Riding and Slashing

Chapter 148 The Retribution of Kidnapping and Ransom

Malbert was sent back to Changhe Town by the members of the Owl Knights. The film star performed the stomach pain with both spirit and form, and his proficiency was quite high.

However, the lord did not choose to run away after all.

Although it is indeed risky to go on the road with the Lion Knights, at least Li Ang knows that the Lion Knights will definitely not kill him on the road.

The reason is simple - killing yourself in a sneaky way won't do anyone any good.

If someone wants his own life, no matter who it is, it must be to get his own wealth, unless there is some blood feud.

But the lord thought about it carefully, and felt that there should be no enmity with King Ulrik and the Lion Knights.

And what people think about in my hands is not direct assets such as land or cash, but the Maixiang Group, which is a company.

A company is made up of people.

If he died without knowing why, the people who made up the company were not fools. They would either seek refuge with Godric, the major shareholder, or run away, and the person who killed him would get nothing.

Moreover, even if the king wants to kill himself, he will definitely go through a process.

Even if he had to cheat himself, find a way to give himself a rebellious name and sentence him to death, at least he would have to perform the execution publicly in the square of the Court of Nobles.

So there is no need to worry about it for the time being, let’s talk about it when we arrive in Lion City—the lord is still confident in the abilities of his company’s employees. The group is taller.

Li Ang has ordered Amy to let Leslie gather the team's elite team to Sarleon City. Leslie will definitely lead the team herself. With Leslie's execution efficiency, it is estimated that they will arrive long before the Lion Knights.

Although Li Ang didn't know how Ulrik was going to treat him, as long as there were enough subordinates there, the lord would have the confidence to stand up.

After all, he is no longer alone. Courage is different between having men and not having men.

But the price of not running away is being shackled.

Of course, the lion knights only tied his hands in front of his body, probably to prevent him from using weapons to hurt people, and did not restrict his actions.

Probably out of respect, they didn't gag Li Ang, and still let him ride the horse by himself, without even searching his body.

The suspect has not been convicted yet, and the lion knights are still relatively polite, but since it involves treason and the king ordered his arrest, it is justified to use shackles.

It's just that none of the lion knights had any conversations with Li Ang.

This is probably the aftermath of the previous rescue of Amy with the lion knights-these lion knights may not want to give the lord any chance to cheat and do things.

No matter what Li Ang said, these lion knights all just listened and did not respond at all.

So the lord did not spend too much thought on words, and instead thought about what to do next.

The lord was thinking about things all the way, didn't say much, and didn't try to escape, looking very honest.

Without receiving any instructions, Lisa Dilan did not act rashly, but stayed behind the Lion Knights.

The ability of this Noldor to use the environment is superb. The trees, hills and fog along the way are all tools for him to hide his figure.

Except for Li Ang, who had long known that he was behind, he managed not to let anyone find out.

Three days later, Li Ang was taken to Qicha Fortress.

Speaking of which, the past three days Lord Lord has actually been quite relaxed.

The itinerary of the Lion Knights was not too fast, and although Li Ang was arrested, he was a noble after all, and there were lion servants to take care of Li Ang along the way, so don't worry about basic necessities of life.

Li Ang also had a new understanding of the quality of life of these lion knights.

When the lord was in his own territory, he did many things by himself. When he was in White Hart Castle, there were no servants to serve him. Amy's family didn't even have a housekeeper—Amy didn't bring a maid herself.

The lords of the eastern border counties are indeed relatively simple compared to the nobles in the hinterland of the kingdom, and even Godric has few attendants.

The lord felt a little bit emotional, he has been in Pande for more than a year, and he can be regarded as a nobleman, but he has not enjoyed the corruption that a nobleman should have at all, it is really shameful...

On the contrary, after being arrested, he didn't need to do anything by himself, and someone fed him.

It felt more like a vacation, except no one talked to him.

But this wonderful life soon ended. After the Lion Knights took Li Ang into the Qicha Fortress, they politely released his shackles and invited him into a cell.

This is not the kind of dark and damp prison located in the basement, but a small stone house next to the city wall, probably an independent prison specially used to detain nobles.

The light in this prison is quite good, and the living facilities inside are also very complete, and it is quite clean.

It seems that preparations have been made here.

Although this kind of detention is also normal, the lord still expressed his dissatisfaction: "Hey, did you leave me here? Aren't you going to Lion City right away?"

The lion knights didn't answer, but closed the iron gate directly.

Li Ang curled his lips, looking at it like this, the trouble he is about to face may be a bit tricky!

But in line with the purpose of facing any situation with the best state, Li Ang closed his eyes and thought about it, then began to eat and drink enough, and forced himself to start sleeping.

This sleep probably lasted until midnight, and then Li Ang was awakened by the sound of the key unlocking.

He turned over and sat up, and then saw the iron door being opened, and Sir Lehman came in with a food box in one hand and a torch in the other.

There seemed to be a few people standing outside the door.

After lighting the lights in the cell with a torch, Lehman inserted the torch into the iron ring on the wall at the door, and then put the food on the table one by one with his back to Li Ang, moving extremely slowly.

There are wine and meat, and the dishes are quite rich.

But the lord just stood up without any action.

Lehman sighed and turned around, frowned, untied the saber from his waist, put it on the table, and then sat down.

"Master Li Ang... Do you know that if you enter the Lion City, you may not be able to get out..."

Lehman's voice was very soft, and he gestured to the sword on the table with his eyes.

Li Ang shook his head and looked at the people at the door.

"They can't stop you... With your skill, it's normal to run away from those people."

Lehman's voice softened.

"No, I can't run, I'm not treason..." Li Ang still shook his head: "What's going on?"

"It doesn't matter whether you are guilty or not... His Majesty the King originally asked me to arrest you in Sarleon City, and he said that if you resist, you will be killed. I dare not agree, so I found an excuse to shirk..."

Lehman lowered his voice, poured a glass of wine and held it by himself, but did not give the glass to Li Ang.

"Shoot or kill? It seems that he has made a plan to kill me? But if it is to kill me directly, then why send me to Sarleon City?"

Such an order really meant that the situation was serious. It seemed that Lehman, like Malbert, felt that Li Ang might die.

But Li Ang didn't understand why the king had such a plan?

"Many people already know the letter written to you by the emperor of the Bacchus Empire, you should have seen it too..."

Lehman took a sip of his wine, and there was a trace of regret in his eyes.

"I might be the last one to see it...but the king can't convict me just based on the letter from the empire, can he?"

Li Ang spread out his hands: "Such an obvious estrangement, it can't be done!"

"Lord Li Ang, the main problem is not the letter, but the three prophets—you know, I brought the three prophets back to Sarleon City. The king did not deal with the three prophets, but released them. You should also I can think of it. But since then, His Majesty the King has been paying attention to your news, and as soon as that letter appeared, he immediately issued an order to arrest you, and he seems to have been looking for something to do with you."

Speaking of this, Lehman shook his head, and seemed a little puzzled: "I don't know why, but the three prophets must have said something to King Ulrik. You defeated them, and they must hate you to the bone ,so……"

Lehman looked at the sword again, and turned his head to look at the door that was still open: "You can run away now, I will lead people to hunt you down, but I know you can run away..."

"Are the Three Prophets still in Sarleon City?"

Li Ang was indeed a little nervous. Logically speaking, Ulrik should not let the Three Prophets stay in the city.

"That's not true. They were in a swamp near Cliff Bay. I personally led a team to escort them there. Although the king didn't kill them, he didn't allow them to have an army anymore. They were closely watched for a while. won't be able to get out."

Lehman shook his head and replied.

It seems that Ulrik is not stupid enough, but it also means that he did make a deal with the three prophets.

"So, the three prophets are harming me... But Lehman, why did you tell me this? If I run away, you will be responsible..."

Li Ang was indeed a little curious, Lehman was actually helping himself: "Why?"

"People like you shouldn't die in such unreasonable things... I once lost at your hands. That was the only time I lost in the arena, and I haven't won it back with my own hands!"

Lehman frowned tightly: "Besides, I know the relationship between Godric and you, and I don't want to see civil strife in the kingdom."

Li Ang nodded: "Thank you, but I can't escape...I'm not a traitor, and I can't be charged with treason."

Lehman sighed again, picked up his sword and left without saying anything.

The next day, Li Ang was taken to Sarleon City.

It was the Wangcheng guards who took him away.

The lord did not face any public trial - because no one publicly accused Li Ang.

That letter was only a unilateral letter from a hostile country. Although it was written by the emperor, it was not valid evidence.

In this case, the king can doubt Li Ang, and it is okay to ask Li Ang to defend himself, but there will be no trial process.

In any country in Pendor, it is illegal to try nobles out of pure suspicion.

An interrogation may not take place unless there are statements that can be used as testimony during the self-defense process, or someone has valid evidence to make an accusation.

But King Ulrik didn't even use the self-defense process, and Li Ang was directly taken into the secret room of the palace.

Li Ang was brought in blindfolded. This is a common practice. Since the establishment of the Lion Kingdom, foreign ministers must wear blindfolds when they enter the palace except for the throne room.

It is probably because the fierce lion kings of all dynasties have no sense of security.

After the blindfold was removed, Li Ang turned his head to look.

He was in a room that was basically completely sealed, with no door in sight, only a window with iron bars, but the window was not facing the outside, but facing another room.

But in the opposite room was not King Ulrik, but Igor in a bachelor's suit.

The lord is considered to be in a luxury prison.

This is probably the secret room where King Ulrik once imprisoned Lord Andrew, and it is probably also the place where he talked with others in private.

"Baron Leon, long time no see...you should know why His Majesty invited you here..."

Igor spoke through the iron window. He didn't look very well, and his speech was a little weak.

"Brother, if using the Lion Knights to handcuff me is considered an invitation, then I really don't understand the reason..."

The lord didn't give him a good face. After all, it was the king who was doubting the loyalty and character of a lord. In this case, if he was not angry, he would be kneeling and licking, and it would have no good end.

"Marius, the false emperor, appointed you a 'General of Changhe Town'! Aren't you going to explain this?"

Igor smiled lightly, the pen in his hand was dipped in ink and ready to record.

It seems that Ulrik gave Li Ang a chance to defend himself. This kind of conversation record made by the court bachelor is legal, but this kind of one-on-one communication in the secret room is not fair to Li Ang.

"How can I explain it... The Bacchus Empire also said that I can feed five children with one meal... This is to harm me."

Li Ang spread his hands: "Brother Igor, how about I also give Emperor Marius a 'Knight of Mai Xiang'?" What do you think?"

Yes, this kind of unilateral reward has its uses, and even Malbert can see that it is a divisive scheme.

Igor shook his head and laughed: "Leon, that is the emperor of a country after all, why didn't he hurt Godric, didn't hurt Brennus, why did he specifically hurt you? You have to give me a reason... Someone told me Me, what did you go to Bacchus territory a few days ago?"

"Go buy food. The Lion Knights must have told you that I planted a lot of food in the territory..."

This is indeed the truth, Li Ang replied without any hesitation.

"That is to admit that you are negotiating a deal with the Bacchus Empire..."

Igor, who was recording, said something, and then started to write.

"Brother Igor, I'm buying food, not selling it! Buying food from other countries shouldn't be a crime, right?"

Li Ang shook his head helplessly.

"Who knows what you bought it with..." Igor smiled meaningfully.

"Okay, it's my fault. I shouldn't be farming, I shouldn't be feeding the people, I shouldn't be stockpiling rations... let alone contributing to the country..."

The lord began to act badly. Anyway, there is no one else here, and the charges imposed are not convincing, and such small charges will not kill people.

"Okay, okay, I won't record it anymore..."

Igor sighed, put the pen in his hand aside, and stood up.

"Li Ang, I might as well tell you straight, Your Majesty doesn't care why Marius targeted you. In fact, no one cares whether you will be treasonous or not, but Your Majesty needs your Maixiang Company."

The lord's eyes widened in surprise. He could think that the king wanted to blackmail, but he really didn't expect the king to ask for his company directly.

"That's the company, Grand Master Igor! It's not cash, I can give it to anyone I want!"

Li Ang suddenly realized that neither King Ulrik nor the Grand Maester Igor understood the nature of joint-stock companies.

They probably thought it was property, just like those workshop-style properties under the name of ordinary nobles...

However, Maixiang Company is a joint property of shareholders. Although Li Ang is the largest shareholder with absolute control, he cannot transfer his shares at will.

Moreover, the company's businesses are all interrelated, and Li Ang has invested a lot of money in the unprofitable Changhe Express.At present, various branch companies are constantly conducting internal capital turnover, and no one can handle this matter except Li Ang.

Those investors and businessmen who become agents will now only trust Li Ang and Godric, who have always been trustworthy. If the company changes hands, they will suffer withdrawals and margin runs in minutes, and it is normal for them to collapse within a few days. of……

"It seems that you are unwilling? Li Ang, dinar is not as important as life..."

Igor looked unkind, he thought Li Ang was unhappy.

"It's not a question of willingness or not. I can give His Majesty the King and you some shares—if His Majesty the King is willing to escort the company. But I really can't give the company to anyone. You probably don't know that Maixiang Company is now real assets are negative..."

Li Ang smiled wryly.

The current actual assets of Maixiang International are indeed negative, because the recent expenses have been a bit high, Changhe Express has been operating at a loss, and the territory construction has been consuming funds.

Although I have saved a lot of silver coins in my hands, these silver coins cannot be moved for the time being. This is the deposit paid by the merchants who opened chain stores everywhere, and it is also the principal of the first batch of investors.

Of course, with the money-making speed of those 'entertainment venues', it will turn around in a few months.

But Igor doesn't believe it...

Judging from the business foundation of the Lieshi Kingdom, this grand scholar obviously didn't understand how Li Ang's Maixiang Group operated.

"Hmph... Since you don't want to, then stay here..."

The bachelor who attempted blackmail left immediately after speaking, with a rather bad expression on his face.

When the door on the other side was closed, the whole room fell into silence and darkness.

If the company really can't give it away, if it is given away, it will be considered as an empty shell to deceive people. Moreover, if it is really handed over the property, it is estimated that it will be dead-the king will not leave himself a strong man. enemy.

The lord took out a scythe from his body, scraped it directly on the iron window a few times, looked at the environment with the sparks in mind, and then went to rest with confidence and boldness.

There is food and drink here, and the railing of the iron window is just ordinary cast iron the thickness of a little finger, and it is not a modern high-tech product.

If you really want to escape, this secret room can't stop Li Ang who has gunpowder on his body.

Besides, there will definitely be people coming. Since it is known that Ulrik is doing it for money, he will not be killed until he achieves his goal.

It's just that the lord is very upset - he has always been the one who kidnaps and blackmails others, but now he is kidnapped and blackmailed, which is really retribution...

(End of this chapter)