A month of time.

In just one month, the private army of the Rollin family was re-established, a large number of veterans returned to the army, and many warriors and knights who were once loyal to the Rollin family, after hearing the call, put on their armor again, and rushed to the army from all over the Rollin Plain to report to the army as soon as possible. The abandoned barracks were brought back to life, and the energetic soldiers of Jīng worked hard to cāo practice - everything went so smoothly. Subsequently, the local officials and local garrisons originally appointed by the empire successively withdrew from the Luolin Plain.

As before, the plain of Lorraine has almost reverted to a small kingdom of dúlì, a "kingdom of Lorraine".

Du Wei clearly underestimated the fanaticism and piety of the people of Rollin, as well as the appeal of the glorious name "Rollin". Soon, the 50,000 private troops were all full, but the streets outside the places where the towns signed up to join the army were still full.

At this time, Du Wei simply made a decision, although the agreement with Prince Chen was 50,000 troops, but Du Wei was not the kind of honest guy, he waved his pen and ordered another 20,000 reservists...... Well, the reserves, it shouldn't be considered a regular army.

Old Raymond couldn't sit on the hospital bed. And the younger brother Gabri is young. During this month, Du Wei almost assumed the same weight as the patriarch.

After the local officials of the empire were withdrawn, the local zhèngfǔ in various places were filled by a large number of members of the reinstated Rollin family, and these Rollin people who were pardoned were naturally grateful to Du Wei. Du Wei spent a lot of time reviewing documents every day - of course, he did not forget his young brother, and when he was dealing with these official places, no matter how unhappy Gabriel was, Du Wei forced this kid to follow him.

When I sat in my study and read official documents. Gabbri, the kid, watched from the side, and even some official documents, Du Wei didn't read them himself, but asked Gabri to read them to him. Du Wei's intention is clear, although being young and playful is the nature of young people. However, Du Wei still taught his younger brother many times: You are the future earl. And now the family situation is special, you don't have time to enjoy your innocent and carefree youth! You have to 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 was also a little soft-hearted. But he still put his heart into training this kid.

"Don't blame me, Gabri...... Because, I'm going to leave the Lorraine Plains soon! The burden here will be on your shoulders in the future!"

In fact, on the plains of Lorraine, even those small traders and coachmen knew that although the nominal heir of the earl was now Young Master Gabriel, although the official documents that came and went were signed by Young Master Gabri. However, in the castle of Lorraine. The one who really makes all kinds of decisions is Duke Tulip!

Anyway, Duke Tulip, Young Master Du Wei. It's also a member of our Rollin family.

And the Rollin people rarely use the name "Duke Tulip" for Du Wei. Most people mention the two in the castle. They are all used to being called "big young master and little young master" to appear affectionate.

this day. After the last appointment document was signed, the transfer of military and political power in the Luolin Plain in a month of history was completely over. Before the coup d'état, 160 Rollin people had served as officials in various places in the Lorraine Plain, and the rest of the officials were reinstated, except for a dozen or so who were already seriously ill or old. And in the army, after summoning a large number of old departments, whether it is a senior officer or a junior officer, there is no need for Du Wei to be too careful.

These armies were all familiar to Du Wei, and even far more familiar than Gabry......

Speaking of which, this is a bit disgraceful, after all, Du Wei once extensively engaged in that "football league" in the army, because of this reason, Du Wei had a very good relationship with these officers during the year he was in the Rollin Plain.

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

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

Du Wei immediately remembered the first time he saw his younger brother when he returned to Dìdū, the indifferent personal guard beside him, so he decided on this candidate with a stroke of his pen.

In order to rebuild the private army of the Rollin family, Du Wei can be said to have poured a lot of financial resources - after all, the Rollin family was once raided, and it has long since lost its former glory, and there is not much surplus wealth in the family, although it has won back the territory of the Rollin Plain, but the next tax will not be paid until next year. Now to rebuild the army, these military expenses are all Du Wei's money - anyway, the last thing he lacks now is money.

He even took the time to send someone to the southern port of Walker to summon the attendants of the United Kingdom of the South Seas who had returned with Ruolin's fleet to meet with him.

Those Nanyang people have been killed by Ruolin, and when they saw Du Wei, it was like seeing a ghost, all of them were trembling, and without any effort, Du Wei reached an agreement with them in private:

First of all, Du Wei let Lu Fick follow them back to Nanyang to serve as king.

Second, 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 and other South Sea specialties (even Du Wei expressed his willingness to accept slaves), the annual payment amount, 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 identity and influence in the empire to influence the imperial regent as much as possible, and would not launch an expeditionary aggression against the South Seas.

In fact, according to the laws of the empire, although Du Wei is a duke, he is not an emperor after all. He has no power to sign any agreements with foreign countries, and if he must be held accountable, this is already regarded as an act of ultra viress and even a crime of colluding with the enemy country in private! But Du Wei doesn't care about these things now.

On the one hand, Du Wei believed that the empire would never be able to do without him. No matter who it is. If you want to frame yourself. Then the place of death must be the other party. The empire is now in a hurry, and it is impossible to plan any more expeditions in the South Seas, and even the navy has to "return to land" in large numbers, so sell an empty favor to the Nanyang people. It's nothing.

And one step deeper...... I have to say that Du Wei's psychology has gradually undergone a subtle change.

Ever since he learned that he was Aragorn, and Aragorn was himself. Although he didn't really think about it that way in his heart. However, subconsciously, a subtle thought was faintly born:

This empire was originally built by "me"! I will do whatever I want!

As for these envoys from the United Kingdom of the South Seas, on the one hand, they do not know much about the situation of the Empire, and in their opinion, as long as the Empire can stop its aggression. It's already thankful. Where do you dare to make any other requests?

And the rest of the ...... Although among these messengers, there were also one or two people with more intelligent minds. I also felt that if I wanted to sign an agreement, it should be signed with the emperor of the Roland Empire. This tulip duke. It doesn't seem to have that much power, right......

However, Du Wei made a move very casually, and he scared these guys into obedience when he left!

It's simple: Du Wei pretended to have a dinner party for the envoys. Then at the dinner, the sick Count Raymond walked out of the ward, came to the banquet, and showed his face, although he only sat for a short time, but it was enough to scare these messengers into their souls!!

Who is the old Count Raymond? He is a famous general of the empire! The former commander of the navy, the second big man in the military...... More importantly, he left an indelible and terrifying image in the hearts of the Nanyang people! He was the most terrible butcher, executioner, and aggressor in the hearts of the Nanyang people! The naval expedition led by Raymond was the one that caused the greatest harm and terror to the Nanyang people in all the previous expeditions! The degree of fear in the hearts of the Nanyang people is not known how many times stronger than Ruolin!

Seeing such a nightmare-like guy appear, these Nanyang envoys suddenly lost even the last shred of courage.

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

Soon, the agreement was signed, and there was no longer the slightest resistance.

After being busy with these things, Du Wei can finally relax a little. He was so busy with his hands and feet that he was half exhausted......

Although he is also in charge of the military and political affairs of a province in the northwest, when he was in the northwest, he had a good helper Philip in handling government affairs, and that young man was a prime minister. Crooked book bar members hand uploaded. In terms of military affairs, there are a group of defending generals such as the two hundred and fifth general Longbottom, and there is no need for Du Wei to be too careful. When had he ever been so busy? Now he couldn't help but miss Philip and the others deeply, if he hadn't known that there were no people in the northwest, he would have wanted to summon Philip with an order.

At the same time, in addition to the fatigue of dealing with government affairs, Du Wei's mood was not relaxed, and his mood became heavier and heavier day by day, because ......

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

The elder Raymond's illness began after he was deposed and returned to his hometown. Originally, a martial artist like him, who had cultivated martial arts all his life, had a strong body, and he would not get sick in peace, but if his body collapsed, it would be heavier than anything else! And most of the main reason is heart disease!

Mother told Du Wei that since the old Raymond returned to the Rollin Plains, he saw that the territory of the former Rì family had been handed over to the empire, and the Rollin banner that was originally hung in various places had become the thorn flower king flag, and those people of the Rollin family, who had been extremely supportive of him in the past, responded to Raymond's return with a complicated silence!

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

But there was no scolding, and the people in the entire plain heard that the patriarch of the former land had returned, but everyone remained surprisingly silent...... It's a silence full of mixed meanings. It is full of pain, indignation, despair and many other emotions.

But the good Lorrainians did not take aim at their old patriarch. Even, what made old Raymond even more guilty was that there were some loyal family Rollin people around the castle. Even according to the old rules. Willing to hand over the taxes to the family!

Although the local officials had been replaced by people from the Empire, thousands of these stubborn Rollin people came to the castle in horse-drawn carriages and demanded that their land taxes be paid directly to the castle as a sign of loyalty to the Rollin family.

It's these things. He felt guilty in his heart, and heard that one night, he suddenly vomited blood, and then he couldn't afford to fall ill!

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

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

Old Raymond's illness was not half a point better, but it suddenly became much heavier! Although he used to lie on the hospital bed. But he could still get up every day and take a walk in the garden of the castle grounds. But with the arrival of the good news of the family, his illness became heavy day by day, and later, he couldn't even get out of bed!

Except for the time when he received the envoy of the United Kingdom of Nanyang, in order to help his son, the elder Raymond barely supported his sick body and came out once, in the later rìzi, he spent all the time in bed every day, and even spent more and more time asleep every day, and less and less time awake......

The family has several of the best doctors. A lot of drugs were used, but it didn't work at all.

Du Wei himself is a magician, but also an excellent magic pharmacist, he also has a deep attainment in all kinds of potions, he personally checked his father, and tried to think of a lot of ways, but those magical drugs in the past, used on his father's body, but the effect is extremely weak.

Although he didn't say it, he knew it in his heart...... No matter from any angle, the vitality of my father is passing rapidly and is irretrievable.

Old Raymond's vomiting of blood also became more severe, and he always felt pain in his heart and chest, which made it impossible for him to sleep. was originally a tough guy, but he was tortured to be thin and haggard.

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

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

What annoyed Du Wei was that any medicine had no effect on old Raymond, but this ice berry still had an effect...... It's just that this pure analgesic anesthetic drug can only relieve my father's pain, but it has no effect on his illness at all.

Later, Du Wei was busy with everything, but he did not leave as planned, he stayed at home and began to watch his father's hospital bed all day long. Although his mother secretly cried every day, Gabri was still a little flustered as he was his age, and at this time, Du Wei showed the temperament of the pillar of the family, he calmly comforted his sad mother and took care of his panicked brother......

What no one knew was that the young duke sat at his father's bed every night, frowning his brows, and for many days he did not sleep a minute, not even meditating. All his time, he stayed by his father's side, even when old Raymond was asleep, he stared at his father with a kind of affectionate eyes.

Maybe...... One look, one less look.

In order to save his father, Du Wei even took out the "Green Chūn Fountain", hoping to save his father's life with this miraculous spring water that can be said to treat any injury...... But as a result, he was disappointed again.

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

Du Wei had never been so depressed. All the while, he did everything smoothly and almost invincible. But in the face of his dying father, all his methods did not work. Although he is a magician, he is a person who can "work miracles". But after all, he is not a god!

He had also hid in his study and looked through all the books he could find, trying to find any way to rejuvenate people, but where would such a method be found in books?

Old Raymond also seemed to understand that there was no hope for his body. As long as he wakes up. He endured the pain, still with a reluctant smile on his face, and talked to his son in front of the bed.

In the beginning, the elder Raymond would ask Du Wei about the military and political affairs of the family, and then he would use his own experience. Give my son some valuable advice. But with his serious illness, old Raymond no longer seems to care about the family's affairs.

His concern is all on Du Wei's body, and the content of the father-son chat no longer involves any official business, and old Raymond will ask Du Wei to talk about some of his things in the northwest, those interesting things, such as building a city in three months. A bumper grain harvest. Those dangerous things, such as the Northwest Army trapped in Loulan City. Bloody battle for the city of Gilliat, etc...... Moreover, old Raymond was purely like a father. Listening to his son's brilliant achievements outside—he just listened quietly. And do not express their own opinions, but hear the place of jīng Cai. He will also have a proud smile on his face.

In order to make his father happy, Du Wei tried his best to describe these things as much as possible, and after talking about the events in the Northwest Land, he talked about the experiences of being banished back to the Lorraine Plains, such as making a football, making a hot air balloon, and then the wonderful adventures in the frozen forest...... And so on and so forth.

Of course, in order not to worry his father, Du Wei concealed everything about the dragons, Hussein, the sinners, and the land of Semel.

Finally, in the middle of the second month of Du Wei's return to the Rollin Plains......

On this day, Du Wei gave his father a little ice berries...... Although he was still smiling and comforting his father, mother, and brother, his heart kept sinking.

He has been in charge of his father's medication, and he knows very well in his heart: in the past few days, his father's demand for ice berries has become more and more great, and the effect of ice berries on his father's body has gradually lost its magic. In the past, a small amount of time could save my father from pain, but now, my father's medication has increased several times, but the pain still cannot be spared That afternoon, the elder Raymond refused to eat ice berries, saying that he wanted to be sober: "Eating this thing will make me unable to concentrate." I want to hear you, son, and I don't want to miss every word. ”

Du Wei felt that a hot current was about to flow out of his eyes, he quickly turned around, wiped it off vigorously, and then silently took a glass of water and helped his father drink two sips.

"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 you tell me about Nanyang." I'm blackmailing those Nanyangs 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 thin hand, gently stroked his son's face, and then said slowly: "Actually, I should have a lot to say to you. Perhaps I should ask you to take care of your mother and your brother...... But I know that you are a sensible child, and I don't need to say these words, and you will do it ......"

Du Wei was silent for a while, his heart trembled fiercely, and then he smiled: "Father, when you are well, you can go to the northwest with me." We're about to deal with the Northwest Army, and with the private army in our family, we now have an army of 100,000. You're the best commander!"

Old Raymond didn't answer this sentence, he looked at his son, and there was a hint of brilliance in his cloudy eyes.

"Go, son, and bring me my sword. "Old Raymond made this outlandish request.

Without the slightest hesitation, Du Wei immediately turned around and took the hanging sword from the wall. This is the old Raymond's saber, this sword accompanied the old Raymond through most of his horse, from the northwest, to the South Seas!

Although he was too weak to hold the sword, old Raymond held the sword in his arms, and his trembling fingers gently stroked the blade: "Do you know? The first time I officially led troops to the battlefield was more than 20 years ago, in the northwest! And this sword followed me from that time. ”

Du Wei immediately said, "Believe me, father. In the next Northwest War, you will still take this sword and lead the army to battle! That guy Lu Gao is definitely not your opponent!"

Old Raymond smiled, he smiled complicatedly, and then lowered his hand. Staring at Du Wei: "Son." I know, don't need me...... You are my best son, and the most outstanding talent of the Rollin family in the past, I know, no matter what it is. You've done a great job, ......."

Du Wei finally couldn't bear it anymore, and tears flowed from the corners of his eyes: "Father......" "What are you crying about." Old Raymond's eyes suddenly burst out with a hint of jīng, at this moment, the demeanor of the once glorious imperial general returned to him: "I have lived for so many years, and the glory has passed, even if I die, it is already worth it." We are members of the Rollin family, the Wuxun family. Death, for us in the Rollin family. And nothing terrible. ”

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

Du Wei glanced at his father deeply, and he suddenly guessed something in his heart......

Isn't it time for you!

A few minutes later, the Countess and Gabriel stood beside Raymond's bed, and to everyone's surprise, old Raymond seemed to be full of life, and he even felt much better, and he didn't need to be helped, he himself sat up and leaned on the bed, and then, the patriarch of the family, quietly looked at his wife and son.

"Gabby, come here. He looked up and beckoned to his youngest son. Gabbri, who was already full of tears, walked to his father's side, and old Raymond gently stroked his youngest son's head and said softly: "I know, these days, I only let Du Wei accompany me, but I don't let you stay in my room...... Alas, my earthly son, it's not that I don't love you. I love you so much. But, you know what? I just want to make amends to your brother. From the time he was very young, I treated him badly. I just want to compensate him a little more in the last time, and stay with him a little more, and I believe that your smart child can appreciate my painstaking efforts. ”

"I ...... I understand......" Gabry cried, but bit his lip hard.

Then old Raymond turned his head to his wife. There was a 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, my dear, but in the future, our children, will be entrusted to you. ”

The Countess, who had always been weak, seemed to be strong at the moment, and she looked at her husband tenderly with a charming smile on her face...... But miraculously, she did not shed tears, and then, she walked over slowly, gently took her husband's hand, and used all her strength to say only a very short sentence: "I...... Understood!"

After many years of husband and wife, the countess expressed her emotions with only her eyes.

"I've been glorious, brilliant, victorious, and defeated...... I'm very satisfied to have such a life. Old Raymond sighed, then coughed again, with a satisfied expression on his face, and said slowly: "Originally, I thought I was going to die with my sins, but fortunately, I have a son who helped me atone for my sins and saved my family, so that even if I die, it will be much easier." Du Wei, come here. ”

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

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

"The most sorry person in my life is you, my son. I'd love to make it up to you, but my time has allowed me to do so much...... It's a pity, I'm going to continue to be sorry for you, my son. Because, I can't bear the burden of the family, and I hand over such a burden to you, my young son...... I feel so guilty about you. But I know you're going to do a good job, right?"

Du Wei looked into his father's eyes, and then he took a deep breath: "With me Du Wei in one day, the glory of the family will not be extinguished! Father, this is my promise to you, Du Wei Rollin!"

Raymond was relieved, and with a trembling hand, he handed over the long sword in his arms and put it in Du Wei's hand.

With the handover of this sword, the life in old Raymond's eyes passed quickly, and he seemed to be unable to support it anymore, and lay down gently.

Du Wei ...... My son...... I'm the most sorry person in my life...... Yes, it's you. And I'm the most ...... The most regrettable thing...... Be...... It's ......"

At this point, his voice gradually faded, and Du Wei quickly took two steps and put his ear to his father's mouth.

This once commanding general, he finally said the biggest regret of his life.

It wasn't the mistakes made in the coup d'état, nor the sins of oneself that nearly destroyed the family.

The last sentence he uttered, the biggest regret of his life, was:

“...... Yes, when you were born, I was thousands of miles away, and I was ...... Father, I didn't look at you, my first son...... Born!"

Then, he closed his eyes...... Forever.

This once famous general in the history of the Augustinian dynasty has finally completed his life of invaluable achievements. When he was dying, he was lying in bed with his dear family to say goodbye, so to speak, for a general, it should be an extremely happy ending.

Du Wei held his father's long sword in his arms, and he only felt heavy. His younger brother Gabri was crying bitterly, but Du Wei seemed to feel that his heart was empty, so empty that he didn't even have the hope of crying.

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

"Yes, I sent the man who killed you. ”

"You're a magician, and you're a member of the Rollin family!!"

"He's no longer from my Rollin family!"

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

"The most regrettable thing is that I didn't get to watch you be born. ”

"I know...... You're going to do well. ”

Du Wei clenched the long sword in his arms, his fingers were already white because he was too hard.

Finally, he pulled his brother hard, gently hugged his shoulder, gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, don't cry!" At this time, the beautiful countess slowly walked to the bed, she leaned down, and then kissed her husband lightly on the forehead, kissing deeply. Then, she even reached out and straightened up the quilt that covered old Raymond, making the dead Raymond look as if he had fallen asleep peacefully.

The things that do these movements, the movements of the countess, are unusually gentle.

Then, the mother turned around and looked at her two sons, and her beautiful eyes finally fell on Du Wei's body.

"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's god was very haggard, and she was crying silently: "Your father once said...... He wants you to be the patriarch of the Rollin family. ”