In the following time, the two sides fell into a meaningless phase of mutual temptation. The reason why the pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info said that it was meaningless was because neither William nor the Lady Mary could extract any useful and meaningful information from the other party's mouth. Negotiations and exchanges between the two men reached an impasse. In this case, William became more aware of how difficult this lady really was.

If every time he negotiated, he was confronted with someone like this lady, or if he took a step back, about the same as this lady—or even a step back, and could reach half of this lady's abilities, then William would feel that his hopes of building the most powerful empire in the world had become very slim.

"Ahh So, where did this guy come from?" William grew more and more curious about the woman. Yes, before this he said that he was not interested in everything she said, and that was based on the premise that this guy wanted to restrain him with affection or secrets.

But if the subject is a different one, then the matter is different.

Whether it's for your teammates or your opponents. William felt that the more he knew, the better.

He even regretted it a little now, saying that he had said those things that prevented the other party from telling secrets a little too soon.

If he had known that this was the case, he could have listened to it for a while. It doesn't matter if the other person will say a lot of things that make people feel angry and uncomfortable.

"But it's too late to say that now. William thought in his heart: "The other party will definitely feel ...... No. ”

William stopped talking for a moment, and then looked at Lady Maria very seriously: "If you can, can you tell me the story you wanted to tell before, and the so-called secret?"

"Didn't you say you're not interested in those?" Sure enough, the other man smiled a little sarcastically, and then asked William rhetorically.

"Ah, yes, it's really not interested in general...... If you want me to admit that I have some form of kinship with you. William said calmly, "But if you're my opponent, then that's a different story. I want to know a little bit more about my opponents. ”

"But the problem is that these words, stories and legends of mine are told to my children. And not my negotiating counterpart. The other party said with a smile.

"Then let's move on. William did not continue on the subject. Because he has feelings. If it continues, then this "lady" will definitely continue to test herself. Or even pressure yourself to admit it, to promise something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

That's it.

......Seeing that William was so uninteresting, the other party seemed to feel very bored, snorted lightly, and then said, "Very good, then let's continue." She said calmly:

"You should understand by now, you should be able to see the situation clearly with your eyes. Today, the de Normandy family has taken the initiative. Today, the entire empire is prostrate at our feet, with the resources of the empire, plus the technology and economic power of Briton. A little integration can make up the most powerful country in the world. Such a state could not be compared with either the Russian-Gothic Empire, nor the Visigothic, nor any other country.

In this case, the hegemony of the human world, the old world, and so to speak, the entire world has irreversibly become the pocket of the Briton Kingdom.

In this case, even if you join forces, you will never be able to pose any threat to the hegemony of the Britons. ”

"If that's the case, then you don't need to sit here calmly and negotiate something with me calmly. William denied: "Yes, if the hegemony of the world is to be regarded as a prize, or as a goal, then there is no doubt that the closest to this goal is the Britons - but this does not mean that the Britons have won." It does not mean that the hegemony of the Britons will not be threatened in any way. ”

"You mean you still have the intention of challenging the Britons?" the other asked, smiling.

"It depends on what the Britons see of us, of the empire, of all the Goths, of the Goths. William replied calmly.

"The so-called Gothic nation is no longer just a historical concept. There is only one historical concept left, and this ancient people has now split into several new peoples who are not very unified in terms of cultural practices and even languages. It is clear that the "Goths" do not want to be seen as a whole: "Even the Ostrogoths and Visigoths, which are closest to each other, are in fact two separate peoples. Not to mention the Lombards, the Asturians, two subspecies of the Goths.

In addition to this, the Goths of the Great Frontier have been divided into a new ethnic group after a long period of division and integration with other ethnic groups in the Great Frontier Region. I think at this point we have to take—"

"—you want to divide the whole Gothic nation," interrupted William.

You are unrealistically trying to recover a lost, lost, and practically non-existent concept. The other party looked at William calmly: "This is ridiculous." ”

"The Gothic nation did not die out. William said word for word: "Whether it is the Ostrogoths, the Visigoths, the Asturians or the Lombards, they are all part of the Gothic people." There is no doubt about that. ”

That's it, two people who seem to have nothing important, but in fact are incomparably important, have a huge disagreement on the first issue.

This Lady Mary was very cunning, or rather terrible, and was ready to divide many new peoples into the body of the ancient Gothic people. At the same time, on the basis of such a "new nation", the entire Ostrogothic empire was completely torn apart.

This was something that William could not accept in any case, and it was the worst possibility he could think of after coming to Westphalia. Now it seems that William also has a talent for crow's beak. The worst possibility, he thought, now seems to be more than just a "possibility".

"You don't have a choice. The other party continued to say calmly: "Even if you oppose it, we will do it." You can think about what happens to Briton. This is not good for Russia, the Gothic Empire, or for yourself. She said:

"In fact, if you get rid of that boring fantasy of yours, things will be a lot better, William. You can be the founder of a new empire. And in the Great Frontier region, the entire empire will become your bag. The Russian-Gothic Empire will become Blitton's most important ally, and the two sides will sign a series of cooperation agreements to formally form an alliance, and Britton's market will continue to open up to you. At the same time, in overseas colonization and seafaring trade, Briton will promise to continue to guarantee your interests.

As long as you acknowledge all this and stand with Breton, then your future is bright, my child. It's all very easy, so easy that you just have to nod your head, but why wouldn't you, even think about it a little?"

"I'm a goth. William said calmly, "I'm still a Gothic emperor." ”

"......" Hearing William say this, the other party shook his head a little helplessly: "In this case, it seems that I can't convince you." ”

"Yes. William nodded.

"In any case, you will completely oppose the agreement with the denial of the dismemberment of the Ostrogothic Empire?"

"Yes. William continued to nod.

"The problem is that it doesn't make sense. The other person said: "Even if you oppose it, this agreement will continue." Even if you declare war on Briton. Your current strength looks strong, but in reality it is...... As long as Briton can, then Briton will naturally destroy you.

Perhaps you think you can pull together a broad coalition against Briton. But I can tell you unequivocally that it's just your delusion. Anyone with a modicum of sanity will understand what to do. All will be on the winner's side. Even your quasi-allies, the Carpathians, and the Lombards.

For the former, I just need to find an emperor for them who can help them. And the latter, I only need two legions, and I can suppress all the voices of resistance. ”

And yet you still haven't. William said calmly, "Because you can't be sure." Because you are afraid of the Russian-Gothic power. ”

"I'm going to be afraid of your power?

If the two sides do go to war, then even if you win in the end, it will surely cause serious damage to the power of Briton. William did not give her a chance to speak next: "Any hegemony is based on its own strength. The war between Briton and the Russian-Gothic Empire would eventually turn into a war of destruction on both sides. Perhaps, it will be us who will be defeated in the end, but what you will win will only be a Pyrrhus-style victory. ”

“...... Well, yes, that's true. Looking at William's expressionless face, the other party reluctantly admitted: "Yes, we do care about this." If the Russian-Gothic Empire really had no fear of going to war with Briton. In the end, it will consume too much national power. The vast majority of the territory of the Russian-Gothic Empire was located in large border areas that were too remote and inhospitable. At present, Briton is not ready to accept and manage these areas. In fact, even in the current Ostrogothic Empire, it would be too difficult to manage them. In this case, we do not want to start a new war. ”

"So, we have to reach a compromise. William said, "I will never admit to the dismemberment of the empire, nor to your efforts to divide the Gothic nation." On this basis, I am willing to acknowledge the hegemony of the Britons. I would even be willing to elect Queen Briton as Emperor of the Empire, even though the laws of the Empire generally stipulate that only men have the right to inherit. But all rules can be changed, aren't they?"