Chapter 1340: Selling Out the Country

Watching Liu Zheng approach step by step, Franz stumbled backward.

Not paying attention, he slipped and fell to the ground, looking up in terror at Liu Zheng's smiling face, his courage shattered; he dared to clamor against Count Austin and talk back to Grand Duke Theresa, but he simply dared not fight this Longyan.

The incident from last time was still vivid in his mind—at the entrance of Count Austin's estate, that murderous aura from Liu Zheng.

He dared to make trouble with them because he knew that neither Grand Duke Theresa nor Count Austin would dare to kill him, but facing Liu Zheng face-to-face now, Franz dared to conclude that Liu Zheng would dare to kill him.

He was so scared that he even forgot he was still holding leverage over Liu Zheng.

"Don't come over here!" Franz's eyes widened, his voice turning shrill.

Liu Zheng wore a smile on his face as he walked up to Franz, crouched down, and looked at his wretched face, which was so scared that snot was almost running out.

He patted his cheek.

"What was it you said just now?"

Franz panicked; what had he done just now, and how had he offended this star of misfortune?

Damn it, what kind of madness had possessed him?

But today, how did he come back, and what kind of stupid thing had he actually done?

He remembered: his arrogance after hijacking Liu Zheng's goods, and even saying he would sleep with the man's wife.

Franz wanted to slap himself twice; he had become complacent after hijacking that batch of wine.

He thought that by grabbing some leverage, he could manipulate Count Austin and Liu Zheng, naively thinking he could sit back and relax.

As a result, he never expected that Count Austin would bring Liu Zheng directly here.

A flash of malice crossed Franz's eyes; as long as he didn't say anything, there was still a chance to turn the tables.

Franz said tremblingly: "No, didn't say anything."

Count Austin let out a cold snort, knowing this brat was a master of playing dumb; he was just afraid now that the real master had arrived.

What he had said just now was like a fart, and it was disgusting.

"Where is my wine?"

Count Austin asked bluntly.

"Your wine?" Franz continued to play dumb.

Count Austin nodded, his expression very grim; he had gone to great lengths for this batch of wine.

He never expected it to be snatched away by this brat Franz, who was even clamoring there that it was evidence of him aiding the enemy and betraying the country.

This matter was too hateful.

He never expected that in his old age, he would have his reputation ruined by this junior.

Just at this moment, the gate of Franz's residence creaked.

An aged, imposing voice rang out.

"Count Austin, you bring a sword and bring outsiders to harm a Noble of our Austria; is this not disregarding etiquette, and is this not a violation of Austria's laws?"

"Threatening and beating an Austrian Noble without cause is punishable by law."

Hearing this voice, Liu Zheng was slightly stunned, while Count Austin's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly turned his head to look at the man.

Although he was old, he looked vigorous, and despite his seemingly ordinary attire, the way he wore it made one shudder; this old gentleman was fearsome just by standing there.

He was a veteran figure in the most prestigious family in Austria, the Lorraine Family, and everyone generally addressed him as the Duke of Lorraine.

He held great power; even for Grand Duke Theresa, the passing of certain proposals had to wait for him to review them first and let him make the decision.

And Franz was his most beloved grandson.

Franz was so arrogant precisely because he had such a grandfather, the Duke of Lorraine.

"Duke of Lorraine? I did not mean that."

Count Austin, who had traversed the battlefield for a lifetime, could also soften his stance after seeing this Duke.

The Duke of Lorraine glanced at Count Austin, his eyes indifferent.

Then he saw his own grandson, Franz, lying on the ground wearing only his underpants.

And the Longyan beside him was staring at him without the slightest fear; the Duke of Lorraine gave a cold laugh.

Longyan were indeed barbarians who did not understand etiquette; even if they were developed, they were still a bunch of barbarians, not even observing the most basic etiquette when meeting a Noble.

He didn't even offer a greeting to me, this Duke.

As soon as Franz saw that the person who arrived was his grandfather, his eyes lit up, and his face blossomed like a flower.

"Grandfather, you are here, please sit." Franz immediately got up and arranged a seat for the Duke of Lorraine to sit down.

As his peripheral vision swept over Count Austin and Liu Sheng, a flash of resentment crossed his eyes.

My backer is here; let's see how you two jump around now.

After the Duke of Lorraine sat down, he swept a cold gaze over Count Austin and Liu Zheng and said indifferently.

"Count Austin, how did Franz offend you that you would bring a sword to kill him?"

"Speak up; if it is Franz's fault, I, the Duke, will personally apologize to you."

Count Austin immediately sheathed his sword and bowed slightly, sighing in his heart; the Duke of Lorraine's power was too great.

It was not something a Count like him could compare to.

However, although the Duke of Lorraine doted on Franz, he was still fair and strict in some matters.

"Respected Duke of Lorraine, Franz confiscated a batch of my wine."

Lorraine looked at Franz beside him and asked: "Is this true?"

Franz knew his grandfather's temper; although he doted on his grandson, it was not blind indulgence.

If he had hijacked a cart of Count Austin's wine, and this matter were to be truly examined, he would be framing Count Austin for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.

It wasn't that his grandfather, the Duke of Lorraine, wouldn't believe it; Count Austin's character was known throughout Austria.

He could absolutely not be aiding the enemy and betraying the country, so...

"It is true that I detained a shipment of wine, but this shipment was sold by this Longyan person to Austria, and I have no idea who bought it."

"The situation between us and the Longyan is tense right now; whoever bought it is aiding the enemy and betraying the country!"

Franz wore a smile on his face as he looked toward Count Austin: "Count, are you saying this wine is yours or not?"

Count Austin's expression changed; this remark was formidable.

As long as he did not admit it, this shipment of wine would have no further connection to him, but Liu Sheng, who sold him the wine, would be firmly branded as a traitor.

With the current situation being tense, a Longyan person like him would undoubtedly die if branded a traitor.

"I..." Count Austin hesitated; if he admitted it, he would be at risk.

If he did not admit it, he would be kicking a man while he was down, and Count Austin did not want to live with the guilt later.

But regardless of whether he admitted it or not, Liu Sheng was doomed to die.

"I sold this wine, but I did not aid the enemy or betray the country!" Count Austin finally said decisively.

Liu Zheng was stunned, and his heart warmed.

Franz was stunned, and then a cold glint flashed in his eyes; he had not expected Count Austin to admit it like this, even after he had provided him with a way out.

As long as he did not admit it, everything would have been fine.

Very well, you are courting death yourself, so you cannot blame anyone else.

"Count Austin, to think you would actually aid the enemy and betray the country; I really misjudged you," Franz immediately jumped to his feet and clamored.