Chapter 27: General Wish, can I make a wish now? ...
With the great victory in the Northwest, the atmosphere of the New Year is more intense than in previous years.
Activities were also organized in the military camp. A bonfire was burning in the center of the martial arts field. Everyone sat around it, drinking liquor and playing around.
Fang Yilan had someone make a red wooden box with a crooked word "Fu" written on it, and a round hole as thick as a wrist was deliberately left on the top of the box.
Every soldier in the Linque Camp can draw a red slip of paper.
Although Xiao Yue was removed from the list, he performed well on the battlefield in Hezhou. Fang Yilan, mindful of his contributions, showed mercy and gave him a chance to participate in the lottery.
Xiao Yue unfolded the note and saw the words "Universal Celebration Award" written in large letters. He quickly grabbed a passing soldier and asked, "What does this mean?"
The soldier was originally upset because he only won the third prize, but when he saw Xiao Yue, he immediately felt relieved: "Brother, do you see that?"
Xiao Yue followed the man's gaze and saw a platform covered with a red cloth. Many soldiers were holding slips of paper and queuing up in an orderly manner to receive their awards.
"With this note in your hand, you can go there and get ten taels of silver, or a pair of military boots." The soldier explained patiently.
The soldier seemed concerned that Xiao Yue would be too depressed, so he patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "It's okay. The important thing is to participate. Let's aim for next year."
On the other side,
"Hahaha, I won the first prize! What are you?" Zhuang Gu's face flushed with excitement. He raised the note in his hand and approached Xun Yun with a proud look on his face.
The first prize is much more generous. Not only can you receive fifty taels of silver, but you can also choose a well-made weapon.
"Special prize." Xunyun just glanced at the note in his hand and said in a flat tone.
You know, the grand prize is a bright maroon BMW.
Zhuang Gu's originally beaming expression froze upon hearing this. Then he reacted and suddenly grabbed Xun Yun's shoulders with both hands, shaking him violently while screaming uncontrollably, "What? Grand Prize! You're so lucky!"
Zhuang Gu's almost crazy behavior only earned him a look of disgust from Xun Yun.
Fang Yilan appeared to be talking calmly with the soldiers around him, but he glanced at the note in Zhao Huaixu's hand from the corner of his eye. He saw that he only won the third prize, and his brows unconsciously furrowed.
However, on second thought, Zhao Huaixu's luck seemed to be... always bad, so this result was not surprising.
While no one was paying attention, she secretly put her hands behind her back and slipped the note for her first prize into Zhao Huaixu's hand.
Zhao Huaixu only felt that there was something extra in his hand. He then lowered his eyebrows and smiled, leaning sideways and jokingly lowering his voice, "General, if others saw this, they would accuse you of favoritism and perverting the law."
Fang Yilan blinked her left eye cunningly and pressed a finger to her lips.
Zhuang Gu watched the little movements of their hands and quickly nudged Xun Yun beside him with his elbow: "They must have reconciled."
"How should I know?" Xunyun ignored him and turned away.
*
There was a ridiculous amount of commotion at the gate of Marquis Dingyuan's mansion.
The people enthusiastically sent all kinds of gifts. They put down their things and hurriedly said goodbye. The servants on duty had just stopped a few of them when someone else came in a hurry, put down the gifts and ran away.
Soon, the entrance was completely blocked by mountains of fruit baskets and local specialties, leaving no aisle for walking.
In the inner courtyard of the Marquis's Mansion, red lanterns were hung high, and Spring Festival couplets were neatly pasted on both sides of the door, written by Zhao Huaixu himself. On the windows of the hall were pasted various unknown strange and creepy paper-cut paintings made by Fang Yilan himself.
Fang Yilan stuffed the silver ingots into the red cloth bag that had been prepared long ago. Zhao Huaixu then helped her tie a beautiful knot on the bag. It would be distributed to the servants in the mansion later so that everyone in the mansion could have a happy New Year.
At night, Shuxue, who had been busy all day, cooked a large pot of dumplings, specially stuffing three copper coin dumplings inside. According to the old custom, whoever was lucky enough to eat them would be blessed with good fortune and success in the coming year.
The steaming dumplings were served on the table. Zhao Huaixu stood up, took a white porcelain bowl, and served the first bowl to Fang Yilan.
Fang Yilan didn't think much about it. She picked up a dumpling and put it in her mouth. After chewing it for a few times, her face suddenly froze and she muttered, "Oh, why is this stuffed with leeks? I don't like leeks."
As he said that, he threw the half-eaten dumpling into Zhao Huaixu's bowl.
He also warned him seriously: "Food is hard-earned, so don't waste it. You have to eat it."
Zhao Huaixu chuckled and nodded obediently. He picked up the half-bitten dumpling by Fang Yilan and ate it. His teeth hit a hard object. He spit it out and saw that it was a copper coin.
"Mr. Zhao, congratulations, and happy new year!" Shu Xue was the first to shout out in surprise.
Fang Yilan also smiled and said jokingly, "You are so lucky! Good things will definitely happen next year."
Zhao Huaixu smiled gently: "The general has shared his good luck with me."
Fang Yilan continued to eat with relish. When she ate the second dumpling, she found a copper coin in it.
"The young lady won too!" Shu Xue jumped up and down excitedly and clapped her hands, looking as if she had eaten a copper coin.
Fang Yilan was stunned. Her luck was too good to be true. There were only three copper coin dumplings in total, and after just a few bites, she had already eaten two. Without thinking too much, she picked up another dumpling and started eating. As a result, she felt a hard, gnashing sensation in her mouth again. She had also eaten the third copper coin.
Now, she finally realized that something was wrong. She raised her head and looked straight at the person who served her dumplings.
Zhao Huaixu still smiled at her with a harmless look on his face. Fang Yilan shook her head helplessly and did not expose his little thoughts.
The atmosphere of New Year's Eve became more and more intense, with the sound of firecrackers rang out sporadically outside. Shuxue excitedly pulled Xunyun outside, and Zhuang Gu followed behind with a lot of firecrackers. The sounds of laughter and playfulness drifted out from the crack of the door.
Fang Yilan, however, was not in the mood. For her, it would be better to have a good sleep with such a little free time.
Just as she was about to go back to the house, she was suddenly pulled by a force and taken into a dark alley.
High walls stood on both sides of the alley, and she was locked in a small space. The wall of flesh in front of her whispered to her, "General, can I make a wish now?"
Fang Yilan naturally still remembered what he promised him at Dingping Mountain: "I promised you, naturally I will not break my promise, you say."
"Alan."
"Um?"
"Can I stop calling you General from now on?"
"You've already called me 'Alan', and you're asking me if it's okay to call me that now. Isn't that a little late?" Fang Yilan raised her eyebrows and teased him jokingly.
Zhao Huaixu chuckled softly without saying a word, his crow-feather-like eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a thin shadow, fanning Fang Yilan's heartstrings and stirring up layers of charming waves.
Fang Yilan was almost fascinated by what she saw. She felt a heat flowing down her neck to her face, burning her cheeks red.
A soft and warm touch on her cheek woke her up from her trance.
At that moment, a loud bang exploded in the night sky, and a dreamlike fireworks display instantly bloomed. The brilliant light streaked across the sky like a shooting star, instantly lighting up the entire night sky and also illuminating Zhao Huaixu's sharp-edged face.
Zhao Huaixu did not look up at the fireworks in the sky. His eyes were always lowered. He didn't even notice that his face showed a hearty smile like that of a teenager.
That smile made Fang Yilan's heart beat faster unconsciously.
"Miss, what are you doing hiding here?"
Fang Yilan turned around when she heard the sound and saw five or six gossipy faces sticking out of the narrow alley, looking inside intently.
"After the show, hurry back to your room and go to sleep. Children, don't get involved in adult matters!!!"
...
It has been eight years since the establishment. During the Spring Festival, there are few people walking around the streets and alleys. Every household is relaxing at home and celebrating the festival.
"The imperial edict has arrived!" The messenger rode his horse quickly through Kangrao City.
At that time, Fang Yilan was sitting and chatting with everyone in the Marquis' Mansion. When he heard the noise outside the door, he immediately stood up, straightened his clothes, and hurried forward to receive the order.
The messenger unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud: "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the Marquis of Dingyuan has rendered meritorious service in defending the nation, repelling the defeat of Xiling and reclaiming lost territory. General Dingyuan has dedicated his services to the country and his achievements are outstanding, and he deserves a generous reward. I hereby order the General to swiftly reorganize his headquarters and come to the capital to meet the Emperor, in order to commend his extraordinary merits and make them known to the world. This is my decree."
Fang Yilan knelt on one knee and took the imperial edict. What was supposed to come finally came.
Everyone in the Marquis' Mansion immediately became busy. Fang Yilan immediately sent someone to summon several generals of the Northwest Army to discuss the layout and defense strategy of the Northwest.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was solemn. Fang Yilan glanced around and spoke first, "The situation has changed. The Linque Cavalry will remain in the northwest. While I'm away, Lieutenant General Wang and Lieutenant General Lin will temporarily oversee military affairs. I hope you will all work together to help."
Vice Admiral Lin's face was filled with worry, and he couldn't help but warn, "General, you must be extremely careful and take good care of yourself when you enter the capital this time. The situation in the capital is turbulent, with various forces intertwined. We've had some friction with the Minamoto clan several times before, so you must be on guard."
Fang Yilan raised three fingers together towards the sky and promised solemnly, "Don't worry, everyone. Am I Fang Yilan some reckless person? I will definitely abide by my duties and will not take the initiative to cause trouble."
She just doesn't care about life or death, and will fight if she doesn't agree.
As soon as these words were spoken, the conference hall fell into a subtle silence. Several generals looked at each other, then looked around guiltily, deliberately avoiding Fang Yilan's sight, for fear that they would accidentally laugh out loud.
Fang Yilan: …
"Deputy General Lin, please stay for a moment." Fang Yilan called out to Deputy General Lin who was about to turn and leave.
Lieutenant General Lin paused and said, "General, do you have anything important to tell me? I will be at your service."
Fang Yilan moved closer and lowered her voice, saying, "I'm going to the capital this time, but I have a difficult matter before I leave. I can only trouble you to help me."
"General, please feel free to speak."
"Choose a few trusted confidants and secretly go to Xiling to investigate Zhao Huaixu's identity. Remember, no information should leak out during the operation."
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The author has something to say: I wish all the social animals to win the grand prize at the annual meeting! [Spread flowers]
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