She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

On the training grounds, the soldiers were conducting their daily drills, with shouts and the clash of weapons echoing through the air, full of a masculine energy.

Mr. Ma was inspecting the training of the soldiers in Yong’an City. Suddenly, a rapid sound of footsteps broke the rhythm of the drill.

Li Gang, leading a few personal soldiers, swaggered over. He halted in front of Mr. Ma, a barely suppressed smile on his face.

”General Ma Cheng, the Marshal has ordered you to receive this command.” Li Gang said as he unfolded the decree in his hand.

Such a formal military order?

Mr. Ma’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, a bad premonition emerged.

The decree starkly stated that he was demoted from General to Centurion. Mr. Ma’s heart sank suddenly, he looked up at Li Gang, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes.

”What is the meaning of this? I have fought for Beiguan for many years, earning glorious achievements. I climbed to this position through my own merits, why am I suddenly demoted to Centurion?”

Mr. Ma’s voice was low and forceful, filled with the anger of questioning every word.

Li Gang shrugged his hands, ”This is the Marshal’s order, you only need to obey. As for the reason, you should ask the Marshal.”

Upon hearing this, Mr. Ma glared angrily.

He understood, it was certainly Cao Xiong eliminating dissidents to consolidate his power. However, as a soldier, obeying orders is his duty, he can only temporarily swallow this humiliation.

”Fine, I will obey the order.”

Mr. Ma said, handing the decree back to Li Gang, then turned and left the training grounds.

The news quickly spread in the barracks, soldiers stopped their training and gathered together to discuss.

”General Ma Cheng is a hero of Beiguan, how can he be demoted to Centurion like this?”

”Exactly, this Cao Xiong arrives and pulls this stunt, clearly eliminating dissidents.”

”Humph! Too much bullying, I think he’s tired of living.”

”Knows nothing about the drill, comes here to act bossy.”

”When Mr. Zhao was here, he always respected General Mr. Ma more, what is this Cao Xiong anyway?”

”If he treats General Mr. Ma like this today, who knows how he’ll treat us tomorrow!”

”How about we rebel against that dog?”

”Yes, rebel against him.”

...

Soldiers raised their spears and shouted, their emotions growing more excited, if not stopped, it was about to turn into a mutiny.

Mr. Ma stood on a dirt hill, looking at the soldiers below filled with rage, his heart mixed with emotions.

These soldiers were brothers who fought alongside him, heroes who bled and sweated for the Da Jing frontier. He knew the soldiers were upset on his behalf, wanting justice for him, but they must obey orders and not act rashly.

Otherwise, Cao Xiong naturally had ways to use military law to punish them to death.

”Brothers, calm down.” Mr. Ma’s voice echoed in the uproar, like a thunderclap, quieting the soldiers down.

He walked to the front of the soldiers, his gaze sweeping across each of them, ”I know everyone feels unjust for me, but we must obey orders. Cao Xiong is the Marshal, and we must execute his orders.”

”But, General Mr. Ma, you’ve done so much for us, how can we just watch you suffer unjustly?” A soldier shouted.

Mr. Ma shook his head and said, ”I’m fine, everyone rest assured. As long as I hold this knife, whether I’m a General or a soldier, I am loyal to Da Jing’s frontier.”

Upon hearing this, the soldiers lowered their heads, silent.

Mr. Ma was right, they are soldiers and must obey military orders, but this doesn’t mean they have no grievances.

After Mr. Ma’s persuasion and soothing, the situation did not escalate further, but Cao Xiong’s actions caused the soldiers to lose trust in him.

Although Cao Xiong handed Yong’an City to Li Gang for defense, he returned to Ling’an City’s Marshal Mansion the next day, avoiding the soldiers’ anger and complaints, but soldiers were filled with hostility towards the newly promoted Li Gang...

Time flies like a fleeting horse, swiftly passing.

Capital City.

The sunset was like blood, spilling over the ancient bluestone roads of the Capital City, illuminating the slightly weary but still flamboyant figure of Wei Chengchao.

The notorious wastrel of the Capital City, this time traveled from Jingzhou Taoyuan County with two attendants, though his heart held a secret unknown to others.

”Master, we are finally back!” Attendant A wiped the sweat off his forehead, his tone carrying excitement.

Wei Chengchao nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving the towering Prime Minister’s Mansion.

This was his home, he finally arrived home. Finally back in a place where he could do as he pleased.

Wei Chengchao’s lips curled up in a satisfied smile.

Upon entering the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Wei Chengchao couldn’t wait to give orders to Attendant A and Attendant B.

”You two, quickly find the famous physicians of the Capital City, tell them I am feeling unwell and need treatment.”

Upon hearing this, the two understood, nodded, quickly accepted the order and left.

In no time, several reputable physicians were hastily invited.

Some physicians were with white hair, some were in their prime, each had a good reputation in Da Jing’s Capital City, but when facing Wei Chengchao, they appeared respectful and eager to please.

Wei Chengchao had them check the pulse of himself and the two attendants, watching the physicians alternately frown and relax their brows, his and the attendants’ faces were calm but their hearts were anxiously restless.

”Mr. Wei, there’s no serious issue with your health, just over fatigue, a little rest will do.” The first physician said.

”Indeed, Mr. Wei, you and your attendants are healthy, no need to worry too much.” The second physician gave the same conclusion.

Several physicians in succession examined the pulse, the answers were all identical.

”But all three of us feel signs of poisoning. Physicians, please examine us carefully once more.”

Wei Chengchao turned and exchanged glances with the attendants, rolled up his sleeves and laid his wrist back on the pulse pillow.

The ”famous” Mr. Wei of the Capital City actually said ”please” to them, these small physicians found it hard to believe and flattered.

Since Master Wei wanted them to look again, they would look again!

Several physicians quickly gathered, their expressions became exceptionally solemn. They took turns, fingers softly placed on Wei Chengchao’s fragile pulse, brows furrowed, diagnosing carefully.

A nearby medicine boy also hurriedly searched through medical books, afraid of missing any possible description of poisoning.

The atmosphere in the room at that moment was tense to the extreme, as if even the air had solidified.

Wei Chengchao and his attendants saw this, their hearts were even more uneasy, but they maintained a composed demeanor.

After a good while, the physicians exchanged a complicated glance, seemingly discovering something but hesitant to speak easily.

One physician stole a glance at Wei Chengchao then called all the physicians to the side. They gathered, exchanged whispers quietly.

This situation, like hospital doctors talking during a breath, made Wei Chengchao’s heart sink uncontrollably. He strained to eavesdrop but could only catch a few fragmented professional terms.

He couldn’t understand at all!