Chapter five hundred and eighteen [Gabriel's choice]
Chapter 518 [Gabri’s choice]
When the coming-of-age ceremony was mentioned, Gabri's expression was quite calm, but when Du Wei mentioned the words "fiancée", Gabri's expression became a little unnatural. He seemed to glance at his brother, but
Deliberately skipping the topic: "I heard that you killed a holy knight and you were also a great knight captain."
Gabri looked at Duwei's face.
Du Wei frowned slightly, then smiled and said, "Oh, the news spreads so fast."
Gabri sighed, slightly worried: "Brother, I know that there is always your reason for what you want to do. So no matter what you do, I will stand by your side... But don't forget, we
My mother is a devout believer in the church. She was very sad to hear the news."
Du Wei thought for a moment and suddenly sneered: "Huh, it's the church religious center on Luolin Plain. What did you say when you ran home?"
"...the Grand Master of the Religious Center of the Cote Province came to my home once before I left, nominally to give me a few gifts and congratulate me on my upcoming coming-of-age ceremony, but...he must have said some words on purpose.
It spread through the mouths of the servants in the house and then to the ears of the mother."
Du Wei sneered: "These magicians always like to play these dirty tricks." He glanced at his brother: "How did you do it?"
There was a trace of determination in Gabri's eyes: "What else can I do? Before I came out, I broke the legs of the two servants who were gossiping in front of my mother and threw them out. Then I told my mother that the struggle between imperial power and divine power has always been
Existence, now that our family is tightly tied to the royal family, there are some things that we have to do. As for the church in Cote Province... I have ordered that this year's religious contribution tax be reduced by 50%. I forgive these guys.
I don’t dare to go to the imperial capital to complain.”
Du Wei smiled and was very satisfied with his brother's growth. After all, the person who will take charge of the Luo Lin family in the future cannot be a gentle sheep, but must be a lion who dares to attack any provocation in his territory!
"By the way. After your coming-of-age ceremony, there will be two major events. One is of course getting married and marrying your fiancée. The second... is your future. According to past traditions, the heir to the Luo Lin family will naturally be
If you want to join the military, do you have any ideas?"
The two brothers rode side by side on horseback. After Duwei's question was raised, Gabri did not answer immediately, but lowered his head and pondered for a while. When he raised his head, the young man's face was full of sincerity: "Brother
.Where do you want me to go?”
Du Wei was stunned for a moment. He looked at his grown-up brother and smiled: "When you grow up, you don't have to listen to my arrangements for everything. You should have your own opinions. I can only give you some opinions, but
I can’t help you decide anything anymore.”
As he said that, Du Wei suddenly reined in his horse, looked at his brother's straight back as he sat on the horse, smiled suddenly, casually took off his cloak, and threw it to Gabri. He said softly: "The imperial capital is not the south after all.
, it’s still very cold at night, you put this thing on.”
Gabri looked at his brother and his face. The appearance of the two brothers was 50% to 60% similar. However, in comparison, the fourteen-year-old Gabri was more focused on the traditional image of the Luo Lin family: strong and the contours of his face.
He is a bit squarer. He is not even fifteen years old. Some soft, soft, downy beards have grown on his face. On the other hand, Du Wei, the eldest son of the Luo Lin family, seems to be thinner than his younger brother, with shoulders
Not as wide as Gabri.
From this point of view, when Gabri grows up, he will probably look more like old Count Raymond, an imperial general, than Duwei.
Du Wei, on the other hand, is more like a civil servant.
After looking at his brother twice, Gabri immediately wrapped the cloak around him without hesitation. Duwei smiled with satisfaction: "Okay, tell me what you think. You tell me first, and now you can say nothing about me.
I also have some status, whichever department you want to go to, I will definitely make it happen."
"I want to go to the army and become an officer in command, even if I start as a low-level officer, just like my father did." Gabri's voice was firm: "I don't want to go directly to the headquarters to become a civilian soldier, that would be too boring."
"Go to the army and start as a low-level officer?" Du Wei pondered for a while, but stopped talking.
Both brothers remained silent, but Gabri occasionally looked at Du Wei secretly. Seeing the change in Du Wei's eyes, he felt a little uneasy, wondering if his brother would support his decision.
There is a reason why he made such a choice. Their father, the late Earl Raymond, the previous patriarch of the Luo Lin family, when Raymond was young, after his coming-of-age ceremony, he directly entered the imperial army as a count instead of
He chose to work as a civilian in the headquarters and directly entered the Northern Storm Legion. He served as a low-level officer for three years, starting as a cavalry commander, then a captain, and in the last three years he became a commanding officer.
Of course, this kind of promotion speed is naturally as fast as a rocket. After all, he is the heir of the Luo Lin family in the empire. But even so, it is rare among the nobles, because most wealthy nobles do not know how to do it.
Instead of sending his heir to the harsh conditions of the army to endure hardships, he would choose to seek a good position in various departments of the imperial capital, and then slowly gain seniority, and when he reaches a certain age, he would be sent to the local army.
Serve directly as a senior officer, hang out for a few years, and perform some feats such as "suppressing bandits" and "maintaining local security", and then you can return to the imperial capital with honor and obtain the rank of general in the military, or seek a higher rank in the headquarters.
low position...
This is the official career of most heirs of wealthy families. It is very smooth and does not require too much hardship.
Raymond was an anomaly back then. He refused to stay in the military headquarters in the imperial capital. Instead, he went to the Storm Legion, which had the most difficult conditions among the four main battle legions of the empire and guarded the frozen forests in the north. Although he was promoted to the rank of Commander in three years.
When he reached the position of commanding an officer, he also relied on the influence of his family. However, he was willing to endure hardships, but everyone admired him. Moreover, the Storm Legion was considered the most difficult place in the empire at the beginning. He once personally led the army and the monsters in the frozen forest.
I have fought, fought with those poaching smuggling mercenary groups with real swords and guns, been injured, and made meritorious deeds, but these are actual merits without water.
Originally, what he did was enough to make people admire him. Everyone thought that as the heir of the famous Wuxun family in the empire, what he did was enough to show his excellence, so he should be able to return.
The imperial capital went to enjoy its blessings.
But he didn't!
He ran to the Northwest Army Corps again! He served as the leader of the cavalry regiment for a year, and led his men to fight with those ferocious horse bandits and prairie people in the northwest!
It can be said that he has been to both of the two most difficult main battle legions in the empire. He has endured hardship and shed blood!
The empire has been at peace for two hundred years. The wealthy nobles, including many so-called martial arts families, have gradually become mediocre. They have become addicted to peace. Few people are willing to suffer and temper themselves like Raymond.
Now, it's clear that Gabri also wants to follow in his father's footsteps.
Du Wei was deep in thought. He did not answer Gabri immediately, but the two of them returned to the Duke's Palace in the imperial capital.
Arriving at the door of the house, I looked at the familiar house and courtyard. Although it has been expanded, the current Duke's Palace looks more magnificent than the previous Earl's Palace.
"You haven't chosen the address of the Earl's Mansion yet." Du Wei said with a smile: "There have been too many things recently. And I want to apologize to you. This home... should have been yours. But His Highness gave it to you.
I have become a duke, so you will have to move in a few days."
Gabri laughed: "Okay, my brother, this family belongs to you, which is mine. There is no need to divide the land between the two brothers."
The servants came and took away the horses. The cavalry escort who had accompanied Gabri to the capital also went down to rest. Du Wei took his younger brother directly back to the study.
After a while, the servants brought dinner, and the two brothers sat at the table in the study and had a simple barbecue.
Gabri ate it very sweetly, wiped his mouth at the end, and said with a smile: "Speaking of barbecue, the one you make by yourself is the most delicious, brother."
"Anyway, since you're here now, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. If you have time, I'll cook it for you." Du Wei smiled.
Then he gently dropped the knife in his hand, his face returned to seriousness, and he looked at his brother: "Okay, let's talk."
Gabri also had a solemn expression. He and Du Wei sat back at the desk, looking at his brother's serious face and slightly frowning brows. Gabri could feel that as his brother grew older, his titles and official positions became more and more important.
The higher you get, the more authority you hold in your hands, and the power between your eyebrows becomes more and more profound.
Sitting in front of his brother at this moment, Gabri suddenly had a strange feeling in his heart: looking at his brother now, it was like looking at his majestic father back then.
"You want to go to the bottom of the army to hone yourself. I'm proud of your courage." Du Wei spoke slowly, his voice low: "Which army do you want to go to?"
Gabri smiled, and he heard that his brother seemed to support his idea: "Of course there is no need to consider the local garrison. You also know what those local garrison look like! If I go to a place like that, I am afraid that I will be destroyed."
It also made me lazy."
"No, Gabri." Du Wei shook his head: "You may not know this in Luolin Plain, but in fact, in the past two years, His Royal Highness the Regent has been reorganizing the local garrison, disarmament and laying off a large number of redundant personnel of the local garrison, and daily
The training and military records have also been reorganized and are much better than they were back then."
"Anyway, I don't want to go to the local garrison." Gabri muttered.
Du Wei smiled: "If you don't want to go, I won't go. So, do you want to go to the main battle army? Or the Royal Guards?"
"Forget it about the Royal Guards! The Royal Guards are still stationed in the Imperial Capital. I just don't want to stay in the Imperial Capital."
Du Wei sighed. He vaguely guessed his brother's plan, but out of respect for his brother, he still asked: "Where do you want to go?"
Gabri smiled, clasped his fingers and said, "I was originally very interested in the newly established Thunder God's Whip. I heard that the newly established legion's weapons and equipment are quite good, and many new weapons are given priority to them.
I really want to go. But the commander of this legion is Alpai. Although I have been staying in Luolin Plains, I also know that this Alpai is not at odds with my brother. He is an enemy of our family, so naturally I can't
Get rid of his men, otherwise you will be tortured to death by him."
Du Wei smiled, feeling a little warm in his heart when he saw the familiar childish look on his brother's face.
"Needless to say, the Southern Army has been guarding the swamp all year round, radiating to the south... But the south is too peaceful, and the Southern Army has been disarming and redeploying people for many years. The navy has expanded, and a group of people have been transferred from the Southern Army. The royal city is close to
During the purge of the Guards, another group was transferred from the Southern Army. This time when Thunder God's Whip was established, a group of backbones were transferred from the Southern Army. Now there is only an empty frame of the Southern Army, and its actual combat effectiveness is probably not as good as
Where's the local garrison? I don't want to go to that boring place."
"Do you want to go north?" Du Wei looked solemn.
"Yes. The Storm Legion is my first choice." Gabri said with a smile: "You also know that when my father was young, he first served in the Storm Legion. The current commander of the Legion, General Rostock, was a good friend of my father back then. I
If I go, he will probably take care of me, so you don't have to worry about me."
Du Wei sighed in his heart, but his face remained calm. He slowly said: "Apart from the Storm Legion? Do you have any other options?"
"It's not bad to go to the Northwest Independent Division." Gabri smiled: "But that's your place. The Northwest Independent Division is also controlled by you, the Northwest Military and Political Minister. It is considered your army. Although I am interested in it, I
I'm worried that others will gossip. I just want to hone myself and don't want to stay under the protection of my wings."
The last sentence revealed Gabri's thoughts.
Du Wei frowned slightly.
Because he knows very well that these two choices are very bad! Very bad!!
If it were peacetime, Du Wei would certainly not object to his brother going to suffer some hardships. It would also be good to go to the Storm Legion. Although the Frozen Forest might be a bit dangerous, as long as a few more masters from the family are sent to protect him, there should be no big problem.
Isn't that how my father came here back then?
But, it’s different now!
Gabri didn't know, but Duwei knew!
Within the next year, the criminal aliens will invade from the north. At that time, the Storm Legion will bear the brunt!
Although Du Wei doesn't want to dampen his younger brother's enthusiasm, as an older brother, he also has selfish motives! In future wars, the Storm Legion, which is on the front line of the empire's defense, will be the first army to fight with the army of criminals.
, the casualty rate must be very high!
He doesn't want his brother to take risks!
As for the Northwest Independent Division... in fact, this army is simply a cover created by Du Wei and Prince Chen!
This Northwest Independent Division is actually not an army at all! Because after the destruction of the Northwest Army, the threats on the grassland have been blocked by Du Wei first, so there is no need to station a large army in the Northwest. This Northwest Independent Division is actually Du Wei and Prince Chen
The two of them quietly worked it out...
The future Imperial Air Force!
In the past two years or so, the large factories established by the empire in the northwest have produced a steady stream of hot air balloons. After being technically modified and updated, they have begun to equip the northwest independent divisions on a large scale, and have also carried out
After a lot of training, this army will come in handy in future wars!
This northwest independent division, the prototype of the future Imperial Air Force, will definitely fight to the death against the criminals on the battlefield. For the safety of his brother, Du Wei does not want Gabri to be a pilot!
I remembered the letter Bai Hechou sent back to me through witchcraft, describing the fighting power of the local sinners and the people.
Those rhinoceros warriors whose strength is comparable to that of human mid-level warriors, and those orc soldiers who can go crazy at any time to increase their combat effectiveness... these are powerful fighting machines created by the dwarves.
Look at my younger brother's young face again.
Du Wei firmly shook his head!
"Brother, I said, I respect all your choices, and I will not force you to do anything. However, as your brother, I need to express my opinion." Du Wei looked solemn and stared closely.
To Gabri: "I personally... object to you joining the Storm Legion or the Northwest Independent Division."
"Why?" Gabri did not rush to retort immediately, but asked Du Wei calmly.
This performance made Du Wei very satisfied. Very good, his brother finally looked like an adult, instead of like a frizzy child.
"I won't hide it from you." Du Wei sighed and lowered his voice: "This matter is still a secret now, but it will be announced in half a year."
He suddenly took out a map of the empire from under the table. He spread it out on the table and raised his finger to the area of the Frozen Forest: "I think you know about the raging monsters in the Frozen Forest two years ago.
That incident caused heavy losses to the Storm Legion."
"Know."
"Very good! Then let me tell you, this is just a prelude." Du Wei's voice was full of coldness: "In the next year, in the north, north of the frozen forest, there will be a large number of... us
The evil race invasion that I have never known or recognized! They are not human beings. They are alien races. They have at least more than a million troops and strong fighting power! Their goal is not to make trouble for a while and then leave like those Warcraft.
.But to...exterminate humanity! This is a big war! The frozen forest will be the frontline!"
Gabri was stunned.
The room suddenly fell into deathly silence!
Young Gabri looked at his brother's eyes, and then looked at the location of the frozen forest on the map.
Such a news may be difficult for anyone to believe and accept in a moment!
The mainland has been at peace for hundreds of years! For a long time, the only known enemy to the people of the Roland Empire was the Northwest Legion, a separatist warlord. Now it has been razed by Du Wei.
There are also grasslands outside Mount Kilimaro. Those grassland barbarians are nothing more than local scourges and not a big threat.
If we continue to pursue it reluctantly, there may be Nanyang... But the proud Roland people will not treat the natives with spears and rowing boats as "enemies". They are not qualified!
"north?"
"North of the Frozen Forest?"
"An alien race that is not human?"
Gabri asked three questions in a row.
He could tell that his brother was definitely not joking!
"The only person who knows about this matter in the imperial capital now is His Highness the Regent. He may have told Lord Robschel, but it is only limited to the core power circle of the empire, no more than five people. Other than that,
, the only one who knows the news is the Pope of the temple... and Chairman Yago Doug of the Magic Union should have also been informed."
Du Wei slowly moved his fingers: "You also know that we have established a military defense line in the north of the empire. It is a long defense line built at the level of the empire's first-class military fortress, the Kaspersky Defense Line! If only
In order to prevent monsters from raging, is it necessary for us to build such a line of defense at all costs? My brother..."
Duweidi's voice was full of cruelty: "According to external news, this defense line is built according to the empire's first-class military fortress, but in fact, its construction standards and costs are much higher! I have invested a lot of money in this defense line.
Sixteen million gold coins! The empire also contributed more than 100,000 laborers and civilians. Almost half of the people in the Imperial Works and Housing Department were mobilized to the north. The lowest wall on this line of defense is as high as fifteen meters. Where are we equipped?
There are a large number of ballistas and defensive equipment. There is a military fortress behind the defense line. It is large enough to station more than three legions of troops. There are also a large number of weapons and grain storage... In the past year, food from the south has been continuously transported to the north.
There is also the northwest. I have spent countless efforts to squeeze out the cattle, sheep and horses from the northwest grassland. Including the newly established Thunder God's Whip Legion and my northwest independent division, they will all go north in the near future to compete with the Storm Legion.
, and then... this line of defense will be our wall against invaders!"
Gabri finally spoke, his lips moving a few times: "Are these intruders very powerful?"
"Very powerful." Du Wei smiled bitterly. After the pressure of the past three years, he could tell his relatives for the first time: "So powerful that I have no confidence! The individual combat power of these invaders is far superior to that of us humans. And
...They also possess wisdom, hatred, determination...and everything else!"
Du Wei sighed, his face showing exhaustion.
In fact, he has been very tired for the past three years! But in front of his subordinates, he is a leader and he cannot show any weakness. But now, in front of his trusted brother, he can show his tiredness.
"This is not the Northwest War. It is not the local warlords like the Northwest Army, which can be wiped out in two or three months. It is not the grassland war twenty years ago, which can be over in one or two years... This is a Patriotic War.
Or call it the 'War to Defend Humanity', I even suspect that this war will last ten, twenty years...or even longer!"
Du Wei thought of the two "Wars of the Age of Mythology" thousands of years ago.
That dark age lasted for a full hundred years!
silence……
The two brothers looked at each other speechless.
Du Wei suddenly smiled. He turned around and took out a crystal bottle from behind the bookshelf. The bottle contained fine wine. Du Wei also learned this habit from his father, old Raymond.
He unscrewed the bottle cap and handed it to his brother: "I think you must take a few sips now."
Gabri smiled bitterly: "It seems that I do need it."
He grabbed the bottle and drank half of it. Because he drank too quickly, he choked a few times.
Seeing his brother's face turning red from coughing, Du Wei finally smiled gently: "You are very brave, Gabri. At least you didn't wet your pants in fear after knowing the news. If ordinary people knew that we humans were about to face
Faced with such a huge crisis of annihilating the country and exterminating the land, I am afraid that most people will collapse in panic."
"Why...why hasn't this news been announced?" Gabri smiled bitterly.
"This news was known three years ago." Du Wei said with a bitter smile: "But we need time to prepare for war! Do you think, if this news is announced, how much panic and chaos will break out in the human world? That kind of fear is full of fear.
There will be a lot of civil strife in the empire. In despair, no one has the intention to produce... That won't work! We need three years, and we need to let the farmers continue to cultivate during these three years. This way the empire can store food. Let the craftsmen continue to produce, the empire
Only then can the army obtain sufficient weapons and equipment. Only by allowing merchants to continue circulating can the empire's finances wait for sufficient military expenditures! Also, in the past three years, we have wiped out the warlords of the Northwest Army and eliminated internal troubles at all costs... Do you think, if
This news was announced long ago. I’m afraid we don’t know what the chaos is like internally! But now it’s very good, most people don’t know, so we have prepared the army for war, reorganized the army, accumulated weapons, food and grassland, and financed the war.
reserves, as well as the construction of the northern defense line..."
"But it has to be announced." Gabri whispered.
"It will happen within a few months." Du Wei sighed: "Then, chaos is expected. But fortunately, we are well prepared to suppress the chaos. The local garrison has been reorganized, and the warlords in the northwest have been eliminated.
At least we don’t need to worry about the internal situation. As for the people’s panic... this is inevitable. However, food and weapons have been produced enough. If you panic, just panic. As for this... I believe in our spiritual leaders and the church.
The Pope will find a way to calm this panic. After all, he is the spiritual leader."
Gurgling.
Gabri took a few more gulps of wine.
At this moment, under the stimulation of alcohol, the young man's trembling heart could gradually calm down.
He is not cowardly, but when news of such a big event comes, everyone will always be emotionally confused. Even Du Wei was the same when he knew about it.
"I still want to go to the army!" Gabri actually drank the whole bottle of wine.
He blushed and placed the wine bottle heavily on the table.
"You are the heir to the family!" Du Wei reminded seriously.
"But I am from Luo Lin!" Gabri said proudly: "As the patriarch of the Luo Lin family, as the proud leader of the Wuxun family, how can the Luo Lin family step back at such a great moment!! Ours
The family is a part of protecting this continent! Our ancestors fought bloody battles for this empire, and our fathers also shed blood for this empire! How can I be willing to lag behind!"
"You will have a chance." Du Wei smiled bitterly: "However, I still don't think you should go to the front line now. You will probably die in the first wave of decisive battles."
"I'm not afraid of death." Gabri shook his head: "No son of the Luo Lin family is afraid of death."
"I know." Du Wei still shook his head: "But you are the patriarch. If you die, who will inherit the family? Don't forget, you don't even have a son now. You have just grown up. Before you die, at least give
The family has to leave an heir. Otherwise, will the Luo Lin family, which I have worked so hard to restore, be wiped out in ashes?"
A very calm question, which immediately made Gabri silent!
Indeed, in this generation of the Luo Lin family, Raymond died too early, while Gabri had just grown up, and the eldest son Du Wei had already left the family and formed his own family.
It can be said that if Gabri suddenly dies, then the Luo Lin family may not even be able to find an orthodox heir... What awaits this great family is the end of ashes!
"After your coming-of-age ceremony, get married immediately and keep the wedding simple. Then... I need you to get your wife pregnant within a year or sooner. This is your responsibility to the family. As for your position... in the north
Storm Legion, I don’t recommend that you go, because now that you have gone, your role is just that of an ordinary low-level officer, without much contribution value. And I have some other arrangements for you... Of course, all of this
It's all based on your consent. You are my brother, but you have grown up, and I will not impose my ideas on you. You can think about it, if you insist on your plan..."
Du Wei smiled bitterly: "Then I can only agree, but I will send experts to protect you and try not to let you die in the post of a low-level officer. If the earl of the Luo Lin family died while still a low-level cavalry captain,
If you lose it, it would be too humiliating. You should have a bigger stage, my brother."
Gabri stood up and looked at Duwei: "You are my brother, and I am willing to follow your arrangements!"
After a pause, he suddenly whispered: "Brother, how sure are you of this... this matter?"
"You mean war?" Du Wei shook his head: "I'm not sure. This war will probably last for decades, or even longer, so... I have a plan. After three months, I will find a way to get my mother out of the way.
Pick her up from her hometown and send a ship to take her to Nanyang! I made some preparations in Nanyang, which is considered my sphere of influence."
"Nanyang?" Gabri was stunned for a moment, but he immediately caught a message: "Do you think that the Kaspersky defense line may not be able to stop the opponent? Are you worried that the Luolin Plain will also fall?"
"Everything is possible." Du Wei shook his head: "This is not a war between humans. It is a war between humans. In the end, when one party admits defeat and surrenders, it is over. But this is a war to destroy the country and genocide.
!The opponent’s goal is probably to destroy mankind! Such a war has never been encountered by mankind in thousands of years.”
Gabri looked at Duwei for a while: "You are my brother, I believe in you, unconditionally! I will do whatever you want me to do!"
Du Wei smiled, his eyes were bright, and he held his brother's hand hard: "Don't worry, I am also a member of the Luo Lin family! I will not let the Luo Lin family lose its reputation. My brother, I hope you will become a member of the Luo Lin family."
After my father, there is another famous general in the Luo Lin family!"
Gabri suddenly looked a little strange: "Brother, can we discuss the marriage again..."