Half past eight in the morning.

With more than an hour to go before the public memorial ceremony, a large number of people in Anhua City began to converge towards Dongshan Park.

Regardless of men, women, young and old, regardless of high and low, everyone's right arm is tied with a white flower.

Without exception.

As early as the date of the public memorial was set, rumors spread that anyone could go to pay respects to the victims of the Whisper of the Gods.

That's why so many people came spontaneously.

By the way.

Originally, according to tradition, the white flowers worn during the memorial service to the deceased were preferably made of white cloth.

Because of this public sacrifice, the white cloth in the city's cloth stores was all bought out, and many civilians could only use white paper to fold a white flower.

Xing Peng's father-in-law, Fan Ancheng's family, is also in the flow of people.

It's not just the family.

But anyone who has a little status, all of them are coming.

Don't want to come?

Scold!

When Director Cheng set up the Charity Association, he once said in private, "If anyone doesn't come, I must remember it clearly."

The words are still in the ears, who dares not to weigh them?

Those who are a little more well-informed know that the person who really has the final say in Anhua City today is not His Excellency the Grand Consul, but the Director of the Inspectorate.

Director Cheng will personally pay tribute, and if he doesn't go, he will not give face to the director, do you want to mix up in Anhua City in the future?

Soon.

The luxury crystal car that Fan Ancheng's family was riding in slowly stopped when it reached an open space away from Dongshan Park.

The white-gloved driver said respectfully: "The road ahead is blocked by the Inspection Department, and you can only walk to the public memorial site." ”

Fan Ancheng let out an "um".

The wife of the wealthy businessman complained: "The weather is so cold, and you have to walk a kilometer in the snow, it's really a deliberate toss!" ”

Fan Ancheng frowned and shouted unceremoniously: "This is a decision made by the director himself, take care of your mouth for me!" ”

What kind of person Director Cheng is, how can he be easily criticized, if these words are spread, isn't it just to cause trouble for his own family?

Fan Xiaoqian also persuaded: "Mom, Xing Peng is now the chief inspector, and we, as family members, should support the work of the inspection department." ”

The wife didn't dare to confront her husband, so she pointed the finger at her daughter: "You, you talk to Xing Peng every day before you get married." ”

Fan Xiaoqian's pretty face blushed and did not argue with her mother.

The family got out of the car, stepped on the thick snow, and merged into the flow of people on the road.

After walking more than ten meters.

Fan Ancheng's eyes swept over the flowers that his daughter was holding in both hands, turned his head to look at his wife, and asked in a low voice, "You haven't forgotten to bring money, have you?" ”

The wife nodded: "I told you several times yesterday, of course I brought it." ”

She habitually complained again: "If you want to present a bouquet of flowers in front of the monument, you have to donate 50 gold coins first. ”

The words in this woman's mouth were the gossip that had been circulated from the Fang family in the Winter Garden.

As everyone knows, the director is resident in the Winter Garden, which is most likely what Director Cheng hinted at the Fang family in private.

Fan Xiaoqian explained softly: "The public sacrifice is a major event of concern in the whole city, and offering flowers can show your face in front of the whole city and win the good reputation of a 'good family', so you naturally have to pay some price."

"The Inspectorate did not put the money in its pocket, but paid for the ceremony, and the rest of the money was used for the welfare of civilians, which is a win-win-win approach."

The wife still looked distressed about the money: "Fifty gold coins is too much, I think twenty is more reasonable!" ”

Fan Ancheng glared at his wife, and his tone became more and more impatient: "You know a fart!" ”

The wife muttered under her breath and did not speak again.

Another way forward.

There are more and more people around.

No one spoke.

Everyone was solemn.

The family was infected by the atmosphere and just walked forward silently.

*

Not much.

The family approached the entrance of Higashiyama Park.

Fan Xiaoqian suddenly stretched out her right hand and pointed forward, and shouted with a surprised face: "Mom, Dad, Xing Peng is on duty over there!" ”

When Fan Ancheng heard the prestige, he immediately saw Xing Peng's figure.

The newly promoted inspector was standing at the entrance of the park with his back straight, constantly saluting the civilians entering the park, repeating a sentence in his mouth: "Thank you for coming to the memorial service." ”

The more his wife looked at it, the more satisfied she felt: "Xiaopeng is a good boy!" ”

The baby daughter is about to marry the youngest inspector in the city, and every time she talks about it with friends in the circle, she can see the envy on the other party's face, and of course she is very satisfied.

Fan Xiaoqian was a little distressed: "There are so many people in the park today, I'm afraid that Xing Peng's arms will be sore when he salutes." ”

Fan Ancheng sighed with emotion: "An inspection department that respects civilians must have received the most widespread support, and the inspection department led by Director Cheng does have a different atmosphere." ”

The three of them have their own opinions.

*

After entering the park.

The family donated fifty gold coins and was guided by a maid to a waiting area adjacent to Dongshan.

There are many tents set up in advance, and a brazier is placed in each tent for heating, which is also a small benefit for money.

As expected, the people who entered the place were the city's wealthy class, and at least the top of the middle class.

Fan Ancheng walked around the tent and walked out.

The mother and daughter were too lazy to go out to socialize, so they sat by the brazier and roasted the fire.

Not for a while.

Fan Ancheng is back.

The wealthy merchant said with a strange expression: "I just heard the news that the archon does not plan to attend the public memorial ceremony. ”

The wife rubbed her palms and said casually: "The public sacrifice is a matter led by the Inspectorate, and it is not surprising that the archon does not want to be pressed on his head, so he is not willing to come. ”

Fan Xiaoqian heard her fiancé say some things, and commented: "The public sacrifice is a public affair related to the whole city, and it is indeed too small to abolish the public for private reasons." ”

Today.

Many people knew that the position of the archon was shaky, so the family did not talk about the archon with the slightest hint of awe.

Fan Ancheng glanced at his daughter appreciatively: "Xiaoqian is right. ”

He couldn't help but sigh again: "If that Excellency comes, maybe the position of the archon can be more secure, for the sake of ...... face."

The rest of the sentence was not finished.

But both mother and daughter understood what it meant.

His wife gossiped: "Director Cheng's ability is definitely the strongest among the previous directors in the city, maybe the Xuan Pavilion will let Director Cheng concurrently serve as the Great Consul." ”

Fan Ancheng subconsciously denied: "This is impossible! ”

Fan Xiaoqian supported her mother: "It's really possible!" ”

She immediately said the reason: "The current situation is so chaotic, it is impossible for Xuanshi to take charge of things personally, and Tai'an Xiaoling Realm can't pick out someone more capable than Director Cheng." ”

Fan Ancheng also recalled: "That's right. ”

His wife suddenly became excited: "If Director Cheng really becomes the archon, will Xing Peng's future be even greater?" ”

Fan Ancheng nodded heavily: "Of course!" ”

The wife smiled: "Lao Fan, you have picked a good son-in-law!" ”

Fan Ancheng looked proud: "My vision has never been bad. ”

Fan Xiaoqian couldn't cry or laugh: "This is just speculation, the archon hasn't left his post yet, are you too happy?" ”

That's when it happened.

The loud bell rang through Dongshan Park.

"Boom! Boom! ”

This bell is something specially brought for the public sacrifice.

Fan Ancheng immediately stood up and urged in a low voice: "The ceremony has begun, let's hurry over." ”

The family hurriedly walked out of the tent and, together with the huge flow of people, poured into the viewing area marked out around Dongshan.

The wife looked around and smacked her tongue, "Oh my God! That's at least tens of thousands of people, right? ”

Fan Ancheng bowed: "Almost." ”

"Boom! Boom! ”

"Boom! Boom! ”

The bells rang from all directions.

These are the bells that ring at various locations in the city.

*

Ten o'clock sharp.

Under the gaze of tens of thousands of people.

Cheng Han, wearing the director's high-end dress, walked to the top of the mountain with a serious face, raised his hand and waved lightly.

"Whew!"

A black cloth flew out of thin air.

A three-meter-high commemorative stone monument reveals its true face.

Cheng Han stared at the simple stone tablet and the dense names carved on it, and his clear voice instantly spread throughout Dongshan: "May your souls return to the top of the Divine Banyan Tree!" ”

A loud voice rang out.

"Salute!"

From Cheng Han and below, more than 300 inspectors saluted in unison.

The families of the victims, numbering more than 2,000 people, gathered in a designated area, each with tears streaming down their faces, and bursts of sorrow rang out.

The cold wind swept through, carrying the cry into the distance.

Although tens of thousands of people gathered at the foot of the mountain, the crowd was extremely quiet, and everyone listened to the cries in the wind.

Fan Xiaoqian's mother and daughter unconsciously reached out and wiped away their tears.

Fan Ancheng's eyes were red, and he cursed in his heart: "Damn the alien god!" ”

In the past, this wealthy businessman did not have much sympathy for civilians, and the number of civilians killed was really just a number for him.

But at this moment, he hated the strange god from the bottom of his heart.

This moment.

A sentiment called "hatred and hatred" permeated the crowd.

*

Inside the city.

A certain intersection.

"Boom!"

The bells are ringing.

A team of inspectors who were on duty immediately turned around and looked in the direction of Dongshan.

The chief inspector who led the team immediately shouted:

"Salute to the victims!"

A group of people saluted neatly and stared at Dongshan for a long time.

A large number of passers-by around stopped their steps when they saw this, and many of them took off their hats and let the snow fall overhead.

Even a few passers-by riding feathered beasts jumped off their mounts and looked in the direction of Dongshan.

*

Anhua City No. 3 Secondary School.

Under the arrangement of the school teachers, all the students of the school lined up in the reading playground ten minutes in advance.

"Boom!"

The ringing of the bell shook the school.

The principal of the school has been standing on the stage for half an hour, his hair and shoulders covered with a layer of snow.

The moment he heard the bell, he roared decisively:

"All salute the victims!"

Thousands of students looked in the direction of Dongshan together.

Just now, some of the students were still smiling on their faces.

But at this moment, these students felt the solemn atmosphere, and the hippie smiling faces disappeared cleanly, leaving only solemn expressions.

It's not just this middle school.

The same scene was played out in other elementary and middle schools in the city.

This is naturally the embodiment of Director Cheng's will.

The principals of primary and secondary schools are all retired soldiers from the Black Armor Army, and he is the active deputy captain of the Black Armor Army.

(End of chapter)