[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-103":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2290401,4478,"Chapter 103: Snake-Head Eel","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-103",103,"\u003Cp>Ma Wu stood before the Song family’s great warehouse, throwing a tantrum: “Master Luo, you’re rich and powerful—why haggle over a few bucks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Sancai, the warehouse manager, chuckled: “Fifth Master, you say that as if we don’t follow the rules—we pay exactly one hundred yuan per jin for peaches, and we won’t break that standard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you’ve got to check the quality of these peaches—mine aren’t like theirs. Twenty extra yuan isn’t too much, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu wanted to sell at 120 yuan per jin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t really after the twenty yuan—he was putting on a show for the Song family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Sancai truly wanted to give him the extra twenty, not wanting to offend this fallen nobleman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Song Jiasen, the head of the Song family, sat inside the courtyard and had ordered Luo Sancai: “One hundred yuan per jin—not a single cent more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Sancai pleaded: “Master, it’s only a few thousand yuan total—just give it to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen scowled: “I thought he had some talent, using the Ma family’s name to bully me here! Damn it—who let him get away with this crap?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, the key point is he really is a Ma family son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen sneered: “So what? This is Lan Yang Village—in this village, my rules apply. Have the scale operators count every single liang—don’t give him an extra gram. If he doesn’t want to sell, let him carry it home himself—let it rot in his hands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Sancai had no choice—he finally paid the market price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll regret this! One day, when I rise again, you’ll know what regret means!” Ma Wu took the money, cursed, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu returned to the New Land with a sack of stinking fish. This time, the steward had received word early and quickly reported to Master Song Jiasen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jiasen laughed coldly: “He knows it’s not profitable, so he won’t hire workers—let him go. If he catches peaches, we’ll still pay market price—but don’t you dare say we’re not giving him his meal money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu and Li Banfeng moved swiftly through the forest, Ma Wu constantly confirming directions with Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, if not for you, I’d never dare cross this forest alone. Let’s hurry—don’t attract the peach trees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Ma, I can move as fast as you like—I’m just worried you can’t keep up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My body’s too weak—why don’t you carry the sack?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No discussion—those stinking fish must be carried by you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At two a.m., they crossed the forest and reached a lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lake was large, over three li across, its water extremely murky—even when scooped up, you couldn’t see your palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took out his fishing net, threaded on the tiger-head lice he’d pulled from the peaches, and began fishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the New Land of Lan Yang Village, tiger-head lice are best for catching snake-head eels—we’ve got enough bugs here to catch dozens.” Ma Wu was confident. An hour passed—no fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Business is like this—it carries risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they caught no snake-head eels tonight, all their prior effort would be wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fish aren’t biting fast today, Brother Li—stay calm, wait a little longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sniffed the air and looked at Ma Wu: “What’s that smell? So fishy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s face lit up: “Brother Li, you smell it? The snake-head eels are coming—this fish stinks terribly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sniffed carefully, then shook his head: “Not here—on the other side of the lake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu was stunned—he smelled nothing. How could Li Banfeng detect the scent across the lake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following Li Banfeng to the opposite shore, they cast their net again—this time, two black-scaled eels surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snake-head eel lived up to its name: its head resembled a snake’s, with two sharp, fang-like teeth, even capable of flicking its tongue like a serpent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng suspected it was originally a snake that had grown a fish’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu rushed forward: “Brother Li, don’t move—this fish is deadly poisonous. One bite and you’re dead in an hour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slipped the eels into the sack using gloves, while Li Banfeng rebaited his net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hours later, they had caught thirty-one snake-head eels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough fish caught—Li Banfeng slung the snake-head eels over his shoulder, Ma Wu carried the stinking fish, and they returned to Lan Yang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song family’s chief steward, Tang Tianjin, spotted Ma Wu and stepped forward with a greeting: “Fifth Young Master, back so early? Oh my, you brought back the stinking fish again—didn’t you catch any peaches last night?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu snorted, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin remained cheerful: “Fifth Young Master, don’t be discouraged—don’t be discouraged! Go out again tonight, catch some peaches, and we’ll be waiting for your harvest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the day, Ma Wu slept downstairs. Li Banfeng returned to his quarters and spoke to the singing machine: “Wife, I’m covered in fish stink—boil me some hot water to wash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chiiii~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing machine snapped: “Hot water? Hot water? Why don’t you buy a boiler and bring it home? Do you know how long it’s been since I ate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, since arriving in Lan Yang Village, aside from those highwaymen, Li Banfeng had never fed his wife anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, don’t worry—within two days, I’ll treat you to a proper meal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing machine shouted: “If you don’t buy groceries in the next two days, I’ll eat you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng snapped: “What kind of talk is that? Trying to murder your husband?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chiiii~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if I eat you? I’ll marry someone useful afterward—no more starving or overeating, no more this miserable life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she boiled him a basin of hot water. Li Banfeng washed thoroughly, about to sleep, when Tang Dao appeared before him, speaking loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ten steps, kill one man; a thousand li, leave no trace! The time for battle has come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What battle?” Li Banfeng froze, staring at Tang Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t fight me, I’ll never serve you.” Tang Dao stood before Li Banfeng, just as he had when they first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did this thing reboot?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chiiii~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The singing machine sneered: “Oh, husband, I told you before—this magic treasure is better off discarded. It can only strike three times, each time one slash, then it becomes a stranger again. You’d have to subdue it once more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at Tang Dao: “After three slashes, I have to fight you? Isn’t that a terrible rule?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao replied firmly: “This is the way of the sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng grew more annoyed: “You’re a knife—why do you keep talking about swords?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao straightened his posture: “The spirit matters. Now, where shall we duel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observing Tang Dao’s exaggerated movements, Li Banfeng noticed a detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His scabbard was clamped tightly—fixed to the blade by some method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “We’ll duel outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao followed Li Banfeng to the outer chamber. The singing machine emitted two cold laughs but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the outer chamber, man and blade stood facing each other. Li Banfeng said: “Aren’t you going to duel? Why haven’t you drawn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph hmph hmph~” Tang Dao sneered. “Once drawn, won’t I be vulnerable to your elixir again? Our combat power is vastly unequal—without drawing, I can still kill you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao wasn’t boasting. Li Banfeng truly had far weaker combat power. Even an unsheathed blade was just a wooden stick—but even that stick could kill Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao still maintained his warrior’s dignity: “Strike first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng spoke to the bronze lotus: “Take him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssss~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bronze lotus had waited for this day a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t eaten in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Petals unfolded, the lotus heart glowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whirlwind surged, dragging Tang Dao toward the lotus heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao screamed: “One-on-one, fair duel! You called for help—what kind of hero is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng replied: “The last duel was agreed upon between us. This one is your own doing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao neared the lotus heart, struggling desperately: “You win by unfair means—I will never submit to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “I don’t need your submission. I find you too troublesome—I want to melt you down and remake you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao stared at the approaching crimson lotus, unsure of its origin, but sensing he might be erased: “Put me in this thing, and I won’t emerge as a magic treasure anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Fine. Even if I get two pills from you, you’re still more useful than you are now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao struggled weakly, crying out: “I’ve wandered my whole life, finally found a true lord—I vow to serve you faithfully…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng made the bronze lotus pause and negotiated with Tang Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After three slashes, you demand a duel. I dislike this rule. From today, it changes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao explained: “I am a magic treasure—this rule is the foundation of my existence. Change it, and my spirit has no anchor—it cannot be altered…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned: “A Lian, hungry?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao immediately changed his tune: “The rule cannot be changed, but the method can be flexible. From now on, when I duel the Master, I won’t truly fight—I’ll surrender myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “Better attitude. Also, you can only strike three times—isn’t that too few?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao shook his body vigorously: “Master, this rule is unchangeable—I have no other means.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who says the rule can’t change? Next time, you strike three times, then duel me. You lose—then you get three more strikes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Dao explained: “Master, wise as you are, this won’t work. After three strikes, I must rest for days before I can fight again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning: Tang Dao had only enough power for three strikes. Without sufficient rest, he couldn’t fight for Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much Li Banfeng pressured him, Tang Dao had no solution. Seeing his sincerity, Li Banfeng stopped pressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu again carried stinking fish to the New Land. This time, they crossed the forest from the west—not heading for the lake, but toward a desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night wind blew, swirling yellow sand. Hard to imagine such a desert existed beside a dense forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu tossed the stinking fish aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took out the snake-head eels and placed them beneath a cactus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the vast desert, cacti were nearly the only plants. Ma Wu counted: “One, two, three…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were twelve cacti in total. After counting, they lay on the sand, backs to the cacti, chatting idly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said to Ma Wu: \"Last night, there was no need to return to the village—we could’ve just guarded the new land directly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu shook his head: \"No, that won’t work. Song Jiasen would grow suspicious. In Lanyang Village, it’s not hard to dig up treasures from the new land—it’s hard to evade Song’s eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the Throat-Swallowing Pearl we’re looking for, for example. A high-quality pearl, if sold through Song, he’ll pay at most twenty thousand—but if we deliver it ourselves to Lüshui City, we can sell it for two or three hundred thousand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To make money in Lanyang Village, the difficulty isn’t in the methods—it’s in the deception, in...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Ma Wu glanced back: \"One, two, three...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He counted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Twelve, thirteen,\" Ma Wu smiled. \"Here they come!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cactus has arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: This cactus is called Ci Tun. This job’s going to be a big payday!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s number one, dear readers! Please give lots of Salad votes! To thank you all for your support, I’m adding an extra chapter at noon today~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1925,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","93563a310409f07c806a6d399c8f2dc2b65a09d0b6413ed4780361155a569515","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-104","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-102",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]