[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-219":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},2290517,4478,"Chapter 219: A Good Subordinate","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-219",219,"\u003Cp>Wu Yongchao brought Li Banfeng to the residence of Lord Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Zhou’s residence lay deep in the valley, far larger than other dwellings—a five-story vermilion tower flanked by two three-story annexes, forming a large courtyard, with numerous smaller courtyards and Western-style houses nested around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yongchao said, “Every year we pay money and send people to repair the lord’s house. Ma Dingfu and the others always say the bigger the lord’s house, the higher his cultivation, and the better life becomes in Tiemenbao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng chuckled, “Ma Dingfu is truly a good subordinate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lights flickered on inside the main tower. Wu Yongchao lowered his voice: “That must be the lord’s family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng counted the lights and asked, “Isn’t the lord a Zhai Xiu? He has quite a few family members—how can his Zhai Ling tolerate so many outsiders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Yongchao said, “The lord once warned us that Zhai Xiu shouldn’t marry, or it would hinder cultivation. He set a rule: no Zhai Xiu in Tiemenbao may marry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he himself took over thirty wives. Many find this hard to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ma Dingfu and the others say: don’t apply the lord’s rules to the lord himself—the lord is different from us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lord sets rules for our benefit; his personal affairs are none of our concern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sighed again: “Ma Dingfu really is a…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through his thread-earring, Li Banfeng heard Ma Dingfu shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least five others shouted with him—their voices sounded like a battlefield at the moment of decisive victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One against five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was this technically achieved?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng looked at Wu Yongchao and asked, “You just said how many wives the lord has?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty-two or thirty-five? Some say thirty-eight. I can’t remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Anju just died—did Ma Dingfu use five of them at once?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This subordinate, Ma Dingfu, doesn’t seem so loyal after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng told Wu Yongchao to keep watch nearby, then slipped quietly into the main tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know the layout of the main tower, but bringing Wu Yongchao was useless—he didn’t know it either. He was unfamiliar with anywhere except his own dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Li Banfeng’s guess, secrets were usually hidden on the top floor, since fewer people went there than to the first floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, Li Banfeng’s greatest worry was that Lord Zhou hadn’t died—or hadn’t died completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still couldn’t figure out why Luo Dagui had been speaking with Zhou Anju just before death—even if Luo Dagui could mimic voices, the two voices didn’t originate from the same source.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Dagui’s voice came from his own loudspeaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Anju’s voice came from deep in the valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After searching three rooms on the top floor, Li Banfeng found the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third room stood a massive wind-powered phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside it lay a stack of records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phonograph’s horn had a diameter exceeding one meter and was normally hidden behind curtains, with additional decoy decorations—impossible to see from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng brought the stack of records into his Personal Dwelling and had his wife play them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luo Paotou, what brings you to Tiemenbao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re poor people—you demand ten thousand silver dollars—we can’t pay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luo Paotou, you’re ruthless. I, Zhou, am afraid of you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng understood—he understood everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder that final line felt off—Luo Dagui had done nothing, yet Lord Zhou claimed to fear him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Zhou had pre-recorded his own voice using this phonograph, then used voice-altering techniques to impersonate Luo Paotou outside the valley, completing a duet with himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t he place the phonograph outside the valley and stay inside to duet with himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason: the phonograph was larger than a loudspeaker, harder to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another: conditions outside the valley were complex; if he didn’t go himself, he couldn’t respond to emergencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all trickery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t seem clever—but it deceived numerous Zhai Xiu of high rank for decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who taught him the voice-altering technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lord Zhou’s voice and Luo Paotou’s bore no resemblance whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides technique, Lord Zhou must have possessed a spiritual object or magic treasure for voice alteration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spiritual object or magic treasure…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something that changes voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe Li Banfeng was overthinking—but every time he encountered a spiritual object that altered voice or image, he thought of the Ling family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the Ling family made him think of hooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I being too cautious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pushed the wind-powered phonograph out of his Personal Dwelling, turned the volume to its lowest, and played “False Decency.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dingling~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crisp snap—the hook broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There really was a hook on Lord Zhou’s phonograph!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an exquisitely crafted hook, utterly unlike Lu Xiaolan’s crude ones. If Lu Xiaolan’s hook had broken, the sound would’ve been louder than a gunshot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this truly be connected to the Ling family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having severed the hook, Li Banfeng felt considerably more at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He found many blank records in Zhou Anju’s room and brought them back to his Personal Dwelling: “Wife, could you record a few more using his voice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My dear husband, easy enough—I have two turntables!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng placed two records on the two turntables. His wife compared them to Zhou Anju’s voice and, following his instructions, engraved several new records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing, Ma Dingfu summoned the lord’s steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old He, tell the other ladies not to worry—I won’t shortchange them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, I plan to give you two of them. These aren’t leftovers—I’ve noticed two ladies who suit your temperament perfectly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward bowed quickly: “Thank you, Lord, for your favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mountain bandits will send people in a few days. Don’t say what shouldn’t be said, don’t ask what shouldn’t be asked. You’re the lord’s steward—this mountain business has nothing to do with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. Lord Zhou previously instructed me on this…” The steward accidentally mentioned Lord Zhou, feared Ma Dingfu might take offense, and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu smiled: “Old He, you’re overthinking. I’m not that petty. At tomorrow’s banquet, I’ll raise a toast to Lord Zhou myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even though Lord Zhou has no cultivation, his inner cultivation is immeasurably high. For years, I’ve been shaped by him bit by bit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I tell you, inner cultivation far outweighs physical cultivation. Old He, you have five-layer cultivation—but in Lord Zhou’s presence, would you dare show even a hint of temper?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even an eight-layer cultivator would bow his head and obey him here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I truly admire Lord Zhou from the bottom of my heart!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steward He nodded repeatedly: “Lord Ma, you haven’t forgotten old loyalties. With a lord like you, Tiemenbao is blessed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu smiled: “But don’t say that yet—the matter isn’t settled. My position isn’t legitimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three days from now, at the banquet, prepare the guest list—note who came, who didn’t, who brought how much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not one to hold grudges, but some things must be counted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng crouched on the rooftop, wearing his thread-earring, hearing every word clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This steward He was a five-layer cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t know what Dao he followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Lord Zhou forbade anyone above four-layer cultivation in the fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steward He was his strongest combatant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A five-layer cultivator serving as steward to a white lamb?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng grew even more impressed by the deception techniques…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—there’s another variable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Wu Yongchao, Lord Zhou established the rule forbidding four-layer or higher Zhai Xiu over a decade ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decade ago, Steward He was already five-layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What about now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he be higher than five-layer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange—why didn’t Zhou Anju take this powerful steward with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the valley entrance, if Old He had been with Zhou Anju, I might not have killed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later, Tiemenbao held its banquet. Steward He stood at the gate with a ledger, recording gifts: silver dollars above one yuan went in one book, below one yuan in another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who didn’t come were cross-referenced with Tiemenbao’s roster—once Ma Dingfu’s position was confirmed, he’d deal with them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng assumed Wu Yongchao wouldn’t come—but he showed up anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brought two silver dollars as a gift. The steward personally informed Ma Dingfu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu sneered: “Now you’re afraid? Too late. Two silver dollars buy you a death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean to act today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu shook his head: “Today’s such a good day, we can’t let him ruin the mood. Wait two more days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old He nodded eagerly: “Whatever the lord of the fortress says.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look how obedient this steward is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Anju is really something—he can’t trust someone so obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He doesn’t take him on outings, doesn’t use him for killings, just leaves him to guard the gate. I wonder what he’s thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet began; Ma Dingfu raised his cup to toast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first toast was to the late Lord Zhou of the fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Zhou labored his whole life for our Tiemenbao, suffered his whole life—for us, he gave his very life,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Lord Zhou, there would be no Tiemenbao. But now, we haven’t even recovered all his remains. Whenever I think of it, my heart aches…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Ma Dingfu choked up, tears streaming down, unable to speak for a long while: “I, I think of it, I, I just…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You took my house, slept my wife, and even slept five of them at once!” The voice of Lord Zhou suddenly echoed through the entire building, through the whole Tiemenbao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu’s hand trembled; the cup fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to Ma Dingfu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slept with Lord Zhou’s wife?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took over Lord Zhou’s house?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young estate cultivator found it unbelievable—Lord Zhou’s body was still unburied!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The older estate cultivator remained calm, thinking it only natural for the new lord to claim the old one’s property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wasn’t Lord Zhou dead? How could he suddenly speak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a manifestation of a yin spirit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who—who’s impersonating Lord Zhou? You—you’re framing me!” Ma Dingfu snapped back to himself and hurried to defend himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice of Lord Zhou sounded again: “Little Ma, I told you to go up the mountain for reinforcements—why didn’t you go?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve bled for Feiyingshan our whole lives. Now that I’m down, you come to seize my position—do you ignore the mountain’s rules?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who! Who’s entered our fortress? Who’s trying to frame me? Old He, go check upstairs!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward He went upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu was terrified; no matter how he protested, everyone’s gaze remained fixed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether young or old, all estate cultivators were no longer calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu sleeping with the former lord’s wife—this could be ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But colluding with Feiyingshan to conspire against Tiemenbao—this could not be ignored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did Ma Dingfu throw this banquet to gather us all, so he could join forces with Feiyingshan and kill us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must fight them to the death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was on the top floor, operating the phonograph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Anju was a man of Feiyingshan—Li Banfeng was certain of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu was also a man of Feiyingshan—this Li Banfeng had deduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Ma Dingfu would collude with Feiyingshan tonight and strike a killing blow—this Li Banfeng had fabricated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this fabrication was perfectly plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind that great iron gate, Zhou Anju used a band of Feiyingshan outlaws to intimidate Tiemenbao for decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Feiyingshan’s outlaws are so useful, why can’t I use them too, just because Zhou Anju did?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Anju” continued speaking: “Little Ma, the chieftain and his men have arrived. You’ve gathered all these estate cultivators. It’s time to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now is your chance to redeem yourself. If you pull this off, I’ll overlook everything you’ve done before!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Dingfu looked at the crowd of estate cultivators and shook his head repeatedly: “This is slander. Can’t you tell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The estate cultivators didn’t know if it was slander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had heard Lord Zhou’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were torn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: The steward He has gone upstairs—he’s no easy opponent. In an estate cultivator civil war, Banfeng will struggle to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2015,"2026-06-20T03:43:16.386Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1f58ac5f10588dd1b64e59710592c940e2e72606759cdb7e46aba5c68aca737f","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-220","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-218",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]