"Agent~!" Lorraine looked at Beren's sparse head and couldn't help but secretly thought: This is a high-quality talent. How could his cheap father-in-law be so kind and send such a talent here.
"I was injured in an operation last year and retired from the army. The Grand Duke knew that the Young Master was short of people and the salary was good, so he asked me to come over." Belen seemed to have noticed Lorraine's attitude.
Doubtful, he smiled first and then explained softly.
Lorraine nodded and said: "Captain Belen has worked hard, please keep up the hard work."
Beren performed a military salute and said: "Please rest assured, sir."
After saying that, he bowed to everyone, then turned around and walked out.
Lorraine still didn't know. In the past, according to common sense, Catherine should return to Constantinople, where she would sit in charge of the ten eastern provinces, help the Grand Duke handle the government affairs that caused him headaches, and solve his problems. But now she was afraid of it.
Adele was fascinated by Lorraine, but she followed Lorraine here.
Although she has never relaxed about the management of the eastern provinces. But when the father saw this situation, he was inevitably not angry and disliked that hateful pretty boy.
Therefore, Grand Duke Julius was not polite to his cheap son-in-law at all, and had completely regarded Lorraine as a place for his veterans who needed to take care of and retire.
When Beren left, Catherine couldn't hold it in any longer. She slapped the table, raised her eyebrows in anger, and said sternly: "Run away~! You really have the ability to think of this trick. A nationwide order was issued, and a huge reward was offered.
No matter life or death, let me see who else dares to defect~!"
Beren listened nearby and quickly agreed.
Catherine lost her temper for a while, and then said: "By the way, Lorraine, those criminals in the back are easy to deal with..."
As she spoke, she pointed to the yard behind where slave traders and checkpoint officers were imprisoned, and then said: "But you have already thought about how to deal with those local officials who don't listen to you."
Lorraine gently patted Catherine's shoulder, indicating her to relax, and then said: "This is simple, we hold a study class, let them all come to receive training, and then take the exam to take the job."
Lorraine raised her head and laughed loudly, thinking to herself: I can't kill you if you play with me. Just wait for me to torment you to death.
Leo stood outside the door, watching the gold that he had worked so hard to...well, earn, be "confiscated" by Catherine lightly, and then go away from him, he was very sad for a long time.
Finally, he wiped his mouth, and thought inwardly: Oh, forget it~! The old ones won't go, and the new ones won't come. Now that I haven't made much money, I have to continue to flatter Nicole, hoping that she will be in a better mood.
Okay, lower my tax by one or two points to make up for my injured young heart...
He rushed back to the house and happened to see Lorraine smiling like a villain. His eyes immediately lit up, he clapped his hands and said happily: "Is there another way to get rich? Tell me, boss, who are we going to trick?"
"All officials of Naian Province," Lorraine said.
Leo, who was still a little disappointed at first, suddenly became excited. His big eyes were shining, and he sighed as if he was talking to himself: "This is a big deal~!"
When Lorraine first received the appointment of the governor, he had seriously considered the possibility of implementing a civil service examination system in Nai'an (that is, we have used the imperial examination for a thousand years, and the British learned the most valuable things from us.
ability.)
However, the conclusion of the final deduction is very simple, that is - it is absolutely impossible.
In this era, those who can read or write poems are all nobles with money and leisure. The common people are so tired that they are almost vomiting blood just from working. They don't have the time of the demons.
Make this something that is not suitable for eating or drinking.
If the examination is really held, within three terms, the entire Nai'an government from top to bottom will be made up of children of local noble families.
The current superior recommendation system can also artificially control the infiltration of local nobles into the officialdom. For example, among the current governor-general, auxiliary officers and city lords of Lorraine, none of them are powerful local nobles.
According to Nai'an's current situation, once examinations are used, more than 70% of those who can be hired are nobles. If Lorraine does this, he will be asking for trouble.
While it was still dark, Lorraine ordered the more than 100 guards stationed here and the 300 tax collectors to assemble.
This small courtyard was packed with people, and in the front row were soldiers from the Imperial Guard.
After receiving intensive training from Lorraine, they now serve as temporary police officers. Their job all day long is to pry the mouths of newly captured prisoners with pepper water in their left hand and a tiger stool in their right hand.
Behind the Guards are the tax collectors who have been in the limelight in recent days. They have made great achievements by following Lorraine, and the Governor of Lorraine has promoted them and made them rich. Everyone's morale is extremely high, and they can't wait to do it again.
action.
Let the local nobles take a good look at the majesty of the tax collectors. Don't just blow your beards and stare, or cry about poverty all day long, dragging your feet and resisting, just not paying taxes~!
Lorraine looked at the excitement of everyone in front of him and nodded with satisfaction, thinking: Not bad, morale can be used~!
Leo jumped out from behind Lorraine and shouted first: "Hello, brothers!"
"Hello, Your Highness." The soldiers of the Imperial Guard stamped their feet in unison, and then roared with all their strength.
The tax collectors behind had never experienced such a scene, and they were all startled.
But I saw Leo's little head twitching a little, then waving his little hand, making a great man's military parade, and then said: "Brothers, thank you for your hard work~!"
"To serve the empire." Another loud roar made Lorraine's ears buzz and he almost went numb.
Leo put his hands on his waist, laughed with satisfaction, then pointed at the Guards and said to Lorraine: "How is my training? Are you brave enough?"
Lorraine curled her lips, looked at Leo's proud look and said with a smile: "Very good, very powerful."
Leaving Leo alone and intoxicated, Lorraine's eyes calmly swept over everyone's faces one by one.
Under his gaze, everyone involuntarily puffed up their chests to give the boss a good impression.
After reading it, Lorraine said: "Thank you for your hard work."
The tax collectors had no one to teach them, so they all stamped their feet along with the guards and shouted loudly: "Serve the empire."
Lorraine twitched her lips and then said: "I am very satisfied with everyone's performance in the past few days. I see your hard work in my eyes and take credit for it in my heart. However, we have made achievements and cannot be complacent. Next
We must continue our efforts to completely eradicate the evil slave trade in Naian.
But our task is still very arduous. We have just captured nearly a hundred criminals. They are all participants in the Naian slave trade. Our next task is to interrogate these criminals with all our strength. We must dig deep and wide, not only their trafficking
The crimes of slaves must be revealed.
While interrogating them, we must explain our policy clearly to them, which is 'lenity for those who confess, severity for those who resist'. If they are guilty and have meritorious service, they will go home to celebrate the New Year. Oh, by the way, take that demon with you and let him speak out for those people. As long as
Anyone who can expose other crimes is regarded as meritorious service.
In short, in order to save the suffering people of Nai'an, we must not be lenient. We are using thunderbolt means and practicing the heart of a Bodhisattva. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." The person below then shouted at the top of his lungs.
Leo quietly pulled on his clothes and asked, "Boss, who is the Bodhisattva?"
"A goddess is the one who says, 'Ask God rather than yourself.'"
Leo was stunned for a moment, thought about it carefully, then nodded and praised loudly, "This god is a sensible person~!"
Lorraine is preparing to play the same old dog-eat-dog method. Officials from so many places have been arrested, so of course they must make good use of it.
Although this time the attack was not widespread, both Lorraine and Catherine knew that few of these local officials were clean. Such a large slave trade was right under their noses. How could they really not know about it? Even though
If it is true, then they will be charged with "neglect of duty", but the crime is not serious, so there is no need to deal with them seriously.
The next day, the conference room of the Governor's Mansion was filled with officials attending the regular meeting on time.
Although Lorraine hasn't arrived yet, everyone no longer gathers together to chat and chat like they usually do. They all stay in their seats with their heads down in a daze, and glance at them from time to time.
Take a look at the two empty seats.
As we all know, a big event happened in Nadel City last night. The deputy public works officer in charge of the construction of highways in Naian Province, and the deputy financial officer in charge of Naian Bank and gold circulation were arrested by Luo Zedong for being involved in the slave trade.
Governor Lin was arrested.
Now in the streets of Nadel, nobles, businessmen, soldiers, and common people are all talking about one thing.
Out of natural class hatred, ordinary people applauded this incident and complained about why the Governor of Lorraine didn't arrest all the high-ranking officials in Naian, so that everyone's life would be easier.
Due to the good publicity of the Nai'an Salt Company, the people of Nai'an now know that they can eat cheap salt and be assured of salt. This is all the credit of our Governor of Lorraine and Mr. Leo. Of course, the greater credit is
Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine has been in overall command.
Our governor and young prince not only fought a tragic battle with those black-hearted salt merchants, but also spent their own personal money for the sake of the people of Nai'an. Oh, and Miss Vera, who rescued the poor, also spent money.
Yes, subsidies will be provided to the people of Nai'an.
A large group of experts and professors swore in public and announced that they had accurately calculated that for every pound of salt that the people of Naian bought, the Governor of Lorraine would have to pay ten copper plates from his own pocket.
What a noble, selfless and great act of serving the public!
The majority of Naian people have expressed that we want to build a shrine and erect a longevity tablet for the Governor of Lorraine...
After our Governor of Lorraine heard this, he immediately smashed a table in a humble manner, pointed at the nose of the propagandist and yelled: Where did your grandson find these idiot experts who are heartless? Are you praising me or scolding me?
Only Wei Zhongxian, that dead eunuch, allowed people to build a shrine and erect a memorial tablet to immortality~!
Although there are voices of discord among the people, no matter what, when you think about it, if there is no Governor of Lorraine, the salt we buy will be at least ten coppers more expensive. The people of Nai'an feel for the Governor of Lorraine from the bottom of their hearts.
of respect.
At this time, the officials in Naider City exclaimed in unison: Finally, the top officials were caught~! This frightening purge storm is probably over.
In recent days, Lorraine suddenly arrested a large number of local officials and local garrison officers in Nai An Province. These people were shocked, especially when the Royal Guards roared past their door.
There is some panic.
It was not until they knew that this time they were arresting officials involved in the slave trade incident that they breathed a sigh of relief. Once they knew that they were not involved, their gossip souls burned brightly, especially when they saw those who were constantly being dismissed.
Or his colleagues and superiors.
Everyone is very happy. Maybe it will be their turn to take the vacant position tomorrow.
After seeing more and more officials being arrested, and the arrested people having higher and higher positions, as members of the government, these people will guess: Who will be arrested the most?
It was not until the people at the meeting table of the two governors were arrested that these people sighed with unfulfilled feelings: We are finally here.
The nobles were more frightened. Together with the news of the arrest of two senior officials, it was revealed that Baron Rathmore was the boss behind the slave trade, and his family had been taken care of by Lorraine. Now Rathmore
All the baron's properties have been seized. It seems that if he is submitted to the Heraldry Council for questioning on this charge, he will be deposed soon.
Coupled with the ferocity and ruthlessness with which Lorraine attacks the salt merchants and the bosses behind the scenes, the current evaluation of Lorraine by Nai'an dignitaries is: This gangster must have passed the Level 4 and Level 6 exams, he is so powerful. We are really
We can't afford to offend him. But we can always afford to hide.
If this group of people knew that the arrest of the slave traders this time was also because they beat the salt traders so badly that Leed, who couldn't bear it, ran to betray them, I don't know what the group of salt traders behind the scenes would do.
think.
However, the officials sitting in front of the table in the meeting room of the Government House, which symbolized the management of Naian's power, felt bitter in their hearts.
The person who sat at the same table with him every day was suddenly arrested, and what was waiting for them was probably a noose. It was impossible for these people who are still sitting here to say that they are not afraid. When they think of this
This kind of thing might happen to them one day. When these people looked at the chair on the main seat, they were already filled with fear.
Lorraine appeared in the conference room on time, sat down in her seat, and took a sip of hot tea as usual. When she looked up, she found that her subordinates were all staring at her blankly.
Luo Linqi asked: "What's the matter?"
These officials shook their heads in panic and said, "No, no."
Angus saw that no one else had any intention of speaking, and sighed in his heart. This situation could only be handled by him, the butler.
Angus nodded to Lorraine and said: "Sir, the positions of Deputy Public Works Officer and Deputy Financial Officer are vacant. Please give me your instructions on how to deal with these two positions."
Lorraine snorted and asked: "Mr. Sexton, Mr. Osho, do you have any suggestions? After all, those two people are your deputies."
The Public Works Officer and the Financial Officer shuddered and wondered, "Is the Governor implying that I am also responsible?"
The two people were stunned for a while, hesitating and speechless.
Lorraine said: "Just say what you are told."
Finance Officer Osho looked at this for a while and said hesitantly: "I..."
Works Officer Sexton thought for a few seconds, looked at Osho's beginning, and quickly grabbed the topic and said, "It's up to your Majesty's arrangement."
Osho also quickly changed his words and said: "Yes, I will follow your arrangements."
"Oh," Lorraine said, "Then let it be empty for now and wait until I find a suitable candidate."
"yes."
Lorraine pondered for a moment and then said: "I have said before that since everyone is sitting at the same table, some things can be discussed. You can act like a secretary, take care of your brother-in-law, and drive away some people you don't like.
Some people, or if they did something wrong, and those people below tried to make money in my name, I would just turn a blind eye and close my eyes. At most, I would be fined three drinks.
But when it comes to matters of principle, what I want to say is that I will never tolerate it. I once gave them a chance, and as long as I drew a clear line with those people when I was managing the female slaves, I will not hold them accountable until now.
However, it is a pity that I will solemnly tell you my bottom line here. First, I have the final say on my territory. Second, don’t take money that you shouldn’t take.
I believe it is not easy for you to be on this table. I am in this position today because of some copycats and Almohad people. Don’t ruin your future for money. You can’t make enough money.
But there’s only one.”
After Lorraine's words, all the officials below were stunned. Lorraine threw all these unspoken rules on the table. Instead, these people were at a loss and looked at each other, not knowing what to say.
Angus had a straight face on the surface, but he kept smiling bitterly in his heart, thinking: A governor with such a strong backing dares to say such things, and he doesn’t have so many scruples when doing things.
For months, I shaved Nai'an's prickly heads again and again. Look at the people who used to dance the most happily, aren't they all wilted now?
Lorraine raised her voice and said, "Do you all understand?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Understood."
"..."
"Very good," Lorraine nodded and said, "Then let's get down to business. The situation in Naian is very bad. This is my feeling. There are garrisons within a hundred miles of Nadel City who dare to openly mutiny and besiege.
The envoy I sent. What's more, in this arrest operation, I detained twenty-two officers above the squadron leader alone."
General Larry quickly apologized and said: "My subordinate neglected his duty."
Lorraine waved his hand and said, "I don't blame you. Even if you go down to investigate local forces like these, you won't be able to find anything. In order to end this situation, I will order all officers at the level of squadron leader or above to assemble in Naian."
To West Point at Nieder..."
He looked at everyone's puzzled looks and couldn't help but cough lightly and explained: "Well, it's the professional military academy I just established. It issues university diplomas that are universal across the country."