[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-158":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},2290456,4478,"Chapter 158","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-158",158,"\u003Cp>In a vast pine forest, Li Banfeng sat atop a woodlouse, slowly making his way through the trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woodlouse, also known as the pill bug or rice-gruel bug, is a common multi-legged insect found in damp places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woodlouse was enormous, its back over two meters long and more than a meter wide, capable of carrying both a person and luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was it large, but it also possessed sentience—it could speak, was a very practical old man, and had carried Li Banfeng through this red pine forest for just fifty Hengguo banknotes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was a straightforward man and handed the woodlouse a hundred outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he was curious: where did this woodlouse spend its money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young man, you don’t understand—we have our own village, with food, shelter, and a market. There are plenty of places to spend money, cough cough cough…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was cold, the wind fierce, causing the old woodlouse to cough violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how old the man was, yet still carrying him on his back, Li Banfeng felt a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he was too lazy to walk those few steps—it was that the old woodlouse had warned him: if he rode, the path was safe; if he walked it himself, trouble would follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine gourd confirmed the woodlouse’s words: “This is a tin-ball bug. I saw one once in my youth, far away—in Xin Di, tin-ball bugs are among the rare benevolent creatures. Near their homes, all living beings give them a modicum of respect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, aren’t you young too?” Li Banfeng patted the wine gourd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your tongue is sweeter than honey,” the wine gourd spat a mist of alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Banfeng chatted idly with the wine gourd, the woodlouse asked: “Young man, who were you just talking to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woodlouse couldn’t hear the wine gourd’s voice, so Li Banfeng replied casually: “I have a habit of talking to myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a daughter with the same habit. The village doctor said she had hysteria, took three doses of medicine, and was cured. Next time you come, visit our doctor—he can fix it if you treat it early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have a doctor in your village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course we do! Brilliant healer, stunningly handsome, an absolute top-notch girl!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of girl was she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eight full hours, the woodlouse crossed the red pine forest, just as promised—no trouble along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng leapt off its back and gave the woodlouse another fifty, totaling one hundred and fifty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man refused repeatedly, but Li Banfeng insisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man sighed: “Young man, you’re a good soul. Ahead lies the Golden Shrimp Pond—you’re here to catch shrimp, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “What’s so special about those shrimp?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The shrimp are alive in the pond, but once pulled out, they die. After two hours, they turn to gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many used to come to catch them, but after Blood Fang Mountain suddenly rose up, few dared come anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re going to catch shrimp, don’t be greedy—release the small ones. Catch no more than a dozen. Don’t anger the Shrimp King—he’s over a hundred feet long, and one hook can drag a man into the pond and chew him to bone dust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thanked him and turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woodlouse stayed by the forest’s edge, waiting for the next customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A centipede crawled onto the woodlouse’s back, curling its antennae around a silver dollar and offering it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man tested the coin’s purity with his antennae and said: “Brother, I can’t make change for this much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The centipede chuckled: “Just keep it. I’ve done business with you before—I’ll pay you daily from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woodlouse carried the centipede into the red pine forest, chatting and laughing all the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng brushed snow from his body and reached the cliff’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cliff was riddled with caves, denser than the insect bites on Li Banfeng’s skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the map, the seventh row from the bottom, sixth cave from the left, was his target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cliff was hard to climb, so Li Banfeng decided to rest one day and enter the cave tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out a Golden Core Pill and swallowed it with a Blue Leaf Pill, sitting quietly beneath the cliff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several minutes, his body grew numb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Numbness didn’t worry him—Tang Dao, the Pendulum, the wine gourd, and the Thread Earrings were all nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dared not return to his Personal Dwelling to take medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife’s breathing had been uneven last night; judging by normal sleep patterns, she was about to wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking this pill, according to Li Banfeng’s calculations, would elevate him to Traveler Realm, Layer Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, he would face a hurdle—he must learn the Traveler Realm Layer Three technique: Treading Ten Thousand Rivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haichi Ridge, First Ridge—every household in town swept, mopped, and wiped with brooms, mops, and rags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dusting and trash removal were secondary; the main target this time was mosquito corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mosquito corpses littered the entire First Ridge; swept away at night, they piled up again by morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang had once said: ignore the mosquito corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the people of First Ridge delighted in collecting them, piling them up, and burning them—believing this would permanently eradicate the threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the process was deeply satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lu Dongliang’s other instructions, of course they followed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Dongliang told them to line up at the train station for rations, they did so obediently, no one pushing or fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Dongliang told them to make fine clothes for the New Year, those with spare cash went to Lu’s Cloth Shop and bought out the entire stock of Haichi Ridge’s largest fabric store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang planned to open a factory—land was prepared, equipment arranged, and many waited eagerly for jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang wanted to expand his business—local gangs gathered all their ruined enterprises and sold them cheaply to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a submission of loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every local gang wanted to pledge allegiance to Lu Dongliang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang was now the god of Haichi Ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had exterminated every mosquito on First Ridge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he scattered medicated rice at Shiwetian Restaurant, the mosquitoes on First Ridge vanished within days!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late at night, reeking of alcohol, Lu Dongliang returned to his estate, drank tea, and said to Wan Jinxian: “Old Wan, when do we move against Second Ridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian handed Lu Dongliang a list:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, no rush. We haven’t even begun managing First Ridge’s businesses yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve selected these dozen shops for you to review.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang pushed the list aside: “Don’t bother me with this trash. I told the accountant—business matters are all yours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I’m serious about Second Ridge—I’ve already arranged it with Waizhou Society. Within five days, every mosquito on Second Ridge must be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian nodded: “I’ll handle it. But I heard He and Ma families have sent people to Haichi Ridge—I fear they’ll come to snatch the fruit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let them come,” Lu Dongliang sneered. “See if anyone here even acknowledges them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many from San Ying Men and Qingyun Society have arrived too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang spat: “Let them come. All of them. I’ll wait for each one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The eldest of the Chu family came—not to cause trouble, but to negotiate business. We’ve taken over so many enterprises—he wants a share.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang smiled: “Wants to get rich with us? Fine. Include him. Chu the Elder has always been sensible—though his sister? Too reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baihua Men and Jiang Xiang Gang also want to talk business…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Talk. Anyone sensible gets a share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one rule: I bought these businesses—I sell them shares at triple price, only shares, minimum triple. If they don’t want to buy, fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they want to open new businesses here, fine—but they must give me half the shares. If they refuse, open today, get smashed tomorrow. Anyone who objects? Try me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Jinxian bowed: “Master, I’ll follow your orders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang shook his head: “Don’t come to me with everything. I’m swamped with reporters already. Old Wan, handle this yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the estate, He Haiqin bought a evening paper from a newsboy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haichi Ridge’s newspaper devoted its entire front page to Lu Dongliang; pages two and three were filled with his news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Haiqin studied the estate’s layout, pulled up his wool coat collar, and vanished silently into the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Lu family mansion, Qiu Zhiheng was also reading the paper—Haichi Ridge’s news had reached Green Water Bay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu family’s eldest son, Lu Yuan Shan, said: “Uncle Qiu, should we go to Haichi Ridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhiheng shook his head: “Not yet. The timing isn’t right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Hai said: “If we don’t go now, we’ll lose everything in Haichi Ridge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhiheng set down the paper: “The businesses are already lost. Every shopkeeper in Haichi Ridge handed their ledgers to Lu Dongliang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan glanced at Lu Yuan Hai—Qiu Zhiheng clearly had many eyes in Haichi Ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Qiu Zhiheng wasn’t worried: “We’re not the only ones who lost out. He, Ma, and Chu families all suffered heavy losses. Let’s wait—see who cracks first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan Shan brought up another matter: “San Ying Men’s boss sent me another invitation. Should I go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Zhiheng nodded: “Go—but promise nothing. Talk slowly. Wait for Haichi Ridge’s outcome first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Yuezhou’s Third Academy, He Jiaqing sat up in bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, a man’s voice whispered: “Lu Dongliang is thriving. He’s fully taken First Ridge, buying low, selling high, growing rich beyond measure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing’s expression remained calm. He asked: “What of Second Ridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many families have come to pay homage to Lu Dongliang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good is homage? What about their businesses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They haven’t surrendered them yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing frowned and said, “If you don’t put up your own assets and just show up with empty words to claim a mountain, it’s all nonsense—these people play these games every day, they’re all a plague on Puluozhou!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can we still take Erdao Ridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unlikely. Not even Yidao Ridge can hold out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it can’t hold out, don’t bother,” He Jiaqing ordered. “Tell Old Wan to pull the net.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: How much longer can Lu Dongjun enjoy his glory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1717,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a0bdcb5d6446e7db6a7dd17869bd904987904f1149253bee2047aa33c7f8a168","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-159","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-157",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]