After announcing his home, the kidnappers in the banquet hall caused quite a commotion, and the onlookers talked a lot.
Earl Godwin, who was in charge of the negotiations, sighed.
"Please accept my condolences, young man."
"Your father's heroic act brought back an heir to the Kingdom of Stars. If he died for it, it would be worthy of remembrance."
Anke said nothing.
The earl changed the subject and said with a slight rebuke:
"But that doesn't justify your behavior."
Anke remained silent, but his eyes were blurred.
Looking at the other party's expression, Earl Godwin frowned, and he realized that tonight's matter might not be so easy to solve.
The count looked up subconsciously, but there was no one at the king's seat.
Only in the first-level seat, the Duke of Star Lake, the boy who is said to be a genius, is surrounded by a large group of guards.
His expression was heavy and he lowered his head and said nothing.
Thales looked at Anke blankly.
He still remembered when he woke up in the Ghost Prince Tower.
At that time, Yoder told him:
It has been a day and a night since the orcs invaded Blade Tooth Dunes and the Legend Wings returned to assist.
When Thales opened the tower window, he saw only the ruins left behind after the battle at the Saber Fang Camp and Roman's return to victory.
But what he failed to see, or what he thought he failed to see, was the real bloodshed in the war that day.
And those who changed their destiny because of it.
[Death? Sacrifice? Benefits? Cost? Victory or defeat? These are just the most superficial things in war... The fate of thousands of people... will be tested in this cruel furnace. ]
Old Crow Xixer's words rang in his mind:
[Please remember...Beyond the hypocritical moral accusations, beyond the simple calculation of interests, beyond the vain honor of warriors, don't underestimate the war itself - it is far from as simple as you think, it is not either win or win.
Losing is a game of either profit or cost, survival or death.】
[And you and me, whether we are powerful lords or ordinary people who rise and fall with the wind, are just the most powerless pawns in it, because it is often not decided by us, even if you are the initiator or winner of the war. 】
There was a noise behind him, interrupting Thales' mood.
"New information from the Flag Wing."
Deputy Guard Captain Vogel took a few pieces of letter paper from his subordinates and said cautiously:
"Anke Bailar is indeed a nobleman of the Western Wasteland and the eldest son and heir of the Baron of Crow Cry Town."
"You are right, he had been practicing at the Tower of the End until his father passed away."
Mallos pondered for a while:
"My father died while trying to welcome the prince back, so this little Bailar feels dissatisfied and wants to ruin the prince's banquet?"
The watchman shook his head:
"It doesn't make sense."
Vogel nodded, obviously suspicious.
"besides."
He then changed a piece of paper:
"A few days ago, Anke Bailar applied to the Noble Affairs Council, hoping to squeeze into tonight's knighting ceremony, and the Supreme King would knight him and inherit his father's title."
Thales' thoughts moved.
He remembered tonight's knighting ceremony. Among the several nobles who were awarded hereditary titles, there were both new nobles who had made their fortune from scratch, as well as old nobles who inherited their father's legacy, including an illegitimate son of the Blade leader who was not actually that legal.
But there is no Anke Bailar.
Vogel snorted and continued reading:
"The Office of Affairs approved: 'Bailal is a minister of the Western Wilderness, and it is against the custom to become a servant of the overlord'."
Mallos frowned:
"Irregular?"
"How do I remember that among the candidates for the title tonight, there is an illegitimate son, who is also a 'servant of the Yue Lord'?"
Vogel glanced at him and calmly folded the letter in his hand:
"The Duchess of the Blade Territory is very close to the royal family, so there is no problem."
"As for Xihuang..."
He didn't say any more.
Is it against the custom to overtake the master and make a servant?
Thales suddenly remembered the ancient imperial sword given to him by Duke Falkenhauser.
"All right."
Mallos pondered:
"But why did he come to Baron Doyle?"
Vogel snorted:
"Animosity, hatred, benefit, and harm—it's nothing more than these four. If you combine them in any way, there will always be the truth."
In the center of the hall, Earl Godwin took a deep breath:
"Young Bailar, your father died a worthy death for his country. You should not tarnish his posthumous glory."
Anke woke up from the grief of losing his father.
"You are right, Viscount, I should not."
He breathed tremblingly, as if suppressing something, and kept repeating:
"I shouldn't."
But Anke's expression quickly turned ferocious.
"It wasn't until I hurriedly returned home that I discovered," he looked at everyone and gritted his teeth: "My father borrowed money to raise military funds in order to recruit an army..."
"I owe him a huge sum of money that he will never be able to repay in his lifetime."
Many people were stunned.
The next second, Anke picked up old Doyle's collar:
"Come on, you old coward!"
The kidnapper spoke urgently:
"Tell your highness, tell you, tell the whole kingdom, what you have done!"
"Tell everyone about the crimes you committed against my father and the Bailar family!"
Baron Doyle cried sadly:
"I did not do anything……"
But Anke's sword blade immediately pressed against the old baron's neck, even drawing a few traces of blood:
"Think again?"
Old Doyle trembled all over and quickly changed his words:
"I, I, I lent money to your father to help him tide over the difficulties..."
Thales frowned.
Anke let out a loud sigh!
"Shit!"
He kicked the old baron on the back, and the latter was severely trampled down among a piece of food, dirty and panting.
Seeing his father suffering, D.D clenched his fists, but Glover quickly held down his shoulders and stared at the former sternly.
"I have investigated and found out that as soon as Duke Xihuang's mobilization order came, you showed up!"
"It just happened to be when my father was in financial difficulties and had nothing to do."
Anke glared at Baron Doyle and stepped on his back:
"You used clever words and tricks, loaned huge sums of money, beguiled and deceived, promised huge profits, and instigated him to conscript soldiers, arm the army, go on adventures in the desert, and pursue war."
"In the end, his entire army was wiped out, he lost all his money, and he was heavily in debt."
He almost roared:
"He died of severe injuries and depression in the hospital bed!"
Earl Godwin looked solemn, wondering what to do with the next negotiation.
Baron Doyle's voice was slightly crying:
"Your Majesty is so loyal that he wants to answer the call and go to the desert to fight for the country... I can't hold him back even if I want to..."
Anke interrupted him angrily:
"No! You! It was you who made up the excuse that 'the war will bring huge profits' and pretended to be generous by lending him money to lure him into the trap!"
The old baron gasped in pain:
"I didn't lie to him! The last desert war made so many people rich..."
Make a fortune.
Thales felt a blockage in his heart: he remembered the Blade Fang camp, the Falkenhaus soldiers plucking geese at the gate of the camp and collecting tolls, and the large amount of goods Tomdin originally planned to smuggle out.
Anke laughed sarcastically:
"You mean those war merchants?"
He relaxed his footsteps, pulled the old baron up again, and asked him to face everyone in the banquet hall:
"Those vampires who somehow knew that my father was preparing to mobilize for the war and took the opportunity to sell him supplies?"
"Half of them are colluding with you, and even running a partnership! You have been colluding and collaborating for a long time."
Baron Doyle seemed to understand the interrogation method of the person in front of him, and answered quickly:
"We have business dealings. It's normal for us to know each other..."
"Shut up!"
The kidnapper stared at the old baron angrily and spoke with deep sorrow:
"You took advantage of my father's generosity and lack of financial knowledge. You used grammar full of traps and dazzling numbers to trick him into signing an unfair contract and owe you a huge sum of money several times the original debt."
Old Doyle seemed to have accepted his fate, and he tried his best to put on an "understanding" smile.
"How can you borrow money without interest? And you have a noble family and a big business, so it is understandable that the interest rate should be higher..."
Anke suddenly reached out and grabbed Baron Doyle by the hair on the back of his head, forcing the latter to raise his head!
Amid the baron's screams of pain and his wife's screams, Anke gritted his teeth:
"But in the deliberate trap of your contract, those debts that cannot be repaid are all mortgaged with the land and population of Crow Town!"
"Land, population!"
The crowd let out small exclamations.
"Ah, hiss, no," old Doyle refused to let go despite the pain.
"As for the collateral, these are the terms of the contract witnessed by the authoritative accountant of Wangjia Bank. Repaying debts is a matter of course..."
"Unless you have planned ahead!"
Anke roared angrily!
"Unless the reason why you lent the debt is to prepare for the day when his expedition fails, he is in debt, unable to pay off, and has no choice but to cede the land!"
The next moment, Anke suddenly turned around and raised his sword, the tip of the sword pointed sharply at a guard who was looking for an opportunity to attack.
Pushing the latter and his imitators back to a safe distance.
"This is ridiculous," the old baron said sharply in defense:
"Is it possible that I was sure that he would be defeated? Is it possible that I knew that the orcs would attack the camp..."
Thales' heart moved.
I am sure I will lose the battle...
If I had known orcs were attacking the camp...
Duke Xinghu frowned fiercely:
Unfortunately, some people actually know these two points.
And the Doyle family...
Thales subconsciously glanced at Doyle beside him: he was the highest-ranking vassal directly subordinate to the royal family, the Seven Brilliant Star Attendants.
Obviously, Anke was also dissatisfied with the baron's words.
"Stop pretending! I know everything!"
The kidnapper raised his head and shouted in front of the guests in the hall:
"Old silverfish, you have extended your claws into the Western Wilderness and into our Crow Cry Town a long time ago!"
"Our two families belong to two places, but they are adjacent to each other. Over the years, you have used your geographical advantage, coercion and inducement, and swindled expropriations to connect with some of the scum of the vassals under my father and the corrupt officials in Crow Cry Town, secretly
The conspiracy lasted for a long time."
Anke said angrily:
"Those scoundrels surrendered to you without telling my father, illegally subletting tenants, allocating land privately and concealing tax returns, and allowing the field laborers in Crow Cry Town to farm and produce for you."
"But you have worked hard to change the weather. Even the transportation channel from Jinghe River to Crow Cry Town and across the Central Western Wasteland has been repaired long ago."
Old Doyle wanted to defend himself, but Anke's hand was obviously getting stronger and stronger, causing him to close his eyes and he could only moan in pain.
"As a result, my father could only see his territory drying up, his harvests dwindling, and his situation becoming more and more difficult..."
Hearing this, the old baron couldn't bear the pain anymore:
"I lease land with them, you agree with me, your father knows it..."
But Anke roared again:
"You know nothing!"
The blade of his sword was close to the Baron's neck:
"Do you want to go down and confront him now?"
The guests exclaimed in unison.
Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Earl Godwin immediately interrupted the other party:
"Mr. Bailar!"
He said seriously:
"You can't accuse Baron Doyle so arbitrarily without any basis, let alone use lynching..."
Anke sneered when he heard this:
"Credentials?"
The kidnapper sneered, and after a few seconds, he finally removed the dagger from Old Doyle's carotid artery.
"Doyle, your fiefdom has a bumper grain harvest this year, right? It's even to the point of exporting?"
The old baron hesitated.
Anke slapped Old Doyle angrily:
"talk!"
Baron Doyle, who was in pain, spoke quickly:
"Feng, Feng, Feng year..."
"A good year?" Anke laughed angrily:
“But not just this year!”
He gritted his teeth and looked at the onlookers:
"Last year, the year before that, and the year before that... for eight or nine years, your grain production has been a 'bumper harvest', driving the flow of goods, and the market is booming! The financial surplus is enough to feed a small army!"
"Just because of your narrow plot of land in Jinghe River? Because of the worst soil in the entire Central Territory? Just because of your arrogant but indolent citizens of the Central Territory who have been whetted by the prosperity of the royal capital and are obsessed with squeezing into Yongxing City.
, can you really grow so many harvests and extract so much money?"
"And you even have surplus grain and goods that can be circulated out of the country, resold to the desert or even the North, and make a fortune?"
Hearing this, Thales was shocked!
He subconsciously looked towards the other seats and found the Jarhead among the many people standing on tiptoe.
Levi Trudida.
At this time, the Northlander who was rebuilding the tower was lowering his head in a low-key manner, not paying any attention to the look from Duke Xinghu.
[I'm going to buy some souvenirs to take back... food, clothes, fun things... damn bureaucrats and businessmen conspired to control quantity and raise prices...]
Damn it.
The boy gritted his teeth.
"Those are our farmland, our food, and our wealth! And God knows, besides Crow Cry Town, are there any other victims?" Anke's cold words echoed in his ears.
Discussions in the crowd started again.
This time, there was much less controversy, mostly hushed whispers.
At this time, Mallos began to ponder:
"Speaking of this, Grover..."
The watchman suddenly looked up:
"Do you still remember what your brother, Viscount Lozano Glover, said when he met with His Highness before the banquet?"
Glover, nicknamed "Zombie", changed his expression slightly.
He subconsciously looked at the other Grover at a certain dining table with a calm expression and a calm demeanor.
"Lozano?"
Glover hesitated, seeming to be extremely sensitive to this name:
"Lo, Lozano, he told D.D. to tell his father to stop sending money to the Department of Finance and Taxation?"
Doyle, who was firmly held down by Glover, trembled and looked at his colleagues in disbelief.
Mallos nodded.
"Viscount Lozano paid an audience with His Highness, and he was so respectful and polite that he didn't even have time to pay attention to his half-brother."
"Why did he go to D.D. and bring up this matter, which is an internal matter of the Department of Finance and Taxation? Just to speak ill of the Doyle family?"
Doyle was stunned, and Glover's expression became ugly.
"I remembered."
The zombie turned pale as he recalled it:
"Lozano also told D.D that even if he sends money, he will not be able to avoid the land liquidation and tax inspection this year?"
Land liquidation…
Thales took a deep breath and focused his attention back to the center of the field.
Anke shook his dagger and sneered:
"So, old silverfish, how long did you originally plan to do this?"
"Are you planning to keep it up? Anyway, it benefits yourself at the expense of others, so why not?"
Old Doyle was almost crying:
"I said no..."
The kidnapper interrupted him:
"But you didn't expect that."
"Six years ago, in the face of the war crisis in Exeter, the princes complained bitterly at the state meeting, complaining about financial difficulties, insufficient grain production, difficulty in recruiting troops, and difficulties in expedition..."
"So once the crisis passed, His Majesty Kessel took drastic measures and re-issued the Land Measurement Order from King Eddy's time to revitalize agriculture and encourage production."
Anke's smile gave old Doyle a chill:
"Now according to the law, the buffer period has expired, and the land liquidation deadline is coming. You can no longer hide and deceive."
There were many people whispering in the hall again.
"Seeing that the reckoning is imminent and burning your buttocks, you don't bother to consider the long-term and slow down the plan, and you are unwilling to cut off your wealth and abandon your tail to survive."
Anke's words are like biting on the tip of his tongue, drawing blood:
"You can only hurry up and use the simplest way to finish this matter, do it to death, and make it an ironclad case."
Anke's eyes darkened:
"For example, my father's debt contract."
Beside Thales, Mallos sighed slowly.
"Viscount Lozano works in the Kingdom's Department of Finance and Taxation. Whether it's bribes, grain production, taxes, or land, he must be aware of the hidden dangers in the Mirror River area."
"The words he said before the banquet were actually directed at the Doyle family, who are also the Seventh Attendant of the Bright Star..."
But at this moment, another voice interrupted him.
"more than."
The watchman and the deputy captain of the guard both raised their heads and were a little surprised when they found the person who made the noise.
"He said more than that." Thales said in a daze.
Vogel narrowed his eyes.
What?
"According to the royal etiquette lessons I have learned these days, Grover is a subordinate vassal of the Bright Star Royal Family, and I am the Duke of Star Lake and heir to the throne, and his future lord."
Thales looked at the center of the hall, Anke, who had successfully stolen the prince's limelight today:
"Regardless of status or affiliation, when we interact, I should issue an invitation, or Viscount Lozano should issue an invitation to visit, and after getting permission, he should come to see me, but..."
Mallos raised his eyebrows and thought of the same thing:
"But in an unusual and subtle way, he invites you to condescend and condescend to go to Dongcheng District and go to his mansion for a 'show'."
Thales felt heavy and nodded:
"That was Viscount Lozano's reminder and warning to me."
"It's just that we didn't understand."
d.d trembled again, regret showing on his face.
The prince did not say any more, but sighed:
"And I guess Lozano didn't expect that this hidden danger would break out so violently and so quickly."
"I can't even wait for a meal."
Thales looked away and found that the attitude of the seven servants of the Bright Star became more and more serious: Patterson, the eldest, bit his lips and stared while gasping for breath; Straw and Adrian were expressionless and did not say a word, just paying attention.
The situation; Lady Eleanor seemed to have only her son left in her world; Lozano, who had reminded them earlier, stared down at the table, seemingly indifferent to what was happening.
But throughout the hall, as Anke's narrative gradually became clearer, many people couldn't help but look at the calm Duke of Star Lake himself.
"The problem is," feeling the look in their eyes, Thales had a slight headache:
"How will it end soon?"
Vogel snorted softly.
"It doesn't matter, Your Highness," the deputy guard captain looked at the angry Anke with disdain: "He is pretending to be in front of the public, all he wants is to use your name and the banquet's name to gain traction, and to make a case for his family.
It’s just big news.”
"When he finishes talking nonsense and achieves his goal, Your Highness, if you offer words of comfort and comfort, he will have no reason to continue acting."
"But there is one thing: no matter how that guy induces him or makes extravagant remarks, you will never judge, let alone take sides, or show any inclination towards any party, even just a smile or a roll of the eyes."
Thales raised his eyes:
"Either side?"
Vogel looked at him. This time, the deputy captain's eyes were filled with severity:
"any."
"As for the rest of the investigation, torture, trial and conviction, they are all matters after tomorrow at the Trial Hall, the Noble Affairs Council, and even the Imperial Council."
"This person's actions will not only add a little more talk to tonight's banquet, but will not damage your reputation."
Thales pursed his lips, but Mallos next to him frowned:
"At least, let the sniper team be on standby?"
Vogel glanced at him and said nothing.
In the field, the confrontation between Anke and the old baron is still going on:
"You, you and the scoundrels under my father's banner, you all conspired together, inside and outside, just to wait for the debt deadline to come and force my father who has reached a desperate situation to cede the land."
"You obtained the new land in a seamless and legal manner, avoiding future troubles and avoiding land liquidation, while they suddenly changed their identities and banners, and became your lackeys legitimately."
"But you didn't expect that my father passed away under the heavy pressure, and the person who took his place was a deadbeat."
Anke raised his dagger and pointed at the old baron's nose, his voice getting colder and colder:
"Tell me, when you set a trap, plotted against my father, and ultimately killed him, did you think about today?"
"Have you ever thought about his legacy, his bloodline, and his descendants who will one day seek revenge from you in full view of the public?"
"Doyle of the Mirror River!"
Looking at the tip of the sword pointed at him, Old Doyle trembled suddenly!
The baron was stunned for a while, his whole face turned red, and he could only spit out a few single words from his mouth that was forced by the sword.
"No, you, you...he, he..."
At this time, Earl Godwin's roar sounded in the banquet hall:
"Ank Bailar!"
His tone was unprecedentedly stern, leaving no room for error:
"No matter how wronged you are or what your reasons are, don't forget that the kingdom has its own laws and this world has its own principles!"
Anke was in a daze for a while.
"Standard? Principle?"
He lowered his sword and turned his head.
Lord Godwin breathed a sigh of relief.
"As a nobleman, you are wise in etiquette, loyal and righteous. You should know how to use legal means and methods, go through normal channels, or appeal based on reasons, safeguard your rights and interests, or communicate rationally, negotiate solutions, and seek justice and fairness."
The earl spoke righteously:
"Why bring a knife to a meeting and threaten people's lives..."
"At Duke Thales's banquet, he resorted to violence and took risks!"
"You stand up for your father and family, but you want your father's honor and the family's reputation to be completely destroyed in your hands?"
The last sentence was obviously quite effective. Anke trembled all over and looked at Godwin in a daze.
"I did."
Earl Godwin was stunned:
"What?"
"When I just returned to China," Anke said dejectedly: "Legal means."
"At first, I want to wait for next year's harvest and repay the debt in a down-to-earth manner."
He stared at Earl Godwin painfully and hissed: "But I was told that the deadline for the contract is only before the land is liquidated."
"Afterwards, I would like to invoke the law of nobility and appeal for an extension."
He stared at the dagger in his hand and murmured: "But I was told that I have not inherited the title and have no right to appeal for extension."
"Finally, I want to inherit my father's title early,"
In the end, Anke looked at everyone in despair: "But I was told that this requires a lot of recognition fees, and I can only wait for the next year's harvest."
Earl Godwin was at a loss for words for a moment, but he hesitated and then spoke:
"If you can't solve it yourself, you can ask for help..."
But Anke shouted back with a louder and more excited voice!
"I did!"
His blade trembled with his movements, swinging in vain in the firelight of the entire hall:
"I went to Desolate Ruins and Heroic Soul Castle to seek help from the big shots in the Western Wasteland, but they said that the war at Blade Fang Camp had just ended and that it was an emergency period. They did not want to offend the vassals of Fuxing Palace, saying that this was ours and Doyle's personal property.
They have no right to interfere in matters."
"I arrived at Yongxing City and submitted my complaint to the Judgment Hall according to the procedures, but was rejected many times. A paid secretary quietly told me that the Doyle family had just attached themselves to the Duke of Star Lake, and the Mindis Hall was of great significance, and they could not acquit me.
rise."
"I went to the Noble House and wanted to do something special to inherit the title, but they told me that the prince had just returned, the kingdom was prosperous, and everyone was living in hope, so don't ruin the scenery with your trivial matters."
Thales listened to his self-narration with a heavy expression, and found with discomfort that all these reasons were related to him.
Anke took a sharp breath.
"So, in the end, I had no choice but to go to Fuxing Palace and guard the palace gate, waiting for His Majesty to appear. But the moment I saw His Majesty's team and the royal guards, I stepped forward and spoke..."
He grinned, showing calm and resignation:
"Sent to jail."
Amid the small but unignorable hum from the crowd, Earl Godwin didn't say a word for a long time and seemed a little at a loss.
"I'm telling you the truth, but you're telling me the law. I'm telling you the law, but you're telling me the tradition. I'm telling you the tradition, but you're telling me the reality. I'm telling you the reality, but you want to
Come back and reason with me."
"I did it," Anke put the sword blade on the shoulder of old Baron Doyle, his eyes were blank, and he murmured in a daze: "What methods, what means, what possibilities..."
"It's all done."
He slowly raised his head:
"Only the last one left."
Thales felt increasingly uneasy.
"Three days ago, I spent my last bit of travel money and finally asked the police department to release me."
Anke's arm slowly strengthened, and the old baron's face gradually changed, and he groaned in pain.
"So I found him and said to the old beetle: I am willing to execute the contract and cede the fiefdom."
"I just want a sum of money for my father's burial."
"And the huge burial fee allowed me to buy a seat at the edge of the Mindis Hall tonight."
Anke smiled.
Smiling happily.
"Ank!"
Earl Godwin seemed to have a premonition of what he was going to do, and for the first time there was panic in his voice.
"No -" D.D struggled to step forward, but Glover hugged him tightly.
Just listen to Anke saying coldly:
"If you don't kill people, no one will listen."
His wrist slowly lowered.
"If you don't shock the world, there will be no way out."
His teeth slowly clenched.
"If you don't let yourself fall, you will swallow the bitter fruit."
His eyes gradually darkened.
"Please tell me, Earl Godwin, His Highness Thales..."
Amid Old Doyle's painful screams, his wife's heartbreaking words, and the horrified eyes of all the guests in the hall, Anke raised his head.
His gray eyes passed through the bright lights and fell directly on Thales:
"What on earth is this?"
Wu Jian didn't go home until five o'clock this afternoon and had dinner at eight o'clock. It was obviously impossible to code.
So, this chapter was coded by me, Wujian’s neighbor’s dog again!