Chapter 97: [Political old fox]

Chapter Ninety Seven
After a few days delay in Xiqiu, Roddy and his entourage resumed their journey. At noon five days later, he finally arrived at the imperial capital.
I saw the majestic city gate of the imperial capital from a distance, and the flame thorn flower banner that symbolized the authority of the imperial emperor was flying high above the city wall. The samurai in golden armor stood motionless on the city wall, and the sharp battle axe in his hand glowed in the sunlight, making it even more mighty and spectacular. The 100-meter-high tower of light in the city was illuminated by the noon sun, and the huge magic crystal on the top of the tower reflected a dazzling white halo in the sun.
"I'm home!" Sitting on the horse, Zige sighed in his heart, and looked back at the long line behind him. Every soldier looked tired, but his expression was very excited.
The main entrance of the imperial capital was opened. In the morning, countless citizens learned of the triumphant return of Lord Tulip. A large number of citizens happily flocked to the city to greet them. On this day, the flowers of the imperial capital were once again completely out of stock. The citizens of the imperial capital who were excited by the sentiments, and only the soldiers in the security station were smiling bitterly. Thinking of the grand occasion when the army went out that day, they were all well prepared in advance. Even the head of the police station specially put on a helmet, for fear of being scratched by those enthusiastic girls again.
Roddy has long been informed by the Royal Guards, and His Majesty the Emperor will personally greet him outside the city. Sure enough, I saw the soldiers from the police station on both sides of the road outside the city gate firmly controlling the onlookers at the periphery. On the road, a group of brightly armored Royal Guard soldiers stood solemnly on both sides, and the road was already covered with flowers. From a distance, I saw a huge eight-wheeled carriage with the brilliant shape of the Golden Wall parked outside the city gate, and even the horses that pulled the carriage were selected from the highest quality white imperial horses.
Roddy took the two leaders of Zieg and Gordon, quickly dismounted a hundred steps away, and walked forward. All the soldiers behind him immediately dismounted and walked.
The Emperor Abbas XI of the empire wore the most solemn attire and stood on the carriage with his head high.
The team moved slowly and neatly to the carriage, Roddy waved his hand, the whole army stopped, and then Roddy Gordonzig and the three of them knelt down on one knee and said in unison: "The minister has lived up to your majesty's high hopes and has repelled foreign enemies. !" The three of them talked together, and Zieg and Gordon naturally shouted loudly. It's just that Roddy didn't really catch a cold for the emperor, he just lowered his head and moved his mouth casually to deal with it.
Abbas XI showed a satisfied and excited expression on his face, waved his hand, walked down from the carriage, and walked slowly to the trio. The relatives pulled the trio up and used the most solemn embrace etiquette of the empire. Welcomed the three soldiers who returned in triumph.
As the royal guard of honor blew the grand celebration trumpet, the onlookers around shouted:
"Long live the Duke of Tulip!"
"Long live Thor's Whip!"
"Long live the empire!"
"Long live the emperor!"
Flowers rain, and ribbons fly. Amidst the cheers, the army slowly entered the city.
Abbas XI deliberately took Roddy’s hand and walked to the forefront, and even left his royal carriage, casually let people find a horse, ride side by side with Roddy, and enjoy the journey. With the cheers of the whole city, the face of Abbas XI was also full of smiles, and the original slightly pale face became a little more flushed.
Roddy had a cautious and respectful look on his face, but he was very unhappy in his heart.
First of all, this battle in the Northwest, in the final analysis, the empire was actually defeated. Large tracts of land were occupied, and several military fortresses fell into the hands of others. In the end, he brought reinforcements by himself and managed to secure the Watt Fortress. It's just not lost home.
Furthermore, according to the practice of the empire, as the Duke of Tulip (although it is a fake), he commanded the Northwest Army in the northwest and repelled Royantal. According to the historical management of the empire, he should be allowed to take over as the commander of the Northwest Army. The post, command the Northwest military affairs. But the emperor didn't do that. Once the battle was over, he ordered himself back. Obviously, he is not assured of letting himself control the power of the 100,000 troops in the northwest!
Also, seeing that the emperor originally sent himself to the northwest to die, I am afraid that what he hopes most is to let Luoyantal slash him to death in the northwest, so that the Tulip family, which is the most threatening to his imperial power, will be wiped out. . However, he did not expect that he was a surprise attack on the hinterland of the Great Moon Kingdom, and the opponent's internal turmoil was actually forced, Luo Yantal reluctantly retreated and went back to fight for power. Although he kept the Northwest, he didn't get rid of this thorny one. I am afraid that the emperor's heart is more disappointed than happy!
Not to mention that the Spike Army returned directly to the barracks of the Central Cavalry Corps, Roddy and Sieggdon both returned to the palace with the emperor and received the reward in the hall.
All the high-level military and political officials in the imperial capital have long been concentrated in the palace hall. Roddy walked into the hall with Abbas XI and accepted the attention of all the important officials of the empire. Among them were envious and joyful. , Jealous, jealous.
After Abbas XI slowly sat on the top throne of imperial power, he slowly glanced at the people below, and slowly said: "The Duke Tulip triumphantly returned from the northwest this time and repelled Luo Yan. Tal, you have done a great job for the empire. Let us cheer for the glory of the empire, Duke Tulip!"
With thunderous applause, all the noble ministers cheered enthusiastically. Among them, the military members cheered vigorously. Seeing this military spiritual leader in their eyes, they were filled with relief.
Only after the cheers ended, a skinny old man in a black robe slowly walked to the middle with a calm complexion and slowly said: "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"
"Marquis Marquis Caroline, you are the Minister of Military Affairs of the Empire! This time Duke Rudolph returns in triumph, and you are in charge of the military affairs of the Empire, and you have a credit!" Abbas XI smiled slightly.
The Marquis of Caroline raised his head and solemnly said: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty Tulip has made such a great contribution to the empire. You must be rewarded!"
Roddy felt chills after hearing this. He knew very well that the Minister of Military Affairs of Caroline was not a good thing. Their Lionheart family wanted to overwhelm the Tulip family, and at a banquet last time, they had a friction with his nephew Miró who was the commander of the Northern Army. This time the old guy actively asked the emperor to reward him, there must be no good things!
Abbas XI nodded and immediately said: "This is of course, but the Duke made a great contribution. You are the Minister of Military Affairs. How do you think you should reward?"
Without waiting for the Marquis of Caroline to speak, a middle-aged man in the uniform of an army general next to him immediately walked to the middle and said loudly: "Your Majesty! In accordance with the tradition of the Empire! The Duke Tulip will serve as the commander of the Central Cavalry Corps for every generation! Duke Rudolf is now established. Great work! It just happens to allow him to become the master of Thor's Whip!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately got the response from many other military generals.
Roddy sighed in his heart. He knew that these people were taking special care of themselves for the face of the old duke and wanted to help themselves. It's just that the generals of these armies had too simple minds, and the emperor refused to give him the 100,000 Northwest Army Corps. What's more, it is a full two hundred thousand, known as the "Thunder God's Whip" of the empire's most elite army? Not to mention, controlling the Thunder God's Whip is equivalent to controlling the power of the Imperial Capital! The imperial capital has an army of two hundred and fifty thousand, of which two hundred thousand thunder god’s whips guard the imperial capital, and the royal guards fifty thousand guard the palace. The emperor is so suspicious of the Tulip family, how could he hand over the largest army in the capital to his commander?
Sure enough, Abbas XI just nodded, but did not speak. Roddy noticed that the emperor took a peek at the Marquis of Caroline, and then the Marquis of Caroline gave a light cough and said loudly, "The generals' words were feasible! But..." Hearing this, Roddy sneered in his heart. "Just wait for your'but'!"
"...But the former Duke Tulip is still young after all! Thor's whip is the most elite legion in the empire, and it also shoulders the important task of defending the imperial capital! The Duke is only under twenty this year and has assumed such an important task. I am worried that the Duke may Incompetent!" After speaking these words, Marquis Caroline bowed respectfully to the emperor.
"Nonsense!" A grumpy general retorted loudly, "Although the Duke is young, in the history of the empire, there are few examples of the young Tulip Duke as the commander of the army! The fourth duke, the seventh duke, no Have all been the commanders of the Central Cavalry Corps in their twenties!"
The Marquis Caroline glanced at the general and said, "It is also possible to serve as the commander-in-chief of an army in his twenties, but now the Lord Duke is not twenty years old after all! He has only been on the battlefield once!"
"Humph!" Another general couldn't help but said, "Isn't it enough to defeat Luoyantar once on the battlefield? If you don't believe it! You let your nephew go and play!"
Caroline didn't get angry, and said lightly: "For foreign wars, who leads the troops out is the decision of your majesty."
"You keep saying that Lord Duke is young, then your nephew is not too old, didn't you also command the Northern Army!"
The Marquis of Caroline said softly and tepidly: "Although Milo is young, he is almost thirty years old after all. Moreover, he didn't become the commander of the Northern Army at once, and he also learned step by step from the commander."
Seeing all the important military generals have spoken out, the old Marquis Caroline talked eloquently, and he was not irritable or impatient, and his face was calm and dripping. How could the eloquence of these generals compare to him?
"I'm optimistic about the kid!" Andy whispered in his head: "This old guy is not easy! The joy and anger are invisible!"
Roddy nodded secretly. He stood aside and watched his words and thoughts. He had long understood in his heart that what he said today was actually a collusion between the emperor and the minister of military affairs, and he refused to say anything to allow him to control the military.
Thinking of this, he already understood the emperor's intentions. Now that they had made up their minds, these military commanders kindly helped themselves to fight to no avail, but instead offended the emperor in vain. Roddy cleared his throat and said loudly, "You don't have to argue!"
When the generals saw him open their mouths, they all closed their mouths, looked at the young duke, and waited for him to speak.
Roddy bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I also think that I am too young to be the commander of a legion! Frankly speaking, in this Northwest battle, in fact, I only relied on a little luck to force Luoyantal. Retire! I can’t talk about how many battles have been won! As the Lord Marquis Caroline said just now, Thor’s Whip is the most elite legion in the empire. I am too young to bear the responsibility of defending the imperial capital. Can't afford this burden!"
Hearing these words, everyone in the military frowned and sighed secretly in their hearts. A gaze flashed in the eyes of Abbas XI that counts you, and he said softly on the surface: "Duke Rudolph is too humble! Your empire of merit will not be wiped out! But since you are not willing to be the commander of the Central Cavalry Corps, then you What do you think?"
These words were extremely high-sounding, and Roddy yelled in his heart: "What I don't want, it's just that you don't!" On the surface, he said with a serious face: "I am going to lead in the northwest, only to realize that I have insufficient experience, thanks to With the assistance of the two commanders of Zieg and Gordon, he can barely complete the mission of his majesty! I ask your majesty to award the two leaders of Zieggdon!"
Abbas XI smiled slightly: "This is natural! Commander Zieg is the old commander of Thor's Whip. I am going to give him the title of Viscount! As for Commander Gordon, I decided to promote him to the Royal Guard. Deputy Head."
Roddy said in his heart: "This is bargaining. Don't give me military power, but always give me the meaning of two assistants, which is still barely fair." Of course, "Your Majesty is wise."
Since Roddy himself explained that he had no idea about the position of the commander in chief of the Central Cavalry Corps, this reward was difficult. After all, although he now has the title of Duke, he doesn't actually have any official position. There was originally a special envoy for military affairs in the Northwest, but now that the Northwest war is over, naturally the title of this special envoy is gone. As for the commander...Joke, how can a majestic duke continue to be a small leader?
Everyone had different opinions, but they couldn’t make up their minds. Roddy sighed in his heart and remembered Nicole’s words: "The higher the Tulip family’s merits, the higher the status, but in the end. It has occupied all the glory and aura, making the emperor already No reward, no reward, no reward!

It was the Marquis of Caroline who coughed hard, and then slowly spoke, his characteristic unhurried tone gently sounded in the hall: "Your Majesty, I think Lord Tulip is the pillar of the empire, and the Tulip banner is even more important. It is the pride of the empire, although the Lord Duke is still young, it only takes a few years of experience..."
Roddy's heart moved, and he secretly said: "Hmph, it's time to tell the truth, these are all nonsense before, mainly in the four words "years of experience"."
I only heard the Marquis of Caroline slowly say: "Although the situation in the south is still stable, the barbaric tribes in the southern hills are also rioting from time to time. They hide in the mountains and make chaos from time to time, constraining a large number of military and financial resources of the empire! If the Moon Kingdom started the war, if it weren’t for the containment of the mountain barbarians in the south, the Southern Legion would have long been able to support it. I think now that the war in the northwest has stopped, the first problem is to solve the problem in the south first! I suggest, Lord Tulip, please go to the south, with the prestige of the Tulip Banner, you will surely be able to deter those mountain barbarians! For one thing, Lord Tulip has no official title. Your Majesty can appoint him as the southeast envoy and concurrently governor of the southeast to control the military administration of the three provinces in the southeast. , Cooperate with Commander Camus of the Southern Legion to solve the mountain tribe problem. Secondly, Lord Camus, Commander of the Southern Legion, is the veteran of the Imperial military and has rich experience. The Lord Duke can just experience two or three years in the south!"
As soon as Old Caroline finished speaking, Roddy's mind heard Andy yelling: "Poison! Poison! Really poison! This old guy is powerful! What a Southeast Envoy! Just like the Northwest Envoy, listen. It is a prestigious official position, but it is temporary! What kind of control the three southeastern provinces, each of the southeast provinces has a local governor, you are just a short display! The southern army will not be handed over to you commander, just called You followed the commander of the Southern Army to'study'. Poison! After a few words, I gave you a majestic ambassador, but it was all false! It is equivalent to sending you to the south to open the mountains!"
Before the generals of the military could react, Abbas XI immediately smiled, with satisfied gazes in his eyes, and said: "Okay! That's a good idea! The Minister of Military Affairs is always respectful. This is the best of both worlds." "
Roddy cursed in his heart, but when the emperor said this, it was like a nail on the board. He couldn't help but a flash of anger flashed in his eyes, but then he tried his best to hold back his dissatisfaction and bowed solemnly: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the south to learn from Old General Camus!"
Several generals in the military didn’t have so many flowers in their stomachs. Seeing that the Duke had been appointed a high official, he was still the governor of the southeast special envoy, but he was in charge of the three provinces, it was naturally quite big, and he didn’t do it immediately. Sound.
The emperor smiled slightly, and said: "Okay, that's it! Duke Rudolph! You have done a great job in the northwest! I am now the special envoy for the southeast! The military governor can control the military and political power of the three southeast provinces. I hope you Assist the Army Commander Camus in the Southern Legion to quell the troubles of the mountains soon!
Roddy sighed and knelt on one knee. After thinking for a while, he said: "Your Majesty, I am going to the northwest this time. Thanks to the assistance of the Spike Army of the Central Cavalry Corps of Lord Zieg, I will go to the southeast. Only your Majesty can transfer the Spike Army to me."
The emperor is in a good mood at the moment, thinking that there is only a wolffang army, less than 20,000 people, forgive you for not going to the sky. And today's goal has also been achieved, now, after a slap, it's time to give the other party a candy, and he readily agreed.
Abbas XI thought for a while, and then suddenly said: "Duke Rudolph, you must know that the envoys of the Great Moon Kingdom have been in the imperial capital for many days, and these days they are discussing peace talks about the war in the Northwest. You. Returning from the northwest and familiar with the affairs of the northwest, I will appoint you as deputy envoy to discuss the peace talks this time! I hope you can live up to the majesty of the empire! Go to the south, wait until the peace talks are resolved, and then go on the road. Right!"
Roddy was stunned for a moment. Unexpectedly, the emperor gave him such an errand. For a moment, he didn't understand what it meant. He couldn't help but look at the old Caroline. He looked calm, but his eyes flashed. A triumphant look.
"Idiot, you don't understand this?" Andy sighed in his head: "What can the empire get when negotiating with the Great Moon Kingdom? Now the land is occupied by others, the military fortress has also been taken away, and the Northwest Army has been beaten. There are less than half of the people left... Then do you still need to say? Naturally, if you lose it, you will not come back. This kind of peace talks that loses power and insults the country, his majesty is naturally blank. Letting you serve as a negotiating envoy is equivalent to This world’s swearing has made you bear it too! Alas, it’s really cruel. It seems that this is the ghost idea of ​​the old military minister again!"
Roddy gritted his teeth and just nodded. Looking at the several military generals next to him, they all looked unhappy.
In fact, Andy was right. Abbas XI asked Roddy to negotiate with the other party, although he listened to the old Caroline's idea and told Tulip to bear the black pot of signing the humiliating peace treaty. At the same time old Caroline still has his own ideas in it...
Over the past few days, the emperor's capital has long been arguing about whether to fight or make peace with the Great Moon Kingdom over the Northwest. The members of the military are naturally the main combatants, but the old Caroline gathered a group of officials and nobles, and they all tried their best to persuade Abbas XI to negotiate peace.
Old Caroline had his own thoughts in his mind... The Northwest military affairs were corrupt. This time the Northwest had a small battle, and many problems were exposed. His involvement with the Northwest was too great. All of his problems are bound to be exposed...At that time, I am afraid that he himself will be finished! So under the current circumstances, the Northwest must not be chaotic! can not fight! As long as there is no fight for a day, those problems will not be exposed! As for the solution, you can only slowly buy time and slowly cover up.
The conversation should end here, and there will be a feast to celebrate the victory in the evening, but before that, Roddy naturally wants to go home and have a look.
The people above the hall dispersed. Roddy exchanged a few words with the military officers. Most of the old guys in the military were subordinates or friends of the old duke back then. Naturally, they wanted him in their hearts and encouraged Roddy a few words. It's just that the generals of the military, it is possible to fight, but when it comes to this kind of fighting, it is absolutely not the opponent of the old Marquis of Caroline.
Seeing the old Caroline walk away, Roddy sighed in his heart: This old guy is too powerful, and he wants to fight against this old guy. You can't rely on these military generals who can only use swords and swords! You have to find some clever helpers.
After thinking about it again, I couldn't help but laugh at myself: After so many days, I really regard myself as a duke! After leaving the capital for so many days, Nicole may have found the whereabouts of the playboy. Anyway, when he became the Duke, he was a temporary impostor. The war in the Northwest is over, it is estimated that it is almost there! When I found the playboy, I didn't dare to pick him up. According to Nicole's statement, wouldn't it be more comfortable to put yourself in any army and become an officer? No matter how great this old guy is, that is also having a headache, why can't he be his turn? If I knew that, why did he ask the emperor for help from the Spike Army? What Southeastern envoy, hum... Let the dude go to the mountains and eat the dirt by himself!
Thinking of this, thinking of seeing Nicole immediately, I was so excited that I left the palace and rushed towards the Duke of Tulip Mansion...
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