No go on that one. If we set up a parlay, then it's a parlay. Playing games with that could destroy any legitimacy of our diplomatic credibility later on.

There is a difference between say, seiting up a parlay which is an equitable deal of some sort vs making a tribute payment or surrendering our own people.

Ransom payment is also another extremely dicey situation, and when possible, you run that as a prisoner exchange, not an outright payment. A lot of deals have to be done with a legit ransom payment so you can get your people back and then go on the vengeance initiative.