This is the back garden of the palace of Wu State, Li Ke called the emperor, after a simple renovation of the palace in Xijing, it was upgraded to the palace, although the specifications of this palace are very small, but Li Ke believes that Wu is still in the stage of creation, everywhere needs to spend money, so there is no need to spend too much on the palace, so the whole palace is only on the original basis of the transformation, so that the whole palace has more characteristics of the Central Plains architecture.

"Irina, have you really decided?" In the gazebo of the garden, Offron looked at his daughter and asked solemnly.

Irina didn't answer in a hurry, but skillfully poured out a few tea balls from the tea tube, threw them into the teapot, and then picked up the boiling water in the red clay oven next to her and poured it down, poured out the tea after washing the tea, and poured the boiling water again, then poured a cup of tea for her father and said with a smile: "Father, how about you taste this tea, listen to San Lang, this is a tribute tea from the Tang Dynasty, only royal people can drink it, and it was just delivered yesterday, San Lang said If you like it, take it back and taste it." ”

How can Ofron enjoy tea now? Especially seeing that his daughter didn't answer positively, he was even more anxious, and he couldn't help but speak again: "Irina, you ......"

However, before Offron's words could be spoken, he saw Irina interrupt him with a smile: "Father, I have already decided, this time not only to bring Theodosius to justice, but also to compete for the throne and become the Empress of Rome." ”

"Yes...... But don't you dislike that kind of life of struggle for power the most? Offron asked very puzzled, as a father, he naturally knows his daughter's character best, and it is precisely because of this. He would be even more puzzled by the choice Irina had made.

Irina still had a faint smile on her face and took a sip of tea. I immediately felt fragrant on my lips and teeth, and I couldn't help but secretly praise 'good tea' at the moment. Then he put down the teacup and explained to his father with a smile: "Father don't worry, I am now the first heir to the Roman throne, as long as I can reach Constantinople safely, I will immediately get the support of most of the nobles, it is not difficult to get the throne, and I don't plan to be the Roman emperor all the time." ”

Irina said the end, with a mischievous smile on her face, which made Offron a little dazed for a while. When Irina was a child, every time she was caught taking a nap and shaving her beard with a knife, it was this naughty expression.

Offron was also not stupid, he quickly grasped the key to Irina's words, and said with a shocked face: "Irina, you said that you don't plan to be a Roman emperor all the time, do you want to ......?"

"That's right, that's what I thought!" Irina interrupted her father again. There was a happy smile on his face.

Similarly, in the study in the front hall of the palace, Li Ke and Cen Changqian were also having a conversation about Irina's decision to return to Rome.

"Your Majesty, the reason why Empress Irina chose to return to Rome so unexpectedly. I'm afraid the ultimate reason is because of you! Cen Changqian, who was sitting in the study, sipped the tribute tea and said with a pleasant smile, Li Ke found him today. After telling him about Irina's return to Rome, Cen Changqian almost immediately understood the other party's plan.

After hearing this, Li Ke nodded with a wry smile and said, "That's right." At first, I misunderstood Irina, but then I thought about it carefully. It was discovered that with Irina's character, she should not choose to return to Rome anyway, and the only possibility was that she came up with a somewhat whimsical idea. ”

"No, Your Majesty, you shouldn't use the word 'whimsical' to describe it, on the contrary, in the eyes of your subordinates, Empress Irina's idea has a lot of feasibility." Cen Changqian looked a little excited at this time and said, if Irina really did that, then it would undoubtedly be a huge leap in strength for their Wu Kingdom.

Before Li Ke could ask anything, Cen Changqian said excitedly again: "First of all, after the death of Constans II, according to Roman law, Irina became the first heir to the throne, although Theodosius launched a coup d'état, most of the nobles did not like his violent methods, coupled with the support of that Metan, as long as Irina can return to Constantinople, the throne is almost within reach." ”

"But ......"

When Li Ke heard this, he was embarrassed, and just wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Cen Changqian: "Those who achieve great things are not informal, and the marriage between the two countries has existed since ancient times, let's not talk about the Central Plains for the time being, didn't the Romans officially obtain the rule of Egypt through marriage before?" ”

Hearing that Cen Changqian even moved out of Cleopatra in Roman history, Li Ke was completely speechless. According to Irina's temperament, she should not be interested in the Roman throne, the only possibility is that she wants to win the Roman throne and then marry herself, so that Li Ke will also have the qualifications to inherit the Roman throne, and when Irina will give the throne to him, it is also reasonable, and no one can stop it.

Regarding this, Li Ke has already received confirmation from Offron, Irina may be worried that Li Ke will prevent her from returning to Rome, so she herself did not tell him, and even Li Ke quietly confirmed it to Offron, and now Irina does not know that Li Ke already knows her intentions.

Seeing that Li Ke was still a little hesitant, Cen Changqian thought about it, and immediately understood the concerns in Li Ke's heart, and said with a smile: "Presumably Your Majesty, you are worried about the safety of Empress Irina, although that Theodosius has received our help before, and has been an ally with Empress Irina for a period of time, but this person can bend and stretch, and he is definitely not a soft-hearted person, so he will definitely do something on Queen Irina's way back, and even let the queen die on the way." ”

"That's right, my dignified man, how can I let my beloved woman risk it for me?" Li Ke also sighed at this time and said, Cen Changqian's words did say what he was most worried about.

However, Cen Changqian's face showed a smug smile and said: "Your Majesty don't worry, this problem is actually not difficult to solve, just one person needs to accompany Empress Irina back to Rome." ”

"Who?" Li Ke instinctively asked, but he immediately reacted, who else could the person in Cen Changqian's mouth be besides himself?

As Li Ke, he lent Theodosius a few courages, and he didn't dare to disadvantage himself, so as long as Irina stayed with him every day, there would definitely be no problem in ensuring safety, not to mention that as the emperor of Great Wu, if he went to Rome, he would definitely go with a large number of fleets, and with the strength of their navy, even if they fought head-on with the Roman navy, they could fight their way out.

However, there is also a problem in this, that is, now that Wu has just been established, if Li Ke, as the monarch, leaves rashly, will it have any impact on the country? In case the Goths, who were driven out of the Iberian Peninsula, took the opportunity to attack, then it would definitely be a big test of life and death for the Wu State.

Thinking of this, Li Ke couldn't help but show hesitation on his face, but at this time, Cen Changqian continued: "As for the security of the country, Your Majesty doesn't have to worry, your trip this time will definitely not be kept secret, so we will simply make it public and tell the people in the country directly, let them know what happened in Rome, you left to escort Empress Irina, this will definitely make those Romans grateful, plus the deterrence of the army, at least within half a year, there will definitely be no problems." ”

"As for the Visigoths who were driven to Europe, they wanted to enter the Iberian Peninsula only through the passes at both ends of the Pyrenees, and the passes at the eastern end had already fallen into our hands, and now the city of Jianyang was heavily guarded, and there were also forts built on the mountains on both sides, so there was no need to worry about the Goths' attack. As for the mountain pass at the western end, it is the territory of the Basques, these Basques did not obey the rule of the Goths in the first place, and now after the Goths have been driven away, we have sent emissaries to actively contact them, and we have already made them agree to become our subjects, and forbade the Visigoths to pass through the mountain passes at the western end, so unless the other side attacks from the sea, it will not appear in the Iberian Peninsula at all! ”

Cen Changqian is resourceful, and young, and more adventurous, he knows that Li Ke's departure from Wu now may cause some problems in Wu Guo, but he also knows that if Irina can really become the Empress of Rome, then the benefits will be very huge, at least in his opinion, this risk is worth taking.

Li Ke also knew Cen Changqian's talent, and now that he was looking at his analysis, he was fully prepared in all aspects, which made him very excited. I saw him suddenly stand up, walk back and forth in the study a few times, and finally suddenly gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, since that's the case, then I'll accompany Irina on a trip, and as for domestic affairs, I'll leave it to you and Fang Yi!" ”

"Your Majesty Xie trusts, Weichen will definitely live up to His Majesty's trust, and work together with all the ministers to jointly protect the safety of my Great Wu Jiangshan!" Cen Changqian also looked solemn, and finally thought about it, and once again told very seriously: "But Your Majesty is going to Rome this time, you must also be careful and careful, Theodosius is a very tolerant person, but if he is forced to a corner, he is also likely to let go, so when His Majesty deals with him, he must not move, and if he moves, he must completely pull up the other party, and he must not leave him a chance to turn the tables like Constans II!" ”

"I understand this, in addition, in order to ensure safety, I need to bring a strong army, mainly the navy, you have to discuss this matter with Fang Yi, and try to transfer a few more main warships." Li Ke nodded after hearing this.

Immediately afterwards, Li Ke thought that he still needed to talk to Irina about this matter first, presumably she would be very happy when she knew that she was going to Rome together! (To be continued......)