Chapter 572

"As I said just now, the 'cost' of each expedition to the South was probably more than 1.5 million gold coins. And generals, although the soldiers in front of you are brave, after all, your ships have to be built at a cost. Once you go to sea, the warships have to be repaired. The weapons are rusty, and they need to be repaired and replaced frequently. The clothes the soldiers wear, the food they eat, and the ships that go to sea must be equipped with enough vegetables and fruits, These are much more expensive than ordinary army rations. And all of this, it costs money! "

He said with a deep sigh: "what I want to say is that just from the cost point of view, it's right to follow the general's saying," we drive our own warships to rob, where do we need them to send us? "But in fact, it's not worth the loss. Moreover, it takes us more than 18 months or even more to make an expedition. And the result is only a few hundred and two hundred thousand gold coins. "

He took out the list of Nanyang messengers and flicked: "but now? Every year, we don't have to let the soldiers bleed, we don't have to let them go out to sea, we don't have to spend half a copper coin. Sitting at home, they will send three million gold coins! I think, even if it's a child, you can figure out which harvest is greater. "

Finally, the old man bowed deeply to all his colleagues and said slowly, "of course, I also understand that this matter is not only about money, but also about the face of the Empire and the dignity of the country. If the former slaves, now sitting high in our palace, become our guests... In any case, it is not respectable. Even let others see jokes... We Roland people after what. Even Nanyang slaves can be equal to us? I think that's what you want to say. "

The old man's words made many people can't help nodding, but at this time, the old man's words suddenly changed: "but, everyone. Now this kind of time, I'm afraid it's not the time to worry about face! In front, the Kaspersky defense line is at war... Soldiers are bleeding and sacrificing. We have to spend a lot of military expenditure and supplies to replenish the front every month! The signs and training of new recruits, as well as the compensation for the wounded and the wounded, and the rewards for the meritorious soldiers... All these also cost money!

And, you're welcome. Now, there is no possibility for us to engage in any more South Ocean expeditions! In other words, if we don't accept this offer, we won't even have the chance to go to Nanyang by boat! So we accept this offering. The income is three million gold coins per year. If you refuse... It's... Zero! "

His last few words, gradually some impassioned taste, the old man holding his head, awe inspiring looking around.

……

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

All of a sudden, applause!

The crowd heard and looked. But he saw the old prime minister, Lord robustcher, who had been silent, half closed his eyes, leaning back in a chair as if he had fallen asleep. Now he had straightened his back, his face was calm, and he had no hesitation in the surprised eyes of the people. Clap your hands!

This old fox... Everyone is suspicious.

The old prime minister, Robert Scheer, has been more and more depressed recently. In the first half of the year, he got sick. Later, he lived in seclusion. In the past, he occasionally came out to make airs, but now he doesn't even make airs. He has simply retired from his own home.

If it wasn't for today's regent to call him in. The old prime minister has not appeared in public for several months.

And now. Recently, he has been basically retired, but he is an old man who firmly implements the strategy of self-protection. But suddenly out of the ordinary, come forward!

In front of many ministers, the most senior minister in the Empire has straightened his spine, and his old and weak face shows his attitude with the most direct action!

But he hasn't "stated his position" for a long time, no matter what!

"Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to say a word." The old Prime Minister stood up reluctantly, a little shaky. He didn't pretend to be seriously ill a few months ago, but he almost died. After all, he was too old.

When the oldest old man in the Empire was about to speak, everyone immediately calmed down. This is the qualification! You may not support him, or you may not like him, but with his age and experience, you must respect him, even if it's only on the surface! But you have to!

"When it's time to pay attention to face, it's natural to pay attention to face." The voice of the old prime minister is not as stable as before, even with the usual tremor of some old people: "but sometimes, real profit is more important than face... Especially now, I don't think that the Empire has the capital to pursue" face "blindly."

When he said this, he took two breaths because of his poor strength. Then, his turbid eyes suddenly burst out with a look, just like looking at a lion that is clearly aging, but suddenly showing his claws and strong wind!

"If!" At this moment, the voice of the old Prime Minister rang out from the whole hall: "if anyone here has a good idea to earn the Empire three million gold coins a year, then I will agree with you to kick the Nanyang emissary back into the sea! If you don't have any good ideas, then... Cough! I agree with the chancellor of the exchequer. "

Hum!!

In the main hall, more than 20 senior officials of various departments of the Empire could not help murmuring!

The old Prime Minister... He made his stand!

What signal does this represent?

The so-called "tiger old hero" is here. This old prime minister, who has not been exposed recently, suddenly shows his unparalleled political influence at this time!

After all, decades of seniority is not for fun. Even the etiquette ministers who still want to argue, there are still some who don't show up. However, the military generals who were unconvinced in their hearts could only quietly shut their mouths in front of the old Prime Minister.

No matter what, this face will always be given.

Soon, the Regent stood up and made the final "verdict.".

"Tomorrow noon, I'll meet Nanyang messengers here... All reception etiquette rules, according to the grassland people's national etiquette!"

The real boss of the Empire. The crowd immediately bowed in response.

At the moment, when Prince Chen stood up, little Charlie stood up. However, no matter many ministers who bowed their heads to reply, or prince Chen, who was frowning and thinking, did not see it in the eyes of the little emperor. Show a hint of displeasure!

That's it?

That's the decision?

What about me? I'm... I'm the emperor now! From the beginning to the end, no one asked me?

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

you 're right! I am still very young, I am not an adult! But anyway, I have a crown on my head now!! Even in name. I am also the emperor of this empire!

Even if... Father, you should talk to me in name!!

And now... He has made a decision directly, even if it's just acting on me! I... what am I called "emperor"?

What's the difference between "Prince" and "Prince"?!

His hand was hidden in his sleeve, and he could not help squeezing it into a fist.

There are two very old topics:

In this world. What grows fastest?

Ambition!

In this world, once something is bred and developed, it is often out of control?

Desire!

After the meeting, the old prime minister, with the help of the court waiters, slowly walked out of the hall, which was also a special honor that only he could enjoy.

At this time, the chancellor of the exchequer deliberately fell at the end and followed the old Prime Minister.

Robustscher looked at the court waiter beside him and said with a smile, "OK. Thank you. I can go by myself. "

The court waiter looked at the finance minister next to him wisely and bowed back.

The old Prime Minister reluctantly leaned on a crutch, and the finance minister next to him stepped forward and helped him.

Robustscher looked at his old colleague and suddenly sighed, "interesting, interesting! You came to help me. Don't forget. You are not much younger than me

He said. He fixed his eyes on the chancellor of the exchequer and gave a wry smile: "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 dignified, his eyes flickered with suspicion, and he said in a low voice: "my old friend, I didn't expect today that you... You could..."

"I can talk?" The old Prime Minister laughed. He was as naughty as a child. He blinked and said in a low voice: "you, and them... Have you been used to it for a long time? Have I become a furniture sitting in a chair? Ha ha, I speak so rashly, many people are not used to it. "

"Actually... Why do you have to." The finance minister sighed: "I'm ready to fight with others in the hall today. Even if I roll my sleeves and have a big fight, or even offend more people, I've been ready for a long time! But you, you have already exited this whirlpool. Why do you stand up and help me today? "

"I'm not helping you."

Lao Zai looked around, lowered his voice, and said in a low voice, "I promised someone, just last night. He came to my house and asked me face to face. In this matter, I must come forward. "

"Who? Is it... "

"That's the boy. Hehe, our Duke of tulips. "

"Dewey?" The chancellor frowned: "he... Didn't he say he was seriously ill the other day? It's said that he is too sick to get out of bed. We sent someone to visit him, but we couldn't even see him.... "

"It's not him." The old Prime Minister laughed, but then his face became more worried: "I thought he was pretending to be ill. After all, a few days ago, the Regent seemed to take power from him intentionally. He's pretending to be sick now. Although it's too obvious to keep a low profile at home, it's also the proper meaning in the title... But I guess wrong, Dewey. I'm really sick! "

There was a deep regret in the old man's voice: "do you know? He came to my home last night and was in a wheelchair when he saw me. He... "

"What is he?"“ Our Duke tulip seems to be paralyzed. " The old Prime Minister gritted his teeth: "he also admitted it, and he swore to me that he was not lying. He is really the whole body can't move, in the process of I talk with him, he also fainted twice! He explained to himself that something had gone wrong with his magic experiment. Well... Now this situation. He's in such a state that he can't help you fight for anything in the hall. He has to come to me. " At this point, the old Prime Minister laughed at himself: "and me? I have long believed that the position of "first from the bottom left". Dewey is the most suitable candidate. I'm relieved to pass the position to him. But now, he's in this situation. I can't help it. I can only stand on the last post and help him for a while Tulip in Duke's mansion. Dewey sat in the yard, his body soft on the wheelchair. His face was as usual, even with a faint ruddy luster, but... What bothered duvet was that he had been back from abroad for many days. But his "recovery period" is still not in the past. He is just like a paralyzed person in general, the brain has gradually been able to wake up as ordinary people, although still a little weak. However, his goblin power is still not enough to control his body. Let alone stand up and walk, he now even grabbed a pair of chopsticks, almost to use all his strength to barely do“ My Lord Young Zach came to the palace early today. He stood by Dewey's side and said in a low voice: "the news from the Palace should come out soon... But. I don't understand. Since you are responsible for this, you are responsible for the Nanyang line. Why don't you go to the palace by yourself? With your power, as long as you sit in the palace, I'm afraid few of those who oppose will dare to speak. " Du Wei gently smile, his tone is a little complex: "because of this, I can't go! Far from being able to participate, speak or express in this matter of Nanyang, on the contrary, I should stay away from it as far as possible! " "You're smart, but you're good at business. Politics is different. These things are not explained to you. " After a pause, he said in a low voice, "by the way, how much wine did you send in the backyard today?"“ All three cars. " Little Zach suddenly looked a little strange and said with a bitter smile: "boss, if we go on like this, all our wine stores in the imperial capital will be empty! This is how many days, every day is a few cars of wine! Don't say it's a man, even a cow can't drink it? " Du Wei didn't speak, but he had no choice but to smile bitterly: it's not a cow! It's a dragon! Most importantly, the dragon's body is still a prisoner who has been imprisoned for tens of thousands of years! He hasn't eaten or drunk for tens of thousands of years... When he gets out of prison, isn't he mad? Old Chris lives in the backyard, because of his "dragon shape" state, Dewey has issued a strict order not to allow anyone near the backyard! Of course, old Chris is already familiar with the new body, and he can easily perform his metamorphosis and become human. But... I can't rule out that when he was drunk, he showed his dragon body when he was excited. Du Wei doesn't want to be known that he has a "Golden Dragon" in his backyard. Because the Empire has an iron law, which is jointly issued by the imperial family and the Magic Union: no magician is allowed to keep any dangerous magic pets in the Empire! This is the protection of the imperial capital! Among the banned magic pets, the dragon is at the top of the list! Ironically, Dewey knows that the real identity of old Chris is far more terrible than the dragon! What's more, in addition to this ten thousand year old prisoner, there is also a Witch King, Bai He??