(Two in One Chapter)
The 163rd chapter "Du Wei's choice"
Earl Raymond's cell was located in the innermost part of this floor.
Robotsky didn't lie. The place where Earl Raymond lived was indeed a clean single room that had been specially taken care of.
After his men opened the iron gate, Du Wei saw his father sitting behind the desk and reading a book with a relaxed expression.
He was gently holding the second volume of the "General History of the Continent" in one hand. His concentration as he read it definitely didn't look like he was faking it. He was truly immersed in the book.
Even when Du Wei came in, the former Earl only looked up with a slightly relaxed face and casually greeted him:
"Oh, you're here."
This tone, this demeanor, it's almost the same as when Du Wei first walked into his study room at the Earl's mansion. There's almost no difference.
Baron Robotsky tactfully retreated, leaving the father and son alone to think.
Earl Raymond was still holding the book, he didn't have any intention to put it down. Du Wei looked around the cell with his hands behind his back.
Objectively speaking, this was a very clean room. The floor, walls, and ceiling were all made of huge and sturdy rocks. Furthermore, it was said that in order to prevent the prisoners from escaping (many of the imprisoned generals were experts in martial arts), the walls that looked like they were made of rocks were actually embedded with a layer of steel plates.
There was only a palm-sized iron window in the room. It was very high from the ground, and a little bit of sunlight could come in from the outside. The iron railings on the window were full of rust. Because of the lack of sunlight all year round, the room was filled with a cold and musty smell that could not be concealed. Some mottled moss grew in the cracks of the stone on the windowsill.
Other than that, the room was very clean. But as a prison, there was only one hard bed. Although the bed was covered with white sheets, it was definitely not as comfortable as the bed in the Earl's mansion.
The desk was specially made for the head of the Rowling family.
Other than that, the last thing left was a bucket of dung placed in the corner of the room.
Simple, crude, and cold.
This was the prison cell of a famous general of the Empire who once held great power and led the Empire's naval fleet on an expedition to Southeast Asia.
Du Wei wasn't in a hurry to speak, and Earl Raymond didn't seem to be in a hurry either. He was still calmly flipping through the last few pages of the second volume of the book. Only then did he let out a long breath, stretched his body, and slowly stood up. Turning his head to look at Du Wei, he calmly smiled and said: "I guessed that you would come, but I didn't expect you to come so quickly. I originally thought that I would have to wait a few more days."
Then, he pointed to his bed and said, "Sit down. The only place you can sit is the bed."
After Du Wei sat down, Earl Raymond put down his book and quietly looked at his son for a while. Then he slowly asked: "How is the family?"
"Not bad." Du Wei hesitated for a moment, then said: "The local guards have taken control of the capital's defense. My family's mansion is surrounded by the local guards, temporarily unable to go in or out. But because of my relationship with them, they are a lot more polite. Aside from some inconveniences, everything else is fine."
Earl Raymond nodded: "What about your mother and brother?"
Du Wei sighed: "Mother's mood is very bad, and her body is not very good. But I asked the Shrines to take a look at her. She's just sick from worry, but there isn't much of a problem. Brother is still young, so recently he's been a little emotional, but I will protect him. "
Earl Raymond muttered to himself for a moment, then raised his head. His eyes were shining as he looked at Du Wei: "Then, how should I address you now? Or …. Like other people, I should call you 'Duke'? "
This tone made Du Wei's heart feel like it was pierced by a needle. He slightly tilted his head, not directly meeting Earl Raymond's gaze: "These words, do they have any meaning?"
Both father and son were silent.
After a long time, Earl Raymond laughed. His laugh was somewhat self-deprecating: "Yes, you're right. There really is no meaning in me saying those words. In fact, it's just that my heart is still somewhat unable to let go. Although I've already lived here for a few days, I've also reminded myself that I have to face the reality of failure. But in life, how many people can really be happy with this kind of situation …. "
Finished speaking, Earl Raymond stared at Du Wei, his eyes seemingly trembling. His lips gently opened and closed, finally slowly spitting out a sentence: "You're very good, very good …. Son, you're better than me."
Seeing that Du Wei was about to speak, Earl Raymond waved his hand: "Listen to me first. These past few days I've been locked up here. At first, I was very unwilling. But these past two days, I've calmed down and quietly read the history of the continent. Suddenly, my heart understood. We were born in the power field, struggling against each other, deceiving each other, fighting to the death. Some people are glorious, some people are discredited. But in the end …. "
He casually pointed to the book next to him: "A hundred years later, everyone is just written in this book. No matter how glorious they are, it's just a sentence in the book."
Du Wei didn't speak, carefully savoring his father's words.
Earl Raymond looked at his quiet son, his eyes somewhat fervent. Then he lowered his eyelids and whispered: "I've been thinking, where my biggest mistake was. These past two days I've been thinking about it, but I couldn't figure it out. Later, I figured it out …. My mistake wasn't helping the crown prince fight for the throne, nor was it that I stood on the wrong side. In the political world, no one has a lifetime of glory. Some people win, some lose, this doesn't mean anything. My biggest mistake was that from beginning to end, I didn't see you clearly – my son. "
"You're very outstanding, even far more outstanding than I expected." Earl Raymond's mouth has a smile, this smile is sincere. Looking at his son: "That day in the square, you publicly broke off relations with the family …. In fact, you and I both know in our hearts what was going on. Du Wei, until that moment, I really regretted it! Because I saw you clearly, I saw that you were actually responsible for the family. You wanted to protect the family, so you publicly broke off relations with the family …. That kind of approach, made me very shocked. "If I were to say that when you returned to the capital, many of the things I said to you were all lies, and that even the matter of sending people to assassinate you on the road was also my decision, and that I hurt your feelings afterwards, I actually didn't regret it at that time. Because I always thought that losing a son to protect the family was worth it. But that day in the square, you actually took the initiative …. "Earl Raymond sighed, staring into Du Wei's eyes:" Until that moment, I regretted it! Du Wei, your brilliance exceeded my expectations, and far exceeded it! I suddenly understood, what I lost wasn't just a son, I lost an outstanding heir that I dreamed of! Unfortunately …. I was wrong from the beginning, but I pushed you further and further away. By the time I understood, the crack between us was already irreparable. "
Du Wei didn't say anything.
"The matter of the coup, I lost, but I don't resent you. Because of that day's matter, I now carefully think about it. I feel that Prince Son is a person who planned everything in advance, but hid it well. This kind of intelligence is not something the Crown Prince can compare with. That day, he made one move after another, from the Shrines to the Magician's Guild, from the guards to the Knight's Spear, and his methods of winning people's hearts, his foresight … … These are all far better than the Crown Prince I supported. I have been reading the history of the continent for the past two days, and I suddenly understood that this is an inevitable law. The strong are respected, and the weak will naturally become the cornerstone of the strong. That day, I guess you also didn't expect Prince Son to win in the end, right? "
Du Wei nodded and admitted: "I really didn't expect it. My original plan was that if the Crown Prince succeeded in the coup, I would take advantage of the chaos to save Prince Son's life. "
Earl Raymond smiled: "That day, with or without you, we were doomed to fail. So, my current situation has nothing to do with you. "
Du Wei breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at his father's calm face, he slowly said: "Father, tell me, what should I do to protect the family?"
"Hmm?" Earl Raymond was surprised. He really didn't expect Du Wei to ask such a question.
"I promised mother," Du Wei lightly said: "As long as I am here, I will not let the glory of the family be destroyed."
Earl Raymond was silent for a moment, then sighed: "You have already done it."
He bitterly smiled: "Although you have nothing to do with the Rollin family in name, but those nobles and ministers, who would really think so? Although I have fallen from power, everyone will still see you as the continuation of the Rollin family. I used to be a Earl, but you are now a Duke. Although you were given the surname Rudolph, who would take it seriously? You know that although my coup failed that day, I didn't feel despair after I was captured. Because at the very least, you managed to survive. Your survival, no matter what, is a seed of the Rowling Family. "
"What should I do?" Du Wei asked in a deep voice as he stared at his father.
He came here today to sincerely ask for advice.
At this moment, although the coup in the capital is over, Du Wei is still being doted on by Prince Son. At a young age, he was bestowed the title of Duke and is now considered as the number one confidant of the Regent. Moreover, on the day of the coup, he accidentally chased away the powerful Green Robe Gandorf. Now, even in the circle of magicians, he can be considered as one of the top magicians in the continent. Such a character can be said to be the most popular person in the capital.
However, Du Wei is also aware of his own problems. Although he has lived two lives and is conceited in his intelligence, but when it comes to politics, it's not something he was born with.
Although he was born in a noble family in this life, he has always tried to avoid these things since he was a child. Political experience is definitely not something that can be made up for by talent.
In the field of politics, Du Wei is very clear about his position. He is still a complete rookie! Although he has lived two lives, he has never experienced the real test of politics. Even if he is outstanding in other aspects, he can forget about becoming a qualified politician.
Although he has been in the limelight in the capital recently, Du Wei has already faintly felt a sense of crisis.
Since that day when Prince Chen gave him the map of the Roland Empire, Du Wei could clearly feel the envious and even hostile gazes from his peers!
Although Du Wei has a lot of strange companions by his side, such as Hussain for martial arts, Gege Wu for magic, and Medusa for magic. But there is no one who can truly serve as his advisor. Because in the past, he didn't think it was necessary at all. His own brain is enough. With the experience of living two lives, Du Wei even unconsciously developed a sense of superiority towards the people of this world.
But unfortunately, the one who shattered his sense of superiority was none other than Prince Son!
When Prince Son came up with a plan to force the Crown Prince to his death, Du Wei couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread towards this hidden prince. Not only that, but he was also always smiling at others. Because of this, Du Wei couldn't help but feel a deep sense of dread towards this prince.
Sometimes, Du Wei would even have a ridiculous idea: Who is the one who transmigrated here? This Prince Son is even more of a transmigrator than me!
Later on, Du Wei came to understand that this has nothing to do with transmigrating or not. When it comes to politics, without the experience and environment, it is absolutely impossible to hone one's skills.
Ever since he was a child, he has been trying to avoid the whirlpool of power and live a peaceful and free life. Prince Son, on the other hand, grew up in the fierce struggle for power in the palace. The distance between them is really difficult to calculate.
Thinking back and forth, perhaps only this father who has lost his power can give him a solution or two.
It can be said that this strange father and son have never had a true heart to heart like today. Du Wei is wholeheartedly seeking advice, while the Earl who has lost his power is wholeheartedly looking out for his son: After all, he has fallen from power and the Rollin family's hopes are all pinned on this son of his!
•;
"If you really want to preserve the family's hope … …" Earl Raymond bitterly smiled: "Then the most important thing you should do right now is to keep your distance from me! Keep your distance from the original Rowling family! "
The Earl's finger gently tapped on the table as he slowly said: "Once I fall from power, Prince Son will inevitably carry out a great purge! This is inevitable. No matter how much he values you, there is no way he will let go of the Rowling family just for your face! Therefore, in the short term, the Rowling family has already become a whirlpool of mud. Whoever touches it will be unlucky. And you are my only hope right now. If you want to preserve the family's hope, you must first protect yourself! Therefore, for a period of time, the best way for you to stay away from the whirlpool that is the Rollin family is to put on an aloof appearance to the outside world. That way, you can show that you have truly broken away from the Rowling family! "
Pausing for a moment, Earl Raymond smiled: "Do you know why Prince Son is still keeping us here and not killing us?"
Du Wei nodded: "I know."
He sighed: "Whether it's the Rollin family or the Solomon family, they both have their own territory and their own private army. Prince Son is a smart man, so of course he knows that if he were to rashly kill you now, then the family's territory will fall into chaos! The Rollin Plains is almost the private property of the Rollin family. Everyone there is proud to be a member of the Rollin family. If he were to act rashly, then the territory would fall into chaos and it would lead to civil war … … How could someone like Prince Son not see through this logic? "
"Not bad." Earl Raymond looked at his son with satisfaction: "You see it very clearly. Therefore, the reason why I am not dead yet is because Prince Son wants to free up his hands to play this game of chess. Once he recovers the territories of the several families and disbands his private army, he will finally come to settle our crimes. In any case, us leaders are locked up here and can't run away. What difference does it make if he kills us a day earlier or a day later? Therefore, he is not in a hurry and can still win a good reputation for being generous. "
Du Wei frowned: "Do you think he will kill you?"
"It's hard to say." Earl Raymond bitterly smiled: "This is not up to me … …" Speaking up to here, his face suddenly changed as he looked at Du Wei: "You must promise me two things!"
"Say it." Du Wei sighed. He already guessed what his father's request is.
Sure enough, Earl Raymond's face turned serious: "First, if one day in the future Prince Son gives the order to execute me, you must not try to dissuade him, let alone try to change his mind! Du Wei, you must understand that an emperor is an emperor. He may look at you differently, but the bottom line of an emperor's heart is absolutely not to be challenged! Once you challenge his bottom line, no matter how good he is to you, he will never show you any mercy! That's why, like I said, for now, protecting yourself is the best way to keep the Rowling family's hopes alive. So, if he wants to kill me, you can't do anything about it. The best way is to not say a word and not ask anything! "
Du Wei didn't speak: "And the second thing?"
"The second thing … …" Earl Raymond's eyes revealed a trace of loneliness: "After I die, take care of your mother and brother. If you care about this bit of affection, then in the future, when you get married and have children, just pick one of your children and have them change their surname to Rollin. This is already my biggest request to you. "
Du Wei was silent.
Earl Raymond's fall from power not only brought bad luck to himself, but even Du-Wei's brother, Gabriel, was implicated as well. The crime of a coup d 'état is not something to be trifled with. Although the order hasn't been issued yet, Earl Raymond's line will certainly never be able to set foot on the official path in the future.
A sentence of never being granted a title is enough to make this line unable to rise again in the future.
In other words, Gabriel will never be able to rise up as a noble in the future. The same goes for Gabriel's children and grandchildren.
•;
After this coup d 'état, the final winner is, without a doubt, Prince Son himself. Or to take it one step further, this coup d 'état actually brought a certain degree of stability to the imperial power.
Although the Roland Empire owns the entire continent and has a vast territory, but since its founding thousands of years ago, who knows how many noble families have been enfeoffed. Moreover, each and every family has their own territory, private army, and the right to levy taxes, forming a country within a country. This is obviously a cancer growing within the empire.
And in this coup d 'état, many of the noble families that supported the Crown Prince were swept clean. Demotion, recovery of territory, reduction of private army … … and so on.
After some calculations, the central government of the Empire gained a lot. The direct territory of the central government increased by a lot. After the private armies were disbanded, some of them could even be converted into ready-made local garrisons. (Of course, the transfer of troops to other regions was inevitable.)
Recovering a large area of land, reducing a large number of private army, and recovering the accumulated wealth of the noble families, the originally tight financial situation of the empire suddenly eased a lot.
Prince Son does indeed have the potential to become a wise ruler. His handling of the aftermath of the coup d 'état was very wise. Taking his time, he cut off a little bit today, then a little bit tomorrow. In less than ten days, the power of the noble families in his hands was pretty much wiped out. It was obvious that he had not just prepared for this today. Most likely, he had planned this a long time ago. He had mobilized the local garrisons nonstop, transferred the defenses back and forth between several regions, monitored the movements of the nobles who had participated in the coup, and cleaned up the nobles' territories at lightning speed.
One by one, everything was done in a clear and organized manner. The results were also very good.
In less than half a month, the tense atmosphere after the coup d 'état was swept away. The capital was once again bustling with liveliness. And after the coup d 'état, Prince Son immediately gathered a group of noble families loyal to the royal family.
At this moment, Prince Son, who had finished his preliminary work, finally turned his attention to the leaders of the coup d 'état that were locked up in the prison … …
The Solomon Family's property has almost been confiscated. On the Rowling Plains, the four local garrison infantry regiments of Kete Province and Lille Province had already formed a pincer attack, supervising the completion of the disbandment of the Rowling Family's private army. The Rollin Family was very cooperative and didn't show any signs of resistance. This has a lot to do with Earl Raymond's wisdom. The old Earl understood that the situation was hopeless. Instead of destroying everything, it would be better to leave a trace of the Rollin Family's vitality intact. This way, there will be hope for a comeback in the future.
Finally, the Rollin Plains has been taken over by officials appointed by the central government. There were also teams of local garrison troops replacing the original Rollin Family's private army.
However, this mercy was mostly due to Du Wei's face. The Rollin Family still retained the old Rollin Castle and the surrounding land.
Prince Son has been riding a wave of success recently, but he still maintained his calm appearance. There wasn't the slightest trace of arrogance or complacency. However, this young prince's extraordinary energy and wisdom has made many old officials look at him in a new light.
Originally, when Augustine the 6th was still on the throne, this old man had already messed up the finances of the empire. In the end, several finance ministers were swept away and sent home. The decline of the empire was seen by all the smart people. But after this Regent took over, he swept away his lethargy and acted decisively. Everything he did was arranged in advance. Immediately, the lethargic state of the empire was filled with vitality.
It was said that the finance minister, who had been pulling a long face every day, returned home at night after the regent took over the government. This strict old man actually made an exception and drank a pot of wine. He even shouted in the courtyard while drunk, "There is hope for the empire! There is hope for the empire! "
It's easy to imagine how popular Prince Son was at this moment.
Finally, on this day, the Regent and the Minister of Finance looked at the list that was sent to them. They looked at the details of the land that the Empire took back, the private armies of the nobles that were disbanded, and the amount of income that could be added to the central treasury every year. The Regent smiled, sighed, and said, "The situation is set."
The Minister of Finance was so excited that he almost cried on the spot.
He had been in this position for ten years now. Every year, the most uncomfortable thing for him was not making ends meet. Looking at the long list of income in front of him, he thought about how he would no longer have to worry about the financial situation in the future. Without those big shots from the military and other departments coming to ask for money, the depression in his heart was swept away.
Then, during an internal meeting of the Regent's small group, Du Wei finally replied to Prince Son's decision regarding his own territory.
That day, Prince Son generously threw a map over to Du Wei for him to pick. Such a matter was no small matter. Facing the envious and hostile gazes from all around, Du Wei was no longer the kid that just got involved in politics. He only smiled and said that he would go back and think about it.
In these days, Du Wei went to the prison three to five times. Every time, he would talk with his father for half a day. He would also give Baron Robesky a sum of money so that he could take good care of that stupid general.
Finally, on this day, in front of Prince Son's many trusted aides, Du Wei held up the map with both hands: "Your Highness, I've thought about it."
"Oh?" Prince Son had a smile on his face: "Well, I think you must've picked the wrong place. Say it, which piece of land do you have your eyes on? "
Everyone was looking at him with envious eyes.
Du Wei slowly unfolded the map. The people around him couldn't help but stick their head out to take a look. Most of them were certain that this young Duke would most likely choose the Southeast!
The Southeast has fertile land, pleasant weather, and a dense population. It's the most prosperous region on the continent. Coupled with the fact that the empire's navy has been going on expeditions again and again, the maritime trade is becoming more and more prosperous.
With Du Wei's Duke title, it wouldn't be a problem for him to get a piece of land in the Southeast. On the other hand, with an entire province, a population of several million, fertile land, and several large ports, they would be able to continuously conduct overseas trade. In the future, they would have a large source of income. Even if they could not be said to be as rich as a country, they would not be far from it!
But after Du Wei slowly unfolded the map, he reached out his hand and pointed at the map with a smile on his face: "I've taken a fancy to this place."
His finger pointed at a corner of the map. Everyone was stunned when they saw where he pointed!
Prince Son's original warm smile gradually faded away. Looking deeply into Du Wei's eyes, his voice suddenly became a bit dry: "You … … Have you really thought it through? Is this your final decision? "
Du Wei met the gaze of the Prince Regent and slowly said: "I've thought it through. I want this place."
Everyone around showed an inconceivable expression. For a moment, everyone thought this young Duke had gone crazy.
"You don't regret it?" Prince Son already stood up and stared at Du Wei.
"No." Du Wei shook his head. Then he suddenly smiled and slowly bowed down: "I ask the Prince Regent to fulfill my wish!"
This time, Prince Son's face was no longer calm and gentle. Gritting his teeth, he stared at Du Wei for a long time before letting out a long sigh. Leaving behind a single word, Prince Son didn't even bother to look at his subordinates as he turned around and walked out of the palace gate.
"Approved!"
•;
Year 960 of the Roland Empire. On the 10th day of the 6th month, the coup finally came to an end. All the noble families that participated in the coup were swept clean. Some were stripped of their titles, some were stripped of their titles, and some were even confiscated from their residences in the capital. All they could do was to leave the capital and seek for their own survival.
Then, a series of murderous orders were passed down from the palace!
The families that participated in the coup, from Marquis Solomon down, were all killed.
The only exception was Earl Raymond of the Rollin Family. "Stripped of all titles and titles, never to be granted a title."
With just a few words, Earl Raymond was spared from the death penalty. However, the Rollin Family's mansion in the capital was also taken back. Earl Raymond of the Rollin Family was ordered to immediately leave the capital and return to the Rollin Castle in the Rollin Plains.
In addition to this, there was another episode: The Empire hasn't bestowed a Duke title for a hundred years, but the newly promoted young Duke Du Wei, under the favor of the Prince Regent, chose a place that left people dumbfounded … …
Northwest, Kilimanjaro Mountain Range's "Desa Province".
It was a barren, ignorant, and even barbaric backwater region. From a financial point of view, the annual income of such a province can't even be compared to a wealthy mid-sized city in the southeast region.
•;
What's even more unknown is that this scene would never be recorded in any official historical records:
After Du Wei finished his assignment, Prince Son returned to his own room. This usually gentle and kind Prince Regent suddenly flew into a rage and smashed everything in his room into pieces. His personal guards were all dumbfounded as they didn't know why the Prince Regent was so angry.
"He still won't be loyal to me! He still won't!! " Prince Son kicked over a three foot tall coral shelf and angrily shouted: "What the Rollin Family gave him, I gave him! What the Rollin Family didn't give him, I gave him! But now! He took the honor I gave him, but he only wants to exchange it for old Raymond's life!! He will side with the family! Side with the family! Each and every one of them, only the family's loyalty is more important than me!! Can't I find a single person in this world who is completely loyal to me?! Du Wei, ah Du Wei! I originally thought you were someone who could satisfy me! But you've disappointed me! So disappointed!!!!! "
•;
Father, you're right. If I want to protect myself, I shouldn't have saved your life … …
But, I am Du Wei!
If I don't do this … … Am I still me?
With a sincere smile, Du Wei walked out of the palace.
I, will walk the path I chose!
— -
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