Law of the Devil

After saying these words, Du Wei was in a cold sweat, and Zach's face was also pale.

After a long time, Du Wei let out a long sigh: "Okay, things are already like this, and we can only go on according to His Highness's wishes."

He said helplessly, but he couldn't help but think to himself: This thing is weird, why does Prince Chen want me to do it? He pushed me into a corner like this, let me be the early bird, and take pictures of the Pope's promise. This is certainly a way to deal with the challenge of the temple, but in terms of candidates, this Highness thinks highly of me too. Why don't you let Earl Villa or Camisiro do this kind of early bird thing? You chose me to stand on the cusp of this storm...

It's just that these thoughts are hard to tell little Zach. Du Wei collected himself, and then asked Zack to go out to arrange today's important auction.

In fact, such things as auctions may not exist in Roland Continent. For example, the kind of bidding in the slave market is the prototype of auctions. It's just that what Du Wei taught Zac to do was completely follow the auction house's business that he knew in his previous life, and systematized and scaled it up.

Before noon, seventeen or eight luxurious carriages had already parked in the open space outside. Many rich and nobles had arrived first, and even the attendants of those rich and powerful families outside the door had nearly a hundred people.

The auction house of Tulip's house is doing very well. In this shop where Du Wei started, a two-story building has already been opened up separately, with a hall in the middle. There is a circle of elegant seats arranged in a stepped manner, on the top second floor. There is also a circle of VIP rooms.

The monthly auction house has become an important event in the royal capital of the imperial capital. Anyone who can participate in the Tulip Homeland Auction House. Being rich or expensive in the imperial capital, being able to buy a ticket to participate in the auction has been regarded as a symbol of being in the upper class of the imperial capital.

And the seven or eight VIP rooms upstairs. It has been reserved by people with a lot of money all year round, and only one or two rooms are left for temporary rental.

In the VIP room upstairs, there is the most comfortable soft bed, as well as free wine. Condescending, the natural momentum is different. More importantly, there are several advantages: Anyone who has this kind of VIP status has become a status symbol of first-class people in the imperial capital's dignitaries, so to speak. Can have a long-term reserved VIP room in Tulip's auction house. Except for the most popular politicians or the recognized and powerful wealthy families... generally nouveau riche. You can't buy land even if you have money.

And little Zack is very good at making money, when the dozen or so VIP rooms were auctioned. With Du Wei's benefit, an auction was held. The ownership of these dozens of VIP rooms has already made the Tulip family a fortune.

also. After obtaining VIP status. Every month, there are also various related materials and origins of the auction houses provided free of charge by the people of the auction house. He even made an exquisite atlas, which included the rare and precious things that arrived every month. They all came to the door to inform the VIPs in advance... a series of practices are completely borrowed from the top brands that Du Wei knew in his previous life to treat VIP members.

Thus. It not only improved the aura of these VIP status. It also naturally made the auction house of the Tulip family deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Later, almost every auction was full. A vote is hard to come by.

Obviously. Regarding today's "lot", there has been a lot of buzz in the imperial capital. So today's auction naturally attracted more people.

Little Zach had already gone out to prepare. Then someone invited Du Wei to come to the auction house. Dozens of people were already seated in the huge auction site.

Du Wei took a rough look. Almost all the first-rate and second-rate aristocratic families with some status in the imperial capital have arrived. Follow the rules here. Tickets for the auction house can only allow one person to enter, so the attendants and servants of these noble gentlemen stayed outside. In a huge hall, when Du Wei walked in, he inevitably attracted a lot of attention. Most of the people here knew Du Wei, and even if they had never met Du Wei, they all guessed his identity.

A few of them wanted to come over to make friends, but seeing the grim expression on the Duke Tulip's face and slightly frowning, he knew that the Duke was probably in a bad mood, so he didn't dare to come forward to make trouble.

In today's auction, apart from the promised decree of the pope who is now full of turmoil, the original items are also considered rare goods, especially some of them were made by a few skilled craftsmen in Du Wei's shop. A few pieces of precious jewelry polished by the magic core of Warcraft trafficked from the north. Therefore, among the people present, there were also a few noble ladies and female guests from wealthy families. Of course, there are also some people with strange thoughts. Knowing that the Duke of Tulip has returned to the imperial capital, they have calculated their thoughts on Du Wei. I brought it here, I only hope that I can meet Du Wei here, maybe it will be a good thing with Duke Tulip, and I will embrace this big tree from then on.

And more people came here with the intention of inquiring about the wind. After all, the abnormal behavior of the temple this time has also caused panic among the rich and powerful. It is good to come here and see how the Duke Tulip, who is in charge of the family, reacts.

Now that he came to the auction site, Du Wei didn't say much. All the questions and worries in his heart were put away at this moment, his mood was calm, and his eyes were full of determination.

In fact, this is Du Wei's character. Although he seems to be a bit clever and cunning, he often likes to take the slant when encountering problems, likes to take opportunistic shortcuts, and is used to planning and calculating in everything.

However, if something really came to an end and he was pushed into a corner, a naturally hidden stubbornness in his temperament would burst out. Du Wei is such a person. If there are seven or eight roads to go in front of him, he will carefully consider and analyze, and make careful calculations. But if you force him, give him a way instead of a choice. Well, he actually doesn't lack the courage to go all the way to the dark.

At this moment, Du Wei was resolute in his heart, since there was only one choice in front of him now. Then I can't say, I just have to try my best. Don't think about other distracting thoughts.

With Du Wei's thoughts like this, he naturally showed a bit of indifference and fortitude on his face. Walking all the way in, the few people who wanted to say hello didn't seem to dare to open their mouths. They only felt that the young Duke seemed to be emitting a chill. After all, the magician's personality is moody, and no one wants to be troublesome at this time. .

Du Wei walked all the way to the back. From the beautifully built spiral staircase to the second floor, a few old acquaintances have already arrived in the VIP boxes. The first to bear the brunt is naturally the Earl of Villa and the Delan Mountain monster.

Count Villa has been a member of Prince Chen's faction resolutely since the coup. Later, he took over the royal family's property. Became the agent of the royal estate, so the power is naturally strong. And Delan Mountain Warcraft is the leading arms dealer on the mainland. The tentacles of the power network spread all over the military and the Imperial Finance Department, and they were also the celebrities in front of Prince Chen. As these two people. Naturally, he has the VIP status of this auction house. And the others were sitting in several boxes. They are also the first-class top giants in the imperial capital.

Seeing Du Wei coming up, Count Villa first stood up to say hello. The Delan Mountain monster also walked out of the box with a smile. After all, Du Wei couldn't keep a straight face to these two people, so he smiled and greeted them for a while. But last night, he felt a little grateful to Count Villa. Now I can't help but feel a little annoyed: about the auction. These guys already knew about it. But yesterday he pretended to be deaf and dumb in front of himself and didn't say a word! Although Du Wei knew that this must be the order of Prince Chen. But there was still some resentment in my heart.

The Earl of Villa and the Warcraft of Delan Mountain. But they have spent most of their lives in this old world. Although Du Wei didn't say anything, his expression inevitably showed some clues. The two knew what Du Wei was thinking. Count Villa smiled wryly first. He whispered: "Du Wei. I know that you may be dissatisfied with us now. This matter is also an order from His Highness, and we cannot disobey it. Well... I sent someone to send invitations to you early this morning. I think I invite you to a banquet tonight so that I can apologize to you face to face."

Delan Mountain next to him also said a few similar words. Only then did Du Wei understand why he had received so many invitations this morning.

He was not a small-minded person in the first place. Since the other party has said so. It's not easy for him to show his anger on his face. He smiled, and said: "Both of you are good friends of mine. Needless to say, I understand it in my heart. It's just... alas. His Royal Highness Chen's move really gave me some headaches."

The two old foxes smiled dryly. Not daring to talk about Prince Chen, the Delan Mountain monster muttered: "Your Highness always does things with deep meaning. Of course this time is no exception. We are courtiers, as long as we obey."

Du Wei naturally knew that this was an excuse. I also know that these two old foxes are unwilling to take any responsibility. Just smiled. Then the two of them were invited into the box.

Upstairs, these dozen boxes are lined up. They are all semi-open arcs, similar to the layout of the VIP boxes on the second floor of the opera house in Du Wei's previous life. Because of this arc arrangement. People are sitting in boxes. You can also see people in other boxes on the left and right. Du Wei walked into a box that Zach had arranged for him, and just sat down. Feeling the eyes shot from the box next to him, he looked to the left. However, in the box on the left, there was a young nobleman in fine clothes sitting in a black long robe. There is a golden wide belt on the waist, inlaid with a few gemstones. And the red collar style is also the most common style of some nobles from the south.

Just people who come here today. Those who can sit in this VIP box are all old guys in their 40s and 50s like Count Villa and De Lanshan. Except for Du Wei himself. It is rare to see such a young man. Can't help but look twice.

This young man looks pretty handsome. It's just that his face is too pale, and it seems that he lacks blood. But it is officially the standard pale color that nobles dream of. It's just that his complexion was still slightly blue in the white, obviously his body was hollowed out by drinking. Although good looking. But the expression in a pair of eyes is relatively bleak. What made Du Wei frown even more was that the young man's face was boiling with hands. It looks like some dust has been applied. Du Wei has always been very disgusted with men doing such glamorous things. Although this is the custom in the noble circle. But he never liked it himself. Seeing such a good looking young man, his face is covered in makeup and powder. Even the lips seemed to be covered with red lip gloss. I can't help but feel a little disgusted in my heart.

And he saw the young nobleman behind him. There is also a man of about forty years old who is waiting by the side. That middle-aged man had a shrewd and capable look on his face. Dressed and dressed, it is completely like a steward of a wealthy family.

Du Wei glanced at the young man. I found that the other party was also looking at me. What surprised Du Wei was that the young man looked into his eyes. Unexpectedly, it seems faintly not very friendly. Du Wei felt a little strange. The young man noticed that Du Wei was also looking at him. Immediately withdrew his gaze.

only. Take Du Wei's keen observation. When the other party hurriedly retracted his eyes. That gloom. But it couldn't escape Du Wei's eyes.

With Du Wei's current status and power, he is very popular. In the royal capital of the imperial capital, it is too late for everyone to curry favor. Why are there still people who show hostility towards themselves? And look at this young man is very strange. Du Wei asked himself that he had never seen it, let alone a feud.

Du Wei's heart skipped a beat. He casually asked the attendants beside him, and pointed to the box next to him. This attendant was sent by Zach to serve Du Weidi. Very clever. Immediately leaned closer and bent down and said in a low voice: "Your Excellency, this is the box of the Marquis of Senna. A few months ago, the Marquis of Senna spent 40,000 gold coins to reserve this box for half a year. The Marquis always comes here in person on weekdays. But I recently heard that the Marquis of Senna is not in good health. It has been a long time since I came here. Well, this young master should be the son of the Marquis of Senna. Master Du Pont. The Marquis of Senna has three sons. This Master Du Pont is the youngest son. But he His mother is the first wife of the Marquis of Senna, and she comes from a wealthy family. So although he is not the eldest son, he is very favored in the family."

Du Wei nodded.

Marquis de Senna? The name Du Wei is well known. The Marquis of Senna is said to be somewhat related to the royal family. But it was all a hundred years ago. It is considered to be an ancient rich family with a long history in the imperial capital. His political stance has always been relatively smart, and he rarely gets involved in any political struggles, and he adheres to the principle of staying out of the way. So it can be regarded as standing still for a hundred years. And the family is very rich. This family has a lot of industries in the southern part of the empire. And in the early years when Augustine VI was in power. When preparing to build the navy, Marquis Senna donated a large amount of property. Therefore, it was appreciated by Emperor Augustine VI. Later, he took advantage of the opportunity of the navy's Nanyang expedition to make a lot of war fortune. The business is quite small. Someone in the family once served as a senior logistics officer in the navy. There are also territories in the south. Have their own fleet. There have been senior officials like the governor in the family. .

Generally speaking, it can be regarded as a first-class family.

It's just...the Senna family. It seems that I have not offended them.

Just as Du Wei was thinking, this young master Du Pont peeped at Du Wei several times with his eyes. But they looked away quickly after a quick glance. Du Wei was a little upset. He simply stared at it. That young master Du Pont panicked. He quickly turned his head away and avoided carefully. Don't dare to make mistakes.

Du Wei was so powerful that he kept staring at that young master Du Pont. The other party didn't dare to look at Du Wei, so he could only stiffen and turn away, but the expression on his face became more and more rigid, and a little impatience gradually appeared in his eyes.

But the steward behind the young master saw Du Wei, bowed down very friendly and respectful, and saluted from a distance. At this time, on the front desk of the auction house below, little Zach had already stepped onto the stage.

The manager under Du Wei also changed into a very formal and solemn black robe, which made him look a lot more solemn. With a small golden hammer in his hand, he walked up to the front desk, coughed first, and attracted the attention of the audience, then he opened his voice and said loudly: "Thank you for coming, this month's auction is officially Now, please be quiet, everyone."

After speaking, he bent down and bowed to the audience, and then walked behind a table on the stage.

In the past, it was only when the auction house was just established that Zach personally served as the auctioneer. After that, he trained a few professional hands to serve as the auctioneer. , Zach dare not neglect. He changed his clothes, raised the hammer, and came up to preside over the auction in person.

Zac is now well-known among the dignitaries in the imperial capital. Everyone knows that he is the representative of Duke Tulip in the imperial capital, and they give him some face. Seeing Zach announce the start, immediately. The tumultuous conversation below disappeared.

"Everyone." Zach coughed, and then said solemnly: "Today's auction has officially started. First of all, on behalf of the Tulip Auction House, I welcome all friends to come. Then, next, the first item today is..."

Zach started by introducing a few items. It's nothing more than some expensive jewellery. Or use the magic core of Warcraft to get out of luxury. The most expensive one is nothing more than a newly produced "Holy Knight Armor" worth 150,000 gold coins.

From the past, these things are naturally in high demand. But today. Du Wei sat in the upstairs box and looked down, obviously seeing everyone in the venue. They all looked indifferent, and there were only a few female guests. Only then did he show his yearning look for those few jewels. Most people are indifferent.

Finally, Zach introduced the decree signed by the Pope. Everyone looked solemn, and most of them straightened their necks. Look serious.

Then the auction begins.

The few pieces of goods in front went smoothly. The scene was very calm, even because of today's special circumstances. It seems that the people who came to the venue were not very interested in the previous few items. The transaction price is extremely low. Du Wei saw it. I can't help but smile bitterly in my heart. View this auction today. I didn't make any money by myself.

Less than a meal time. The auction of the first few items is over. Much faster than usual.

Finally, the time has come for the Pope's decree. Zach also seemed a little nervous and wiped his sweat. Then coughed. Said: "Everyone. Now let's do the last thing for today..." He seemed to say "goods", but it was only on the edge of his mouth that he remembered to use the word "goods" to describe the Pope's personal decree, which seemed somewhat disrespectful . I had to change my words hastily, and I didn't know how to describe it. He could only be vague, and continued: "Everyone knows. His Majesty the Pope is merciful, and he beat them with his hands. I feel pity for those disaster victims in the south. This decree has been promised by His Majesty the Pope. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to The disaster victims in the south. Let us first thank His Majesty the Pope for his benevolent heart. May the glory of the Goddess bless His Majesty the Pope."

Everyone quickly put on a dignified expression.

Little Zach paused for a while when he said this, and the audience was silent for a moment. He continued: "Then... I will announce that according to the entrustment of the Temple of Light, the auction of this decree written by His Majesty the Pope will start. Confirmation, this item... has no low price, nor does it have any upper limit, and the highest price wins. Now... please bid."

The last sentence was spoken, but the audience fell into silence.

After a while, there were dozens of dignitaries present, but they all looked at me and I looked at you, and no one spoke first. Everyone looked at the people in front of and behind them with a tentative look.

Seeing this, Du Wei couldn't help sighing...

If the people who come here to take pictures of this thing today are loyal to the royal family, there is no doubt that who would dare to buy this thing? Then, there must be people from the temple coming here to make trouble.

finally……

"500,000 gold coins."

The first person to speak was a man sitting in the back row of the seat below. Du Wei looked around, but he was a thin and tall man in gorgeous clothes, but judging by his appearance and hair color, he should be typical. southerners.

Du Wei winked at the attendant beside him, the attendant glanced twice, and whispered in Du Wei's ear: "My lord... this man is very handsome, I have never seen it before. Um...it seems like today It's very strange, there are a lot of strangers here." Du Wei said "Yes", and said: "In our auction house, can strangers come in casually?"

The attendant whispered: "Well, in the past half of the seats are fixed, and some tickets are sold outside. Moreover, our auction is held once a month, and the tickets are usually sold more than 20 days ago. Some of them are still on the market, and the prices have been raised on the black market. The strangers who came here today probably bought the tickets on the market."

Du Wei nodded and stopped talking.

At this moment, the bidding has already started below. From the first quotation, the price has soared all the way, and soon rose to one million gold coins.

Du Wei was even more surprised when he saw it... Aren't these people afraid of death? Stirring such a thing here is tantamount to going against the royal family! Are these people out of their minds?

However, Du Wei also carefully noticed that these people called the price back and forth, and the ones who asked were often some unfamiliar faces from outside. The rich and powerful in the imperial capital. Often they keep silent and watch the development of the situation. .

When the price reached one million gold coins, the voice of continuing to raise the price became much lower. Du Wei's heart skipped a beat. I understand the flower head. Obviously, among the new faces below, there should be people sent by the temple. Especially a few guys with southern accents. Identity is even more suspicious.

Du Wei hesitated. Just as he was about to quote, he suddenly heard a voice from the corner where he was sitting, "1.2 million."

Du Wei looked around. This person is a standard big businessman in the imperial capital.

As soon as the man finished yelling, a man with a southern accent yelled 1.5 million.

Then the businessman in the imperial capital shut his mouth. But he looked up and glanced upstairs. What surprised Du Wei was the direction of this man's eyes. It was the direction of the boxes of Delanshan Warcraft and Earl Villa.

Du Wei was frowning. Suddenly someone knocked on the door of the box behind him. It was Earl Biya who sent his followers to pass a few words to Du Wei, saying only: This thing cannot be bought by outsiders. As the direct descendants of His Royal Highness Chen, everyone naturally wants to share the worries of the Regent. Count Villa and Delan Mountain Monster have already contacted several dignitaries in the imperial capital. Ready to team up here to take a picture of this thing. How can we not let the people of the temple buy it and take the opportunity to make a fuss.

Du Wei nodded. It seems that both Delanshan and Villa didn't know that they had obtained the secret order from Prince Chen, let alone that the things had already been taken away by Prince Chen. The two came to sue Du Wei. In fact, it means one thing: express your opinion to Du Wei. After all, he is in the direct lineage of Prince Chen who is present now. Du Wei's title status is the highest, and the two of them also hinted that they would follow Du Wei's lead. Boiling @辽# Literature hands-on team dedicated dedication.

Du Wei thought for a while, and understood that this was the intention of Villa and others to express their position, and this move also meant to express their loyalty to Prince Chen.

Thinking of this, he sighed, and said softly, "Two million gold coins."

Du Wei spoke up. The sound is not loud though. But his voice came from upstairs. Immediately spread throughout the audience, everyone can hear clearly.

Far away, in the box of Earl Villa and Delan Mountain Warcraft. The two looked at Du Wei from afar. They all smiled and nodded.

Immediately afterward, Delanshan sent someone to deliver a message to Du Wei, saying only: Since His Majesty the Duke is out, they will shut up. If the Lord Duke's financial resources are not tight, De Lanshan is willing to support him.

What a Delanshan, it seems that he understands that he got the order of Prince Chen to do so.

Du Wei sighed.

He called out the two million gold coins, and immediately the person with a southern accent called out two and a half million gold coins.

All the dignitaries in the imperial capital took a deep breath, and the smart people understood that this is the beginning

Who doesn't know Du Wei's identity? If it was a simple auction of something, and the Duke of Tulip opened his mouth, then no matter how rich others were, they would give the Duke a face and would not continue to bid with the Duke.

But these southerners seemed to have come prepared, and they didn't give Du Wei any face, which made Du Wei confirm his guess in his heart-these southerners were sent by the temple!

The play of the temple is also interesting. The pope wrote such a decree, and then sent his own people to buy it back.

The meaning here is very deep!

After all, the pope himself presided over the baptism and served as godfather, which is tantamount to openly provoking the authority of the royal family. But such a promise, the Pope is not easy to make to people casually, he can only use the high-sounding reason of "raising funds for disaster relief".

As for the second step, the key is whose hands the promise falls into!

If... if it fell into the hands of a powerful careerist, then, if this careerist gets the promise from the Pope, it means that he can get the Pope to preside over his baptism... This is equivalent to Got treated like royalty! The most subtle thing is that "the Pope personally presided over the baptism" has been regarded as a legal symbol of the succession to the throne for many years! ! Be regarded as sacred and noble! !

If the temple wanted to use this to undermine the prestige of the royal family, the most effective and simple method was to find a way to get their own people to buy this thing back, and then deliberately arrange a certain low-status rich man to accept the Pope's baptism. In this way, everyone can't help but think: Any vulgar nouveau riche can get the same treatment as the royal family, so this ceremony of legitimacy of the throne by the royal family... There is nothing sacred and noble to speak of.

Thinking about it a little deeper... If a certain careerist got this promise, then if a prince from one party, such as Lu Gao of the Northwest Army, was baptized by the Pope himself, it would inevitably make people think: Then Can it also be regarded as: he has also obtained the highest divine legitimacy?

Such an association, once opened, is very dangerous!

Du Wei sighed...

In less than a cup of tea, the price has already reached five million gold coins. Du Wei's heart was naturally aching. His money did not come from the wind. No matter how much the final price was called to buy it, he had to hand over the money to the temple.

When the price reached eight million gold coins, there was finally no sound from below.

Du Wei's heart faintly felt a little uneasy... Is it that simple? Completed the task so easily? In this case, it would be too easy to destroy the plan of the temple.

really! Before Du Wei could finish his thoughts, he suddenly heard a clear and sweet female voice coming from the gate of the auction house.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I know it's very rude to be late, so please forgive me."

Before the words were finished, the door of the auction house was pushed open, and then a woman in a long white dress slowly walked in. This woman is tall and slender, wearing a white skirt, but she is clearly the style of a priest in the temple, her long golden hair is loosely flowing, and she is wearing a snow-white cloak behind her.

She stood at the door, and with such a light sweep of her eyes across the audience, she attracted everyone's attention. This woman sounded very young. Standing at the door, the clergyman's attire on her body had a hint of holiness and nobility. Although she didn't have the slightest bit of luxurious jewelry all over her body, her every move and gesture was faintly filled with a noble aura.

When Du Wei heard this voice, a gloomy look flashed across his eyes immediately!

This is obviously the daughter of the late eldest prince, the saint princess who dedicated herself to the temple.

Her Highness the Saintess Princess walked in, her eyes were clear, and her face was still covered with a layer of white gauze. Although I can't see her face clearly, those eyes are like the cold moon, and her upper body is more graceful. As she walks step by step, she is obviously full of charm, but she has a bit of holy breath. This kind of complex temperament But it blends into one body on her body, which makes people feel excited.

Seeing the arrival of the Saintess Princess, Du Wei's heart immediately sank, and he frowned tightly.

And at this time, Du Wei suddenly heard Du Pont, the young master of the Marquis de Senna's house next to him, and suddenly let out a short low cry. His eyes were full of fiery gaze, staring closely at the princess and saint below.

The female highness also seemed to raise her head, and smiled at the young master. The young master's face turned red in an instant, and suddenly, as if he had received some kind of encouragement, he shouted: "Ten million gold coins!".