Law of the Devil

The convoy moved forward, but not fast. There is no urgent matter in returning to the emperor this time, it is purely to go back to participate in the year-end feast, and there are still 20 days left in the calculation. Du Wei was not in a hurry, anyway, even if he went back, it would be nothing more than an endless banquet, as long as he arrived before the annual ceremony of the regent.

After ten days of departure, I have already passed through Nulin Province, and paid a visit to Governor Bohan on the way. However, in this year-end grand ceremony, Bohan was not recalled to the imperial capital by Prince Chen—according to him, he would be recalled to the imperial capital at the end of each year before the coup d'état failed. After the failure, Bohan never returned to the imperial capital. Obviously, this is also an obvious signal that he has fallen out of favor as an official of the Grand Prince's faction.

However, Bohan seemed to have seen through these things, and he didn't have the urge to be too depressed. Instead, he asked Du Wei to help bring some gifts back to the imperial capital to visit his family. According to the practice of the empire, any governor like Bohan, who is an important person in charge of the military and government, will have his family members stay in the imperial capital when he takes office. There is no need to explain the meaning of it.

After driving for ten days, I left Nulin Province and entered the central part of the empire. I followed the main road to the east and then south, and then I reached the port upstream of the Lancang Grand Canal. Down the river, you can go directly to the imperial capital.

Although it is slightly faster to go on land. But after all, it is more comfortable to take a boat. And there is already a large ship under Du Wei's name waiting at the port.

Mingfan Port is the most upstream port of the Lancang Grand Canal, and it is also the last end point of the Lancang Grand Canal to the west. The excavation of the Grand Canal ends here. Further to the west is the difficult and dangerous river. and several tributaries.

As the last stop of the Grand Canal leading directly to the west. Every year to the end of the year. These are the busiest seasons in Mingfan Port...even to the extent of the excitement. It surpassed the annual summer festival that the Roland people value most.

Countless business groups and caravans come and go from here, and caravans from the west have to rush home before the end of the year. The caravans in the east will take advantage of this time to transport the most in-demand goods in winter to the northwest.

Every year at this time. The river is busy. Ships are very tense.

As an inland river port, Mingfan Port is already very big, but in the past few days. The berths at the docks are still all full. All merchant ships have announced that the space is full. Makes a lot of caravans waiting for space. I had no choice but to live in a small town in the port.

This is a last resort, after all, the transportation cost of river transportation is much cheaper than that of dry road, for the same goods. Dry road transportation is about four times more expensive than river transportation. After all, a carriage convoy of goods. It only takes a big ship to transport it.

Du Wei and his party arrived at Mingfan Port in the evening. Thank you for this prosperous port. The small town by the port has also benefited considerably. This place has become a very lively market town. Even caravans because of the exchange of things. Bring all kinds of rare goods. As a result, there are actually a large number of shops in this small town. There are even a few very high-end porcelain shops-compared to a town with a population of less than 20,000. This is already very rare.

The arrival of Du Wei and his party did not notify the security officials and the mayor of the town here in advance. As a result, they were blocked directly outside the town.

There are too many caravans. Heard these days. There are about forty caravans in the small town. The hotel alone was already full. Let alone a guest room in a hotel. Even the kitchen can't accommodate people. And several warehouses at the port are already full. Some caravans often travel to and from the northwest, and they are used to eating and sleeping in the open anyway. They simply set up tent camps on both sides of the road outside the town. Send people to the port every day to inquire about the news and see when the space will be available.

Originally not too wide on the street. Too many convoys and horses coming and going have blocked most of the roads. It took two full hours for Du Wei's team to arrive at the port.

finally. After the river transportation official at the port saw the family emblem on the carriage of Du Wei and his party-it wasn't because the river transportation official was proficient in insignia, it was just that. Use "Fire Tulip" as the emblem land. There is only one such person in the entire empire! Even an idiot can see it.

very quickly. Both the mayor and the sheriff hurried to the pier. Because there are no more hotels in the town. Du Wei declined the mayor's proposal to invite him to live in his home. Instead, he decided to live on the boat.

But when Du Wei asked to leave the boat immediately, cold sweat broke out on the face of the river transport officer. He hesitated and said: "My lord... this may be very difficult."

subsequently. Under Du Wei's questioning eyes, the river transport official explained the reason helplessly.

The big ship Du Weidi has been moored in the port for many days. Before, because of Du Wei's slow travel along the way. It is not certain when he will arrive. Therefore, in order to make room for the berth, the river transport officer. Ordered the boat to drive into the auxiliary channel of the river—after all. Duverty ships are sea ships, although this is the smallest sea ship. But on the Inland Canal. Still a bit too big. Such a big boat. Always don't go, stop at the port, in such a busy time. It is really a waste to occupy the berths of the usual two merchant ships.

Du Wei's ship had already paid the berthing fee for fifteen days, but in this busy season, the river transport officer ordered the refund of the berthing fee, and then vacated the berth to other merchant ships.

Originally thought that the Duke would be furious. But Du Wei just smiled. Instead, he patted the pale-faced river official's shoulder. Wen Yan smiled and said: "Well. It's not your fault, it's my fault. You are a very good official... Then I will live on the boat tonight. I just don't know when the river will be free for me to go on the road ?”

"Probably tomorrow...tomorrow morning." The river transport official breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay." Du Wei shrugged his shoulders: "Okay, gentlemen. Don't be too nervous. For me, it is also a wonderful thing to be able to close the night view of Mingfan Port here."

The mayor and the river transport officer were sent away. Even Du Wei declined the kindness of the sheriff in the town to send soldiers to protect the place. After all, in this busy season, there were only two hundred security guards in the port, and the manpower was already very tight. and. Du Wei felt that he did not need any protection. .

"You didn't punish the officials? They took your berth. And you paid for it."

After everyone leaves. Queen Medusa asked Du Wei: "This doesn't seem to be in line with what I know of your human nobles."

"How the nobles do it?" Du Wei smiled: "Who told you how the nobles did it?"

"Your fiancée." Queen Medusa said calmly: "In that town on the outskirts of the imperial capital. During the days she was with me, I asked her to read a lot of your human books to me. According to what I know The actions of your human aristocrats, I am afraid that you will immediately order this river transport official to be hung up and whipped."

Du Wei shook his head: "He is a very good official. My ship is parked here. Although there is no family badge on the ship, the sailors and captain on the ship are not dumb. So the river transport official will not know about this ship. Who does it belong to. But he still did it. It shows that he is a very pragmatic official. This matter is not his fault, but mine. "

This is a sea soul class ship. But for inland rivers. It's already huge. That night, Du Wei boarded the big ship in a small boat. Lived on the boat. Waiting for the river transport officials to clear the river, ready to start the next morning.

In the morning of the next day. Finally the ship docked at the berth of the pier.

The river transportation official and the magistrate came to see Du Wei, and seeing that the Duke was about to leave, these people were also relieved. Although His Excellency the Duke looks very friendly, he is dealing with such a big man after all. It's really stressful.

Such a large ship entered the berth on the pier, and Du Wei's sailors were busy carrying the cargo. This sea soul-class ship is so big that even carriages and horses can be loaded on it.

But here the sailors are in full swing. There was something wrong there.

Du Wei was sitting in the cabin drinking hot tea when he heard loud and cursing voices coming from outside. The voice seemed not too far away. Let him pay attention. Let people open the window of the cabin, and they can see the pier outside. A group of foreigners in fur robes from the Northwest gathered around their boat and yelled and cursed. There are also aliens who have climbed the ship from all sides, and several sailors have suffered from bruised noses and swollen faces. Fortunately, several of Du Wei's guards saw it. After rushing up, the two sides had drawn their weapons and were confronting each other.

These prairie people looked very domineering. Seeing that Du Wei had a few guards with swords on his side, they were not afraid, and the noise seemed to get louder.

"What's going on?" Du Wei turned his head and glanced at the Heyun officer and the security officer beside him. The two guys were sweating, and the security officer quickly confessed his crime and ran out, calling a few security soldiers to come over from a distance. But this group of prairie people was only a dozen people at first, but after shouting, dozens of people gathered from the pier. Everyone on the prairie stood tall. Although these guys were all caravans, everyone carried a machete and would draw it at the first sight of a disagreement, so those who watched the excitement around stood far away.

Although the sheriff had all gone out, these prairie people didn't seem to buy it, and the few leaders kept yelling and cursing at the sheriff.

"What's going on?" Du Wei turned to look at Officer He Yun: "These prairie merchants are so arrogant here? How dare they even draw their swords in front of the imperial magistrate?"

The official of the river transport had a bitter look on his face and was hesitating. Du Wei's face had already turned cold: "Yesterday I thought you were a good official, and I had a crush on you. Why are you so shy when facing these prairie people today? Don't you Did you take their benefits?"

"Absolutely not!" Officer He Yun was taken aback, and then hurriedly said it out.

It turns out that here in Mingfan Port, it is the hub of east-west transportation and river transportation. Among the businessmen who come and go, many are foreigners on the grassland. .

Especially when this kind of river transportation is full and the ships are full, other caravans are still willing to abide by the rules. Honestly wait for the shipping space to be arranged in the port and river transport office. Even if some are dishonest, they will at most quietly stuff some gold coins in an attempt to bribe the river transport officer here. Get yourself a berth.

Speaking of this, Du Wei smiled: "Oh? Then you must have made a lot of money recently?"

"No, no!" The river transport official's face turned serious, and he immediately said: "Your Excellency, although I have some power in my hands now, I never dare to accept bribes! My subordinates. I often warn them severely .Anyone who dares to take bribes and make random arrangements will eat my whip! You can send someone to inquire about it, and everyone in the town will know my reputation."

Du Wei nodded: "Well, you dare to delay my boat, which shows that you are business-like. Well, I believe you on this point, so there is no need to explain. Tell me about these prairie people."

The river transportation official looked resentful: "My lord... If it is our own caravan, at most it will do some small tricks quietly. It's just trying to bribe... But these prairie people, don't care about it, if they don't have a ship space When it comes to cabins, they often just draw their knives and grab them!"

"Continue." Du Wei's face darkened slightly.

"Prairie people have always been so barbaric in doing business. However, because of the huge profits of grassland trade, many merchants are willing to take risks to trade with them. The caravans coming and going from Mingfan Port. 20% of the 10% are grassland people. And... Different from our people, the grassland people are the most united. Often only one caravan has a dispute with others. With a whistle, all the grassland caravans in the town will take weapons to help. It is a headache. They despise local officials. Even in the face of the soldiers of the public security station, they would dare to fight with their swords. There are only two hundred people in the public security station in Mingfan Port, so it would be fine if they dealt with a dozen grassland people. It's difficult for people."

"This kind of busy time. The cabin is tight. If the goods are stored in the warehouse for an extra day, it will be an extra day of loss. The most common trick these prairie people use to snatch the cabin. It is to bring people to swarm up. Run to the port to see, which one? If the ship is empty, or is loading goods, gather a large number of people to rush on it. Occupy other people's ships first. Even if there are bad ones, just throw their goods into the water. If you wait for other caravans to come to the theory They drew their knives and threatened them. Even if the security team came, these people would just sit on the boat! Anyway, they all rushed aboard. They just couldn’t get down. They are rogues like this. We can’t do anything about it. Things. The caravans that eat and drink often can only think that they are unlucky. They come out to do business. Everyone just seeks money. But these grassland people are all desperadoes. Most of the caravans of our empire are unwilling to offend these grassland people. For nothing fight them hard."

The more Du Wei heard it, the more gloomy his face became. With a sneer: "The public security office just ignored it? Those domestic businessmen who suffered a lot didn't go to the public security office to complain?"

"Of course there is... but my lord. I said it just now. The police station is understaffed..."

"Nonsense!" Du Wei said angrily, "What's the lack of manpower? I think it's timid and fearful!! People in the grassland are like wolves. They bully the weak and fear the hard. If you are really determined to mess with them once, it will hurt them. I'm so scared. They won't dare to mess around anymore! It's because of your blind indulgence that they got to where they are today!!"

The river transport officer heard this. But one neck. He argued: "Master Duke! I also understand what you said. And... we also made efforts, but the result is chilling!!"

Du Wei was taken aback: "... Tell me about it."

"The year before last, these prairie people were rampant. The sheriff and I couldn't stand it any longer. We made up our minds to teach them a lesson. That time we dispatched all the soldiers from the public security station, and even some people from my Heyun station brought He took up the weapons and went into battle. He gave a harsh lesson to a prairie caravan who was doing evil. These prairie people injured other caravan people on the pier, robbed their cabins, and lost their goods Most of them! Such evil deeds have already violated the imperial law! Moreover, after our people left, they dared to openly resist the imperial security army by force. It is even more sinful. A fierce fight, our soldiers in the security station died Three. More than a dozen were injured, and a total of more than 60 prairie people were arrested! At that time, although we felt sorry for the soldiers who died, it would be a good thing if we could teach these prairie people a lesson! The 60 or so prairie people were arrested After that, according to the imperial decree, even if they are not all executed, they should all be sent to Big Ear City as coolies!"

"That's right, you guys did a great job." Du Wei nodded, "And then?"

"Then?" The river transport official looked up. With a look of grief and indignation: "My lord, guess what. What happened afterwards?"

Du Wei's heart skipped a beat. Already vaguely guessed a few points.

The river transport official looked ashamed. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Later, the more than sixty prairie people were locked up in the security station for a few days. Then came an order from above. Not only did they order to release them all, but they also ordered all the vehicles, horses and goods of their caravans to be detained. Refunded! Even the government gave out a sum of money to compensate them for their 'loss'! Such a thing. Let us blow our lungs! But later, even the few soldiers who died in the capture of these prairie people, even the pension It was delayed for two months before it was released! And the sheriff at that time was dismissed!! My lord, tell me, such a result. Isn’t it chilling? We are not afraid of fighting with the prairie people. But after doing it .to get results like this...let's...let's...'

In the end. The river transport official's eyes suddenly turned red. shed tears.

After hearing this, Du Wei was silent.

He is very clear. The Empire has lost control of the Northwest in recent years. Blindly appease the prairie people. Those officials in the imperial capital. They are all blindly seeking stability and safety. For fear of causing a rebellion among the prairie people.

Grassland merchants who came to do business in the empire became more and more arrogant. I have heard of it for a long time. When I first went to the northwest, when I passed through Nulin Province, I met Governor Bohan for the first time. I saw several grassland caravan leaders with my own eyes. Yelling at Governor Bohan. Even drew a knife to threaten!

That is the governor of a province in the empire! Prairie people dare to be openly rude. What's more, what about the merchants and small officials in these ports?

Du Wei sits in Desa Province. Enforcement is strict. And the battle of Gilliard City. It made the prairie people suffer, so the prairie people crossed the border to do business. It was fairly honest in Duwei's territory, but once it reached the middle of the empire. Just be old-fashioned! In addition, they recognized that the official policy of the empire was weak and deceptive. It became even more unscrupulous.

This river transport officer. He also seems to be a passionate person. It's a pity that the edges and corners have been smoothed by the weak policies of those above. It was so cold.

Think here. Du Wei stood up. He handed over a silk scarf. Wen Yan said: "Okay, wipe away your tears, I understand. These things are not your fault. It's no wonder you are chilled when you encounter such a thing."

The river transport official took Du Wei's silk scarf. Can't help shaking hands. But even more tears flowed.

Du Wei walked to the hatch of the ship. looked outside. The noisy voice became louder and louder.

These prairie people gathered more and more, and there were about a hundred or so people. Seeing that there were no more than thirty or fifty people on Du Wei's boat. Even more arrogant. Judging from their experience. Roland was weak and threatened. Most likely, the other party will be able to get out of the cabin.

By now the sheriff was sweating profusely. With a few soldiers stopped on the pier. He shouted loudly: "Everyone back off! Don't mess around!" Then he shouted at the leader of the prairie people: "You bastards, this is not a place for you to mess around! This boat is not an official leased cargo ship! It's a private boat! The person on board is a nobleman! Come and grab it too!"

The prairie people didn't wait for the magistrate to finish speaking, and one of the leaders raised a machete and cursed loudly: "I don't care if it's a cargo ship or a private ship! Our goods have been in the warehouse for a day. If you delay any longer, winter will be over. The weather is getting warmer, who will buy leather goods? Even if it is a private boat. Just deliver the goods to us, so what! What about the nobles! You Roland nobles. We grassland people don’t care!"

"Nonsense! Nonsense!" The magistrate looked like a mediocre man, and anxiously shouted: "How many caravans are waiting. Let alone a day. Even if the goods are left for three to five days, there will be land! Why are you in a hurry! Listen to my words and retreat quickly. Otherwise, you will offend the nobles on the boat, you..."

"How about us!" The leader of the prairie people had a stern look on his face. The scimitar slashed. He laughed and scolded: "It's not like we robbed his boat! It's just a matter of borrowing it!"

Seeing that the magistrate has been unable to suppress the scene. The prairie people clamored. A few rushed up. The soldiers at the public security station couldn't stop them, and they couldn't get orders from the chief. Not daring to make a move, he could only be pushed back again and again.

Du Wei watched the magistrate's incompetence from above, sneered, and called the guard elder Yan to give some instructions.

Lao Yan immediately ran out, and after explaining in the ear of the sheriff, the sheriff was taken aback, looking at the chief guard in disbelief. Just as he was stunned, the prairie people rushed forward and rushed onto the boat. The people in the security station were dispersed, and two soldiers were squeezed and fell into the river. .

Many caravans on other ships and caravans on the pier saw it, and everyone looked helpless. Everyone shakes their heads and sighs at the official weakness.

Du Wei's men on the ship got the order and all moved out of the way, allowing these prairie people to rush forward and all boarded the deck.

Hundreds of prairie people crowded on the deck. These people were probably used to robbing ships and they were very skilled. The leader called out: "Several brothers, go to the cabin to check and find some empty cabins for our cargo." , and send a few brothers back to the wharf warehouse for people to deliver the goods. The other brothers will follow me and wait here!" After finishing speaking, he sneered at the sheriff as if demonstrating: "We are already on board! If you want us to go down again, first ask if the scimitar in my hand agrees, and then ask my brothers if they agree!"

Du Wei was already standing on the second deck of the cabin. Seeing the mischief of the prairie people below, he just sneered: "Old Yan?"

"My lord!" Lao Yan immediately replied beside him.

"Give me an order to raise our flag. Then... have someone withdraw the sampan! None of these prairie wolf cubs on the deck are allowed to disembark and run away!"

These prairie people clamored for a while, and some people obeyed their orders, but as soon as they got to the side of the boat, they saw that some sailors had already withdrawn the sampan. Thus. Everyone can't get off the boat.

As soon as I reported to the past, I heard a horn sound. Immediately on the second deck, above the flagpole, a golden flame tulip flag rose quickly...

These steppe people are attracted by the sound of the trumpet. They looked up one after another, and when everyone saw clearly that the grassland tulip flag was raised, most of them changed their expressions!

Even the tyrannical leader turned pale when he saw the tulip flag.

These prairie people don't recognize other Roland noble flags, but why don't they recognize this tulip flag? When they came to do business within the empire, they all had to pass through Du Wei's territory! This year, in the battle of Jiliat City, the prairie people lost 20,000 cavalry and a shaman, and even the head of the golden wolf head was chopped off!

Moreover, afterward, many captured prairie people had their heads beheaded, tied to a frame, and spread to various parts of the Desa province in a carriage to parade in the streets!

Everyone in the prairie knows that such iron and blood methods are the work of the Tulip Duke!

Grassland people are like wolves. They bully the weak and fear the hard. If you are soft, they will bully them. If you are hard, they will be afraid of you. And Du Wei's iron and blood methods, coupled with the massacre of prisoners of war, and the behavior of parading corpses in the sun, made the grassland people even more frightened. All caravans passing through the Desa province were cautious and did not dare to make any mistakes.

Here at the moment, seeing the tulip flag fluttering, everyone is terrified...

At this moment, several prairie people suddenly exclaimed. Around the deck, dozens of heavily armed guards of the Tulip family rushed out from both sides. A small shortbow, the most elite shortbow of the Roland Empire military, has been loaded. Dozens of shortbows are facing the densely packed prairie people.

The prairie people had already panicked, and the leader didn't dare to be tough anymore, and shouted: "We...we are businessmen, you can't hurt us casually...we..."

Du Wei stood on the second deck with a cold face, and casually asked the river transport officer beside him: "Well, let me ask you, according to the imperial law, what is the crime of offending a duke?"

"This... is regarded as a crime of contempt for the imperial decree and disrespect. The severe punishment is 30 lashes, and the lightest is..."

Whipping?

Du Wei sneered disdainfully: "Well, what if it's not an offense but an assassination? What is the crime of assassinating an imperial duke?"

Officer Heyun trembled, and vaguely understood Du Wei's intentions, and said in a trembling voice: "If you plan...to assassinate, you will kill without pardon..."

"Very good." Du Wei smiled lightly, pointed to the people below, and said with a smile: "You are a local official here, please give me a certification! You have seen with your own eyes, such a group of grassland people with weapons in their hands , rushed onto my boat! My duke’s flag was clearly flying on my boat! This can be regarded as conclusive evidence? Hundreds of people are holding weapons, what is it if they don’t want to assassinate me?”

Officer He Yun only felt a chill rising from his back, and felt that although the Duke smiled gently, he faintly looked like a bloodthirsty lion. How could he dare to say anything nonsense at this moment, and nodded repeatedly: "Yes Your Excellency, I know how to write a report."

"Very good. You are very good. I appreciate you very much." Du Wei praised him a few words, then turned around, and gave an order to Lao Yan lightly:

"Get your men ready to fight."

After the order was spoken, the transport officer immediately felt his legs go limp. Fortunately, even though he stood still, he couldn't help but whispered in a trembling voice: "My lord...you..."

Du Wei ignored him, but said one more thing to Lao Yan:

"All the assassins cut off their heads and left them for me... Well, don't these prairie people have a habit of using human heads to make some kind of head frame? There are more than a hundred heads, all of which were put on head frames for me , stand on this pier for three days!"

After speaking, he smiled and patted the shoulder of the river transportation officer, and said with a gentle smile: "In this way, your work will be much easier in the future."

Du Wei smiled very gently, without any fireworks. But in the eyes of this river transport officer, he could feel the cruelty in it...

The river transport official's mind was already pale. The last thing he heard clearly was the Duke's last order in a soft and elegant voice:

"Let go and kill, leave no one behind.".