A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Chapter 646: Military Parade

Gui'er said worriedly, "Don't mention it. Ever since the Marshal started smoking opium, I feel like he's a different person than he was before. He even built close ties with the Japanese, just so he could surrender to them if he was defeated."

Song Xichen sighed. "Alas, the de facto ruler of a city is so irresponsible. My father has been worried these past few days, worried that something might happen to him, creating a power vacuum that would surely attract countless people eager to fill it. This would cause civil unrest in Jiangcheng. Anyway, we are all closely following the developments. If you have any news, please come and tell us."

Guier also realized the seriousness of the matter and nodded with a frown.

After returning to the Marshal's Mansion, she went to the main courtyard to visit the Marshal. No one else was there at the time, so she leaned over and whispered in the Marshal's ear, "Father, how are you feeling? Have you felt better these past two days? I ran into the eldest young master of the Song family when I went out today. You know, the eldest young master Song is the director of the police station. After seeing me, he reminded me to be careful. He said that since the news of your illness spread, the city has become chaotic, and those vicious public security cases of burning, killing, and looting have increased a lot. He is almost overwhelmed. He suspects that various forces have seen you fall and are ready to make a move. Father, you will get better soon. Jiangcheng and Fengcheng are counting on you."

Gui'er told the Marshal about this matter, hoping that he could get better soon and stabilize the situation. However, the Marshal didn't even move his eyes after hearing it, but stared blankly at a certain place, as if he didn't hear it.

Gui'er knew he did it on purpose. She had seen the Marshal react when she came to see him the day after he collapsed. Now that so many days have passed, it's impossible for his condition to get worse.

She sighed and stepped back.

When I walked into the main hall, I happened to encounter the doctor discussing the Marshal's condition with the wife and the eldest young master. Even the doctor said to the wife, the eldest young master and the second young master in confusion: "Looking at the Marshal's vital signs, they are much better than when he first fell ill. I don't know why there is no change at all."

Gui'er naturally knew that it was the Marshal's pretending, but she didn't want to say it out loud, so she turned around and went back to her own yard.

As soon as he returned to the courtyard, Sha Yanxiao also returned, still looking exhausted. Gui'er relayed to him Song Xichen's report of deteriorating public security. The young marshal frowned, and after a moment's contemplation, he said, "This won't work. I'll go back and call a meeting to discuss this."

Soon Gui'er heard that Sha Yanxiao had discussed with the generals in the army, as well as the lady, the eldest son and government officials, and decided to hold military parades in Fengcheng and Jiangcheng respectively to deter criminals and various forces that were ready to make moves.

On the day of the parade, the main streets of Jiangcheng and Fengcheng were cleared for the parade. On both sides of the street were filled with onlookers, whispering and discussing, full of anticipation for the parade.

The soldiers, dressed in neat uniforms and armed with brand-new weapons, marched in unison past the reviewing stand. Their upright postures and resolute gazes radiated military dignity and awe, drawing the gazes of the people in amazement.

At the military parade, various advanced weapons and equipment were displayed one by one. Artillery, troop carriers, etc. were neatly arranged, emitting a cold metallic luster, as if announcing to the world the military strength of Jiangcheng and Fengcheng.

Sha Yanxiao, dressed in a neat military uniform and riding a tall horse, inspected the troops with great dignity. With a sturdy figure and a resolute gaze, he waved to the soldiers, demonstrating his outstanding leadership style.

Such a grand event naturally required the Marshal's family. Led by his wife, the concubines, along with their children, appeared on the balcony of a tall building where the parade had to pass. Guards stood guard around the area. Those who recognized the Marshal's family waved, took off their hats, or bowed. His wife smiled and nodded in return, and the concubines felt incredibly proud. The fifth and sixth concubines even said happily, "Oh, I've been married to the Marshal's for so many years, and this is the most visible moment I've ever had. I've already notified my family and had them tell all their relatives and friends that I'm also an important guest at the parade. They're incredibly envious."

Gui'er took Taohua and stood in an inconspicuous corner, watching the scene as if it were a good show. She felt a little funny. At this moment, it seemed that all the women of the Marshal had forgotten that the parade was only held because of the Marshal's fall. They were quite happy.

However, the people of Jiangcheng cheered when they saw such a grand military parade, with applause and cheers rising one after another. This military parade greatly deterred all forces, making those with ulterior motives dare not act rashly.

Afterwards, Sha Yanxiao held another military parade in Fengcheng.

The market gradually stabilized, and it seems that this method is very effective.

Moreover, everyone felt that Sha Yanxiao was capable of governing Jiangcheng and Fengcheng like the Marshal. His prestige was greatly enhanced as a result, and he gained the support of the vast majority of officers in the army, and even the Marshal's closest confidants sided with him.

The people in the Marshal's mansion were always well-informed, and the concubines began to revere the Second Young Master, treating him with the same respect as they did the Marshal. However, the Second Young Master was a man of character. He remained as humble and courteous to his wives and the eldest master as before, showing no sign of arrogance or complacency due to his increased prestige. After this turmoil, the Marshal's mansion seemed to have gradually returned to its former order.

But for some reason, the Marshal recovered very quickly and was able to get out of bed the day after the military parade.

Everyone was very surprised, only Gui'er knew that the Marshal had finally stopped pretending.

Of course, everyone was happy that the Marshal had recovered, and they all came to the main courtyard.

The Marshal, supported by two guards, took two unsteady steps like a robot before collapsing on a recliner, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

The doctor was very satisfied and said to everyone, "The Marshal's physical function looked so poor some time ago. It might be because he couldn't bear the mental blow and was unwilling to accept the current situation. Now he is willing to move around, which is the beginning of improvement. Everyone can supervise him to exercise more, which will be very helpful for his recovery."

Sha Yanyao walked up to the Marshal and said, "Father, how do you feel?"

The Marshal opened his mouth and uttered "ah ah" twice. It seemed that his mouth was out of his control and drool flowed down the corners of his mouth. He noticed it himself and seemed to feel a little embarrassed and annoyed. He simply closed his mouth and ignored Sha Yanyao.