In Rod's overall plan, the independent city-state of Shurima, represented by Nash Lame, was a very important pawn.

Rhodes knew very well that although these city-states said "for the glory of Shurima", when the emperor returned, they were the first to oppose it.

If there is no emperor, a region like Nash Lamei would have been able to take advantage of its advantageous geographical location to make a lot of profits, and on the other hand, it would become a large city that everyone in the Shurima continent would envy.

But when the Emperor returns, if the whole of Shurima is once again united under the solar disk, what is Nashram?

When there was no solar disc in the world, the replica of Naschramme Square was an important artifact and landmark; But if the solar disc is officially raised in the city of Shurima...... This disc of Nash Lame can only be an imitation.

It is for this reason that the cities of Shurima, which have always mixed well in the past, including Nashramin and Karamanda, have not been very interested in the return of the Emperor.

In Shurima, the emperor may be needed by the merchants who are tortured by the conservative sand pirates, the commoners who have been reduced to slavery, but it is definitely not the rich people of Nashramis, for whom their lives and businesses will not be better even if the emperor returns—and even to a certain extent, they need to help the poor, which is absolutely unacceptable!

It is with this in mind that Rhodes listed seven cities, including Nash Lamei and Karamanda, as temporary allies to be fought for and exploited in the Shurima Plan.

Even this time Rhodes chose to come to Nash Lame in order to learn about the city's alliances.

As a result, before he could meet the ambassador of Picheng here, Rhodes met the sand thieves in the market first......

Could it be that the Sand Pirates – or the Zelas behind the Sand Pirates – also noticed the potential of these cities?

But are there any interests for the sand pirates that deserve the attention of the Nash Latinos?

Zaun and Picheng were able to win over Naschramin because they occupied the Grand Canal in Piltover, and were originally on the same trade line as Naschram – but the sand pirates and explorers under the command of Zeros were able to win over Naschramme...... Do they really have any profit worth caring about?

In the bazaar, Rhodes looked at the back of the sand thieves who had left after buying a lot of weapons and equipment, and fell into deep thought.

I always felt that something was not right......

……………………

After Soraka and Yuumi returned to the inn, Rhodes finally found the ambassador of Picheng to Nashrami - and then, through the grim-faced master, he finally figured out why the merchants of Nashrami had chosen to disarm the sand thieves.

It is true that the sand pirates themselves did not have any profit worth caring about, but they could exploit it!

Recently, as the power of Zelath has grown, a new trade has begun to flourish in Shurima, and the name of this trade is so notorious that Rhodes frowned when he heard it.

Slave trade!

Faced with a huge gap in wealth, the sand pirates opened up the slave trade!

The sand pirates were no longer satisfied with the raiding of merchants and scavengers, who, after taking their goods, would take them along with them, then put them in special arcane shackles, and sell them to large port cities such as Nash Lamin and Telishhni.

After changing hands, these slaves were sent to Noxus to become gladiators or black workers, and for them, the rest of their lives would be spent in sweat and blood.

The slave trade was a shameful act throughout Valoran, but what was the problem of shame driven by huge profits?

When the pirates first arrived in Nash LaAmerica, they were indeed rejected and disgusted by the local powers, but when they brought in "cheap" slaves, the local port governor quickly acquiesced to their existence and liberalized the trade license to some extent......

The sand pirates were apparently very good, and although they could easily and directly connect with the slave traders in Noxus, they chose to live in Nash Latin America from the beginning to the end, leaving behind the taxes and some of the benefits in exchange for official acquiescence to them.

In this way, the ambassador of Picheng naturally had little effect on the Nash Lamino court.

Although Ms. Sagar, the port governor of Nashram, had always had great respect for the ambassadors of Pitts, when the slave trade began, she would immediately divert from the topic whenever the ambassadors of Pitt were even more interested in forming a trade link.

"Saga was completely captivated by the huge profits of the slave trade!" The ambassador of Picheng complained indignantly to Rhodes, "She is afraid that we will get a piece of the pie, so she has no intention of uniting now, and only wants to make more gold in the slave trade!" ”

"Doesn't she know that once Azir and Zelas are decided, no matter who wins, she won't be happy?"

"So what does it matter?" Ambassador Picheng sighed helplessly, "She seems to have hooked up with Noxus, and if things really come to this point, she may go to Noxus directly...... That woman is very resourceful, and she can mix it up in Noxus! ”

Hearing Ambassador Picheng say this, Rhodes touched his chin and finally nodded.

It is no wonder that the current Nash Lamin is able to allow the sand pirates to enter and buy weapons in an open manner, because their governor has no fear......

In that case, things seem a little tricky.

"I heard that the governor of Nashram is a Noxian repressor?" Recalling the information he knew, Rhodes once again raised his own question, "Will she accept the act of selling her own people to Noxus as slaves and colluding with the Noxians?" ”

"Who can say for sure?" In the face of Rod's question, the ambassador of Picheng could only shrug his shoulders helplessly and said that he did not know, "But it is rumored that if it were not for Ramos's faith, I am afraid that this Saga lady would have replaced Nash Lame with the flag of Noxus - although the port governor said the same, in this kind of city, the power of tradition should not be underestimated." ”

"I see." Hearing this, Rod finally nodded, "It seems that I need to do something next." ”

"Is there anything we need to work with?"

"Yes." Rod was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "I need you to pretend I've never been." ”