Chapter 187: Covetous Talent (2)
“It is a trade secret.”
“Ha?”
Though Lloyd’s answer was jolly, it was never rude. Though his voice was light, his expression was desperate. The same went for his pleading gaze that darted toward the sultan. His eyes were glossy. Just then, the sultan seemed to feel those emotions coming from him.
“I am dying to tell it to you, but spilling out my trade secret here so recklessly is going to make me lose my job and throw me to the streets forever, so please, please, let it slide, oh, my dear heavenly client, with your generosity.”
“Hahahaha!”
The sultan broke into laughter. It was too dumbfounding that the very man he thought was a loony was gazing at him like that. And Lloyd’s reckless answer stood so much contrast with his begging eyes. It was so dumbfounding that the sultan started to feel amazed.
Where did this brazen-faced fellow come from?
The sultan was amazed. This man was competent. He knew he was competent and when to use his skills at the right time. But he never went out of line, depending on his skills. Staying within the line, he freakishly kept just the right amount of impertinence. He knew how to portray himself as bold without getting on the superior’s nerves. That was the impression the sultan received from Lloyd from this encounter and his answers. Avarice swelled over his eyes toward Lloyd.
That only made him more desirable.
Suddenly, the sultan became envious of Queen Magentano for having such a man under her. If only he could, he wanted to steal Lloyd away and put him under his command. The sultan yearned to enjoy the look the queen would make when she realized that her talent was stolen from her.
“Haha, a trade secret! Hahahaha!”
The sultan, who was looking down at Lloyd, smiled and tossed Lloyd a question as though he was watching his grandson dance and play around.
“Do you mean that you will only spill the secret to solve the drought when I agree to your terms?” asked the sultan.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but it is the case, oh, great and omnipotent sultan.”
“Hmm… How impudent and reckless you are. Are you not afraid that my wrath may have you beheaded?”
“I am afraid, Your Majesty,” replied Lloyd, “I am more than afraid.”
“Then how can you dare say those words?”
“It’s because I have no doubts about your grace and mercy, Your Majesty.”
“Haha. Now you are flattering the ruler of your enemy kingdom.”
“My words are not mere flattery, Your Majesty. They are the truth.”
“How so?” asked the sultan.
“How can it be flattery when I am risking my life?”
Indeed. It was a gamble of its own. Though Lloyd was gambling because he saw a chance of success, he was nonetheless risking himself by having the sultan as his opponent.
The one who loses more by the drought is the sultan, not me.
Sure, the sultan claimed that the war would be the solution because people’s attention would naturally shift and be distracted. But what would the sultan really feel deep down?
He won’t be as relaxed as he portrays himself to be.
He had to be racking his brain every night for a solution to solve the drought. Not a band-aid solution like war. A solution that got to the root of the problem. He must have contemplated hard but failed to arrive at one.
That’s why he is trying to use war as a distraction for the issue.
This was primarily the reason why Lloyd was convinced that the sultan would react to his suggestion of solving the drought problem. Moreover, Lloyd actually had a solution to the drought.
“Good… I am glad that you regard me in such a manner. I shall then take up your offer.”
“That means…”
“Lloyd Frontera, find the solution to the drought, and I will give you what you want,” said the sultan solemnly.
“Do you mean the term that Your Majesty will negotiate with the Magentano delegation?”
“Indeed. Although I cannot guarantee a certain outcome.”
“This humble man asks no more than that, Your Majesty.”
The negotiation was a matter the delegation had to resolve on its own. All Lloyd could do was put everyone at the same table, and he had no plans to do more than that.
“If that’s the case, I am sure you can speak now. Your trade secret,” urged the sultan.
“Why, yes, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd bowed deeply. The sultan just gave the nod to Lloyd. And so, from that moment, the sultan was his client, more valuable and precious than any king in the world. Ready to serve his client, Lloyd spoke.
“I heard that the underground water in the Kandahar region often dries up from any decrease in rainfall due to the lack of oases in the area. Am I correct, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed,” confirmed the sultan. “So, what is your solution to drought?”
“It is Qanat.”
“Qanat?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I have never heard of it. I need an explanation,” requested the sultan as he stared at Lloyd.
“It is a water supply system used by various ancient desert kingdoms.”
“Ancient desert kingdoms?” The mention of the desert kingdom made the sultan’s brows quirk up.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lloyd paused before continuing his eloquent explanation. “In the ancient kingdom named ‘Persia,’ this facility was called ‘Qanat.’ And in the nearby regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, it was called ‘Karez.’ In Morocco, it was called ‘Lettara.’ And in Northern Africa, it was called ‘Foggara.’ The names varied, but it was all the same kind of system.”
It was true. Although Persia didn’t belong to this realm of the world, it was nonetheless a kingdom in the ancient past. And it was also true that Qanat had many names depending on the region. Moreover, it is still being utilized on earth in modern days.
“Thus, the principle is all the same,” Lloyd said as he continued his explanation that was endless as a fountain. “Since deserts are naturally hot and dry, the water running along the earth evaporates before it reaches the villages and cities. As such, the water must flow through a cold underground tunnel to draw it out effectively.”
“I believe so. But there must be a limit to using underground water.”
“Undoubtedly, Your Majesty.”
It really was the case. In fact, the underground water of the desert was barely reliable. It was also the case for the oasis, which many people here regarded as the hope of the desert. Why? Not to mention the small water volume there, it was infected with a host of germs and fatal viruses as it was shared with not only the humans but also the other creatures, including the bacteria. Furthermore, the underground water and oasis tended to have too much sodium, unlike other bodies of water. In short, the water wasn’t potable until it was boiled and distilled due to its germs and sodium.
“So,” Lloyd said, “the underground waterway of Qanat must never touch the existing underground vein of water. This is to ensure that the clean water of Qanat will not mix with the contaminated and salty underground water.”
“The clean water of Qanat…” mused the sultan before speaking.“Where do we draw such clean water if not from underground?”
“From the foot of a faraway mountain.”
“Foot of a mountain?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lloyd nodded his head. “I have heard that a tall mountain range stands on the outskirts of the Kandahar region. And that the foot of the mountain range teems with water melted by the permanent snow at the peak.”
“Are you possibly suggesting that you can draw that water through an underground passage to the Kandahar region?”
“That is exactly the case, Your Majesty.”
“That is a tremendous distance. Can you do it?”
“It is my job as your humble servant to make that possible,” answered Lloyd confidently.
The sultan frowned as he looked at Lloyd.
“I wonder if that really is possible. The mountain is dozens of miles from here. Moreover, where did you acquire such wisdom? You say Persia of the ancient desert kingdom. However, I have never heard of that name before.” The sultan’s voice was filled with doubt.
“It was a coincidence that I came across a nameless book in an old library, Your Majesty.”
“An old book?” asked the sultan.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm… Is that so? To be frank, I am not sure I could trust your knowledge and source of wisdom. However, I will trust you, given your accomplishments and reputation in the Magentano kingdom. The results of the construction will verify your mastery anyway.”
“Your Majesty, do you mean you will leave the construction to this humble peasant?”
“Yes.” The sultan nodded before speaking on. “Do find the solution to the drought in the Kandahar through the Qanat you mentioned a while ago. Should your construction end in success, I will sit at the negotiation table with the Magentano envoys as I promised.”
The sultan’s declaration was made forth, and Lloyd bowed in sheer gratitude.
“Words fall short of my gratitude to you, Your Majesty. Pray, may I borrow a paper and pen for just a moment here?”
“A paper and pen?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” answered Lloyd
“What use will they serve?”
“To create a construction contract, Your Majesty.”
“A construction contract?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lloyd answered.
The sultan’s furrow deepened. “You dare write a contract? With me?”
“Please forgive me, but yes, Your Majesty.”
“That will be unnecessary,” defied the sultan with a curt reply. “I am aware of the importance of a contract. But it is a meaningless piece of paper to me, regardless of how great it is. Have you forgotten where you are? Have you got no sense of which land you are stepping on?” The sultan continued to speak with gravitas. “This is my palace, and all the land in this desert is in the palm of my hands and belongs to me. Here, one word from my mouth holds more legitimacy than hundreds or thousands of paper contracts.”
“However…”
“Do you mean you dare not trust my promise?” warned the sultan.
“Certainly not, Your Majesty,” Lloyd said, his voice almost pleading.
“Then what is the reason behind your stubbornness?”
“Since I distrust myself, Your Majesty.”
“What…?” The scowl on the sultan’s face relaxed a little. Lloyd continued to speak.
“I ask for your mercy, Your Majesty, for saying this, but how would I dare distrust the great and omnipotent sultan? If it’s coming from Your Majesty’s mouth, I would believe that sand can be turned into gold and sand can be made from boiled water. The question is, does Your Majesty have enough trust in me?”
“What is it that you wish to speak?”
“I wish to say that a contract is mutual, Your Majesty.”
“Mutual, you say.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thus, it is important to have a written contract. What if I break the terms made with Your Majesty? What if I trick Your Majesty and half-heartedly construct the Qanat so that it only works for a short time after its completion?”
“Are you implying that you will do a flimsy job?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I have the capacity to do so.”
“Haha. How daring you are to say that out loud.”
“I am simply speaking of the possibilities, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd bowed his head lower.
“Should I develop any bad intentions, what I said could fully happen. I could cheat and deceive Your Majesty only to fulfill the goal of opening up a negotiation for the envoys. It is true that a part of me is tempted to do so. That is why-”
“Writing the contract will prevent such from happening,” the sultan said as he finished Lloyd’s words.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
That was how crucial contracts were. Lloyd held a plethora of experience working in construction. And so, he recognized this fact from the depths of his soul.
I can’t do anything without a contract. There are countless problems that arise even for constructions with a contract.
It really was the case. Avoiding responsibility for any change in design. Construction halted due to lien conflict. Such issues and conflicts were common in construction sites. That was even when the contracts were signed. And without them? All hell broke loose.
“Therefore, please forgive this humble servant when he says that writing a construction contract is a must. This is not because I cannot trust you but to prove that Your Majesty can be rest assured in leaving the project in my hands,” said Lloyd, carefully choosing his words.
“Hmm.”
Lloyd was still lying flat on his belly, bowing. The sultan wore an incomprehensible expression as he looked at Lloyd’s back.
What a strange man.
This man spoke only the right things, and yet, they didn’t sound annoying in his ears. The sultan faintly could know why.
He is being considerate. He dares to be considerate of me.
This man named Lloyd was nothing but a successor of a county in a foreign land. And yet, he was being considerate toward this very sultan, the ruler of the vast desert. The sultan could feel it from his careful words and actions. Lloyd’s attitude could be likened to a salesman delicately helping out a customer coming to the store for the first time. He was helping out in a way that would not make them uncomfortable and ensure a wise choice. His considerate guidance and assistance were both offensive and commendable to the sultan.
How dare he treat me this way… Should I be angry or grateful? Goodness.
At last, the sultan simply scoffed and granted Lloyd’s request. The two wrote the construction contract and signed it. Once the work was done and Lloyd left, the sultan pondered for a long time. And that night, he called one of his daughters to the palace. He had dozens of daughters from many wives, but this one was his favorite due to her bold character and way with swords.
“You called for me, Father.”
“I did. My dear daughter, Sheherazade. I wish to entrust you with a job. From now on, act as a guard for a man named Lloyd Frontera, who will be dispatched to the Kandahar region. Blend in naturally and accompany him.”
“Simply guard him, Father?” the daughter asked. “Anything else that I must do?”
“Make him yours.”
“Your Majesty…?” For a split second, Sheherazade’s eyes shook.
“Resort to every means possible. You can suppress him with your sword. Or find a fault in him and use it to your advantage. Do anything it takes to make him your man and come back to Ahinsya.”
“Does that mean-”
“Indeed. He shall be my son-in-law.”
This Lloyd person was more desirable than the sultan had expected. Previously, the sultan simply wanted to have Lloyd. It was just vague greed. But today’s encounter changed his heart. Lloyd Frontera. The sultan had a feeling that his kingdom’s future would take on a different path the moment he had Lloyd as his son-in-law.
“We must have him on our side no matter what.”
Sultan Samarkhan recalled Lloyd, and his eyes held a deep glint of greed and longing toward the talent.