Codex Pirates

Chapter 130 Coercion

Arcadio got up and walked around thinking for a while, then asked: "Then what do you want?"

"My manpower is too small. Unless you allow me to expand the army, I will not be able to manage the security of such a large area," William said shaking his head, "or give me command of other armies."

"The command of other armies is not allowed!" Arcadio flatly refused. He didn't know the reason why power grows out of the barrel of a gun, but because of the dignity of the nobility. William was just a small knight, and he was newly conferred. Just give him the command of his own army. It is impossible for other nobles to agree to give him the command of other armies.

"You can expand the army, but the military expenses still have to be settled by yourself." Arcadio said after thinking for a while.

The construction of the city wall has been put on the agenda, and the country has no money to pay William's military expenses. Arcadio and other nobles have money, but they will not pay for it out of their own pockets.

"Solve it yourself?" William cried bitterly, "I can handle 300 people by myself, how about 500 people, or even thousands of people? How do you ask me to solve it by myself?"

Arcadio was furious: "What did you say when you wanted to become a nobleman!?"

"At the beginning, I just said it was to deal with Germa 66, just to make a show," William seemed to be cowed by Arcadio's anger, and then he said in a low voice unwillingly, "It's okay to let me solve it myself, but I ask Give me the reform of the military system and the expansion of powers in public security."

"...Yes, I will discuss this matter with the Secretary of the Interior," Arcadio said slowly, and then immediately added, "I don't care what you do with your power, but your first task is to protect The safety of the royal family and nobility."

Arcadio suspected that William's request was to gain benefits in managing the law and order environment, but in view of the current financial situation of the kingdom, he could only hold his nose and admit it, which made him a little dissatisfied.

"I understand, I am also a nobleman now," William said at this time with a villainous expression, "Also, catching criminals and maintaining law and order are not what I and my people are good at, so I want to build A school that trains professional troops."

Arcadio agreed to this answer very happily, because William's suggestion seemed to be for better completion of the work on the surface.

"Besides, my lord, I have a proposal." William glanced at Arcadio and said carefully.

"What proposal?"

"Have you ever thought about taking this opportunity to expand your liquor business and attack your competitors?"

Arcadio frowned: "How?"

"A special police team was set up to investigate smuggling and alcohol trafficking." William said.

Arcadio did not respond, he looked at William for a while, and suddenly laughed: "And use yours?"

William nodded naturally: "Just like we used to cooperate at sea, you tell me the information about your competitors, I will help you fight against them, and then hand over the seized wine to you, and then we will share the bill."

Arcadio remained silent. He didn't know whether William made this proposal because of pure greed for money, or for greed for power and to get his hands on more functions.

But in this situation, Arcadio thought for a while, and finally nodded in agreement: "Okay."

The two talked about some minutiae, and then William took the initiative to say goodbye and prepare to leave.

"Stolter!" Before leaving, Arcadio suddenly asked, "Did you kill Andre?"

William turned back in astonishment: "Why do you say that? Why should I kill him?"

Arcadio stared into William's eyes: "He has offended you by reducing you and your crew to militia."

William looked dumbfounded: "Just because of this? I have to raise all my military expenses by myself. Does it matter whether it is the militia or the regular army?"

Speaking of this, William sneered: "If he prevents me from becoming a nobleman, I might teach him a lesson."

Arcadio had been observing William's expression when he was speaking, but he couldn't find any problem, so he deliberately showed a slightly apologetic smile to ease the tension that had become a little bit due to his sudden attack. atmosphere:

"It seems that I was frightened by this case, and I have been a little suspicious recently."

William didn't seem to have any grievances, but instead asked: "If you are worried about law and order, I can send two crew members to protect you."

"No need," Arcadio waved his hand with a smile, "You just ask Chloe to come back first."

William's heart moved, and then he nodded in agreement.

When William left, Arcadio, who had a slight smile on his face, turned cold in an instant, and after a while, he called a servant and told him: "Go and call Aureliano. .”

The servant bowed and left, and Arcadio waited for a long time until he became impatient, and his only son, Aureliano, came to the reception room.

Looking at Aureliano who smelled of alcohol in broad daylight, Arcadio got angry and reprimanded him.

Although Aureliano was in his thirties, he was still like a child in front of Arcadio, obediently bowing his head and being scolded.

After Arcadio got tired of reprimanding him, he ordered: "Find some time and ask City Sheriff Dennis to meet with you."

Aureliano wondered: "Father, that is a famous gambler, don't you usually not allow me to have contact with such a person?"

"I want you to talk about work," Arcadio said coldly, "tell him to investigate the case of Andrea, and..."

Arcadio paused before saying: "...let him pay attention to Stolter."

...

After Aureliano also left, Arcadio kept pacing back and forth in the reception room, frowning and thinking about the ins and outs of the whole case, as well as William's behavior all the time.

But he really couldn't find any problem.

The matter of inviting William to join the kingdom's army was proposed by Arcadio himself, and the security of the slums has long existed as a problem, but it was only because Andre's death was suddenly taken seriously.

From the looks of a series of events, William was just pushing the boat along the way from the beginning to the end, and the only doubtful thing might be the death of Andre.

Arcadio couldn't convince himself that William, who was supposed to be a vulgar and short-sighted pirate leader in his impression, could take into account the public security issues in the slums and the possible reactions of a group of princes and nobles, and formulate a plan. Plan, he could only convince himself that his instinctive reaction was because he was too concerned.

Arcadio felt that his current reaction was only because William began to raise conditions and attitudes over and over again based on his need for him, so he naturally became wary.

But in fact, if you think about it differently, William is just Arcadio's ally, and it's normal for him to have his own interests.