Law of the Devil

Du Wei's mood at the moment was as weird as it could be. What this Prince Chen did was really unexpected. Actually at this time, there is such a trick?

What does he want? Throw yourself on the stove to roast?

Support the Chancellor and offend the military. Supporting military expansion offends the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

When everyone in the hall was staring at Du Wei, Du Wei suddenly smiled, and he stood up slowly—hell, he just sat down on his buttocks.

"Your Highness." Du Wei smiled lightly, but there was a hint of cunning in his eyes: "Everyone sitting here is an important minister of the empire. I am just a border lord. I am young. What can I do?" Goodbye? But..."

When he said this, he seemed to pause for a while on purpose, and then he laughed in a low voice: "I saw that the Prime Minister has been sitting steadily... Mr. Robschell, it seems that he has already made up his mind. Your Highness, why do we Why don’t you listen to the Prime Minister’s advice? With his rich experience, there may be a better way.”

With a few quick words, he kicked the ball to the old prime minister who looked like he was staying out of the way.

Although he threw this hot potato to old Robeschell. However, it seemed that the old prime minister was not very annoyed. His originally half-closed and half-closed eyes finally opened slowly, as if he still glanced at Du Wei. There was no dissatisfaction in his eyes, but a flash of appreciation instead.

Hmm... This young boy, who is so honored and favored, knows how not to show off, hide his strength and bide his time... It seems that he is indeed a good candidate... It's just. Your Highness the Regent, the candidate you have chosen is a bit too young.

That's all...let me make a final contribution to the Augustinian dynasty.

When Prince Chen heard Du Wei's words, he also smiled slightly, and he couldn't help but feel a little satisfied in his eyes.

However, this is indeed a temptation, and it is also a test. If Du Wei really listens to his own words, he dares to speak out and judge who is right and who is wrong between the Minister of Finance and the No. 1 military leader... That would be a stupid performance! No matter how powerful you are. It doesn't matter how talented you are... In this ***, what matters is qualifications!

Even if you are right. you are smart. But some people, some things. If your qualifications are not enough, absolutely don't talk about it! Because you can't afford it!

Taking retreat as advance... It seems that this kid has practiced well in the Northwest for more than a year.

Originally, seeing Du Wei was young, he was arranged to sit in the most sensitive position of "lower left first" as soon as he came in. Even if everyone knew that this young duke was very popular, but such a " Soaring" still made some old guys feel dissatisfied. It is inevitable that there will be some imbalance. Fortunately, Du Wei didn't say anything boldly. The old prime minister was pushed down so smoothly, and the others listened. But he didn't blame Du Wei for being cunning. Instead, he had such a thought in his mind at the same time:

This brat talks and does things, and he's on his way!

"Well. Then, please tell me what you mean, Mr. Prime Minister." The regent smiled and looked at the old Robeschell who had been dozing off.

The old prime minister coughed a few times at first. He has been an official all his life and has experienced the reign of Emperor Augustine VI for decades. He was also born into a big family. Relying on his qualifications, experience, and family influence, he gradually reached the position of prime minister.

Emperor Augustine VI was not an easy monarch to serve. It is not an easy task to assist this overjoyed emperor. Often because the courtiers could not satisfy the vanity of the monarch's transition, excessive waste of national power, and some unrealistic demands, the troubles ended in dismal ending. Like the former Chancellor of the Exchequer...

But this Robeschell, his position as prime minister has always been as stable as Mount Tai! During the reign of Emperor Augustine VI, the boss-level figures of various ministries of the empire did not know how much they changed, but this old Robeschell sat on the position of prime minister with his buttocks. Year! . 101 du.

More importantly, he is not the kind of slanderous minister who blindly flatters the monarch. He is always smart enough to find a breakthrough in contradictions and use his political skills to soften all kinds of sharp contradictions. It's not the kind of stupid person who blindly hugs the emperor's thigh just to satisfy the emperor who is so happy. In fact, the evaluation of the old prime minister's reputation in the officialdom of the empire is quite good .

"The Prime Minister didn't speak just now, we thought you were asleep." Prince Chen said a proper "knock".

The old prime minister smiled, he stood up reluctantly, his old body looked even weaker, but at this moment his smile showed the calmness of an old politician!

"Your Highness." Robeschel said with a smile, "Please forgive my silence just now... However, I just kept thinking about two issues just now."

"what is the problem?"

The old man raised two fingers: "One is 'urgent' and the other is 'slow'."

He turned around calmly, and bowed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the old General Hughes: "In my opinion, what both of them said makes sense. The so-called national affairs, whether it is finance or military affairs, there is nothing wrong with the two of you." Or wrong, but, although there is no right or wrong in the matter itself, there is a distinction between urgent and slow."

Once the old man opened his mouth, after all he had been the prime minister for twenty years. Although he has gradually become dormant in recent years, it still has some weight. When he spoke, the following heavyweights did not speak, but quietly listened to the old man. if.

"Let's talk about the Minister of Finance's suggestion first... the combat effectiveness of the Empire's local garrison. Well, we must understand that some things can be cut quickly! But some things can't be solved in a day or two! The local garrison Plenty has been a headache for the empire for decades or even generations. It is true that the combat effectiveness is low. The number is too large, and it is true. The military expenditure is too wasteful, and it is true.”

He glanced at the old general Hughes who seemed to be about to argue, and before the other party could speak, he said: "Hughes, my old friend. Don't refute these questions, because they are indeed facts. Of course... I am also not in favor of attacking the huge local garrison now. After all, it is not a good time! We are facing many problems. The empire is not stable yet. More importantly, the vast territory of the empire also needs a large number of land The army guards. This problem needs to be solved slowly. Even if the army is to be disarmed, it will be a long process."

Old Hughes had a complex expression on his face, shook his head, and finally didn't speak.

"Next... let's talk about the north. The situation of the Storm Legion. It's urgent! There is no delay. The lack of military strength is an undeniable fact." Robeschell glanced at the Minister of Finance again: "Okay, Munes, you too There is no need to refute. I think your idea is to 'let the local garrison be transferred to the north'. This is a very stupid idea. The combat power of the Storm Legion in the north is second to none among the main battle armies of the Empire! If even they Can't stop those damn monsters... Oh. Sorry, Your Majesty. My words were a bit rude, and I lost my identity..."

He spoke calmly, but Du Wei's eyes suddenly lit up!

Because it's in the sentence that the old guy just said. His address to Prince Chen seemed to be habitually wrong. Whether it was intentional or not... his address. unconsciously. From His Highness to "Your Majesty"!

For this appellation. Prince Chen didn't seem to notice—maybe...

"If even the Stormtroopers can't stop those monsters. Then why do we believe that those local garrisons can do better than the brave Stormtroopers? Munes, my old friend. You understand you Worries about finances. In fact, I agree with your point of view. But you must understand...the Storm Legion goes south, which is the vast land in the north of the empire! If the north is in chaos, then the next year...no, don't wait for the next year, this spring The financial income will be greatly affected! So, since you are worried about financial issues, then you need to consider even more, if we do not inject fresh and reliable combat power into the Northern Storm Legion, once our northern barrier is lost... then. The north is in chaos. The loss of financial revenue will be even greater! Gentlemen, this is a difficulty! I can't think of any perfect solution. But we may be able to weigh the pros and cons. Then choose a more important, more 'urgent' problem to solve , as for other disadvantages. We might as well put up with it for a while."

Du Wei listened. I can't help but sigh...

No leaks, no leaks... Is this the experience of an old politician who has been in office all his life? So soft and hard, but not offending the words of all parties... He clearly criticized the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Military Affairs at the same time, but supported both of them at the same time... Finally, he expressed his position tactfully.

Such rhetoric is definitely not something that can be achieved only by being smart - what is needed is experience! What is more needed is status and qualifications! ! Among so many people in the venue, perhaps Du Wei's current limelight is much stronger than this old man, but if he said such a thing, I'm afraid it would anger those two big bosses instead, even if others are in the way of Prince Chen, don't worry. If you dare to refute it face to face, you may also mock yourself in your heart, "I don't know the heights of the sky and the depths of the earth."

Only this old prime minister, with his 20 years of influence and prestige, said something, even if he accused the minister of finance and the military boss, the two old guys could only accept it, and it was difficult to refute it—this In other words, for anyone, there is absolutely no basis for the prestige and qualifications of the old prime minister!

"So, you agree with the expansion of the army?" The Regent laughed.

"No, Your Highness, I am not in favor of 'military expansion', but I think we can make some adjustments appropriately. My suggestion is that this matter should be done in three steps! As for the first step, we can start with Royal City Guards, mobilize two divisions to go north immediately! The second step, which can be carried out at the same time as the first step, is to order the Southern Army Corps stationed in the southern swamp to deploy a division to supplement the Royal City Guards! As for the third The first step is to recruit recruits! But these recruits are used to supplement the Southern Army. Moreover, what I mean is that this recruitment must be carried out according to the combat effectiveness standards of the main army, and the number is not two divisions. But four! At the same time... I suggest that a part of the military expenditure on the local garrison be cut next year, and we can make some adjustments."

Prince Chen thought for a while, then murmured: "Drop two divisions of the royal guards to the north... Prime Minister, is this a little risky? Northwest..."

When the sensitive topic of "Northwest" was mentioned, everyone fell silent, especially General Hughes, the military leader, whose face was a little ugly-after all, it was Lu Gao of the Northwest Army that he vigorously promoted back then. This is almost an indelible stain on his political career.

Although, in Du Wei's view, these are not his faults - after all, Chishui Duan, the disciple of the Daxue Mountain Witch King, is really not an ordinary person! He has such strong strength, coupled with his ingenuity, he can stand out no matter what! The veteran of the military cannot be blamed entirely.

"So, I think this is a decision that requires courage." The old prime minister's soft words seemed to carry a heavy weight.

"A decision that requires courage..." Prince Chen nodded, and after a while, he seemed to smile: "Well, yes, it does require courage. However, my Augustine family has never lacked courage! Wang Chengjin Wei Jun, even if two divisions are missing, are we afraid of the Northwest? What's more... In the short term, I think we still have a world-renowned Grand Duke Tulip sitting in the Northwest!"

He took one last look at Du Wei. .