1. All good day. 

I played on the classic version of ES, on the faction with -195 points, against the AI Sophons on a limitless level of difficulty. After meeting them, I made peace. And began the standard pattern of “push” money from the AI through diplomacy (first I made me unprofitable trades, and then already profitable). 

And on move 127 (roughly), I “broke the diplomatic benefit slider." At the same time only on transactions with money. 

That is, I could request any amount at a time/ every move (the limit on one trade was in the form of the amount of money available), but neither research, nor systems, nor resources succumbed to such a rule.

 And now, I ask, is this a game bug, or is it a mechanic?