At this time, the city of Longdong Prefecture was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and every household burned incense and bathed in a joyous atmosphere. After more than a year of rule by the Taiping Army, it returned to the embrace of the empire. Although the Taiping Army's rule in Longdong was not actually There are not many actions that touch the interests of all classes, but the gentry who are disgusted with the lower class in their hearts find it difficult to cooperate with them, especially those conservatives who have deep feelings for the empire. This is especially true for nobles.
Now, under the personal supervision of Lord Li Wufeng, the military and political envoy to the northwest and governor of Northern Luzon, who is known as the hero of the empire, the army has been overcome in one fell swoop. Even His Majesty the Emperor's Third Highness came to Longdong to congratulate him. How could this not make the gentry cheer? Stepping into Longdong City, Situ Jun saw the people rushing to the streets to welcome him, but he had mixed feelings in his heart. Such a huge fortified city was swallowed up by the Northwest Army when he was not even sure about it. Although he couldn't see it now Li Wufeng's attitude, but based on his understanding of Li Wufeng's character, it is not possible to get the other party to withdraw from this land, but it is definitely impossible to make a deal without paying a considerable price.
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard Li Wufeng behind him saying: "Your Highness, here we are, this is the City Guards Mansion. I will stay here for the time being. Your Highness, please."
The simple and clean gate, with the five vigorous characters "Longdong City Guards" on the plaque, looks quite old. Even the vermilion paint on the door seems to have peeled off a lot, and the brass door knocker also looks a bit gray. The two stone lions are showing their teeth and claws. Very energetic, this is the city guard of Longdong Prefecture. Li Wufeng's temporary command post.
Seeing that Situ Jun seemed to have something on his mind, Wu Feng didn't say much and silently accompanied him into the main hall. Until the servant brought hot tea, Situ Jun didn't say a word, as if he was thinking about some difficult problem, his face His expression was slightly different from his usual stern look, with a hint of hesitation.
There were only two people left in the lobby, and Wu Feng was also carefully considering the purpose of the other party's visit this time. The current situation in the empire was extremely critical, especially since most of the Heshuo area had fallen, and only a lonely Tianshui was left in the empire. In his hands, and faced with a flanking attack from two fronts, if he hadn't regained Longdong by himself, Tianshui would have been in a very difficult situation, even if the opponent had the backing of the two legions from the Wuhu region. After conquering Longdong, I just sent someone to greet the other party as a courtesy, but the other party actually agreed and expressed that he wanted to visit Longdong. This visitor was obviously unkind, but I couldn't refuse, but seeing that the other party had not been there since entering the city. He kept silent. It was obvious that there was some difficult problem that was troubling the other party, and he was unable to make a decision. This made Wu Feng feel a little uneasy in his doubts.
At this moment, Situ Jun was indeed thinking about an issue that was difficult to decide. When he made the decision to visit Longdong, he had made up his mind to have a good and heart-to-heart talk with the princes from the western border of the empire. He is not a person who likes to avoid reality. Since Li Wufeng has become a decisive force in the empire's political forces, if he wants to achieve his goals, he has to deal with this guy, although he also knows that this guy is not a Good kind.
He felt that he could control the other party, at least the conditions he proposed could impress the other party. He was fully prepared for this, but when the matter came, he hesitated. After all, this is no small matter, and according to the information I have, the guy opposite is obviously inextricably linked with several of his brothers. Although I cannot fully understand the relationship between them, the secret cannot be hidden. People, aren’t they doing the same thing themselves
Can you convince the other party? Are the conditions you put forward enough to make the other party interested? Situ Jun asked himself repeatedly in his mind that he was still not absolutely sure in the end, but if he didn't give it a try, how would he know the result? If he didn't take this step, he was afraid that he would never be able to feel at ease, and he would even think about it while sleeping. Until this moment, Only then did Situ Jun make up his mind to talk to the other party fully.
The eyes of the two people raised up almost at the same time, and they collided in a tacit understanding in the main hall. In an instant, both sides seemed to detect a certain ambiguous look in the other's eyes, a look that was mixed with ambition and other tastes. With their gazes, both parties seemed to have discovered someone similar to themselves at this moment. Their gazes were quickly retracted, and both parties turned their gazes out the window almost at the same time, as if to avoid this embarrassing exposure.
The air in the hall seemed to be frozen and stagnant. For a while, the two of them could not find the right words to open up this extremely boring situation. Wu Feng lowered his head, gently blew away the tea leaves floating in the tea bowl, took a sip carefully, half-closed his eyes, with a comfortable look on his face, as if he was savoring the fragrance of the tea leaves; Situ Jun stood there In the center of the hall, he was gazing at the calligraphy hanging in the middle of the wall. "It's rare to be confused." The four words seemed to be full of unruly spirituality, quite a bit like the style of the Wang sect. Situ Jun's attention seemed to be completely I was attracted by this calligraphy.
Time passed by, and when Wu Feng picked up the tea cup and put it to his mouth for the third time, Situ Jun, who had been staring at the wall in trance, suddenly seemed to be talking to himself: "It's rare to be confused, it's rare to be confused, this Is it really possible to be confused for the rest of your life? Can you solve everything?"
Wu Feng, who was about to sip tea, raised his eyebrows suddenly, with an enigmatic smile on his lips, and said calmly: "It depends on who the person is. If they are a hermit who escapes reality, or an outsider who has no desires or pursuits, Maybe it's a good thing, but from my perspective, it seems that in the empire, even those outsiders who have no desires or desires have a hard time escaping from the shackles of this world. It's really hard to live in a muddle-headed way."
Facing the other party's distorted explanation, Situ Jun slowly turned around and looked directly into the other party's eyes. Eyes are the windows to a person's soul. He wanted to see a clue from the other party's eyes, but what disappointed him was the other party's eyes. His eyes were so plain, as if he had never said anything, but this was not enough to make him trust the other person. He had always only believed in himself.
"Master Li seems to be talking too much. Why don't you speak more clearly so that I, the king, can be more clear?" Situ Jun also had a faint smile on his face, and even the atmosphere in the hall seemed to be much more lively. .
"Haha, Your Highness is serious. What kind of person is Your Highness? Why do you need the minister's advice? The minister has been looking forward to His Highness's express instructions." With a sly smile, Wu Feng cleverly pushed the topic back to the other party. that side.
He frowned secretly, then smiled and said: "Brother Li is too polite. Since everyone is a sensible person, why do you need to play riddles here? I can honestly say that when I came to Longdong this time for inspection, it was all Excuse, the main purpose of my coming to Longdong is to meet Brother Li, hoping to get a satisfactory answer from Brother Li."
Wu Feng's face gradually became serious, and he restrained his usual wild smile: "There are only you and me here. Your Highness might as well say that although Li Wufeng is not talented, he is willing to have a clear-cut relationship with Your Highness. It’s a heart-to-heart conversation, but I don’t know if His Highness can trust Li?”
His heart was pounding. Even though Situ Jun had always been calm and composed, he felt a little thirsty at this time. The other party's frankness made him a little surprised, but it was expected. They are all smart people, so there is no need to hide too much. That's so tiring. Slowly nodding his head, Situ Jun slowly calmed down, and after thinking about his words, he said carefully: "Brother Li is really straightforward, and I appreciate it very much. It's just that the matter is serious, and I don't know if Brother Li has ever said so." Have you thought about it carefully?"
"Your Highness's words are inappropriate. Li has not made any commitments on specific matters. Li is thinking that all treaties can only be reached when reciprocal conditions are mature. If the prerequisites are lost, many things will Even if an agreement is reached in black and white, it is probably just a piece of waste paper, what do you think, Your Highness?" After blinking, Wu Feng's expression did not change and he said calmly.
"Well said! A treaty without preconditions is immature and unstable. I appreciate this. Brother Li is indeed an upright person. I am willing to deal with people like Brother Li. I can put anything on the table and say it, so as not to After getting off the table, you are doing it in disguise, which is too indecent!" Situ Jun nodded with satisfaction, indicating that he agreed with the other party's view.
"Since His Highness also agrees with Li's view, I think we have a common language. I wonder if His Highness knows what the prerequisites Li refers to?" Wu Feng was not confused by the other party's compliment and asked slowly. , but a pair of eyes fell on the other person's face.
With an uncertain face, Situ Jun knew that the other party was already testing his bottom line, or even testing his innermost thoughts. If he couldn't win the other party's approval, this guy would probably never place a bet on himself. Yes, but if you reveal all your cards and the other party is still in a situation where you can advance, attack, retreat or defend, this will push you into an embarrassing situation. How should you deal with this
』Well, prerequisite? "Raising his head slightly, the expression on Situ Jun's face was a little uncertain, but his words were unambiguous, "Brother Li, I'm afraid he is referring to whether this king can show the strength of a certain ability? "
"Haha, His Highness is really understanding. Since Your Highness has opened up his heart like this, if Li conceals it any longer, it will appear that Li is being too hypocritical." Wu Feng chuckled, subconsciously rubbing his chin before saying, "Li is a businessman. I am not willing to make a deal at a discount, and I need to be rewarded for my efforts. To be honest with you, Your Highness, several other Highnesses have contacted Li, and Li has agreed, but this is the final decision, but he has never made it. Make up your mind."
Smiling indifferently, Situ Jun was not moved by the other party's words, and said calmly: "Hey, Brother Li, please don't say that you have been waiting for me to arrive. I am self-aware, which is not enough to make Brother Li give up the others." If you have anything to say about the brothers’ summons, Brother Li might as well explain it directly.”