[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-201":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},2290499,4478,"Chapter 201: Silent as the Spring Rain","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-201",201,"\u003Cp>Lan Yang Village, Meng Chun Garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu led his men to dismantle the dance hall’s phonograph and handed it over to Li Banfeng for disposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Chuan was heartbroken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a masterpiece from Miao Sheng Phonograph Company; such craftsmanship is hard to find in Pu Luo Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Wu, without the phonograph, what’s left of a dance hall? Just dance in silence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu turned to look at a corner of the dance hall: “Isn’t the band practicing right there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had assembled a small band in Lan Yang Village—with violins and brass instruments capable of playing Western music, and yangqin and pipa capable of playing folk tunes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang! Bang! Pula la~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trumpet sputtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuan shook his head repeatedly: “Master Wu, can you even listen to this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There aren’t many who can dance anyway—just make do with the sound,” Ma Wu said casually. “Go to Lvshui City, find Qiu the Chief Steward, and tell him to keep an eye out for phonographs—they’ve got Ling family hooks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Le Men, Lu Yuanhai arrived with men to dismantle the phonographs; Yang Yanzheng panicked: “Second Young Master, what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanhai said: “Phonographs produce too much static—they’re unpleasant to hear. From now on, replace them all with live bands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a large dance hall, the space is too vast for a phonograph’s sound to carry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanhai ordered the phonographs in the waltz hall and the courtesans’ private rooms to be dismantled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng pleaded desperately: “Second Young Master, you should consult Second Young Mistress first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to consult—I’ve already hired the band for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The waltz hall is tolerable, but the courtesans’ private rooms—they’re special!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are they special?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng grew frantic: “You often come to Bai Le Men—the courtesans’ private rooms are where the singing queens perform solo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she performs solo, she must be alone. If she’s performing there while a band stands beside her, is that appropriate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuanhai laughed: “Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? I’ll show you right now—having a band nearby adds atmosphere and energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what Yang Yanzheng said, it was useless—it was Monkey Qiu’s order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu stood in the mansion’s grand hall, staring at the phonographs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lu Dongliang died, by the time Monkey Qiu arrived, the phonograph was still playing—the very song Lu Dongliang loved most, “Dream Lover.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Yuxiu went to Qian Yue Lou to confront Lu Dongjun; Lu Dongjun impersonated Lu Dongliang and attended the banquet at Qian Yue Lou, where the same song—“Full Moon, Blooming Flowers”—was playing, He Yuxiu’s favorite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu had witnessed these events himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another matter he had heard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongjun killed the manager at Jiang Yuan Leather Factory and left traces behind; at the time, the manager’s office was also playing a song—“Peaceful Spring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than half the phonographs in Pu Luo Province came from Miao Sheng Phonograph Company.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All phonographs from their shop seem to carry hooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These matters are all under the Ling family’s control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang and Lu Dongjun likely both died at the Ling family’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How exactly did the Ling family rise to power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did newspapers, music halls, and films all gradually fall into the Ling family’s grasp?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Dongliang may have known about these things, but Monkey Qiu had never paid attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, there is some good news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaowen is dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who killed him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Hua Gate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does Zhang Xiuling have the strength to do it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The He family and Ling family have had tensions over business at Hai Chi Ridge—could it be the He family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the He family, besides the Lu family, could have killed Ling Miaowen silently in Pu Luo Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of how Ling Miaowen died, the newspaper business must be seized by Lu Yuanshan as soon as possible—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu ordered the phonographs dismantled; Lady Duan Shaoxia descended the stairs and sighed: “Dongliang always loved listening to music. If he saw these phonographs gone, he’d scold you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu bowed low: “Whatever Master says, I’ll listen—but this thing cannot remain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Shaoxia laughed: “I was joking with you—do you take it seriously? Such a curse, how could Master ever have kept it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Junyang for delivering the message, or else our family might have suffered far greater losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Junyang is a good boy; earning money in that broken place, Lan Yang Village, isn’t easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard he owes a lot to Yu Fang Zhai—probably to raise that ten thousand silver dollars for us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhiheng, I’m just a woman, I shouldn’t meddle in business—but today I beg you, please stop taking Junyang’s share.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu nodded: “As the Lady wishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Invite Junyang over for a meal sometime.” As she spoke, Lady Duan adjusted Monkey Qiu’s collar, then turned and ascended the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gesture was odd—borderline improper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu stood frozen for a moment, his cheeks flushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monkey Qiu rubbed his forehead, trying to distract himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought again of Ma Wu, and nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu really is a good boy; someday I really should invite him to dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only that young brother could come too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sat in his personal dwelling, blowing air beside the phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dismantled two windmill phonographs; one was refined by Honglian and given to his wife, who evolved a fan function.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other phonograph was not refined and remained in the personal dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, why keep this thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s useful—the hooks on it have already been removed by me. From now on, you can take it outside and use it to do things for your humble wife.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just an ordinary phonograph—what can it do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve infused a bit of spiritual essence into this phonograph—it can help you clear the hooks in your territory. The record I engraved before used nine-tenths of its magic power; I can’t kill again with it, but removing hooks is still possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Husband, just push this phonograph, place the old record on it, and walk around your domain—it will remove every hook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after one song plays, the phonograph must rest three days. If you want to remove more hooks, you’ll have to move faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move faster? That… is difficult!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had been about to say it was easy, but swallowed the words at the last moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph, using one record, kills outright—that’s one of her killing techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how exactly it works, Li Banfeng still didn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, what’s the secret behind your killing technique? Can you tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh husband, we’re husband and wife—we’re one. What’s there not to say? The secret lies in engraving a good record, tracing the hooks back, and striking the enemy a deadly blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you kill him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let your humble wife sniff first.” The needle traced the record; the phonograph sniffed for a moment, then sang: “One is dead, one still lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can tell that just by smelling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The record carries the scent of blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sniffed the record for a long time—could not detect any odor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, how long will it take to use this technique again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need time to recover. In my prime, two or three months would suffice—but now, it’s uncertain. It depends on your methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My methods?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng froze—did his wife need him most? Did pleasing her speed up her recovery? Had his previous efforts not been enough? Should he learn special techniques from Ma Wu—like heating the oil more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wife, what kind of method do you want…?” Li Banfeng asked nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh husband, you need to buy groceries. When your humble wife eats well, I recover faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Husband, what’s wrong? Why do you sound so weak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine, really… Wife, teach me this technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush, husband. You’re not ready to learn this technique yet. When your cultivation reaches the right level, I’ll teach you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One is dead, one still lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is the one still alive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three Hospitals of Yue Province, the wards were packed with medical staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bloodstains marred He Jiaqing’s bed; the source of the blood remains unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark Star Bureau received word and sent Datou to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou asked the attending physician, who replied: “He Jiaqing’s vital signs showed abnormalities last night; there was blood on the bed. The cause is unknown.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say his vital signs were abnormal—could it be that the medical equipment was interfered with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That possibility can’t be ruled out, but I have confidence in the equipment’s reliability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou nodded: “I’ll report this situation to the Bureau.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the medical staff left, Datou stayed in the ward for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing, who had been unconscious on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes and turned his gaze toward the park.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou said nothing and quietly left the hospital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late at night, Datou arrived at Huahu Park, walked to the back of the villa, and stepped slowly toward the woman who was crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground sank beneath him; Datou plunged into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t go to the lakebed—he confirmed his direction and swam steadily southward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors (Wu Xiu) have astonishing physical strength; he quickly reached the shore, sat down, and gasped for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t his first time surfacing—He Jiaqing had taught him the method before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the shore, he looked around; all that surrounded him was darkness and desolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, a campfire glowed; Datou walked toward the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing sat beside the fire and smiled: “Thank you for covering for me today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou shook his head: “I doubt you can keep covering it—the hospital called the Bureau and told Chen’s team about your condition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s been watching you for a long time. He might send a physician to investigate you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A physician? You mean a Yao Xiu? What level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given how seriously they’re taking you, the person sent won’t be lower than Level Six.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Level Six isn’t something I fear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, be careful—I worry that physician might bring forbidden items.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forbidden items? You mean magic treasures? But it depends on the level of the treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The level won’t be low. Just be extra cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing sighed: “Looks like I really need to get sick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou fell silent for a long while, then urged He Jiaqing: “You should return to Puluo Province. This kind of hiding won’t work forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing shook his head: “I can’t leave yet—I still have things to finish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want those who deserve dignity to live with dignity—just like you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine,” Datou said, lowering his head. “The Bureau treats me well. I’m a special case, but they’ve never discriminated against me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would they discriminate against you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m different—I’m not normal. I once accidentally killed someone in the line of duty. I didn’t mean to, but I can’t control myself. People like me are hazards, threats, dangers to this world. We should be eliminated. But the Bureau didn’t abandon me. They gave me a way out. What more could I ask for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing frowned: “Did the Bureau teach you to think this way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou looked at He Jiaqing: “Isn’t that right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” He Jiaqing shook his head. “You’re not a hazard, not a threat—you’re an elite of this world. You can’t control your power because your talent is too great, and no one has properly trained or guided it. You deserve respect and dignity. You don’t need anyone to grant you a way out. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” He Jiaqing shook his head. “You’re not a curse, not a threat, not a danger—you’re an elite of this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing smiled: “You look exhausted. Haven’t slept well these past two days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wife’s workplace is far. I have to wake up early every day to drive her to work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing thought for a moment: “I heard the hotel will be assigning dormitories in a couple of days—right next to the hotel. Have your wife pick a good spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou’s eyes lit up: “How big is the dorm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About 120 square meters—three bedrooms, one living room. Move all of you in. Your child hasn’t finished elementary school yet, but I heard the nearby elementary school is decent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Datou’s eyes dimmed again: “My child’s school district isn’t there…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The hotel can arrange the school district. Middle school is manageable; elementary school is even easier,” He Jiaqing said, standing up. “Come on, let’s take a walk. I’m not familiar with this area.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dormitories assigned—three bedrooms, one living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elementary school placement arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The hotel can handle the school district assignment; middle school is doable, elementary school even easier,” He Jiaqing said, standing. “Let’s go take a look around—I’m not too familiar with this place myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew He Jiaqing was helping him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at He Jiaqing: “I—I can’t keep… I owe you too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk about owing. Between brothers, don’t say things like that,” He Jiaqing pulled Datou up. “I treat you as a brother. I just want you to live with dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this was He Jiaqing helping him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Datou’s age, the word felt strange to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk about owing me—we’re brothers, no need for such words,” He Jiaqing pulled up Datou. “I treat you as a brother, so I want you to live with dignity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Jiaqing pointed to his ear: “Can you speak up a bit? I’ve gone deaf in one ear—permanently. It can’t be fixed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Datou’s age, the word felt somewhat foreign to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After handling Ling Miaowen’s funeral, Ling Miaosheng returned to the phonograph shop, took a feather duster, and carefully cleaned each phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d already heard the rumors—his shop would have no more business soon, and the Lu family would come knocking before long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second brother, what are you planning to do next?” Third brother Ling Miaoying arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I planning?” Ling Miaosheng sneered. “Does my plan even matter? When have you and your big brother ever asked me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re asking now, aren’t we? With Big Brother gone, the Ling family is in danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng sighed: “I told you not to hang hooks on my phonographs—you ignored me. Now my business is ruined. Why couldn’t we just run our shop honestly? What did you gain by stirring up all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying’s face darkened: “Second brother, speak with conscience. If we’d stayed honest all along, we’d have starved on the street long ago. Big Brother is gone—soon it’ll be our turn. If you want to be honest, then sit here and wait to die. But if you’ve come to your senses, come find me at the big mansion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Ling Miaosheng has met Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaosheng sighed. “I told you not to hang hooks on my record player, but you didn’t listen—now my whole business is completely ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We run our business honestly—what’s wrong with that? What are you trying to achieve by causing all this trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Miaoying frowned and said, “Second brother, speak with conscience—if we’d stayed honest all along, we’d have starved to death on the street already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big brother’s gone, and soon it’ll be our turn. If you want to be honest, then let’s just wait here to die. But if you’ve come to your senses, come find me at the big mansion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Ling Miaosheng has met Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2566,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a1f36151fb474f2c219608739ebf4b349c5ddffe3bfc92720459d2ce91ce626c","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-202","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-200",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]