Lord: I have a Mount & Blade panel.

Richard nodded slightly, indicating that there was no need to worry.

Inwardly, I couldn't help but complain: they were so awesome before, but now they're saying they can't do it.

However, Richard also knew that what the prince had said earlier was just empty talk and empty promises.

However, he didn't stupidly question the other party about why they had previously promised to provide him with soldiers, but now they were going back on their word.

Even if the other side did provide soldiers, Richard couldn't possibly run back to face 800,000 rebels to save his biological father whom he had never met.

Instead, they would turn around and curse a bunch of idiots, then immediately run to Gaoyabao.

"The rebellion in the Western and Southern provinces is quite large. The reinforcements from the Northern provinces that your father relied on have yet to arrive, and the other duke in my Eastern province, besides myself, is wavering." Anduin, with his arms crossed and resting on the desk, looked at the young boy from the Augustus family before him. "While the Rommel family is quite powerful, I'm afraid they are still insufficient to resist two dukes who each control two provinces. Don't you agree?"

"That's absolutely right," Richard had to admit.

Regardless of Anduin's true intentions, what he said was quite true.

This is why, even if the other party provides him with soldiers, he would still call them an idiot.

In this battle for the throne, the scales of victory have tipped far in favor of the rebels. If reinforcements from the northern provinces arrive, the balance will barely return to equilibrium.

If Anduin's support is added, the balance will tip slightly in favor of the royal family.

But this is contingent on reinforcements from the northern provinces arriving and remaining loyal to their king.

If reinforcements from the northern provinces don't arrive, the eastern provinces will most likely just wait and see.

But the most crucial question is, what if the northern provinces are also observing the situation? Otherwise, it makes no sense why reinforcements have been delayed.

This is a vicious cycle.

So, no matter how much he prayed, Richard already had the answer in his heart.

Prince Anduin was definitely a very cunning old fox. Even though he was the one who turned his back on his promise, he made a story that Richard had no choice but to agree with.

If this were just an ordinary medieval world, Richard wouldn't care about princes or rebels; he would have already stormed Gondor alone, kicked his incompetent biological father off the throne, and donned the imperial robes himself.

Unfortunately, this world has magic, dragons, elves, and dwarves.

Richard's current attributes are not enough for him to single-handedly overthrow the entire world.

Therefore, we have no choice but to compromise with reality.

"I heard you're planning to go to High Cliff Fortress? A wise decision, but I'm afraid it still won't be enough to fend off the rebels' murderous intent after your success, even though you're separated from them by two provinces," Anduin said slowly.

"Uncle Anduin, do you have any brilliant ideas?" Richard asked.

"I don't have any brilliant advice. I only know that two provinces and the Narrow Sea are far from enough to stop the rebels' advance." Anduin shook his head. "Richard, don't blame me. Although you are already half a husband to my daughter, if the rebels take Ganton, the only thing I can do for you is to delay their advance and provide you with some covert assistance."

Anduin looked at the anger gradually rising in the young man's eyes and simply smiled calmly: "Always stand on the side of the victor. This is the motto of the Rommel family, and it is also the creed I uphold."

"Are you saying that the lord of Lionheart City you mentioned earlier, who promised me soldiers, was lying to me?" Richard asked angrily.

At this moment, he was like a furious dragon, but the etiquette of the court restrained him from cursing like a shrew.

Even Sylvie, who had grown up with Richard, couldn't tell that her prince was acting at all.

"Richard, these promises remain valid, but only on the condition that His Majesty the King can hold Gandon."

Seeing Richard finally erupt in anger, Anduin showed no anger at all, but instead smiled: "But if things develop in a bad direction, our marriage alliance will still be valid, but I'm afraid the wedding date between you and Lilia will be postponed. Of course, the Rommel family will still support you secretly."

Hearing this, Richard finally breathed a sigh of relief, which meant that Anduin would not turn against him for the time being.

Neither of them mentioned the principle of mutual dependence, that if the rebels captured Gangdun, they might then capture the Eastern Province.

Because if the rebels do this, they will likely be the first to split within their own ranks.

Regardless of who won the throne in this war, the dukes of the four provinces remained dukes; only Augustus, the soldiers, and the commoners died.

This has always been the case.

"I only believe in support that I can see and deliver on," Richard said angrily. "Uncle Anduin, show me your sincerity."

"If Ganden falls, lend me ten thousand elite soldiers! Provide me with the supplies I need, and I'll return them all to you once I've established a foothold!"

"You can't expect me to lead a dozen or so mediocre soldiers to fight the rebels at Gaoyabao by myself, can you?"

Richard was simply asking for an exorbitant amount.

This surprised even Prince Anduin.

Seeing Anduin's somewhat awkward expression, Richard countered, "Uncle Anduin, are you afraid I won't pay you back?"

Seemingly realizing that his request was indeed a bit excessive, Richard's tone softened.

"Uncle Anduin, you've really misjudged me. Do I look like that kind of person? If I borrow something and don't return it, what's the difference between me and an animal?"

Anduin simply looked at Richard, smiling without saying a word.

That expression seemed to say, "You don't look like it, you are."

Richard was quite angry. He stood up abruptly and shouted righteously, "Uncle Anduin, you can insult me... no, you can neither insult my body nor my character!"

Inwardly, he cursed the old man for his accurate judgment of people.

"Just give me a word, will you lend it or not?" Richard stared at the handsome middle-aged man in front of him. The man's tuxedo was embroidered with many beautiful fire foxes, which made him look even more elegant.

"No, I won't lend it to you." Anduin pinched the cup in front of him with his fingers, took a sip of tea, and even had the leisure to say, "Richard, have a sip first to soothe your throat, so you don't get too sore."

Richard remained silent, his head bowed.

"Don't be angry, let me tell you another wise saying—'If you don't have troops in your command, you can't even fart properly.'"

Anduin said again, "I cannot lend you soldiers, but I am willing to support you with five thousand gold coins."

"You can use these gold coins to recruit soldiers or buy weapons; I don't care how you spend them."

Five thousand gold coins?

To be honest, Richard was tempted.

Just verbally agreeing to a marriage alliance can earn you five thousand gold coins in support. Why not give him more of this kind of deal!