When the second prince arrived in Poitou, Sean was still at Fort Partenham.

Sean had already gotten the news beforehand, but the speed of the second prince's southward movement was too fast, so that Sean had to doubt the purpose of the second prince.

He originally thought that the prince was ordered to make an inspection tour of the south, and at least stop at various ports and provinces along the way, to meet with local officials, nobles, and garrisons, and to comfort and encourage the subjects of the empire. After all, it is rare for a prince to inspect a place.

"This is for Genoa, or for the Count, to be precise. Adrian Major said.

His current official position is Sean's confidential secretary, which is actually Sean's brain trust, advising Sean on his decision-making.

As a result, Major begins to contact Sean's secrets, and when these secrets are revealed one by one, Major is amazed by Sean's calmness and vision, but Sean never reveals his true purpose, but this does not prevent Major from trying to show his knowledge and ability.

"How so?" asked Sean, "In the current situation of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Your Majesty has sent your favorite prince south to show that Your Majesty attaches great importance to it. ”

"Earl, of the eighteen northern provinces, nine of them have fallen, and of the remaining nine provinces, most of them are exhausted, and the people have fled because of the heavy taxes, and the rich have been the most active. Now our south has truly become the cash chest of the empire, with Genoa as the most important of all. "Obviously, Genoa's name often appears on His Majesty's royal records, and who is the most influential in Genoa?

Sean nodded, and then asked, "What does His Royal Highness Philip want from me?"

"Obedience!" said Major, "there are both nominal courtesy and practical benefits, such as your national army, which is like a thorn in your majesty's eye, making your majesty feel that this is a kind of betrayal of the holy city by the locality, but he can't do anything to you." ”

"This is not my army. Sean corrected.

"Of course!" Major smiled and apologized sincerely.

"In fact, I am not opposed to the National Army entering the northern theater. My former army robes are fighting in the far north, and when I say goodbye, I can only go to their graves to pay my respects, they are the real heroes.

But Adrian, you know, although there were many people in Poitou who were fanatical, they were not pushing for the formation of a national army to fight against foreign invasions. ”

Sean continued:

"They want to divide the country and let the national army hold the borders and their wealth for them, and even think that the invasion of foreign enemies is a good time to give them a chance to cut off the pressure from the Holy City. In the current situation, this is a typical selfish behavior. Southerners have not yet truly become a citizen of Europa. It seems to me as abhorrent to divide this country as to surrender to the Bilisi, or to the Assyrians!"

"Do I think that's your bottom line, Earl?" asked Major.

"You can look at it this way. Even if I oppose some of the Empire's institutions and policies that suppress equality and freedom, I will never allow foreign enemies to reap the benefits. Sean said.

"Are you a Salamanist?"

Toby Salamane was a leading figure in the liberal faction, advocating respect for royalty, the rule of the sage, and respect for freedom and equality. Thus Salman was a moderate among liberals, but his ideas actually repudiated the monarchy and made the emperor a mascot. His doctrines and ideas are gaining more and more popular support.

Major thinks his question is too deep, but he persists:

"Earl, please answer my question, it's important!"

"The Salamans can't do it. Sean shook his head and said, "They only talk about it, they can't even govern a city, let alone the entire empire that is hard to return." What is the difference between the so-called revolution and the present if it is just a change of people to take power? I do not deny that these people have become the climate, and when these people are in power, it is when the real big things happen, and I will not come out before that. ”

Major didn't quite understand what Sean was talking about, but he thought he seemed to have touched the depths of his benefactor's heart.

"Then you should ask the Estates-General to send troops north. Major suggested, "This is for the prince to show your submission to the royal family and your duty to the country." If there are objections, you can shift the blame to those who oppose them. It's also a litmus test to see how much of your influence really is, and you can know who's on your side throughout. ”

"What if the fake drama comes true?" asked Sean.

"It depends on how well you control the National Army. "If the show comes true, then use merit to establish your prestige, unless you are afraid of war, or you are afraid of fame." ”

"I do fear war, especially the inner selfishness of the war against foreign enemies. "I can fight for Europa, not for a certain group of people." ”

"Earl, I have no doubt about your noble character, but heroes never look backward. Major persuaded without backing down.

Sean was stunned: "Adrian, what do you want to get by encouraging me to come out?"

"I don't want to be a high-ranking official, I just want to be a footnote, the most important one, in the memoirs of the benefactor after he became famous. ”

Major's gaze was filled with another kind of fanaticism, with a terrifyingly calm fanaticism.

"It looks like you're a supporter of Anthony Fuchs. Sean said, "In order to achieve the goal, you can do whatever it takes." ”

"No, there is no fundamental difference between Anthony Fuchs and Toby Salaman, just the means. What do they have compared to you, and if they can make it, why can't you make it?" said Major.

"Well, Adrian, you've managed to convince me. Now, please draft for me a proposal to go north to the enemy. Sean said.

He didn't know if he was persuaded by Major or because he just needed an excuse.

"I would be happy to serve you, my Earl, that you have tried to take a vital step, and you will not regret it!" said Major, rejoicing, "and it will at least put you on the moral high ground." If the Estates-General do agree to send troops, it is up to you, the commander, to send troops when and how. ”

"It sounds like a conspirator. Sean said.

"Only the losers or the frustrated can be classified as 'conspirators,' and history has always been written by the successful. "I hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to read such a history book." ”

"I hope so!"