The inflow of wealth from Luzon Island has become a new boost to the economic growth of the three counties of Songjiang after the Asahikawa Iron Mine on Cook Island. Although it is not big enough at the moment, it is already showing signs of strong growth.

Relying on abundant finances, the Songjiang Army began to increase investment in education, and established new colleges in various places one after another. Although these academies also taught poetry and writing, they were only one of many subjects, not the only ones. Other subjects include arithmetic, chemistry, and geology. However, those who are enrolled in the school will not only be given a certain amount of subsidies, but will also be directly hired by the Songjiang Military Government after graduation.

Although it is only the beginning, with perseverance and perseverance, perhaps five years, maybe ten years, or even twenty years later, Chen Wu will sooner or later recoup these investments exponentially.

It's an investment in the future, and the rewards will exceed anyone's imagination!

Similarly, benefiting from the financial abundance and local stability, the Songjiang Army continued to recruit officials and talents at all levels, completed the banning of local private soldiers and militia groups in the three counties of Songjiang, and gradually delegated the local government to the township level. Although in the current era, it has not yet been implemented and cannot be implemented at the most basic village level, but compared with the imperial power of previous dynasties, it is already a huge progress.

In a certain way, this means that the Songjiang Army's control over the local area has been greatly improved. When necessary, it can mobilize manpower and material resources far beyond those of the previous dynasties. Of course, in doing so, the Songjiang army was bound to start a power struggle with the local gentry, and it was inevitably resisted. But the current Songjiang army is no longer what it used to be, there are people, there is money and money, and it is carried out city by city, and no one in the three counties of Songjiang can resist Chen Wu's will.

This is also a self-made advantage.

If Chen Wu wasn't a rebel from other counties, he didn't need to worry too much, it would be impossible to simply carry it out like this!

To summarize briefly, from the Second Tiannan War to the present, Chen Wu and Songjiangjun have been busy with external expansion and internal integration and development, and stable rule. Compared with other empires, who are limited by the limitations of the times and can only do things to the established pattern around them, Chen Wu, who has experienced thirteen years of games, has broadened his horizons too much. In another way, while stabilizing the basic territory of the three counties of Songjiang, he successively attacked the Asahikawa Domain overseas and Northern Luzon on the ocean, which was equivalent to acquiring a large amount of resources, population, and territory out of thin air.

Compared with the rising development of the Songjiang army, the situation of the empire has begun to decline at an accelerated pace in the past six months.

Long before the Songjiang Army's fleet made a move on Yanjian Island, the Empire had fought a second major war with the Tile Thorn cavalry in the northwest. Since the empire was far less powerful than it had been a few years ago, this time it took a resolute defensive. Although Wuwei County, which had finally recovered, was hit hard, the empire did not lose much military strength in this war, and finally barely survived.

It's a pity that the good times didn't last long, and the remnants of Wudou Midao were wiped out and rushed to the southwest of Danyang County, united with several local bandits, and made a comeback in the name of Hongwu Army. Because the empire's dominance over the grassroots has been greatly reduced, and the remnants of this Wudou Midao rebel army have also experienced several major battles, they captured two county towns very lightly, and there was a great sense of resurgence for a while.

This undoubtedly surprised the entire center, and quickly mobilized the three masters of the Eagle Yang Legion to encircle and suppress.

Although the Hongwu army did not last long, the damage and impact caused made the Empire's extremely dire situation even worse.

April of the year 676 in the continental calendar.

Under the influence of Chen Wu, a traverser, a major event that had never appeared in the game happened: the old emperor Qianyuanji suddenly fainted during the court meeting, and for a time the civil and military officials were in chaos. Although Qianyuanji woke up on his own soon after, the decay of his complexion and the weakness of his body could already be seen. Although the imperial doctor who was called afterwards kept his mouth shut, and claimed that he was suffering from a cold and a minor illness, there were rumors in private that Qianyuanji was afraid that he would not survive this winter.

This news has added fuel to the fire of the recent increasingly fierce battle for succession.

The next day, the mansion of the fifth prince Qian Minghao released a rumor, and the concubine of the fifth prince two months ago Xinna's side concubine was happy, and after the imperial doctor's diagnosis, he thought it was likely to be a boy!

At this time, this kind of news came out, and the shock to the eldest prince Qian Mingde can be imagined. He already knew the old emperor's thoughts, and he also knew that if he hadn't happened to have a son last year and became the eldest grandson of Qianyuanji, he was afraid that the old prince would have to do it at that time. In a certain way, this eldest grandson of the emperor is his talisman and may even determine his future fate. At this critical juncture, the five princes also came with good news.

If the biggest competitor also has a son, it is hard to guarantee that the old emperor will not make up his mind again!

And this time, everyone knows that there will be no more repetitions, and there is really not much time left for the old emperor.

"We must find out whether the news on the Five Princes' Mansion is true or false!"

With Qian Mingde's order, the power of the eldest prince and the power of the Song family desperately began to explore the truth. Not only did he try his best to install people in the Five Princes' Mansion, but he also monitored them 24 hours a day, and at the same time contacted the maids who might have come into contact with the inner courtyard of the Five Princes' Mansion and the imperial doctor who made the diagnosis.

If it can be proven that the message is fake, it is naturally the best; If it is true, Qian Mingde has to prepare in advance to prevent accidents!

However, since the five princes dared to order someone to let out the news, they were naturally well prepared. Not only was the news of the inner courtyard strictly blocked, but the imperial doctor invited was also related to the Di family. In the case of countless eyes staring, the eldest prince did not dare to mess around, and could only make some guesses based on the fragmentary news collected from all sides.

When it comes to the throne, it's not enough to just guess.

The eldest prince Qian Mingde ordered people to step up efforts to win over the courtiers and try to infiltrate the city guards, and at the same time ordered the Song family in Yanyun County to step up preparations. In addition, Qian Mingde also sent a special envoy to Dengzhou secretly.

Prior to this, although he sent several contacts with Chen Wu, and the two sides also made many secret transactions on grain, iron ore, and war horses, but this kind of transaction was only limited to a relatively broad cooperation, and both sides took what they needed. But this time, Qian Mingde's personal envoy came with a different idea.

He really came with the purpose of forming an alliance.

The resources of Zhongzhou, the two princes have almost divided it after years of fighting. Although there are still a lot of neutrals left, as long as the old emperor does not fall for a day, they will not make a clear statement, so even if they win over, it will be embarrassing and useless. As for the family, behind the eldest prince is the Song family, and the fifth prince is the Di family, and no one on either side is bad. Looking at the empire, it seems that the only force that has enough ability to participate and dare to unscrupulously participate in the battle for succession is Songjiang.

Chen Wu, who started as a rebel, has a strong enough military force and territory. In recent years, although there has been no further progress, the relationship with the Lin family has not been broken. From a geographical point of view, Yanyun County in the north is only separated from Songjiang by a Yuanshan County.

If it is really a last resort, if the eldest prince wants to raise troops, he must win the support of the Songjiang army!

Because the other party's trip needed to be kept strictly confidential, Chen Wu did not hold a decent welcome reception, but met the other party in the study after the dinner.

To be honest, this is not the first time Song Fugui has dealt with the Songjiang Army. Prior to this, most of the iron ore and grain transactions between the two parties were presided over by Song Fugui. It is precisely in consideration of this relationship that this time the eldest prince and the Song family will let Song Fugui go out again.

"Your Royal Highness, ask me to convey his kindness to you! I hope that the cooperation and friendship between the two families will continue. ”

Complimenting Chen Wu like this, Song Fugui pulled out the gift list from his sleeve. In addition to some rare jewelry and jade, there are also 200,000 catties of iron ore. Obviously, the Song family still doesn't know about the Asahikawa Iron Mine, but this gift is still quite valuable.

"Since it is the intention of His Royal Highness the Great Prince, I will be disrespectful."

Although the Asahikawa iron ore reserves were huge, the naval fleet of the Matsue Army was involved in Northern Luzon, and the number of ships that could be assigned to the Asahikawa domain was limited. What's more, don't be a fool for the iron ore given for nothing.

Seeing the satisfied look on Chen Wu's face, Song Fugui felt a lot more at ease. After all, the party struggle in the court of Zhongzhou has become more and more obvious recently, and the old emperor Qianyuanji fainted in front of hundreds of civil and military officials at the court meeting, and the news is really impossible to hide. In this case, when he came to visit, the governor of the three counties could guess his intentions as long as he was not a fool.

Accepting this gift list and showing kindness is undoubtedly a good start.

Next, after casually telling Chen Wu about some business dealings between the Song family and Songjiang, seeing that the time was almost up, Song Fugui changed his words and mentioned Zhengzhì: "There has been a big incident in Zhongzhou recently, I don't know if Governor Chen has heard of it?" ”

It's time to come or it's coming!

Chen Wu's heart moved, but his face deliberately made a puzzled look, and said, "Recently, this governor has been busy with government affairs, but he really hasn't paid attention to Zhongzhou affairs. Dare to ask, what's the big deal? ”

Seeing that Chen was stupid, Song Fugui inevitably had some complaints in his heart. He knew very well that even if Songjiang did not spy in Zhongzhou for such a serious matter, the Lin family would give news. But knowing this, he still had respect on his face, pretended not to see it, and described the old emperor's fainting vividly.

"Is that so?"

Chen Wu's face was a little uneasy, as if he was very worried about the old emperor's body.

"After all, the saint is old, and the so-called life is rare for seventy years...... Moreover, according to the imperial physician who treated the saint, the saint may not survive this winter. When this kind of thing happened, the eldest prince was also very sad in his heart. But now that there are strong enemies outside the empire, and there is no peace inside, the situation is very critical, and it is really not a sad time. What if the Holy One really controls the Dragon Bintian and does not designate a successor? ”

Song Fugui also had a worried face, as if this world was not from the Qian's family, but from his Song Fugui's.

"Listening to you say this, the empire is indeed worrisome." Chen Wu looked suddenly aware of it, and followed Song Fugui's words: "The princes of the court and the central government should share some more government affairs for His Majesty, so that His Majesty can recuperate and recuperate...... It is even more important to do your best! ”

"Your Excellency the Governor said yes."

Song Fugui nodded emphatically and said, "Since ancient times, it has been said that the country cannot be without a king for a day, if it is true...... Who does the Governor think would be the best person to be the fifteenth emperor of the empire? ”

"This is a family affair, and it is not appropriate for a minister to speak falsely." Chen Wu said this, not forgetting to count casually: "The eldest prince and the fifth prince, of course, are the first choice. In addition, there are several little princes, or younger brothers Fu Wang. If you really can't do it, there are ......"

Seeing that Chen Wu had said all the number of people in the royal family, Song Fugui's face was a little dark.

He knew that if he didn't take the initiative to speak, the other party was going to keep sliding like this. However, with the identity and strength of the other party, there is this kind of capital to take the big and wait for the price to sell. In desperation, Song Fugui sighed and said, "Although there are many candidates, the truly capable and famous ones are none other than the eldest prince and the fifth prince." I don't know, what does the governor think of the eldest prince? ”

In the study, there was a sudden silence.

Chen Wu didn't open his mouth to object, but he didn't mean to express his support, it seemed that he was groaning, but he was waiting for the Song family and the eldest prince to make an offer!

If you want Chen Wu to open his mouth to express his position, it will have to pay a price.

Seeing this, Song Fugui also knew that he had to come up with something, and said: "If my lord can ascend the throne, he can give the governor a different surname king, and the title can be decided by the governor himself, and the hereditary town guards the southeast!" ”

Although Chen Wu has now gained a firm foothold in the three southeastern counties and completely turned them into his own forces, legally speaking, Chen Wu is still actually only a governor of Songjiang. It was just that he was temporarily in charge of Tiannan as an envoy to Tiannan, and at the invitation of the governor of Ninghai, he sent troops across the border to help prevent the pirates. If needed, the center can take back the two counties with an edict at any time Of course, whether Chen Wu will listen to it is another matter.

However, the promise of the Great Prince will change this situation. It is equivalent to legally recognizing Chen Wu's rule over the three southeastern counties, and he has been promoted from the current governor to the level of a prince.

Since the first generation of the Qianyuan Empire, there has been no new king with a different surname in the past three hundred years.

If Chen Wu agrees, he is very likely to become the first king with a different surname in the center!

It sounded majestic, but Chen Wu's eyes flashed, and he was not moved by it at all. Is the name of a prince useful? There must be! Even if it's just a name, it's not worthless. But this King of Songjiang, Chen Wu has enough strength to dare to be self-proclaimed. As for the legal rule of the three counties, there is no need for it, Chen Wu's more than 100,000 troops are here, Daqingguan in the north and Nanfeng Fortress in the south, who can fight in?

The eldest prince's move is tantamount to taking what Chen Wu already has in possession and giving it to him again, in exchange for Chen Wu's promise to support him empty-handed!

Don't even think about such a good thing.

After Song Fugui finished speaking, he saw that Chen Wu still thought deeply as if he hadn't heard it, knowing that the conditions had not impressed Chen Wu, he couldn't help but be a little annoyed, and a little shocked by Chen Wu's appetite.

However, before coming, the eldest prince had already told the other party the bottom line. The feudal king and the hereditary town guarding the southeast are just the chess pieces thrown out of the temptation. Since he couldn't impress the other party, Song Fugui spoke again and asked what Chen Wu wanted.

As a qualified negotiator, Song Fugui certainly wouldn't throw out the bottom line he could come up with at the beginning!