Let's start by analyzing the sun

Chapter 231 [230] An Embodiment of Director Cheng's Will

8:30 AM.

With over an hour until the memorial ceremony, a large crowd in Anhua City began to converge towards East Mountain Park.

Regardless of gender, age, status, or wealth, everyone had a white flower pinned to their right arm.

Without exception.

Long before the date of the memorial was set, the Patrol Department had announced that anyone could go to commemorate the victims of the 'Words of the Alien God' incident.

Hence, so many people came of their own accord.

As an aside.

Traditionally, the white flowers worn to mourn the dead are best made of white cloth.

Due to this memorial, all the white cloth in the city's fabric stores was bought up, and many civilians had to fold white flowers out of paper.

Xing Peng's father-in-law, Fan Ancheng, and his family were also in the crowd.

Not just this family.

Anyone with even a little status came, without exception.

Didn't want to come?

Ha!

When Director Cheng established the charity, he once said privately, "If anyone doesn't come, I'll remember it clearly."

The words were still ringing in their ears, who would dare not to weigh the consequences?

Those with slightly better information knew that the real power in Anhua City now belonged not to the Grand Governor, but to the Director of the Patrol Department.

Director Cheng would personally preside over the memorial; not going would be equivalent to disrespecting the Director, and who would want to stay in Anhua City after that?

Soon.

The luxurious crystal energy car carrying Fan Ancheng's family drove to an open space near East Mountain Park and slowly stopped.

The driver, wearing white gloves, said respectfully, "The road ahead is blocked by the Patrol Department; we can only walk to the memorial site."

Fan Ancheng grunted in acknowledgement.

The wealthy merchant's wife complained, "It's so cold, and we have to walk a kilometer in the snow; it's deliberately making things difficult!"

Fan Ancheng frowned and rebuked her impolitely, "This is a decision made personally by Director Cheng; watch your mouth!"

Director Cheng was such an important figure, how could he be easily criticized? If these words were spread, wouldn't it be inviting trouble for the family?

Fan Xiaoqian also劝 said, "Mom, Xing Peng is a Patrol Captain now; as family members, we should support the Patrol Department's work."

The wife didn't dare argue with her husband, so she turned her attention to her daughter: "You, you're already speaking up for Xing Peng every day before you've even married him."

Fan Xiaoqian's pretty face flushed slightly, and she didn't argue with her mother.

The family got out of the car, stepped on the thick snow, and joined the crowd on the road.

After walking a dozen meters.

Fan Ancheng's gaze swept over the flowers in his daughter's hands, then he turned to his wife and asked in a low voice, "You didn't forget to bring the money, did you?"

The wife nodded: "You told me several times yesterday; of course, I brought it."

She habitually complained again: "To offer a bouquet of flowers at the monument, you have to donate fifty gold coins first; I think the Patrol Department is really obsessed with money."

What the woman said was a rumor that came from the Fang family in Winter Garden.

And as everyone knows, the Director often resides in Winter Garden, so this was probably Director Cheng's private hint for the Fang family to spread the word.

Fan Xiaoqian explained in a soft voice, "The memorial is a major event that the whole city is paying attention to; offering flowers can show your face in front of the whole city and earn a good reputation as a 'benevolent family,' so naturally, you have to pay some price."

"The Patrol Department didn't pocket the money; it's used to pay for the expenses of the ceremony, and the remaining money is used for civilian welfare; this is a win-win-win situation."

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

Fan Ancheng glared at his wife, his tone becoming more impatient: "You don't know anything!"

The wife muttered something under her breath and didn't speak again.

After walking another distance.

The surrounding people became more and more numerous.

No one spoke.

Everyone had a solemn expression.

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

*

Soon.

The family approached the entrance of East Mountain Park.

Fan Xiaoqian suddenly stretched out her right hand and pointed forward, exclaiming with surprise, "Mom and Dad, Xing Peng is on duty over there!"

Fan Ancheng heard the sound and looked over, immediately seeing Xing Peng's figure.

The newly promoted Patrol Captain was standing upright at the entrance of the park, constantly saluting the civilians entering the park, repeating the sentence, "The Patrol Department thanks you for coming to participate in the memorial."

The wife looked more and more satisfied: "Xiao Peng is a good boy!"

Her precious daughter was about to marry the city's youngest Patrol Captain; every time she talked about this with friends in her circle, she could see envy on their faces; of course, she was very satisfied.

Fan Xiaoqian felt a little distressed: "So many people have come to the park today; I'm afraid Xing Peng's arms will be sore from saluting."

Fan Ancheng said with emotion, "A Patrol Department that respects civilians must have the widest support; the Patrol Department led by Director Cheng really has a different atmosphere."

The three people each had their own views.

*

After entering the park.

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

Many tents had been set up here in advance, and each tent had a brazier for warmth; this could be considered a small perk for those who paid.

As expected, the people who entered this place were all wealthy people in the city, or at least the top of the middle class.

Fan Ancheng walked around the tent and then slipped out.

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

After a while.

Fan Ancheng came back.

The wealthy merchant said with a strange expression, "I just heard a message that the Grand Governor doesn't plan to attend the memorial ceremony."

The wife rubbed her palms and said casually, "The memorial is a matter led by the Patrol Department; it's not surprising that the Grand Governor doesn't want to be overshadowed and doesn't want to come."

Fan Xiaoqian had heard some things from her fiancé and commented, "The memorial is a public matter concerning the whole city; it's really too small-minded to abandon public affairs for personal reasons."

To this day.

Many people knew that the Grand Governor's position was precarious, so the family didn't have a trace of awe when talking about the Grand Governor.

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

He couldn't help but sigh: "If that Excellency came, perhaps the Grand Governor's position could be stabilized somewhat, for the sake of mere face..."

The following words were not finished.

But the mother and daughter both understood the meaning.

The wife gossiped, "Director Cheng's ability is definitely the strongest of all the Directors in this city; maybe the Xuan Pavilion will let Director Cheng concurrently serve as the Grand Governor."

Fan Ancheng subconsciously denied: "That's impossible!"

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

She immediately gave her reasons: "The situation is so chaotic now; the Xuan Masters can't personally manage things, and the Tai'an Small Spirit Realm can't find anyone more capable than Director Cheng."

Fan Ancheng also came to his senses: "That's right."

The wife became excited: "If Director Cheng really becomes the Grand Governor, will Xing Peng's future be even brighter?"

Fan Ancheng nodded heavily: "Of course!"

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

Fan Ancheng looked smug: "My vision has always been good."

Fan Xiaoqian didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "This is just speculation; the Grand Governor hasn't resigned yet; aren't you happy too early?"

Just then.

A loud bell rang throughout East Mountain Park.

"Dong! Dong!"

This bell was specially transported here for the memorial.

Fan Ancheng immediately stood up and urged in a low voice, "The ceremony has begun; let's go over there quickly."

The family hurriedly walked out of the tent and, along with the huge crowd, poured into the viewing area marked out around East Mountain.

The wife looked around and clicked her tongue: "My God! At least tens of thousands of people have come, right?"

Fan Ancheng nodded: "About that."

"Dong! Dong!"

"Dong! Dong!"

The bell rang from all directions.

This was the sound of bells from 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-level dress uniform, walked to the top of the mountain with a serious face and waved his hand lightly.

"Whoosh!"

A piece of black cloth flew up into the air.

A memorial stone stele as high as three meters revealed its true appearance.

Cheng Han looked at the simple stone stele and the dense names carved on it, his clear voice instantly spread throughout East Mountain: "May your souls return to the peak of the God Tree!"

A loud voice rang out immediately.

"Salute!"

From Cheng Han down, more than three hundred patrol officers saluted in unison.

The families of the victims, numbering more than two thousand, gathered in a designated area, each with tears streaming down their faces, and the sound of sobs rose and fell.

The cold wind swept past, carrying the cries into the distance.

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

Fan Xiaoqian and her mother couldn't help but reach out and wipe away their tears.

Fan Ancheng also had red eyes and cursed in his heart, "Damn alien god!"

In the past, the wealthy merchant didn't have much sympathy for civilians; the death toll of civilians was really just a number to him.

But at this moment, he sincerely hated the alien god.

At this moment.

An emotion called "common hatred" permeated the crowd.

*

Inside the city.

At a certain intersection.

"Dong!"

The bell sound passed.

A team of patrol officers on duty immediately turned to look in the direction of East Mountain.

The patrol captain leading the team immediately roared:

"Salute to the victims!"

The team saluted neatly, looking at East Mountain for a long time.

A large number of passers-by around stopped in their tracks when they saw this, and many people took off their hats, letting the falling snow drift onto their heads.

Even a few passers-by riding feather beasts jumped off their mounts, looking in the direction of East Mountain.

*

Anhua City Third Middle School.

Under the arrangement of the school teachers, all the students lined up neatly in the drill field ten minutes in advance.

"Dong!"

The deep bell shook the school.

The principal of the school had 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 decisively roared:

"Everyone, pay tribute to the victims!"

Thousands of students looked towards East Mountain together.

Just now, some students had smiles on their faces.

But at this moment, these students felt the solemn atmosphere, and the smiles disappeared completely, leaving only solemn expressions.

Not just this middle school.

The same scene was staged in all other primary and secondary schools in the city.

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

The principals of primary and secondary schools are all warriors retired from the Black Armor Army, and he is the current deputy school commandant of the Black Armor Army; as long as he gives an order, which school dares not to listen?