"Guohua! Guohua, don't scare me! Breathe!"
Seeing Su Guohua's eyes roll back, Jiang Lan hurriedly pressed hard on the groove above his upper lip.
Su Guohua suddenly convulsed and finally sucked in a deep breath. Then he slumped in his chair, his face ashen and his eyes completely unfocused.
It was over.
Everything was over.
He knew that for the rest of his life, he would never be anything but a complete laughingstock before the Yue Family.
Yet, before the shock sweeping through the crowd had subsided...
On the Reviewing Stand, several deeply experienced, conservative old generals could not help frowning.
An old general with four stars on his shoulders slowly rose, his expression solemn, and addressed the main dais in a grave voice:
"Marshal Long! I have something to say, though I am not sure whether it is appropriate!"
The entire crowd instantly fell silent.
The speaker was a military elder with extensive seniority and immense prestige in the armed forces.
The old general's face was grave as he declared:
"Comrade Yue Changlong has indeed rendered great service to the nation and suffered a terrible injustice. All of us grieve for him. As for the state clearing his name, compensating him, and naming him a Nine-Star God of War, I am the first to wholeheartedly support it!"
"But a Marshal is a national treasure! That rank must not be lightly granted without unparalleled military achievements-conquering enemy nations, securing our own, or turning the tide when all seems lost!"
"Since ancient times, how could anyone named Marshal without genuine, monumental military achievements command the loyalty of every soldier?! How could he command the respect of the people?!"
The old general's argument was reasoned, well-founded, and impartial, prompting many of the older officers present to nod inwardly.
Indeed.
However great someone's