"I told the newcomer that Your Highness had already taken the lead, bringing two elders of the Yin-Yang School into the Mechanism City. Although we tried our utmost to dissuade you, Your Highness insisted on leading from the front. The Mechanism City is fraught with danger; we can only hope that Your Highness will turn misfortune into good fortune."
"Mm, not bad." Li nodded. Those words left room to advance or retreat. It seemed Gongshu Chou had an even better head on his shoulders than he had imagined.
With that thought, Li's mood improved considerably. Of course, he was not a narrow-minded man. On the contrary, he had always understood how to win people over.
After a light cough, Li said, "When we return to the Empire, I will naturally commend your achievements before Imperial Father. I, Fusu, am not one to claim credit for myself. I have always rewarded merit and punished wrongdoing fairly. You have rendered great service in capturing the Mohist Mechanism City, and you will naturally be rewarded according to your merits upon our return."
Gongshu Chou bent even lower at the waist.
"Your Highness is wise. Gongshu Chou would not dare claim the credit."
"There is no need for false modesty. We are now grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If you handle matters well, I will naturally have face as well." With those words, Li directly turned Gongshu Chou's cooperation with the Empire into an alliance with himself.
The person behind him fell silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you for Your Highness's patronage. The Gongshu Family will remember it well."
Li nodded in satisfaction. Securing the Gongshu Family's support was naturally for the best. Even if something changed in the future, it would be better for them, as a neutral force, to