Love Lock

Chapter 99 is completely incomprehensible.

On the training ground, the soldiers were carrying out their daily drills, with shouts and the clanging of weapons rising and falling, full of masculine energy.

Ma Cheng, the garrison commander of Yong'an City, was inspecting the soldiers' training. Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps broke the rhythm of the drill.

Li Gang, accompanied by a few personal guards, strode over arrogantly. He stopped in front of Ma Cheng, a barely suppressed smile on his face.

"General Ma Cheng, the Marshal has given you an order. Please receive the order." Li Gang said, unfolding the appointment and dismissal order in his hand.

Such a formal military order?
Ma Cheng frowned slightly, a bad feeling creeping over him.

The decree clearly stated that he was being demoted from general to centurion. Ma Cheng's heart sank. He looked up at Li Gang, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"What does this mean? I have fought for Beiguan for many years and made great contributions. I have climbed to this position by my own ability. Why am I suddenly being demoted to centurion?"

Ma Cheng's voice was deep and powerful, every word filled with angry questioning.

Li Gang spread his hands. "This is the Marshal's order. You just need to obey. As for the reason, go ask the Marshal."

Upon hearing this, Ma Cheng glared angrily.

He understood that Cao Xiong was eliminating dissidents and consolidating his own position. However, as a soldier, his duty was to obey orders, so he could only swallow this humiliation for the time being.

"Okay, I will obey orders."

As Ma Cheng spoke, he handed the appointment and dismissal order back to Li Gang and turned to leave the training ground.

The news quickly spread throughout the military camp, and the soldiers stopped their drills and gathered together to discuss it.

"General Ma Cheng is a hero of our Beiguan Pass, how can he be demoted to a centurion like this?"

"That's right, Cao Xiong started doing this as soon as he arrived. He's clearly trying to eliminate his opponents."

"Hmph! This is outrageous! I think he's tired of living."

"He doesn't understand football, and he comes here and immediately tries to tell us what to do."

"When Zhao Shuai was around, everyone thought highly of General Ma. What was Cao Xiong compared to him?"

"If he treats General Ma this way today, who knows how he'll treat us tomorrow!"

"How about we rebel against those bastards?"

"Yeah, damn it."

……

The soldiers brandished their swords and halberds, shouting and becoming increasingly agitated. If they were not stopped soon, it seemed likely that a mutiny would break out.

Ma Cheng stood on the earthen slope, looking down at the indignant soldiers below, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

These soldiers were his brothers, whom he had risked his life for; they were heroes who had shed blood and sweat for the borders of the Great Jing. He knew that the soldiers were standing up for him and wanted to seek justice for him, but they had to obey orders and could not act impulsively.

Otherwise, Cao Xiong would naturally have ways to use military law to kill them.

"Brothers, quiet down." Ma Cheng's voice rang out amidst the commotion, like a thunderclap, silencing the soldiers.

He walked up to the soldiers, his gaze sweeping over each one. "I know you all feel indignant on my behalf, but we must obey orders. Cao Xiong is the marshal, and we must carry out his orders."

“But General Ma Cheng, you’ve done so much for us, how can we just stand by and watch you suffer?” a soldier shouted.

Ma Cheng shook his head and said, "I'm fine, everyone can rest assured. As long as I still hold this knife, whether I'm a general or a common soldier, I'm doing my duty to the border of Da Jing."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers all lowered their heads and remained silent.

Ma Cheng was right; they were soldiers and had to obey orders, not act impulsively. However, this didn't mean they weren't resentful. Ma Cheng's persuasion and calming words prevented the situation from escalating further, but Cao Xiong's actions had already caused the soldiers to lose trust in him.

Although Cao Xiong returned to the Marshal's Mansion in Ling'an City the day after handing Yong'an City over to Li Gang, thus avoiding the anger and complaints of his soldiers, the soldiers were still full of hostility towards Li Gang, whom they had just promoted...

Time flies like an arrow, passing in the blink of an eye.

Beijing.

The setting sun, like blood, spilled across the ancient bluestone streets of Beijing, illuminating Wei Chengchao's slightly weary yet still flamboyant figure.

The notorious playboy of the capital, accompanied by two servants, has traveled a long way from Taoyuan County in Jingzhou, but he harbors a secret he keeps to himself.

"Young master, we're finally back!" Attendant A wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice tinged with excitement.

Wei Chengchao nodded slightly, but his gaze never left the majestic Prime Minister's Mansion in front of him.

That was his home; he was finally home. He was finally back in this territory where he could do whatever he wanted.

Wei Chengchao's lips curled into a smug smile.

Upon entering the gates of the Prime Minister's residence, Wei Chengchao immediately began giving instructions to Attendant A and Attendant B.

"You two, hurry up and find a famous doctor in the capital. Tell him that I am unwell and need treatment."

Upon hearing this, the two understood and nodded, quickly accepting the order and leaving.

Before long, several renowned doctors from the capital were hurriedly invited over.

The doctors, some with white hair and beards, others in their prime, were all renowned in the capital city of Dajing. Yet, when facing Wei Chengchao, they all appeared extremely respectful and obsequious.

Wei Chengchao asked them to take his and his two attendants' pulses. Watching the doctors' brows furrow and relax, the three of them remained calm on the surface, but were anxious in their hearts.

"Young Master Wei, you are not seriously ill, just overworked. A little rest will do you good," the first doctor said.

"Yes, Young Master Wei, you and your attendants are both in good health, there's no need to worry." The second doctor gave the same conclusion.

Several doctors took my pulse, and their answers were all the same.

"But the three of us feel like we've been poisoned. Doctors, please take a closer look at us."

Wei Chengchao turned his head and exchanged a glance with the two servants behind him, then rolled up his sleeves and put his wrist back on the pulse pillow.

The renowned young master Wei from the capital actually used the words "thank you" to address these lowly doctors? The doctors found it unbelievable, and of course, they were flattered.

Since Young Master Wei wants to take another look, then let him take another look!
Several doctors quickly gathered around, their expressions becoming extremely solemn. They took turns examining Wei Chengchao, their fingertips gently resting on his weak pulse, their brows furrowed as they carefully examined him.

The apprentice doctor beside him quickly searched through medical books, afraid of missing any descriptions of possible poisonings.

The atmosphere inside the room became extremely tense, as if even the air itself had frozen.

Seeing this, Wei Chengchao and the other two became even more uneasy, but they still tried to remain calm.

After a while, the doctors exchanged complicated glances, seemingly having made a slight discovery, but unwilling to speak of it easily.

One of the doctors glanced at Wei Chengchao furtively, then called all the other doctors aside. The doctors huddled together, whispering amongst themselves.

This situation, like a doctor in a hospital speaking with heavy breathing, made Wei Chengchao's heart sink. He pricked up his ears to listen carefully, but could only catch a few fragmented medical terms.

He couldn't understand at all!

Happy start to the new year!
(End of this chapter)