The monarch and his ministers sat silently in the main hall. Grand Duke Allen seemed to have aged ten years. His plump and white cheeks, which had been pampered and pampered, had become sunken within a few days. His eyes, which were still somewhat energetic at first, were covered with bloodshot eyes, and his gaze became visibly dull. He was a little sluggish, and the corners of his mouth twitched occasionally. It was obvious that the bad news in the past few days was about to crush the old man.
The Duke of Lanmont, the Minister of Military Affairs who was sitting on the lower edge, was also full of melancholy. The successive blows made him dizzy. The defeat of the coalition forces in the west, Fanlin City in the north was besieged like an iron barrel, and the Wang family, the only mobile force in the capital Merrington City, was banned. Everything was over before the guard regiment had time to move out, but it still saved a viable force. God knows whether joining the battle can help turn things around. If it is useless, then the capital will have to give up.
"Lan Meng, my dear, is there nothing we can do in Fanlin City?" Time passed slowly in silence. In the end, Archduke Allen couldn't stand the suffocating dullness and spoke up.
"Your Majesty, what else do you think we can do? Fanlin City is now besieged, and we have seen that the Kaman people will also attack the border with troops. With our current strength, it is already very difficult to hold on to Merlington. , how can we care about Fanlin City?" Duke Lanmeng is also full of bitterness. In the current situation, no one can make a difference. The Kaman people have already gained an absolute advantage. If they want to save the crisis, they can only send Hope a miracle happens.
"But if Fanlin City is lost, how long can we hold on here? There are Kaman people on three sides, and the Taiping Sect's territory is to the south. We can only sit back and wait for death." Although Grand Duke Allen is not a wise king, he has these many things. The simple battlefield situation can still be seen clearly.
"Well, now we are in trouble both internally and externally. To be honest, Your Majesty, I also feel that I am really powerless." Duke Lanmeng said painfully, "Now that the Tanghe Empire has been messed up by the Taiping Cult, they have no power to help us, let alone We are now separated from the Tanghe Empire by the Taiping people, and even if they have the power, there is nothing they can do."
The hall fell silent again, and only the heavy breathing of the two people could be heard, "In your opinion, there is nothing we can do?" Archduke Allen's voice seemed particularly depressed.
"Uh, this..." The Minister of Military Affairs was also sweating on his head. He had only a salary as the emperor, and he was lower than one person in the principality and higher than ten thousand people. At this time, he was speechless when he was asked by his own grand duke.
"Alas, is it really that the foundation of our ancestors is going to fail in my hands?" Archduke Allen's words were like a whip that struck the Minister of Military Affairs' heart.
"My dear, do you think you can think of a way to get the Taiping people to help us? If they are willing to help us tide over the difficulties, no matter what the conditions, money and land are up to them!" Archduke Allen was already in a hurry and sought medical treatment. .
"Your Majesty, this is impossible. Let's not talk about whether they have this ability. From the current situation, it can be clearly seen that the Taiping people must have been mixed up with the Kaman and Puer people in the north. , they are basically the same species." Duke Lanmen smiled wryly and shook his head while answering, and at the same time a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"But..." Duke Lanmont quickly considered the feasibility of the plan while also considering whether the Grand Duke in front of him would accept his suggestion.
"Nothing, my dear, if you have any ideas, please bring them up. Now that the situation has become like this, is there anything else you can't accept?" Archduke Allen seemed to see something and immediately spoke to dispel the other party's concerns.
"Well, Your Majesty, I am thinking that although the Taiping Army cannot be relied on, there is still a glimmer of hope for Li Wufeng in the southwest, but there are also many difficulties in the process." Duke Lanmen said hesitantly.
Hearing what the Duke of Lanmont said, the Grand Duke sitting at the top felt as if he had taken a dose of heart-stimulating medicine, and his spirits immediately lifted. At the moment before the drowning man sank, he grabbed a life-saving straw and asked quickly: "Love Please come and listen to me."
"Li Wufeng's territory is not bordering ours, but now he has sent troops to Lulong by expelling the Taiping Cult. He has actually controlled the Lulong Mansion in Beiyuan County of the Tanghe Empire, and has also posed a certain threat to the Kaman people. Now Fielding has completely surrendered to him. His position in the northwest has been as stable as Mount Tai, and his strength has expanded rapidly. Perhaps even the Kaman people are wary of him. The veteran is also wondering whether it is Li Wufeng's rapid growth in strength that makes Kaman People feel threatened, so they are eager to solve our problems here?" Duke Lanmont analyzed while thinking.
"The eastern part of Lulong Mansion controlled by Li Wufeng is still under the control of the Taiping Cult. This also blocks the way for Li Wufeng's army to enter our Jeroke. Now the problem is here. If we convince Li Wufeng that he is willing to reinforce us, we must also After passing through the Taiping Sect-controlled area, this problem must be solved."
"In addition, how to persuade Li Wufeng to send troops is also a very specific question. Although Li Wufeng is not weak, I heard that they suffered a loss from the Luzon people in Northern Luzon some time ago. I don't know what the actual situation is like? Therefore, it is quite difficult for me to persuade Li Wufeng." Duke Lanmeng slowly finished his words.
Archduke Allen obviously heard the implication. I am afraid that the first reason is not the main one. The second reason is how to persuade Li Wufeng to send troops. After all, the situation is unpredictable at this time, and preserving strength is the most important thing. It is the most prudent measure that people will take, and of course it is impossible to use their own troops easily, especially since Li Wufeng is not surrounded by peace.
"Then what conditions do you think they have to meet, that is, what price we have to pay, before they can send troops?" Archduke Allen's face gradually calmed down.
"This minister cannot conclude that the current situation is dangerous and extremely unfavorable to us. It can be said that without foreign aid, we will have no choice but to surrender. It is only a matter of time. And the only hope at present is Li Wufeng's side. They are definitely not willing to send troops at this time. , so it is not easy to impress the other party." The Minister of Military Affairs began to talk about ***.
Grand Duke Allen, who was sitting at the top, was shaken all over and said in a low voice: "My dear, tell me what you think. It's already this time, what else can't you say?"
"This, ``````" Seeing that his Grand Duke was already a little impatient, Lan Meng gritted his teeth and said, "I think that if you want to impress Li Wufeng, ordinary conditions may not be acceptable to him. Money, land, etc. may be useful in normal times. , but I'm afraid it won't be of much use at this time. I'm wondering if your majesty can let Princess Anne get engaged to him and let Princess Anne go to the northwest first to clarify the relationship and let Li Wufeng give up. We can send troops to the ground, and secondly, if something bad happens, we can also leave a trace of blood for the Jerok family."
"What?" Archduke Allen shouted and stood up, his eyes fixed on the other person's face. Lan Meng looked very calm, and even a little relaxed. Anyway, the words have been spoken, and it is up to him whether he accepts it or not. .
After a long while, Archduke Allen sat back down in frustration, put his hand on his forehead, and said painfully: "Is there no other way?"
"Your Majesty, think about it, what other conditions can attract Li Wufeng's attention? Princess Anne is not only well-known for her talent, but also stunningly beautiful, and most importantly, she is the sole heir to the throne of Duke Locke. Li Wufeng will definitely be moved by her. , maybe this is the only condition that can impress the other party." Duke Lanmen said seriously.
"My lovely lady also knows that Li Wufeng is engaged to the seventeenth princess of Tanghe people, right? And if Princess Anne marries him, won't I, Jerok, fall into the hands of outsiders a hundred years later?" Although Grand Duke Allen was thinking in his heart Li has accepted this suggestion, but is still a little unwilling.
"It is the custom of the Tanghe people that a person of Li Wufeng's status can marry eight wives, let alone just an engagement. Who can predict what will happen in the future? The worst is to keep the princess lineage, you can make an agreement with Li Wufeng first, Anne The first child born to the princess will inherit the title of Grand Duke of the Principality of Jerok, and there must be no objection or interference from the northwest." Grand Duke Lanmeng explained with a wry smile. He was already anxious, and he was still thinking about things decades from now. The Grand Duke was too much. It's "far-sighted".
After another long silence, Archduke Allen raised his head and said: "My dear, do you know that the young master has admired the young daughter for a long time, and the young daughter also has a good impression of the young master. Your suggestion may ruin the fate between the two of them? "
The Duke of Lanmont smiled miserably, "Your Majesty, don't you know this, veteran? But in the current situation, once the Kamans attack and destroy our Jerok, how can there be any eggs under the whole army? Everything will cease to exist, and there will be no talk of it. These romantic affairs between children and their children?" His face became extremely pale. Even so, if his son knew the whole story, he would definitely not forgive himself so easily.
This is also the helplessness of being born in a family like his. No one can change the cruel reality. If he wants to survive, he must make sacrifices and pay a price. This price may be various, such as money, land, Women, relationships, anything is possible.
The dull and depressing atmosphere made both Archduke Allen and Duke Lanmont feel unbearable, especially this suffocating depression that made them irritated and uneasy. "My dear, you should hurry up and do it. Anne, I will Go and tell it in person, alas, ``````"
The figure of Archduke Allen standing up looked so old and tired. Maybe he was really old. The heavy pressure was enough to destroy anyone's health. The Minister of Military Affairs standing in front of His Highness also felt an inexplicable sadness. He was born in this world and had no choice but to do so. Not facing all kinds of cold realities.