Chapter 2135: Bloodstained Baljik
The Baljik Kingdom was then subjected to a bloody purge.
Compared to the Kingdom of Aalborg.
The Baljik Kingdom was already quite corrupt internally.
When the Duke of Pedro saw those documents, he could hardly believe his eyes.
Although he knew the Kingdom of Baljik was in a bad state, and even though he had previously been involved in related businesses and activities under his command.
But he was completely unaware that the Baljik Kingdom had degenerated into nothingness, like a skeleton.
The fact that just a few of these issues were brought to light left even the Duke of Pedro in awe.
A military purchase a few years ago.
The approved amount is 30 billion.
After taking advantage of free meals and drinks, all that was left was a paltry 3 billion.
Less than one-tenth!
People here take a little, and people over there take a little.
Everyone who goes through the process takes away what they consider to be the reasonable part.
Some might be thinking, could this 3 billion be used to purchase military supplies?
No!
It's far more complicated than that.
Although the procurement staff only received 3 billion, the problem was that the official order was for 30 billion worth of military equipment.
The money, the higher-ups don't know where it went.
But these procured military supplies are visible to the public.
How can you procure 30 billion worth of military supplies with only 3 billion?
There is a way.
First of all, I definitely can't afford a new one, so I'll buy an old one.
Buying used isn't enough?
Then buy one that looks okay, but is actually unusable.
For example, tanks without engines, armored vehicles that are just empty shells, and rusty firearms that were bought from who-knows-where.
There were also military uniforms and boots stripped from dead bodies.
And military rations that were already infested with insects.
Three hundred billion worth of military equipment, even if we really have to see it then.
Can the people above see everything?
Of course not.
Of the 30 billion, you only need to have 1 billion that is publicly visible and presentable.
Those drivable tanks, those designed firearms.
Although it was second-hand.
But it only costs a little money to repaint it.
In this way...
Thirty billion was enough to settle a matter worth thirty billion.
As for the question, what if a war really breaks out?
If we really encounter it, we'll deal with it when the time comes.
besides.
Besides the fact that those in power are greedy.
Does that mean the people below won't be greedy?
They even embezzled secondhand equipment from the warehouses.
Today, he drives a tank out to sell to someone else, and tomorrow that person drives away an armored vehicle.
An army with only three hundred men was being paid the wages of three thousand.
This applies not only to the military.
Various problems have also arisen in other areas.
A batch of goods entering the port was originally subject to a 20% tariff.
However, if the merchant only needs to use 10% of the proceeds to grease palms, the goods will only be subject to a tariff of less than 1%.
In this way, merchants saved 9% in taxes.
With these circumstances piling up, the Baljik Kingdom had long been corrupt and decaying.
This is why, despite being an established kingdom, the Baljik Kingdom was able to get thoroughly beaten by the Gebuchi Kingdom on the main battlefield.
That's the truth!
Zhao Chen had already arranged for someone to conduct a private investigation into this situation.
When the Duke of Pedro entered the royal city, he forced the old king to abdicate and temporarily assumed the throne.
Zhao Chen then had this generous gift delivered.
The meaning of this gift is very clear.
What the Dragon Kingdom wants is a clean partner, not one that's filthy and messy.
If you can't clean yourself.
I'm sorry.
The Dragon Kingdom wouldn't mind overthrowing the old order and starting over.
Therefore, Duke Pedro did not hesitate to launch a bloody purge of the Baljik Kingdom, both inside and out.
Regardless of whether they are royalty or nobles, anyone found to have problems...
Anyone with a life on their hands will be severely punished.
Those who embezzle or offer bribes may receive lenient treatment if they turn over the ill-gotten gains.
But if they come knocking on your door, then I'm sorry.
That means everything will be handled strictly.
During this period of time.
The gallows in every city of the Baljik Kingdom were never idle for a minute, as heads that had previously been held high were cut off one by one.
At first, the common people were somewhat alarmed by the sudden killing.
However, it was later discovered that these purges were mainly aimed at those in positions of power, although there were also some corrupt individuals at the lower levels.
However, the Duke of Pedro made a public announcement.
For individuals below a certain position, if the amount of embezzled funds does not exceed a certain limit, they will not be prosecuted.
However, if this situation is discovered again starting today, it will be dealt with severely.
so.
Almost no ordinary people suffered as a result of this bloodbath.
On the contrary, those who had previously oppressed them were put on the gallows.
During this period, courts across the country were practically open 24/7.
All previously unresolved cases were brought forward for processing.
Every case was handled cleanly and thoroughly.
These accumulated cases are basically cases of officials and nobles oppressing ordinary people.
Such as robbing someone's shop, extorting a certain amount of money, etc.
If the evidence is conclusive, and the court intervenes forcefully, there may even be troops stationed directly at the court.
These cases will be processed one by one.
Anyone who does not comply or implement it.
That would no longer be a simple verdict by the judge.
Instead, the military went directly to their homes to carry out the corrections!
It was under these thunderous and bloody methods that...
In just half a month.
The Kingdom of Baljik has undergone tremendous changes, both inside and out.
Even the laws were amended, and a series of new government decrees were introduced.
At this moment, the old King Baljik and his wives were under house arrest in a special place.
Haikui Town.
"Where is this place?" The old king asked as he alighted from his carriage, looking at the city before him, which was even cleaner than his own royal capital.
Speechless.
"This is Haikui Town," the person next to me introduced.
"Haikui Town?"
Why have I never heard of such a place before?
Such a town, such a population.
"There's no record of it on the kingdom's map either?" The old king looked at this scene in astonishment.
"You have spent all these years in your palace."
"How could you possibly know what's going on outside?" The other person's words carried a hint of disdain.
The old king was speechless.
Afterwards, he was taken to a courtyard house in Haikui Town.
From now on.
This is where you live.
You will have new identities.
If you don't want to cause trouble, it's best not to let others know your identities.
We will provide the most basic food and clothing.
"But if you want a better life, go to the city and find a job yourself," the receptionist said, pointing to the courtyard house in front of them.
At the same time, ID cards were distributed to these people.
"Will I...will I ever see my children again?" the queen asked, her voice trembling.
The other princesses also cast eager glances their way.
They were all very worried about their children.
"If they are honest."
You will see them soon.
——————
On a merchant ship.
"Sister, I'm scared." A five or six-year-old girl huddled in the arms of a woman in her early twenties.
"Don't be afraid, your elder sister is here." The woman hugged her half-sister.
There were also more than a dozen other members of the royal family with similar status around her.
But... she knew that this was only a part of the royal family.
For example, the kingdom's eldest prince, the future heir, is not here.
The Third Prince was also absent, as was the Ninth Prince, who had a notorious reputation in the royal city.
After careful observation.
She discovered that almost everyone here was a prince or princess whose reputation wasn't too bad.
"Here's your meal for today." A woman pushed a food cart in.
The food cart has three large buckets on top and one-piece serving trays underneath.
The princesses and princes inside the cabin were used to this method, and they lined up obediently one by one.
There have been arguments between people before.
But the result is simple.
If you don't want to eat, you don't have to; then you can go hungry.
Anyone who makes a fuss should be dragged out and hung up.
If anyone dares to attack the people on board or damage anything.
They would be thrown directly into the sea.
Under these rules, the princes and princesses, who were not inherently bad, were much more at ease.
Although the variety of food was limited, there was always enough to eat every day.
As long as it's not wasteful, it's fine.
Here, avoiding waste is the guiding principle.
There was a princess who took a lot of food and couldn't finish it.
I want to throw it away.
The crew forced me to finish the rest of the food.
From then on, no one dared to waste any more time, and they took as much food as they could.
"Sister, there's meat today!" The little girl saw the food on the plate of the person in front of her.
The staple foods are steamed buns or rice, braised pork, green vegetables, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
"The braised pork is served in unlimited quantities, and you can take as much of the other dishes as you want if you can finish them," said the soldier distributing the food.
Soon, everyone received their food.
They took their trays back to their seats and ate the food from their trays.
These foods tasted very good, even better than the food in the royal palace.
"Excuse me...where are you taking us?"
"We've been adrift at sea for ten days," the princess couldn't help but ask.
"You'll know when you get there."
"Judging by the time, we'll be there soon." The soldier looked out at the sea view through the porthole.
The silhouettes of some islands can already be seen in the distance.
As expected.
The ship docked with the convoy the following day.
The moment they stepped onto land, the princes and princesses were all a little unsteady on their feet.
They had been on the ship for a while, which made them all a little unbalanced.
It took a while for him to recover.
"Where is this place?" The princess, holding the hands of several young princes, looked at the port before her with an incredulous expression.
This port was unlike any she had ever seen before.
Tall and tidy.
Moreover, large machinery can be seen everywhere.
“You are the royal family of the Baljik Kingdom.” A woman wearing a uniform they had never seen before stood before them.
The princes and princesses were all a little nervous.
They knew very well that the person in front of them might be the one to decide their fate.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of the Wraith Dragon."
"I am Narcissus, the secretary of the Secretariat of the Dragon King Kingdom, who will be in charge of receiving you next." Secretary Narcissus smiled slightly.
"What...what are you going to do to us?" one of the princes asked cautiously.
Narcissus, the secretary, smiled and said, "You should be well aware of your situation."
If I had to describe you in one word, you are now hostages sent here.
Your status is rather special in the Kingdom of Baljik.
It's not appropriate to leave you in the Kingdom of Baljik; the newly enthroned king won't let you off the hook.
on the contrary.
You'll actually be safe here.
You will be staying here for the next few years.
You are just like everyone else here, except that you cannot leave this continent.
However, you are not considered residents of the Dragon Continent for the time being, so I will issue you a long-term temporary residence permit.
Anyone under the age of sixteen will be arranged to attend school.
For those who are 16 years of age or older, we will assign different job positions based on their knowledge and skills.
You need to learn to work here and support yourselves.
Listen to what the secretary has to say.
The princes and princesses were completely bewildered and couldn't understand it at all.
Shouldn't we imprison them?
Aren't they meant to be used as playthings?
This is how the royal offspring of those fallen kingdoms were treated.
It doesn't matter if you don't understand now.
You have all received basic education.
I believe you will soon understand the rules here.
Next, there will be people specifically assigned to take care of you and arrange your life thereafter.
In the beginning, in order not to make you nervous.
You will be assigned to live in a residential community.
You must also abide by the laws here.
Remember, if you break the law, no matter who you were before, you will be judged by the law!
alright.
"I hope you enjoy life here." Secretary Narcissus smiled as she saw the princes and princesses off onto a bus.
After watching the bus drive away...
The assistant next to Narcissus asked in a low voice, "Why bring these people here?"
Aren't they the princes and princesses of that Baljik Kingdom?
"They were sent here precisely because they were princes and princesses."
The current Kingdom of Baljik is under the control of that Duke Pedro.
Although the Duke of Pedro is obedient now, who knows if he will remain so in the future?
These princes and princesses were legitimate in terms of bloodline.
If anything happens in the future, these princes and princesses can be used as pawns of our Dragon King Kingdom and sent back to that continent.
As for whether they will help us.
You should be well aware of this.
Everyone who has lived in this place praises its system.
Secretary Narcissus looked at the city behind her.
Compared to the outside world, this place is like paradise.
Anyone who comes here will be drawn to this place and become its most loyal supporter.
She is like a daffodil.
The princes and princesses of the Baljik Kingdom will be the same!