Although Lü Chunqiu wasn't a minister of Chu, he could clearly sense that Fan Li was only a step away from rebelling!
Above His Majesty there was still 'me'?
Lü Chunqiu felt that even if Fan Li ranked himself second and placed Lü third, it would still be reasonable.
Yet Fan Li was actually so brazen to even stand over the Chu Emperor!
"The Duke's earlier words, this Marquis will pretend he didn't hear them and definitely won't spread them outside." Lü Chunqiu thought he was being 'considerate' with this tacit hint, but Fan Li completely ignored it.
Fan Li smiled. "If Marquis Wenxin has any doubts regarding this official's words, I can invite his Majesty over so I can repeat it in front of him."
Truly utterly convinced!
Lü Chunqiu finally clearly felt that Fan Li was a deserving powerful Chu minister!
Although the powerful Han minister Dong Zhuo had a reputedly mighty cultivation realm and was known throughout the realm for his cruelty and tyranny.
But Fan Li's nonchalant grace like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, this was the true bearing and style of a powerful minister!
What 'second to only one, above tens of thousands'?
A true powerful minister basically had no need for those first four characters. He was simply 'above tens of thousands'!
"This Marquis believes every word the Duke said. If my Lü clan joined Great Chu, we would indeed rank second to only two people, above tens of thousands of others. However..."
Lü Chunqiu deliberately paused mid-sentence, only speaking halfway. He believed Fan Li could understand the implication behind his words.
Your Great Chu was far too weak. If my Lü City surrendered to Great Chu, we wouldn't even last a morning before becoming subjects of a destroyed state!
Fan Li smiled. He naturally understood the hidden meaning.
But with Fan Li's experience over two lifetimes, the sophistication ingrained in his bones long anticipated all of Lü Chunqiu's worries beforehand.
"Great Han's Princess Chang Le will soon become my Great Chu's Empress."
With just this one sentence from Fan Li, Lü Chunqiu was moved.
A marriage alliance between Chu and Han?
Two weak states allying together against a strong state had long been expected by Lü Chunqiu. Yet he still favored Great Ming's prospects because with a weak state alliance, the degree of sincerity in their cooperation would ultimately decide the effectiveness of the alliance.
Princess Chang Le wasn't just Han Emperor Liu Xi's most outstanding descendant. She was also a monstrous genius that even the Pure Wonderland hoped to retain!
With Great Han marrying Princess Chang Le into Great Chu, this was absolutely the maximum effect this alliance could achieve!
It would make Great Ming apprehensive towards Chu-Han!
Lü Chunqiu finally looked squarely at Fan Li.
He tentatively asked: "Could this marriage alliance between celestial households have been arranged single-handedly by Duke Jin?"
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"Indeed!" Fan Li naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to portray himself as incredibly capable.
As for lying, he also wasn't worried about the lies being exposed. After all it was impossible for Princess Chang Le to make a thousand li journey to Lü City just to say 'it was actually me who was the mastermind'.
"This Marquis has utmost admiration for Duke Jin." Lü Chunqiu heaved a long sigh.
Truly formidable younger generation!
While he worried daily about the Lü clan's future, even to the point where Emperor Jiajing of Great Ming pressured them to their doorstep.
Yet looking at Fan Li who was still young, but had already attained such mastery of political strategy.
‘With Fan Li in Great Chu, even if Emperor Jiajing unified the realm, he would probably still be delayed by 20-30 years at least.’ Lü Chunqiu thought to himself.
In his perspective, Chu and Han now had the capital to resist Great Ming. However, the bargaining chips Fan Li revealed still weren't enough to convince Lü Chunqiu to surrender to Chu.
Lü Chunqiu just watched Fan Li silently, expecting him to continue performing.
"If Fan Li stops here without further follow-up ploys, my Lü City can still preserve its neutrality without joining anyone."
Lü City's existence was founded on maintaining balance between the Three Kingdoms to begin with. If that balance wasn't disrupted, Lü City could still remain neutral.
To be blunt, Lü Chunqiu had run his household with iron authority his whole life. He really wasn't used to becoming another state's subordinate.
Just as he pondered this, Lü Chunqiu's mood greatly improved. Even his gaze towards Fan Li had a few more parts admiration.
"Marquis Wenxin, actually after my emperor is married, the position of Imperial Noble Consort will still be vacant." Fan Li leisurely said.
"Oh, is that so?" Lü Chunqiu was still inwardly praising Fan Li. His mind couldn't keep up with this sudden turn.
Fan Li smiled as he watched Lü Chunqiu, before shifting his gaze towards Lü Fuchao. That look actually reminded Lü Chunqiu of an idiom related to his ancestors: A valuable object deserving preservation and care!
"Hey! What do you mean?" Lü Fuchao felt extremely unsettled by Fan Li's meaningful look. Disregarding courtesy, she directly yelled out loudly.
Fan Li smiled. "If the Lü clan is willing to surrender to Great Chu, Miss Lü can enter the rear palace and become my Great Chu's Imperial Noble Consort."
"What!?" Lü Fuchao shrieked. Her beautiful face turned deathly pale as she hid herself completely behind her father.
Lü Chunqiu was also stunned speechless. But unlike his daughter who was badly frightened, Lü Chunqiu didn't have a huge reaction. He was just shocked at Fan Li's unrestrained and unconstrained boldness that completely exceeded what someone his age should possess.
‘If Fuchao becomes Great Chu's Imperial Noble Consort, my Lü clan's status in Great Chu would undoubtedly be set in stone. Along with Lü City's influence over Confucian and Taoist cultivators under heaven, after several years when the time comes, it's completely possible for the Lü clan to replace the Fan clan's control over Great Chu!
When changes happen in the realm, Chu and Han can ally to destroy Great Ming before destroying Great Han would just be a matter of course... Perhaps my descendants could even force the Chu Emperor to abdicate, establishing the Lü clan's Son of Heaven?’
Although Lü Chunqiu didn't harbor imperial ambitions himself, just casually thinking about it still set his heart racing excitedly as if itching to give it a try.
He couldn't help but shoot a glance at Fan Li. This young Duke had led with a bargaining chip that he simply couldn't refuse right from the start?
Should he agree or not?
Lü Chunqiu hesitated. Or maybe he should deliberately slight Great Chu for a period, forcing them to continue increasing the bargaining chips to benefit the Lü clan even more?
"This is a major affair of state. There is no need for the Marquis to declare his stance immediately. I only ask that before the conclusion of the [Three Emperors Meeting], please give me a definite reply."
Fan Li suddenly took the initiative to speak up. His attitude was actually identical to Emperor Jiajing's. They both seemed at ease, not hurrying Lü Chunqiu to declare his position immediately. This composure once again exceeded Lü Chunqiu's expectations.
‘Could Fan Li... actually have the bearing of a Son of Heaven?’ Lü Chunqiu was dumbfounded. He suddenly began doubting the ideas he imagined earlier.
He had fancied that after a few generations, his Lü descendants might force the Chu Emperor to abdicate. But with a character like Fan Li, how many more generations could the Chu imperial line continue? As for his Lü descendants, could they surpass the descendants of Fan Li?
"Marquis Wenxin, this official shall take my leave."
Just as Lü Chunqiu wanted to say something more, he discovered Fan Li had already turned and strode away with big strides.
After leaving Marquis Wenxin's estate, Fan Li also heaved a sigh of relief.
For their first meeting, his primary task was to assess Lü Chunqiu. Now, it seemed that dealing with Lü Chunqiu would be manageable. As an aristocratic offspring, he had enough conservatism but lacked ambition.
Fan Li recalled the scholarly mentors he often encountered in his pre-transmigration university days. They were not adept at seeking profits, focusing instead on research and elevating academic standards.
The outcome often was not gaining wealth and also not entering the university leadership, lacking authority.
Such individuals were a blessing as professors in universities but likely to be failures when leading a family in troubled times.
"Duke Jin, stay a moment. It's been a long time."
As Fan Li contemplated, a familiar voice reached his ears.
He looked up, and the person approaching had phoenix eyes, brows like silkworms, and a beautiful beard cascading down his chest—an old acquaintance indeed. It was Zhang Juzheng of Great Ming.