Law of the Devil

a month's time.

In just one month, the private army of the Luo Lin family was re-established. A large number of veterans returned to the army. There were also many retainers, warriors and knights who were loyal to the Luo Lin family. After hearing the call, they all put on their clothes again. Armor rushed to report to the army immediately from all over the Luolin Plain. The abandoned barracks in various places revived with vitality, and the energetic soldiers practiced hard—everything went so smoothly. After that, the local officials and local garrison troops originally appointed by the empire withdrew from the Luolin Plain one after another.

As before, the Rollin Plain has almost turned into an independent small kingdom again, a "Rollin Kingdom".

Du Wei obviously underestimated the fanaticism and devotion of the Luolin people to tradition, and also underestimated the appeal of the glorious name "Rolin". Soon, all the 50,000 private troops were fully staffed, but the queues were still full on the streets outside the places where they signed up to join the army in various towns.

At this time, Du Wei simply made a decision. Although the agreement with Prince Chen was 50,000 troops, Du Wei was not that kind of honest guy. With a swipe of his pen, he ordered another 20,000 reserve soldiers to be recruited... Well, reserve service should not be considered a regular army.

Old Raymond couldn't manage on the hospital bed. And the younger brother Gabriel was young. During this month, Du Wei almost took on the heavy responsibility equivalent to that of the patriarch.

After the local officials of the empire were withdrawn, the local governments in various places were replaced by a large number of members of the Luo Lin family who were reappointed. These Luo Lin people who were pardoned were naturally grateful to Du Wei. Du Wei spent a lot of time reviewing documents every day—of course, he didn't forget his young brother. When he was handling these official duties, no matter how unhappy Gabriel was, Du Wei forced this kid to stay with him.

When I was sitting in the study reading official documents. The boy Gabriel was watching from the side. Du Wei didn't even read some official documents, but asked Gabriel to read them to him. Du Wei's intention is very clear, although it is the nature of young people to be playful when they are young. However, Du Wei still educated his younger brother many times: You are the future Earl. But now the family's situation is special, you don't have time to enjoy your innocent and carefree teenage years! You must grow up and mature as soon as possible! You have to be familiar with these things in a short period of time...

Looking at his younger brother's immature face, Du Wei felt a little soft-hearted. However, he still made up his mind to train this kid.

"Gabriel, don't blame me... because I will leave the Luolin Plain soon! The burden here will be on your shoulders in the future!"

In fact, on the Luolin Plain, even those small traders and coachmen knew that although the nominal heir to the earl was Young Master Gabriel, even though the official documents signed by him were all Master Gabriel. However, in Rollin Castle. The real person who makes all kinds of decisions is the Duke of Tulip!

Anyway, Master Tulip Duke Du Wei. He is also a member of our Luo Lin family.

The Luo Lin people rarely use the name "Duke Tulip" for Du Wei. Most people mention the two in the castle. They are all used to addressing them as "Elder Young Master and Younger Young Master" to appear affectionate.

this day. After the last appointment document was signed, the handover of military and political power in the Luolin Plain for a month in history has been completely over. Before the coup, one hundred and sixty Luolin people who served as local officials in the Luolin Plain, got rid of a dozen people who were seriously ill or old, and the rest were restored to their posts. In the army, after a large number of old troops were summoned, Du Wei didn't have to worry too much about senior and junior officers.

Du Wei is very familiar with these troops, even far more familiar than Gabriel...

Speaking of it, this is a bit disgraceful. After all, Du Wei once extensively engaged in the "football league" in the army. Because of this reason, during the year when Du Wei was in Luolin Plain, he had a good relationship with these officers. All very good.

The last appointment is the head of the family guard. Old Uncle Alpha had followed him to the northwest, and the position of the current head of the family bodyguard was vacant. For this candidate, Du Wei considered for a long time, and then Gabriel proposed a candidate.

"Tu." Gabriel said to his elder brother: "Although this guy is a bit boring, he is also an old clansman trusted by my father, and he has been with me for two or three years. He is very careful in doing things, and his martial arts skills are also very good."

Du Wei immediately remembered the cold-faced bodyguard next to his younger brother when he first saw him when he returned to the imperial capital, so he decided on this candidate with a swipe of his pen.

In order to rebuild the private army of the Luo Lin family, Du Wei can be said to have poured a lot of financial resources—after all, the Luo Lin family was ransacked, and it has long since lost its former glory. Moreover, the family does not have much money left, although The territory of Luolin Plain has been returned, but the next tax will not be paid until next year. Now to rebuild the army, these military expenses are all paid by Du Wei—anyway, the most important thing he lacks now is money.

He even found time to send someone to Walker Port in the south, and summoned the waiter from the United Kingdom of South Seas who had been brought back with Ruo Lin's fleet for a meeting.

Those Nanyang people had already been terrified by Ruolin. When they saw Du Wei, they felt as if they had seen a ghost. They were all trembling. Without any effort, Du Wei reached an agreement with them in private:

First of all, Du Wei sent Lu Fick to follow them back to Nanyang to become the king.

The second item is that the United Kingdom of Nanyang is willing to pay a certain amount of wealth every year in exchange for the support of the Duke of Tulip. Because the United Kingdom of Nanyang does not have its own currency, and Du Wei does not need gold anymore, so it is decided to use South Sea pearls, spices, ivory, etc. Nanyang specialties (even Du Wei expressed his willingness to accept slaves), the annual payment is equivalent to the value of one million gold coins of the empire.

As for the third article, Du Wei promised that he would use his own identity and influence in the empire to try his best to influence the regent of the empire and not to launch any expeditionary aggression against Nanyang.

In fact, according to the laws of the empire, although Du Wei is a duke, he is not an emperor after all. If you don't have the right to sign any agreement with a foreign country, if you must pursue it, this is considered an act of ultra vires, and even a crime of colluding with an enemy country in private! But Du Wei doesn't care about these things now.

On the one hand, Du Wei believes that the empire is absolutely indispensable now. no matter who. If you want to frame yourself. Then the death must be the other party. The empire is now in a state of desperation, and it is impossible to plan any Nanyang expedition. Even the navy has to "return land" in large numbers, so sell an empty favor to the Nanyang people. It's nothing. .

And one more step... It has to be said that Du Wei's psychology has gradually undergone a subtle change.

Since he learned that he is Aragorn, and Aragorn is himself. Although he didn't really think so in his heart. However, subconsciously, a subtle idea came up:

This empire was originally established by "I"! I can do whatever I want!

As for the envoys from the Nanyang United Kingdom, on the one hand, they don't know the situation of the empire. In their view, as long as the empire can stop its aggression. That's already thank goodness. How dare you make any other demands.

And other places... Although among these envoys, there are one or two people with smarter minds. I also feel that if an agreement is to be signed, it should be signed with the emperor of the Roland Empire. The Tulip Duke. Doesn't seem to have that much power...

But Du Wei made a very casual move, leaving these guys scared into obedience!

It's very simple: Du Wei pretended to set up a dinner party to entertain these envoys. Then at the dinner, Count Raymond, who was ill, walked out of the ward, came to the banquet, and showed his face. Although he only sat there for a short moment, it was enough to scare the envoys out of their wits! !

Who is old Count Raymond? He is a famous general in the empire! It turned out to be the commander of the navy, the number two leader of the military... More importantly, he left an indelible and terrifying image in the hearts of Nanyang people! He is the most terrifying butcher, executioner, and invader in the hearts of Nanyang people! The naval expedition led by Raymond was the one that caused the greatest harm and terror to the Nanyang people among the expeditions of all ages! The degree of fear in the hearts of Nanyang people is many times stronger than that of Ruolin!

Seeing such a nightmare-like guy appear, these Nanyang envoys immediately lost their last trace of courage.

The old butcher is the father of the Tulip Duke, and the female butcher is the subordinate of the Tulip Duke... God, what a terrible guy this Tulip Duke is! !

Soon, the agreement was signed without the slightest resistance.

After finishing these things, Du Wei can finally relax a little bit. He was so busy these days that he was half dead tired...

Although he was also in command of the military and government of a province in the northwest, when he was in the northwest, he had a good helper Philip in handling government affairs. That young man was a prime minister. Waiwaishu members type and upload by hand. As for military affairs, there are two hundred and five generals Longbottom and a group of defending generals, so there is no need for Du Wei to worry too much. When has he been so busy? Now I can't help but miss Philip and the others deeply. If he didn't know that there are people in the northwest, he would have wanted to summon Philip with an order.

At the same time, in addition to the exhaustion of dealing with government affairs, Du Wei's mood is not easy, and his mood is getting heavier every day, because...

Father Raymond's body, his illness seems to be getting heavier every day! !

Old Raymond's illness began after he was dismissed and returned to his hometown. Originally, a military general like him, who has practiced martial arts all his life, has a strong body and will not get sick on weekdays, but once his body collapses, it will be heavier than anything else! Half of his illness is due to old age and frailty, and the recurrence of old injuries from his early military career-these are actually nothing. And more than half of the main reason is heart disease!

His mother told Du Wei that since old Raymond returned to the Luolin Plain, he saw that the former family's territory had been handed over to the empire. The people of Luo Lin's family, who were extremely supportive, responded with a complicated silence to Raymond's return!

This kind of silence hit Raymond even more! He deeply felt that he was a historical sinner of the Luo Lin family! The glorious family was ruined in his own hands. Originally, when he came back, he was already prepared to be cursed and hated by the Luo Lin people. Even if someone threw rotten eggs or rotten tomatoes at him, he would feel better.

However, there was not even a single curse. People on the entire plain heard that the former patriarch had returned, but everyone remained surprisingly silent... This is a kind of silence full of complicated meanings. Full of pain, indignation, despair and many other emotions in it.

But the kind Luo Lin people did not target their old patriarch. What made old Raymond feel even more guilty was that some Luo Lin people of the loyal family lived around the castle. Even follow the old rules. Willing to hand over taxes to the family!

Although the local government officials have been replaced by people from the empire, thousands of these stubborn Luo Lin people came to the castle in carriages and demanded that their taxes be paid directly to the castle to show their respect for the Luo Lin family. loyalty.

It is these things. Finally defeated old Raymond! He felt guilty, and heard that on a certain night, he suddenly vomited blood repeatedly, and then he couldn't get sick!

Originally, when Du Wei first came here, he was still optimistic about his father's illness. He believed that his father's physical foundation was very good, and, as for the problems in his heart. With the pardon he brought, he revived the hope of the family. It should be able to make my father happy, and then the sick body will naturally recover slowly.

But after a month. In Du Wei's heart. Little by little hope is lost!

Old Raymond's illness not only didn't get better, but it became much heavier all at once! Although he was lying on the hospital bed in the past. But he still got up every day to take a walk in the Castle Garden. But after the good news from the family arrived, his illness became more and more serious day by day, and in the end, he couldn't even get out of bed!

Except for the time when he received the envoy of the United Kingdom of Nanyang, the old Raymond barely supported his sick body and came out once to help his son. In the following days, he lay in bed all the time every day, and even fell asleep every day. More and more, less and less waking time...

The family has invited several of the best doctors. I have used a lot of medicines, but they have no effect at all.

Du Wei is a magician himself, and also an excellent magic pharmacist. He also has a deep knowledge of various medicines. He personally checked his father and tried to think of many ways, but those magical medicines in the past, using On the father's body, the effect was extremely weak.

Although he didn't say it, he knew in his heart... No matter how he looked at it from any angle, the vitality of his father was passing away quickly and it was irreparable. .

Old Raymond's symptoms of vomiting blood became more severe, and he always felt pain in his heart and chest, which made him unable to sleep. Originally a majestic tough guy, he was tortured until he became skinny and haggard.

Du Wei couldn't bear it, and finally made up his mind to use some "ice berries" for his father.

This psychedelic drug, taken a little bit, can have an anesthetic and analgesic effect.

What upset Du Wei was that any medicine had lost its effect on old Raymond, but this ice berry still had an effect... It's just that the pure analgesic anesthetic can only relieve his father's pain, and has no effect on him. The disease has no effect at all.

In the days that followed, Du Wei was busy with all the things, but he didn't leave as planned. He stayed at home and began to guard his father's hospital bed all day long. Although his mother secretly cried every day, Gabriel was still flustered at his age, but at this time, Du Wei showed the temperament of the pillar of the family. He calmly comforted the sad mother and took care of the panicked brother...

What no one knew was that the young duke sat in front of his father's bed every night, frowning. For many days, he didn't sleep for a minute, and he didn't even meditate. He stayed by his father's side all the time, even when the old Raymond was asleep, he stared at his father with affectionate eyes.

Maybe... One look, one less.

In order to save his father, Du Wei even took out the "Fountain of Youth", hoping to save his father's life with this miraculous spring that is said to be able to heal any injuries... But in the end, he was disappointed again.

Obviously, the father's illness has nothing to do with the injury, but an old man who has finally exhausted his vitality!

Du Wei has never been so depressed. All along, he has been doing everything smoothly, almost everywhere. But when facing his dying father, all his methods failed. Although he is a magician, he is a person who can "work miracles". But after all, he is not a god! He is human! !

He also hid in the study and looked through all the books he could find, trying to find out any method that could rejuvenate people's vitality, but where is this method found in the book?

Old Raymond seemed to understand that his body was hopeless. As long as he wakes up. He was enduring the pain, still with a forced smile on his face, talking to his son by the bed.

At the beginning, the old Raymond would ask Du Wei some military and political matters in the family, and then he would use his own experience. Give your son some valuable advice. But with his serious illness, old Raymond seemed to no longer care about family affairs.

His concern is all on Du Wei, and the content of the father-son chat will no longer involve any official business. The old Raymond will ask Du Wei to talk about some interesting things about him in the Northwest, such as three months Build cities. A bumper harvest of grain. Those dangerous things, such as the Northwest army trapped in Loulan City. The bloody battle at Gilliat City and so on... Besides, old Raymond was just like a father. Listening to his son's brilliant achievements outside - he just listened quietly. Don't express your own opinions, but hear wonderful places. He also has a proud smile on his face.

In order to make his father happy, Du Wei tried his best to describe these things wonderfully. After talking about the things in the Northwest, he talked about his experiences when he was exiled back to the Luolin Plain, such as making a football, making a hot air balloon, And then the wonderful adventure in the frozen forest... and so on and so on.

Of course, in order not to worry his father, Du Wei concealed everything about the Dragon Clan, Hussein, the criminals, and Semel.

Finally, in the middle of the second month after Du Wei returned to Luolin Plain...

On this day, Du Wei gave his father some ice berries... Although he was still smiling, comforting his father, mother and younger brother, his heart sank.

He has been in charge of his father's medication, and he is very clear in his heart: In the past few days, his father's demand for ice berries has increased, and the effect of ice berries on his father's body has gradually lost its magic. In the past, just a little bit could save his father from suffering, but now, his father’s medication has increased several times, but the pain is still unavoidable. This afternoon, old Raymond refused to eat ice berries, and he expressed his hope that Sober: "Eating this will make me lose my focus. I want to hear you, son, and I don't want to miss every sentence."

Du Wei felt a hot stream coming out of his eyes, he turned around quickly, wiped it off vigorously, then took a glass of water silently, and helped his father to take a sip.

"So, father, what do you want to hear today?" Despite the pain in his heart, Du Wei still had a smile on his face: "Why don't I talk about Nanyang. I blackmailed those Nanyang people very badly."

Old Raymond shook his head weakly: "Nanyang...I have been in Nanyang for many years, and I don't want to hear about Nanyang."

He raised his skinny hand, gently stroked his son's face, and then slowly said: "Actually, I should have a lot to say to you. Maybe I should ask you to take care of your mother and your brother." ...But I know that you are a sensible child, I don't need to say these words, you will do it well..."

Du Wei was silent for a while, his heart trembled violently, and then he smiled and said: "Father, when you recover, you and I will go to the Northwest. We are going to deal with the Northwest Army, plus the private army in the family , we now have an army of 100,000. You are the best commander!"

Old Raymond didn't answer this sentence. He looked at his son with a gleam of brilliance in his muddy eyes.

"Son, go, get my sword." Old Raymond made this weird request.

Du Wei didn't hesitate at all, he immediately turned around and took off the long sword hanging from the wall. This is exactly the saber of old Raymond back then, and this sword accompanied old Raymond through most of his military career, from the northwest to Southeast Asia!

Although he was too weak to hold the sword, the old Raymond held the sword in his arms, and gently stroked the edge of the sword with his trembling fingers: "Do you know? The first time I officially led the army on the battlefield, it was More than twenty years ago, in the northwest! And this sword has followed me since then."

Du Wei immediately said: "Trust me, father. Next time in the Northwest War, you will still take this sword and lead the army! That guy Lu Gao is definitely not your opponent!".

Old Raymond laughed, he laughed complicatedly, and then put his hands down. Staring at Du Wei: "Son. I know that without me... you can do very well by yourself! You are my best son, and the most outstanding talent in the history of the Luo Lin family. I know that no matter what .You can do a great job...”

Du Wei finally couldn't bear it anymore, and tears flowed from the corners of his eyes: "Father..." "Why are you crying?" Old Raymond's eyes suddenly burst into a gleam of brilliance. At this moment, the demeanor of the once glorious imperial general Back to him: "I have lived for so many years, and I have lived brilliantly. Even if I die, it is already worth it. We are members of the Luo Lin family, a family of martial arts. Death, for us Luo Lin family. Nothing to be afraid of."

Then old Raymond took a deep breath... though his voice was weak. But the resoluteness and decisiveness in the tone. But still like a general: "Son, go. Call your mother and brother, I have something to say!"

Du Wei took a deep look at his father, and suddenly he guessed something...

Could it be that the time has come!

A few minutes later, the Countess and Gabriel stood beside Raymond's bed. To everyone's surprise, the old Raymond seemed to be full of life, and he even felt much better. Sitting up and leaning against the bed, the patriarch of the family quietly looked at his wife and son.

"Gabriel, come here." He raised his head and beckoned to his younger son. Gabriel, who was already in tears, walked to his father's side. The old Raymond gently stroked his younger son's head, and said softly: "I know, these few days, I only let Du Wei accompany me, but I don't let you stay. In my room... Well, my son, it's not that I don't love you. I love you very much. But, you know what? I just want to make it up to your brother. I've been mean to him since he was little Good. I just want to make up for him more in the last time and spend more time with him. I believe that your smart child can understand my painstaking efforts."

"I...I understand..." Gabriel cried out, but bit his lip hard.

Then old Raymond turned his head to his wife. There was deep tenderness in his eyes: "Alice...my dear Alice...you are the love of my life, and the happiest thing in my life is to have you by my side. But I'm sorry, Honey, from now on, our child will be entrusted to you."

The countess, who had always been weak, seemed to have become stronger at this moment. With a charming smile on her face, she looked at her husband tenderly... But she miraculously did not shed tears. Then, she slowly Walking over, she gently took her husband's hand, exhausted all her strength, and only said a very short sentence: "I...understand!"

The couple have been in love for many years, and the countess expressed her emotions with only her eyes.

"My life is very wonderful. I have been glorious, brilliant, victorious, and failed... I am already very satisfied to have such a life." Old Raymond sighed, then coughed again, his face There was a satisfied expression on his face, and he said slowly: "At first I thought I would die with my sins, but fortunately, I have an outstanding son who helped me redeem my sins, saved my family, and let me Even if you die, it will be much easier. Du Wei, come here."

The famous general of the empire finally called his eldest son.

The father and son looked at each other for a long time, and the two men's eyes intertwined for a long time before old Raymond spoke. The general's voice was also a little choked up at this moment.

"In my life, the person I am most sorry for is you, my son. I really want to make it up to you, but my time allows me to do so much... It's a pity that I will continue to be sorry to you , my son. Because I can't bear the burden of the family, I entrust such a burden to you, my young son... I feel really guilty for you. But I know, you will definitely do it Great, right?"

Du Wei looked into his father's eyes, and then he took a deep breath: "One day with me, Du Wei, the glory of the family will not perish! Father, this is my promise to you, Du Wei Luolin! "

Lei Meng was relieved. With trembling hands, he handed over the long sword in his arms and put it in Du Wei's hand.

With the handing over of the sword, the color of life in old Lei Meng's eyes quickly passed away. He seemed to be unable to hold on any longer, and lay down gently.

"Du Wei...my son...the person I'm most, sorry for in my life...is, it's you. And the thing I'm most...sorry...is...is..."

Having said that, his voice gradually weakened, and Du Wei hurriedly took two steps to put his ears on his father's mouth.

This once all-powerful general, he finally expressed the biggest regret in his life.

It wasn't that the coup d'état made mistakes, nor did the family almost die because of their sins.

The last words he uttered, the greatest regret in his life, were:

"...Yes, when you were born, I was in Wanli Ocean. As a...father, I couldn't watch you. My first son...was born!"

Then, he closed his eyes...forever.

This once famous general in the history of the Augustinian dynasty finally finished his life of incalculable merits and demerits. When he was dying, he was lying on the bed, and his dear family saw him off. It can be said that for a general, it should be an extremely happy ending.

Holding his father's long sword in his arms, Du Wei felt heavy. The younger brother Gabriel was crying bitterly, but Du Wei seemed to feel that his heart was empty, so empty that he didn't even have the desire to cry.

"I sent you to Luo Lin's hometown, I hope you are well!"

"Yes, the person who killed you was sent by me."

"You are a magician, and you are even a member of the Luo Lin family!!"

"He is no longer a member of my Luo Lin family!"

"Son, you're better than me" I just want to hug you, my son..."

"The most regrettable thing is not being able to watch your birth."

"I know...you will do well."

Du Wei tightly held the long sword in his arms, his fingers had turned white due to too much force.

Finally, he pulled his younger brother with all his strength, hugged his shoulder lightly, and said through gritted teeth, "Okay, don't cry!" At this time, the beautiful countess walked slowly to the bed, She leaned down, and then kissed her husband lightly and deeply on the forehead. Then, she even stretched out her hand and adjusted the quilt covering the old Raymond, so that the dead Raymond looked as if he had fallen asleep peacefully.

Doing these movements, the Countess's movements, are unusually gentle.

Afterwards, the mother turned around and looked at her two sons. Her beautiful eyes finally fell on Du Wei.

"Du Wei..." His mother whispered to him, "Now, you are the only adult man in the family!"

Du Wei raised his face and looked at his mother.

The mother looked haggard, and she was crying silently: "Your father once said...he wanted you to be the patriarch of the Luo Lin family.".