POW camp

Two guards gently opened the door of the large conference room, and Lan Wei stepped on the thick carpet with retro patterns and walked in without haste.

This was the highest-level meeting of the Ole Empire. Dozens of royal relatives and generals stationed in Beijing gathered together, and the gold and silver stars on their shoulders shone brightly under the reflection of the sun.Surrounded by the walls, there is a row of aides standing in a standard military posture and not looking sideways, ready to serve their chiefs at any time.

In comparison, the rank of Major General Lan Wei is really nothing, but his arrival still attracted the attention of many people - in the just-concluded Battle of Congling, the Lan Corps fought a beautiful battle under the command of this major general. With the strength of a group army, they fought hard for a month, wiped out more than [-] enemies, and successfully occupied Congling.

The news shocked the government and the public. After all, the Ole Empire has been stalemate with the Puman Empire for nearly half a year outside Fancheng. The long-term tug-of-war has exhausted both sides. at last.A little bit of change may determine the final direction of the war, but at this critical moment, the Lan's Legion captured Congling.Congling is [-] kilometers away from Fancheng, and it is the main throat leading to Fancheng, its importance is self-evident.The victory in this battle is not just a victory. While encouraging the morale of the army, it also makes many interest groups who originally had the mentality of watching the excitement vigilant.

The probing gazes cast by many royal relatives and generals and lieutenants did not make Lan Wei's expression fluctuate in the slightest. He scanned the large conference room, and then walked to the end of the long conference table.

Just reached the middle, but was blocked by a suddenly tilted back of the chair.

"Look, isn't this the outstanding successor of the Lan family?" The man on the chair dragged his voice, and his tone was full of sarcasm.He was also in a military uniform, leaning on a crooked body, casually playing with the military cap in his hand.His posture didn't look like he was about to attend a serious military meeting, but he seemed to be lazily sinking into the big comfortable sofa in his own home.

Lan Wei glanced at him lightly, and said lightly: "I'm sorry Earl Hill, you made a mistake, I am not the heir to the Lan family."

"Oh?" Hill pretended to be surprised and raised his eyebrows, "Is Mrs. Enri still unwilling to give up the seat to you? Tsk tsk, what a pity, I have tried my best to go through life and death, but there is no benefit in return. Captain Lan, I It's not worth it for you."

Lan Wei looked calmly: "A lowly official is not talented. Killing the enemy on the front line and going through fire and water is only for the dignity of the empire and the honor of the queen, not for personal promotion." He raised his eyebrows, "Don't you think so, Mr. Hill?"

Hill was taken aback when he heard the words, and laughed in a low voice, not caring about Lan Wei's counterattack.He stood up and walked half a circle around Lan Wei, keeping his eyes on the other's indifferent and handsome face, and said pretendingly: "I'm really thinking of you, Lan Wei. If it weren't for the victory in the Battle of Congling, I'm afraid you would have appeared here Such an important occasion, the status is inappropriate. As the current head of the Lan family, he cannot inherit the most important title of duke, and is only a mere baron. Tsk tsk, look, at least one of the people attending today's meeting must be a Earl." He lowered his head and leaned close to Lan Wei's ear, breathing directly on the other's neck, "Oh, your identity is too embarrassing, I don't even know what to call you."

"You can call me Lanwei Major General." Lanwei looked directly into Hill's eyes calmly, turning a deaf ear to his malicious provocation, "After all, this is the highest military meeting of the empire." He deliberately emphasized the word "military" and politely He nodded slightly, walked around Hill's chair, walked to the last seat in the meeting and sat down.Every move remained the same as before, it seemed that the episode just now had never happened at all.

Hill looked at Lan Wei's indifferent and resolute silhouette like an ice sculpture, and raised the corners of his lips playfully.

"Tuk-tuk-tuk" three taps on the carpet, followed by the voice of the commander of the guards: "His Royal Highness is here!" Everyone stood up quickly, and the conference room fell silent.

The door opened, and Crown Prince Flo walked in.He has flaxen hair and beautiful amber eyes. He is dressed in a white military uniform with gold buttons and golden epaulets. He is slender and heroic, with a straight nose and clear eyes.

Flo seems to be in a good mood today, his eyes are gentle and cheerful, and even the sunlight shining on him is extraordinarily bright.He took off the white gloves, handed them to the guards at the side, waved his hands slightly, and everyone saluted in unison, and sat down one after another.

"The good news of our army's victory must be known to everyone." The crown prince's clear voice sounded in the conference hall, "After a long period of fighting, we finally dealt a heavy blow to the enemy in Congling, and we are closer to capturing Fancheng. Go further." His voice was not high, but very powerful, "This is inseparable from the dedication and solidarity of everyone here. Her Majesty the Queen specially authorized me to express my affirmation of your efforts and to our officers and soldiers who are still fighting the enemy on the front line. Condolences."

He said, turning his eyes to the end of the long conference table: "Especially the Lan's Legion, they fought bravely, and the Battle of Congling was fought very beautifully. Her Majesty the Queen specially rewarded them."

Lan Wei stood up, put his heels together, and looked ahead.

Flo's words spread to everyone's ears word by word: "Your Majesty, the Major General Lan will be bestowed with a Silver Star and Purple Heart Knight Medal and a purple battle robe."

As soon as this remark came out, it was like a drop of water splashed into hot oil, and the large conference room immediately buzzed.Everyone looked sideways in surprise and whispered.The Knight Medal of the Silver Star and Purple Heart is good to say, but the purple shirt is an extremely rare honor, and it will never be awarded to non-excellent military merits. The family crest on the shirt is said to be embroidered by Her Majesty the Queen herself, and its particularity can be seen .Although the Battle of Congling was of great significance, it was not so important. What's more, the commander of the battle was only a little baron. You must know that the purple war robes were only awarded to dukes and generals in the past.Is the Queen's move implying something?

Compared to everyone's surprise and uncertainty, Lan Wei was very calm, as if such a surprise could not make him a little bit excited.Lan Wei just put his hand on his heart, bowed deeply to the Crown Prince, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, the Queen, and thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

Flo looked at the indifferent Major General with a slight smile in his eyes.

At this time, the door of the conference room opened, and a guard hurried over to Flo, whispered a few words, and handed over a document.Flo looked at it, and there seemed to be a flash of surprise in his eyes, then nodded, handed the document back to the guard, and ordered him to step back.Then he smiled nonchalantly and said, "Then, let's discuss the direction of the next step."

The strategy meeting lasted until the evening. Now the situation is obviously very favorable for the Ole Empire. It is imminent to break through Fancheng, but no one can agree on which legion will fight this battle.The rule of the Ole Empire is different from that of Puman. The country implements military management, and every adult man has the obligation and right to serve as a soldier.All the troops are divided into five major legions, owned by the royal family, the Lan family, the Hill family, the Moti family, and the Luo Lin family.On the surface, the royal family only accounts for one-fifth of the national army, but it is not.The number of soldiers belonging to the royal family is extremely large, accounting for one-third of the total, and the remaining two-thirds belong to the four major families.The various families are polite on the surface, but they are secretly fighting for power. Only on the battlefield can they quickly increase the strength of the legion. No one wants to let go of this opportunity easily.This matter was discussed for a long time, and it was finally decided that the two armies of the Lan family and the Hill family would join forces to fight.

Among the four major families, the Lan's Legion is the weakest.Since the old Duke, Lan Ting's father Lan Zhen passed away suddenly ten years ago, the Lan family has no leader and has been keeping a low profile until Lan Wei temporarily replaced the young Lan Ting and became the leader of the new generation.They had just won a victory, and no one could express any objection when they took advantage of the victory to pursue it. It's just that such a big sweet pastry makes everyone covetous, and other families are somewhat suspicious.Under the eyes of the crown prince, there was nothing he could do. As soon as the crown prince left, Hill walked lazily, and was the first to walk up to Lan Wei, and sneered: "Congratulations, Lan Wei. The Lan family It’s amazing, you don’t let go of good things, and you don’t give others a piece of the pie.”

Lan Wei tidied up the records on the table, and replied lightly: "To each other."

"How can it be the same?" Hill looked at him sarcastically, "The Hill Legion is the most powerful legion in the empire, of course we have a share in such an important battle. But what about you? The weakest, but a little bit small Don't you think His Royal Highness's decision is a little too hasty?"

"You can ask him in person." Lan Wei turned and walked out.

"Lan Lieutenant." Hill called him, and pressed him tightly from behind, his fingers seemed to touch the other's flexible waistline, his voice was deliberately low, showing a bit ambiguous, "I heard...you To get these honors is not only a victory, but also hard work on the bed...His Royal Highness, really..."

"I'm sorry, Major General Hill." Lan Wei took a step sideways to avoid Hill, and said indifferently, "It concerns the reputation of His Royal Highness, please be careful."

Hill curled his lips in disdain, and was about to say more when he suddenly saw an attendant approaching and saluted Lan Wei: "Your Excellency the Baron, the Crown Prince invites you to the study."

"Look." Hill smiled maliciously as if he had caught some evidence, "And he said it doesn't matter, why didn't the crown prince invite anyone else, but you?"

Lan Wei didn't want to talk nonsense with him, nodded slightly, turned around and walked away with the guard.Hill looked up at the direction of the crown prince's study, his face sank, the frivolous look had long since disappeared, he narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly.

Lan Wei followed closely behind the attendant and came to Crown Prince Flo's study.This is different from the large study room for office work, it is the place where the Crown Prince meets more intimate friends and takes a short rest.There are many tall locust trees planted in the yard. It is the season when locust trees are in full bloom, and the quiet fragrance floats in the deep evening mist.Flo stood by a tall bookshelf, flipping through a book at random.

Lan Wei walked in, clapped his heels together, and gave a beautiful military salute: "His Royal Highness, Lan Wei reports to you." Then he took off his military cap and held it in his hand.Flo put down the book and walked over with a smile: "You don't have to be so reserved here, Captain Lan."

Lan Wei did not relax the slightest bit because of the crown prince's kind attitude and persuasion. He still shrugged his shoulders and stood upright, and replied in a clean and clear voice: "I will follow your orders at any time, Your Highness the crown prince."

Flo carefully looked at the young officer in front of him with soft eyes, from the handsome and indifferent face, the blue and bright eyes like sea water, the tightly pursed pale pink lips, to the resolute and stubborn chin.The crisp black military uniform perfectly outlines Lan Lieutenant's somewhat thin waist and slender straight legs.In front of the crown prince, Lan Wei will always be like this, or in front of anyone, he will always be like this, alienated, polite, indifferent, absolutely obey his own duty, and will not act abruptly, rudely, or intimately. .

The crown prince sighed softly in his heart, looked away calmly, and said gently: "Actually, there is nothing important, but I want to invite you to dinner tonight."

Lan Wei glanced at the Crown Prince in surprise, and said, "It's a great honor, Your Highness. But this is not in compliance with the rules. The protocol department should inform us, not you, Your Highness."

"No, it's not." The crown prince walked slowly to Lan Wei's side, his voice was low, like the tone of a cello: "I invite you, the two of us, to have dinner together."

Lan Wei quickly lowered his eyelids, covered his eyes, pondered for a while, and said, "Excuse me, Your Highness, is this a private invitation, or..."

"Private, Captain Lan, today is your birthday."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your love. I will remember such a small matter, and I am very terrified." Lan Wei said lightly, without the slightest sense of "fear".

Flo smiled: "The season when the magnolias are in full bloom is really hard to forget."

"Then, I'm sorry, Your Highness." Lan Wei raised his eyes, which were as clear and candid as the blue sky, "At this time of year, I will be with my family."

"Oh." Flo nodded, a look of regret flashed across his face, but he didn't dwell on this issue.He walked to the desk and picked up the document sent by the guard in the middle of the meeting: "I have some good news to tell you. I think it will make your birthday a little happier. The intelligence officer I sent to the enemy country' kapok ’, just sent a message that Lan Ting is not dead, he is still alive and locked in the Fancheng prisoner-of-war camp.”

Lan Wei was shocked, and finally changed his indifferent expression, like the sun melting ice and snow, he asked eagerly: "You, what did you say?"

"I said Lanting is still alive."

Lan Wei was both surprised and happy, and seemed to want to snatch up and look at the document, but remembered his identity, and stopped before taking a step, leaning forward, holding the brim of the military cap tightly with both hands, trembling. The voice asked: "Excuse me, is the news accurate?"

"Exactly." Flo looked at him apologetically, "I'm sorry I can't let you read the document directly, but I have already obtained evidence from another intelligence officer code-named 'Dead Leaf Butterfly' that it is indeed him."

"Thank you, thank you..." Lan Wei didn't know what to say for a long time. He just kept chanting this sentence in a low voice. After a while, he realized that he had lost his composure. He took a deep breath and restrained himself. In spite of the excitement, his tone returned to normal: "Thank you Your Highness, please allow me to leave, and go home to report the good news to my wife."

Flo nodded slightly.Lan Wei put on his military cap, saluted, and was about to leave in a hurry.The moment he arrived at the door, Flo seemed to have just remembered something, and suddenly said: "Oh, yes, there is one more thing." Lan Wei turned around: "I will obey your orders, Your Highness."

Flo took out a wooden box from the desk drawer, put it on the table casually, and pushed it forward: "This is for you, a small thing I made with my own hands, I hope you will like it." He said Looking straight into Lan Wei's eyes, "Lan Wei, happy birthday."

Lan Wei's eyes turned cold, and he didn't move for a long time.Flo's slender fingers pressed against the wooden box, still maintaining the posture of pushing forward, and did not move.The rose-red glow came in, blended with the misty fragrance of Sophora japonica, and swayed in the study room.

"Thank you, Your Highness." In the end, Lan Wei spoke first, even though it sounded a bit reluctant, he had no way to refuse, after the crown prince told him Lan Ting's whereabouts.He had no choice but to step forward, took the wooden box with both hands, saluted, and withdrew.

Flo stood there, watching Lan Wei's back disappear behind the door.