Chapter Twenty-Six: A Request for Recommendation Votes

At that moment, in the center of the rear courtyard of the He residence, a burly, fierce-looking bald man was seated comfortably in the rocking chair where Madam He usually rested, leisurely sipping his wine in small mouthfuls. Beside him, a petite woman with alluring features giggled coquettishly, holding a wine jug as she nestled in his arms.

Drinking his wine, the burly man gazed at the woman in his embrace and sighed, "Ah, although Brother He seems refined on the surface, he truly treats old Chen well. It's a pity, really. If my Qianzhou army weren't short of guns and food, damn it, if the Nationalist Army didn't keep pestering Qianzhou like a sticky bandage, I wouldn't be in this situation..."

This bald giant was none other than He’s sworn brother, Chen Sanpao, the warlord of Qianzhou.

"No need to blame yourself, Commander. It's He Shunde’s own fault for being so incompetent. You invited him to join your grand plans, but instead, he mistook a few sweet words for genuine affection and thought he could win me over. If not for your ambitions, I wouldn't have bothered to serve him at all."

"Commander, these past months have been so frustrating for me. Every day, I had to pretend to be a loving wife to that He fellow. You must make it up to me," the woman pouted, her lips crimson and voice so coy that the bald man felt his bones turn to mush.

"Ha ha ha... Don’t worry, madam. I always keep my word. Tonight, I’ll reward you thoroughly," the bald man laughed, planting a fierce kiss on her lips and draining his cup.

"Commander, the county magistrate has arrived!" came a sudden report from the soldiers outside.

"Let him in! Must I personally go greet him?" The reporting soldier, hearing the commander’s displeasure, lowered his head and hurried out.

"How irritating!" the woman complained, pouting as she watched the soldier leave.

"Don’t be upset, madam. The magistrate of Nuqing County represents the local clans. I don’t fear them, but now that we’re on their turf, I must show them some respect."

"Commander Chen, you certainly have refined taste! Drinking with Madam He in broad daylight—surely that’s improper," a lean, scholarly-looking middle-aged man entered, his temples flecked with gray, dressed in a yellow-gray robe.

"County Magistrate Shi, don’t take offense. I, Chen, am a straightforward man and dislike beating around the bush. If you have something to say, let’s speak plainly," Chen Sanpao replied, unfazed by Shi’s sarcasm, clasping his fists and laughing.

"Straightforward, indeed? I doubt it. He Shunde may not be shrewd, but he’s no fool, and yet you’ve led him around by the nose. If that’s what passes for a straightforward man, I fear there aren’t many clever people left in this world." With a cold sneer, Shi’s tone grew darker. "Commander, it’s one thing to seize the He family’s assets, but must you be so ruthless? The Hes were known for their charity in Nuqing County, and now you’ve slaughtered the entire household. Isn’t that excessive?"

Chen was silent for a moment, then replied, "It’s not that I’m heartless, nor that I wished to destroy the He family. But He Shunde refused to hand over the secret vault’s key. I had no choice but to take drastic measures."

He suddenly raised his head, his voice low and menacing. "Times are chaotic, and the He family is wealthy but lacks powerful allies. They’re like walking fat sheep—if I didn’t take them, sooner or later, someone else would. He was my sworn brother; better I benefit than others. As the saying goes, a narrow mind is not gentlemanly, and ruthlessness is a man’s virtue. My achievements were earned through blood and corpses. Today, I’m in a good mood and will overlook your questioning for the sake of your clan. But if you fail to show respect, don’t blame me when my army sweeps through and leaves nothing but ashes."

"You…" Shi trembled with rage at the naked threat, his face flushed as he pointed a finger, stammered, and finally, unable to retort, stormed out in fury.

Once Shi had gone, the woman in Chen’s arms lifted her head and asked, "Now that you have the He family’s immense wealth, men and guns at your disposal, why worry about these local gentry?"

"You don’t understand. The local clans have deep roots and wide connections. If pushed too hard, they might all side with the Nationalists, and then we’d be in trouble. The He family only fell into decline recently and had no support in the court, so I dared to act," Chen replied, raising his cup and drinking with a troubled expression.

"Enough, Commander, don’t be upset. Now that you’ve seized the He family’s assets, why keep that wretch around? Don’t tell me you covet her beauty," the woman suddenly switched tone, pouting.

"Heh! Don’t be jealous. The sorcerer says she’s still useful," Chen scratched his head, not denying it, but smiled sheepishly.

"Hmph~ I knew it. Whether or not you want to keep her, you promised me: if I helped you get the He family’s fortune, I would become your chief wife. Otherwise, I won’t accept it," the petite woman snuggled against him, her tone soft and coy.

"Rest assured, madam. You’ve suffered for this, and I never forget those who help me," Chen replied, feeling hot all over from her antics, wishing he could take her right then.

"That’s more like it! Besides, I bore you a son; the chief wife’s position is rightfully mine!" Satisfied with his promise, she finally smiled contentedly.

"Commander!"

Just as they were teasing each other, a hoarse, dry voice rang out.

An elderly figure, emaciated and skeletal, appeared silently before them. His tangled white hair covered a fleshless face, yet his eyes glimmered with eerie green light. He wore a patchwork robe made from little cloth bags, and his chicken-claw-like fingers were adorned with grotesque bone rings.

"The sorcerer is here! Please, sit," Chen immediately stood up, straightening his disheveled clothes, and waved the woman away.

"No need for formality, Commander. Remember, in future, the great cause must come first. Don’t let yourself be ensnared by women," the old man said calmly, frowning at Chen.

"You are right, Master," Chen replied humbly, showing no dissatisfaction at the rebuke, only shame.

Chen Sanpao, once a mere bandit chief, owed much of his rise to this old man’s support, so he was always respectful in his presence.