"You..."

Jean Dubarry looked nervously at Lawrence and the two auditors behind him, swallowed, gritted his teeth, and said:

"No problem, Your Excellency the Tax Collector..."

Lawrence's appointment as the Crown Collector was nothing new, and Jean Dubarry was well aware of it.

As for the position itself, it has been interpreted by countless people - the symbolism is far greater than the practical meaning, and it is more like an honorary title close to the royal family.

Nominally, the royal tax collector had the power to inspect and supervise all tax affairs on the king's land, but this power was too great to be used passively for many years.

"Damn, is this kid going to..."

Jean Dubarry twisted a handful of his hair, which was still dripping, and thought uneasily.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Dubarry."

Lawrence smiled and nodded, walked around the hall to himself, and said:

"It's a really nice place, but unfortunately, I've heard from the grapevine that this bathhouse seems to have some tax problems."

A hint of resentment flashed in Jean Dubarry's eyes, and it seemed that this kid was really going to use his identity as an auditor to attack him.

And he also knows very well that if Lawrence only uses this power against a small person like himself, he will not cause much backlash in political circles.

However, to Jean Dubarry's great concern, he still did not know why Lawrence had suddenly come here to attack him.

If it was just tax concealment and omission, Jean Dubarry would have paid a large fine, and he had a vague feeling that this was not the purpose of Lawrence's visit.

"Hahaha, I really don't know who would spread that kind of boring rumor." Jean Dubarry said with a forced smile.

"Whether it's a rumor or not will only become clear after investigation."

Lawrence walked up to Jean Dubarry and said in a calm and undeniable tone:

"I need to check the ledgers here, Mr. Dubarry."

Jean Dubarry nodded reluctantly and helplessly, and then commanded his men:

"It's... Of course no problem, come on! The books of the last few months were brought over to the Inspector of Taxation. ”

Lawrence's request to inspect the ledger was entirely justified, and Jean Dubarry had no reason to refuse.

And Jean Dubarry himself knew that Lawrence was here today, and like all other tax collectors, he would not rest until he found something.

So he didn't want to hide it at all, and he was ready to pay a fine directly.

After a few moments, a tome half a finger thick was placed in front of Lawrence.

Lawrence glanced directly at the two auditors behind him, motioned for them to start looking, and whispered to them:

"But you'll have to look carefully, two."

The two nodded understandingly, pulled out their glasses and put them on the bridge of their noses, and began to look at them.

While the two were reviewing the examination, Lawrence casually probed Jean Dubarry:

"By the way, Monsieur Dubarry, is the Duke of Richelieu well? I haven't seen him in a few days. ”

As he spoke, Lawrence was closely observing Jean Dubarry's expression.

It was evident that at the hearing of the Duke of Richelieu's name, there was a moment of irritation on his face.

"Sorry, I don't know, I haven't seen him in a while."

Jean Dubarry took a breath and said as calmly as he could.

Lawrence nodded slightly, and then said:

"I thought you could see Duke Richelieu every day."

"Occasionally." Jean Dubarry replied perfunctorily.

"Remember the last time we met, you were watching a play with the Duke of Richelieu?"

Lawrence then asked, continuing to observe Jean Dubarry's expression.

Jean Dubarry didn't speak anymore, just nodded.

Lawrence, as if puzzled, ignored Jean Dubarry's annoyed expression, and continued to ask:

"You know a lot about what plays the Duke of Richelieu likes to watch, right?"

Finally, Jean Dubarry frowned, spread his hands unbearably, and said:

"Your Excellency, you should ask these questions differently! I don't think these issues have anything to do with taxes, right?! ”

"Of course, I'll ask the others."

Lawrence chuckled and nodded, and at the same time basically confirmed his guess:

"It seems that our Monsieur Dubari has not been doing well with the Duke of Richelieu lately. The last time he met me, he was still courteous and respectful to the Duke of Richelieu. ”

As for the reason for this, Lawrence was completely able to guess.

Jean Dubarly, as a direct participant in this attack, was a minor figure of little importance, and the Duke of Richelieu certainly wanted to kill people and kill them as soon as possible.

On the one hand, Jean Dubarry had to guard against the Duke of Richelieu's possibility of killing him at any time, and on the other hand, he had to rely on the political status of the Duke of Richelieu, and this contradiction naturally changed his attitude towards the Duke of Richelieu.

This change of attitude also gave Lawrence some confidence in his plans.

While Lawrence was chatting with Jean Dubarly, the two auditors quickly discovered something suspicious.

"Your Excellency Bonaparte, there is a problem in one place on the ledger."

One of the auditors came up to him and said in the presence of Jean Dubarly:

"On March 15, a non-operating expense of up to six thousand livres was recorded in the accounts. But there are no notes on where to go, and there are no vouchers or documents for this expenditure. ”

"Oh?"

Lawrence narrowed his eyes at Jean Dubarry and said with a smile:

"An unknown expense? I seem to smell tax evasion. ”

For this type of business, the amount of tax is determined on the basis of the amount of book profits.

Therefore, the basic principle of tax evasion is to reduce the profit on the books, that is, to either undercount the income or overcount the expenses.

Jean Dubarry didn't bother to quibble, he knew that even if he explained it clearly here, Lawrence would inevitably pick on the thorns later, so he directly spread his hands and said:

"Well, maybe something was negligent on my accountant. How much money do I have to be fined? ”

"No, Mr. Dubarry."

Lawrence retracted his smile, looked at him seriously and coldly, and said slowly:

"I must ask you to give an explanation of where the money goes. If it's stolen money, or bribes, or money for foreign spies, it's not just a tax issue. ”

Jean Dubarry's face couldn't help but tighten, and he subconsciously took two steps back, and said without even bothering to change his words:

"Your Excellency Bonaparte! What do you mean?! ”

"I need you to come with me."

Lawrence's face remained unchanged and asked:

"I need you to give a reasonable explanation for your personal and the financial problems of your property."

"What?!"

Jean Dubarry stood still without leaving Lawrence, and cried out:

"There's no way I'm going to accept such an unreasonable request!"

"Unreasonable demands?"

I saw Lawrence take two steps forward and grab Jean Dubarry's collar, look him in the eye and say:

"My power comes from the king, and my request is the acting of the king's will, you dare to call this an unreasonable demand?! Or is it... Mr. Dubarry, was you instructed by someone to act against the king in this way? Like the Duke of Richelieu...? ”

"You...!"

Jean Dubarry choked on and didn't utter a word for a long time.

He wasn't struck by Lawrence's moral kidnapping of the first half.

But in the second half, when Lawrence mentioned the Duke of Richelieu, Jean Dubarry suddenly reacted that he must not have a conflict with Lawrence at this moment.

"The Duke of Richelieu is the one who wants me dead the most in all of Paris..."

Jean Dubarry pondered with trepidation:

"If I make a big deal out of this and get involved with him, he will definitely use this as an excuse to attack me..."

Thinking of this, Jean Dubarry glanced at Lawrence again, and his clenched fists gradually loosened.

Lawrence, on the other hand, slowly let go of Jean Dubarry's collar and took two steps back, waiting for Jean Dubarry to make his own decision.

Because Lawrence also knew in his heart that Jean Dubarry would never allow himself to put the hat of the king on him if he was not stupid.

Once the hat was fastened, the Duke of Richelieu would be more diligent and proactive than Lawrence in cleaning the portal.

"I see! Sir Bonaparte, I'll go with you! ”

Jean Dubarry shouted helplessly:

"But I'll tell you in advance that I have the right to remain silent!"

Although it is not known why Lawrence took him on purpose, Jean Dubarry was not particularly concerned.

After all, in his opinion, both sides are also figures with heads and faces in Paris, and they are not enough to resort to any indiscriminate means.

"Come with us, Mr. Dubarry, and I acknowledge your right to silence."

A light smile appeared on Lawrence's face, and he stepped forward and patted Jean Dubarry on the back and whispered:

"But I'm sure you'll speak."

Lawrence and Jean Dubarry then walked out of the door and got into a carriage that had been waiting for a long time.

The two auditors were not with Lawrence, but were in another carriage with the ledger of Velvet Love.

Jean Dubarry, who noticed this detail, was slightly uneasy, but he comforted himself because the two auditors were not qualified enough to ride in the same carriage as Lawrence.

After driving for a while, Jean Dubarry, who was sitting on pins and needles in the carriage, finally couldn't help but say tentatively:

"So, Sir Bonaparte, where do you want to take me? The police station? Or the tax office? You're not going to send me straight to the Paris defenses, are you? ”

The street lights shining through the car windows changed so rapidly on Lawrence's face that Jean Dubari couldn't even see Laurence's countenance.

Lawrence leaned back, his whole face completely hidden in the darkness, and then whispered:

"Hold off, Mr. Dubarry, you'll know."

...

Overly nervous, Jean Dubarry could no longer tell how fast and slow time passed, and as the carriage slowly pulled to the side of the road, he felt that he had spent a rather long and tormented time.

After Lawrence stepped out of the carriage, Jean Dubarry jumped out of the carriage nervously, turned his head to look around, and said with wide eyes:

"Wait... This is the Champs-Élysées? What are you bringing me here for?! ”

Countless thoughts flashed through Jean Dubarry's mind, and he remembered that Lawrence's residence in Paris was located on the Champs-Élysées.

Lawrence turned his head and glared at him, and said calmly:

"Please be quiet, Mr. Dubarry, and follow me."

"Nope! Lord Bonaparte, you must state your intentions! ”

Jean Dubarry opened his mouth and tried to shout:

"Otherwise, you're kidnapping! It's a prisoner..."

Bang!

A short, dull sound passed from the back of Jean Dubarry's head through bone conduction directly to his eardrums.

It sounded like someone's hard elbow slamming into the back of Jean Dubarry's head.

But he couldn't tell what it was.

Because in the next moment, Jean Dubarry's eyes went black and he fainted.

"Yo ho, this guy is pretty heavy."

Grosso, who appeared behind Jean Dubarry at some point, grabbed the fallen Dubarly, put him on his shoulder, and said with a smile to Lawrence:

"Lawrence, is this your kid's plan? Tie this bastard back and torture him to confess to your assault? You're acting like a pirate. ”

Lawrence quickly glanced around to make sure no one noticed anything unusual here, then shrugged his shoulders and said:

"High-end political struggles often require only the most modest means. Alright, get him inside, I don't just want him to admit to attacking me. ”

...

"It's... Yes..."

Jean Dubarry woke up from a wave of dizziness and headache and was shocked to find his hands tied behind his back in the chair beneath him.

Even his feet were chained together by an arm-thick chain, making it extremely difficult to move even an inch, and he made a loud stinging noise.

"You're awake, Mr. Dubarry."

Hearing this, Jean Dubarry, who had not fully recovered from the swelling of his head, looked up in a daze.

Only then did he realize that it was Laurence Bonaparte and a fierce scar-faced man.

"What the hell are you doing! Lord Bonaparte! ”

Jean Dubarry yelled in disbelief, struggling to untie his chains.

Lawrence leaned down and glanced at Jean Dubarly, but instead of answering his question, he said to Grosso beside him:

"You sailors must have a lot of interrogation methods, right? The torturous kind. ”

"Oh sure, I'm an expert."

Grosso looked down at Jean Dubarly, licked his lips, squinted and said:

"A tender skin man like him can't bear the torture of the sea. One night I can make him cry and take all the sins of the world upon him. ”

"You...! Who are you and what do you want to do?! Jean Dubarry said with a shudder.

Neither replied to Jean Dubarry's horrified questioning.

Lawrence stood up straight, nodded slowly, and said:

"Very well, but let's let Mr. Dubarry get a good night's sleep tonight. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Monsieur Dubarry, and maybe you'll miss this last night of restful sleep for some time to come. ”

With that, Lawrence and Grosso ignored Du Barry's almost wailing roar and turned and left the basement where he was being held.

"Lawrence, I need to warn you first."

Grosso, who came out of the basement, said to Lawrence:

"I can indeed get him to tell him everything he knows and doesn't know, but the confession you get like this has no validity at all, right?"

Lawrence, however, shook his head as expected and said:

"That's true, but what I'm asking for is not a confession, I'm going to let him personally accuse the Duke of Richelieu."

"Accusations in person?" Grosso touched his head in confusion, frowned and asked:

"What's the accusation, you can't go to court and put a knife on his neck and force him, right?"

Still shaking his head, Lawrence looked at the basement where Jean Dubarry was being held, and said:

"There is no need for any persecution, give me a few days, and I will have him faithfully on our side and completely voluntarily accuse the Duke of Richelieu."

"Okay, okay, I trust you." Grosso nodded, still a little worried, and asked:

"But do we have enough time? I can't say that this Dubari is also a man with a head and a face, and he has been missing for several days after coming into contact with us. ”

"Oh, don't worry, Grosso."

Lawrence pulled a roll of yellow parchment from his bosom and shook it in front of Grosso's eyes.

It was an instrument of order that had just been sent by the Duke of Choiseul and signed by the Foreign Secretary, Caesar Gabriel, in the afternoon.

"Everything was planned."