Realm of Power

The red light of the torch shone on a gorgeous carriage parked at the port, and the gilt double-headed eagle emblem was reflected in red in the firelight. Aurelio placed the crystal statue he was playing with heavily on the table, picked it up and leaned against it. Cane on the sofa, opened the car door, got out of a gorgeous carriage in the port area, nose heavy He snorted, looked at the large cargo ship flying the Falcon Empire flag in the distance, and asked a confidant waiting at the car door in a solemn voice: "Is everything okay? I don't want to leave any sequelae. Although this is my territory, if news gets out, there will be some trouble."

"You can rest assured, everything is in order."

Aurelio's confidant showed an evil smile on his lips and reported to him respectfully, "The port security office has sealed off the surrounding area and will not let anyone in. Just like usual, the other party thinks that we I am still helping those big shots, so I dare to ask one more question. Before dawn, the port belongs to our business group. Even if the entire port is burned down, there will definitely not be a single person left. "Really, I hope so!" Aurelio glanced at the many sails in front of him. Port, thinking that a huge fortune would soon fall into his hands, he couldn't help but exhale, "You know what happened tonight, I don't want any news to get out! Those people.:../..."

"No problem, they are all directly under the branch's smuggling team. Captain Fred, who is a third-level warrior, personally leads the team. There are fifteen second-level warriors and sixty-four first-level warriors in the team. The others are adults. The subordinates, the external news only said that the other party is the enemy of the Lord, absolutely foolproof!" The confidant said with a sure look!

"Fred?" Aurelio was surprised when he heard that he was from the smuggling team.

"Your Excellency also knows the reliability of these guys. All the family members are in the hands of the business group. Even if they are skinned afterwards, they will not say a word!" The confidant showed a sinister smile. "The smuggling team's members Those guys are people who have sold their souls and are willing to do anything as long as they can get benefits." "Well, you did a good job!"

Aurelio nodded and admitted that what this confidant said was very correct. These guys are really the best people to handle this kind of thing. Why didn't I think of it? Of course, I couldn't admit it at this moment. This subordinate's ability to do things is getting stronger and stronger, and the more secrets he knows, which is a good thing! After this incident, it is safer to deal with it as soon as possible. With this money, I should be able to move to a higher level. Entering the headquarters will not be a problem.

"Sir Aurelio, can we start? If there are only about twenty people on the other side. I hope it can be completed as soon as possible. To be honest, this is a bit of a fuss!" Fred, the smuggling captain of the business group, came over with a respectful look and a low posture. , his bald head was a little red from the torch, and he was wearing thick short-sleeved scale armor. He made a swishing sound when he walked, like a ghost that suddenly appeared in the night. His right hand was once blinded by a slave. eyes, not covered. Instead, a striking cross scar was pulled out from the eye socket. It should be that it could no longer be closed.

Normally, the injured location is covered up as much as possible. But this guy has no intention of covering up at all. The wounds that have healed are all polyps, which makes him feel disgusting. He has a one-handed scimitar inlaid with blue gems on his waist. As he moves, the blade becomes cold. Intrusion. There was also a small thin leather knife tied to the calf. It is said that at least thirty slaves were skinned by this knife, and they limped around so much that the brass-buttoned boots on their feet pressed hard against the port. On the road stones, there was a rattling sound, and the smell of blood rushed over my face, just like this,

Aurelio frowned slightly, immediately took out a white handkerchief to cover his nose, and said in a deep voice, "Fred, I know you are very powerful, but although there are not many people on the other side, it is probably not a good person, and I am not suitable to come forward." , please!”

The so-called smuggling team is the special unit of the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group responsible for smuggling. It is the darkest part of the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group. The nature of the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group is that it is a private business group established to meet the various needs of the Fezer royal family. Therefore, in addition to normal trade, there are also a large part of things that cannot be made public. The various needs of the royal family, such as Such as the human slave trade, the trade of secret items, the processing of prisoners of war, kidnapping, plunder, revenge massacres, and the secret execution of nobles who opposed the royal family, and even the transportation of gold from the more distant south. To put it bluntly, it is what the royal family wants. They have to do something, and the people responsible for doing this are the business smuggling team,

Only people within the business group know how dark and bloody this army is.

It is said that more than 100,000 people have died in the smuggling team over the years. Even a ruthless person like Aurelio was horrified by the several smuggling team actions he witnessed. These people can no longer be called human beings. Killing people is as casual as cutting vegetables. Many times, I saw that when slaves resisted, the smuggling team either sealed the cabin directly and sank the entire ship, allowing hundreds of people to drown alive, or poured seawater into the individual cabins until the seawater overflowed from the tightly sealed iron bars. After an hour, when the upper deck of the cabin was opened, you can see the hands of people floating in the water, still trying desperately to grab the iron bars above, and the bodies that were soaked by the seawater were up and down on the water. That feeling is like seeing the evil spirits in hell. Ghost,

Most of the people who make up this army are death row prisoners, war mercenaries, and nobles who have committed crimes in Fezer. In the outside world, these people have been declared dead, and everyone thinks they are dead. From the day they joined the smuggling team, their relatives and families have been under the surveillance of the kingdom's power holders. As long as there are rebels, the whole family will be exterminated immediately. If they do well, the merchant group will give their families a certain amount of money every year, or give them care in certain places. Therefore, most people in the smuggling team will eventually choose to accept such a fate.

People who are going to die can still take care of their relatives. What else is there to be dissatisfied about? Of course, there are not completely one or two brave people who dare to defect, but there is pressure from the Fezer royal family above, even if the other party reveals something, what's the use! On the contrary, the punishment from the merchant group will make these people regret escaping in the first place!

The merchant group will arrest all the relatives of the defectors, and if the other party does not come back, they will kill one every day. Then they peeled off the skins and hung them in a square open to the public, claiming that they were escaped slaves who were caught and punished. Anyway, most people knew that the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group was also the largest merchant group in Fezer that sold slaves, and no one would show mercy to these escaped slaves. Only the defectors knew that they were actually his relatives. The skinning was done by special skinners, and it was a skill passed down from generations, which could definitely leave the painful expression of the dying on the skin. Watching the tragic death of relatives one by one, and the vivid new skins were hung up one after another, the tormenting pain was enough to drive every defector crazy, and in the end they were caught by the merchant group and crushed into minced meat with a stone mill. "You can rest assured, sir, we will do what we should do, but if we can complete it this time..." The smuggling captain Fred hesitated for a moment on his terrible face, and said earnestly. His son is fourteen years old this year and has just graduated from the regional college. I studied accounting. If I could get a good recommendation, I would have the opportunity to serve in the homes of great nobles. I couldn't be considered outstanding, but I could still have food and clothing. For a small noble background like Fred, this result was already very good. Fred had submitted a request report to the merchant group branch. At this time, the confidant of the branch director Aurelio found me. I had to do it even if I had to bite the bullet. Besides, it was just a small problem. There were more than 20 escorting merchant ships. I was ordered to dress up as a pirate and attacked more than a dozen times. It was just that since the Falcon Empire Navy entered the inland sea, the intensity of the crackdown on pirates was unprecedented. In addition, the imperial merchant fleets were all traveling together and equipped with considerable weapons, so I was recalled. Privately, Fred met his son several times. A young man who is much more promising than his father, his own fate is already determined, so let his son live on instead of himself

Although the members of the smuggling team have lost their personal freedom, they are also divided into rich and poor in private. The rich smugglers can naturally bring more money to their families. If they can be appreciated by powerful people, they can even bring a chance for promotion to their families. After all, the backstage of the merchant group is the royal family. With such a huge support, many big families in the kingdom will also sell face to the merchant group. "Okay, I know, I have seen your request report, and I will let the merchant group come forward to recommend your son to the Boro family in La Ulan Province!"

Aurelio was a little impatient, and the sound he made with a handkerchief covering his mouth was a little low and vague, but it was basically expressed clearly. Fred's smell was too strong. He lived on a smuggling ship called "Floating Hell" all year round. No matter he docked, he would be very angry. No matter how many times he washed himself, there would be a heavy smell of death and decay on his body. If it weren't for the fact that he really needed these people this time, he wouldn't even have the mood to talk to them. The smuggling team is a special department within the caravan. Even if it is to the branch director who has a lot of weight, the smuggling department doesn't need to be too polite.

But it's different in Luansoke. As the largest sea trade port in the Fezer Kingdom, Aurelio, the branch director, also serves as one of the personnel who takes over the goods at the caravan smuggling headquarters. He doesn't have real power, it's all for dispatch and coordination, but in name, it's also considered to be labeled as the headquarters.

"In this case, thank you, sir!"

Fred bowed respectfully and slowly stepped back. The two sides reached an agreement. He got the promise he wanted. Turning around, Fred's scarred hand grasped the scimitar at his waist, his eyes cold and captivating,

"Let's start, kill everyone, don't leave a single one!"

Fred shouted loudly. There were dozens of fully armed subordinates and more than a hundred attached sailors on the smuggling ship. Although the target was definitely a merchant ship, even the side of an ordinary merchant ship could not be easily attacked with brute force. With the ability to break through, just in case, he even asked his subordinates to unload a small catapult from the smuggling ship of the merchant group.

The catapult was pushed forward by several subordinates, and the others drew their weapons and followed behind with small bucklers. The red scarves wrapped around their heads were blown back by the harbor wind, and at the same time they seemed to Everyone's eyes were dyed red like flames. There were one hundred and sixty of us, and there were only about twenty on the other side. They were not on the same level at all.

The torch moved closer to the merchant ship. The entire battleship was ordered to remain completely hidden in the darkness, so that in the darkness it gave the opponent the illusion that it was a trembling prey.

"Stop, who are you? A slightly trembling voice came from the direction of the merchant ship. It looked like you were extremely scared.

"We are the port security team. We suspect that there is contraband on your ship. The people above immediately lowered the ladder and underwent inspection." A tall and strong man stood out from the smuggling team of the business group. He actually wore the uniform of the Port Security Office and shouted loudly in the direction of the ship. It was already clear that the other party might be an armed merchant ship, and merchants are generally not very courageous. If you can calm the other party immediately, you can easily get on the ship and kill all the people on board under the guise of inspection. I don’t know how many times I have done this. There will be no problem. The smuggling team is so familiar with the road that they don’t even have uniforms. Get ready. "Put down the ladder and accept inspection. We can guarantee your safety!" A dozen smuggling team members who had already dressed up stood up and pretended to stop about 20 meters away from the Shanlin.

"Port security team? Does the other party think we are fools?" Noras looked at the strong man below who was shouting at the top of his voice, and his eyes fell on the opponent's small catapult that was slowly advancing. Then look at the rows of Imperial Navy soldiers standing in the darkness, the corners of their mouths slightly raised. What the hell is this? If it weren't for the mission requirements, I would have long...

Noras heard a rolling sound and turned around, only to see several Imperial Navy soldiers pushing out an Imperial heavy ballistae with cold metal shining from the cabin. The refined iron crossbow as thick as a human arm was put into the slot of the crossbow. Even in the dark night, the chill rushed straight to his forehead. As a former Nord soldier, how could he not know the horror of this kind of weapon? Is this bullying them too much? Noras couldn't help but think in his heart.

"Sir. In fact, we can defeat the opponent with absolute power before they get close! There is no need to use full firepower."

Steve, an officer of the Fourth Squadron of the Imperial Navy, said next to him, looking at the firelight rushing over like a tide in the distance, looking at the ugly faces full of cruelty, greed and lust under the firelight, this navy man The officer also felt that something was being made out of a molehill. Mobilizing Imperial Navy warships to deal with a group of smugglers is a bit of a joke! "Do you think the empire invested so much money, and even secretly involved the Navy Ministry, that it was just trying to save the Golden Ticket of the Commercial Alliance?" Noras looked at the combatants of the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group who were gradually losing patience in the distance. , said coldly

"This..." Naval officer Steve hesitated. What happened this time was weird from the beginning. As a middle-level fleet officer, although his exposure was not high enough, he could still notice that this time The turmoil involved has just begun. This is the situation at the beginning. How huge will it really be when it unfolds?

With the same order as the Fourth Fleet, the nine squadrons of the Imperial Navy, the North Sea Fleet is too far away, the Seventh Fleet is undergoing repairs, the Eighth Fleet is parked in the port of Herrault for shock, the Sixth Fleet is in Lisbon, and the other squadrons in the inland sea are The fleet was dispatched, and more than 300 warships of various types were mobilized, almost forming a battle line towards the southern part of the inland sea. I almost thought it was the imperial warship. The Chinese Navy is definitely not the only one who puts pressure on the southern military. But what exactly it is, the squadron commander level has been completely kept secret. All I know is that if the situation gets out of control, the fleet has been granted the power to fire. Fire, target. Probably the entire southern area of ​​the Inland Sea, if this was a military operation, it was definitely the largest since the establishment of the Imperial Navy.

"Have you ever thought about what it would mean if the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group below used force against the Imperial Navy?"

Noras's face seemed a little excited. Keeping secrets for too long will make people emotionally abnormal. Moreover, this time the battle plan has reached a super battle covering the entire southern part of the Inland Sea. It's a pity that he He is not a soldier, otherwise, this is enough capital for him to remember for a lifetime, and some contents are turning over in his mind.

Battle Plan "The Emperor's Sword"

Planner: Imperial Emperor

The operational goal is to "kill the chicken to scare the monkey, destroy the Double-Headed Eagle Business Group, and frighten the large southern business group. At the same time, taking the opportunity of the fluctuation of the business alliance's gold tickets, we can take the opportunity to intervene in the economic lifeline of the six countries in the southern Inland Sea."

"What does it mean? Could it be...a war!" Naval officer Steve's expression suddenly changed, and he blurted out almost subconsciously, clenching his hands unconsciously.

"You're right. If you are so bold as to attack a warship of the Imperial Navy, isn't this the beginning of a war? As long as tonight's incident breaks out, the Imperial Navy will have enough excuses to completely kill all inland sea ships related to the Double-Headed Eagle Merchant Group."

Noras looked at the Double-Headed Eagle Merchants Group that had begun to swoop towards the side of the ship below, and his tone was as cold as ice

"At the same time, the Empire will take tough measures to put pressure on the entire South, demanding that Fezer give an explanation and drag this economic war into a military confrontation. We are in the right place."

Noras paused and laughed. "The Empire just wants to see whether Fezer in the South will desperately protect a so-called Double-Headed Eagle Merchants Group, or choose to abandon this trouble-making pawn. At the same time, it also lets the entire southern merchant group know that in the face of the absolute control of the Empire, their protectors are not as tough as imagined! Moreover, this time the Empire has made a lot of money. 60% of the wealth of all medium-sized chambers of commerce in Fezer is already in our hands! As long as the Empire is willing, tomorrow it can make the business of various countries enter a cold winter and wither" (To be continued.)