Du Wei frowned, and couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart.

Nothing to do and be diligent, either jiān or thief! His own credit in the northwest, before the prince Chen has already repaid himself, responsible for the negotiation with the grassland people, he has gained a lot of benefits. There were also 20,000 cavalry who withdrew and got 6,000 jīng rui themselves. These are already credits to oneself.

But today, as soon as I returned to dìdū, I came to such a show...... His Royal Highness, Emperor Chen, he ......

Well, yes!

Du Wei raised his eyebrows!

This regent has given himself such a big face. Then, when he makes any request, he will be embarrassed to dismiss him! This guy ...... I'm already engaged, so he won't still want to marry me, right?

If it wasn't a marriage, what would he ask for?

Du Wei thought about it for a long time and couldn't figure it out, so he simply didn't think about it, anyway, he had already returned to dìdū, and the next thing was to take one step at a time, the soldiers would block, and the water would flood.

Nothing was said all night. Early the next morning, a servant came to report that Xiao Zack, the manager of the dìdū shop, had sent someone to invite Du Wei over.

The servant who came to report said that he was still a little frightened. Although everyone knows that this little Zach is a person whom Du Wei trusts very much, and is in charge of the business of Lord Duke in Dìdū. But when the Duke returned to Dìdū this time, instead of coming to the door immediately, the Zack Governor sent someone to let Du Wei over. This is really rude.

But Du Wei didn't mind at all, he knew that this little Zach was a business wizard. This is always the way things are done, and there must be a reason why he doesn't come to see him. Du Wei is not the kind of person who is strict about etiquette.

In the morning, I immediately went to my shop.

Little Zach, the guy that Du Wei picked up, has been in the dìdū for the past two years. He was born with an eight-sided exquisite xìng, and he was surrounded by many powerful people, and everyone knew that he was supported by Duke Tulip, so they naturally respected him for three points. Moreover, this Zack ghost also has a lot of ideas, and he often comes up with some money-making tricks, and Du Wei's business in Dìdū is extremely prosperous, although it can't be said to be a rì into the gold. But it's also a lot of money. Even the Delan Mountain Demonic Beast was envious. If it weren't for Du Wei's face, this Delan Mountain Demonic Beast would have secretly come to dig the foot of the wall a long time ago.

Before you go out. Someone from his subordinates came to report that he wanted to be the steward of the earl's house in proportion. The steward of the Warcraft family in Mount Teland. There is also the head of the Sheriff's Office, Camiciro, Baron Sak of the Financial Division. And several generals of the military and so on and so forth. There were about a dozen people, and they all sent people to send invitations early in the morning. I would like to invite Duke Tulip to the banquet.

Du Wei frowned when he heard this. If it was Count Villa or the Beast of Mount Tereland, it would be enough to invite him. After all, these two guys are closer to themselves, and they come back to dìdū by themselves. It was also expected that the other party invited him, and it was not surprising that Camiciro was also a good friend...... But the others, like Baron Sach. And why did those people in the military invite themselves?

And still in such a hurry. I've only been back for one night. The next morning, all the invitations were sent over. It seems like I can't wait.

What made Du Wei even more suspicious was that he received more than a dozen invitations. There is a small half, and they are not the descendants of Emperor Chen at all, but they are all neutral leaders among the former dignitaries. I don't have much friendship with myself.

Du Wei pondered for a while, and felt that it was not good to refuse rashly, after all, in this powerful person's ***, if he refused, he would inevitably offend people. After thinking about it for a while, he asked people to reply to the dozen or so stewards, telling them that Duke Tulip thanked you for your kindness and decided to entertain all the distinguished guests at the Tulip family's property in Dìdū tonight.

Since you can't go to the banquet one by one, it's better to invite these people all together. Anyway, now Du Wei's business in dìdū is getting bigger and bigger, in addition to the original shop that has doubled in size, there are also a lot of hotels and other industries. After all, Zach Jr. started his business by opening a hotel business, and he is also an old business in the catering industry, and his business is also very prosperous.

After getting people to reply, Du Wei took a few guards and rode to see little Zack.

Of course, when I returned to Dìdū, I naturally wanted to meet the Prince Regent. It's just that now His Royal Highness's identity is not as good as before, he is the regent of the empire, although Du Wei is popular, but it is not good to go directly to the palace. According to the imperial decree, all the dignitaries who were recalled to the dìdū party had to send someone to the palace in accordance with the regulations, and then wait for the emperor to summon them.

Du Wei figured out last night what the intentions of this prince Chen were mostly, although the carrots were eaten, and then it was time to drop the stick, Du Wei did not find fault with ringworm himself, since he knew that the other party was going to drop the stick, of course Du Wei would not take the initiative to send it to the door, so he simply waited for the regent to summon it.

Originally, Du Wei's original industry was on one of the busiest streets in Dìdū. Dìdū is the first male city in the mainland, and the commerce is extremely developed, especially the five or six intersecting streets in the center of the city, which has formed a commercial circle similar to the world of Du Wei in his previous life, where all kinds of businesses, shops, hotels, inns, etc. are gathered here.

Du Wei's original business was on one of the streets here, and after two years of operation by Little Zack, the scale has more than tripled, and the original shops have been taken down, and the original two hotels on this street have been acquired, and the scale has been connected.

Du Wei went out lightly, and there was no pomp, so he rode on horseback, and a few guards followed him. Wandering all the way to this most prosperous district of Dìdū, it is also quite leisurely. This area is prosperous, and there are naturally many people on the streets. It's just that everyone saw Du Wei and his party from afar, dressed in gorgeous costumes, with extraordinary momentum, and those mighty guards followed. Ordinary people did not dare to approach Du Wei either. So Du Wei went all the way, and there was no crowding.

When he finally came to the street of the tulip family's property, Du Wei found himself away from Dìdū for a year and a half. Little Zach did indeed make out sè, such a long street. Almost half of it has become a tulip family's property.

I saw the shop I started from. The gate was three times larger, and the gate was built in great magnificence, and even the special parking yard next to it was greatly enlarged. Although it was early in the morning, I saw several gorgeous carriages parked there from afar, and it was obvious that business had come to the door early in the morning.

Du Wei came to the door and dismounted, and someone who had already recognized Du Wei hurriedly greeted him. There are many newcomers in this store, but seeing that Du Wei is still dressed and postured. Who couldn't have guessed Du Wei's identity? Du Wei walked in by himself, and along the way, it seemed that the layout here was very different from when he left. The waiters were also clearly trained in their manners, although their arrival caused some shock. But it was not alarming. Most of them, after bowing respectfully to themselves, are also busy. There is no messing up the duties.

After meeting the little Zach. Du Wei almost didn't laugh out loud. Not seen for more than a year. This guy who looked like a big horse monkey when he picked it up at the beginning. actually wore a white sè leather robe decently. Apparently from the frozen forests of the north, the finest white bearskins were fought. Although the appearance is somewhat ugly. But after dressing up, he also looks very jīng god, and his demeanor is a little less frivolous. A little more steady.

remembered that when he met this guy, he also recommended that "golden service package" scene to himself. Du Wei couldn't help but want to laugh.

"My boss, I haven't seen you for more than a year. You look so good!" said Zack, who looked worried. There is no such free and easy flying as before. The rules are to bend down and give a salute. Du Wei glanced at him. He walked inside with a big grin and looked at the room. Laughing, "Dear Zack." You look good, too. It's been more than a year. You've done a great job. I'm satisfied. ”

Zach was originally Dewey's man from the grassroots. Although these rìzi come to mix with the powerful***, their behavior is much more standardized. But privately. It's still revealing its original form. It's just that today this guy has a bitter face, his eyebrows are full of worry, and his demeanor is much more respectful, and he said with a sad face: "My boss, don't laugh...... After a while, maybe you'll have to slap the table and curse. Let's start with that. You are not allowed to hit me for a while, and you are not allowed to cut me with a knife!"

After speaking, he seemed to subconsciously look around. Du Wei swept the room. Sure enough, I found that there was not even a knife here. Even the special fruit cutting knife that was originally on the table was put away.

Du Wei frowned: "Tell me, what the hell is going on? Let me, the boss, come to see you. ”

"I can't leave. Zach blinked, "Look. There is a big event at noon today. I'd like to see you last night...... But...... Alas. I can't say this in a sentence or two. Sit down and listen to me speak slowly, just please calm down and don't get angry with me for a while. ”

It's all over laughing. His face sank, and then he leaned over and said in a low voice, "My duke...... It's really time for you to come back, and in the past two days, Dìdū has been noisy. No, I happened to get a few rare goods recently, and I was about to auction them here, and the news was sent out, and as a result, the admission tickets to our auction house have already been fried to a hundred gold coins! Especially a few VIP tickets, they have broken their heads. On the market outside, I'm afraid there is no such number, don't even think about getting one. As he spoke, little Zach stretched out a slap with five fingers.

"Five hundred gold coins?"

"Five thousand!" little Zach rolled his eyes.

Du Wei was taken aback.

Auctioning this kind of thing, it was Du Wei who slightly mentioned some rules, and then little Zach started it in the dìdū with his smart talent, every time some rare goods, if they are released, the powerful people in the dìdū will also buy this and that, everyone has a great background, but after all, there are only one or two limited things, and it is not good to refuse anyone. simply use the auction rules, the highest price wins, in this way, not to offend people, and often these rich magnates will speculate several times the price for the sake of face when they compete for the auction price, so that little Zach can make a smile.

And the auction of this strange thing. It is also extremely popular in dìdū. Often a rare cargo. When the news comes out, the tickets for the Tulip House Auction will be sold at a high price.

But......

"What kind of strange treasure did you get this time, why is the admission ticket so high?" Du Wei frowned.

Little Zach shook his head: "This auction of things." It is considered more expensive to say that it is valuable. But it's absolutely impossible to make such a noise. It's just because, this time, we're auctioning things. There's one thing that doesn't belong to us. Rather, someone else sent it here for auction, and the business belongs to the business, and I have ordered the auction house to accept the deposit of the lot here since this year. Follow the rules. We can take a half of the final auction proceeds. This business is very profitable. Merely. This time, it's getting into trouble. ”

"What the hell is it?"

Listened to the Du Wei question. Little Zack's face became weird, and he smiled wryly. He whispered, "Auction's ...... Not something. It's a promise!"

"Promise?" Du Wei frowned.

Little Zach sighed: "This matter has suddenly spread in the past few days, and I originally wanted to inform you when I got the news." But you're already on your way. Although I sent someone to look for you on the road, I think I missed it on the way. I had the heart to see you last night. But when you came back last night. More than a dozen big names are there to greet you. And then I go back with you. So many outsiders were there. I can't talk to you about it. I had to wait until early this morning......"

Du Wei shook his head: "No need to explain. Say it. What the hell is going on?"

Little Zach smiled bitterly: "It's going to start from ten days ago......"

Subsequently, Du Wei listened to Zach Jr. speak. The more I listened, the more I frowned.

It turned out that ten days ago. Little Zach has already released the news and is ready to conduct a monthly auction.

And that time. Something happened that was not too big or too small.

It turned out to be winter this year. A province in the south of the empire was suddenly hit by a snowstorm. The continental climate is cold in the north and hot in the south. The south is rarely snowed, and this southern winter snows in the weather. Abnormal, of course. But it's not unprecedented. There was a snowstorm. It's not a big deal. Say it's not small. Naturally, the Finance Bureau is responsible for disaster relief.

It's just that. It happens to be the annual time, and the bishops of the eight dioceses of the Bright Temple continent return to the Dìdū Temple to report on their duties. His Majesty the Pope, who has lived in seclusion for many years. It is said that upon hearing of the hardships of the faithful in the diocese due to the snowstorm in that southern province, His Majesty the Compassionate Pope immediately issued a decree exempting the diocese from religious and contribution taxes for one year.

It's not big, it's not small. But His Majesty the Pope stepped forward to make such a good move. There are many powerful families who believe in the religion of God. They all came to have fun, and many nobles donated their belongings one after another. Boiling/Teng/Literature/Learning Hands Playing Group Dedication.

This matter has been boiling over in dìdū for a few days. In the end, there was an embarrassing situation: in the temple. Under the Pope's call, millions of gold coins were raised at once. First, of course, the Pope's appeal is strong. Here are some wealthy believers who can help...... Two. I'm afraid there are some people behind it.

This time. Suddenly, a rumor appeared in the dìdū. It is only said that the regent ordered the financial secretary to raise gold coins for disaster relief, but it is only more than 30 gold coins. And the Pope gave the order, and he got three million. It can be seen that the prestige of the Pope is much higher than that of His Royal Highness the Regent.

Inside. There is a faint sense of the appeal and prestige of the comparison between theocracy and imperial power.

Such rumors naturally have ulterior motives. But the reality in front of us is that the divine power seems to have overwhelmed the imperial power.

For a moment, the prestige of the temple was naturally high, and the regent seemed to be a little disgraced.

There has been a long history of open and secret fighting between the imperial family and the temple. The Pope's high-profile actions this time are very inconsistent with the low-key style of this mysterious old guy who has lived in seclusion all these years.

After all, everyone is an old fritter, and many people smell a little bit of it.

It's just that in this competition, the regent seems to be very low-key, and he didn't compete with the temple for anything, and the outside was boiling, and the royal family remained silent.

Originally, according to the normal trajectory, there were such rumors in the market, if those powerful people were smart, they would naturally not continue to pay out of their pockets to send money to the temple, otherwise, the more money the temple raised. Isn't that just a slap in the face of the regent?

But when things develop here, it's weird!

After that rumor came out, the original temple was the one who raised supplies. It can also be said to be "lively". But this rumor has caused a lot of trouble, and those donors are not less. Instead, it surged overnight!

this phenomenon. It's extremely abnormal!

It is said that in those days, outside the temple, people who came to donate at the call of His Majesty the Pope. Almost the queue was sent out two streets! Even the Shrine has sent the Holy Knights to maintain order!

The original number of three million gold coins. In less than two days, it has doubled!

In this way, the appeal of His Majesty the Pope amazed everyone. And the other way around. It seems that the regent of the royal family seems to have a little bit of ...... It's bleak.

"Could it be that these rich people in Dìdū are blind, deaf, and stupid?" Du Wei frowned: "It is clear that someone is adding fuel to the fire, and Mingli is cheering for the Pope." Secretly he is hurting the face of the regent! This matter is already obvious, and these rich people are not afraid of offending the royal family?

Little Zach shook his head: "My duke...... You're wrong! It's weird that the people who run to the temple to donate money. Most of them are not rich people in dìdū. I sent someone to inquire. The vast majority of them. It's all cāo accents, and they all seem to be from the south...... I don't know why so many southerners have come to dìdū recently. It seems that these people are all carrying huge sums of money. Specifically run to dìdū. After donating the money, he left...... It's a pretty obvious thing. is clearly deliberately sweeping the face of the royal family. ”

"Southerners?" Du Wei sneered: "How could so many wealthy southerners come out of Dìdū to donate money all of a sudden? Obviously, someone deliberately organized it!"

"Isn't it? Little Zach laughed, "You're two days late." If you come back two days early. You can see the excitement. A few days ago, there was a sea of people outside the temple!"

Du Wei shook his head. "What about the royal family?"

"It just didn't happen. That's why it's weird. Little Zach smiled bitterly: "This matter, even an idiot can see that the temple has deliberately provoked the royal family again, and it is so obvious that it is really inconsistent with the calmness shown by His Majesty the Pope for many years, which is very inconsistent! Our regent has never said a word, and has not reacted to this matter at all. And ......"

"And what?"

"And. Don't you think it's strange? Is the regent afraid of the temple here? Don't say it, just let the two of them, the Demon Beast of Mount Teland and the Count of Villa. It's not a big deal to throw out a few million gold coins casually, right? If the royal family wants to fight, they will still take out a few million gold coins. It's to blame. The regent did not speak, and neither did the wealthy men of His Highness's faction. ”

Du Wei's heart was full of doubts.

This thing is so obvious...... If it is aimed at the royal family, then this yīn plot is too clumsy. Temple of Light, well, why did you suddenly use this matter to attack the royal family? It seems that His Majesty the Pope does not need to suddenly challenge the authority of the regent, right?

Well...... People from the South......

Could it be the Yeni who did it?

But what did the Yeni do this for? What good could it do to provoke the royal family and deliberately release that kind of rumor other than offend the royal family?

Du Wei put these questions aside first, and said, "Well, what do these have to do with today's auction?"

"Just two days ago, someone came to us and brought us a lot. Zach's face was very ugly: "Guess who sent this lot?"

“...... Who?"

"Temple!" Zach said with a bitter face: "The Judge of the Temple has come here in person and sent a decree signed by His Majesty the Pope! This decree is one of the lots this time! For this lot, the dìdū has been turned over in the past two days!

His Majesty's decree makes it very clear that this item will be put up for auction here, and the highest bidder will get it! All the money from the auction will be used for disaster relief in the south. And this auction decree is a promise signed by the Pope himself: whoever gets this promise, and whoever gets the promise, if he has a child, His Majesty the Pope promises to be willing to baptize him personally, and to accept him as his godson, and to be the godfather of the child himself! It's all valid!"

As soon as he said this, even Du Wei couldn't sit still.

What kind of treatment is the Pope personally presiding over the baptism?

His Majesty the Pope of every generation will never baptize any ordinary person into the Church! Only the emperor of the empire!

The Roland Empire was founded more than 960 years ago. Nine hundred and sixty years after the establishment of the Temple of Light, this example has never been broken!

Even...... In a way. This almost becomes the criterion of whether an emperor has a legal xìng or not!

Unknowingly. People even erected the idea that if His Majesty the Pope could not preside over the baptism, then the emperor dìdū was not legitimate!

On the other hand, as the supreme lord of the Temple of Light. The Pope must not baptize anyone casually!

This is the iron law!!

"His Majesty the Pope is crazy?!!! Du Wei jumped up suddenly: "What is crazy about this old god stick?!"

This is a provocation!**naked provocation!Provocation to the imperial power!!

Du Wei's face was pale. Suddenly glared at Zack. He said angrily: "Are you stupid too! You dare to take this kind of thing!!

Zack's face changed, and he shouted loudly: "God, my duke, I, Zack is not a fool! This kind of thing, do you think I don't know the severity? Do you think I dare to take it? But the question is. On that day, the presiding judge of the Temple himself came with the Pope's decree. Stand right before me, facing the Pope's decree. How can you tell me to say a -no-word to my face!! I'm not you. You are the Duke. I'm just a little manager. In the face of a person of the Pope's level and the decree written by himself, how can I refuse? How can I refuse? I have to accept it even if I don't accept it!!"

Du Wei thought about it and ...... In the face of the Pope's decree, it is indeed difficult to refuse, I am afraid that even if it is yourself. If the Pope personally made any will, he could not refuse it in person. At most, it is yang feng yīn violation. But it's impossible to say no to your face.

on the entire continent. Who can say "no" to His Majesty the Pope in person?

"Besides. Zach looked bitter: "After receiving this thing that day, I immediately sent someone out of the dìdū, at that time. You should already be on your way to dìdū! I'll send someone to look for you halfway...... Didn't you meet it?"

Du Wei's heart became more and more sinking, count the rìzi, two days ago?

Well, that's exactly what happened after he saved Maximus on the river! Could it be that the Yenis are doing the tricks?

"The man you sent to deliver the letter to me, I did not meet. He hurriedly asked again: "What about Prince Chen, what did the regent say after he learned the news?"

Zach looked strange, and then said with a wry smile: "Just last night, I was going to see you in the middle of the night...... But in the middle of the night, a court envoy came to the palace, found me in person, and gave me a handwritten order from the regent, and then ......"

"And then what?"

Then he took the lot, which the Pope had promised himself, and took it. ”

When Du Wei heard this, it was as if he had been punched in the face, and he immediately said angrily: "Take it?!"

He was angry, ** slapped the table, snapped, and the person jumped up, and said angrily: "Zack! Why didn't you tell me about such an important matter until now!!Why didn't you come to tell me last night overnight!!"

"I think. Zach shook his head: "Someone came from the palace yesterday and dragged me here, I was about to go out to see you, and a messenger came to the palace without informing, and he came to see me directly, and then two palace envoys, one of whom was also a court magician, stood beside me." Keep an eye on me!!I'm not allowed to inform you...... How can I slip away? Not to mention that I slip away, all night a magician sits next to me, and his eyes don't take his eyes off me for half a while, and someone follows me even when I go to the bathroom! I even want to send someone out secretly...... They won't let me talk to anyone! I can't even send you a letter!"

Du Wei nodded, he was a little strange in his heart, why did his master return to dìdū, Zach, as his number one manager in dìdū, he didn't show up for a night, and he didn't go to greet him.

"It wasn't until this morning that the court told me that I could send someone to invite you over. I don't understand what the hell this regent is up to. I had no choice but to send someone to the Duke's palace to ask for you. Just now, the people of the court were still here! but they had just left with their front feet, and you came with your back feet. I suspect that most of them have been watching the wind from the streets. ”

After a pause, Zach smiled bitterly: "I also sent someone to inform you two days ago, I want to inform you of this important matter as soon as possible, I let the boat go all the way along the canal, and I can always meet you." But on the way, you didn't meet the person I sent to deliver the letter, and most of the people I sent to deliver the letter were also intercepted. It's just that the person who intercepted it was the royal family or the temple, I can't guess this. ”

Du Wei calmed down little by little.

It seems that Prince Chen did this intentionally.

This highness deliberately blocked the news and did not let himself know about these things along the way, until he returned to dìdū, and now he did not know about it...... What is the purpose of this?

When I arrived at Dìdū last night, I didn't say a word to Count Villa, who greeted me. Obviously, he was also instructed by Prince Chen!

This highness deliberately let himself go to dìdū, and it was only this morning that he suddenly learned about this important event...... What is it for? Surprise attack? So what's the point?

Seeing that Du Wei fell into deep thought, Zach smiled bitterly: "My master, it's not about these questions now, it's about the imminent ...... The auction will start at noon in a while! But Prince Chen sent someone to take this lot away last night! When the auction is held for a while, we are empty-handed, what should we do? This His Royal Highness Chen, is it deliberately to fix you?"

Du Wei frowned...... Probably not, after all, when he came back last night, he still showed favor to himself in every way. It is another triumphant greeting, and it is a gift to the old house. There's no reason to deliberately frame yourself for doing this today.

It is also in the interests of the royal family to take away the Pope's handwritten decree and make the auction fail, but there is no reason to embarrass yourself, right?

With a long sigh, Du Wei finally cleared his thoughts: "I understand......"

He rubbed the muscles on his face and sighed helplessly: "This highness's meaning is obvious...... He deliberately sent someone to take this item from you before the auction, just because he didn't want it to fall into anyone's hands! His meaning was obvious: make sure that this thing didn't fall into anyone's hands! Don't let the Pope's promise be fulfilled to anyone!"

"So what are we going to do? ...... when the auction is in a moment."

"It's up to us to figure it out ourselves. Du Wei sighed: "Speaking of which, the only way is to ...... We will buy this thing at our own expense! At the auction for a while, no matter how high the price is, no matter how big the price is, we will pay to buy it on the spot!"

Damn, in your own auction house, you pay for things yourself......

Zach was slightly stunned, but after all, he was also a smart person, and his eyes lit up: "I understand! This must be what ......the regent meant!

He's a chance to keep me from slippery. Du Wei snorted, and sneered in his heart: This Prince Chen seems to know himself very well, and he is worried that he is not willing to do such a thing as a bird, so he will simply take the things away first!

If someone else auctions something and he can't get the goods himself, he will be charged with "losing the Pope's decree." In order not to bear this crime, he could only take pictures of things himself! But as a result, Du Wei himself became the first bird to get the Pope's promise!

With Du Wei's usual style, he absolutely refused to stand on the cusp of this kind of storm! Therefore, Prince Regent Chen simply did not do anything, cut first and then played, and forced himself to do so!

Du Wei sighed in his heart: I was still worried last night, I ate this carrot, and I don't know what big stick will fall.

Today it seems...... This stick is really not light!