Law of the Devil

Chapter XIII [The spiritual event in the home of Luo Lin's family! 】

(long chapter)

The ancestral home of the Rollin family is located in the southwest of the Luolin Plain. Here, a tributary of the Luolin River passes through. The land on the river bank is fertile, with several farms and towns. Down the tributary, you will pass through a beautiful valley.

Here, it is the earliest place where the great Luolin family originated. Hundreds of years ago, when the ancestors of the Rollin family were only a low-ranking aristocrat with a small village territory, the blood of the Rollin family began to spread in this land.

The carriage passed through a black forest, the trees on both sides were lush and the air was fresh. Along a flat path, you can see the little valley on the left in the carriage, and look to the right, you can see a tower at a distance, that is the ancestral home of the Rollin family.

After hundreds of years of glory in the family, the small villages that existed hundreds of years ago no longer exist, and the original ancestral homes have been rebuilt and rebuilt after hundreds of years of history.

A crimson stone wall surrounds a castle built from white boulders mined from the valley next to it - it is said to have been a hill, but after centuries of mining, Only turned the hill into a valley.

The arrival of the eldest son of the family patriarch naturally attracted special attention. The 300-strong private army staying in the castle, wearing the brightest equipment early in the line, waiting in the red wall outside the castle, the arched door, so that Du Wei sitting in the carriage feels very There is momentum, and from his point of view, this thick stone wall, if necessary, can be used as a strong defensive circle!

It is worthy of the martial arts family of the empire. The 300 soldiers in the territory who are staying in the castle are obviously well trained. They are straight and straight on the horse, and the horse control technology is quite skillful and the equipment is not bad. Later, Du Wei knew that the three hundred soldiers left in the castle of Luolin’s ancestral home were the best ones selected from the entire private army of the Luolin Plain. Their training was quite good, even less than the empire. The local army.

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

The main building of the castle has two towers, one of which is especially tall and even higher than the hill in the distance. Du Wei, who has studied family history, knows that this is because the Rollin family had a strange family owner in a previous generation. Although the owner was a military commander, he was particularly interested in astrology, and even he married a female astrologist as his wife. The tower was built to make it easier for his wife to observe the sky stars at night.

The red carpet has been laid from the gate of the castle to the place where Duvi’s carriage stopped. Du Weigang stooped and got out of the car, and a silver-haired old man who had been waiting for a long time went up. This old man is tall and thin, with a meticulous gray dress, old-fashioned and serious manners, and conservative and respectful manners are also very measured.

Du Weigang got off the carriage and his foot just stepped on the ground. The old man had bent down and gave a deep salute. Then he said with a low and slow voice: "Young master, I am the left-beef steward Hill here;; #8226; Luo Lin. I have heard about your upcoming news three days ago. Now all the people in the castle are ready to meet your parallax. Please come with me."

After that, the old butler turned and carefully led Du Wei to the steps. He had no discerning place in etiquette, his manners were respectful and courteous, he was humble and not flattering, and he led Du Wei to the red carpet on the steps, and he himself walked carefully outside the carpet, let Du Wei enjoys this honor alone.

It was too late to observe the interior of the castle. The only thing that was impressive was that after entering the castle gate, the oncoming wall was a huge flag like a flame!

This banner is seventy-eight meters high and six meters wide, occupying the entire face of the face! This is the flag of the family's badge. The two swords are crossed, the iris is wrapped around the blade, the red flame is burning, and there is a crown on it!

Walking into the hall on the first floor of the castle, the face is such a banner of imposing manners, immediately smeared a solemn and solemn atmosphere!

Then all the servants in the castle were dressed in neat uniforms standing on either side of the hall to welcome Duvi. Du Wei didn't have much interest in this weird "review". He nodded casually and then whispered: "My steward, please take me to the study now... As for everyone, please disperse Go back to your work."

The old butler Hill performed the meticulous execution of Du Wei’s orders, and soon Du Wei was taken to a study...

Well, if you can, Du Wei is more willing to call this place "library"!

Because it is too big here!

In the round room, the top of the head is also a tall circular vault, dotted with some quaint plaster patterns, and there are also some plaster statues on the sides - many of which are outstanding in the history of the family. character.

The circle around this room is a tall bookshelf... hell! These bookshelves have two floors so high! There are a variety of books on it, and Du Wei has roughly calculated it. There are at least tens of thousands of books in it! There are still a lot of iron cabinets, which are to store some important things, such as family maps, or some old and important documents.

Of course, as a family of Wu Xun, even in the study, there is a hint of martial arts! Just across the wall directly opposite the entrance to the study, there was a giant sword held by two giant hands, and a huge axe! These two weapons are hung on the wall! From the cold light flashing on the blade, it is obvious that servants often scrub and maintain them carefully.

There is also a wall of bookshelves, deliberately vines out of a few huge cabinets, there are a variety of weapons in the cabinet, but from the style point of view, these are antiques.

There is a short bow of the Imperial military system a hundred years ago, as well as the old-fashioned knight sword, a long sabre, and a black iron bow...

Du Wei was attracted to these weapons by the past. He saw that these antiques are also well-maintained. Although after years of baptism, some of them still emit a sharp cold light!

“These are used by the outstanding ancestors of the families of the past.” The old steward Hill behind him said in a constant voice: “These all record the glory of the great ancestors of our Rollin family.”

Because of the shape of the room, talking here, sound waves, will make a squeaking and echo, adding a bit of dignity.

Gently licking the old desk of the black rosewood wood, Du Wei looked around quietly.

It can be seen that although everything in this place has undergone strict sample preservation and careful cleaning, the old traces of that age are also obvious. Many places on the bookshelf have been polished very sleek, and this huge desk under the hand, Du Wei suspects that its age is older than the old housekeeper.

“It used to be the power center of the Rollin family. It used to be the place where the family leaders thought and made various decisions. Everything here has traces of glory.” The old housekeeper whispered: “Although Later, the family's decision-making center moved to the Imperial Capital, but according to the family tradition, every patriarch who came back to the castle for parallax or short stay, could not return to the bedroom on the first night of the arrival, and must stay overnight in this study. This will spur yourself not to forget the glorious history of the family and the heavy responsibility of yourself."

After a pause, the old butler looked at Du Wei and lowered his head. "You are the eldest son of the current chief prince, and you came to the castle to represent him. Will you be tonight..."

Du Wei immediately nodded with a smile. He smiled and said: "Tradition is tradition and must be obeyed. I am naturally no exception. Although I am not a patriarch, I am the father's eldest son and come here as his representative. I will stay in the study room for the night tonight."

The old butler's face was a lot softer, and his tone was a little warmer. He said slowly: "Yes, I will make people ready. And... I know that you are on behalf of the Earl of the Lord to inspect the territory of the industry. I will ask where your work will start. After getting the news of your return, I have already prepared the accounts and accounts of the income and expenditure of this year's family business. When are you going to start watching these things? Still waiting..."

Du Wei interrupted him with a smile. He naturally walked around the table calmly, sitting behind this large desk, the sofa was a bit hard, but it was still very comfortable to sit on. Du Wei thought about it and smiled: "My steward, I passed the long distance. I am feeling hungry now. Please prepare some food for me first, then I think I can start watching what you have prepared."

It seems that the efficiency of the work here is still good.

Soon, Du Wei enjoyed a very typical southern aristocratic afternoon tea in the study. After he had eaten a sweet pumpkin pie, he just wiped his mouth and the old housekeeper Hill had commanded two strong ones. The servant came to the study.

The two servants pushed a cart with a thick pile of books like a hill! These books add up, I am afraid that they are half ahead higher than the people of Duwei!

"These are all accounts of this year's accounts?" Du Wei frowned, he began to wonder if the old housekeeper wanted to ruin himself.

"Young Master, all of this is true." Old Hill replied very seriously: "The information here includes the entire southern Kurt province, the land area in the family territory, the area of ​​cultivated land, and the finances of six of the towns. Income and expenditure, the logistics supply expenditures of the family private army scattered in the three places of the territory, military supplies, replenishment, and the consumption of weapons, in addition to the harvest of food, and some new construction budgets built this year. I have also made some budgets for next year, but because the time is too hasty, I have not finished yet, but I think you should not leave here soon, so we have plenty of time."

Du Wei couldn't help but touch his nose and looked at the account in front of the hill: "...all of them are here?"

"This is just a part. As for the rest..." The old housekeeper said a little bit less serious: "The rest, I think you may need to watch it for a week."

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

This old butler doesn't look like he is joking. But... he will not naively think that his 13-year-old child can understand these accounts? Not to be naive, I think that a 13-year-old child can really shoulder the entire family territory industry!

Well, he should know that being sent back to his home by his family should be a disguised distribution. In this case, this guy got such a pile of accounts, but also a serious one, please check it yourself... What is it in the end?

Is it that the left-handed butler is dissatisfied with the young master who was sent back, fearing that he will disperse his original authority after he returns, so first demonstrate to himself?

Slave bully?

Or, what kind of tricks does he have in the family's industry, and take advantage of it? Now he uses his own child to get away with it.

Everything seems to be possible!

However, Du Wei did not say anything. He didn't even ask a question. He picked up the top account and blew the dust on it. He calmly sat down and opened the first page, quietly. Looked up.

After a while, Du Wei only looked up and the old butler stood still.

"Oh, what else does Mr. Housekeeper want to tell me?" Du Wei seemed to be inadvertent, and his tone was cold: "When I read, I didn't like people around me."

"Follow, young master." The old housekeeper's eyes showed a strange light, and then he seemed to open his mouth and want to say something, but then swallowed back to his mouth and turned and took the servants out.

After the heavy study door was closed, Du Wei gently put down the accounts in his hand. He stood up and walked back and forth in this huge study room. He moved his body and smiled and said: It seems that I am afraid there is really something that is worth looking forward to."

The following time, until the night fell, during this time the old butler once again came to the study, once to tea for Du Wei, once after the darkness, personally brought people to light candles for Du Wei.

To the surprise of the old butler Hill, this young master is really looking through those accounts!

Moreover, he is not pretending, but is really reading attentively! Several books were placed on the desk, and they were all turned over. Du Wei seemed to be counting the numbers. After the old butler brought people to ignite the 20 large candlesticks in the study room, Du Wei was very casual. I asked the old butler about a few questions about the accounts.

He didn't ask casually, and every question asked the idea! These are enough to prove that this young master seems to be moving! He really read those boring accounts!

This... This is what was reported in the news. Is the Emperor of the Emperor considered to be an "idiot" in the family?

Although it has been tried to cover up, Du Wei has captured the surprised expression of the old butler. What Du Wei still said, just waited for the old butler to walk out of the house again, and he slowly closed the account that turned to the last page.

Actually... these accounts are really interesting!

Du Wei spent an evening time, did not really look at the boring numbers, but did not mind to check whether this account was faked. After all, I am not a genius. The accounts are true and false. It is impossible for me to see what I know about the industry.

I am afraid no one will know that Du Wei is reading in a different way that others can't guess!

Who says that the books must be booked only?

At least, Du Wei has learned a lot from these things! And these things are not recorded in the historical books and the records of the family history!

From the names and contents of the various items in these accounts, Du Wei will immediately have a full understanding of the Luolin family's mastery of the territory.

In the territory, the Rollin family is almost a system of its own, and even has considerable autonomy. The fiscal and tax power here belongs to the family, and even the appointment of local officials is basically the family's final say. The tax rate imposed is based on the laws of the Empire. But the family can be modified, reduced or increased with some special names.

As long as the tax collected is submitted to the Imperial Central Government in a certain proportion each year.

There is also military power. Basically, from the details of some of these accounts for military purposes. The empire's official garrison here is very few, only symbolic of the two-line reserve infantry regiment stationed on the outskirts of the territory. It is also worth noting that the supply and weight of these two reserve infantry regiments are provided by the Rollin family every year! The Imperial Army is no matter what!

In most parts of the territory, the maintenance of local law and order is the private army of the family in the territory.

Almost through these accounts, Du Wei easily grasped the current status of the entire Luolin family in the economic, political, and military fields.

Perhaps, if the old butler is told that he actually "sees" the books, he will definitely pick up his eyes!

Judging from these accounts, Du Wei has confirmed at least two points: First, the family can completely control this place in the right to tax! And in the military, even more so!

Du Wei, who came from another world, has an important common sense in the knowledge he has learned in the world: a country’s manifestation of territorial sovereignty, two important points are: taxation! There is also a garrison!

Now, these two points are almost controlled by the Rollin family! What does this mean?

This means that the central government of the empire has almost lost its territory to the Rollin family: half of the territory of the Kurt province, where the central government of the empire has lost its sovereign control over it! It is almost an independent small kingdom here.

Du Wei leaned on the sofa and meditated. This situation made him feel a little surprised! Because when a central government of a country gradually loses its authority, then it is often a sign that the prelude to the unrest is about to be opened.

Du Wei sat for a while, the room was very quiet, only the sound of the chopping waves of the sparks of the candles came on occasionally.

At this time, Du Wei suddenly stood up suddenly, Huoran turned and looked at the wall behind him!

On the wall is a huge floor-standing bookcase filled with dense books, which seems to be no different.

But Du Wei’s heart faintly gave birth to a few different things... Well, the feeling of that moment seemed to be correct!

Because the mental strength is much stronger than the average person, Du Wei is more sensitive to the movements around him than the average person. Just now, he suddenly gave birth to a feeling that he was being peeked!

As if behind me, a gaze from a hidden corner of an unknown, is watching yourself quietly!

There was no abnormality on the bookshelf, and Du Wei’s eyes looked up.

Above the bookshelf, a row of portraits hung on the walls.

These oil painting-style portraits are arranged in a row, from far to near. These are portraits of the Luolin family's dynasties!

In the first position on the left, the oldest man who looks the oldest, the farthest in the age, and the figure is inevitably somewhat distorted, is a middle-aged man wearing an Imperial military uniform. The man on the canvas is the imperial marshal of the year! It was also an ancestor who won the war for the empire and won the Luolin family from the Emperor's hand!

This person looks very spirited, and there is a kind of cold and tough look between the eyes of the father of Du Wei's father, Raymond! And that look is like staring at Du Wei!

Du Wei's heart moved, he tried to step back a few steps, then walked two steps left and right, while his eyes were also staring at the painting. Then he smiled, sighed softly, then whispered: "Hey, maybe I am too sensitive... a painting."

He turned and went to pick up an account...

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

Yes, the characters in the oil painting suddenly glanced at him. He stared at the eyes of Du Wei’s back and suddenly moved!

This bunch of eyes that should have been in the rigid paintings suddenly seemed to inject a life-like agility! The gaze fell on Du Wei's body, and there seemed to be a hint of curiosity in his eyes...

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

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

"You don't have to pretend. I know you are looking at me." Du Wei slowly raised his hand, holding a silver spoon in his hand, which was used when eating pumpkin pie here. The silver spoon is as bright as a mirror!

"You are looking at me. I was just watching you with this thing." Du Wei was smiling. He stared at the mural on the wall: "You don't have to install it anymore... But don't you know, behind the scenes, peek at others, Is it a very rude move?"

"........."