I traveled through time and became the Queen of Ancient Dian

Baona led the caravan and embarked on a journey to the Xiahou tribe.

The newly opened trade route is winding and full of mountains, peaks and rocks along the way. The scenery is magnificent but also lurks dangers.

Guard Zhuge led the elite guard team, cutting through thorns and brambles along the way, and vigilantly escorted the caravan forward.

A few days later, the caravan arrived at the Xiahou tribe.

The tribe is built on the mountain, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The towering city walls demonstrate the tribe’s powerful strength.

Customs Officer Xiahou had already been waiting in the tribal meeting hall. He was fat, with small but shrewd eyes. It was obvious at first glance that he was a difficult character to deal with.

When the negotiations began, Customs Officer Xiahou made no secret of his greed and made extremely high tariff demands.

"I don't think this new route is safe. The risk is so high, so the tariffs will naturally be higher." He said with a forced smile, his fat fingers tapping on the table, making an annoying sound.

Baona was well prepared. She calmly took out the map she had drawn along the way, explained in detail the advantages of the new route, and listed the resource distribution and potential business opportunities along the way.

"Lord Xiahou, this new route is not only safe, but it will also greatly shorten trade time and reduce transportation costs. It's mutually beneficial. Why not take advantage of it?"

Customs Officer Xiahou narrowed his eyes, carefully examined the map, and calculated in his mind.

He knew the value of the new route, but his greedy nature made him unwilling to compromise easily.

"Just because you say it's safe doesn't mean it's safe. If something goes wrong, who will be held responsible?"

Baona smiled slightly and said confidently: "We are willing to bear all risks and provide guarantees to ensure the safe conduct of trade." Her powerful words left Customs Officer Xiahou speechless for a moment.

The two sides exchanged blows, neither side gave in, and the atmosphere was tense.

Shangguan Xingshang was observing everyone's expressions and making jokes from time to time to ease the tense atmosphere.

Guard Zhuge stood behind Baona, his eyes sharp as torches, always alert to the movements around him.

Just when the negotiations reached a deadlock, Baona suddenly took out a handwritten letter from the Queen of Ancient Dian and handed it to Customs Officer Xiahou.

"This is a friendly letter from Her Majesty the Queen to the Xiahou Tribe. I believe you will have new ideas after reading it."

Customs Officer Xiahou pondered for a moment, then raised his head with a flickering look in his eyes.

"Okay, I can consider lowering the tariffs, but..." He paused and looked at Baona meaningfully, "I need some...extra guarantees." He stretched out his fat fingers and gently rubbed his thumb and index finger.

Baona sneered in her heart, everything was under control.

She was about to speak when suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, and a voice broke the silence of the conference room: "Sir, Murong the Merchant requests to see you!" Murong the Merchant walked into the conference room arrogantly, followed by a group of strong guards.

He glanced at Baona and said with a forced smile, "I heard that Lady Baona is discussing tariffs with Lord Xiahou. I wonder how the progress is?"

The appearance of Murong merchants made Baona's heart sink. The Murong family had a huge business network in the ancient Dian Kingdom. They had always enjoyed huge benefits brought by high tariffs and naturally did not want to see the conclusion of a low-tariff agreement.

"Merchant Murong has arrived just in time," Bao Na said calmly. "We are currently discussing how to lower tariffs, promote trade, and benefit the people of ancient Dian."

"Lower tariffs?" Murong the businessman sneered, "I don't think it will benefit the people. I'm afraid it will harm the interests of some people." He stared at Bao Na sharply, his tone full of provocation.

"Mr. Murong is wrong," Bao Na responded calmly. "Lowering tariffs can stimulate trade and increase the flow of goods. Ultimately, the people will benefit."

"That's easy to say," Merchant Murong snorted coldly, "Have you ever considered that lowering tariffs will reduce our profits? Who will compensate us for our losses then?"

Baona took a deep breath and was about to retort when there was another commotion outside the door. A group of businessmen rushed into the conference room and expressed their opposition to the low-tariff agreement.

They were all vassals of the Murong family and had long been instigated by the Murong merchants. At this moment, the crowd was excited and the situation was out of control for a while.

Baona looked at the people who opposed her and felt helpless.

She understood that these people did not really not understand the benefits of low tariffs, but were just unwilling to give up their immediate interests.

Faced with internal and external troubles, Baona did not back down.

She calmly presented a detailed analysis of trade data and the potential benefits of new trade routes, using facts and data to prove that low tariffs are beneficial to both sides.

"Everyone, please take a look at this data," Baona said, pointing to the chart. "Lowering tariffs will not reduce your profits. On the contrary, it will bring greater business opportunities."

The Sima tribe leader also spoke up for Baona: "Lady Baona is right. Low tariffs are beneficial to both of us. We should look at this issue from a long-term perspective."

Customs Officer Xiahou looked at the data in front of him and the attitude of the Sima tribal leader, and his originally greedy eyes began to flicker.

Among the businessmen who opposed Baona, some began to think deeply and weigh the pros and cons.

Baona struck while the iron was hot and said, "Lord Xiahou, I can also..." She paused, looking around at everyone, "propose some additional trade cooperation projects..."

Baona looked around at everyone and a confident smile appeared on her lips.

"Lord Xiahou, in addition to low tariffs, we can also establish a joint chamber of commerce to jointly develop resources along the new route and share the profits." She paused, then offered a bigger bait. "Furthermore, we can hold regular trade fairs to promote trade between tribes, exchanging resources and achieving common development."

These additional cooperation projects, like bombshells, exploded in the conference room.

Customs Officer Xiahou's eyes widened and his breathing became rapid.

He originally just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to gain some benefits, but he didn't expect Baona to propose such generous cooperation conditions.

His flesh trembled with excitement as he nodded repeatedly: "Okay! Okay! I agree! I agree to lower the tariffs!"

The Sima tribe leader was also very excited. He shook Baona's hand and praised her, "Lady Baona is truly as capable as any man. Your negotiation skills are truly admirable!"

Warm cheers broke out at the scene, and the caravan members hugged each other excitedly to celebrate this hard-earned victory.

Shangguan Xingshang was even more delighted. He came close to Baona and whispered, "Sir, you are truly amazing! We are going to make a fortune!"

Those businessmen who had opposed Baona before were also dumbfounded at this moment.

They thought Baona would take the opportunity to retaliate against them, but unexpectedly, Baona took the initiative to extend an olive branch to them.

"Everyone," Baona said in a clear and powerful voice, "the conclusion of a low-tariff agreement will benefit all of us. I hope we can work together sincerely and achieve common development."

The businessmen looked at each other, their hearts filled with surprise and emotion.

They didn't expect Baona to be so generous that she would let go of past grudges and be willing to work with them.

They all expressed their willingness to join the joint chamber of commerce to jointly develop new routes.

Murong Shangren stood in the corner, his face ashen.

He originally wanted to take this opportunity to suppress Bao Na, but he didn't expect to shoot himself in the foot.

He glared at Baona fiercely, then turned and left.

The atmosphere in the meeting hall was warm and harmonious.

The conclusion of the low-tariff agreement marked a new chapter in the trade of the ancient Dian Kingdom.

However, the security of this new route still needs to be further consolidated, and it remains unknown whether other tribes will follow the Xiahou tribe's example and lower tariffs.

Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Baona stood by the window, gazing at the distant starry sky, with a thousand thoughts in her mind.

Guard Zhuge walked up behind her and whispered, "Sir, everything has been arranged."

Baona nodded. "Very good," she said softly. "Tomorrow, we..."