"That's correct," The man nodded, evidently pleased with Rui's answer. "Everybody has needs, interests, and issues. These can be and are leveraged to foster mutually beneficial relationships between two parties."
He turned to Rui. "Can you figure out what are some of the most universal interests that are frequently leveraged in diplomatic negotiations and deliberations between two parties such as sovereign nations on the Panama Continent?"
Rui nodded. "The most universal interests that are likeliest to be leveraged are the fundamental necessities of every sovereign nation. Things such as sufficient food supply and security are absolutely necessary for the sustenance of any viable society. These are primary needs that are required for any form of human civilization."
Regardless of the culture, traditions of a society, the surrounding geo-political landscape, and other parameters of said state, food, and security were absolute necessities for human sustenance.
"On a secondary level," Rui continued. "Technological sophistication is also vital for maintaining a baseline modern lifestyle and is a highly desired asset. Things like the communication sector and networks that the most important significant sectors and institutions of our empire use to function viably. Without it, our empire would almost certainly be crippled immediately. As such, every nation prioritizes building a sustainable communication sector within the nation."
While remote communication technology had not spread as far as to reach the average common citizen, it was still quite important in the functioning of the nation. All executive branches, ministries, and departments of the entirety of the government frequently relied on esoteric communication tech for remote coordination across the entire country.
Even the Martial Union frequently used it all the time for the remote coordination of Martial Artists, clients, and within the Martial Union between branches and employees.
"That is quite true," Carl nodded. "In fact, I once negotiated a highly favorable agreement for the Kandrian Empire with one of the surrounding satellite nations that I was, at one point, the appointed Kandrian representative and ambassador for, thanks to the universal interest that is sustained communications."
Rui's eyebrows rose in interest. "That sounds interesting, and confidential."
Carl chuckled. "I have been authorized to share personal anecdotes and experiences if it aids in your training, within a certain limit by Martial commissioner Derun. This thanks to the fact that you are a Martial Squire, that too one of interest, to the Martial Union."
"I see," Rui expected as much. "You were saying?"
"This nation lacked a sustainable supply of Ire Slagpowder, which is an esoteric substance that is one of the most commonly used battery fuels for communication devices. Because the nation needed it so desperately, I was able to negotiate remarkably favorable terms for the Martial Union, including but not limited to heavy annual remuneration, significant reductions in import tax, and tariffs imposed on the Martial Union's Martial goods and services as well as highly favorable amendments to the extradition treaty between the Kandrian Empire and said nation, among other things."
Rui raised an eyebrow at his words.
Those were considerable concessions!
The heavy remuneration was guaranteed, and Rui was relatively certain that the price paid by the nation was not low, given this was nothing short of a strategic resource. The nation must have bled dearly to obtain it. On top of that, they had to lower the import tariffs that were imposed on all imported goods from foreign nations. This clause would cause the Martial Union's international business to boom in the nation. After all, the price of international goods factored in the import tariffs and duties, this meant that they were generally pricier than the equivalent of the same goods in the local economy in order to maintain standard profit margins. However, with a reduction in import tariffs, the Martial goods and services that the Martial Union could provide would outcompete its other international competitors.
This would stimulate the Martial Union's internal economy surrounding Martial Artists and other departments that earned secondary streams of revenue.
What Rui didn't understand, however, was the third clause that Carl mentioned. "Why negotiate for favorable amendments in the extradition treaty between the Kandrian Empire and said nation? Isn't that a clause that benefits the Kandrian Empire more than it does the Martial Union?"
"That is true," The man nodded. "We internally negotiated with the Kandrian Empire and obtained concessions and compensations before proceeding with the deal. It also makes the environment safer for completing missions because we can recover our Martial Artists who are compromised to the nation. It also serves as a good training ground for younger and more inexperienced Martial Artists who don't have much experience in foreign and international missions."
"I see..." Rui thought about it. "That sounds like it must have been an exceedingly complicated negotiation and lobbying effort on your part."
"It took a few months to settle, but it is one of my more significant and prouder accomplishments," The man nodded.
"Which nation is this, by the way?" Rui wondered, curious.
"It is a nation you are actually familiar with, as far as your record goes," The man smiled. "The Commonwealth Duchy of Vinfrana."
"That actually makes a lot of sense," Rui nodded.
He had always wondered why the Martial Union deployed him and a few other Martial Apprentices on such a mission. It made a lot more sense if the Martial Union viewed the territory of the Commonwealth Duchy of Vinfrana as a somewhat safer zone.
"Coming back to the main point, you aren't incorrect in your analysis of the most common interests of nations that are frequently levied to negotiate agreements between two parties," The man smiled.
"Thank you."
"But unfortunately, your worldview is a bit oversimplistic," The man pointed out.
Rui raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"It is true that food and security are absolutely paramount. But is also true that most nations are able to fulfill this interest to a much larger extent than you suspect. It is actually rarely the case that food and national security are interests levied in negotiations between two parties. This is because there is a correlation between the fundamental importance and necessity of a certain interest and the ability to obtain it."
Rui narrowed his eyes as he absorbed the information that Carl divulged to him.
