A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

The Marshal sighed and said, "Boss, don't think that Tian is clean. He's been ripping people off, isn't that enough? I'm just using these traitors to get our things back. Why not? I'm not betraying the country. This was your sister's idea."

Gui'er said quickly, "Brother, what I'm thinking is that many of Director Shen's inheritance are national treasures. If we don't investigate, they'll probably just go to the Japanese. Why not use the Duanmu family to mediate and get them back?"

Sha Yanyao said, "Sister, are you willing to marry into the Duanmu family because of this?"

Guier quickly waved her hands and said, "How is that possible? I never agreed to this. They're traitors anyway. When they get their things back, we can find a reason to turn it down."

Sha Yanyao glanced at Gui'er, then at the Marshal, shook his head and said, "Father, Gui'er is just a child, innocent and simple. Do you think the Duanmu family is that simple? We have intelligence that there are advance reconnaissance teams sent by the Japanese in many places, infiltrating local social circles in various ways, in preparation for the establishment of a puppet government in the local area after the occupation. I don't think the Duanmu family should be allowed to stay at all."

After hearing this, Gui'er suddenly remembered that Duanmu Heng always appeared in front of her at the perfect time. She couldn't help but have a bad feeling in her heart. Could it be that the Duanmu family was not only here to take the mine and people, but might also be sent by the Japanese government to infiltrate and find people who were willing to surrender to the Japanese and become traitors after the fall of Jiangcheng and Fengcheng?

If that's the case, then the Marshal's Mansion wants to use the Duanmu family to help retrieve those antiques. Doesn't this give them a good excuse to move around Jiangcheng?

The Marshal waved his hand and said, "You don't need to say more. I have already agreed with the Duanmu family that I will set off with them in a few days to Shanghai to negotiate with Mitsui."

Everyone knew that this was extremely inappropriate. Sha Yanyao quickly said, "Father, this is too dangerous. The Japanese have never been kind, and they know your identity. If they come up with something bad, wouldn't that be..."

The Marshal laughed heartily. "What evil intentions could that little Japanese businessman have? I'll go with my Eighth Concubine. She said she hasn't been to Shanghai for a long time and wanted to take a trip."

Sha Yanxiao interrupted, "If that's the case, then we'll have to prepare a foolproof plan. I already have some people from the Ji family who are very familiar with Shanghai. I'll have them secretly protect Father..."

"No need for that. I don't know how many times I've been to Shanghai. I don't think they dare to do anything to me." The Marshal said contemptuously.

Gui'er just stood quietly by the side. Ever since she knew that the leader of Qingfeng Village might have been killed by the Marshal, she had a deeper understanding of the Marshal. This man probably would not trust anyone in this world and only trusted himself. Now he probably didn't completely trust his two sons, let alone himself, his nominal adopted daughter. She was still worried that if their negotiations didn't go smoothly, the Marshal would turn this fake engagement into a real one.

After discussing for more than an hour, even though the two sons tried their best to persuade the Marshal, he remained unmoved. Finally, Sha Yanyao had to suggest that the Marshal's trip to Shanghai should be kept secret, and that they should tell the public that he was not feeling well these days and would not see any guests or go to do business. Only then did the Marshal finally agree.

Sha Yanxiao dragged Gui'er back to his courtyard in a depressed mood. Seeing that he looked unhappy, Gui'er smiled and said, "Don't worry, brother. I have a plan. Wu Mingqiang is already monitoring Sanjing in Shanghai. This time, when father goes there, you want Wu Mingqiang to closely monitor the actions of Sanjing and his men. Then, have Wu Mingqiang find people outside to monitor and protect father. Father doesn't recognize those people anyway. If they are found out, he can say that it was Sanjing who did it. Wouldn't that have nothing to do with us?"

After hearing this, Sha Yanxiao thought it made sense, nodded, and called Wu Mingqiang.

Meanwhile, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived at the Third Concubine's courtyard. The old man guarding the courtyard saw a figure and shouted, "Who is it, so late at night..."

Before he could finish his words, he was hit on the face and fell to the ground. Only then did he see clearly that it was the Marshal. The old man was shocked and scared. He quickly lay on the ground and said, "Marshal, I didn't know you came here so suddenly..."

The Marshal stepped forward and kicked him aside, then walked in with great stride.

He came to the courtyard of the Third Concubine and inspected it majestically, scanning every corner of the courtyard. The servants in the courtyard were so frightened by the sudden arrival of the Marshal that they dared not breathe. They lowered their heads and stood aside in a timid manner, even breathing carefully.

The Third Concubine heard the noise and hurried out of the house. Seeing the Marshal, she hurriedly greeted him, "Marshal, why did you come here so suddenly?"

The Marshal swaggered into the room, plopped down on the main seat on the sofa, crossed his legs, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then slowly spoke: "I'm going to Shanghai secretly, and I'm telling you this. You are considered an elder in the mansion. The eldest son is now accompanying the eldest son in Nanjing all year round. The affairs of the mansion will inevitably be handed over to you in the future. You must diligently take good care of the people in the mansion."

The Third Concubine was flattered when she heard this, and a flattering smile spread across her face. "Don't worry, Marshal, I will do my best. But Marshal, you suddenly told me all this, is there anything wrong? If my eldest sister knew about it, I'm afraid she would be unhappy."

The Marshal's face was gloomy. His gaze lingered on the Third Concubine's face for a moment, then he glanced at Taohua standing next to him and said slowly, "There have been no male children born in the mansion in the past two years. As the elders of the mansion, you and your wife have a responsibility. Now the Fourth Concubine's son and daughter are married. Although the Third Concubine is not very capable, fortunately his uncle's family has some skills and found a businessman with some capital. I'm afraid that sooner or later he will follow his father-in-law to go out and do business. By then, the mansion will be even more desolate. You have to think of a way."

The Third Wife was shocked when she heard this. She had been with the Marshal for many years and knew him well. He suddenly showed such trust in her that she was confused. She didn't know what he was planning. But since the Marshal had come to her courtyard today, she mustered up the courage to bring up Sanmei's marriage again. "Marshal, I've been wanting to tell you that Sanmei and the adjutant have been together for so long. Do you think you can agree to their marriage?"