POW camp

"The case is more difficult than imagined." The old lawyer put a piece of steak into his mouth, chewing slowly, "Although the defense lawyer is young, his style is very tough, and he feels quite experienced, as if he had learned from a famous school. "

"No matter what, Lan Ting's crime of treason is unquestionable." Hill took a sip of brandy and whispered in the ear of the prosecutor's lawyer, "It's useless no matter how hard they try, no one can violate the crown prince's will." ,anyone."

The prosecution lawyer hesitated: "But I heard that Hovis is actually the illegitimate son of Her Majesty the Queen..."

"Then it's even more impossible to give Lan Ting a chance." Hill had a confident and sinister smile on his lips, "Let a brother who may have the right to inherit have such a close relationship with one of the four major families, to the Crown Prince It is definitely not a good thing. Don't worry, I understand the mind of this kind of superior. Everything in the world, including family affection and love, is not as important as power." His voice became deeper and deeper, as if he was saying a curse Yes, "If you want to be the emperor, you have to pay something. In fact, the crown prince has long been mentally prepared for this."

"I hope so," said the old lawyer cautiously.

Hill glanced at him. He was getting older and timid. If he was not the exclusive lawyer of the Hill family and a good friend of his father, Hill would not have recommended him to the crown prince.

The old lawyer wiped the corners of his lips and stood up. He looked at his watch. There was still more than an hour before the court session, which was enough for a short nap.He straightened his clothes and gave Hill a slight nod: "Excuse me."

As soon as the old lawyer turned around, he suddenly saw the young defense lawyer eating with a gray-haired man.They sat in a very hidden corner, and the defense lawyer stretched out his hand and gestured to say something.The old lawyer immediately recognized that the older one was the exclusive lawyer of the Lan Corps.He frowned and whispered to Hill, "Look over there."

Hill stood up and swept in the direction the old lawyer pointed: "Why?"

"That person, I know, is the lawyer of the Lan Corps. I think something is wrong. You should send someone to investigate what is the relationship between them."

Hill ordered a few words to the adjutant beside him, and then smiled casually at the old lawyer: "It's nothing, I'll ask them to investigate. But even if they are related, it will have no effect on the case..." As he was speaking, he raised his eyes and saw Lan Wei followed Mrs. Lien into the restaurant, his heart skipped a beat, and he said to the old lawyer, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He walked over.

This is a small restaurant specially prepared by the court for judges, lawyers and aristocrats. Many people eat here, including those journalists who are all-pervasive.In order to prevent them from asking endless questions, Lan Wei deliberately delayed a little time until people were almost finished eating before coming over.

Unexpectedly, I still met Hill.

Hill gave Mrs. Lean a gentlemanly salute without being respectful: "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lean."

Mrs. Lean nodded coldly, handed Hill her right hand, and asked Hill to kiss the back of her hand.Hill turned his face to Lan Wei: "And you, Major General Lan Wei. I happened to have something last time, so I couldn't go hunting in the ancient forest. It's a pity." He stared at Lan Ting with burning eyes, "I heard that you and The crown prince had a very memorable night." He heard from Van Jiss that Flo and Lanwei did not arrive at the appointed place in time, but stayed in the ancient forest overnight, so he guessed that the crown prince must not Let go of that great opportunity.Although he thought it was reasonable for the Crown Prince to agree to give Lan Wei to him and enjoy it first, he still felt uncomfortable and couldn't help but come over and sneer.

Lan Wei was expressionless, without blinking his eyes, met Hill's gaze indifferently, as if looking at a painting or a wall, and said concisely: "It's okay, thank you for your concern."

Hill stared at Lan Wei's eyes that were as pure and cold as a deep pool.For some reason, he just wanted to talk to Lan Wei, and wanted to see the slightest expression of emotion from the other party, even if it was just disgust, it was much better than looking at himself like looking at other people.He continued to ask without giving up: "It seems that Major General Lan Wei still cares about Lan Ting very much, so he came here specially. Once Lan Ting is convicted, you will be very sad."

"There is no basis for any assumptions. I only listen to the judge's fair trial." Captain Lan nodded slightly to Hill, then turned to follow Mrs. Lean.

Suddenly, an uncontrollable anger welled up in Hill, and a fierce light shot out from his eyes.Lan Wei, within a few days, you will kneel down and beg me!

When the trial started, the adjutant hurried over and said to the prosecution lawyer: "We found out, the defense lawyer is a student of the exclusive barrister of the Lan Corps, a closed disciple, and I heard that he is very popular with the teacher."

"Oh?" The old lawyer frowned, "I think this young man is not simple."

"Just right." Hill snorted coldly, "This is evidence that Lan's Legion is still in collusion with Lan Ting, take this opportunity to catch them all!"

In the afternoon, Prince Morton of the Huixuan Empire was the first to be summoned to court.He is the most powerful witness for the defense, because he has nothing to do with the internal struggle in Ole, and is a complete outsider. His testimony is the most credible, so the defense lawyers also spent the most time on Morton. very carefully.

"May I ask Prince Morton, what was your status in Puman Guofan City at that time?"

"The captain of the Fancheng Guards is in charge of public security in the city." Morton said concisely and powerfully. Such a person is more likely to gain the trust of the jury.

"That is to say, you are directly responsible for the internal management of the prison camp?"

"I have the right to manage Fancheng Prison, but the prisoner-of-war camp is quite special. Because the detainees are enemies, they are also restricted by the army. At the same time, the intelligence agency also has the power to interrogate prisoners at any time."

"Mr. Hovis is in charge of the intelligence service you speak of, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Then who is the military representative?"

"A lieutenant colonel named Lauter used to fight against the country of Ole on the front line, and was later transferred back to Fancheng."

"It's Lieutenant Colonel Lauter, who tortured my client, right?"

"Yes."

"It's also he who arranged the torture of the prisoners to please the Special Envoy Gerber, and created the illusion of the death penalty in an attempt to make my client submit, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"So what's the result?"

Morton turned his head to look at Lan Ting, and said solemnly: "Captain Lan Ting did not do anything detrimental to the country and his own dignity. As a soldier, I deeply admire this."

The audience below made a buzzing sound of discussion.

The young defense lawyer paused for a moment, and when the discussion gradually subsided, he raised his voice and said, "Your Honor, members of the jury, from the testimonies of Prince Morton and the previous witnesses, we can completely outline a heroic, tenacious, resolute and determined man. The image of an excellent soldier in the Ole country. As Mr. Hovis said, Captain Lanting has never and will never betray the country, but we have all seen the "Surrender" signed by him. Why is this?" He said like Storytelling stops at critical moments as if creating suspense, and glances across the auditorium, satisfied to see that everyone's attention has been attracted.The defense lawyer then turned around and continued to ask Morton: "Prince Morton, Lanting's "Surrender" was signed on March 26. Were you there at that time?"

"I was there, in fact, with the pen and the original surrender document that I laid out for him."

"May I ask why you did this?"

"Laut said he thought of a good way to make Lan Ting surrender, and I was ordered to perform a special task, so I could not reveal my identity, I could only obey."

"Then, Prince Morton, please explain in detail the process of Lan Ting signing the surrender document for the judge and the jury."

"Yes." Morton pondered for a moment, as if he was considering where to start, "Laut gathered all the war criminals in Area C of the POW camp on the playground at ten o'clock in the morning, but escorted Lan Ting to the office. The weather was fine that day." , Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows of the office, you can clearly see the situation below. Lauter told Lanting that if he did not sign the "Surrender Letter", he would immediately shoot the prisoners."

There was a low exclamation from the audience.

"Did Laut really shoot the prisoner?" asked the defense lawyer.

"Yes, three people were killed."

"Without my client signing the Instrument of Surrender?"

"Yes."

"How is my client doing?"

Morton took a deep breath and looked at Lan Ting: "He is very angry. In fact, he is a little crazy." After a pause, he added, "Watching his comrades die in front of him, any bloody soldier will suffer. No."

The defense lawyer faced the judge and said, "Your Excellency, we have the evidence provided by Prince Morton, a video tape that clearly records Lauter's forced interrogation of my client. Your Honor, please allow me to play it in court."

Your Honor nodded slowly: "Yes."

When the video tape was spinning "Sisi", Lan Ting's angry and painful cry from the bottom of his heart was heard in the huge court: "Beast! It is better to kill innocent animals indiscriminately!"... and then with trembling hands The signed "Surrender Letter"... For a long time, the audience was silent, and everyone was immersed in horror and grief and couldn't extricate themselves.Lan Ting thought of Duowei who loved to laugh and make trouble, and lowered his head, tears blurred his eyes.

It is rare that the defense lawyer did not show that kind of smug expression, but said solemnly: "Thank you, Prince Morton, for the information you have provided us, Your Honor, I have finished asking my questions."

The importance of Morton's testimony is self-evident, especially the video tape. A large part of those who opposed Lan Ting fiercely were silent.The prosecutor's lawyer stood up, and seemed to be affected by the atmosphere. He didn't ask any substantive questions. He only responded with a few words and said that he had finished asking.

unusual.The young defense lawyer frowned and looked towards the prosecution side. Logically, it shouldn't be so. He thought there would be a fierce verbal confrontation, but he didn't expect the other party to let it go easily.Weird, I have to be careful.The defense lawyer bit his pen and became vigilant.

The next one to testify is Lan Wei.The defense lawyer stood up and asked, "Major General Lan Wei, according to the transcript you provided, you are the commander in charge of the Fancheng operation, is that true?"

"Yes. Major General Hill and I attacked Fancheng from the north and the south respectively, and agreed to meet at Prince Haiya's mansion in the very center of Fancheng."

"After you led your troops into the attack, what did you see?"

"At the beginning, we suffered a strong counterattack from the enemy, but it didn't last long. We quickly rushed into Fancheng, and arrived at the Royal Mansion of Puman in the early morning of the next day."

"There, what did you see?"

"I saw a lot of prisoners of war besieging the royal mansion, and they had won the initial victory. In the end, Lan Ting grabbed the city wall of the mansion, threw down the Puman flag, and replaced it with the national flag of Ole."

The defense lawyer pointed at Lan Ting: "Major General Lan Wei, may I ask if the Lan Ting you mentioned is my client?"

Lan Wei met Lan Ting's eyes, and Lan Ting clenched the railing in front of him a little excitedly.Lan Wei gave him an encouraging smile and said, "Yes, that's him."

"Major General Lan Ting." The defense lawyer continued to ask, "After you recognized Lan Ting, what did you do?"

Lan Wei took a deep breath: "I ordered someone to arrest him."

"why?"

"Because he was suspected of a crime of treason at the time."

"Did you interrogate him afterwards?"

"No, just in solitary confinement."

"Why no interrogation?"

"Because the Lan family has already expelled Lan Ting, but in terms of blood, I am still his cousin. To avoid suspicion, I did not ask."

"But you questioned the other prisoners."

"Yes, I have to figure out all the process of taking down Fancheng so that I can report to the crown prince."

"Then what is your conclusion?"

"On the night of the siege, the prisoner-of-war camp got the support of Prince Morton and released all the prisoners of war. Under the command of Lan Ting, these prisoners of war attacked and wiped out Prince Haiya's mansion overnight."

"You mean, under Lanting's command?"

"Yes, many prisoners of war can testify to that."

The young lawyer smiled at Lan Wei and expressed his gratitude: "Your Honor, I'm done asking."

The old lawyer for the prosecution stood up and walked to the witness: "Major General Lan Wei, you just said that you are still Lan Ting's cousin by blood. Is this what you really think?"

"Of course." Lan Wei didn't expect the other party to ask such a sentence, but he still answered gracefully.

"Then, is it true that you still have great concern for the defendant?"

This question was very skillful, Lan Wei hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously: "You can think so."

"Concerned that he would rather do something for him in order to achieve the purpose of exonerating the defendant?"

"I object!" As soon as the old lawyer finished speaking, the defense lawyer immediately declared, "I object to the prosecuting lawyer's groundless and seductive questions."

The judge said coldly: "The objection is valid, and the witness does not need to answer this question."

The old lawyer paused for a moment, then continued to ask: "Major General Lan Wei, just now you said that you held Lan Ting alone, which means you have never seen or spoken to him, right?"

"Yes."

"until now?"

"until now."

"Did the other members of the Lan Corps have no contact with the defendant?"

Lan Wei thought for a while and said, "As far as I know, yes."

The old lawyer suddenly sped up his speech and raised his voice: "You are lying! I have a set of photos in my hand, proving that Mrs. Lean of the Lan Corps once secretly met with the defendant after he escaped from prison!"

"I object!" Before everyone could react, the young lawyer was the first to say loudly, "I object to the prosecution lawyer raising topics that have nothing to do with the case and disturbing the jury's sight."

"Your Honor!" The old lawyer refused to budge, "I just want to confirm that the Lan Corps still has contacts with the defendant, and even used some means to obstruct judicial justice in order to exonerate the defendant. These have absolutely nothing to do with this case. relation!"

The judge frowned involuntarily, looked at the old lawyer, then at Lan Wei, and said, "The objection is invalid, please witness to answer the lawyer's question."

"I don't know." Lan Wei said, "I'm not clear about this matter."

This negative answer caused dissatisfied boos from the audience.The defense lawyers suddenly understood the other party's intentions. They bypassed the most critical Prince Morton, but worked hard on Lan Wei, just avoiding the most important and taking the lightest.They want to defeat Lan Ting and prove that he has used some means to bribe or seduce Morton, so even if what Morton said is true, it must not be used as evidence in court, and all evidence in favor of Lan Ting will be overturned !

The old lawyer smiled: "Okay, you don't know. Then Major General Lan Wei, I still have a tape here, which records that in order to get Prince Morton to testify in court, you did not hesitate to recommend yourself as a servant, tempting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and begging him to come forward , but was rejected by the crown prince. Excuse me, is this true?"

With a sound of "coaxing", the audience roared, looking at Lan Wei full of mockery and ridicule, Lan Wei's face became extremely pale, like a portrait of an ice sculpture.Hill raised his legs, and a cruel smile gradually appeared on his lips.

The young lawyer stood up and said, "I object! The tape cannot be used as independent evidence!"

"But it can be used as supporting evidence." The old lawyer said slowly but calmly, like an old fisherman who is about to take the bait, "Major General Lan Wei, please answer my question, have you ever had any intimacy with the crown prince?" relationship in order to obtain a statement from Morton in favor of the defendant?"

Captain Lan clenched his fist tightly, and said, "That's not the case, I was..."

"You just need to answer, yes or no." The old lawyer interrupted Lan Wei's words aggressively.

All eyes were on Lan Wei, waiting calmly for his answer.Even Lan Ting couldn't help leaning forward, with a shocked and distressed expression on his face, Hovis frowned slightly.

Lan Wei knew that this sentence was extremely important, not only related to Lan Ting's life, his own reputation, but also the Lan's army.He suddenly understood that this was a trap, the other party wanted to destroy not only Lan Ting, but also the entire Lan family.Who provided the tapes to the court?Who else but the crown prince?But why did the crown prince do this?To get yourself?In order to obtain the military power of the Lan's Legion?for……

"Major General Lan Wei, please answer my question." The prosecution lawyer asked again.The past with the crown prince flashed before Lan Wei's eyes like shooting stars, the five small wooden statues, the night when he went to bed by himself, the chaotic night in the ancient forest... Every time the crown prince would give him A disastrous start, but never really hurt him each time.

"Lan Wei, no matter what, no matter when, as long as you ask, I will definitely do it."

But at this time, does he have any other choice?Nodding, the tape will be played in court, and the Lan Corps is completely over.

Lan Wei opened his mouth and said decisively like cutting ice and jade: "I don't have any."

The young defense lawyer couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Lan Wei denied that the recordings used as auxiliary evidence were not allowed to be played. Although it was only a short delay, it was already very good.Professional sensitivity told him that Captain Lan was lying, and he had to come up with a way to reverse this unfavorable situation as soon as possible.

It's a pity that before the defense lawyer could make a move, the old lawyer took advantage of the situation: "Your Honor, members of the jury, in view of the importance of this case, I propose that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince be invited to testify in court!"