"Haha, Your Highness is so straightforward, but Li's decision was not influenced by anyone. Li's decision was based on his own judgment." Wu Feng grinned. This Situ Jun is still quite self-aware, and this It saves you the trouble of dealing with people, just do it!
"Oh?" Situ Jun was unmoved and said with a cold smile: "Then what is the reason why Brother Li thinks so highly of me? It seems that my brothers are no worse than me."
"Well, Your Highness misunderstood. I have not made a final decision now. Even if I make a decision, it does not mean that I will not change the decision in the future. I think things like covenants and agreements are not enough to restrict our actions. The only thing that can restrain us is our interests and strength, right?" Li Wufeng shook his head and bluntly pointed out the essence, "I believe His Highness also agrees with this point of view, but as far as the current situation is concerned, Li is still more optimistic about you, Your Highness, although His Highness has greater military strength, His Highness the Ninth Highness has higher expectations from the public, and His Highness the Seventh has more economic power."
Situ Jun's face gradually darkened, and his stern eyes flickered uncertainly. He could not figure out whether the other party's words came from the sincerity or whether they were just words to deal with his brothers. He wanted to understand the other party's true inner thoughts, so Vague language may mislead your opinion.
"Then Brother Li, why don't you tell me what is so outstanding about me compared to the other brothers that makes Brother Li like me more?" Situ Jun's words were very clear.
"Hey, Your Highness, the Tanghe Empire is a leader in the Eastern Continent with its vast land, rich resources, large population, and complex ethnic groups. To ascend to the position of great treasure, it is not just about military strength, popularity, or economic strength. It can be achieved through the accumulation of strength in many aspects, the grasp of timing, the accumulation of connections and popularity, and the use of strategies and methods. Although the other His Highnesses have their own strengths, they have more or less flaws when combined. So, there are still many variables here." Wu Feng also knew that the other party did not completely believe his words, and to be honest, even he might not believe this.
"Oh, I'd like to hear the details." Situ Jun asked coldly.
After pondering for a moment, Wu Feng slowly spoke: "In terms of military strength, His Highness is probably unrivaled among the princes. However, His Highness is poorly regarded by both the government and the public, and even Your Majesty is not. She has quite some scruples about him, and most of His Highness's foundations are in the North. He has been repeatedly harassed and plundered by the Taiping Cult, and his vitality has been greatly damaged. The economic strength of the two counties in the North has always been poor, far from being compared with the counties in the south. This is also It is a fatal weakness, and it will be quite difficult to win the battle for the throne."
"Oh?" Situ Jun considered the other party's words carefully, his expression moved slightly, and he said, "What about my seventh brother?"
"Your Highness Seventh? In terms of economic strength and surrounding environment, I'm afraid His Highness Seventh is the best. The economic strength of Jiangnan and Donghai Counties is the highest in the empire, and with the support of the Kingdom of Milan, there are no strong enemies around. Coupled with the support of the Seventh Legion, it seems that the Seventh Highness has an amazing momentum and is determined to win." Wu Feng considered his words, "However, His Seventh Highness seems to have forgotten an important issue. The merchants in Jiangnan and Donghai counties are extremely powerful. The maternal family of His Majesty the Seventh Highness seems to represent the interests of the upper-class landed aristocrats of the two counties. The contradiction between the two seems difficult to reconcile. Moreover, the senior officials of the Imperial Navy have a close relationship with Liao Qichang and others who represent the business forces. The military strength of a legion, and it is the lowest ranked legion among the nine legions of the empire, is too weak. Without the support of the economic power of the merchants, I am afraid that the Seventh Prince will become a toothless tiger. If we stir up more waves, it won't cause much harm."
"Well, my ninth brother is deeply favored by my father and has a good reputation in the court and the public. I don't know why it is difficult for him to get into Brother Li's eyes?" A sinister smile flashed across Situ Jun's lips.
"Hehe, His Highness the Ninth Prince is indeed popular, but the battle for the throne cannot be decided by popularity alone. At present, even the City Guards Corps seems to be difficult to control by the central government of the empire. Will there be any problems with the control of the Imperial Guards Corps? What?" A strange smile appeared on Wu Feng's face, "Without an army that you have absolute control over or people that fully support you, it is quite dangerous in the current turbulent situation of the empire."
Situ Jun couldn't help but say that the guy in front of him was very good at eloquence and debating. He cited classics and scriptures, peeled off cocoons, and brought out the core of the problem layer by layer. He was well-reasoned and well-founded. Even he was somewhat impressed by the other party's remarks, but this It is not enough to prove that he is the natural successor to the throne. Situ Jun is not that naive.
"Haha, so it seems that I am the best candidate for the throne?" Situ Jun asked in return.
"His Highness is currently occupying the strategic area of Heshuo in Guanxi, facing off against the Taiping Cult, and has the support of the Fifth Legion. As far as Li knows, the Sixth Legion seems to have also fallen into the arms of His Highness, right? Then Wuhu County must also be able to We have provided His Highness with quite sufficient food sources and funds. Tianshui and Jincheng are in an important position. They are on the critical line between the north and the south. They can advance and attack and retreat and defend. They are the basis for the struggle for the world. If Your Highness really wants to be powerful, you might as well Based on this, wait for the opportunity and make a big plan." Wu Feng's face showed a look that was half a smile, especially when he talked about the movements of the Sixth Army, it made Situ Jun, who had always been calm, suddenly change his expression.
Situ Jun had no way of knowing how the other party learned about the movements of the Sixth Army. It turned out that his forces in the Fifth and Sixth Army had been purged quite miserably by his father. In the past two years, he had tried his best to use all possible means. , it took a huge amount of money to regain control of the Fifth Army, and the Sixth Army took even more pains to get in touch with the Sixth Army not long ago, and it was actually known to the northwest. This is really surprising. .
However, he doesn't want to deny this. He can put more pressure on the other party, show more strength to the other party, and perhaps arouse the other party's more interest in his side.
Pi Xiaorou took up Wu Feng's topic without smiling, and Situ Jun neither denied the other party's opinion nor acknowledged it: "Well, Master Li seems to have been far-sighted and allowed me to see a bright road, but I don't know whether this road can be Reach the other side of victory."
"How can you say success or failure if you have never tried it?" Wu Feng also took up what the other party said, "If Your Highness really wants to achieve great things, then you should not follow that woman's coy attitude and take action when it is time to do so. Li is not talented , I am willing to do my best for His Highness."
Situ Jun knew that he had reached the crux of the problem, so he was not afraid of the stage. He asked instead: "Master Li, please tell me your conditions. Under what circumstances will Brother Li be willing to support me with power? What does Master Li need in return?" ?”
"It seems that His Highness is not at ease with Li. You have misunderstood. Li does not need any commitment from His Highness at this time. As long as His Highness can obtain absolute control of the Wuhu area, he can then open up Hejian, Jinzhong and Li is willing to provide the necessary military support for the road to the imperial capital, and is willing to support His Highness to become the successor of the Imperial Emperor!" Although Wu Feng's words were not loud, his words were clear and decisive, without any sloppiness.
"Lord Li, you might as well say clearly, what kind of specific reward do you need?!" Situ Jun is not a mediocre person. He does not believe that the other party will pay in vain without receiving anything in return from his own side.
With a toothy smile on his face, Wu Feng stopped hiding it, blinked, and said seriously: "Your Highness is quick to speak, and Li doesn't want to say anything more. Li hopes that His Highness can recognize Li's special interests in Kansai and give Li A justifiable title, is this request not too much? In addition, Li also promised His Highness that as long as His Highness believes that the Northwest Army should not enter the area, I will never enter, and I am unwilling to enter the Central Plains. To be honest, Li A certain person is more willing to expand the territory of the empire to the west!"
"Then if I want to march eastward to Heshuo, can Brother Li provide me with military support?" Situ Jun did not directly respond to Wu Feng's proposal, but asked specific questions.
"Of course, but before that, Li thinks that His Highness seems to have more important things to do, such as stabilizing the situation in Tianshui and Jincheng, firmly controlling the Wuhu area, making advance preparations for war, observing the Imperial Capital and Regarding the changes in the situation of the other Highnesses, especially the situation in the Imperial Capital, wait until the time is right before taking action." Wu Feng suggested euphemistically.
"Brother Li doesn't need to worry about this. I won't act rashly. I understand that one move can affect the whole body. I won't be the leader easily until I'm absolutely sure." Situ Jun said to the other party. Frankness is appreciated very much. In his opinion, the other party's suspicions and criticisms are often reliable. If the other party is just blindly flattering and instigating, it often means conspiracy behind it.
"Well, that's best. But right now, the Taiping Cult seems to be very powerful in the Heshuo area. Although His Highness controls Tianshui, if the Taiping Cult comes with the momentum of victory, I don't know if His Highness will be able to withstand them. Where is the offensive?" Wu Feng asked the most critical question. This was also the first time the two talked about details. After all, the gain and loss of Tianshui was very important. Once Tianshui fell, his eastward passage, especially with the The communication channel of the imperial capital is still controlled by outsiders such as the Taiping Sect or the Linlang family. The effectiveness of the newly developed poison gas weapons to conquer Longdong is much less effective. This is what I least want to see. , at least it’s something I don’t want to see at the moment.
Situ Jun also hesitated for a moment. Both the east and north sides of Tianshui were threatened by the Taiping Army. He already felt quite pressured. However, if he hoped that the other party would provide certain assistance at this time, he was afraid that the other party would underestimate his own strength, which would not be good. , so he just endured it and said there was no problem. Fortunately, Wu Feng didn't ask any more questions, which made Situ Jun breathe a sigh of relief.
After a conversation, both of them felt exhausted, but Wu Feng took the initiative to propose that the details of the cooperation between the two parties would be better left to the two parties to send staff to negotiate, and then submit the final report to both parties for approval. Situ Jun readily accepted the other party's suggestion. .