Law of the Devil

Du Wei frowned, and couldn't help feeling a little confused.

If you don't have anything to do, you can either rape or steal! Prince Chen had already repaid him for his contribution in the northwest. He was in charge of negotiating with the grassland people, and he gained a lot of benefits. There were also 20,000 cavalry who had withdrawn, and they had 6,000 elite troops. These have already been regarded as rewards for their own credit.

But today, just after I returned to the imperial capital, I came here... His Royal Highness, Prince Chen, he...

Well, yes!

Du Wei raised his eyebrows!

The Prince Regent gave himself such a big face. Then, when he made some request, I was too embarrassed to refute his face! This guy... I'm already engaged, won't he still want to marry me?

If not for marriage, what request would he make?

Du Wei thought for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so he didn't think about it at all. Anyway, he had already returned to the imperial capital, and the next step was to take a step and watch.

Nothing to say all night. Early the next morning, a servant came to report that Zack, the manager of the shop in the imperial capital, had sent someone to invite Du Wei over.

The servant who came to report said that he was still a little scared. Although everyone knows that this little Zach is a person Du Wei trusts very much, and he is in charge of the Duke's business in the imperial capital. But when the Duke returned to the imperial capital this time, instead of coming to see him right away, the manager Zac just sent someone to let Du Wei pass. It's really rude to do so.

But Du Wei didn't mind at all, he knew that this little Zach was a business prodigy. This is how things are always done, there must be a reason why he didn't come to see him. Du Wei is not the kind of person who is demanding on etiquette.

In the morning, I immediately went to my shop.

Little Zac, the guy Du Wei picked up, has been doing well in the imperial capital for the past two years. He was born with a slick temperament, and he was among the many dignitaries in the imperial capital, and everyone knew that Duke Tulip was behind him, so they naturally respected him three points. Moreover, this Zach has a lot of ghost ideas, and he often comes up with some tricks to make money, making Du Wei's business in the imperial capital extremely prosperous, although it can't be said that he is making a lot of money every day. But it is also a lot of money. Even the Delan Mountain monster is envious. If it weren't for Du Wei's face, this Delan Mountain monster would have secretly come to poach the wall.

before going out. Someone from his subordinates came to report again, saying that there is a proportion of the earl's housekeeper. The steward of the Warcraft family in Mount Delan. There is also Camisiro, the head of the Imperial Police Department, and Baron Sark, the financial secretary. And several generals in the military and so on. People from about a dozen families sent people to send invitations early in the morning. I would like to invite Duke Tulip to attend the banquet.

Du Wei frowned upon hearing this. It would be fine if it was the Earl of Villa or the Warcraft of Delan Mountain who came to invite him. After all, these two guys were closer to me, so I came back to the imperial capital by myself. It was expected that the other party invited me. That Camisiro can be regarded as a good friend, so it is not surprising... But those other people, such as Baron Sark. And why did those people in the military invite themselves?

And still so anxious. I just came back one night. All the invitations were delivered early the next morning. It seems to be impatient.

What made Du Wei even more suspicious was that among the dozen or so invitations he received. A small half of them are not members of Prince Chen's direct lineage at all, but instead are the heads of the neutral faction among the dignitaries of the former imperial capital. I don't have much friendship with myself.

Du Wei pondered for a while, and thought it was not good to refuse rashly. After all, in this rich and powerful society, if he refused directly, he would inevitably offend others. After thinking about it for a while, I asked people to reply to the managers of the dozen or so companies, and told them that the Duke of Tulip thanked you for your kindness, and decided to entertain all distinguished guests at the property of the Tulip family in the imperial capital tonight.

Since we can't go to the banquet one by one, it's better to invite all these people together. Anyway, Du Wei's business in the imperial capital is getting bigger and bigger now. In addition to the original shop that has doubled in size, there are also many hotels and other industries. After all, little Zack started his business as a hotel business, and he is also a veteran in the catering industry, and he is doing very well.

After someone replied, Du Wei took a few guards and rode to meet little Zach.

Of course, when he came back to the imperial capital, he would naturally go to see the Prince Regent, Prince Chen. It's just that the status of His Royal Highness is not as good as before. He is the regent of the empire. Although Du Wei is popular, it is not easy to go directly to the palace. According to the imperial decree, all dignitaries who are recalled to the imperial capital must first send someone to go to the imperial palace to go through the formalities according to the regulations, and then wait for the emperor's call.

Du Wei figured out what this Prince Chen probably had in mind last night. Of course he ate the carrot, but it was time to throw the stick. Of course, Du Wei would not take the initiative to send it to the door, so he simply waited for the regent to call.

Originally, Du Wei's original property was on the most prosperous street in the imperial capital. The imperial capital is the largest city in the mainland, with extremely developed commerce, especially the five or six intersecting streets in the center of the city, forming a business circle similar to Du Wei's previous world, with various businesses, shops, hotels, etc. Gathered here, there are more than a dozen business groups headquartered here, the most prosperous.

Du Wei's original business was on one of the streets here. After the two years of small Zack's operation, the scale has more than tripled. The original two hotels on this street have become one in size.

Du Wei went out in light clothes, without much ostentation, just rode on horseback, with several guards around. Wandering all the way to the most prosperous area of ​​the imperial capital, it is also quite leisurely. This place is bustling, and there are naturally many people on the street. It's just that everyone saw Du Wei and his party wearing fancy clothes, with extraordinary momentum, and those mighty guards following them. Ordinary people dare not approach Du Wei. So Du Wei walked all the way, and there was no congestion.

When he finally reached the street where Tulip's family owned property, Du Wei found that he had been away from the imperial capital for a year and a half. Little Zach did a great job, such a long street. Almost half of them have turned into tulip real estate.

From a long distance, I saw the shop that started at the beginning. The size of the gate is three times larger, the gate is extremely magnificent, and even the space for parking carriages next to it has also expanded a lot. Although it was early in the morning, I saw a few gorgeous carriages parked there from afar, obviously there was business coming early in the morning. .

Du Wei dismounted in front of the door, and someone who had recognized Du Wei rushed out to greet him. There are many newcomers in this shop, but Du Wei's attire still looks good. Who can't guess Du Wei's identity? Everyone hurriedly saluted and greeted them. Du Wei walked in by himself. Looking along the way, the layout here is quite different from when he left. The clothes and demeanor of the waiters who come and go have obviously been strictly trained, although his arrival caused some shock. But not alarmed. After most of them respected and saluted themselves, they were also busy. There is no mess with responsibilities.

After seeing that little Zack. Du Wei almost stopped laughing. I haven't seen you for over a year. This guy who I picked up at the beginning looks like a big horse monkey. He actually wore a white leather robe in a decent manner. Apparently, it was a first-class white bear skin brought from the frozen forest in the north. Although it looks a little ugly. But after some dressing up, he looked very energetic, and his demeanor was a little less frivolous than before. A little more stable.

Recalling the scene when I met this guy back then, he happily recommended that "golden service package" to himself. Du Wei couldn't help but want to laugh.

"My boss, I haven't seen you for more than a year. You look very energetic!" Little Zach looked worried. There is no such free and easy flying as before. Bow down and salute politely. Du Wei glanced at him. Carelessly walked inside and looked at the house. Laughing: "Dear Zach. You look good too. It's been over a year. You've done a good job. I'm very satisfied."

Zach was originally Du Wei who was picked out from the grassroots. Although these days I come to hang out with the rich and powerful, and my behavior is much more standardized. But privately. It still showed its original shape. It's just that today this guy has a bitter face, his brows are full of worry, and his manner is much more respectful. He said with a frowning face, "My boss, don't make jokes... After a while, maybe you're going to slap the table and scold people. We Let’s talk about it first. You are not allowed to hit me with the board for a while! You are not allowed to chop me with a knife!"

After speaking, he seemed to look around subconsciously. Du Wei scanned the room. Sure enough, I found that there was not even a knife here. Even the small knife specially placed on the table for cutting fruit was put away.

Du Wei frowned: "Tell me, what's the matter? You are so arrogant now. Let me, the boss, come to see you."

"I can't go away." Zach blinked: "Look. There is a big event at noon today. I wanted to see you last night...but... oh. I can't say a word or two Sit down and listen to me slowly, but please calm down and don't get angry with me for a while."

The joke is over. His face darkened, and he came over and said in a low voice, "My duke...it's really time for you to come back. In the past two days, there has been a lot of noise in the imperial capital. No, I just bought a few pieces recently. The rare goods are about to be auctioned here, and the news has been sent out. As a result, the admission tickets of our auction house have already sold for 100 gold coins a piece! Especially the VIP tickets, it is a steal. I'm afraid there is no such number on the market outside, so don't even think about getting one." As he said, little Zach stretched out a slap and five fingers.

"Five hundred gold coins?"

"Five thousand!" Little Zach rolled his eyes.

Du Wei was taken aback.

It was Du Wei who raised some rules for the auction of this kind of thing, and then little Zach started it in the imperial capital with his ingenuity and talent. Whenever some rare goods were released, the rich and powerful in the imperial capital would also buy them. I have to buy that too, everyone has a lot of background, but after all there are only so limited one or two things, it's not good for anyone to refuse. Simply follow the rules of the auction, and the one with the highest price wins. In this way, no one will be offended, and often these rich and powerful people will raise the price several times for the sake of face when competing for the price at the auction, so that little Zach Earn a beaming smile.

And auction this rare thing. It is also very popular in the imperial capital. Often a rare item. As soon as the news spread, the admission tickets to the tulip homeland auction site would be sold at a high price.

But……

"What strange treasure did you get this time, why is the admission price so high?" Du Wei frowned.

Little Zach shook his head: "The things in this auction are relatively expensive. But it is absolutely impossible to make such a momentum. Just because, among the things we auctioned this time, there is one thing that is not our own. It's someone else sending it to the auction site here, and the business belongs to the business. I have ordered the auction house to accept the items stored here since this year. According to the rules, we can take 15% of the final auction proceeds. This business earns Quite. Only. This time it caused trouble."

"What exactly is the ground?"

After listening to Du Wei's question. Little Zach's face became weird, with a wry smile on his face. He whispered: "The auction...is nothing. It's a promise!"

"Promise?" Du Wei frowned.

Little Zach sighed: "This matter has suddenly spread in the past few days. I wanted to inform you as soon as I got the news. But you are already on the way. Although I sent someone to rush to find you on the road, I just wanted to come I missed it on the way. I wanted to see you last night. But when you came back last night, a dozen big people went to greet you. And then went back with you. So many outsiders were present. I am not good I want to talk to you about this. I have to wait until early this morning..."

Du Wei shook his head: "There is no need to explain. Tell me quickly. What happened?"

Little Zach smiled wryly: "What happened, let's talk about it from ten days ago..."

Afterwards, Du Wei listened to what little Zach had to say. The more you listen, the more you frown.

It turned out that ten days ago. Little Zach has already released the news, preparing for the monthly auction.

And at that time. Just happened a small thing.

It turns out that this winter. A province in the south of the empire was suddenly hit by snow. The continental climate is cold in the north and hot in the south. There is little snow in the south, and this kind of snowy weather in the south in winter. Of course it is abnormal. But it is not without precedent. There was a snowstorm. It's not a big deal. Not to mention small. Naturally, the imperial capital government has a finance department responsible for the government affairs of the disaster relief area.

only. Just once a year, the bishops of the eight mainland dioceses of the Temple of Light return to the Temple of the Imperial Capital to report on their duties. His Majesty the Pope who has been reclusive for many years. It is said that the province in the south was hit by a snowstorm, and the believers in the diocese were living in hardship. The compassionate Pope immediately issued a decree, exempting the diocese from the religious tax and contribution tax for one year. .

Whether this matter is big or small. However, His Majesty the Pope made such a good move. There are many rich and powerful families who believe in divine religion. They all came to make fun of it, and many nobles donated their property one after another. Boiling literature hands-on team dedicated dedication.

This incident has been raging in the imperial capital for several days. In the end, an embarrassing situation appeared: in the temple. Under the call of the Pope, millions of gold coins were raised in one go. First of all, the pope has a strong appeal. The efforts of the rich believers below... Second, come on. I am afraid that some of them are behind the scenes.

at this time. Suddenly, a rumor with ulterior motives popped up in the imperial capital. It is only said that the regent ordered the financial secretary to raise gold coins for disaster relief, but it was only more than 30 gold coins. And the pope got three million with one order. It can be seen that the Pope's prestige is much higher than that of His Royal Highness the Regent.

here. There is a faint meaning of comparing the appeal and prestige of theocracy and imperial power with each other.

Such rumors naturally have ulterior motives. But the reality before us is that divine power seems to have overwhelmed imperial power.

All of a sudden, the prestige of the temple naturally increased, but the regent seemed to lose his face.

The open and secret struggle between the imperial family and the temple has a long history. The pope's high-profile behavior this time is very inconsistent with the low-key style of this mysterious old guy who has been reclusive for these years.

After all, in the royal capital, everyone is an old fritter, and many people can smell it a little bit.

However, in this competition, the regent seemed to be very low-key, and did not compete with the temple for anything. There was a lot of noise outside, and the royal family also kept silent.

Originally, according to the normal trajectory, there were such rumors in the market. If the rich and powerful were smart, they would naturally not continue to spend their pockets to send money to the temple. Otherwise, the temple would raise more money. Isn't it just slapping the regent's face?

But when things develop here, it's weird!

After the rumor spread, it was originally the place where supplies were raised in the temple. It can also be said to be "lively". But this rumor has become very serious, and there are many people who donate money. Instead, it surged overnight!

this phenomenon. It is extremely abnormal!

It is said that in those few days, outside the temple, people who followed His Majesty's call to donate money. Almost the queue was sent two streets away! The crowd was surging. Even the temple has sent the Holy Knights to maintain order!

The original three million gold coins. In less than two days, it doubled again!

In this way, everyone was amazed by the appeal of His Majesty the Pope. And the other way around. The Prince Regent, who looked more and more royal, seemed a little... bleak.

"Could it be that these rich people in the imperial capital are blind, deaf, and stupid?" Du Wei frowned. Are these rich people not afraid of offending the royal family? Do you dare to join in this kind of excitement?"

Little Zach shook his head: "My duke...you are wrong! The strange thing is that those who donate money to the temple are mostly not rich people in the imperial capital. I have sent someone to inquire. Among them The vast majority. They all speak foreign accents, and they seem to be from the south... I don’t know why so many southerners have come to the imperial capital recently. It seems that these people have brought huge sums of money. They came to the imperial capital specially. After donating money, he left... This is very obvious. It is clearly a deliberate attempt to discredit the royal family."

"Southern people?" Du Wei sneered: "How could there be so many wealthy businessmen from the south in the imperial capital all of a sudden to donate money? Obviously, someone organized them on purpose!"

"Isn't that right?" Little Zach said with a smile: "You came back two days late. If you had come back two days earlier, you would have seen the excitement. A few days ago, there was a sea of ​​people outside the temple!"

Du Wei shook his head. Asked: "What about the royal family? How did the royal family respond?"

"It just didn't respond. That's why it's strange." Little Zach smiled wryly: "Even an idiot can see that the temple deliberately provoked the royal family. It is so obvious that it is really in line with the behavior of His Majesty the Pope for many years. The calmness that comes out is very inconsistent! But it is weird. Our regent has never said a word, and has no reaction to this matter. And..."

"And what?"

"And don't you think it's strange? If you want to talk about financial resources, is the regent afraid of the temple here? Don't say anything else, just let the two people, the Delan Mountain Warcraft and the Earl of Villa. Throw them casually It's nothing to pay out millions of gold coins? If the royal family wants to fight, they still have to pay out millions of gold coins. It's the fault. The regent didn't speak. Neither speak."

Du Wei was full of doubts.

This matter is so obvious... If it is a conspiracy against the royal family, then this conspiracy is too clumsy. Temple of Light, okay, why did you suddenly take advantage of this matter to attack the royal family? It seems that His Majesty the Pope has no need to suddenly challenge the authority of the regent?

Hmm...people from the south...

Could it be that the Yenipai did it?

But why did the Yenipai do this? Provoking the royal family and deliberately releasing such rumors, besides offending the royal family, what good can it do?

Du Wei put these questions aside first, and said, "Well, what does this have to do with today's auction?"

"Just two days ago, someone came to us and sent a lot." Zach's face was very ugly: "Guess who sent this lot?"

"……who?"

"The temple!" Zach said bitterly: "The Lord Judge of the temple came here in person and sent a decree signed by His Majesty the Pope! This decree is stored here with us. This decree is this One of the lot of the next lot! For this lot, the imperial capital has almost turned upside down in the past two days! The mobile phone is boiling wap.101du.

His Majesty's decree made it very clear that this item will be auctioned here, and the highest bidder will win it! All the money from the auction will be used for disaster relief in the south. And this decree of the auction site is a promise signed by the Pope himself: no matter who gets this promise, if the person who gets the promise has a child, His Majesty the Pope promises to personally baptize him and receive For your own godson, personally act as the godfather of the child! Three teachings and nine streams, no matter what the identity of the other party is. This promise works! ".

After saying this, even Du Wei couldn't sit still.

The Pope himself presided over the baptism ceremony? What kind of treatment is this?

His Majesty the Pope of each generation will never baptize any ordinary person! ! The only one who can enjoy the baptism ceremony presided over by the Pope himself. Can only be the emperor of the empire! The only emperor!

The Roland Empire has been established for more than 960 years. The Temple of Light has been established for nine hundred and sixty years, and this example has never been broken! It is absolutely not allowed to be broken!

Even... in a way. This has almost become the standard for whether an emperor has legitimacy!

unconsciously. People even established such a concept: If His Majesty the Pope cannot preside over the baptism, then the emperor is not legal!

On the other hand, as the supreme master of the Temple of Light. The pope must never baptize anyone casually!

This is the iron law! !

"Is His Majesty the Pope crazy?!!!" Du Wei jumped up suddenly: "What the hell is this old magician crazy about?!"

This is provocation! Naked provocation! A provocation to the imperial power! !

Du Wei's face was pale. Suddenly stared at Zach. Angrily said: "Are you stupid too! You dare to accept this kind of thing!!!"

Zach's face changed color, and he yelled Qu: "God! My Duke! I, Zach, am not a fool! Do you think I don't know the severity of this kind of thing? Do you think I dare to take it? But the problem is. The temple that day The local judge came with the Pope's decree in person. Standing in front of me, facing the Pope's decree. How can you tell me to say 'no' in person!! I am not you. You are the Duke. I But it’s just a small steward. Facing a person of the Pope’s level, how can I refuse a decree written by himself? How can I refuse? I have to accept it if I don’t accept it!!”

Du Wei thought for a while, really... Facing the Pope's decree, it's hard to refuse, I'm afraid it's him. If the Pope personally made any will, he would not be able to refuse it in person. At most, it is obedience and violation. But saying no in person is impossible.

over the entire continent. Who can say "no" to His Majesty the Pope? ?

"Let's talk about it." Zach said bitterly: "After receiving this thing that day, I immediately sent someone out of the imperial capital. At that time, you should already be on your way to the imperial capital! I sent someone to find you halfway... Didn't you meet it?"

Du Wei's heart became more and more gloomy, counting the days, two days ago?

Well, that happened to happen after I saved Maximus on the river! Could it be the Yenipai playing tricks?

"I haven't met the person you sent me to deliver the letter." He hurriedly asked again: "What about Prince Chen? After the regent knows the news, what will he say?"

Zach had a weird face, and then smiled wryly: "Just last night, I planned to see you in the middle of the night... But in the middle of the night, a court envoy came to the palace, found me in person, and then gave me a copy of the regent handwritten order, and then..."

"Then what?"

"Then take this lot, which is the Pope's personal promise, and take it away."

After hearing this, Du Wei felt as if he had been punched in the face, and suddenly said furiously, "Take it away?!"

He got angry and slapped the table hard. With a bang, he jumped up and said angrily, "Zach! Why didn't you tell me such an important matter until now!! Why didn't you come and tell me last night! !"

"I really want to." Zach shook his head: "Yesterday, someone from the palace stopped me here, and I was about to go out to see you, but the envoy from the palace came to see me without notifying you. Then two court envoys, one of whom was a court magician, stood beside me, slapping their fists. They stared at me every step of the way!! Just don’t allow me to inform you...how can I slip away? Don’t say it I slipped away, and all night, a magician sat next to me, never took his eyes off me for a moment, and was followed even to the toilet! Even if I wanted to send someone out secretly...they wouldn't let me talk to anyone You can’t even send someone to deliver a letter to you!”

Du Wei nodded. He was a little surprised at first, why his master returned to the imperial capital, and Zach, as his number one manager in the imperial capital, unexpectedly didn't show up all night, nor did he go to greet him.

"It wasn't until this morning that the people in the court told me that they could send someone to invite you. I didn't understand what the hell the regent was doing. I had to send someone to the Duke's mansion to invite you. Just now, the court The people are still here! It’s just that they have just left, and you are coming. I guess, most of them have been watching the wind on the street.”

After a pause, Zach smiled wryly and said, "I also sent someone to notify you two days ago. I want to inform you of this important matter. It’s yours. But you didn’t meet the person I sent to deliver the letter on the road. Most of the people I sent to deliver the letter were also intercepted. It’s just that I can’t guess whether the person intercepted was the royal family or the temple. .”

Du Wei calmed down bit by bit.

It seems that Prince Chen did this on purpose.

This Highness deliberately blocked the news and kept himself from knowing these things along the way. He didn't know until he returned to the imperial capital... What is the intention of this?

When I arrived at the imperial capital last night, Count Villa and the others who greeted me didn't say a word. Obviously, he also got the instruction of Prince Chen!

This Highness deliberately let himself go to the imperial capital, only to find out about this important event this morning... for what reason? Sudden attack? So what's the point?

Seeing that Du Wei was lost in thought, Zach smiled wryly and said, "My master, I'm not thinking about these issues now. The urgent issue is... the auction will be held at noon in a while! But Prince Chen put this auction item last night Send someone to take it away! When the auction will be held later, we will be empty-handed, what should we do? This His Highness Chen, is he trying to trick you on purpose?"

Du Wei frowned...Prince Chen deliberately punished himself? Probably not, after all, when he came back last night, he still showed his kindness to him in every possible way. It was another triumphant welcome, and another gift of the old house. There is no reason to deliberately frame yourself by doing something like this today.

It is also in the interest of the royal family to take away the Pope's autographed decree and make the auction impossible, but there is no reason to embarrass yourself?

With a long sigh, Du Wei finally cleared his mind: "I understand..."

He rubbed the muscles on his face, and sighed helplessly: "The meaning of this highness is very obvious... He deliberately sent someone to take this item from you before the auction, just because he didn't want this lot to fall to anyone His meaning is obvious: Make sure that this thing does not fall into anyone's hands! Don't let the Pope's promise be fulfilled to anyone!".

"Then what should we do? At the auction later..."

"It's up to us to figure out a way for ourselves." Du Wei sighed: "Speaking of which, the only way is...we buy this thing at our own expense! When it's auctioned later, no matter how high the price is, no matter how much it costs No matter how much it costs, we have to pay to buy this thing on the spot!"

Damn, in my own auction house, I pay for things by myself...

Zach froze for a moment, but he was also a smart person after all, his eyes lit up: "I see! This must be what the regent wanted! But, why didn't he discuss this matter with you before doing it? I took the things away first, and I didn't send someone to watch over me so I won't let you know..."

He is giving me no chance to play tricks. Du Wei snorted, and sneered in his heart: This Prince Chen seems to know him very well, he was worried that he would not want to do such an out-of-the-box thing, so he simply took the things away first! Force yourself to do this!

Prince Chen took away the Pope's decree, and he will never admit that he took it! If during the auction, someone else took the item and couldn't take out the item, he would be charged with "losing the Pope's decree". In order not to bear this charge, I can only take pictures of things myself! But the result is that Du Wei himself became the early bird who got the Pope's promise!

With Du Wei's usual style, he would never stand on the cusp of this kind of storm! So Prince Regent Chen simply didn't do anything and kept going, cutting first and playing later, forcing himself to do this!

Du Wei sighed in his heart: I was still worried last night. After eating the carrot, I don't know what kind of stick will fall.

Looking at it today... this stick is really hard to beat! .