Long Bufan frowned slightly. He knew very well in his heart that since ancient times, when the imperial power was replaced, it was often accompanied by slaughter and blood. If the side that lost, the victor would definitely carry out a great purge of the court. At this time, family and friendship would become a joke.
In other words, if the Fourth Prince, Yang Baiyu, failed to seize the throne, all of his trusted subordinates would be killed to prevent future troubles. At that time, Lin Yan's family would also be implicated and be exterminated.
Although Lin Yan was a disciple of a sect in Ling Xuanwu Province, the sect would usually choose to be a bystander in the fight for imperial power. They wouldn't interfere with the change of imperial power.
Seeing that Long Bufan was silent, Lan Lei continued, "The Emperor said that as long as you agree, he will try his best to satisfy you."
Long Bufan hesitated for a moment.
"Okay, but I have two conditions." Long Bufan rubbed his nose and said seriously, "I need a piece of territory and … the blood essence of the Fire Phoenix."
Lan Lei was stunned. He thought that a martial cultivator like Long Bufan would only want martial arts manuals or artifacts. He didn't expect Long Bufan to ask for such an exorbitant price. The blood essence of the Fire Phoenix was so precious that it would be difficult to find it even with the strength of an entire country.
Although a piece of territory wasn't much to the Emperor, who owned a large territory, only those who had reached the rank of Prince were qualified to become the lord of a territory.
Lan Lei looked deeply at Long Bufan. He couldn't guess what this person was thinking. However, with Lan Lei's cold personality, he naturally wouldn't ask Long Bufan anything. He nodded and said coldly, "I will pass on your words to the Emperor."
Lan Lei was very straightforward. After he finished speaking, he turned and left.
Long Bufan muttered to himself helplessly, "His personality is still so detestable. I wonder how he became the Royal Guards' Commander."
At the same time, in the Lin Mansion in the east of the imperial city.
In the study, Yang Baiyu was playing chess with a middle-aged man.
This middle-aged man had a resolute face. His wrinkled face was somewhat similar to Lin Yan's.
He was Lin Yan's father and his name was Lin Xionglie. He was one of the three great generals of the Heavenly Flame Empire and was in charge of a 500,000-strong Northern Legion.
"Hehe, Your Highness, what are you thinking? This move is wrong. " Lin Liexiong smiled as he placed a piece. The moment the piece was placed, the bottom left corner of Yang Baiyu's chessboard became a dead piece. He lost a lot of ground.
Yang Baiyu smiled and shook his head. "Uncle Lin, I've never won against you in chess. It doesn't make much of a difference whether I lose early or late."
"Haha, you can't say that. Even if you are not as strong, you can't lose your backbone and fighting spirit. The chessboard is like a battlefield. If you're not as skilled as others, you're still a hero even if you die in battle. But if you're captured and killed after surrendering, that's a disgrace, "Lin Liexiong said with a smile.
"Uncle Lin is right." Yang Baiyu didn't put on the airs of a prince in front of Lin Liexiong. In the Heavenly Flame Empire, even the monarch had to be courteous to the commander of a legion. Not to mention, Lin Liexiong was Yang Baiyu's most important support right now.
"Tell me, what's on your mind?" Lin Liexiong put down the chess piece in his hand.
Yang Baiyu said, "I went to see my father today. His body seems to be worse than before …"
"En …" Lin Liexiong was silent. He knew what Yang Baiyu was worried about. With the change of the throne, the monarch wouldn't have much of a deterrent force due to his health. At this time, it would depend on the ability of the princes.
The world was bustling with activity and profit. If the ruler wanted to rope in talents, they would have to pay a corresponding price. Therefore, a prince's wealth was also one of the important criteria to measure his strength. Otherwise, if you couldn't afford it, who would work for you?
The First Prince, Yang Tian, was ambitious and might not be willing to be a prince. He had been on the battlefield for many years and had conquered many ancient martial families in the neighboring countries. He had seized a lot of wealth, jewels, beauties, and secret martial arts manuals. Secret martial arts manuals were especially attractive to a martial artist.
Yang Baiyu's personal wealth and the forces he controlled were much worse than the First Prince. Once they fought, he might not necessarily win.
Once the fight for the throne failed, the outcome could be imagined. Yang Baiyu was now the monarch's chosen candidate. Even if he didn't want to fight, he would have to fight. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to keep his life! Therefore, Yang Baiyu had been worried these days and didn't dare to show it in front of his subordinates.
Lin Liexiong straightened his back and said solemnly, "Your Highness, I just said that the chess field is like a battlefield. You can't lose your backbone and fighting spirit. If Your Highness lacks confidence, your subordinates will also be uneasy. A new monarch brings new subordinates. We have decided to follow Your Highness and give up our lives. If Your Highness loses, with the First Prince's ruthlessness, he might carry out a great purge of the court. At that time …"
Lin Liexiong didn't continue. Smart people could understand this kind of thing.
Yang Baiyu nodded with a resolute look in his eyes. "Of course I know. That's why I've been trying my best to stay alert for the past few years. Not to mention the people who follow me, even my mother and sister's lives are tied to mine. If I lose, I don't know how miserable their fates will be …"
Lin Liexiong also shook his head. To be honest, Yang Baiyu was too benevolent and righteous when it came to relationships. He wasn't suitable to be a monarch. Although there were many stories of benevolent monarchs ruling the world since ancient times, these benevolent monarchs might not be truly benevolent. They would only show their benevolent side when it was time to be benevolent. When it was time to kill, they wouldn't be soft-hearted. A benevolent person wasn't suitable to be a ruler.
Of course, Lin Liexiong couldn't tell if Yang Baiyu was truly benevolent or not. However, since he had been chosen, the Lin Family would do their best to help him ascend the throne regardless of the outcome.
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