The convoy went all the way and didn't go fast. There is nothing urgent about going back to dìdū this time, it is purely to go back to participate in the year-end feast, and there are still twenty days to calculate rìzi. Du Wei was not in a hurry, anyway, even if he went back, it would be just an endless feast, as long as he arrived before the annual ceremony of the regent.

After ten days of departure, I have passed through the province of Nulin, and have paid a visit to the governor of Bohan on the way. However, at this year-end ceremony, Bohan was not recalled by Prince Chen - according to his own words, before the Great Prince did not fail in the coup, he would be recalled to Dìdū at the end of each year to receive commendations, and since the failed coup d'état of the Great Prince the year before, Bohan has never returned to Dìdū. Obviously, this is also an obvious signal that he has fallen out of favor as an official of the Great Prince's faction.

However, Bohan seems to have seen through these things, and does not have the urge to be too depressed, and instead asks Du Wei to help bring some gifts back to Dìdū to visit his family. According to the practice of the empire, all the governors of one side like Bohan, who were important figures in charge of the military and government, remained in the dìdū when they took office. The meaning of this is needless to say.

After ten days, the carriage left Nulin Province and entered the middle of the empire, and followed the main road all the way east and further south, and then you could reach the port of the upper reaches of the Lancang Grand Canal, where you could board a boat and go down the river to Dìdū.

Although it is slightly faster to land. But after all, it's more comfortable to take a boat. Moreover, there was already a large ship under the name of Du Wei waiting in the harbor.

Mingfan Port is the most upstream port of the Lancang Grand Canal, and it is also the last destination of the Lancang Grand Canal to the west, and the excavation of the Grand Canal ends here. Further west, there is a difficult river. and several tributaries.

It serves as the last stop of the Grand Canal's direct river transport to the west. Every year until the end of the year. It is the most lively season in Mingfan Port...... Even the level of liveliness. It surpasses the annual summer rì celebration, which the Roland people attach the most importance to.

Countless caravans of caravans have to come and go from here, and caravans from the west have to rush home before the end of the year. The eastern caravans, on the other hand, had to take advantage of this time to transport the most in-demand goods of winter to the northwest.

This time of year. The river traffic is busy. The ships were very nervous.

Mingfan Port is already very large as an inland river port, but these days. The dock berths are still full. All merchant ships were declared full. Make a lot of caravans waiting for space. I had no choice but to live in a port town.

This is a last resort, after all, the cost of river transportation is much cheaper than taking the dry road, the same goods. Dry road transport is about four times more expensive than river transport. After all, a wagon convoy of goods. All it takes is a big ship to get it down.

Du Wei and his entourage arrived at Mingfan Harbor in the evening. Thanks for this bustling port. The small town by the harbor has also benefited considerably. It has been transformed into a very lively market town. Even because of the exchange of caravans between the East and the West. Brought all kinds of strange goods. As a result, there are a lot of shops in this town. There are even a few very high-end china shops – compared to a town with a population of less than 20,000. This is already very rare.

The arrival of Du Wei and his party was not notified in advance to the town magistrate and mayor. As a result, they were blocked directly outside the town.

There are too many caravans. I heard about these days. The small town was stagnant with about forty caravans. The inns alone are fully filled. Not to mention the guest rooms in the hotel. There is no room for even the kitchen. And several warehouses in the port have already been full. Some of the caravans that often come and go to the northwest are used to sleeping in the open anyway. Tent camps were set up on both sides of the road outside the town. Send people to the port every day to inquire about the news and see when there will be a vacant space.

Originally, it wasn't too wide on the street. Too many convoys and horses have blocked most of the roads. It took two hours for Dewey's convoy to reach the port.

Finally. After the port river transport official saw the family badge on the carriage of Du Wei and his party - it was not because this river transport official Jīng learned the badge, but. Make a badge with "flame tulips". There's only one person in the entire empire! Even an idiot can see it.

Soon. The mayor and sheriff hurried to the docks. Because there are no more inns in the town. Du Wei declined the mayor's offer to live in his home. Instead, they decided to live on a boat.

But then when Du Wei asked to leave immediately, a cold sweat broke out on the river transport officer's face. He said, "Your Excellency...... I'm afraid it's hard. ”

Subsequently. Under Du Wei's questioning eyes, the river transport official helplessly explained the reason.

The big ship Dewey has been anchored in the harbor for many days. Before, because Du Wei was slow along the way. It's not sure which day he'll come. So the river transport officer in order to vacate the berth. Ordered the boat to go into the river service - after all. The Dewey ships are all sea-going vessels, although this is the smallest sea-going ship. But on the inland canals. It's still a little too big. Such a big boat. Always don't go, stop at the port, at such a peak busy time. It is a waste to occupy the berths of two merchant ships in normal times.

Du Wei's ship had already paid the berthing fee for fifteen days, but during this busy season, the river transport officer ordered a refund of the berthing fee, and then vacated the berth to other merchant ships.

I thought that the Duke would be furious. But Du Wei just smiled. Instead, he patted the pale river transport officer on the shoulder. Wen Yan smiled: "Hmm." It's not your fault, it's my fault. You are a good officer...... Then I'll be on the boat tonight. I just don't know when the river will be freed up for me to get on my way?"

"Probably until tomorrow...... Tomorrow morning. River transport officials breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay. Du Wei shrugged his shoulders: "Okay." Gentlemen. Don't be too nervous, for me, I can close the night view of Mingfan Port here. It's also a wonderful thing. ”

Sent off the mayor and the river transport officer. Even Du Wei refused the town's sheriff to send soldiers to protect Meiyi. After all, in this busy season, there were only 200 security soldiers in the port, and the manpower was already very tight. And. Du Wei didn't feel like he needed much protection.

"You didn't punish these officials? And you're paying for it. ”

When everybody leaves. Queen Medusa asked Dewey, "This doesn't seem to be in line with what I know you human nobles do." ”

"Aristocratic practices?" Du Wei smiled, "Who told you about these aristocratic practices?"

"Your fiancée. Queen Medusa said in a calm tone: "In that town on the outskirts of dìdū. During the days she spent with me, I made her read a lot of your human books to me. According to what I know of you human nobles, I am afraid that you will immediately order this river transporter to be hung up and whipped. ”

Du Wei shook his head: "He is a very good official, my ship is parked here, although there is no family badge on the ship, but the sailors and captains on the ship are not dumb." So this river transport officer, he will not not know who the boat belongs to. But he did it anyway. It shows that he is a very pragmatic official. It's not his fault, it's mine. ”

This is a Sea Soul-class sea ship. For inland rivers though. It's already huge. That night, Du Wei got on a small boat and got on a big boat. I lived on a boat. Waiting for river transport officials to clear the river and prepare to leave the next morning.

The next morning. Finally, the ship docked at the berth.

The river transport officer and the sheriff came to see Du Wei, and when the Duke was about to leave, they were all relieved. Although the Duke looks very kind, after all, he deals with such a big person. It's just too much pressure.

Such a large ship entered the mooring on the dock, and Dewey's sailors were busy carrying cargo. This Sea Soul-class ship was so large that even a carriage and horses were big enough to load it.

But here the sailors are busy. But there was a basket out there.

Du Wei was sitting in the cabin drinking hot tea when he heard a loud shouting and scolding outside. The voice didn't seem too far away. Let him pay attention. When you open the cabin window, you can see the pier outside. A group of aliens from the northwest in leather robes were hugging under their boat, shouting and swearing. Others of the alien race had already climbed the ship from all sides, and a few sailors had blue noses and swollen faces, and had already suffered losses. Fortunately, several of Du Wei's guards saw it. rushed forward, and the two sides had already drawn their weapons and were facing each other.

These steppe people looked very arrogant, and although there were a few guards with swords on Du Wei's side, they were not afraid, and the noise seemed to be getting louder and louder.

"What's going on?" Du Wei glanced back at the river transport officer and the sheriff beside him, the two guys were sweating, the sheriff quickly confessed and ran out, and called a few security soldiers from afar. However, this group of steppe people was only a dozen people at first, but after shouting, dozens of people gathered from the dock. Everyone on the grassland is proud, although these guys are all caravans, but everyone carries a scimitar, and they draw their knives when they don't meet each other, so those who watch the excitement around them stand far away.

Although the sheriff had all gone out, these prairie people didn't seem to buy it, and a few of the leaders shouted and cursed at the sheriff.

"What the hell is going on?" Du Wei turned his head to look at the river transport officer, "These steppe merchants are so arrogant here, and they dare to draw their swords even in the face of the imperial sheriff?"

The river transport official looked bitter and was hesitating, but Du Wei's face had already turned cold: "Yesterday I thought you were a good official, and I had a good impression of you." Why are you so cowering in the face of these steppe people today? Have you accepted their benefits?"

"Absolutely not!" the river transport officer was startled, and then quickly said it.

It turns out that here in Mingfan Port, it is the hub of east-west transportation and river transportation, and among the merchants who come and go, many of them are aliens on the grassland.

Especially when the ships are full of space in this kind of river transportation, other caravans are willing to obey the rules. Honestly waiting for the port river transport station to arrange the shipping space, even if there are some individual dishonest, at most quietly stuff some gold coins to try to bribe the river transport officer here. Get yourself a seat.

Speaking of this, Du Wei smiled: "Oh? So you must have made a lot of money recently, right?"

"No, no!" the river transport official said with a grim face, and immediately said, "Lord Duke, although I have a little power in my hands now. But they never dared to take bribes! I also often sue them harshly. If anyone dares to take a bribe, arrange it indiscriminately. You can send someone to inquire about me, and everyone in the town knows my reputation. ”

Du Wei nodded: "Well, you even dare to delay my ship, it can be seen that you are on business." Well, I believe you on that, so I don't need to explain it. Let's talk about these steppe people. ”

The river transport officer looked hateful: "My lord...... If it is our empire's own caravan, at most it will quietly make a small move. Trying to bribe me...... But these steppe people. But no matter what this set is, when they don't have a cabin. I often just pull out a knife and grab it!"

"Go on. Du Wei's face sank slightly.

"Prairie people have always been so savage in business. However, because the grassland trade was so lucrative, many merchants were willing to take risks to trade with them. This caravan to and from the port of Mingfan. Twenty percent of the ten percent are grassland people. And...... Unlike our people, the steppe people are the most united, and often only need a caravan to quarrel with others. One whistle, and all the steppe caravans in the town will come to their aid with weapons. It's a headache. They despise Fang officials. Even in the face of the soldiers in the security station, they dare to draw their swords to fight. There are only 200 people in the Mingfan Port Security Station, and it will be fine if it deals with a dozen grassland people. But if two or three steppe caravans gather together, it will be really difficult. ”

"This kind of busy time. The cabin is tight. The goods are kept in the warehouse for an extra day. Just one more day of loss. The most common trick used by these steppe people to snatch the cabin of the ship. It's to bring people to the top. Run to the port to see which ship is empty or loaded. And a great crowd of people rushed forward. Occupy someone else's ship first. Even if there are bad ones, they will directly throw other people's goods into the water. If you wait for other caravans to theorize. And they drew their swords and threatened. Even if the vigilantes came. The men just sat down on the boat! They're all on the boat anyway. Dead or alive just can't come down. It's a scoundrel. We can't help it. This kind of thing has happened in the past. Caravans can often only consider themselves unlucky. Come out and do business. Everybody is just looking for money. But these steppe people are all outlaws. Most of our imperial caravans are unwilling to offend these steppe people. Desperate with them in vain. ”

The more Du Wei listens to his face, the more he sinks. sneered: "The police station just sit idly by? Didn't you go to the police station to complain?"

"Of course there is...... But adults. I just said that. The police station is understaffed......"

"Nonsense!" Du Wei said angrily: "What kind of manpower is insufficient, I think he is cowardly and afraid!! Bullying the soft and fearing the hard. If you're really them once. It hurts them, they get scared. They won't dare to mess around in the future! It's because you blindly tolerate it. I've only gotten to this point!!"

The river transport officer hears this. But the neck is one. He argued: "Your Excellency, I understand what you say. And...... We also made an effort, but the result. It's chilling!!"

Du Wei was stunned: "...... Tell me about it. ”

"The year before last, these steppe people were rampant. The sheriff and I couldn't stand it anymore. I made up my mind to teach them a good lesson. On that occasion, we dispatched all the soldiers of the security station, and even some of the people from our river transportation station brought weapons to battle. And taught a bad steppe caravan a hard lesson. These steppe men wounded other caravans on the docks, robbed them of their cabins, and lost most of their cargo! It's already a violation of the Imperial Decree! They dared to openly defy the Imperial security forces. It is even more sin on top of crime. In a vicious fight, three of our soldiers died. More than a dozen were wounded, and more than 60 steppe people were arrested! At that time, although we felt sorry for the dead soldiers. But if you can convince these steppe people at once. It's also a good thing! After the 60 or so steppe people were arrested. According to imperial decree, they were not all executed. They should all be sent to Big Ear City to work as coolies!"

"That's right, you're doing a great job. Du Wei nodded: "And then?"

"And then?" the river transport official looked up. A look of grief and indignation: "My lord." You guess. What happened next?"

Du Wei's heart moved. I have already vaguely guessed a few points.

This river transport official had a dejected face. Gritted his teeth and said, "Later." The more than 60 steppe people were held in the police center for several days. The order came from above. Not only did they order their release, but they also returned all the wagons and horses of the caravan that had been detained! and even an official sum of money was paid to compensate them for their losses! Let's blow up our lungs! But later. Even the few soldiers who died in the capture of these steppe people, even the pension was delayed for two months! He was also dismissed from his post!!, my lord, you say, this is the result. Isn't it chilling? We're not afraid to do anything with the prairie people. But after it's done. Get this result...... Let's ...... Let's ......"

Speaking of which, in the end. The river transport official's eyes suddenly turned red. Tears flowed.

Du Wei listened, silent.

He knows it well. The empire has lost control of the Northwest in recent years. Blindly appeased the prairie people. dìdū those officials. They are all blindly seeking stability and security. For fear of causing a rebellion among the steppe people.

The steppe merchants who came to do business within the empire became more and more arrogant. I've heard of it for a long time. When I had just gone to the northwest, I passed through the province of Nulin and met the governor of Bohan for the first time. I saw several leaders of the steppe caravans with my own eyes. Shout at Governor Bohan. Even draw a knife to intimidate!

That's the governor of a province of the empire! The steppe people dare to be openly rude. And what about these port merchants and petty officials?

Du Wei is based in the province of Dessa. Enforcement is severe. And the city of Gilliat fought a battle. The steppe people suffered, so the steppe people crossed the border to do business. He was quite honest in Du Weiling, but once he arrived in the middle of the empire. In addition, they recognized that the official policy of the Empire was weak and could be bullied. It's even more unscrupulous.

This river transport officer. It seems that he is also a hot-blooded person. It's a pity that the edges and corners have been smoothed out by those weak policies above. It's chilling.

Come to think of it. Du Wei stood up. Hand over a silk scarf. Wen Yan said: "Okay, wipe your tears, I understand." It's not your fault with these things. Encounter such a thing. No wonder you are chilled. ”

The river transport official took Du Wei's silk scarf. I couldn't help but shake my hands. But it was even more tearful.

Du Wei walked to the hatch of the ship. Looked outside. The noise is getting louder.

These steppe people gathered more and more, and there were about 100 people. Seeing that there were only thirty or fifty people on Du Wei's boat. More arrogant. In their experience. The Roland people were weak and intimidated. Most of the time they will be able to get the other party out of the cabin.

By this moment, the sheriff was sweating profusely. Stopped on the dock with a few soldiers. He shouted loudly: "All stand back! Don't mess around!" He shouted to the leader of the steppe people: "You bastards, this is not your nonsense! This ship is not an official charter cargo ship! It is a private ship! The person on board is a nobleman! You also come to rob it!"

Before the sheriff could finish speaking, one of the leaders scolded loudly with a scimitar: "I don't care if it's a cargo ship or a private ship! If you delay any longer, the winter will pass. When the weather gets warmer, who will buy leather goods? Even if it is a private boat. Just give us a trip to the goods, what's the matter! What about the nobles! You Roland nobles. We steppe people don't care!"

"Nonsense, nonsense!" cried the sheriff, who seemed to be a mediocre man, anxiously, "how many caravans are waiting. Not to mention leaving it for a day. Even if the goods have been left for three or five days, what are you anxious about? Listen to me, quickly retreat. Otherwise. Anger the nobles on board, you ......"

"How are we!" said the leader of the steppe people. The scimitar slashed. He laughed and scolded: "We didn't rob his boat again!

Seeing that the sheriff couldn't hold back the scene. The prairie people were clamoring. A few rushed up. The soldiers of the public security station could not stop it, and they could not be ordered by the commander. didn't dare to do it, so he could only be pushed back again and again.

Du Wei watched the incompetence of this sheriff from a distance, sneered, and called the guard elder Yan to give two orders.

Lao Yan immediately ran out, and after explaining in the sheriff's ear, the sheriff was stunned and looked at the chief of the guard incredulously. Just as he was stunned, the steppe people had already rushed up to the boat and rushed onto the boat. The people at the police station were scattered, and two soldiers were squeezed and fell into the river.

Many caravans on other ships on the sidelines, as well as caravans on the docks, saw it, and everyone looked helpless. Everyone shook their heads and sighed at the weakness of the officials.

On board, Du Wei's men were ordered to get out of the way, and let the steppe people rush up to the deck.

One hundred and ten steppe people crowded on the deck, these people were probably accustomed to robbing ships, and they were very skilled, and the leader shouted: "A few brothers go to the cabin to check, find a few empty cabins to load our goods, and send a few brothers back to the dock warehouse to let people transport the goods." The rest of the brothers will wait here with me!" After saying that, he smiled at the sheriff as if demonstratively, "We are already on the boat! First ask me if I agree to the scimitar in my hand, and then ask my brothers if they agree!"

Du Wei was already standing on the second deck of the ship's cabin. Seeing these grassland people messing around below, he just sneered: "Old smoke?"

"My lord!" Lao Yan immediately replied beside him.

"Give me the order to raise our flag. And then...... Let the sampan be removed! None of these steppe wolf cubs on the deck are allowed to get off the boat and run away!"

The steppe people were clamoring for a while, and some of them obeyed the order, but as soon as they reached the side of the boat, they saw that some sailors had already removed the sampan. So. No one can get off the boat.

As soon as I reported it, I heard a trumpet. Immediately, on the second deck, above the flagpole, a golden flame tulip flag was quickly raised......

These steppe people were attracted by the sound of the trumpet. They all looked up, and when everyone saw clearly that it was the grassland tulip flag that was rising, most of them had changed!

Even the arrogant leader, when he saw this tulip flag, turned pale.

These steppe people, they don't recognize any other Roland noble flag, but how can they not recognize this tulip flag? When they come to do business within the empire, they all have to pass through Du Wei's leadership! In a big battle in Gilliat this year, the steppe people lost 20,000 cavalry and a shaman, and even the head of the golden wolf was cut off!

Moreover, after the incident, many of the captive steppe people were beheaded, tied to shelves, and passed by carriage to the streets of the province of Dessa!

With such iron-blooded means, the steppe people know that it is this Tulip Duke's handwriting!

The prairie people are like wolves, bullying the soft and afraid of the hard, if you are soft, he will bully, if you are hard, he will be afraid of you. And Du Wei's iron-blooded methods, coupled with the massacre of prisoners of war and the behavior of exposing corpses to the streets, made the steppe people even more frightened.

At this moment, seeing the tulip flag fluttering, everyone is terrified......

At this time, suddenly several steppe people exclaimed, around the deck, dozens of heavily armed Tulip family guard warriors had rushed out from both sides, these guards were all wearing armor, each holding a small Roland Emperor ** Fang The most sharp short crossbow in their hands, the crossbow arrows have been loaded, dozens of short crossbows, facing the dense crowding of grassland people.

The steppe people were already alarmed, and the leader did not dare to be tough, and cried out: "We ...... We are merchants, and you must not hurt us casually...... We ......"

Du Wei stood on the second deck, his face was indifferent, and he casually asked the river transport officer beside him: "Well, let me ask you, according to the imperial decree, what kind of crime is it to offend a duke?"

"This ...... It is considered a contempt for the laws of the empire, and the crime of disrespect is punished with thirty lashes at the heavy penalty and ...... at the lightest."

Flog?

Du Wei sneered disdainfully: "Well, then what if it's not an offense, but an assassination?

The river transport officer's body trembled, and he faintly understood Du Wei's intentions, and said in a trembling voice: "Seek ...... If you plot to assassinate, you will be killed......"

"Good. Du Wei smiled lightly, pointed to the people below, and said with a smile: "You are an official here, you can give me a certification! You have seen with your own eyes, such a group of grassland people, with weapons in their hands, rushed onto my boat! My ship is clearly hung with my duke's flag! This can be regarded as conclusive evidence, right? One hundred and ten people are holding weapons, not trying to assassinate me?"

The river transport officer only felt a chill rising on his back, and only felt that although the Duke smiled gently, he was faintly like a bloodthirsty lion, and he dared to say anything at this moment, and nodded again and again: "Yes, yes, Lord Duke, I know how to write the report." ”

"Good. You're very nice, I appreciate you. Du Wei praised him twice, then turned around and gave a faint order to Lao Yan:

"Get your people ready to do it. ”

When this order was spoken, the river transport officer immediately felt that his legs were weak, but fortunately, even if he stood firmly, his trembling voice couldn't help but whisper: "My lord...... You ......"

Du Wei ignored him, but said one more word to Lao Yan:

"All the Assassins cut off their heads for me...... Well, don't these steppe people have a habit of using human heads to build a human head frame? All of these more than 100 heads have been built for me and set up on this pier for three days!"

After speaking, he smiled and patted the river transport officer on the shoulder, and said with a warm smile: "In this way, your work will be much easier in the future." ”

Du Wei smiled gently, and there was no smoke at all. But in the eyes of this river transport officer, he felt a trace of cruelty......

The river transport officer's mind was already pale, and the last thing he heard clearly, the last order given by the duke in a soft and elegant voice:

"Let go and kill, leave no one. ”