In the Duke's Mansion, the Duke, who had just returned from going out to handle business, was receiving the Prime Minister.
"Prime Minister, this is absolutely impossible." Duke Mrak looked embarrassed and shook his head in refusal. "Elli's timber, Kalundo's mineral deposits, Western countries' art trade... these long-term
It has always been your family's property, how can it be transferred to my name? Besides, I hold military power, so it seems inappropriate to do so?"
"It's not from your family, but from our family." The prime minister corrected. The expression on his fat face was warm and friendly. If the Duke is like a kind businessman, then he is a warm-hearted philanthropist. "
Lord Duke, don’t forget that we are all a family. We have always been very clear and certain about your abilities. It would have been a matter of time before you were asked to handle these matters, and now there is a shortage of manpower, so I ask you to take charge of it.
The overall situation. These are just our household matters. Your Majesty is wise and will never be surprised." When he talked about household matters, his voice was unconsciously louder, and his tone was naturally extremely affectionate, as if this was the case.
There is indeed no reason or room for evasion.
"Master Prime Minister, I really feel that this is inconvenient..." The Duke still insisted on his embarrassing position.
"Why are you still showing off like this? That's settled." The Prime Minister looked a bit reproachful. But this was not an expression of disgust, but like flirting, it was expressed openly because of the closeness.
"That's it. Clovis can come to my place later and get the documents for you first."
After the prime minister left, Duke Mrak smiled. This was a relaxed and proud smile that was exactly the opposite of the loyal and embarrassed expression just now. He turned to Clovis and said: "Your uncle has lost a lot of weight."
"He must have been very annoyed during this period." Clovis showed a rare gloating smile. The Duke was in a good mood, and his mood also improved. "Many people died in the family, including several
He is a minister with great power, and he has too many things to deal with. Moreover, his son Modo, a good-for-nothing, got into trouble again. Together with a Guards officer, he led a Guards squad to kill that
Priest, it happened that His Majesty did such a thing when he was attacked by that vampire. If he hadn't sold his life to protect his son, that guy should have been beheaded long ago. However, His Majesty's trust in him has dropped.
We have reached the lowest point. If we make any mistakes, we may not even be able to keep our position as prime minister."
"Is it the position of prime minister..." The Duke's slender eyes narrowed, with a light of enjoyment. Just like a gourmet must first look and smell before a plate of exquisite dishes to brew the feeling in his mind.
"It's only a matter of time before someone else takes this position. Your uncle has always been quite disapproving of me in the past, but now he actually thinks of temporarily using my name to protect himself from the wind and rain, which shows that he has really realized that he is
We are at the end of the road. Haha... He probably thought I was an easy-to-use protective umbrella and thought this was a good idea..." The Duke nodded with great satisfaction and almost laughed out loud. "I think so too.
This is a good idea.”
"The Guild of the Dead has helped us a lot. Just one vampire has caused the power of the Erni family to plummet. There will probably never be a chance to turn around again." Clovis smiled when he said this.
He didn't feel awkward at all, and he really even forgot his last name. The Duke was his idol, his spiritual godfather, and a god who embodied the power, means, and status he worshiped. In his own subconscious
In it, he is one of the Duke's dogs. He is not even a dog, he is simply the shadow of the Duke.
Clovis asked: "However, through this incident, the political power of the church suddenly increased significantly. Now the situation is chaotic, what should we do?"
"Don't do anything in a hurry, at least in public." The Duke shook his head. "As you just said, the situation is not completely clear yet. Bishop Ronis has never been involved in political affairs, but now he suddenly became active and even
Our dangerous friend has also shown his face. Together with the church, he has received the attention of His Majesty and even other countries. Although their energy does not seem to be in politics for the time being, how will they develop in the future? And the army
What will happen to the power relations between the two sides? We must not expose ourselves in a big way before these situations are completely clear."
"Yes, I understand." Clovis nodded. Even if the Duke forgets the specific content of these words in the future, he can repeat them word for word.
The Duke continued: "But we can't really do nothing, because our situation is generally good. My capable daughter, your wife actually had a perfect situation in the critical situation of that hunt.
This was an unexpected surprise. His Majesty actually gave her a title and a financial position. Although I did not ask her out of concern to maintain a clean image, there is no doubt that it will be very helpful to us in the future. And now
I hold military power and my position is as stable as Mount Tai, so in such a chaotic and re-adjustment situation, opportunities abound. We must not waste such a good opportunity, we must use all our actions to push things in the direction we expect.
." He showed a rather proud and mysterious expression. "To put it more clearly, it is just a conspiracy behind the scenes. There is no need to bring yourself to the surface. We cannot expose it as what we did."
The Duke sighed, just like an artist signing his name and annotating the work he is satisfied with. "Means are the prerogative of the smart and the tools of the successful. Of course, if you can use them more often, you should use them more. But the same goes for noble qualities such as integrity and integrity."
Good things cannot be wasted. Both of them must be considered, and the result of the combination is conspiracy."
"I understand." Clovis nodded sincerely. He couldn't help but find a way to imprint these wise words and explanations on his soul. The gift his uncle just handed over was the tactic of a smart man like him.
Perfect results. This is far more effective than doing things with swords, guns and guns.
At the meeting of military ministers the day before yesterday, Duke Mrak only casually mentioned that the Tierny family had been using their political power to monopolize and amass money in commercial trade. These things were originally unknown to outsiders, but
Clovis was not an outsider, and had already paid attention to these things, so although the Duke didn't say much, everything he said was crucial.
With the Duke's eloquence and tact, these words were naturally said in a very suitable situation, and he seemed to say them casually without caring much. But once they fell on the ears of the ministers who had always been hostile to the Erni family and were looking for opportunities to beat up the lost dog.
Here, they naturally cared a lot about this. So things developed smoothly, and these things were automatically and quietly delivered into the hands of the Duke, who had always been upright and never messed up.
Now the Duke can finally breathe a sigh of relief and be mentally ready to start showing off his talents. Not just because this plan will greatly increase his wealth and prepare him for drastic work in the future.
Another reason for his preparation was to find a way to fix a huge flaw in the past, so as to avoid the worries that made him sleep and eat well.
The Duke has spent a long period of time completely on this kind of action to make up for the pot, so he has not taken any action in other areas. Since he can no longer attack the person who knows too much, he can only use all the previous
Concealing information for Oufu and eradicating all evidence and traces of funding Oufu. This is definitely a troublesome matter, and even an impossible task for others. Fortunately, with the Duke's outstanding ability, in Hua
It took a lot of hard work and a lot of time to do it perfectly.
Moreover, Oufu is now working hard to build good relations with various countries, and the Duke has indeed not received any huge benefits from the establishment of Oufu. Without evidence, no matter who says that the Duke once colluded with Oufu, no one will believe it.
Now everything has been taken care of. These properties of the Erni family can greatly improve the Duke's strength. And for a man as strategic and wise as the Duke, even a little benefit can be huge.
of utility.
It was dusk when Clovis came to the Prime Minister's Palace, and the Prime Minister was eating alone.
"You're here. Come here and let's talk." Even though he was eating exquisite food, the prime minister looked a little tired and greeted his nephew without courtesy. It was probably the events during this period that had exhausted his energy.
, there is no time left to spend on these superficial efforts.
Before the conversation, the prime minister's first preparation was to drive away the astonishing number of servants around him. There were several chefs, pastry chefs and barbecue chefs in the vast dining room, ready to deal with the changes of the prime minister's temporary interests.
Appetite. There are three meat cutters, two servants responsible for pouring wine, and four specially trained servants responsible for selecting the astonishing number of dishes on the table as quickly as possible and assembling them in the most beautiful way.
On one plate after another, there were finally two attendants who were almost more gorgeous than Clovis. Wearing uniform wigs and powdered powder, they served the Prime Minister and brought these things into his mouth. If you don't want to enjoy it,
If these wonderful things become pulpy under his own efforts and release their flavor, the prime minister will probably have to find someone to serve him even when chewing them.
This is by no means a big event, just a simple meal that can be seen every day. The prime minister's appetite has been greatly reduced, so there are only forty dishes in the meal. These servants are also the minimum. Any reduction will be a complete disgrace.
.
The prime minister's long-standing contempt for Duke Mrak is mostly due to the fact that the Duke lacks his magnanimity. For a person who does not need servants to eat, does not pay attention to food, and has to get bread by himself, no matter how prosperous he is, no matter how successful he is,
How can I entertain ministers with a banquet in a luxurious mansion with gold and silver tableware? At heart, I am just a nouveau riche from the countryside.
But now the situation forced me to bow to this country bumpkin. The prime minister also seemed listless. He gave Clovis the account books and documents he had prepared and the family token seal, and said to him rather helplessly.
: "It's really embarrassing to say it. You were originally the most talented and promising person of the younger generation in our family. But because of your father's relationship, everyone is a little alienated from you, and I also have some prejudices against you...
.”
Clovis didn't speak or show any expression. This was the indifferent attitude towards the people in his family that he had developed since he was a child. But he could also see that his uncle really felt that he was cornered. Because people often only show up when they are discouraged.
Will tell the truth without any secret.
"As long as we survive this most difficult period, our family will still have a chance to turn around. After all, we still have great potential strength in both the government and the opposition. So you must pay attention to it when you are with Duke Mrak.
You must manage these industries carefully. I am already old, and this family will depend on you in the future." The prime minister said with a serious expression, hoping to use incentives to enable this nephew to work hard for the family from a personal perspective.
For the first time in his life, Clovis showed a smile to his uncle: "Don't worry, leave this to me."
"Well, thank you for your hard work." It was also the first time that the Prime Minister felt that despite having a prodigal father, this nephew was still useful.
Turning around and leaving, Clovis sneered as he walked in the wide and far-reaching corridor of the Prime Minister's Palace. He could completely understand his uncle's intention. But now he was holding those things that represented family power in his hands, and he didn't feel the slightest sense of accomplishment.
He was so relieved that he didn't even expect anything. He knew that it wouldn't take much time and effort for him and the Duke to turn these documents and seals into things that had nothing to do with the Erni family. His heart was full of the success and satisfaction of revenge.
According to family rules, those things should have belonged to his father and then passed on to him. However, because his father was a complete prodigal, the family had to give these to his uncle and prepare to change his family to another house. And he also
Because of his father, he was ostracized and looked down upon by his tribe.
He did not expect at all what his uncle said about what family passed down to him. Even subconsciously, he would not have the slightest intention to resist the Duke. Firstly, he was very aware of the gap in strength.
Just like a rabbit would not imagine that he could eat a lion, the most important thing is that he is completely subordinate to the Duke mentally.
His thoughts were interrupted by a woman's cries and beatings coming from a nearby room. Clovis frowned, listened, and walked over.
The weather was not hot, but everyone in this room was naked. Several women huddled together on the huge bed, trembling as they watched a man beating a woman in the corner of the room.
The man's limbs were thin and he didn't seem to have much strength, but like a crazy dog, he bit, scratched, tore, kicked, and hit the woman's snow-white body. While beating back, he shouted: "I'm calling you."
I dare not do it, but you dare to stop me from hitting you..." The woman did not dare to resist, and could only barely protect her face, crying and screaming.
"Why did you come to my house?" The prime minister stared at Clovis who suddenly appeared at the door. This time his father finally saved his life, but he also gave him a good lesson and even beat him with his own hands. This was his
This was the first lesson he had received since he was born, which made him so angry that he could only vent his anger on these women.
Clovis was too lazy to answer and just shook the things in his hands as if to demonstrate. In the past, this loser often used various methods to demonstrate to him, relying on the things his father held.
The waste also knew the recent situation and did not express any hostility towards this demonstration. He only thought about it and suddenly said: "Come in, let's discuss something, and you can do me a favor."
Clovis walked in. Although he definitely had no intention of helping, he also wanted to hear what was going on. This was the first time this waste had asked him.
"Get out. Get out of here all." Modo kicked the beaten woman in the face and drove all the women out. Then he said to Clovis: "Get rid of the members of the Holy Knights under you."
Lend me dozens of people, and I'll kill someone." He was so cruel that his voice and expression were distorted. "I must kill that guy, no matter what. My father beat me for this, you know?
?He hit me."
Clovis just couldn't help but sneer. A waste is a waste after all, and they haven't been taught a lesson this time. And what kind of team is the Holy Knights? How can they be used in private fights?
But what he cared about the most was his tone of trash, which was still so arrogant, as if he had to help him. He sneered: "Why should I help you?"
Modo's tone was not soft at all, and started to be a bit condescending, as if being able to do this favor was an honor bestowed by him. A real playboy is one who has to show his temper and be arrogant no matter what the situation is. "You don't want that.
I think it’s okay if our family’s situation is not good now. Let me tell you, when our family makes a comeback in the future, my father will still be the head of the family. Do you think your father, who is idle and does not do his job properly, has the qualifications? And in the end, the family business is not
It has to be passed into my hands. So it is absolutely right for you to stand with me now."
Clovis sneered happily. He sneered to ridicule the idiot in front of him, but he was happy because he could finally stand on the top of the victory and despise these demonstrations that now seemed just ridiculous.
"You don't dare!" the prime minister screamed. "Do you think I don't know? Your wife and he are old lovers, and you are not even a man compared to him. He has the bishop protecting you.
Dare to touch him, you useless coward!"
Clovis's two sword eyebrows suddenly collided with each other in the middle, and there were sparks in his eyes. But he immediately closed his eyes and became silent.
After a while, Clovis opened his eyes, and the sparks were already hidden in the depths. He replied expressionlessly: "No. I don't want to take the blame for you." He turned around and walked out.
"You stop." Modo chased him out the door, but Clovis disappeared after a few strides. He could only turn back angrily. "Remember me, you will be good-looking in the future." Suddenly his
He stepped on a small piece of something on the floor with his bare feet. When he picked it up, he saw that it was a small, beautifully carved seal with the name of Clovis and the Holy Cross pattern of the Holy Knights on it.
"You know what's going on." Modo looked at the direction Clovis was leaving and snorted.