Three hundred and fiftieth chapters [the far back]
Chapter 352 [The retreating figure]
One month's time.
It only took a short month for the Luo Lin family's private army to be re-established. A large number of veterans returned to the army, as well as many retainers, warriors and knights who had been loyal to the Luo Lin family. After hearing the call, they all put on their uniforms again.
Armor, from all over the Luolin Plain, rushed to the army to report as soon as possible.
The abandoned military camps in various places regained their vitality, and the energetic soldiers practiced hard, and everything went smoothly. Later, the local officials and local garrison troops originally assigned by the empire evacuated the Luolin Plain one after another.
Just like before, Luolin Plain has almost become an independent small kingdom again, a "Luolin Kingdom".
Du Wei obviously underestimated the Luolin people's fanaticism and piety for tradition, and also underestimated the appeal of the glorious name "Luolin". Soon, all the 50,000 private troops were full, but there were no registration locations in each town.
On the street outside, the queue was still full.
At this time, Du Wei simply made a decision. Although the agreement with Prince Chen was for 50,000 troops, Du Wei was not an honest guy. With a stroke of his pen, he ordered the recruitment of another 20,000 reserves...
Well, the reserve force should not be considered the regular army.
Old Raymond was unable to do anything on his hospital bed, and his younger brother Gabri was still young. During this month, Du Wei almost assumed the important responsibilities of the patriarch.
After the local officials in the empire were removed, local governments in various places were filled by a large number of re-appointed members of the Luo Lin family. These Luo Lin people who were pardoned were naturally grateful to Du Wei. Du Wei spent a lot of time reviewing documents every day.
Of course, he did not forget his young brother. When he was handling these official duties, no matter how unhappy Gabri was, Du Wei forced this boy to stay with him.
When he was sitting in his study reading official documents, Gabri was watching nearby. Du Wei even didn't read some official documents himself, but asked Gabri to read them to him. Du Wei's intention was very clear, even though he was young and playful.
It's the nature of young people, but Du Wei still taught his younger brother many times: You are the future earl. But now the family's situation is special, and you don't have time to enjoy your innocent and carefree youth! You must grow up and mature as soon as possible.
!You must understand and become familiar with these things in a short period of time...
Looking at his younger brother's childish face, Du Wei felt a little soft-hearted, but he still worked hard to train this boy.
"Gabri, don't blame me...because I will be leaving Luolin Plain soon! The burden here will be on your shoulders in the future!"
In fact, even the small traders and carriage drivers on the Luolin Plain knew that although the nominal heir to the earl was Young Master Gabri, and even though the official documents were signed by Young Master Gabri, in Luolin Castle,
.The person who really makes various decisions is the Tulip Duke!
Anyway, Master Du Wei, the Tulip Duke, is also a member of our Luo Lin family.
The people in Luolin rarely use the name "Tulip Duke" when referring to Du Wei. Most people are accustomed to calling the two people in the castle "the eldest young master and the young master" to appear affectionate.
On this day, after the last official appointment document was signed, the handover of military and political power in Luolin Plain, which has a history of one month, has been completely completed. The one hundred and sixty Luolin people who served as local officials in Luolin Plain before the coup, except
A dozen people who were seriously ill or old were dismissed, and all other officers were reinstated. In the army, after convening a large number of old troops, Du Wei did not need to worry too much, whether it was senior officers or junior officers.
Du Wei is familiar with these armies, even far more familiar than Gabri...
Speaking of which, this is a bit disgraceful. After all, Du Wei once participated in the "football league" extensively in the army. For this reason, Du Wei's relationship with these officers during the year he was in Luolin Plain.
All are very good.
The last appointment was the chief of the family bodyguard. Uncle Alpha had followed him to the northwest, and the current position of the chief of the family bodyguard was vacant. Du Wei considered this candidate for a long time, and then Gabri proposed a candidate.
"Tu." Gabri said to his brother: "Although this guy is a little boring, he is also an old tribesman that my father trusts. Moreover, he has been with me for the past two or three years. He is very careful in doing things and has very good martial arts skills."
Du Wei immediately remembered the indifferent personal guard beside his brother when he first met his brother when he returned to the imperial capital, so he decided on this candidate with a stroke of his pen.
In order to rebuild the Luo Lin family's private army, Du Wei can be said to have devoted a lot of financial resources. After all, the Luo Lin family was once confiscated and has long lost its former glory. Moreover, the family does not have much remaining wealth. Although it can be recovered
He has obtained the territory of Luolin Plain, but the next tax will not be paid until next year. Now to rebuild the army, all these military expenses are paid by Du Wei. Anyway, the most important thing he lacks now is money.
He even took the time to send someone to Walker Port in the south to summon the waiter from the United Kingdom of Nanyang, who was brought back with Ruolin's fleet, for a meeting.
Those Nanyang people were already scared to death by Ruolin. When they saw Du Wei, they felt as if they had seen a ghost. Everyone was trembling with fear. Without any effort, Du Wei reached an agreement with them in private:
First, Du Wei let Lu Fike follow them back to Nanyang to become king.
The second article is that the United Kingdom of South Seas is willing to pay a certain amount of wealth every year in exchange for the support of Duke Tulip. Because the United Kingdom of South Seas does not have its own currency, and Du Wei does not need gold, it decided to use South Sea pearls, spices, ivory, etc.
The annual payment for Nanyang specialties (even Du Wei expressed his willingness to accept slaves) is equivalent to the value of one million gold coins in the empire.
As for the third article, Du Wei promised that he would use his identity and influence in the empire to try his best to influence the imperial regent and no longer launch an expeditionary aggression against Southeast Asia.
In fact, according to the laws of the empire, although Du Wei is a duke, he is not an emperor after all. He has no power to sign any agreements with foreign countries. If he must be pursued, this is considered an act beyond his authority, and even a crime of colluding with the enemy in private! However,
Du Wei doesn't care about these things now.
On the one hand, Du Wei believes that the empire cannot be without him now. No matter who it is, if he wants to frame him, then the other party will definitely die. The empire is now in a state of desperation. It is impossible to plan any more expeditions to the South Seas, and even the navy needs a large number of troops.
"Return to the mainland", so selling an empty favor to the Nanyang people is nothing.
And going a step further... I have to say that Du Wei's psychology has gradually undergone subtle changes.
Ever since he learned that he was Aragorn, and Aragorn was himself, although he didn't really think so in his heart, a subtle thought came up in his subconscious:
This empire was originally built by "me"! Whatever I want, I will do it!
As for these envoys from the United Kingdom of Nanyang, on the one hand, they do not understand the situation of the empire. In their view, as long as the empire can stop its aggression, it is already a blessing. How dare they make any other demands.
And the others... Although there are one or two smart people among these envoys, they also feel that if an agreement is to be signed, it should be signed with the emperor of the Roland Empire. The Tulip Duke does not seem to have such great power...
However, Du Wei made a very casual move and left, scaring these guys into submission!
It's very simple: Du Wei pretended to have a dinner party to entertain these envoys, and then at the dinner party, Count Raymond, who was ill, walked out of the ward, came to the banquet, and showed his face. Although he only sat for such a short time
A short while was enough to scare these messengers out of their wits!!
Who is old Count Raymond? He is a famous general in the empire! He turned out to be the commander of the navy and the second-largest boss in the military... More importantly, he left an indelible and terrifying image in the hearts of Nanyang people! He is the leader of Nanyang.
The most terrifying butcher, executioner, and invader in people's hearts! The naval expedition led by Raymond was the one that caused the greatest harm and terror to the Nanyang people among all the expeditions in the past! The degree of fear in the hearts of the Nanyang people is stronger than that of Ruolin.
I don’t know how many times!
Seeing such a nightmare-like guy appear, these Nanyang envoys immediately lost all their last bit of courage.
The old butcher is the father of the Tulip Duke, and the female butcher is the subordinate of the Tulip Duke... God. What a terrible guy this Tulip Duke is!!
Soon, the agreement was signed without any further resistance.
After finishing all these things, Du Wei could finally relax a little. These days he was so busy that he was almost exhausted...
Although he was also in charge of the military affairs of a province in the northwest, when he was in the northwest, he had a good helper in handling government affairs, Philip, and that young man was a talented prime minister. As for military affairs, there were two hundred and fifty generals, Longbottom, and a group of defending generals.
Du Wei didn't need to worry too much. When had he been so busy? Now he couldn't help but miss Philip and others deeply. If he hadn't known that people were inseparable from the northwest, he would have thought of summoning Philip with an order.
At the same time, in addition to the fatigue of dealing with government affairs, Du Wei was not in a relaxed mood. His mood became heavier day by day because...
Father Raymond Sr.'s body seems to be getting more and more seriously ill every day!!
Old Raymond's illness began after he was deposed and returned to his hometown. Originally, a military commander like him who had practiced martial arts all his life had a strong body and would not get sick on weekdays, but if his body collapsed, it would
More serious than anything else! A small part of his illness is due to old age and frailty. The recurrence of old injuries in his early military career is nothing. The main reason for more than half of it is heart disease!
His mother told Du Wei that after old Raymond returned to the Luolin Plain, he saw that the former family territory had been handed over to the empire, and the Luolin flags that were originally hung in various places had turned into the King of Thorns and Flowers flag, and those who used to be hostile to him had
The people of the Luo Lin family, who were extremely supportive, responded with a complicated silence to Raymond's return!
This silence hit Raymond even more! He deeply felt that he was the historical sinner of the Luo Lin family! The glorious family was ruined in his own hands. When he came back, he had already prepared to be beaten by Luo Lin.
The Lin people were ready to curse and hate him, and even if someone threw rotten eggs or rotten tomatoes at him, he would feel better.
But there was not a word of curse. When the people on the entire plain heard that the former patriarch had returned, everyone remained surprisingly silent... This was a silence full of complex meanings, full of pain, indignation, and despair.
There are so many emotions inside.
But the kind-hearted Luolin people did not target their old patriarch. What even made old Raymond feel even more guilty was that some loyal Luolin people around the castle were even willing to pay taxes according to the old rules.
Hand it over to the family!
Although the local government officials had been replaced by people from the empire, thousands of these stubborn Luolin people drove carriages to the castle and demanded that their taxes be paid directly to the castle to show their respect for the Luolin family.
loyalty.
It was these things that finally defeated old Raymond! He felt guilty. He heard that one night, he suddenly vomited blood. After that, he couldn't get sick!
When Du Wei first came here, he was still optimistic about his father's illness. He believed that his father's physical condition was very good, and as for his mental illness. With the pardon he brought, he could revive the family.
The hope should make the father happy, and then the illness will naturally slowly recover.
But after a month, Du Weidi lost hope little by little!
Not only did old Raymond's illness not get better, but it suddenly became much heavier! Although he was lying on the hospital bed before, he could still get up and take a walk in the castle garden every day. But with the arrival of the good news of the family
After that, his illness became more and more serious day by day, and eventually, he couldn't even get out of bed!
Except for the time when he received the envoy from the United Kingdom of Nanyang, old Raymond came out once in order to help his son. He barely supported his illness. In the following days, he lay in bed all the time every day, and even spent half of his sleep time every day.
More and more, less and less waking time...
The family hired several of the best doctors and used a lot of medicines, but they had no effect at all.
Du Wei himself is a magician and an excellent magic pharmacist. He also has deep knowledge of various medicines. He personally checked his father and tried many methods. But those magical medicines in the past, the use of
In my father's case, the effect was extremely weak.
Although he didn't say it, he knew in his heart... No matter from any angle, the vitality in his father's body was passing quickly and could not be restored.
Old Raymond's symptoms of vomiting blood became more severe, and he always felt pain in his heart and chest. Such pain prevented him from sleeping. He was originally a tough guy, but he was tortured to the point of becoming thin and haggard.
Du Wei couldn't bear it, so he finally made up his mind and gave his father some "ice berries".
This kind of psychedelic drug can have an anesthetic and analgesic effect if you take it a little bit.
What bothered Du Wei was that all drugs had lost their effect on old Raymond, but this ice berry still had an effect... It was just that the pure analgesic anesthetic drug could only relieve his father's pain, and it was not effective for him.
It has no effect at all on the disease.
In the days that followed, Du Wei finished all his work, but did not leave as planned. He stayed at home and began to guard his father's bedside all day long. Although his mother secretly shed tears every day, Gabri was still like his.
They are the same age and a little panicked, but at this time, Du Wei showed the temperament of being the pillar of the family. He calmly comforted his sad mother and took care of his panicked brother...
What no one knew was that the young Duke sat in front of his father's bed every night, frowning. For many days in a row, he did not sleep for a minute, and did not even meditate. All his time,
They all stayed by his father's side. Even when old Raymond fell asleep, he stared at his father with eyes full of affection.
Maybe... take one look, just one less look.
In order to save his father, Du Wei even took out the "Fountain of Youth", hoping to use this magical spring water that was said to be able to heal any injury to save his father's life... But in the end, he was disappointed again.
Obviously, my father's illness had nothing to do with his injuries, but an old man who finally exhausted his vitality!
Du Wei has never been so depressed. He has always been successful in everything he does and is almost always unfavorable. But when faced with his dying father, all his methods have failed. Although he is a magician, he can "create"
"Miracle" man, but after all, he is not a god! He is a human being!!
He once hid in his study and read through all the books he could find, trying to find any way to rejuvenate people's vitality. But where could such a way be found in books?
Old Raymond seemed to understand that his body was hopeless. As long as he woke up, he endured the pain, still had a forced smile on his face, and talked to his son in front of the bed.
At the beginning, old Raymond would ask Du Wei some military and political affairs in the family, and then he would use his own experience to give his son some valuable advice. But as his illness became serious, old Raymond seemed to have more and more questions about the family.
I no longer care about family affairs.
All his concern was placed on Du Wei. The content of the father-son chat no longer involved any official business. Old Raymond would ask Du Wei to talk about some interesting things about his time in the Northwest, such as three months.
Building a city, having a great food harvest, and those dangerous things, such as the Northwestern Army's siege in Loulan City, the bloody battle in Gilliat City, etc... Moreover, old Raymond was just like a father. Listening to his son's glorious achievements outside
He just listens quietly and does not express his own opinions. When he hears the wonderful things, his face will be filled with a proud smile.
In order to make his father happy, Du Wei tried his best to describe these things as wonderfully as possible. After talking about the events in the Northwest, he also talked about his experiences when he was exiled back to the Luolin Plain, such as making footballs and hot air balloons.
Then the wonderful adventure in the frozen forest...and so on.
Of course, in order not to worry his father, Du Wei hid everything about the Dragon Clan, Hussein, the guilty people, and Semel.
Finally, in the middle of the second month after Du Wei returned to Luolin Plain...
On this day, Du Wei gave his father some ice berries... Although he was still smiling and comforting his father, mother and younger brother, his heart kept sinking.
He has been responsible for his father's medication, and he knows very well that in recent days, his father's demand for ice berries has become greater and greater, and the effect of ice berries on his father's body has gradually lost its magic. In the past, only a small child
A little bit can save my father from pain, but now, my father's medication has increased several times, but the pain is still unavoidable.
That afternoon, old Raymond refused to eat ice berries. He expressed that he wanted to be sober: "Eating this will make me unable to concentrate. I want to listen to you, son, and I don't want to miss every word."
Du Wei felt that a stream of heat was about to flow out of his eyes. He quickly turned around and wiped it away. Then he silently picked up a glass of water and supported his father to take a few sips.
"So, father, what do you want to hear today?" Although he was hurt in his heart, Du Wei still had a smile on his face: "How about I talk about things in Nanyang. I have blackmailed those Nanyang people miserably."
Old Raymond shook his head weakly: "Nanyang... I have been in Nanyang for many years, and I don't want to hear about Nanyang's affairs."
He raised his skinny hand, gently touched his son's face, and then said slowly: "Actually, I should have a lot to say to you. Maybe I should tell you to take care of your mother and your brother.
...But I know that you are a sensible child. Needless to say, you will do these things well..."
Du Wei was silent for a while, his heart trembled hard, and then he smiled and said: "Father, when you are well, you can go to the northwest with me. We are about to deal with the Northwest Army, plus the personal affairs in the family
Army, we now have an army of 100,000. You are the best commander!"
Old Raymond did not answer this sentence. He looked at his son, with a hint of brilliance in his cloudy eyes.
"Son, go and get my sword." Old Raymond made this strange request.
Du Wei didn't hesitate at all. He immediately turned around and took off the long sword hanging from the wall. This was exactly the sword that old Raymond owned. This sword accompanied old Raymond through most of his military career.
From the northwest to Nanyang!
Although he was too weak to hold the sword, Old Raymond held the sword in his arms and gently stroked the blade with his trembling fingers: "Do you know? The first time I officially led troops on the battlefield was
More than twenty years ago, in the northwest! And this sword has followed me since then."
Du Wei immediately said: "Believe me, father, in the next Northwest War, you will still take this sword and lead the army to fight! That guy Lu Gao is definitely no match for you!"
Old Raymond smiled, he smiled very complicatedly, then put down his hand and stared at Du Wei: "Son. I know that you can do a great job without me... you are my best son.
You are also the most outstanding talent in the history of the Luo Lin family. I know that no matter what you do, you can accomplish it very well..."
Du Wei finally couldn't bear it anymore and tears flowed from the corners of his eyes: "Father..."
"Why are you crying?" Old Raymond's eyes suddenly burst into light. At this moment, the style of the once glorious imperial general returned to him: "I have lived for so many years and have been glorious. Even if I die,
It's already worth it. We are members of the Luo Lin family, the Wuxun family. Death is nothing terrible for us Luo Lin family members."
Then, Old Raymond took a deep breath... Although his voice was weak, the firmness and decisiveness in his tone still sounded like that of a general: "Son, go and call your mother and brother.
Well, I have something to say!"
Du Wei took a deep look at his father, and suddenly he guessed something...
Could it be that it’s time?
A few minutes later, the countess and Gabri were standing beside Raymond's bed. To everyone's surprise, old Raymond seemed to be full of life. He even felt much better. He worked hard by himself without anyone's help.
He sat up and leaned on the bed. Then, the family patriarch looked at his wife and son quietly.
"Gabri. Come here." He raised his head and waved to his younger son. Gabri, whose face was already full of tears, walked to his father's side. Old Raymond gently stroked his younger son's head and said softly: "I know.
, these days, I only let Du Wei accompany me, but I don’t let you stay in my room... Oh, my son, it’s not that I don’t love you. I love you very much. But, do you know? I just
I want to make up for your brother. I have been bad to him since he was very young. I just want to compensate him more in the last time and spend more time with him. I believe that your smart child
, can understand my painstaking efforts.”
"I...I understand..." Gabri cried, but bit his lip hard.
Then, old Raymond turned his head to his wife. His eyes showed deep tenderness: "Alice...my dear Alice...you are the love of my life, the happiest in my life."
The thing is that you are by my side. But I'm sorry, dear, from now on, our children will be entrusted to you."
The Countess, who had always been weak, seemed to have become stronger at this moment. With a charming smile on her face, she looked at her husband tenderly... But miraculously, she did not shed tears. Then, she slowly
She walked over, gently held her husband's hand, and using all her strength, she only said a very brief sentence: "I...understand!"
After years of mutual affection, the Countess expressed her emotions with just her eyes.
"My life is very exciting. I have had glory, glory, victory, and failure...I am very satisfied to have such a life." Old Raymond sighed, then coughed again, his face
With a satisfied expression on his face, he said slowly: "Originally, I thought I would die with my sins, but fortunately, I have an outstanding son who helped me atone for my sins, saved my family, and allowed me to
Even if you die, it will be a lot easier. Du Wei, come here."
This famous general of the empire finally called his eldest son.
The father and son looked at each other for a long time. The two men's eyes intertwined for a long time before old Raymond spoke. The general's voice was also choked with sobs at this moment.
"The person I'm most sorry for in my life is you, my son. I really want to make it up to you, but my time doesn't allow me to do so much... It's a pity that I have to continue to apologize to you.
, my son. Because I can no longer bear the burden of the family. I have handed such a burden to you, my young son... I feel really guilty for you. But I know that you will definitely do it.
Very good, right?"
Du Wei looked into his father's eyes, and then he took a deep breath: "As long as I, Du Wei, are here, the glory of the family will not be destroyed! Father, this is my, Du Wei Luolin's promise to you!"
Raymond was relieved. With trembling hands, he handed over the long sword in his arms and placed it in Du Wei's hand.
As the sword was handed over, the color of life in old Raymond's eyes quickly passed away. He seemed to be unable to hold on any longer and lay down gently.
"Duwei...my son...the person I'm most sorry for in my life...is you. And the thing I...the most regretful...is...is..."
At this point, his voice gradually became fainter, and Du Wei quickly took two steps forward and put his ear to his father's mouth.
This once all-powerful general finally revealed the biggest regret in his life.
It was not that he made a mistake in the coup, nor was it that his family was almost ruined because of his own sins.
The last words he said, the biggest regret in his life, were:
"...Yes, when you were born, I was thousands of miles away. As...a father, I couldn't watch you. My first son...was born!"
Then, he closed his eyes...forever.
This once famous general in the history of the Augustinian Dynasty finally finished his life of hard work and merit. When he was dying, he was lying on the bed with his dear family members seeing him off. It can be said that for a general, he should
It's an extremely happy ending.
Du Wei held his father's long sword in his arms and it felt heavy. His younger brother Gabri was crying bitterly, but Du Wei seemed to feel that his heart was empty, so empty that he didn't even have the desire to shed tears.
"I sent you to Luo Lin's hometown to wish you well!"
"Yes, the person who killed you was sent by me."
"You are a magician and a member of the Luo Lin family!!"
"He is no longer a member of my Luo Lin family!"
"Son, you are better than me..."
"I just want to hug you, my son..."
"The most regretful thing is that I didn't get to see you born."
"I know... you will do well."
Du Wei held the long sword tightly in his arms, his fingers already using too much force and their knuckles turned white.
Finally, he pulled his brother hard, gently hugged his shoulders, gritted his teeth and said: "Okay, don't cry!"
At this time, the beautiful countess slowly walked to the bed. She leaned down and kissed her husband gently and deeply on his forehead. Then, she even reached out her hand and covered her husband's forehead with her.
The quilt on old Raymond was adjusted, making the dead Raymond look as if he had fallen asleep peacefully.
When making these movements, the Countess' movements were unusually gentle.
Then, the mother turned around and looked at her two sons. Her beautiful eyes finally fell on Du Wei.
"Duwei..." his mother whispered to him: "Now, you are the only adult man in the family!"
Du Wei raised his face and looked at his mother.
The mother's expression was very haggard, and she was crying silently: "Your father once said... that he hopes you will serve as the patriarch of the Luo Lin family."