Law of the Devil

clap clap clap...

There was a burst of applause in the room. Governor Bohan, who was sitting behind the desk, was expressionless, but looked at Longbottom with deep meaning in his eyes. He applauded again and again, and then slowly stood up, looking deeply at the Looking at Longbottom: "This must be General Longbottom, who was famous in the Northwest back then? I have heard of your name, but I didn't expect you to return to the Northwest today, with the same prestige as before."

Longbottom cast a glance at the Governor, and did not respond to his compliments. He just took a few steps back, stood beside Du Wei, and said, "This is our Lord Duke."

Governor Bohan seemed to see Du Wei just now, with a polite smile unique to official circles on his face, and walked around the desk: "It turns out that it is Lord Tulip Duke. Your Excellency has been exhausted all the way. I am busy with business, so I can't meet you. It's too much." excuse me."

After finishing speaking, his face suddenly sank, and he shouted to the outside: "Isn't it your job to settle down the Lord Duke? How do you do things?"

"Governor Bohan." Du Wei said leisurely: "I don't blame them, I insisted on visiting the Governor." Then he smiled and looked into Bohan's eyes: "I'm about to go to my territory, Desa Province, Before that, the local administration of Desa has been under the care of Governor Bohan, and as the host, I will of course come to thank you personally."

Bohan was polite again and again, and Du Wei changed the subject: "Also, since I am about to take office, many administrative matters in the Desa province also need to be settled with you, so this governor, I have to do whatever I want." Come on."

The two looked at each other and smiled, both harboring ulterior motives, but laughed out loud.

Bohan asked someone to serve tea, and cleared out the table in the room that had been hacked by the alien race just now, and asked Du Wei and Longbottom to sit down, and then he said with a smile: "Two months ago, I learned that your lord is coming to the northwest, So regarding the matter of the Desa Province, I have already made arrangements. Since the Desa Province has been designated as the family territory of the adults, in the past two months, I have started to remove all the local garrison troops originally stationed in the Desa Province. After being transferred, your family's private army can be stationed in several military camps in the Desa Province at any time, and in the local provinces, the last batch of temporary guards are waiting in the capital of the Desa Province. The procedures and procedures have been completed, as soon as your people take over, they can come back immediately."

Du Wei smiled, and suddenly said: "So, what about the financial aspect?"

Bohan's eyelids twitched slightly, but the smile on his face didn't diminish in the slightest: "In terms of finance, all the accounts have been settled, and the warehouse has been sealed. You can check it at any time."

"Oh." Du Wei calmly picked up the cup and took a sip of the tea in front of him. The tea is orange-yellow, sweet in the mouth, with a scent of nectar. Du Wei smiled: "This is the tea from the Northwest." Special product, sand honey? It tastes good."

Then he put down the cup, and his tone seemed casual: "My lord, how much food and supplies are there in the financial accounts of my inventory in the Desa Province?"

Governor Bohan frowned, but Du Wei hurriedly said without waiting for him to speak: "I have heard that Governor Bohan is the empire's leading financial master, and the financial delivery of Desa Province has made the Governor bother, I think Rather than waiting for me to read those boring books, why don't you, a master of money, give me a general introduction, and I'm not afraid of your jokes, as a person, I am most afraid of reading."

Having said this, Longbottom almost didn't spit out the tea in his mouth.

He took a strange look at Du Wei and thought: Are you afraid of reading?

By God, Longbottom has never seen anyone in this world who likes to read more than this young duke! He lived in that temporary duke for so many days, the duke spent most of his time reading, and a room full of books made Longbottom feel dizzy after a rough look at it, and the boss behind the I told Longbottom quietly that Master Du Wei read more books when he was young. The longest record is that he didn't take a step out of the room for a whole month and just stayed in the room to read. Where he lives, the books he has read are stored in three large rooms.

Governor Bohan really wanted to shirk, so he quickly sent the duke away and asked him to go directly to the Desa province to look through the account books, but it seems that Du Wei was not fooled, and the big hat of a "financial expert" was taken off. When he came over, he really couldn't help it: "Your Excellency is joking, as an emperor, I

He pondered for a while. Governor Bohan sighed: "What about the situation in Desa province? According to the financial statistics in summer, the money, food and various supplies collected in the warehouse are equivalent to about 210,000 gold coins. Well, I remember this Numbers, yes."

Du Wei was furious in his heart, but he smiled more kindly on his face.

Only 210,000 gold coins in one summer quarter? This is a province! ! 210,000 a quarter? Then I'm afraid it's less than one million a year! Who are you kidding!

This Bohan must have emptied the money and food in the warehouse before handing over the site!

However, Du Wei didn't find this kind of thing strange... If it were him, he would probably do the same.

"Governor Bohan, then, how much is the total amount in the treasury now? I want to know how much money is available in my territory. After taking office, I always have an idea in mind about finances."

"This..." Governor Bohan hesitated for a moment. Facing the young Duke at this moment, he also felt that he had gone too far.

Du Wei's guess is correct. Before Du Wei took office, Bohan did secretly manipulate and almost emptied the warehouse in Desa Province. In his opinion, those money and food were his income when he was managing the Desa province, why should he leave it to this kid? It is also because of this that Governor Bohan deliberately avoided seeing Du Wei. Who knew that Du Wei, a stunned young man, would come directly.

"If I remember correctly, the warehouse of the Desa Province before I handed over, there are still about..." At this point, he suddenly turned around and walked behind the desk, pretending to find a booklet, opened it, and said with a smile : "Well, here it is. There are 140 sets of cavalry light armor, 1,000 sets of infantry equipment, 300 pairs of bows and crossbows, and 8,000 arrows. The food is enough for about three months. In terms of finances... there are still 190,000 gold coins that can be used in the treasury..."

After reporting this series of numbers, even if Du Wei was prepared, he was almost so angry that he wanted to curse!

This governor of Bohan is really ruthless in searching! .

These figures seem to be quite a lot... But don't forget, this is a province! A whole province, leaving such a little thing for yourself? !

Du Wei's face was a little ugly, and he frowned at Governor Bohan: "My lord, are you not mistaken?"

Du Wei's face was a little ugly, and he frowned at Governor Bohan: "Your Excellency, are you sure you've read it wrong?"

"This... can't be wrong." Governor Bohan closed the booklet, with a helpless expression on his face, sighed, walked to Du Wei's side, and said earnestly: "The province of Desa is poor, and the finances are tight on weekdays. , cannot make ends meet, and there is not much stock in the warehouse, which is normal."

Du Wei said: "I don't see it right? Looking at the province of Desa, there are still more than 200,000 gold coins in the summer season, and the annual income should be around one million. A province with an annual income of one million, after so many years , only a few hundred thousand gold coins are left in the treasury?"

Bohan's face was a little ugly: "My lord, are you suspecting that I, Bohan, have been corrupt?"

Du Wei smiled: "Of course not, I have heard the reputation of the governor for a long time, you are raising money and reducing expenditure in the northwest, just the scene of your governor's mansion, I know that you are a just man.

Incorruptible governor. How can I doubt you? "

After a pause, Du Wei smiled and said, "However, I heard that before I came, the local financial revenue of the Desa Province was not delivered to the capital of the Desa Province, but according to your order, every All quarters were sent to Mulan City. Am I right?"

Bohan knew that it was useless to talk about polite scenes now, so he simply played tricks with Du Wei and snorted coldly: "Oh! It turns out that Lord Duke is here to ask me for money today!"

Du Wei shook his head: "Yes" is not the right word, it should be said that it is to ask for the financial income that you have kept for me. "

"As an imperial official, I have an order from the Imperial Finance Department to supervise the administration of Desa Province." Governor Bohan said coldly.

"But supervision does not mean annexation." Du Wei sneered: "You feed a province with the fiscal revenue of two provinces, and the warehouse of Desa province is almost empty. How can I use it after I take office? Governor, Will you not give me this little favor?"

Bohan shook his head: "Your Excellency is joking, the warehouses in Desa Province still have stocks, and the food is more than three months old."

Du Wei sighed: "Since this is the case, I won't say much about the past. Since the income in the summer season is 210,000 gold coins, then I ask you to explain why I only have 190,000 gold coins left in the warehouse?"

Bohan's tone was astringent: "Daily expenses, there are always expenses."

"Nonsense!" Du Wei suddenly became angry. He slapped the table hard and stood up abruptly: "Governor Bohan! You really treat me as a child who doesn't understand anything! The financial management of the empire, there is something in the beginning of jealousy." Budget, summer income should be used for autumn! Now that summer has not passed, you have spent this season’s finances? Hmph, is it the same for the Nulin Province you govern?"

Bohan was taken aback.

Du Wei suddenly took out a book from his bosom, threw it in front of Bohan, and said coldly: "I have traveled all the way, and the four cities in Nulin Province that I have passed, the summer finances of these four cities have not yet been paid. Hand it over to you, Governor Bohan, the summer income from your Nulin province is still useless, why did I spend my Desa province first?"

Bohan blushed.

He really couldn't answer Du Wei's accusation.

As early as a few months ago, news came from the empire that after the province of Desa was designated as the territory of Du Wei, the governor of Bohan was very dissatisfied. Minister, but it does not mean that he is a good old man without ambition. In his heart, he has devoted himself to the Northwest. Originally, his subordinates owned the territory of two provinces. Suddenly, he gave half of the territory with an order. Extremely annoying.

He simply kept doing nothing, and squeezed out all the financial revenue of the Desa Province in the past few months. His warehouse in the Nulin Province was full, and he was using the money and food of the Desa Province for the past few months. Come and maintain your own territory.

When Du Wei came, he faced the almost empty Desa Province.

At that time, let's see what this kid with no money or food can do in the northwest. As long as he can't continue, the Desa province will still be in his Bohan's hands sooner or later.

Now that Du Wei has explained what he said, Bohan stopped pretending, and he said bravely, "My lord, what exactly do you want?"

Du Wei suddenly suppressed all his anger, and smiled lightly: "It's not good. You spend the summer money and grain for me first, and that's fine, but the warehouse in a dignified province is actually empty...Governor Bohan , since you can't give me a reasonable explanation, then I can only report to the Imperial Finance Office and the Inspection Office."

After finishing speaking, Du Wei abruptly stood up, turned around and walked out. When he reached the door, he stopped suddenly, looked back at Bohan, and said lightly: "By the way, Mr. Governor, by the way, the inspection I have been to the prison of the Department, and the conditions are very good.”

These words made Bohan's face extremely gloomy, and he was extremely annoyed, but he didn't take Du Wei's threat to heart at all.

Although Du Wei is well-known in the imperial capital, this is the Northwest after all. Bohan has been operating in the Northwest for many years, so he naturally has an authority. He firmly believes that the empire needs him to govern the Northwest, and the Northwest cannot do without him. A foothold in the Northwest is not without a background behind it.

Moreover, from Bohan's point of view, after all, he has been in the northwest for many years, far away from the imperial capital, and his understanding of the situation in the imperial capital is not very detailed. He was appreciated by Prince Chen.

In his heart, the evaluation of Du Wei is just a young prince's full time! Want to think of a prince like yourself? joke!

Walking out of Bohan's room, Philip, who was waiting at the door, hurriedly followed behind Du Wei. The young man heard the conversation inside, and couldn't help feeling worried, and said in a low voice: "My lord, let's talk to Governor Bohan now." Turn your face, I'm afraid..."

Du Wei didn't speak, but Longbottom next to him smiled and said, "Boy, you don't understand. The northwest is different from the south. The hypocrisy of the south is different here. In this place, if you take a step back, others will advance." Two steps, if you show weakness a little bit, others will dare to really ride on your head! If the Duke was a little weaker just now, I am afraid that the governor of Bohan has done more thoroughly, let alone 190,000 gold coins, in the end there is not even a hair Will stay with us."

Philip listened, thoughtful, and nodded.

But Du Wei said to himself leisurely: "I'm not angry. I just acted for that guy just now, but I saw this Bohan today... Hey, I'm really disappointed. This guy should be good at it." Yes, but you are too narrow-minded. I have already been regarded as an enemy before I came to the Northwest. Hmph, do you want to give me a blow? Let's see who has the last laugh."

Then Du Wei smiled wryly: "I didn't expect to come to the Northwest, I didn't meet the Northwest Army, I didn't meet those savages, but I did it with the Governor of the Empire first.

"This... my lord, do you really want to send it to the Imperial Finance Office and the Supervision Office?" Philip asked cautiously. After all, in the heart of this young man, he still admires Governor Bohan's achievements in the Northwest.

"Report! Of course I will report." Du Wei said lightly: "If I don't do anything, he will really think that I am afraid of him. But I also know that there is not much use in reporting. The regent is not a fool, and he will not be here. What to do with Bohan at this time, although Bohan's character is not very good, he still has the ability. The empire is counting on him to govern the Northwest. But if you make a fuss, it's good to cause him some trouble."

Philip was taken aback: "That's it?"

In his opinion, such an approach is too childish. Typical detrimental to others. Although he is a rookie in the political arena, he also knows that this kind of approach is really naive.

"This is just the first step." Du Wei patiently explained to the young man he was optimistic about: "It's just a gesture to let Bohan understand that we are not easy to bully. Naturally, I have other ways to let This Bohan succumbed... Huh, he swallowed up my whole province's treasury! How did I want him to swallow it, and how to spit it out for me!"

Since there is no speculation with Governor Bohan, Du Wei has nothing to stay in Mulan City. After replenishing the convoy's supplies and drinking water, we set off for Desa province that day.

Finally, a few days later, the convoy entered the territory of Desa Province. Looking at the desolate land, Philip next to Du Wei shook his head again and again: "Oh, no wonder such a place is called the most barren area in the empire."

Looking around, it is full of loess, and even those villages and towns are sparsely populated and look half-dead. After walking for two days, I came to the first small city. But the status quo made Du Wei very annoyed!

This governor of Bohan is really thorough! Those officials who were waiting for the delivery were obviously from Bohan's faction, and the sealed warehouse was empty. These people looked very respectful to Du Wei on the surface, but after delivering all the accounts, they seemed unwilling to stay for a moment, and left as quickly as possible. go.

Du Wei was too lazy to waste his saliva with these guys. The 80 disciples of the Lan Hai Sect who had been brought along began to take over the local government affairs.

In this way, the forward speed of Du Wei and his party was greatly slowed down.

Fortunately, Governor Bohan's behavior simplifies the delivery process: of course, what is left is an empty site with scarce money and food, and there is no delivery site.

After traveling for fifteen days in Desa Province, Du Wei finally came to the capital city of Desa Province: Giliar City.

The city of Giliar is located in the north of the Desa Province, with the Kilimaro Mountains at its back. In the city, you can see the tall and majestic Kilimaro Mountains in the distance like a long dragon on the ground, endless.

When the convoy entered the city of Gilliar, the last remaining officials in the city had already come out to greet them. Du Wei didn't bother to be courteous to these Bohan people, so he took them directly to the richest man's warehouse to check.

Sure enough, the richest man still has some reserves in his warehouse, which is the same as the data obtained from Bohan that day.

In the warehouse of a majestic province, there are only a thousand weapons and equipment, and only enough food for one season. Gold coins... 190,000?

But Du Wei is not short of money now. His business in the imperial capital has earned him a lot of wealth, and... the United Kingdom of Southeast Asia, there will be a whole fleet of wealth waiting for him.

The dilapidation of Gilliar City is in sharp contrast to Bohan's Mulan City. This majestic capital city has a total population of only 80,000. The city wall was even more dilapidated. Du Wei even suspected that the city wall had never been repaired since the war more than 20 years ago.

In fact, it is true.

And the city is also very small, the total length of the city wall is less than ten miles... Such a small place is really inconsistent with the status of the capital of a province.

"My lord, I think we should repair this city wall." Longbottom took a look and frowned, "This kind of dilapidated city wall will not have much defensive effect if there are any gang of horse thieves or enemies coming to attack it." .”

Indeed, a wall on the south side has collapsed and been torn apart. As long as there is an enemy attack, they can charge up the city wall directly from the collapsed slope with just one charge.

"Repair?" Du Wei curled his lips: "Such a rotten city wall is not worth repairing. It's better to rebuild a big city!".