"Left, left! Slow down! Idiot, if you tie it up like this, the carriage will fall apart before the carriage has gone a hundred miles!"
Mader worked hard to direct the servants to carry the luggage, and boxes were piled on the carriage one by one.
The entrance to the Luo Lin family's Earl's Palace, the original imperial capital, was busy. Six sturdy carriages carrying goods were piled with luggage.
After experiencing the coup, the Luo Lin family has completely collapsed. Count Raymond's participation in the coup failed. Most of the people in the family named Luo Lin lost their high-ranking official positions after the coup, and some were even convicted and imprisoned.
However, because of Du Wei's presence, none of the people named Luo Lin were executed.
The territory was taken back and the private army was disbanded. In just three days, the Earl's Mansion will also belong to others.
The frustrated Earl Raymond has sold the Earl's Mansion and decided to return to his hometown of Luolin Plain with his wife and son. On the one hand, this is to withdraw from the circle of the imperial capital, and on the other hand, it is also to publicly express his position.
:I just want to go back to my hometown and be a rich man.
During his many years of officialdom, Count Raymond cannot be without political opponents, so he must be on guard against things that add insult to injury.
Most of the original servants and guards in the house have been dismissed. Count Raymond, who has lost his title, no longer needs to retain such a large number of servants and entourage.
Now there are only ten loyal servants left at home, as well as Captain Alpha and sixty elite guards of the Luo Lin family. Apart from this, the old earl seems to have little strength left.
Ever since Du Wei exchanged his cover with the regent for his father's life, the coup d'état ended and most of the other leaders fell dead, but Count Raymond came back with only one life left. This has already surprised the beautiful countess.
Looking at the mess in the yard, the broken bottles and jars, and the busy servants and guards, Earl Raymond just looked calm. The beautiful countess held Du Wei and cried for a long time, and then she looked at Du Wei.
Under the comfort of Wei's smile, he finally got on the carriage.
And Gabri... Du Wei couldn't help but sigh a little when he thought of this younger brother.
It seems that my brother's attitude towards me is a little strange.
Because just last night, the young Gabri came to Du Wei and asked Du Wei directly: "Can I stay in the imperial capital with you?"
Looking at the childish-looking Gabri, Du Wei sighed: "...No."
"Why?" Gabri clenched his fists. His expression and tone were very excited: "I am from the Luo Lin family. I want to stay in the imperial capital. I want to make contributions here and restore the glory of the family in the future! I don't want to return to my hometown.
Go down there. There is no hope of getting back there..."
Du Wei patted his younger brother: "Just wait two years. In two years, I will take you out. Now is not the time."
After hearing this, Gabri had deep disappointment on his face. He gave his brother a complicated look, then turned around and left silently.
When we set off this morning, Gabri got on the carriage early and didn't even say a word to Duwei.
Du Wei smiled bitterly with a childish expression of anger.
Looking at the servants packing up everything, looking at the empty Earl's Mansion. This is where Du Wei has lived for ten years. He grew up here. He studied, studied magic, and learned astrology in the small building at the back.
technique.
Count Raymond patted him gently behind him, and Du Wei turned around. Count Raymond was wearing a white robe, spotlessly clean, and there was some emotion on his face.
"Ready..." Du Wei looked at his father and smiled bitterly.
"Yes. Ready." Count Raymond pointed to the two broken boxes thrown there in the corner: "Sit down and talk to me for a while. We haven't had a good talk since I was released home.
"
Du Wei nodded, and the father and son, a former earl and a current duke, sat down on two broken boxes in the corner of the yard.
"You still didn't listen to me." Count Raymond said: "It seems that in my memory, you have never listened to my words, including this time. I told you clearly, never try to save my life. But.
You still did it."
Du Wei looked into his father's eyes: "First, you are my father, although objectively speaking, the relationship between us has never been very good. But you are my father, you have raised me for more than ten years. Chapter 2
Two...if you die, my mother and brother will be very sad. As for the third...I am me, and I can't be the pure politician you require now."
Earl Raymond nodded: "Then I should thank you. At least I can come back here and live with your mother and your brother."
The father and son fell into silence again. It seemed that they rarely had anything in common when they were together. Even when Count Raymond was in the prison of the Supervisory Office and Du Wei went to see him, the two only talked about the coup and the situation.
, family and other heavy topics.
Finally, it was Count Raymond who broke the silence: "I heard that the back cover you want is the Province of Desa."
"Yes." Du Wei smiled bitterly: "I can't think of any other place that is more suitable."
"Then, you must know the situation in that place very well." Earl Raymond sighed: "I am very familiar with that place. More than 20 years ago, during the expedition to the northwest, the Desa Province was used as an expeditionary force.
The rear strategic base has been used. That place... is very..."
"What do you want to say? Barbaric? Barren? Or dilapidated?" Du Wei smiled bitterly.
"To be precise, it is wild and barren, and at the same time very shabby." Count Raymond suddenly made a rare joke: "In fact, we were even preparing to lead the alien army out of the desert, preferably to the province of Desa.
If a war breaks out, that place would be a good place to use as a battlefield. Anyway, even if the fight is a mess, the central government of the empire will not feel bad."
"I know everything you said." Du Wei also smiled in a rare moment: "I have looked through a lot of information and maps. The land in Desa Province is barren and there are no minerals. The only thing worthy of praise is its
Geographically, it happens to be close to the northwest corridor of Mount Kilimaro. If the northwest is in turmoil again, then that place will become a battlefield at any time, and it will also be the final route for the attacks of the aliens in the back of the desert."
Earl Raymond nodded, he was relieved, this son still knew his territory very well.
"Then, what I want to remind you is..." Count Raymond took a deep breath: "Based on my many years of experience in the military. According to my estimation, after the war more than 20 years ago, over the years,
, the vitality of the alien races in the northwest should have gradually recovered. And those barbarians will never forget the bloody feud they formed back then. According to my estimation, within ten years at most, the northwest will definitely be in chaos again. By then,
Your territory bears the brunt..."
Du Wei frowned.
How could he not know what his father said? It was just that he had no choice but to choose the worst piece of territory in exchange for his father's life.
Originally, Du Wei wanted to choose the Frozen Forest! But the Frozen Forest still has many benefits, at least it is rich in products!
What is there in the Desa Province? Vast tracts of deserted land! Salt-alkali land! In that place, it is said that the food yield is frighteningly low. Perhaps the best plant growing on the land there is cacti!
The only place that is barely good is the Kilimaro Mountains in the northwest. Unfortunately, the Kilimaro Mountains are not rich in minerals, and the only things that are abundant are stones and trees.
There are a lot of caravans coming and going in that place, but the problem is, there are also a lot of horse thieves in the desert!
"Since you understand all this, I have saved a lot of effort to explain it to you." Earl Raymond looked solemn and said slowly: "My advice to you is: Armed preparedness! From my perspective, within ten years,
There will definitely be another war in the northwest. It will be a test for you. Or it may be an opportunity. Whenever there is a war, mediocre people can only be used as cannon fodder, but outstanding people can also take advantage of the situation.
! Now that the place in the northwest belongs to you, it can be considered that there is a lot to do. I have been in the military all my life. Although I have fallen from power now, I can’t help you much. You even saved my own life. But after all, I was still alive back then.
Young, old, subordinates and colleagues. Favors are still useful."
After saying that, Earl Raymond took out a thin booklet from his arms and handed it to Du Wei. He sighed: "This is the situation of several of my former colleagues in the Northwest Sand Fox Army.
The northwest area has always been unruly and unruly, and the local factions are very strong. Those of us from the Central Military Headquarters are very marginalized there. Several of my former colleagues are not doing well, but with the help of some small areas, we can still
I did it. These are their current official positions, as well as their personalities, temperaments and many other information. In addition, there are several generals of the local garrison who also received some benefits from me back then. Although things have changed now, some people may have turned their backs.
I don’t recognize you anymore, but I hope there are still one or two conscientious people who can open some convenient doors for you for the benefit of the past."
Du Wei accepted the booklet and looked gratefully at his father.
"There is one more thing I want to remind you!" Earl Raymond said solemnly: "That place in the northwest is completely different from here! The people in that place are very strong, and those guys from the Northwest Legion have all grown up in the place.
The warlord's temperament is such that he would dare to draw his sword and kill people at every turn! Those guys are rogue leaders who don't even buy it from the military. Remember my words, even though you are now a Duke, if you go to the northwest
, don’t act like a duke in front of those old warlords in the Northwest Army. Although most of them have far lower titles than you, but... after all, many of them are secretly half-soldiers and half-bandits.
Guy! I dare not deal with you openly, but I will bite you hard secretly." At this point, Earl Raymond looked into Du Wei's eyes: "Did you know? It's not like that place has never been sealed off before.
!At least I know that in the past few decades, that place has been granted to two earls. Those two earls were not weak, but after they went to the northwest... humph..."
Du Wei was concerned: "How is it?"
"The first person was a noble who made his fortune by relying on his family's business strength. After finally getting the land, he put on a noble air in front of the wealthy people of the Northwest Army. As a result, he was killed by the Northwest Army in less than half a year.
It is said that he offended two generals, and as a result, his family was massacred by a group of "horse thieves". We all know what happened. It's just that the little nobleman's backing is not strong, and those in the Northwest Army
This guy has a lot of troops, and the military bosses don't want to offend people too much, so they suppressed military pay for a few months. It was a small punishment, and the matter was over." After a pause, Count Raymond continued.
Said: "The second person has some background. That guy is also an earl. His family background is from the imperial military. His distant uncle is also the deputy commander of the Southern Army. Because of his relationship, he got a hereditary title. Only
But the fiefdom was a little short of that, and it was in the northwest. When that guy first arrived in the northwest, he relied on his military background and refused to buy the account of the Northwest Army. As a result, he was almost killed. But this time the Northwest Army did not
He dared to blatantly kill people, and secretly ordered horse thieves to rob several batches of his family's goods. Although his private army was also an elite force brought from the south, in the northwest, he could only barely protect himself. If something happened, the northwest army would
The bastard didn't send any soldiers, but just waited for him to come and beg. He took the opportunity to beat him a lot. After struggling for two years, the guy realized that he couldn't survive anymore, so he finally asked to withdraw from the fiefdom and returned to the south.
"
Du Wei breathed out.
After all, he only saw things from maps and information. How could an old military man like his father understand it so deeply? From this point of view, those guys in the Northwest Army are really a family of soldiers and bandits, and they are particularly xenophobic.
I'm afraid it won't be easy if I want to take root in the northwest.
After explaining this, Earl Raymond stood up: "That's all I can help you. Although that place is a land of tigers and wolves, Du Wei, I am still very optimistic about you. With your intelligence and ability, you must be there
It should not be difficult to take root in the northwest. What is difficult is how to establish your power. In this world, it is absolutely impossible not to have your own power. Moreover, the war in the northwest is right in front of you. These few years are your precious development period.
You have to clear up your territory within a few years, establish authority, and deeply embed your power in that land. This is the most important test... and if you can't even do this well,
Then it only shows that you are not worthy of the power in your hands, so you might as well go home and become a rich man."
The father and son hugged each other as a farewell.
Du Wei saw his father out and got into the carriage, then waved to his mother in the carriage. Looking at his tearful mother, Du Wei smiled and said: "Mom, I will go to Luolin Plain to visit you in a few days.
.”
Seeing Gabri sitting there glumly again, Du Wei felt moved, walked over, and said with a smile: "Brother, I left a lot of interesting things in my hometown castle. I built a manor behind the castle.
, the 'Forgiveness of the Goddess of Dawn' that I made for my mother's birthday last time, and the flying hot air balloon, all the information is left there. After you go back, you can take a look if you are interested.
"
After a few more words of comfort, the young Gabri's face relaxed. He glanced at Du Wei and said firmly: "Brother, when I grow up, I will come to you!"
On this day, the once-famous Luo Lin family completely left the imperial capital. A long motorcade, a dozen carriages, and hundreds of servants and guards protected the three Count Raymond and headed for their hometown in Luo Lin Plain.
However, what surprised Duwei was that the loyal captain of the guard, Alpha, did not leave with Count Raymond.
"Your Majesty the Earl has an order." Alpha looked at the young master in front of him: "From today on, I am no longer a member of the Luo Lin family. I will be loyal to you, Lord Duke Rudolf."
After sending away his parents and younger brother, Du Wei had no time to feel sad.
He still has many things to deal with. A team must be established immediately in the Xindi Territory.
As the decree was issued, all the officials in the province of Desa had to leave. Du Wei had to organize a group of trusted people to take over the government affairs of the entire province!
No matter how barren or desolate it is, it is a province after all! Local officials, officials, even just a small clerk... all of these require large numbers of manpower to fill!
But what does Du Wei have in his hands?
He does have a few of the top strong men in the mainland. But officials...
After thinking about it again and again, we can't let those pirates become the parent officials of a province in the northwest, right?
Du Wei felt cold sweat when he thought about a group of pirates becoming local officials in the fish and meat village.
Missing people!
Serious shortage of people!
According to convention, the handover of government affairs in such a sealed territory usually takes about three months. But in three months, where can Du Wei find a group of useful officials?
He really wanted to call in the laid-off Luo Lin family from the original Luo Lin Plain, but later found out that he couldn't! Because the Luo Lin family was a convicted family, and together with them the original political officials of the Luo Lin family territory
All of them have been laid off, and all of them have been demoted to civilian status and will never be hired!
He can use some tricks to preserve his father's name, and he can make a fuss about Prince Chen's favor for him, but if he dares to bring those officials from the Luo Lin family to the northwest again... wouldn't he be blatantly in the northwest?
Copying a Luolin Plain? No matter how much Prince Chen looked at him differently, he would never allow it.
After thinking about it, Du Wei suddenly saw the old housekeeper and former groom, Mr. Mader, who was also in a daze next to him.
"Uh... Mad." Du Wei blinked, looked at the loyal old groom, and said with a smile: "It seems that you, the chairman of the Football Association, can't continue to work. Luolin Plain is no longer ours...
But, are you interested in becoming governor of a province again?"
Governor?
Old Marder was so frightened that he almost softened on the spot. He quickly came up and hugged Du Wei's leg. He cried deeply and affectionately: "You must not, young master... Look at me, I don't look like I can be a governor."
ah!"
Du Wei rubbed his temples vigorously: "Oh, where can I find someone? Three months...three months!"
Helping old Mader up, Du Wei looked at the sky and suddenly thought of something: "Mader, what's the date today?"
"June 15th." Seeing that the young master no longer mentioned the governor's affairs, Mader breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Mader is an honest man, he is as simple as a farmer: he is very self-aware, and he understands that he is definitely not destined to be the governor of a province!
If you don't have that kind of luck, you will get retribution if you insist on sitting in that position!
June 15th?
Du Wei's eyes lit up, and he remembered a big thing in his heart, and immediately shouted: "Mader, prepare a horse for me! I want to go out alone!"
After a pause, he asked again: "Is there a Pegasus town northwest of the imperial capital? There is also a place called Prancing Horse Stream?"
Before the sun set, Du Wei rode alone. Riding Juechen, he left the city from the west gate of the imperial capital and headed towards the northwest Acropolis.
Some of the people guarding the city gate recognized the young duke who had become very popular recently. Seeing the anxious look on his face, how could they dare to stop him? He stepped out of the way from a distance.
In his arms was the green magic prop left by old Gandolf. According to Gandolf's suicide note, as long as the moon is full tonight, the magic fireworks are lit in the Prancing Horse Stream... and you can see it.
That person Gandolf asked him to find can be his magic teacher!
The Pegasus Town is not difficult to find. It's just that it took a lot of effort for Du Wei to find the "Prancing Horse Stream". He started asking the locals. They all said they had never heard of this name. Finally,
Du Wei got the news from an old coachman in a horse and carriage shop:
"Prancing Horse Stream? You are talking about the hillside outside the town, right? That place was called Leaping Horse Stream in those days, because it is said that there was a group of magical horses in ancient times that jumped between two peaks. But now,
Few people remember that name. The place is in the northwest of the town. It is easy to find. There are two hillsides with a ditch in the middle! But few people know the legend now. Later, because of the appearance of the two hillsides,
People here gave them a new name."
"Oh, what is that place called now?"
"Brokeback Mountain."
Du Wei: "...my day."
After riding out of the town and heading northwest, Du Wei finally arrived at "Brokeback Mountain" just as the sun was setting.
Watching the night fall, Duwei rode his horse into a forest, and then walked into a ravine between two hillsides. Obviously, few people came to this ravine on weekdays. There was a gravel road in the ravine, and the horses had already walked a lot.
It's difficult.
Du Wei simply abandoned his horse and entered on foot.
From a distance, after walking through the ravine, I finally found an open space under the Prancing Horse Stream that Gandolf wrote in his suicide note.
But when Du Wei looked from afar, he found that as night fell, there was a faint fire in the open space, and a thin figure sitting next to the fire with his knees in his arms, looking very lonely.
The flames were very weak, and the man had his back to Du Wei, curled up into a ball, as if he was still shivering. Du Wei came closer and faintly heard a faint sigh.
"God...please protect poor little Vivian...little Vivian is so cold now, so well, and so hungry..."