Republic of China: My great warlord, many children, many blessings.

Cao Yuanzheng likes to smoke this stuff, so I'm just doing him a favor.

When they arrived at Cao Yuanzheng's house, Cao Yuanzheng stood at the door waiting for them.

This attitude clearly demonstrates Shen Hao's importance to him.

If Shen Hao really marries Yuan Datou's daughter, then a promotion is not out of the question.

Cao Yuanzheng also wanted to get closer to Shen Hao.

It's definitely not okay to treat Shen Hao the same way we used to.

When Cao Yuanzheng saw Shen Hao carrying a large suitcase, he was a little puzzled, but after sniffing it, his eyes lit up.

This is high-quality opium paste from Bangladesh, India.

This is really good stuff.

Cao Yuanzheng was a heavy opium smoker and had a deep understanding of opium.

I like it very much.

I have no interest in domestically produced products.

.. .... 0

Opium was mainly produced in Turkey, Persia (Iran and Afghanistan), and India, with India being the most suitable for producing opium.

Therefore, Indian cigarettes are further divided into many categories based on region and variety, mainly Bengal cigarettes.

Looking at the box in Shen Hao's hand, it was a box of opium weighing a hundred pounds.

Although Cao Yuanzheng liked to smoke opium, he was reluctant to buy so much at once.

I was overjoyed. How many years would it take to smoke this? It's really great.

I'm inviting old friends over in a few days for an opium party. I've heard that foreigners love to throw parties.

Thinking of this, Cao Yuanzheng felt a surge of joy.

At the same time, I was somewhat surprised by Shen Hao's strength.

One hundred pounds of opium is no light weight, yet it's not too strenuous to lift it with one hand.

Shen Hao doesn't look like a strongman.

Could it be that the box is large but contains little, with only a small amount of smoke?

Thinking about this, Cao Yuanzheng's mood soured, and his previous pleasant fantasy vanished.

To verify his guess, Cao Yuanzheng hurriedly stepped forward, took the suitcase from Shen Hao, and said with a smile, "Oh, Brother Shen, you've come all the way from Guangdong Province, what are you bringing?"

Seeing Cao Yuanzheng's enthusiasm, Shen Hao let go.

"Nothing special, just some local specialties."

As soon as Shen Hao let go, Cao Yuanzheng felt his body sink and almost fell flat on his face.

However, he was overjoyed.

This weight is sufficient.

Good bro.

Although the box was heavy, Cao Yuanzheng was in a good mood.

He grinned broadly and said, "I love this local specialty! Brother Shen, you really understand me; you're a true friend!"

Over the years, Cao Yuanzheng's health had deteriorated due to opium addiction, so he could only carry the boxes for a few steps before becoming exhausted.

He glared fiercely at the guards and snapped, "Are you two blind? Brother Shen brought a gift, and you didn't even offer to help!"

107. Marrying the president's daughter makes you a mentor.

Two police officers on duty rushed forward to lend a hand.

It feels quite heavy when you get it.

The two were somewhat surprised.

He subconsciously looked at Shen Hao, not expecting this guy to be so awesome.

I thought Shen Hao was light-weight because he looked so relaxed; I never imagined he weighed 100 pounds!

Shen Hao actually carried this 100-pound item around as a game.

The movement made it seem as if the hundred-odd pounds of the object had no weight at all.

awesome.

He is a master.

Upon entering the living room, Cao Yuanzheng's eyes remained fixed on the box of opium.

I wish I could take a couple of puffs.

That feeling was truly like the collapse of the US and Japan!

Because Yuan Shikai imposed very strong measures to ban opium after he came to power, the price of opium paste skyrocketed.

These 100 jin (50 kg) would currently cost around 15,000 silver dollars.

This is already considered a very generous gift.

Last time, Shen Hao even gave him a 10,000 silver dollar loan. Shen Hao is really good to him.

At this moment, the maidservant brought out tea.

"Brother Shen, have some tea, this is top-grade Longjing."

Shen Hao smiled and said, "Thank you, Mayor Cao."

Shen Hao picked up his teacup but didn't drink it.

Cao Yuanzheng pretended to be upset and said, "That's where you're wrong. Calling me mayor at a time like this is like slapping me in the face, considering our brotherly relationship."

From now on, just call me Brother Cao.

Don't worry, I've got an older brother in Beijing keeping an eye on things for you. Nobody will dare mess with you.

Shen Hao said, "Then I really have to thank Brother Cao. I heard that Cao Kun was causing me trouble?"

Cao Yuanzheng nodded and said, "You killed someone's seventh brother, so of course they'll come after you. However, President Yuan doesn't think it's a big deal."

In his eyes, Cao Ying is nothing, far less valuable than you.

Guangdong Province had always been the territory of the revolutionary army. If you could plant a nail there and gain a firm foothold, it would be equivalent to putting a nail there for President Yuan, which would help President Yuan control Guangdong Province.

Besides, you and I are now both under General Manager Zhao's command.

Mr. Zhao will definitely support you.

Compared to Cao Kun, President Yuan was closer to Zhao Zongli.

"You can't do anything about it openly, so you can only sabotage it behind the scenes. You need to be careful."

Shen Hao smiled and said, "I'll be careful."

Cao Yuanzheng said, "I really like the local specialty you gave me. I also have some good news for you."

Shen Hao asked in confusion, "What news?"

Cao Yuanzheng chuckled and said, "Do you know how many divisions the Beiyang Central Army had?"

"There are 11 in total, what's wrong?" Shen Hao asked in confusion;

"That's right, 11 divisions, Lieutenant General Ho Chung-lien of the 1st Army Division."

The Second Division under Wang Zhanyuan, the Third Division under your enemy Cao Kun, and the 10th Division under Lu Yongxiang, the 23rd Division under Meng Enyuan, and so on—these were eleven Central Divisions.

Shen Hao nodded upon hearing this.

Commanders like Zhang Zuolin and Feng Guozhang were from local, miscellaneous divisions and could not be incorporated into the Central Army.

Cao Yuanzheng laughed and said, "These days, President Yuan and the Kuomintang have been at odds."

Believing that a war between the two sides was inevitable, they prepared to expand the Central Army.

President Yuan plans to expand the Central Army by six more divisions, bringing the total to 17.

If you marry President Yuan's daughter, Yuan Fuzhen, then you will definitely get a spot. We're all on the same side, and President Yuan won't be stingy.

Therefore, you must win over Yuan Fuzhen. Of course, I estimate that President Yuan must have liked you before he chose you as his son-in-law.

Moreover, your abilities are highly recognized by President Yuan.

One man wiped out two brigades; even Cao Kun couldn't match that fighting prowess.

The difference between you and Cao Kun now is the difference in status.

You are at most a major general brigade commander, while Cao Kun is a lieutenant general division commander.

But once you become a division commander, you'll be on the same level, and you won't need to pay him any attention.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hao's eyes lit up; this was truly good news.

During the Beiyang period, the rank of division commander in the Central Army was lieutenant general, and the rank of brigade commander was major general.