THE NAVEL OF THE BLACK VALLEY
Episode 8's. Negotiating cooperation

POVS. SUJI

The wheel of life is indeed spinning, sometimes we are above and not infrequently below. When the Kingdom of Keytaro succeeded, the war was so proud as if it would never fall. The Kingdom of Keytaro then looked at me one eye without helping the Suji Kingdom. It's possible that in Keytaro's mind there is still a personal grudge against me, this is about the story in the past.

Actually I never influenced Yiza to want her to marry me, but the woman's temperament was indeed very bad and arrogant. It was only now that I realized that Yiza married me just because of the glory and wealth of my Kingdom. Ever since I married Yiza, the Kingdom of Keytaro had ambitions to rival me until finally the Suji Kingdom experienced a crisis and Keytaro was reluctant to help me. Lucky for me when things turned back, finally the arrogance of Keytaro he put off to ask me for help. It feels so happy to have a son who is very handsome and wise. The crown prince of Suji Kingdom who has a temperament like me, even though he was born not from the womb of the empress. My son was born from the womb of a very good concubine, as soon as I remembered Keiko. The woman was very kind, she was gentle and loving.

"Dad what are you doing? why is Dad still daydreaming? aren't we going to negotiate with Emperor Keytaro." The sound of my son's voice made me realize from this long daydream.

"My son, I'm sorry. Father dissolved in lamuman, let's approach soon Emperor Keytaro." I said to Kenzi, as I got up from my seat.

I walked leisurely to approach Emperor Keytaro, seen from a distance Keytaro was waiting for my arrival at this time.

"Greetings, Emperor Suji." The words of an Emperor named Keytaro.

"Greetings to Emperor Keytaro, sit down. Previously I was curious, what did you mean by coming to Suji Kingdom?" I said to the emperor of the Kingdom of Keytaro.

Previously I wanted to make cooperation with Suji Kingdom, was the emperor willing to cooperate with Keytaro Kingdom? Our government is in a long drought, the paddy fields are dry so half our people are hungry and thirsty. We need a spring for the prosperity of the people. Our fields need a lot of water, so the rice fields and livestock need a lot of water. Is Emperor Suji willing to accept the offer of cooperation I am currently making?" Emperor Keytaro.

"Sorry before, introduce me to the crown prince of the Suji Kingdom. Actually it is not difficult for us to provide a spring to the Kingdom of Keitaro, but it is not free. Our government also wants to benefit from the cooperation we agreed to. If we feel mutually beneficial, it's possible that our kingdom will accept the cooperation offer from Keitaro Kingdom." Say my Son boldly.

"Prince, Kenzi. I did not come here empty-handed, surely our Kingdom benefits your Kingdom. Take a look, this is the tribute I brought even gold bars. We provide for the Suji Kingdom, our people can starve to death if they continue to experience this kind of drought. Do you accept the offer of cooperation from the Kingdom of Keytaro?" Ask the current Emperor Kieytaro.

"How's dad? Did dad agree? It seems like this tribute is not worth the value of the springs we have. Dad, what if we ask for two additional crates for gold bars from the Kingdom of Keytaro? It seems that this request is not excessive because the Kingdom of Keytaro has a treasure that is truly abundant." My son was cleverly right.

"My son, I agree. It seems like the reward was quite a bit, had there been two crates of gold bars we would have agreed. In the past when our kingdom was in crisis, the Kingdom of Keytaro did not help our Kingdom at all, but we did not want to repay that. We kindly accept the offer of cooperation, but with one note. The rewards we get are in accordance with what is asked." I asked my son's question.

"Alright, if that's what you want. You only asked for two additional gold bars. I'll take it, tomorrow the bodyguard will deliver." Say it firmly.

"But one thing I ask for now, tomorrow we send an additional two gold bars crates here. After that you must immediately flow our kingdom with the springs available."He said as if he wanted to make sure if we would actually give the spring water.

"Take it easy, Emperor Keytaro, we do not have the qualities of a curmudgeonly. This reward, too, was not solely for the wealth of the Suji Kingdom. All this I will give to my people, so come back here tomorrow. Don't forget, deliver two crates of gold bullion to our kingdom and we'll drain the water from the source." My cynicism to Keytaro. My smile rang, looking very cynical as if signifying satisfaction over the state of Keytaro kingdom. This tactic planned by my son was truly amazing, I was amazed at Kenzi's brain intelligence.

"Well, if it's like that. I'm leaving, wait for the lack of tomorrow. Thank you very much Emperor Suji, thank you very much Prince Kenzi." He said as he passed away at this moment.

I turned my head towards my son then I patted him on the shoulder while I was proud to have a crown prince like Kenji.

"O my son, you are very intelligent. Your cleverness plays a really amazing strategy, your social spirit is so high even wise. Keep learning to be my successor, someday I will be proud if this kingdom is revealed to you." Say it with a smile.

"Okay dad, I'll do my best for the Suji Kingdom. I will prove to the kingdom that once insulted our kingdom that for now the Suji Kingdom must be taken into account. Take it easy, Dad, I'll still be your best son." Kenzi said with so much fanfare, we both finally went out of the room. Not long after, Kenji asked for permission to exit the Suji Royal palace.

"Dad, can I get out of the kingdom? I want to meet my friend." My proud son.

"Of course I can, my son. Who dares to forbid you, go, I've allowed you to go wherever you want." My words are welcome to my son Kenzi.

"All right, thank you dad. I'm leaving." He said, bowing his body as he passed away.

I sat back in the throne seat, my smile accompanying the steps of my son who is now growing up.

"My son, Kenzie. Someday, you'll know who you really are." I murmured inwardly as I kept remembering about Keiko at this moment. The deeper I look, the deeper I go. I thought about Keiko's current state. After Keiko was expelled from the Kingdom by my wife, could she still be alive? I don't know, I haven't heard from him in a long time. Hopefully, Keiko will be fine.