Chapter 269 Daughter of the Republic VS Chinese Opera Singer (11.1)
New arc, new world, new web design! (I didn’t like the theme I randomly chose when setting up–pro tip: if you prefer reading in dark mode, activate AMP) This one takes place during (a presumably fictional version of) the Republic of China (1912-1949). Some of my footnotes in this chapter expand on the historical context given by the author.
In the late 19th century, due to the corruption of the Qing Dynasty and the depth of the invasion of the capitalist powers, and especially due to the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War,[1] China fell into a serious national crisis.
The advanced people of China sought ways to save their nation.
With the development of the capitalist economy in China, and the spread of Western political ideology, the political forces representing the emerging bourgeoisie had begun to enter China’s the political arena.
Continual conflicts and struggles broke out, and the Qing government was gradually overthrown. Local warlords occupied land to expand territory and to resist foreign enemies.[2] Continuing to this day, the situation on all sides was dominated by self-proclaimed hegemons.
The Northeast was united to form a strong alliance, establishing the Resistance Alliance Fellowship Army, while the Southwest did things its own way and established a strong independent government to seize power and expand its strength.[3]
In the process of constant foreign invasion, many heroes emerged.
The first one was the Warlord Marshal of the South—Ziju BaiLin.
This man, who looked refined and cultured, as it happens had a domineering temper. If he saw something he fancied, he’d just snatch it directly. It is said that he took his position as Marshal in just such a way once he had set his eyes on it. Before then, he had merely been a political strategist, though no one knew the details.
It cannot be denied that he had seized military power in the Southern Region, and for more than three years until now, had always been victorious. Not only were the invaders beaten till they pissed their pants in terror, he also snatched many lands in appropriation. Among them, Li Hua Province was one of them. Today was the day when Marshal Ziju entered the province.
On the outer main road in Li Hua Province, Marshal Ziju’s deputy general had long been waiting with the army. The two rows of troops looked mighty and domineering. The soldiers who had experienced fighting on the battlefield inevitably carried the smell of blood on their bodies.
The common people who had been attracted to watch this legendary man could only quietly stand behind, far away from this group of soldiers.
Clump! Clump! Clump! Clip-clop clip-clop clip-clop! The sounds of horse hooves and footsteps rung out slowly on the bright afternoon.
The gate of the city was wide open, and the soldiers standing watch on the city wall roared quickly at the sight of the troops not far away: “The Marshal has arrived! The Marshal has arrived!”
The soldiers downstairs lined up in formation again, all facing the city gate. Their faces were solemn and respectful, as if they were waiting for the return of God.
BaiLin was clothed in a dark green military uniform that delineated his strong, lean, and powerful body. He wore a gun holster at his waist, and from inside a black metal object revealed its tail, indicating its existence.
He was riding on a large white horse, and with his refined and elegant face, he did not look like a soldier at all. But that pair of sharp, murderous eyes didn’t allow anyone to dare underestimate this man. He was completely a beast. It was just that at this moment he had retracted his claws.
“Marshal.” The soldier at the gate stood at attention, saluting, his voice high and respectful.
Ziju BaiLin rode his white horse through the city gates into Li Hua Province. From today, this place was owned by him, Ziju BaiLin.
He nodded and urged his horse forward.
The welcoming army immediately turned around and marched behind.
The deputy general, riding on a brown horse, caught up to the Marshal, walking a half step behind. He recounted the information on Li Hua Province.
“Li Hua Province has three long-standing families. One of the families’ ancestors was an important general, and even now is considered a war hero of the Ma family.”
“The Luo family is in control of Li Hua Province’s financial sector. They have some relations with the Western Region.”
“Lastly, the Nian family’s grandfather was once the tutor of the Qing Dynasty’s Empress Dowager. The family were always loyal military officials. Since the previous generation, the Nian family has already withdrawn from the political arena, and are now teachers.”
“Currently, the main house has seven people. There’s a pair of brothers: the elder, Nian BingRong, runs the school, while the younger, Nian YanHui, runs the family properties.”
“Nian BingRong has a wife and a daughter. The daughter is a university student studying overseas, and she has not yet returned.”
“Nian YanHui has a wife, a son, and a daughter. The son, Nian WenHao, is currently serving as an assault instructor for the Li Hua Province garrison troops. The daughter, Nian ShuRong, followed her uncle to teach at school. The influence of this family is the largest in Li Hua Province.”
The deputy general did not leave out any information he had investigated when reporting to his superior, especially regarding the Nian family.
Since ancient times, the most respected and loved one has been the wise teacher who teaches and educates people. That this Nian family was capable of developing to such an extent must be due to their unswerving perseverance. If the Nian family could be pulled to their side, carrying out their work in Li Hua Province would be much more convenient in the future.
The deputy general was still thinking about the happy days ahead, but he did not expect that upon entering the city, not to speak of going to rope in the Nian family, the Marshal directly had a large gift delivered to the Nian family. That kind of surprising turn of events was nevertheless compulsory.
Ziju BaiLin nodded in understanding. To tell the truth, his teacher was a person from the Nian family. But that old fellow had been dead for a long time. Calculating seniority, Nian BingRong would be at the level of his father. Would he like to take the time to burn a stick of incense for the old man? Although he had been dead for so long, in any case he had taught him for several years.
Ziju BaiLin, who was thinking in this way, suddenly felt a blue figure flashing before his eyes. He stared intently, leaving only that person fixed in his pupils.
Without a second thought, he urged his horse forward and fished up the running person.
Mama, ah! He’d finally met someone who moved his heart. He’d strike first to gain the upper hand. Grab her, take her home, and get married.
The deputy general following him: …What happened? Marshal, ah! Please don’t fall ill at this time! Didn’t we agree you need to leave a good impression on the people of Li Hua Province?
Crowd of onlookers: A face of horror. They said that the Marshal of the Southern Region was rampant and domineering. It was true that he just snatches anything that catches his fancy! How dreadful!
The snatched XunMi: …… She had just suddenly appeared here, and before she had time to look at the information, right away she felt her feet leaving the ground.
The speed of galloping called her back to her state of mind. (# ‵ ′) Fuck, don’t play like this!
This time she didn’t even return to the Sea of Stars system space, instead directly arriving in the new world. Could she be defrauded a bit more?!!
XunMi scolded the BaoBao countless times in her heart, and then picked up her spirits to confront this sudden situation.
Paralyzed, she felt once again that her and her husband’s soul imprint were disturbed by something, fuck.
XunMi was in a very unpleasant mood. Due to the evil tyrannical actions of this man, her complexion was not good.
Regardless of whether or not he was her husband, she first needed to vent her anger.
After running for a while, they soon stopped and he dismounted. He hugged XunMi around the waist and gently placed her on the ground.
XunMi’s complexion was very poor. What dynasty was this? Looking at the line of troops standing in front of her, she felt sick at heart.
“Marshal, Marshal!” Gasping for breath as he shouted, the deputy general who had been chasing after them had finally caught up. XunMi felt a little sympathy for him.
“What are you hollering and squawking about? Can’t you see this commander isn’t available?” Ziju BaiLin glared at the deputy general. He needed to cultivate feelings with his wife, you know?
Aiya, his wife was so beautiful. The white wool cap against her skin made her delicate and beautiful little face even more snowy white and cute. On her upper body she wore a light blue knitted sweater in the British student style, and on her lower body was a black and white short plaid skirt.
Translator’s Notes
[1] The First Sino-Japanese War, from 1894-1895, was a war between Qing Dynasty China and Japan over the control of Korea. Korea had long been a tributary state of China, though Japanese forces frequently invaded. Japan won the war and commenced occupation of Korea, formally annexing Korea in 1910, which lasted until the end of WWII.
[2] Due to the lack of central unification, the Warlord Era (1916-1928) was a time marked by regional commanders leading their private militias to fight over territory all over the Mainland. Many of their common soldiers were bandits who enlisted during battles against other warlords, then went back to banditry afterwards.
[3] I believe this is where we deviate into fiction, as there was no such army that I could find, or neat division between the northeast and southwest.