[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-97":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},2290395,4478,"Chapter 97: Transit Package","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>At dusk, Li Banfeng walked through the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, he trained with the iron ruler in his portable dwelling for a full night, ate two canned meals, and went to sleep; when he woke up, it was already five in the afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With daylight still available, Li Banfeng hurried to complete his basic cultivation as a Traveling Cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mazhu Mountain was vast and treacherous; walking one li along its paths equated to the cultivation effort of one and a half li on flat ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking over thirty li of mountain trails, Li Banfeng felt a stir within him—his basic cultivation was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since entering the path of Traveling Cultivation, over two months had passed, and Li Banfeng had never interrupted his practice; according to his calculations, after accounting for routine cultivation time, he had accumulated over three additional months of cultivation time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was largely due to Li Banfeng frequently cultivating in perilous environments (recklessly).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng wanted to walk a few more li to accumulate more time, when suddenly he saw shadows moving within the bamboo grove.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out his thread-connection earring, listened for a moment, and heard the voice of Patrol Captain Wu Jinming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep your eyes sharp—once we pass this ridge, we’re done for today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Wu, just go through the motions. Patroling the mountains at this hour? Since I joined the force, I’ve never done this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can we do? The Lu family has big influence and insists we find Li Banfeng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re under the Border Defense Office—we’re outsiders from Waizhou. Why should we care about Lu family affairs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Border Defense Office must’ve taken plenty of bribes from the Lu family, otherwise why would they care so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He took the bribes, but he didn’t even share a bit with us—we’ve been wandering all day, my leather shoes are worn through, and not a single new pair was issued.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t talk nonsense. This isn’t about bribes—the Lu family is about to dominate Puluozhou. The He, Ma, and Chu families can’t match them. Our Border Defense Office operates in Puluozhou; they’ll need the Lu family’s protection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jinming led his men through a patch of forest; seeing the sun about to set, he told his subordinates: “Enough. Call it a day. Tomorrow’s checkpoint must go without a hitch—get some rest early, don’t go wandering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patrolmen descended the mountain; Li Banfeng stepped out of his portable dwelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has the Lu family traced me to the border?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Will I even be able to leave tomorrow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll surely be caught once I get near the patrol station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need another plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late at night, Li Banfeng arrived at You Tao’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Banfeng, You Tao was delighted, quickly shut the bamboo house door, and whispered: “Brother Baisha, you scared me—you said you were hiding from enemies… are they the Lu family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao licked her lips: “That’s a problem. If you’re in Yaowang Gou, the Lu family will find you no matter what.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “That’s why I originally planned to go to Lüshui Bay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go to Lüshui Bay? Are you crazy?” You Tao frowned. “The Lu family’s stronghold is in Lüshui Bay—you’d be walking straight to your death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng nodded: “You’re right. I’ve thought it through now—I can’t go myself, but I need something delivered. Can you help me take something to Lüshui Bay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that he didn’t trust You Tao—circumstances forced him to keep some things from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take something…” You Tao thought for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll go see Hua Shezi tomorrow and ask about rates.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending time with Yu Nan, Li Banfeng could now understand a few slang terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shezi meant intermediary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the border, there was a special kind of Hua Shezi who dealt exclusively with travelers crossing over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These travelers had official permits and could cross legally; the Hua Shezi hired them to carry small items, paying them thirty to fifty thousand yuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the items couldn’t be too many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrying an envelope or a small parcel, the Border Defense Office wouldn’t care; but if you tried to bring a cart, that was out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must I really rely on someone to carry it across?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t Puluozhou have a postal service?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a postal service, but the rules were strict—especially for cross-border mail, which had even more restrictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elixirs couldn’t be mailed, magic treasures couldn’t be mailed, weapons couldn’t be mailed, living creatures couldn’t be mailed, and anything with spiritual essence couldn’t be sent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All mailed items underwent exhaustive inspections, and delivery was extremely slow—by the time they arrived, it might be weeks later. Li Banfeng dared not risk it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hua Shezi charges thirty to fifty thousand yuan to arrange a courier, then makes another hundred percent profit—so delivering one item could cost you a hundred thousand yuan. That’s nothing like mailing it,” You Tao explained, looking at Li Banfeng with some hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had saved her life—he had saved her. Logically, she didn’t want to mention money to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But You Tao had no money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the kind of woman who’d risk her life for eighty-five yuan worth of Sheban Chrysanthemum; though she’d received a few elixirs from Li Banfeng, her life remained tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hundred thousand yuan wasn’t much to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you two hundred thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao quickly shook her head: “You don’t need to give me that much…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep the rest. Do you know a pond on the western slope of Mazhu Mountain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao nodded: “The water’s clear, and few people go there. I often bathe there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a large green stone beside the pond, and beneath it, there’s a hole—do you know it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao nodded: “Yes. I always put my clothes on that stone when I bathe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng frowned: “Why do you keep talking about bathing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow night at two, go to the pond. Beneath the stone, you’ll find a parcel. Take it to Lanyang Village in Lüshui Bay and hide it somewhere discreet near the village entrance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lanyang Village was a place Li Banfeng had seen on the map—it was very close to the border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao was puzzled: “What is it? Why not just give it to me now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not yet. The timing isn’t right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao reminded Li Banfeng: “Using a courier to cross the border isn’t guaranteed—they often fail. Those who travel back and forth regularly have some reputation, but others aren’t reliable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s not urgent, sending it through the post is safer. If you must use a courier, I’ll ask Hua Shezi tomorrow to find someone trustworthy—but if he can’t find anyone…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll take the gamble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t have to be Lanyang Village—just getting out of Yaowang Gou was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao reached out and grabbed his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To spend the night on the mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The mountain isn’t safe—I heard the patrolmen have started searching it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll handle it myself. I can’t drag you into this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng left. You Tao stood at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She feared this might be the last time she saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coughing came from upstairs; You Tao climbed to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl in the corner snorted: “If you like him, go with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao nodded: “Fine. I’ll go with him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re heartless!” the girl cried. “He’s clearly no good—what do you see in him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao smiled, stroking the girl’s cheek: “He’s good. Truly good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, You Tao went to the village entrance and found Hua Shezi, who quoted a price of 120,000 yuan to find a trusted courier and guarantee delivery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao frowned: “Why did the price go up? It was never more than 100,000 before!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shezi smiled: “Lanyang Village is dangerous. No one will go for less.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao had never been to Lüshui Bay and didn’t know what Lanyang Village was like, but since Li Banfeng had specified the location, she didn’t ask further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They agreed to meet the next morning: one hand for the parcel, the other for payment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shezi warned: “Taozi, we’ve got some history—I’m being clear: the patrol’s cracking down hard these days. I won’t touch anything suspicious. Don’t get me in trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao agreed. She didn’t know what Li Banfeng wanted to send.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At two a.m., You Tao arrived at the pond on the western slope of Mazhu Mountain. Beneath the green stone, she found the parcel Li Banfeng had left—it was palm-sized and light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As You Tao picked up the parcel and prepared to leave, she heard movement nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She peered into the bamboo grove and saw several flickering lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No good—patrolmen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lights were distinctive—patrolmen’s gas lamps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gas lamps were oil-gas lamps: a fist-sized oil-gas tank with a tube; when the valve was opened, oil-gas sprayed out and ignited, burning far brighter than ordinary lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Puluozhou, fuel quickly solidified and couldn’t be stored in bulk; equipment that converted solidified grease into small amounts of oil-gas was extremely expensive. Only patrolmen near Mazhu Mountain could afford them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao tried to flee, but the lights flickered—the patrolmen had spotted her and signaled her to stay still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, You Tao swiftly stripped off her clothes, stuffed the parcel inside, and dove into the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Patrol Captain Wu Jinming and his men arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing You Tao curled up in the water, several patrolmen nearly shoved their heads into the pond to get a better look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, You Tao’s position was hidden by the shadow of the large green stone; the patrolmen could only stare helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jinming frowned: “You Tao, what are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You Tao frowned back: “Captain Wu, can’t you see what I’m doing? Bathing. Why don’t you join me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, Wu Jinming would tease You Tao a little, but today he had no patience: “I’ve never troubled you. Why are you forcing me to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain Wu, you bring your whole squad to watch me bathe, then accuse me of causing trouble? Are we still talking about fairness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the exchange, You Tao kept her gaze fixed on Wu Jinming—her tone neither submissive nor defiant: three parts anger, five parts grievance, two parts helplessness and sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears must swirl in her eyes, but not a single one must fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force must not be too strong—Wu Jinming is a cultivator; you must not provoke his hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force must not be too weak, or Wu Jinming won’t soften.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flattery requires cultivation base, restraint, and cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jinming said nothing, but several of his subordinates lowered their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They felt pity for You Tao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They felt guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t want to stay here another moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jinming no longer questioned You Tao; he led the patrolmen down the mountain. Along the way, no one doubted You Tao—instead, they complained endlessly about Wu Jinming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief Wu, why go through all this? Miss You didn’t break any law—why harass her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Patrolling the mountain at midnight is bad enough. Now we’re a bunch of men going after a girl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We see her every day—how can we afford to offend everyone just because of the Lu family’s petty business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After this, I’ll feel ashamed every time I see Miss You!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t even dare look into the water just now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These patrolmen felt deep pity for You Tao, which turned into intense self-reproach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Jinming said nothing—he knew his men had fallen under the influence of flattery techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain You Tao was hiding something, and it was likely connected to the Li Banfeng the Lu family was seeking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If You Tao’s adoptive brother had been present, Wu Jinming would never have let him go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he hadn’t seen the man himself, Wu Jinming truly had no intention of pursuing this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His men were right—he still had to serve here; he couldn’t ignore everything just because the Lu family said so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn, You Xuetao handed the package to Hua Shezi, who, in front of You Xuetao, gave the package to a middle-aged man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This middle-aged man was Yang Yanzheng, an overseer of the Chu family—one of the four great clans of Pulu Province. He frequently came to Yaowang Gou to purchase medicinal herbs and was a familiar acquaintance of Hua Shezi, with a reliable reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shezi smiled: “Taozi, you’re lucky—Mr. Yang is heading straight to Lanyang Village. He’ll deliver your package for sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the package, Yang Yanzheng went to the patrol office, where Wu Jinming led twenty patrolmen and ten passing travelers to the checkpoint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Zhu Mountain allows only ten people to cross per day. Today’s quota is full—wait until tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The checkpoint changes location daily—that’s the rule of Pulu Province. Today’s site was at the southern foot of Ma Zhu Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the border, not a blade of grass grew—it was easy to identify. Ten patrolmen escorted a steam-powered vehicle, transporting a metal box two meters long, one meter wide, and one meter high to the border’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by five guards, the Border Warden personally retrieved a key and opened the metal box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One patrolman removed a square, box-like lamp from inside. The Border Warden personally inspected the lamp’s position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming it was correct, one patrolman added water to the top of the lamp, another opened the rear cover and poured in coal, and a third carried a bucket of oil to light the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh-chi! Huh-chi! Huh-chi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam rhythmically spewed from the top of the lamp. As the rhythm quickened, the lamp flickered a few times, then gradually glowed bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not powered by electricity—it was triggered by high-temperature steam activating a magic treasure inside the lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beam of blue-green light shot toward the border, leaving a circular glow one and a half meters in diameter on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All who crossed the border knew: where the glow appeared, the otherwise impregnable border line temporarily ceased to function.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng stood first. Under the escort of patrolmen, he approached the Border Warden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clerk beside the Border Warden ordered: “Show your travel permit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng pulled out his travel permit and handed it to the Border Warden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Border Warden glanced at it, then looked up and asked: “What is your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, never lie—the Border Warden carries a magic treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng didn’t know what the magic treasure looked like, but he knew the consequence: he had once seen three travelers who used forged permits and lied about their names. They were instantly reduced to piles of bloody pulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even those who had recently changed their names, and whose sense of identity was weak, could survive this magic treasure’s scrutiny—they would die on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some first-time border crossers didn’t understand: why, when trains and boats required only ticket clerks to check permits, did crossing the border demand the Border Warden’s personal inspection?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’d understand after crossing a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who crossed on foot did so for special reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Yang Yanzheng—he was delivering a special elixir to the Chu family’s second daughter, and also needed to handle some business in Lanyang Village. This elixir was highly poisonous—it couldn’t be taken on trains or ships. If discovered by crew, Yang Yanzheng might die en route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who crossed on foot usually had something secret to do. Most were skilled cultivators, requiring the Border Warden’s direct oversight and strict vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming his identity, the Border Warden granted passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yanzheng walked to the border’s edge, carefully stepping on the glowing patch, and crossed over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than half a day later, Yang Yanzheng arrived at Lanyang Village. He placed the package inside a hollow tree trunk at the village entrance, then entered the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hours later, Li Banfeng calculated he was nearly there. He stepped out of his portable dwelling, covered in wood shavings and moss, and crawled out of the tree trunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man really was responsible—hiding the package in such a place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng brushed the dust off his body, exhaled deeply, and gazed at the village ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he had reached Green Water Bay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the largest city in Pulu Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a paradise of silk and wine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… was not at all what Li Banfeng had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: For two nights straight, I dreamed of phonographs. Under the warmth of steam, I felt cozy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, I checked my temperature—I’d spiked to 39 degrees Celsius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first subscription of “Lord of Pulu” exceeded three thousand—this achievement rests entirely on the steadfast support of our readers. Sha La extends her deepest gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the trust and backing of our readers, Sha La will march forward in triumph, straight toward Platinum status!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more chapter tonight at eight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2813,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e5b27b527b3884738ed385984ceff60e2f805bb374a500f07025a0d9233da86a","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-98","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-96",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]