"Speak." Du Wei narrowed his eyes: "You'd better speak quickly. Tell the truth, don't expect me to be deceived by you! Otherwise, that little Lufik can't bear many whips! "
Lao Benka sighed, and he looked at Du Wei helplessly: "Who the hell are you? How can you know Nanyang so well!"
Du Wei smiled: "Don't you know my identity? My name is Du Wei! Oh, of course, you may not know my name, but you must know my father's name... His name is Raymond! Earl Raymond, once the Supreme Commander of the Empire's Nanyang Expeditionary Fleet!"
Raymond
As soon as this name was uttered, Lao Benka was terrified, and all thoughts were lost! !
Because, in Nanyang, Lei Meng from the Roland Empire... this name is too resounding!
robber! Butcher! Executioner! ... His hands were stained with the blood of the natives. He was the notorious invader in the hearts of the native clans and tribes, the devil who burned down their homes and enslaved them. It can be said that in Nanyang, the name of Earl Raymond can even stop a child from crying.
This noble boy with a sneer on his face is actually the son of that terrifying butcher devil? !
Lao Benka didn't have time to think too much, because Lufik's screams were still coming one after another! No one understands the importance of this teenager's identity better than him! No one understands the identity of this young man better than him, and what kind of profound significance it has for Nanyang!
"I say! I can say anything! I just ask you to let your people stop first!" Old Benka swayed, as if he could no longer stand, his face was pale, as if he had aged a lot in an instant.
"Yes." Du Wei cast a wink at Ruolin, and Ruolin went out immediately. After a while, the screaming stopped.
Old Benka was relieved now, but the muscles on his face kept beating: "My real name is Benka. I am not lying about this name. I live in Nanyang. There are many people named Benka , this is an ordinary name. And my identity is not the priest of the Sunlun tribe... I..." Lao Benka gritted his teeth hard: "My real identity is the great priest elder of the United Kingdom!"
United Kingdom
Du Wei didn't express much on his face, but he sighed secretly in his heart.
Sure enough, where there is oppression, there is resistance.
In fact, as early as the time of several expeditions led by Du Wei's father, Earl Raymond, some large tribes on the vast seas of the Southern Ocean were unwilling to be wiped out by the invaders from afar, and they had carried out some very tenacious resistance. However, at that time, due to the huge disparity in power, both civilization and force were far behind the huge imperial fleet, and such resistance could not cause substantial damage to the empire's expedition.
However, with the transitional exploitation of Nanyang resources, those Nanyang tribes who were just giving in blindly had to survive in order to survive. And an almost desperate tenacious resistance broke out. And decades of continuous wars have also greatly stimulated the development of civilization in the Nanyang tribes. The development of the original natives in terms of force has almost reached the point of deformity. Even Du Wei's father, Earl Raymond, had a little worry about the future of the situation in Nanyang.
Du Wei also vaguely heard about this so-called United Kingdom.
Long before the time when Earl Raymond commanded the navy, in an extremely remote area in the south where the empire's expeditionary force could not reach, some large tribes with relatively advanced civilizations had united countless small tribes to establish a war against the empire. And the "kingdom" exists. It is said that the kingdom has hundreds of tribes of various sizes, covering more than a hundred islands, the largest of which is even as large as a province of the empire.
Since the establishment of the rumored "United Kingdom", the pressure on the empire's expeditionary fleet has begun to increase. At the beginning, because of the huge gap in force between the two sides, the pressure was not obvious, but in recent years, the United Kingdom in Nanyang has begun to show some fruitful results in its resistance to the empire.
They took advantage of their familiarity with the geography of the South China Sea and even learned some harassment tactics. I don't know where I stole some of the empire's shipbuilding technology, and built a batch of simple but quite fast warships. Relying on those warships and the empire to strike on the vast sea, they often even set up traps to lead the empire's navy Junjian to some "dead seas" full of whirlpools and hidden reefs, causing some damage to the empire.
The biggest change occurred three years ago. Three years ago, the empire's Nanyang expedition brought a very obvious danger signal to the empire.
Because, during an expedition three years ago, a glorious record kept by the empire was broken: zero damage to warships in frontal battles!
For a long time, in the frontal battle with those Nanyang barbarians, the imperial army was invincible.
The warships of the Empire have never been sunk by those Nanyang barbarians!
The huge gap in force made it almost impossible for the imperial army to receive any real threats on the frontal battlefield in Nanyang. For them, instead of worrying about the ridiculously crude "armies" of the Nanyang tribes, they might as well worry about those hurricanes and eddies, hidden reefs, terrible sea weather... Some proud generals declared: We are going to Nanyang, not Fighting with people is fighting with heaven. As long as the weather is good, we can even drive the fleet to the end of the world without hindrance!
But a battle three years ago finally broke the glorious record of the empire!
Under the leadership and influence of the rumored "United Kingdom". The Nanyang tribes have established a large-scale "fleet", although by the standards of the empire, the so-called "fleet" is too simple to face, and the best so-called "warships" of the opponent are even far away. Far less than half of an ordinary merchant ship in the empire.
However, the number of the "fleet" of the United Kingdom is really terrifying. In that battle, it is said that the opponent gathered dozens of times as many ships as the expedition fleet. After a decisive battle at sea, the imperial fleet still won the victory, but after that battle, the imperial warships were broken with zero damage!
During the battle, the empire lost two sea soul-class warships, and one sea king-class warship was almost seriously injured.
This change should undoubtedly sound the alarm for the empire's military, but it seems that the empire's military didn't care, after all, the previous record was too brilliant. And the enemy's too large "fleet" also gave the military a reason to justify.
Even an elephant faces endless ants. There is also the possibility of being bitten occasionally.
But Du Wei learned the truth of the matter through some "channels"!
Just a few days ago, after Earl Raymond left the imperial capital, Du Wei cleaned up the study left by Earl Raymond and found some documents that Earl Raymond had put in the cabinet when he was in power... Those things were originally military materials. However, after the coup d'état, the management was inevitably chaotic during the change of regime, and some information held by Earl Raymond. The military didn't recover it—or maybe they didn't think that kind of thing was important.
Indeed, for the military. Nanyang is still a fat sheep that can be slaughtered by itself.
But Du Wei read those materials a few days ago, learned about the battle that broke the zero casualties of the Imperial Expeditionary Force three years ago, and found many differences!
First of all, the United Kingdom of Nanyang seems to have mastered some basic tactics. Although it is simpler, it has indeed entered the category of "tactics".
The opponent led the empire's fleet to a very favorable sea area for a decisive battle! It was a long and narrow sea area between two small islands. On the small islands on both sides, those Nanyang natives actually set up a group of catapults!
Those crude catapults. The hit rate is extremely low. But the range is very far, on the islands on both sides, it can just cover the narrow sea area between the islands! And the low hit rate is not a problem, because those Nanyang natives are simply fighting the empire with heroic and decisive ideas! Catapults were launched on both sides. Almost indiscriminately "covering attacks" on both sides of the melee above the sea! Among them, the sea soul-class warship lost by the empire was hit by the catapult.
Even on the data, there are some indications that the opponent has also learned simple tactics such as "outflank the rear" and "detour on both sides"!
These people are no longer the natives who can only use earthen canoes, spears and knives! Oppressed for nearly a hundred years. As a result, they are building their own civilization with a strong military nature!
It is even recorded that when the war was defeated, the opponent did not flee in a hurry, but even tried to hit the force to snatch a small warship of the empire! They want to grab an imperial warship and go back to study it! Jun
After reading that document, Du Wei also felt emotional for a while. This is clearly a signal of the rise of civilization, but the military leaders of the empire did not pay attention to it—because, after that tragic battle, the United Kingdom of Nanyang seemed to have weakened again, probably because of that tragic naval battle, As a result, their entire fleet was destroyed, and their vitality was severely injured at one time, and they collapsed.
There are even some merchant ships running to Nanyang to bring news. It is said that the so-called United Kingdom has been disbanded after the defeat.
At the end of this document, Earl Raymond, the former military commander, wrote a few sentences of his own opinion with a pen. And this view, in Du Wei's view, is very correct!
"It is recommended that the empire concentrate its forces and form a large-scale expeditionary fleet, which should be at least three times larger than the existing fleet, and transport a group of troops with the fleet. Prepare to make certain sacrifices, expedition to the depths of the South China Sea, and concentrate All forces, search for the specific location of the United Kingdom, and must destroy and conquer it! For the South Seas covered by the existing imperial forces, we must change the purely military "expedition" operations in the past, and start to find a way Incorporate the Nanyang sea area into the empire's territory, you can station troops there, change defenses regularly, and cultivate local forces, or directly appoint officials from the empire to manage them. When necessary, you can force immigrants from the mainland! Try to achieve within 30 years In order to make those Nanyang regions truly become the new provinces of the empire! This move will bring a huge burden to the empire's finances. However, in order to prevent the situation in Nanyang from evolving into a new northwest in the future, put an end to future disasters, and eradicate hidden dangers for the empire It is worth the threat of survival."
Du Wei thinks these ideas are very correct. But it seems that although Earl Raymond had this idea, it seems that the central government of the empire did not pay attention to it. After all, the strength of the Luo Lin family is still temporarily limited to the military. The old emperor's growing old and fatuous, as well as the financial strain of the empire, have seriously weakened the national strength of the empire. Such a large-scale plan is unrealistic.
Du Wei quickly thought about all the information he knew in his mind. Then squinting his eyes, making it impossible to guess his inner thoughts, Du Wei just looked at this old Benka like this: "The United Kingdom of Nanyang? The great priest?"
"... yes." Old Benka seemed to have completely succumbed: "In the United Kingdom, the existence of the High Priest is almost equivalent to the Empire... the Pope of the Temple."
Du Wei was really moved!
Temple to His Majesty the Pope. In the status of the empire, it can almost be said to be on an equal footing with the emperor! At least from the point of view of appellation, only the emperor and the pope are qualified to be called "Your Majesty"!
but. Compared with the infinite authority and magnificence of the pope in the empire... Even if the United Kingdom is a crude and even backward barbaric place, it is really hard for people to believe that this high priest is in such a miserable state.
"Just a few years ago... there was a civil strife in the United Kingdom." Benka explained helplessly: "A few years ago, the decisive battle with your empire's expeditionary fleet was a wrong decision at the time, but the fanatics in the United Kingdom In the upper hand, the stable faction was squeezed out, and the fanatics were eager to concentrate their forces to drive away the invaders, and they were too optimistic about the situation. As a result... After the war, the United Kingdom almost collapsed for a time, and internal doubts were very strong. Confidence was dealt a huge blow, because almost all of our strength was gathered, but an expeditionary fleet of your empire could not be defeated. The shadow of the defeat even caused some tribes that originally joined the United Kingdom to become renounced one after another, and many tribes even decided to give up Resistance, decided to move the whole family to the more distant southern seas to avoid the invaders of your empire. The previous king of the United Kingdom was the chief of the largest tribe at that time. After the war, the strength of his tribe It is the place that suffers the most, and finally has no choice but to step down."
When Benka said this, he glanced at Du Wei: "Different from your empire, your emperor is hereditary. But the king of our United Kingdom is elected by many tribes. The previous king abdicated because of defeat. Afterwards, everyone lost confidence in the United Kingdom, and no one even wanted to be that king. More people wanted to go back and prepare to migrate, rather than resisting uselessly. Later, several high priests... "
"How many?" Du Wei smiled.
"Yes, in our place. Religious power is not in the hands of one person. You have only one pope here, but we have four high priests in our place." Benka explained a sentence before continuing: "Several The high priest discussed together, and finally elected a new king, who is also a powerful tribal leader. But his prestige and intelligence are not enough to lead us to resist the invaders. So... we all understand this. This king and We agreed that he is willing to help everyone preside over the situation temporarily, but in the next few years, we hope that we can find a suitable person."
Du Wei smiled: "Oh? Then?"
"Then..." Benka hesitated again when he said this, but looking at Du Wei's cold eyes, the old guy felt a chill in his heart. Reluctantly said: "The few of us priests decided to search for the "Lost Race". Only by finding the legendary "Clan of the Gods" and relying on its influence can our United Kingdom be reunited. Get together."
"The clan of the gods? The race of the lost land?" Du Wei vaguely felt that this title sounded familiar. He vaguely heard that there is such a legend in Nanyang mentioned by the veteran of the former Earl Raymond's subordinates. But it is not true to know.
However, in front of this old guy, Du Wei pretended to know everything, and said with a faint smile: "The land is indeed a good way, only by finding out the legendary family can we use their prestige to suppress Subdue your United Kingdom."
Sure enough, Lao Benka was deceived by Du Wei's pretended appearance, and he nodded: "Unfortunately, I was traveling in Nanyang on the way to find it, but I happened to meet your expeditionary army, and unfortunately I was arrested come back."
"And you have been carefully hiding your identity?" Du Wei smiled.
"Yes." Benka nodded: "My identity is the high priest. I am worried that if the people here know my identity... it will be very dangerous. I have been hiding my identity. I just hope to live safely. I I am not afraid of death, but I have a heavy responsibility on my shoulders, so I cannot die easily!"
Du Wei smiled: "Then what about the young slaves with you? They seem to be different from ordinary people."
You see those young people around me. They are all my followers, they have all received some training, and they are people who specialize in protecting me. A trace of regret flashed across Benka's face: "Unfortunately, when I was captured, some soldiers died fighting to protect me." "
After a pause, Benka said again: "They are all the bravest fighters in our United Kingdom. In order to follow me, they gave up their life at home, and accompanied me across the vast seas of Southeast Asia..."
"There is no time to be sad." Du Wei said calmly: "You and I are in hostility, and it is normal to be killed or injured."
Old Benka is silent.
"Then, the identity of that Lufik..." Du Wei smiled: "Could it be that he is a member of the legendary race?"
"...No." Lao Benka shook his head, with a trace of helplessness in his eyes: "He... no, he is my son."
son
Du Wei smiled: "Benka, your lie is too undeceptive."
"It's true." Benka said, "Different from the people in your mainland's temples, our high priests can marry and have children, and our priests' positions are all hereditary, and our children will get the priest's place when they are young." Education and training, after we die, they will inherit the position of the sacrificial place. This is completely different from the people in the temples in the mainland, who are not allowed to marry and have children... He is really my son, please don't hurt He... I can swear to our Father God!!"
Seeing Lao Benka's sincere expression, Du Wei was also a little uncertain.
"Okay, I'll keep a close eye on you, Mr. High Priest." Du Wei seemed to smile: "However. Given your status, I will give you some preferential treatment, but you must never try to escape. Understand Is it gone?"
"Ruolin! Bring me that child!"
Du Wei stopped drinking, and soon Ruolin brought the kid named Lufik into the room.
To Lao Benka's surprise, there was no scar on Lufik's body at all! But the sound of those whips... and the screams...
Du Wei was laughing: "Your ears and voice have deceived you."
In fact, in the next house just now, the two pirates just took out something to threaten the child, and the sound of the whip... was just the sound of pulling out a bag of leather