The ancestral home of the Rollin family is located in the southwest of the Rollin Plain, where a tributary of the Rollin River passes through, and the fertile land on the banks of the river is divided into several farms and surrounding towns. Descending this tributary leads through a scenic valley.

This is where the great Rollin family first originated. Hundreds of years ago, when the ancestors of the Rollin family were just low-ranking nobles who owned a small village territory, the bloodline of the Rollin family began to spread in this land.

The carriage passed through a black forest with lush greenery on both sides and fresh air. Along a flat path, you can see the small valley on the left from the carriage, and on the right, you can see a tall tower in the distance, which is the ancestral home of the Rollin family.

After hundreds of years of family glory, the small village of hundreds of years ago no longer exists, and the original ancestral house has been renovated and rebuilt countless times in hundreds of years of history, and has become quite large!

A crimson stone wall surrounds a castle made of white sè boulders quarried from the nearby valley – it is said that it was originally a hill, but it took hundreds of years of stone mining to turn the hill into a valley.

The arrival of the eldest son of the patriarch of the family naturally attracted special attention. The three hundred territorial privates who stayed in the castle put on their brightest equipment very early and waited in line under the red wall outside the castle, the arch-shaped gate made Du Wei sitting in the carriage feel very imposing, and in his eyes, this thick stone wall could be used as a strong defensive ring if necessary!

It is worthy of the martial arts family of the empire, and the three hundred territorial private soldiers who stayed in the castle are obviously well-trained, their bodies are straight on horses, and the skills of controlling horses are also quite skillful, and the equipment is not bad. Later, Du Wei learned that the three hundred soldiers left behind in the castle of the Rollin family's ancestral home were all selected from the best private armies in the entire Rollin Plains territory, and their training was quite good, even inferior to the local army of the empire.

The Black Forest outside the castle is also a natural hunting ground, and some hunting activities are held here every year, which is also a disguised exercise for these soldiers.

The main building of the castle has two towers, one of which is particularly tall, even a little higher than the hill in the distance. Du Wei, who had studied family history, knew that it was because the Rollin family had a strange head of the family in a previous generation. Although the head of the family was a military general, he was particularly interested in astrology, and even married a female astrologer. The tower was built so that his wife could better observe the stars in the sky at night.

The red carpet had been rolled from the gates of the castle to where Du Wei's carriage had stopped. As soon as Du Wei bent down and got out of the car, a silver-haired old man who had been waiting for a long time next to him walked up. This old man is tall and thin, meticulous in a gray dress, old-fashioned and serious manners, and conservative and respectful manners are also very measured.

As soon as Du Wei got out of the carriage and his feet had just stepped on the ground, the old man had already bent down, bowed deeply, and then said in a low and slow voice: "Young master, I am Hill, the left-behind butler here; #8226;Rollin. I already heard about your imminent arrival three days ago. Now all the people in the castle are ready to meet your parallax. Please come with me. ”

After saying that, the old butler turned around and carefully led Du Wei up the steps. He had nothing to fault in his manners, and his manners were respectful and courteous, humble and not flattering, leading Du Wei up the red carpet on the steps, while he himself walked very carefully outside the carpet, leaving Du Wei alone to enjoy this honor.

I didn't have time to take a closer look at the interior of the castle, but the only thing that impressed me was that after entering the castle gate, there was a huge banner like a flame on the wall facing me!

This flag is seven or eight meters high and six meters wide, and occupies the entire wall facing it! This is the family coat of arms flag, with two sharp swords crossed on it, the blade of which is entwined with irises, the red flame burning, and a crown on it!

Walking into the hall on the first floor of the castle, you will be greeted by such an imposing flag, which immediately smears a solemn and solemn atmosphere here!

Then all the servants in the castle stood on both sides of the hall in neat uniforms to welcome Du Wei's arrival. Du Wei didn't have much interest in this strange "review", he nodded casually, and then said in a low voice: "My housekeeper, please take me to the study now...... As for everyone, please disperse and get back to your work. ”

Hill, the old butler, scrupulously carried out Dewey's orders, and soon Dewey was taken to a study......

Well, if he could, Dewey would prefer to call this place a "library"!

Because it's so big!

The round room, with the same high circular vault overhead, is decorated with some quaint plaster patterns, and is flanked by plaster statues, many of which are prominent figures from the family's history.

This room is surrounded by tall bookshelves...... Hell, these shelves are as tall as two floors! They are filled with all kinds of dense books, and Du Wei roughly calculated that there are at least tens of thousands of books here! There are also many iron cabinets, which store some important things, such as family charts, or some ancient and important documents, and so on.

Of course, as a martial artist, even in the study, there is a trace of martial aura! On the wall directly opposite the door to the study, there is a huge two-handed sword and a huge axe! These two weapons are hung cross-hung on the wall! From the cold light flickering on the blades, it is obvious that there are often servants who are very careful to scrub and maintain them.

There is also a wall of bookshelves, deliberately rattan out of several huge cabinets, cabinets with a variety of weapons, but from the style of the look, these are antiques.

There are a hundred years ago imperial style short bow, as well as an old-fashioned knight's sword, as well as a long saber, and a black sè ironwood bow......

Du Wei was attracted by these weapons, and he could see that these antiques were also quite well-maintained, although they had been baptized by the years, but a few of them could still emit a sharp cold light!

"These have been used by the great ancestors of the family for generations. The old butler Hill behind him said in an unchanged voice: "These all record the glory of these great ancestors of our Rollin family. ”

Because of the shape of the room, when you speak here, the sound waves will emit a buzzing and echoing, which adds a sense of solemnity.

Gently stroking the old-fashioned desk made of black rosewood, Du Wei looked around quietly.

It can be seen that although everything here has been strictly cleaned with a good sample and a jīng heart, the traces of the years are also obvious. Many places on the bookshelves were polished smooth and shiny, and with the huge desk under his hand, Du Wei suspected that it was probably older than the old butler in front of him.

"This was once the center of power of the Rollin family, and it was once a place where the patriarchs of the family thought and made various decisions. Everything here bears traces of its former glory. The old butler whispered, "Although, later, the family's decision-making center was moved to dìdū, according to the family tradition, every patriarch who returns to the castle for parallax or a short stay is not allowed to return to the bedroom to rest on the first night of arrival, and must spend the night in this study. In this way, I spur myself not to forget the glorious history of my family and the heavy responsibility on my body. ”

After a pause, the old butler glanced at Du Wei and lowered his head: "You are the eldest son of the current patriarch, Lord Earl, and you have come to the castle to inspect on his behalf, may I ask you ...... tonight?"

Du Wei immediately nodded very cooperatively, and he smiled: "Tradition is tradition, and it must be followed." I'm no exception. Although I am not a patriarch, I am my father's eldest son and I came here as his representative. I'll spend the night in the study, as is customary, tonight. ”

The old butler's face softened a lot, and there was a hint of warmth in his tone, and he said slowly: "Yes, I will make people ready." And also...... I know that you are here to inspect the estate of the Territory on behalf of the Earl, but where will your work begin? When are you going to start watching these things? or are you going to wait ......?"

Du Wei interrupted him with a smile. He naturally and calmly bypassed the table and sat behind this large desk, the sofa was a little hard, but it was still very comfortable to sit on, Du Wei thought about it and said with a smile: "My Mr. housekeeper, I have come after a long journey, and now I feel a little hungry." Please prepare me some food first, and then I think I can start looking at the things you have prepared. ”

It seems that the efficiency here is still good.

Soon, Du Wei enjoyed a very typical southern aristocratic afternoon tea in the study, and after he ate a sweet pumpkin pie, he had just wiped his mouth, and the old butler Hill had already commanded two sturdy male servants to come to the study.

Two servants were pushing a cart loaded with a thick pile of pamphlets like a hill!

"These are all this year's accounts?" Du Wei frowned, and he began to wonder if the old butler was trying to fix himself.

"Young Master, it's all of these. Old Hill replied very seriously: "The information here includes the entire southern province of Kot, the measured area of land in the family domain, the area of cultivated land, as well as the financial revenue and expenditure of six of the towns, the logistics supply expenditure of the family private army scattered in the three places of the territory, military salaries, supplies, and the consumption of weapons, etc., in addition to the grain harvest, and the budget for some new buildings to be built this year." I've also made some budgets for next year, but I'm not done yet because I'm in a hurry, but I don't think you should be out of here anytime soon, so we still have plenty of time. ”

Du Wei couldn't help but touch his nose and looked at the mountain-like account in front of him: "...... Is it all here?"

"It's only part of the story. As for the rest of ......," the old butler said a rare and slightly less serious remark: "For the rest, I think you may need to watch it for a week." ”

Du Wei began to frown, and he quietly examined the butler in front of him.

The old butler didn't look like he was joking. But...... He wouldn't be naïve enough to think that a thirteen-year-old child could read these accounts, would he be naïve enough to think that a thirteen-year-old child could really shoulder the entire family estate!

Then, he should know that being sent back to his hometown by the head of the family should be a disguised distribution. In that case, this guy has made such a bunch of accounts, and he should check it for himself...... What is the intention?

Could it be that the old housekeeper left behind was dissatisfied with himself, the young master who was sent back, and was worried that after he returned, he would scatter the authority in his hands, so he demonstrated to himself first?

Slave bully?

Or, what tricks does he have in the family business, making personal gains from it, and now using himself as a child to get by?

Everything, it seems, is possible!

But Du Wei didn't say anything, he didn't even ask a question, he picked up the top book, blew the dust on it, calmly sat down and turned the first page, and read it quietly.

After a while, Du Wei raised his head, and the old butler was still standing aside.

"Oh, is there anything else Mr. Butler has to tell me?" Du Wei seemed to be inadvertent, and his tone became cold: "When I read, I don't like people around me. ”

"Yes, young master. There was a hint of surprise in the old butler's eyes, and then he seemed to open his mouth to say something, but when the words came to his lips he swallowed back, and turned and went out with the servants.

After the heavy study door was closed, Du Wei gently put down the account in his hand, he stood up, walked back and forth in this huge study for a few steps, moved his body, and then smiled and said to himself: "It seems that I am afraid that there is really something worth looking forward to." ”

In the following time, until nightfall, the old housekeeper came to the study twice, once to pour tea for Du Wei, and once to bring someone to light the candle for Du Wei after it was dark.

To the surprise of the old butler Hill, this little master was actually looking through those accounts!

Moreover, he was not pretending, but really reading attentively! There were several ledgers on the desk, all of which were opened, and Du Wei seemed to be counting what numbers, and after the old butler brought someone to light all the twenty huge candlesticks in the study, Du Wei asked the old butler a few questions about the accounts very casually.

He didn't ask random questions, every question was to the point! These were enough to prove that this young master seemed to be serious! He really read those boring accounts!

This...... This is what the news that came back said that the eldest young master who was considered an "idiot" within the family was in dìdū?

Although he tried his best to hide it, Du Wei still caught the surprised expression of the old butler. Du Wei still said anything, but when the old butler walked out of the door again, he slowly closed the account in his hand that had reached the last page.

In fact...... These accounts are really interesting!

Du Wei spent an evening not really looking at the boring figures, let alone checking whether the accounts had been falsified. After all, he is not a genius, and it is impossible for a person who knows nothing about the industry to see the truth of the accounts.

I'm afraid no one will know that Du Wei is reading in a different way that no one else can guess!

Who says that a ledger must only be an account?

At least, Du Wei learned a lot from these things! These things are not recorded in those history books and family history files!

Judging from the names and contents of the various items in these accounts, Du Wei would immediately have a full understanding of the extent to which the Rollin family had mastered the territory.

In the territory, the Rollin family is almost a system of its own, and even has considerable autonomy. The financial and tax power here belongs to the family, and even the appointment of magistrates is basically the final word of the family. And the tax rate imposed, although it was carried out in accordance with the laws of the empire. However, the family can be modified, reduced or increased by some special names.

It was enough to submit a certain percentage of the collected taxes to the Imperial Treasury.

And military power. Basically, it looks like some of the breakdowns on these accounts are for military purposes. The Imperial Empire had very few garrisons here, except for the symbolic two small local second-line reserve infantry regiments stationed on the periphery of the territory. Moreover, it is worth noting that the supplies and baggage of these two reserve infantry regiments are provided by the Luo Lin family every year!

In most parts of the territory, it is the family's private army in the territory that maintains local law and order.

Almost through these accounts, Du Wei easily grasped the current situation of the entire Rollin family in the economic, political, and military fields!

Perhaps, if the old butler knew that he actually "looked" at the account book like this, he would definitely stare out his eyes!

Judging from these accounts, Du Wei had confirmed at least two things: first, that the family had complete control over the place in terms of the right to tax! and even more so militarily!

Du Wei, who came from another world, has an important common sense in the knowledge he has learned in that world: the embodiment of a country's territorial sovereignty is very important in two points: taxation!

And now, both of these points are almost controlled by the Rollin family! What does this mean?

This means that the Empire's Zhōngyāng regime has almost lost its territory over the Rollin family: half of the territory of the Kot Province, where the Imperial Zhōngyāng regime has lost its sovereign control over it!

Du Wei leaned back on the sofa and pondered, this situation made him feel a little surprised! Because when a country's zhōngyāng regime gradually loses its authority, then it is often a sign that the prelude to unrest is about to begin.

Du Wei sat for a while, and the room was quiet, except for the occasional beep of a candle spark.

At this moment, Du Wei suddenly stood up abruptly, Huo Ran turned around, and looked at the wall behind him!

On the walls are huge floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with dense books, which seem to be nothing out of the ordinary.

But Du Wei faintly felt a little strange in his heart...... Well, that moment seemed right!

Because Jīng's divine power is much stronger than that of ordinary people, Du Wei's sense of some movements around him is also more sensitive than ordinary people. Just now, he suddenly had a feeling in his heart that he was being spied on!

As if right behind him, a glimmer of gaze came from some unknown hidden corner, quietly watching himself!

There was nothing unusual on the bookshelf, and Du Wei's gaze looked up again.

On the shelves, on the walls are a row of portraits.

These portraits in the style of oil painting are lined up in rows, dating from far to near. These are portraits of the successive heads of the Rollin family!

And in the first position on the left, the canvas that looks the oldest, the most distant, and the figure is inevitably a little distorted, is a middle-aged man wearing the uniform of the emperor. The man on the canvas is the same Marshal of the Empire back then! He also won the war and made great contributions to the Empire, and at the same time won from the Emperor an ancestor of the Rollin family in this Rollin Plain!

This man looked very jīng, with the kind of cold and tough eyes between his eyebrows that resembled Du Wei's father, Count Raymond!

Du Wei's heart moved, he tried to take a few steps back, and then took two steps left and right, while his eyes were fixed on the oil painting. Then he smiled, sighed softly, and then whispered, "Well, maybe I'm too sensitive...... It's just an oil painting. ”

He turned around and picked up another book of accounts......

Just behind him, the portrait of the marshal on the wall, those eyes suddenly blinked!

That's right, the figure in the oil painting suddenly came to life, and his eyes staring at Du Wei's back suddenly blinked!

The eyes of the characters in the painting, which were supposed to be stiff, suddenly seemed to be injected with life! The gaze fell on Du Wei's body, and there seemed to be a trace of curiosity in his eyes......

And at this moment, Du Wei, who was holding the account as if he was reading, suddenly turned around without warning, and stared at the oil painting on the wall!

One person, one painting, the eyes of both sides suddenly intertwined and collided together!!

"No need to pretend. I know you're looking at me. Du Wei slowly raised his hand, holding a silver spoon in his hand, which he used to eat pumpkin pie here before. The silver spoon is shiny like a mirror!

"You're looking at me, and I was looking at you with this thing just now. Du Wei was smiling, and he stared at the mural on the wall: "You don't have to install it anymore...... However, don't you know that it is very rude to peep at others behind their backs?"