watching other countries develop rapidly made Nagaryll increasingly uneasy. Achieving a degree of self-sufficiency was urgent.

Not to claim they could make everything, but at least things like bullets had to be self-produced.

Lynch was responsible for this third group, to receive them and help establish trade intentions. Truman thought even a small success was enough.

However, the deputy minister had different ideas. He had told Lynch before that they must secure some heavyweight trades—to show how successful his leadership of the negotiations was.

As everyone prepared to board the cars and leave, Drag, the governor of Magulana Province, approached Lynch.

“The things you mentioned…,” he looked around, “are they stored here as well?”

Lynch nodded. “In the warehouse next door. Want to take a look?”

Drag nodded and said, “Wait a moment.” He spoke briefly to others, then returned accompanied by two delegation members.

Their skin tone was noticeably lighter, somewhat fairer. They appeared to be mixed-race.

“My assistants. Can we see those embargoed items?”

Lynch reported Drag’s request to the deputy minister, who approved. The group then took two cars and headed to the warehouse Lynch had rented.

The Baylor Federation has more than one deep-sea port for foreign trade, but this one was the most convenient. The direct distance to Nagaryll was shorter here, the sailing time less, naturally saving various expenses.

With the help of warehouse workers, the group entered the warehouse and uncovered the dust covers.

The two men brought by Governor Drag immediately went to the machinery, notebooks in hand, checking the models and names of the equipment and inspecting key parts.

Lynch did not stop them, confidently allowing the inspection. Not long ago, these machines had produced a batch of goods and had dedicated personnel maintaining them since. They were ready for immediate use.

After randomly examining some equipment, the two spoke briefly with Governor Drag in Nagaryll’s native language. A few minutes later, Drag nodded in satisfaction.

On the way back, the two rode in the same car. Governor Drag hinted to Lynch that the Preyton Trading Company intended to sabotage this diplomatic visit.

This was important information. Whether true or not, it was best to treat it as true—and Lynch believed it likely was.