This is absolutely not alarmist, but a predictable matter.
Sen Kai is also a shrewd individual.
As soon as Leighton stated his intentions, Sen Kai understood immediately.
Regarding Leighton's request, Sen Kai knew that no matter what decision he made, it would be difficult to change the final outcome.
Even if Sen Kai refused to help Leighton, Leighton could still contact Liu Kai Xuan through his own means to discuss this matter.
There was no need to completely fall out with Leighton over this.
Coincidentally, Sen Kai also wanted to cooperate deeply with Liu Kai Xuan.
Since Leighton had now proposed this, why not let the two of them jointly approach Liu Kai Xuan to have a good talk?
With this thought, Sen Kai agreed to Leighton's proposal and expressed his willingness to accompany Leighton to meet Liu Kai Xuan in person.
…
That evening, Liu Kai Xuan hosted a banquet at the City Lord's Mansion, inviting Leighton and Sen Kai to dine.
Considering the special status of these two individuals, this banquet was an informal family gathering, not on a grand scale.
Royalty and nobility always have their own set of rules.
Discussions either happen before or after the meal.
In short, during meals, people generally do not discuss official business.
Therefore, during the tea reception before the meal, Leighton eagerly expressed his views.
"Grand Duke Kai Xuan, first of all, I must thank you for your gracious invitation, which has allowed me the honor of witnessing the grandeur of this exhibition!"
"Participating in this exhibition has truly broadened my horizons!"
Liu Kai Xuan shook his head and smiled, "Your Majesty the Emperor, you are too kind!"
"What I am exhibiting here are just small trinkets!"
"Your personal presence here to show support is what truly brings honor to my humble abode!"
"Heh heh, well, let's have less formality and more sincerity!"
As a pleasant atmosphere was established, Leighton shifted the conversation and got straight to the point:
"Grand Duke Kai Xuan, I've noticed your business is growing larger and larger!"
"With business expansion comes the need for more capital and labor, which we, the Thunder Empire, can provide you with!"
"I hope Grand Duke Kai Xuan will invest in building a few factories in our Thunder Empire!"
"Then we can join forces and make money together!"
Liu Kai Xuan said lightly, "King Leighton, your kindness truly overwhelms me!"
"However, my company is a commercial entity, and cooperating directly with your imperial royal family would certainly be inappropriate!"
"Since we are a commercial company, our partners must also be commercial entities!"
"For a commercial company, getting involved in power struggles is definitely not a good thing!"
"Therefore, if Your Majesty the Emperor genuinely intends to cooperate, it would be more suitable to discuss cooperation according to the rules of the market!"
"Oh, heh heh..."
Leighton chuckled, instantly understanding everything, after all, this man was a true master of human nature.
Liu Kai Xuan's response essentially agreed to his cooperation plan.
However, it was clear that Liu Kai Xuan only wanted to do business and make money, not to form a deep connection with the royal family of the Thunder Empire.
Direct cooperation with the royal family of the Thunder Empire would be equivalent to becoming a military ally of the Thunder Empire.
In the future, if the Thunder Empire were to undertake any military actions, would Liu Kai Xuan participate or not?
Solving this problem was also very simple for Leighton.
He could simply register a private company in his own name within the Thunder Empire to negotiate cooperation with Liu Kai Xuan.
Let's not discuss business at this banquet tonight.
"Grand Duke Kai Xuan is indeed straightforward. Today is destined to be a pleasant day!"
Sen Kai also chimed in at this point, "By the way, Grand Duke Kai Xuan!"
"Sen Ya also spoke with me earlier about her thoughts. She wants to cooperate with you in a private capacity!"
"In the future, the peripheral industries of the military factories can also be built within our development zone!"
"Alright!"
Liu Kai Xuan nodded, "I will discuss this matter in detail with Princess Sen Ya later!"
"Since the two great kings have personally graced my humble abode, I have prepared some local specialties. Please be seated and sample them!"
"Hahaha, that's wonderful. It seems I'm in for a treat today!"
…
That evening, Sen Kai and Leighton dined at the City Lord's Mansion and left happily late into the night.
Concurrently, the activities at the City Lord's Mansion of Kai Xuan City were relayed via telephone to Kai Ya Dun by intelligence personnel from the Kai Ya Kingdom.
Upon receiving this news, Kai Ya Dun felt very anxious.
Tie Ma Sha said indignantly, "Your Majesty, how can those two fellows, Sen Kai and Leighton, be so excessive?"
"Kai Xuan City is our Kai Ya Kingdom's territory. They come to our territory without even informing us, showing no manners at all!"
Kai Ya Dun said sternly, "Kai Xuan City is a special economic zone of the empire!"
"Leighton and Sen Kai are also here in their private capacities!"
"Since they haven't notified us, there's no need for us to curry favor with them!"
"What worries me more is: what exactly do these two have to ask of Liu Kai Xuan?"
"To go for dinner late at night, and both of them together?"
Tie Ma Sha replied dismissively, "What else could it be? It must be about purchasing weapons and equipment!"
"I've also received some news!"
"Liu Kai Xuan's exhibition this time has showcased quite a few significant items!"
"The procurement team we dispatched has also bought a considerable amount of weapons and equipment, and the strength of the Imperial Army has greatly increased!"
"What do you know?"
Kai Ya Dun retorted impatiently, "This exhibition was held publicly!"
"The items we bought can be bought by anyone else!"
"If everyone possesses advanced equipment, it's as if no one does!"
All the advantages our Kai Ya Kingdom previously held have been completely leveled by this exhibition!
Tie Ma Sha realized she had said the wrong thing and immediately shut her mouth, not daring to speak further.
"No, we absolutely cannot just wait passively like this. We must take some action!"
Having just been reprimanded, Tie Ma Sha now hung her head, not daring to say another word.
However, Kai Ya Dun did not intend to let her off the hook.
"Tie Ma Sha, I'll have to trouble you for a trip to Kai Xuan City to have a good talk with Liu Kai Xuan!"
"Ah, I'm going to talk to Liu Kai Xuan?"
Tie Ma Sha's mouth fell open in surprise, "Is there anything left for us to discuss with him?"