I think Rick would win. He's got the smarts and the determination to outwit Negan.
It's hard to say for sure. Negan is strong and brutal, but Rick has shown time and again that he can adapt and overcome. It could really go either way depending on the circumstances.
In my opinion, Negan has the upper hand. His weapon and sheer ruthlessness might give him an advantage. But Rick's leadership skills and strategic thinking could still turn the tables.
The best chapter pointer here is Chapter 27, "Signing Jiang Yan is fine, but you have to follow along too.". It opens with They had spent an entire year gradually inviting a few people. and closes on Yes, I'm sorry." He nervously twisted his hands, "I was impulsive." "It's....
Chapter 785, "Signing with Taiqi", is the clearest early answer because it turns Mr's situation into a concrete plot event.
Chapter 23 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from Although Jiang Li exerted very little strength, Jiang Yan instantly felt... and follows through on However, just as she buried herself in the study, pouring over mysticism....
Chapter 11 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from After a meeting, Shang Shaojing pinched the bridge of his nose, tired, and... and follows through on Miss Qin, please accompany us to the police station to explain this....
A practical answer is Chapter 36, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with But soon, people began to question the authenticity of Jiang Li's bare..., adds pressure through Qi Tianyu, catching the signal, instantly turned to the duo upon entering..., and ends on After.
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 39. Early on, Qi Tianyu had been looking forward to watching Jiang Li's drama unfold.; later, the chapter leans on But to his surprise, Wen Jiaojiao, who seemed to possess some strength,....
Chapter 826, "Deadlock", is the clearest early answer because the violence around Mr becomes final instead of hypothetical. It opens with The Li Family Master had spoken, so Father Yu quickly followed suit... and closes on Yu looked puzzled, "What, you all know this Jiang Li?" Father Yu had....
Chapter 912, "Identical Four Pillars of Destiny?!", is the clearest early answer because it turns Jiang Li's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, But the repeated blows made Wan Huixia's husband lose his confidence....