Du Wei remembered that when he went to the northwest, he was almost empty-handed! There was no support from the center of the imperial capital, not even a single gold coin of financial support! It was purely self-reliance that led to the current situation in the northwest! But now, he has to plant his own seeds.
After falling from the big tree, Prince Chen just said a word and wanted to pick fruits?
Where in the world can anything be so cheap?!
Besides, the more than 10 million gold coins that I just paid out have not yet been found!
"I know you are a little reluctant." Prince Chen smiled slightly and said, "I'm not asking for it just because I opened my mouth. After all, I know that it must be very expensive for you to develop this new weapon. I
I won’t take your things in vain... How about I pay 10 million gold coins to buy the manufacturing process of your new weapon? In addition... I will also pay 6 million gold coins for the flying broomstick. Hehe
...I am very interested in your 'Decepticon Air Force'. If you can get tens of thousands of airmen... the prairie people's cavalry advantage is nothing!"
At the end of the sentence, his voice couldn't help but become excited.
Tens of thousands?
After hearing this, Du Wei secretly wondered, is this flying broomstick so easy to make? Even with the manufacturing process developed by Master Alec, he relied on himself to prepare the mutant species using the spring water of the passage of time.
Here are the walnut seedlings. Until now, there are only dozens of brooms in the warehouse.
Tens of thousands? No need to think about it!
Besides, the broomstick flyer must be a magician! At least he must be a magic apprentice! Otherwise, if he cannot input magic power, he will not be able to fly. There are only a few hundred magicians in the entire continent, plus the magic apprentices
It's only a few thousand... Where can we get tens of thousands of air force?
Prince Chen doesn't understand the reason. Do you think it's so easy?
But... 10 million for gunpowder and 6 million for broomsticks... This guy had a good idea! In this way, he paid back 16 million to me, and also took away my two killer weapons, gunpowder and broomstick.
?
Is there anything so cheap in the world?
Du Wei sneered in his heart when he thought of this.
"Your Highness, I'm afraid this won't work." Du Wei looked regretful and sighed.
Prince Chen frowned, glanced at Du Wei, and said with a wry smile: "What's wrong? My Duke Tulip, do you think my price is too low? Well. I also know that you have suffered some losses. But now I
The finances are not tight either. After all, I have not been in power for a long time. Many things need to be stabilized and there are many places to spend money. Military expenditures are huge. In addition, I have already prepared for future wars and reorganized armaments.
There isn’t much land money either…”
"It's not about money." Du Wei shook his head: "Your Highness, please listen to me and tell you carefully."
He had a very sincere look on his face, but he thought to himself: If you want to blackmail me, can't I blackmail you?
He thought so in his heart, but the expression on his face was sincere. He took a deep breath, took a step back, bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, imagine that my current title is all given by you. You
Everyone knows that Du Weirong is extremely fond of me. I made this weapon and other things just to deal with the Northwest Army and the grassland people. It’s not that I don’t understand the big principles you said, but it’s just that when it comes to actual operation, it doesn’t matter.
It’s so simple.”
He spoke so sincerely that Prince Chen was not angry even after being rejected. He smiled warmly at Du Wei and said, "Oh, tell me, what's wrong?"
"Let's talk about the flying broomstick first." Du Wei smiled bitterly and said: "My Lord, don't think it's so easy for me to recruit more than twenty magic students and fly all over the sky on a broomstick. This Decepticon team, say
It's just made of gold! This team was formed on a small scale. It's okay to be used as a surprise soldier. But if it's formed on a large scale as you said, it's absolutely impossible! Let's talk about the flying broomstick first.
, this magic tool is extremely difficult to make." After saying that, Du Wei did not hide anything, and simply explained the general craftsmanship and manufacturing methods required to make a broomstick.
After all, Prince Chen also learned magic from the court magician. His own strength is not bad, and his knowledge in magic is naturally not low. As soon as Du Wei said it, he understood. This broomstick is indeed too expensive to make.
What's more, Du Wei also concealed something about the Time Lapse Spring. Without the Time Lapse Spring, even if you were given a full set of techniques, you wouldn't be able to get those walnut seedlings that mutated after grafting! In this regard, it can be said to be difficult.
It’s even more difficult! Walnut is already rare on the mainland, otherwise magicians wouldn’t be proud of walnut wands. And this mutated walnut, according to Du Wei, is even more powerful than ordinary saplings.
It is ten times more difficult to cultivate. Even if it is cultivated, the survival rate is only 10 to 20%, which is already amazing.
Prince Chen did a rough calculation in his mind and roughly calculated the cost of a flying broomstick, and couldn't help but take a breath!
"So... I'm afraid you can't get a flying broomstick without hundreds of thousands of gold coins?" Prince Chen looked worried.
Du Wei followed suit and added: "A few hundred thousand gold coins... I'm afraid it's not enough. If you include the low pass rate in the finished product... I'm afraid the cost of a flying broomstick will reach about one million gold coins."
This number is really enough to make people despair!
Even Prince Chen, who is the ruler of the continent and rich in the world, knows that such expensive weapons cannot be equipped on a large scale. The Roland Empire's annual fiscal revenue is only 70 to 80 million gold coins. Excluding daily government expenses,
After military expenditures and so on, there really wasn't much left. After doing this calculation, Prince Chen immediately gave up the idea. However, he was still a little confused: "But Du Wei... I'm afraid what you said is a little untrue."
?Since this thing is so expensive to make, how can you make dozens of them at once?"
As he spoke, he looked at Du Wei sideways.
Du Wei's heart moved, and he sighed: "I am also lucky. Most of the first batch of walnut seedlings were lucky to survive. However, this is also accidental luck. After that, more of the seedlings will die and less will survive. I can
I managed to get dozens of them. It was just luck. Later, I got greedy and wanted to get more. Unfortunately, I kept losing money and threw away countless wasted money. Your Highness, this is extremely difficult to do.
, It’s not that I, Du Wei, am stingy. I am willing to give you all the manufacturing process of this thing. If you don’t believe it, send someone to try to make it yourself and you will know.”
This manufacturing process can be proven, but without the passage of time, nothing can be done. So Du Wei was very sure.
"Also, even if we really get thousands of flying broomsticks... I'm afraid they won't be used! Your Highness, what I just said is very clear, and you should also understand. If you want to fly into the sky on a broomstick, unless you are
Anyone with a foundation in magic must at least be a magic apprentice! Where can we find so many thousands of magic apprentices on the mainland?"
Prince Chen nodded and believed Du Wei's words: "Then what do you think we should do?"
Du Wei secretly laughed in his heart. However, he also knew that he must not show any complacency at this time, otherwise the fox's tail would be exposed. He deliberately pondered for a while with a worried look on his face, and then pretended to suddenly think of something. He said: "I have an unexpected idea.
Mature ideas, well, maybe try it, it’s possible.”
"Say!" Prince Chen raised his eyebrows.
Du Wei stood up straight, gesticulating with his hands, and said: "Your Highness, this flying broomstick, to put it bluntly, its biggest feature is its air superiority. On the mainland, there is no weapon that can attack the enemy from the air.
.So it has taken a big advantage. But to obtain this air superiority, you may not necessarily have to rely on this flying broomstick..."
Prince Chen's eyes lit up. He was a very smart person, and he immediately said: "What do you mean..."
"Hot air balloon." Du Wei smiled slightly: "Your Highness, you won't forget the hot air balloon I got in my family's business. Now this thing has been improved and a larger hot air balloon has been made. It can carry several people underneath.
The weight. Flying in the sky, although the speed is a bit higher than that of a broomstick. But the advantage is: no magic personnel are needed to control the hot air balloon. All it takes is ordinary soldiers with a little training. The cost of the hot air balloon is also higher than that of a broomstick.
It’s much cheaper.”
Prince Chen thought for a while, and the more he thought about it, the more feasible it became, and he nodded: "You are right! Especially the air superiority, it is very unique! Huh! If there is such a weapon, it can fly around in the sky.
With the local army, we Roland people no longer need to be afraid of those prairie people’s cavalry!”
After a pause, he suddenly smiled again: "Duwei, what do you think we should do about the hot air balloon?"
Du Wei knew that he couldn't be polite at this time, otherwise he would suffer losses again, so he bit the bullet and said: "Your Highness, this hot air balloon has been very popular in the mainland in the past two years, but I have not disclosed the manufacturing process to the outside world.
It's revealed that although there are people outside who are imitating it, it's far worse than the one from my Tulip family! If Your Highness wants to form an air force, I'm willing to fully support it. However, Your Highness, although I have a little wealth in my pocket, after all, it's impossible for me to use it as my own.
Let’s support the military expenses of the Imperial Air Force as a family.”
Prince Chen laughed: "I can't lose you! Let the military purchase this matter, approve the military supplies, and then purchase from you... Well, that's not right! It's best to set up a large workshop to specialize in
It would be better to manufacture them on a large scale. Du Wei, why don't you sell me the manufacturing process of this hot air balloon. Otherwise, I will only purchase from you, and I'm afraid you won't have time to make so many."
Du Wei also smiled happily: "Your Highness, the craftsmanship of hot air balloons is not complicated. There is no need to sell them. I will just give them to you directly."
Prince Chen's face lit up with joy and he was about to speak when something suddenly moved in his heart. He knew Du Wei very well and knew that Du Wei was a guy who really didn't want to suffer any loss when doing things. If he was so generous all of a sudden, there must be something wrong with him.
When the words of commendation came to his lips, he changed his tone and said with a smile: "Ha! You probably have other conditions."
"It's not a condition, but a difficulty." Du Wei smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, even with the technology to make a hot air balloon, I'm afraid this thing still won't be able to fly... One of the keys is the fuel of this hot air balloon!
Only the fuel prepared with a special formula and the hot gas generated after burning can make this balloon fly. Otherwise... it will be a waste."
"Then this fuel..."
Du Wei immediately stopped and said: "This fuel formula must not be sold!"
Prince Chen frowned: "Du Wei, this matter is of great importance. It is related to the empire's armament and national destiny. If you are reluctant to give up, I will compensate you..."
Du Wei still shook his head and said confidently: "Your Highness, can I tell you a story?"
"Story?" Prince Chen frowned.
Du Wei didn't wait for him to say anything else, and said directly: "Once upon a time, there was a man who had many chickens at home. One day, one of the hens suddenly laid a few eggs. The man was so happy that he took them
I would buy eggs in exchange for money, once or twice. But forget it. But as time went by, eventually, the chicken no longer laid eggs. Just because it worked hard to lay eggs, but was suddenly taken away by the owner.
Take it away, but you will be left in vain! Forget it, if it does not lay any eggs, the owner will only lose one or two eggs every day. But in this way, there are many other hens in the house. They were also supposed to lay eggs.
Yes, but after seeing this situation, they were all scared and did not dare to give birth. They were only afraid that if they laid eggs, the owners would take away the eggs just like that hen. Some hens secretly gave birth to eggs in the future.
He also secretly hid the eggs so that the owner would not know. Your Highness, please help the owner of this family calculate. He has so many hens at home because he exploited the first hen that laid eggs too much.
It's great, but the result is just a small profit, but what about the loss? Think about it, if he had been cautious at that time, he would have taken fewer eggs laid by the first hen, and only taken one at a time. Or maybe one at a time.
If he only takes a small half of the amount, he will not be left behind! If he is more kind, then he will be able to get a small half of the eggs laid by the many hens he raises in the future.
The number is huge! Think about it, how much he lost because of his quick success and quick gain?"
Prince Chen is such a smart man with a delicate mind. He immediately understood Du Wei's intention. Then he smiled: "You Du Wei, you are beating around the bush. Are you scolding me for being too exploitative?"
Du Wei shook his head: "How dare I scold you? But Your Highness, to be honest, if you insist on it, I will give it to you. But after all, if the results of my hard work are given to others like this, I will naturally not feel like it."
Convinced... This is the truth, and I will say it to your face! But after all, you are very good to me, so I will give it to you. What can I do next? I am a hen, under your hands,
You will never lay just one egg like this in your life, right? So what will you do if I come up with something new in the future? Just ask for it? To be honest, even if we have a good relationship, after a long time, this kind of thing
...If it were you, would you be willing?"
Prince Chen frowned, pondered, and nodded: "Yes, even if it were me, I would definitely not be happy."
"And!" Du Wei said slowly: "There are so many magicians on the mainland, and there are many geniuses among them! When the Magic Society was established, you were a little skeptical about the sharing spirit we created at first, but later, it was proved
, in fact, many magicians have their own exquisite research results, but they have never come up with them. So, in this world, besides me, Du Wei, there are naturally other smart people who can come up with more and better results.
Maybe it will be of great use to the country! But if everyone knew that I, Du Wei, had come up with something new, the royal family wanted it... Then there are examples like this in front of me, and others
Those hens that lay eggs, even if they can lay eggs, they won't give birth! Even if they do lay eggs, they will be hidden under their arms, and you will never see them again! Right?"
This principle is nothing more than a modified version of "killing the goose to get the eggs" and "exhausting the water to fish". If this is said to an overbearing monarch, such as the previous emperor Augustine VI, who is so mediocre and happy with success, it will be useless to say it. But Du Wei knows it well.
Prince Chen is a wise man, and these principles should be able to impress him.
Of course, if Du Wei were to play a little trick and temporarily fool the regent, it would not be impossible, but it would only temporarily solve the problem of hot air balloon fuel. What would happen next? When he asks for gunpowder, or
When it comes to the technology of other things, how can it be fooled?
Small tricks can only be used once or twice, and they won't work if they are used too many times. It's better to use this kind of positive principle to convince him, so that it can be solved once and for all.
Besides, Du Wei still has some confidence in Prince Chen. He is not a fatuous monarch, but should be considered a relatively smart and open-minded person.
Although Prince Chen was a little unhappy, he thought about it carefully and thought about it. He smiled lightly and said, "What you said is right. Well, in this case, you must have an idea in mind, right? There's no need to hide it.
Come on, tell me now. How do you do this business?"
"It's very simple. I sell finished products to the military at a low price. I can serve as a long-term supplier for the military and sell large quantities of finished hot air balloons to the military at a price lower than the market price to build an air force.
But... I don’t sell technology.”
Du Wei said, pondering for a while and said: "I can give the military a price that is about 20% lower than the market price, and I guarantee that the hot air balloon airships produced by the Tulip family are of reliable quality! But in return, I ask for three things:
The first is that you cannot default on my payment. Second, I require long-term exclusive supply rights, and I want you to sign a contract agreement with me in the name of the Imperial Regent. Business is business, and public and private should be distinguished. What kind of small business will I encounter in the future?
Land disputes can also have a basis for discussion."
Seeing that Prince Chen's face seemed to be darkening again, Du Wei quickly added: "This matter can be publicized publicly. I want this matter to be a precedent. There will definitely be more 'hens' willing to
The eggs are laid for you to taste!"
After adding this last sentence, Prince Chen's face looked better. He pondered for a long time, then laughed loudly and said: "Du Wei! You are really smart! Okay, even if you convince me! Let's do this!
However, since it is an imperial arms purchase, the quantity must be quite large. Are you sure you can provide such a large amount of goods?"
Du Wei said: "You don't need to worry about this. I'm also preparing to expand the production scale of my workshop. Since the military wants to purchase land in large quantities, I plan to set up another one based on a new thing I made in the northwest.
factory."
"factory?"
"It's a 'factory'." Du Wei nodded: "A business that specializes in manufacturing hot air balloons and related armaments for the military. Well... I have already thought of a name. Let's call this new industry: Boeing Aviation."
Then Du Wei immediately drew up a plan: it would not be too difficult to manufacture a hot air balloon. Du Wei even quoted a price immediately. According to the volume and load capacity of the hot air balloon he currently has,
Three levels were selected and the prices were set. According to the existing technology, the largest hot air balloon could only carry ten people. Du Wei quoted three levels of prices, from the highest to the lowest, which were eight thousand gold coins, six thousand gold coins, and one.
Thousand gold coins. And the key issue of fuel is also accepted by the military at the price of fifty gold coins per barrel of fuel.
After careful calculation, Prince Chen was eager to form an air force and issued an order for six million gold coins in the first year.
After talking about the hot air balloon, Prince Chen laughed and glanced at Du Wei: "You have already made up your mind, right? Well... then, you probably only sell the finished product and not the exploding cupping pot.
It’s technical, right?”
Du Wei smiled and said: "That's right. I'm also carefully improving the cupping jar so that it can be more lethal in the future. And I've already sold some to Governor Bohan of Nulin Province before.
Your Highness, if you ask the military to purchase from me, the price will be 10% lower than Governor Bohan."
After the two business deals were concluded, Du Wei was very happy.
Although the hot air balloon doesn't make much money... but fuel is a consumable! As long as your hot air balloon rises to the sky once, it will consume fuel! When you use it up, you have to buy it yourself! This consumable business is the most profitable
Yes! And the same goes for gunpowder!
It is almost equivalent to getting a weapons purchase order from the imperial military, and it is also the largest one. Do you still worry about making a lot of money in the future?
However, neither of them mentioned anything about the papal decree.
If Prince Chen didn't mention it, Du Wei himself wouldn't be stupid enough to mention it!
Prince Chen asked Du Wei to buy it because he didn't want this thing to spread, and he didn't want anyone to use this decree to get baptized by the Pope!
Of course Du Wei would not do this.
He has already thought about it. After all, isn’t your Pope selling this thing in the name of disaster relief? I will buy it in the name of disaster relief!
To the outside world, let’s say: Although Duke Tulip is not a believer, he is grateful for the Pope’s kindness, so he financed the purchase of this thing, which will be used to provide relief to the disaster areas in the south. But Duke Tulip is not a believer, so there is no need to ask the Pope for baptism.
.Just keep this thing as a precious souvenir for your collection.
Well, that's it.
The business matters were finished. Du Wei was relieved. Then he chatted with Prince Chen for a while, talking about the scenery of the northwest, and some interesting things about playing with the prairie prince when negotiating with the prairie people.
It finally got dark, and before they knew it, the two of them talked all afternoon. Just as Du Wei was about to leave, Prince Chen suddenly let out a long sigh.
A hint of gloom flashed across his handsome face. Du Wei saw it and felt something in his heart...
To be honest, when I met Prince Chen this time, Du Wei always felt that he seemed to have changed a lot, especially as his brows were a little more worried than before. It was obvious that he had too many things to worry about in his daily life. When he first met him,
At that time, Prince Chen was a young, romantic, smart, calm, and resourceful man. He was considered the first-class person Du Wei had ever seen in this world! But now, less than two years later, when he looked at him again, Du Wei always felt that he was
The brows were a little less free and easy than before, and the person seemed to have a little more... an indescribable feeling, which seemed to be mature or old.
Just imagine how free and easy Prince Chen was back then. He was laughing a lot, coming up with a lot of tricks, and killing his enemies! But now when you look at him, the smile in his eyes always makes you look a little more tired.
Seeing that Du Wei was about to leave, Prince Chen suddenly sighed and said in a low voice: "Du Wei... It's been a long time since I had anyone to say these words to me... Well, since you're back this time, don't be too busy replying.
We are in the northwest. Anyway, nothing big will happen in the northwest in the near future. Just stay in the imperial capital for a while and wait for spring. Then go back."
"...Oh?" Du Wei was stunned for a moment.
Prince Chen seemed to smile, but this smile was particularly weird: "If you stay, you can also enjoy the fun. Well... very few people know about this matter now. Villa and Delanshan both
I don’t know. In more than a month, at the beginning of spring, I will create a big show in the imperial capital for everyone to see!"
"Big excitement?"
Prince Chen's eyes flashed with a gleam, and he smiled as if he was very relaxed: "Du Wei, there is a question. You have always wanted to ask me. But you have always kept it in your heart and have no time to ask it...haven't you always been very kind?
It’s strange that on the day of the coup d’état at the Summer Festival, why did the temple suddenly send out the Holy Knights to help me? After all, my eldest brother’s daughter is the saint of the temple. From a relationship point of view, the temple seems to be on his side.
That's right, but why did the temple openly side with me that day?"
Du Wei's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm as he looked at Prince Chen quietly.
His Highness's smile at this moment is somewhat similar to that of the time when the coup was held and the eldest prince was killed with all his tricks.
He smiled gloomily: "Because... I promised the Pope something! This is something that the temple has not been able to do for hundreds of years!"
"...What?" Du Wei finally couldn't help but blurted out and asked.
Prince Chen's face was expressionless, and his eyes were even more absolute!
"I promised the Pope that I would be willing to accept his baptism in public, and then officially recognize him as my godfather! As my godson, I will perform the ceremony to him! The ceremony was decided to be held at the beginning of spring one month later!"
Upon hearing this, even though Du Wei was not very loyal to Prince Chen, he couldn't help but shout loudly: "Your Highness! This is absolutely impossible!"
Du Wei looked horrified and looked at Prince Chen in surprise, feeling even more absurd in his heart: Is this smart guy crazy? Can he make such a promise?
The divine power of the temple and the imperial power have been fighting for nearly a thousand years! The temple always wants to be superior to the royal family! But how can the royal family bow to the temple?
The two sides are fighting openly and covertly, and up to now there is no real winner.
But...who is Prince Chen??
He is now the regent! Although Augustine VI is still the emperor in name, everyone knows that Prince Chen is the master of the continent! Although he has not ascended the throne as emperor now, the position of emperor will definitely be his in the future!
With his status, how can he recognize the Pope as his godfather?
Are you kidding me? The majestic emperor of the empire recognizes the pope as his godfather? This has never happened in thousands of years!! In this way, doesn’t it mean that the status of the temple is higher than that of the emperor?
Du Wei's expression changed several times. Prince Chen is definitely not a fool. How could he not understand such a simple truth?! Can such a stupid promise be made?!
Prince Chen looked at Du Wei quietly: "Are you trying to say that since I am the future emperor, this is equivalent to the royal family bowing to the temple? The divine power overrides the imperial power, which will cause far-reaching harm to the empire?"
Du Wei's face was solemn: "Yes... I really want to say that. But I want to hear what you say more, because I think His Highness Chen I know should not be such a short-sighted person! In order to get the support of the temple in the coup, he actually
You are willing to make such a compromise that touches the foundation of the royal family! You are not such a person!"
Prince Chen seemed to smile and looked at Du Wei with a hint of warmth in his eyes: "Du Wei, you really understand me. I didn't tell Bilia and the others about this matter because I knew that once I said it, it would inevitably
It will cause an uproar. I have made sufficient preparations, stabilized the situation, and am in control. If I announce it now, I am not afraid that someone will take the opportunity to cause trouble. Du Wei... you can understand my intentions and difficulties, that's good! I didn't watch it.
