"Every time the Empire holds an expedition to the South Seas, the cost of the cost, as I just said, used to be more than 1.5 million gold coins each time. And generals, although the soldiers in front are brave, but after all, your ships are built at a cost, and when you go to sea, your ships have to be repaired, and your weapons are especially rusty at sea, and they need to be repaired and replaced frequently, and the clothes that the soldiers wear, and the food they eat—oh, the ships that go to sea must also be equipped with enough vegetables and fruits, which are much more expensive than the rations of the ordinary army. And all of this, it costs money!"

As he spoke, he sighed deeply: "What I want to say is that just from the cost point of view, if we drive our own warships to rob according to what the generals said, where do we need them to deliver them, it is true, but, in fact, it can be said that the gains outweigh the losses." Moreover, it took us an average of more than eighteen months, or even more, for an expedition. And when the result was obtained, there were only a few dozen or two hundred thousand gold coins. ”

He took out the list of Nanyang envoys again, and flicked it lightly: "But now? Every year, we don't have to let the soldiers shed blood, we don't have to let them go to sea, we don't have to spend half a copper plate of gold coins, they will send three million gold coins while sitting at home! I think even if it is a child, I can figure out which one has gained more." ”

Finally, the old man gave a deep skew to all his colleagues and said slowly, "Of course. I understand it too...... This matter is not only a matter of money and land, but also about the face of the empire. It is the dignity of the country. If the former slaves were now sitting high on the guest seats of our palace, they would become our guests...... In any case, it is unseemly. It will even make others see the joke...... What do we Roland people have come to be qualified to be equal to us? I think that's what you want to say. ”

The old man spoke. Many people couldn't help but nod slightly, but at this time, the old man's words suddenly changed: "But, everyone, now is this time." Ahead, the Kaspersky Line is fighting...... Soldiers are bleeding and dying, and we have to spend a lot of military funds and materials every month to replenish the front! Signs and training of new soldiers, as well as pensions for the wounded and wounded, and rewards for meritorious service...... These also cost money!

And, to put it mildly, we're now. There is no possibility of any more expeditions to the South Seas! That is to say, if we do not accept this offering, we will not even have a chance to sail to the South Seas to grab it ourselves! Therefore, we accept this offering. The result is a financial income of three million gold coins per year. If you refuse...... It is...... Zero!"

His last few words gradually became a little impassioned, and the old man held his head high and looked around awe-inspiringly. Smack! Smack!

Applause suddenly rang out!

The crowd looked at the news, but saw that there had been silence. Half-closed eyes. Leaning back in his chair, as if he had fallen asleep, the old prime minister, Lord Robsschan. At this moment, he has straightened his waist, his face is calm, and in the surprised eyes of everyone, he does not shy away from slapping it again and again!

This old fox...... Everyone was a little suspicious.

Robesschel, the old prime minister, has been getting more and more depressed recently, and he had an illness in the first half of the year, and then he lived in a simple house, and occasionally came out to make a shelf, but now he doesn't even do a shelf, and he has simply laid out the carriage and horses, and hid in his own home to retire.

If it weren't for the fact that the regent invited him to participate in the meeting by name today, the old prime minister had not appeared in front of everyone for several months.

And at this moment, the old guy who has basically retired recently, and firmly implements the strategy of protecting himself, suddenly goes against the norm and stands up!

In front of many ministers, the oldest minister in the empire at present, straightened his spine, which was already a little bent, and showed his attitude with the most direct movements on his old and weak face!

It's been a long, long time since he's "taken a stand" - no matter what!

"Everyone, let me say a word. The old prime minister barely stood up, a little trembling, he didn't pretend to be a serious illness a few months ago, but really almost died, after all, he was too old.

When the oldest man in the empire at the moment was about to speak, everyone immediately fell silent - this is the seniority! You may not support him, you may not like him, but with his age and experience, you must respect him - even if it is only on the surface! But you must!

"When it's time to pay attention to face, it is natural to pay attention to face. The old prime minister's voice was no longer as stable as before, and even trembled with the usual tremors of some old people: "However, sometimes, real profit is more important than face...... Especially, now, I think, the empire does not have the capital to blindly pursue such a thing as face. ”

When he said this, he gasped for breath because of his lack of strength, and then, a trace of brilliance suddenly burst out in his cloudy old eyes, as if he had been looking at a lion who had obviously aged, but suddenly revealed his minions and majesty!

"If!" the old prime minister's voice resounded throughout the hall at this moment: "If anyone here can have a good idea to earn the empire three million gold coins a year, then I will agree with you to kick the Nanyang envoy on the dock back into the sea! If you don't have any good ideas, then ...... I agree with the Chancellor. ”

Airplanes!!

In the main hall, more than twenty high-ranking officials from various departments of the empire couldn't help but whisper one after another!

Old Prime Minister...... He actually took a stand!

Does this represent any signal?

The so-called "tiger old and majestic". This old prime minister, who has been inconspicuous recently, suddenly "came to a hand" at such a time. still shows his unparalleled political influence!

After all, decades of seniority are not for fun. Even the Minister of Ceremonies who still wanted to argue, and some military generals who were silent on their faces but unconvinced in their hearts, could only quietly close their mouths in front of the old prime minister at this moment.

No matter what, this face is always to be given.

Soon. The regent stood up, and he made the final "verdict".

"Tomorrow at noon, I will meet the Nanyang envoy here...... All the rules of reception etiquette are according to the rules of the prairie people - national etiquette!"

As soon as the real big boss of the empire spoke, everyone immediately bowed down in response.

And at the moment. When Prince Chen stood up, little Charlie beside him also stood up, but neither the many ministers who hung their heads in response, nor the Prince Chen who was frowning and thinking deeply next to him, did not see that the little emperor's eyes showed a hint of unhappiness!

That's it?

Is this decided?

What about me? I ...... I'm the Emperor now! No one ever asked me?

Father...... He didn't even look at me before he made his decision?

Yes, I'm still young, I'm not an adult, but anyway, I have a crown on my head! I'm the Emperor of this empire too!...... Father, you should also say a word to me in name!!

And now...... He made a decision directly, not even to make a show of me......! What am I called "Emperor"?

What's the difference with the "prince"?!

His hands were hidden in his sleeves and involuntarily clenched into fists.

There are two very old topics:

What grows the fastest in the world?

Ambition!

in this world. Something grows and develops. Tends to get out of control?

yù hope!

After the meeting was dismissed, the old prime minister was supported by the palace attendants. Slowly walked out of the main hall - this is also a privilege that only he can enjoy.

And at this time, the Chancellor of the Exchequer deliberately fell last and followed the old prime minister.

Robeschel looked at the palace attendants beside him and smiled: "Okay, thank you, I can go by myself." ”

The court attendant glanced at the Chancellor of the Exchequer next to him very familiarly, and bowed back.

The old prime minister was barely on crutches, and the chancellor of the exchequer next to him hurriedly took two steps forward and supported him.

Robsscel looked at the old colleague beside him, and suddenly sighed, his tone full of aging: "Interesting, interesting! Don't forget, you're not much younger than me. ”

As he spoke, he looked at the Chancellor of the Exchequer and smiled bitterly: "You are old, we are all old." You see, I can't walk on my own now. ”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer's face was solemn, his eyes flashed with suspicion, and he said in a low voice: "My old friend, I really didn't expect you today, you ...... You're going to ......."

"How can I speak?" the old prime minister laughed, he laughed as naughtily as a child, blinked, and whispered, "You, and them...... Have you become accustomed to it, and I have become an ornament to sit in a chair? Hehe, many people are not used to opening my mouth so rashly. ”

"Actually...... Why should you? The Chancellor of the Exchequer sighed: "I am ready to fight with others in the main hall today, even if it is to roll up my sleeves and quarrel, or even offend more people, I have already been prepared! But you, you have already withdrawn from this whirlpool, why stand up and help me today?"

"I ...... Not to help you. ”

The old prime minister looked left and right, lowered his voice, and said in a low voice: "I promised someone, just last night." He came to my house and begged me to come to my face, and asked me to come forward in this matter. ”

"Who? Is it ......?"

"It's that kid. Hey, our Duke Tulip. ”

"Du Wei?" the Chancellor of the Exchequer frowned: "He...... Didn't he say he was seriously ill the other day? I heard that he was so sick that he couldn't even get out of bed. We sent to visit him, and we couldn't even see him......"

"It's not him. The old prime minister smiled. But then his face became more worried: "I originally thought he was faking illness, after all, some time ago, the regent seemed to have deliberately taken power from him. He is now pretending to be sick and recuperating at home, although it is a little too obvious, but it is also the meaning of the question...... However, I guessed wrong. Du Wei, he's really sick!"

The old man's voice was filled with deep regret: "You know what? He came to my house last night, and when he saw me, he was in a wheelchair, and he ......."

"What is he?"

"Our Lord Tulip. It seems that the whole body is paralyzed. The old prime minister gritted his teeth: "He also admitted it, and besides, he swore to me that he was not lying." He literally couldn't move, and he fainted twice while I was talking to him! He explained to himself that something had gone wrong during his magic experiment. Alas...... Now this situation, he is in such a state. I really can't come forward to help you in the synagogue, so I can only ask me. ”

Speaking of this, the old prime minister laughed at himself: "And what about me? I have long thought that the first place on the lower left." Du Wei is the most suitable person, and I am relieved to pass this position to him. But now, since he is in this situation, he can't force it. I had to bite the bullet and come out. Stand on the last shift, help him hold up for a while. ”

Tulip Duke's Palace.

Du Wei sat in the courtyard. His body leaned limply against his wheelchair. His face was as usual, and even faintly ruddy, but ...... What makes Du Wei distressed is that he has returned from overseas for a long time, but his "recovery period" has not passed.

He was like a paralyzed person, and his brain was gradually awake like an ordinary person, although it was still a little weak.

However, his jīng divine power was still not enough to control his body.

Not to mention standing up and walking, he now even grabbed a pair of chopsticks, and he almost had to use all his strength to barely do it.

"Your Excellency. Little Zach came to the mansion early today, he stood beside Du Wei, and said in a low voice: "The news from the palace should come out soon...... However, I don't understand, since you have done this with your own hands, and you have also made up this line in the South Seas, why don't you go to the palace yourself? With your power, as long as you sit in the palace, I am afraid that few of those who oppose it will dare to speak. ”

Du Wei smiled lightly, and his tone was a little complicated: "That's why I can't go......! On the contrary, I should stay away from this matter, the farther away the better!"

Looking at Little Zack's confused eyes, Du Wei smiled: "You are very smart, but you are very good at business, and politics is different." These things are not explained to you. ”

After a pause, he whispered, "By the way, in the backyard...... How much wine did you send today?"

"Three whole cars. Xiao Zack suddenly had a strange expression, and said with a wry smile: "Boss, if we continue like this, all the wine we have in all the shops in Dìdū will be empty! How many days have it been, and there are several truckloads of wine every day! Not to mention people, even a cow can't drink it, right?"

Du Wei didn't speak, but he smiled helplessly in his heart: It's really not a cow!

It's a dragon!

The most terrible thing is that in the body of this dragon, he is still a prisoner who has been imprisoned for tens of thousands of years......! As soon as he was released from prison, he didn't go crazy to compensate?

Old Chris lives in the backyard, because of his "dragon-like" state, Du Wei has issued a strict order that no one is allowed to come near the backyard! Of course, Old Chris is already familiar with the new body, and can calmly perform the Transfiguration Technique to transform into a chéngrén. But...... It is not ruled out that he drank too much, and when he was drunk, he was excited, and he revealed his dragon body.

Du Wei didn't want people to know that he had a "golden dragon" in his backyard.

Because, the empire has an iron law, which was jointly issued by the imperial family and the magic union: no magician is allowed to keep any dangerous magical pets in dìdū!

And among the forbidden magical pets, dragons, are at the top of the list!

The funny thing is that Du Wei knows that the true identity of Old Chris is far more terrifying than that of the dragon!

What's more, in addition to this 10,000-year-old prisoner, there is also a witch king Bai Hechou