"To reply to Duke Duncan, this marriage between the two families is not only the intention of me, my adoptive father, but also the entire Montgomery Palace." Mark Montgomery said with a smile.

"According to the default rules, the direct descendants of the royal family cannot marry each other. Have you forgotten?" Duke Duncan said lightly.

"Stick to the old ways, it's not good for development."

Mark Montgomery shook his head and smiled: "Now Dragonmarsh is in trouble, with constant internal and external troubles, and I heard that the emperor is not in good health and intends to abdicate in advance. I believe that Stonia will soon be in turmoil.

By then, whether it is the four major royal families, the eight major wealthy families, or other forces, they will be involved in this vortex.

So I hope that before that, the Montgomery Palace and the Duncan family can form an alliance through marriage and tide over the difficulties together."

Hearing this, Duke Duncan still looked calm and said: "It is normal for the emperor to establish a crown prince, so how can there be turmoil? As ministers, we just need to do our part, and don't worry too much about the rest."

"Duke Duncan, there is something wrong with what you said."

Before Mark Montgomery opened his mouth, Wuchang Montgomery, who was watching from the sidelines, could no longer listen. He frowned and said, "In all dynasties, every time there was a dispute over the crown prince, there would be a bloody storm. You have been an official in the court for so many years, you wouldn't even understand this truth, right? Or are you deliberately pretending to be crazy and stupid?"

"Master Wuchang, since it has come to this, I will tell you openly."

Duke Duncan remained unmoved: "Our Duncan family is weak and does not want to wade into this muddy water, let alone participate in any dispute over the succession. Our Duncan family has always been a neutral party and will never favor anyone. This is the attitude of the Duncan family."

He naturally understood the intention of the Montgomery Palace, first forming an alliance through marriage to bring together all the major forces.

Then support a certain prince to take the throne.

In this way, after the new emperor ascends the throne, the status of the Montgomery Palace will be further improved.

To put it bluntly, it is all about power.

"Duke Duncan, don't blame me for speaking frankly. If the Duncan family is just a third-rate force, no one will care."

Mark Montgomery's expression became serious: "But the problem is that the Duncan family is one of the four royal families, and you are a Duke, with a high position and power. Under such a premise, it is really difficult for the Duncan family to protect itself and not be involved in the storm.

Now, there are only two ways for the Duncan family.

First, stand in line in advance and support the new emperor to ascend the throne. In this way, even if you are a minister of the dragon, the Duncan family will prosper for the next hundred years.

Second, try to stay out of it, which will not please many parties, and finally end up losing both the wife and the army.

You are a smart person, you should know that what I said is true.

No new emperor can tolerate a minister who is in a high position and power and is not under control."

Hearing this, Duke Duncan suddenly fell silent.

He has to admit that Mark Montgomery's words make sense.

If he was just a lone minister, it would be fine, but he has the entire Duncan family behind him.

With the power and influence of the Duncan family, it is a hot commodity that all the princes are fighting for, and it is difficult to stay out of it.

If they don't stand on the side, they may be used as cannon fodder.

When the new emperor ascends the throne, the Duncan family will soon be replaced by a new force.

Once the Duncan family is weak, enemies from all sides will flock to it.

It doesn't even require the emperor to take action, those ambitious people will swallow up the Duncan family to the point where no bones are left.

But on the other hand, if they choose to take sides, even if it is a good thing, they can ensure that the Duncan family will prosper for a hundred years.

If he fails, his family will be destroyed overnight!

So now, he doesn't know what to choose.

The stakes are high, and if he makes one wrong move, everything will be lost.

"I have to think carefully about this matter. I can't give an answer to Prince Montgomery's Mansion for the time being."

Duke Duncan spoke again.

The stakes were so high that if he made the wrong move, he would lose everything, so he had to be cautious.

"I can understand, after all, this is not a trivial matter, but I hope Duke Duncan can make a decision as soon as possible." Mark Montgomery smiled slightly.

"Duke Duncan, your family is not the only one who wants to marry into our Prince Montgomery's Mansion. Don't even think about waiting for a price. Time waits for no one. There are not many opportunities left for you, the Duncan family, to choose." Wuchang Montgomery said calmly.

“Duke Duncan, please think about it carefully and we won't disturb you. We’ll take our leave."

Mark Montgomery stood up and bowed, then slowly left with a few people.

As soon as the people from Prince Montgomery's Mansion left, the three brothers of the Duncan family couldn't bear it anymore.

"Dad, this Prince Montgomery is so arrogant. He actually dares to threaten us. It's so bullying!" Zhengjun Duncan had a gloomy face and looked very unhappy.

With a military background, he has a relatively hot temper. If he hadn't had any scruples, he would have had a fit just now.

"Although Prince Montgomery's style of conduct is not very particular, what they just said is not unreasonable. The battle between the crown prince has always been a national event. With the current status of the Duncan family, it is too difficult to be alone." Guofei Duncan shook his head.

Although he is a businessman, he also understands the affairs of the court. It is impossible not to go through the muddy waters now.

"Dad, what do you think?" Kangjian Duncan asked tentatively.

"I have a headache!" Duke Duncan rubbed his temples and sighed softly.

It was a matter of life and death for the Duncan family. No matter how courageous he was, he would not dare to make a decision easily.

"Dad, since it is unavoidable, then we might as well choose the prince who has the best chance of ascending the throne to support him." Guofei Duncan suggested.

"Among the many princes, the eldest prince, the second prince, and the third prince are the most promising to ascend to the throne."

Kangjian Duncan began to analyze carefully: "Normally, the eldest prince Li Wenxing should be chosen. He is both the direct descendant and the eldest son, so it is natural for him to become the crown prince. Unfortunately, the eldest prince is frail and sick and has a short lifespan, so he is not the most suitable candidate.

As for the second prince Li Guanglong, he has been honed in the military since he was a child. His martial arts value is extremely high and he is highly respected by the soldiers. He is brave enough but has no ability to govern the country.

The third prince, Li Juntang, was both civilized and military, excellent in all aspects, but his biggest shortcoming was that he was headstrong and very jealous. He was not a magnanimous person, and he was still a bit uninterested in being an emperor."

After hearing the analysis, Zhengjun Duncan felt a little headache: "Brother, let's talk about it, who is better to support?"

"You ask me, who should I ask?" Kangjian Duncan said angrily.

If there was a particularly suitable candidate, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty would not have to be so embarrassed.

In the final analysis, the battle for the right to inherit the throne is still unavoidable.

As for who will win in the end, no one can predict. - Ton