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

"I've already given Xiao Lian to Rui Zhi as a maid; she was already my brother-in-law's concubine last night."

Hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Jin Fengju's face instantly turned ugly, and he glared at Wu Peifang, wishing he could kill her.

If looks could kill, Wu Peifang would have been killed countless times by now.

Jin Quan was also taken aback for a moment, surprised, but still smiled and said:

"Since Xiaolian has become Ruizhi's concubine and you have no objections, then let's leave it at that."

Yes, Dad.

The atmosphere at the dinner table suddenly became awkward.

Everyone ate their breakfast in silence; no one spoke.

After the meal, the servants cleared the table, and Jin Quan said to his third daughter-in-law, Wang Yufen, "You and the third son have been married for so long and there's still no sign of a child. Shouldn't you go see a doctor?"

Jin Pengzhen, the third brother, who was drinking water, suddenly spat out a mouthful of tea.

It choked me so much I kept coughing.

Wang Yufen snorted and said, "Dad, you're being biased. Why are you asking me? You should be asking Jin Pengzhen."

Jin Pengzhen's expression changed, and he hurriedly explained, "Dad, I don't want children yet. It's not Yufen's fault. And Dad, please don't interfere in my affairs."

After saying that, he left in a hurry, not giving Jin Quan a chance to ask any further questions.

Wang Yufen sneered, inwardly cursing: Useless.

Shen Hao ate and drank well, and it was not convenient for him to stay any longer.

He took Jin Ruizhi and a delighted Xiao Lian back to the palace.

As soon as Shen Hao left, Jin Fengju couldn't hold back any longer and went up to slap Wu Peifang.

"Who told you to give Xiao Lian away? Don't you know I'm going to marry her?"

"Hmph, you're eating what's in your bowl while eyeing what's in the pot. I don't care if you go whore around outside, but you even want to harm my maid. You're a bastard. Let me tell you, no way."

"If you're not satisfied, we can just get a divorce." Wu Peifang is financially independent and also lends money outside, so she can still live a carefree life even after the divorce.

Therefore, Wu Peifang did not tolerate Jin Fengju and glared at him coldly.

Upon hearing about the divorce, Jin Fengju immediately cowered.

Once divorced, Jin Fengju's face will be utterly humiliated, trampled on by others, and he will surely become a laughingstock, never to be able to hold his head high again.

"You shrew, you really are a shrew! Don't even think about getting a divorce!"

After saying that, Jin Fengju turned and left.

Looking at the mess in the bedroom, Wu Peifang burst into tears.

Shen Hao had just arrived home.

Duan Zhigui then arrived.

When they saw Shen Hao holding Jin Quan's daughter's hand with his left hand and a beautiful young girl's hand with his right hand, they were immediately dumbfounded.

When we parted last night, Shen Hao was alone. Why did he bring two people with him this time?

Shen Hao, with his arm around Xiao Lian, explained with a smile, "Oh, this is someone I just married last night. She used to be the maid of the eldest young mistress of the Jin family."

Duan Zhigui looked at Shen Hao in disbelief. "Damn it, you're a beast!"

He slept at his father-in-law's house and even abducted a maid.

Holy crap, you're really something else.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't know what to say, so he could only give a thumbs up.

Xiao Lian's cheeks flushed red.

Jin Ruizhi rolled her eyes and went straight back to her house. She was too tired last night and needed to catch up on her sleep.

After the two women left, Duan Zhigui said admiringly, "Brother Shen, you're really amazing. I've seen plenty of men who play with women, but I've never seen anyone do it as effortlessly as you. I'm truly impressed."

Shen Hao said, "Haha, let's not talk about that, come inside and sit down."

The two entered the living room, and Duan Zhigui said, "This time, the President summoned me and gave me a severe scolding; he really did a lot of work on me."

"Oh, what's going on?"

Shen Hao was very curious. The Tongmenghui had been broken up and the Second Revolution had failed, so what was there to criticize?

"You know about the Bai Lang Rebellion, right?"

Shen Hao nodded and said, "I know. When I was providing support to Sichuan, this guy tried to stop me, but he ran away as soon as he saw me."

Duan Zhigui said, "Brother Shen, you'll have to deal with Bai Lang."

He targeted you because he had allies instigating it.

He couldn't beat you, but instead he caused trouble in Hekou, Hubei.

After I returned from Sichuan, this guy ran away.

I dispatched 10,000 men to confront him at Zaoyang, but my Hubei Army commander, Li Jun, was killed in battle, and we suffered a crushing defeat.

He was scolded to death by the president.

Shen Hao was somewhat surprised. He hadn't thought Duan Zhigui was that strong last time, so why was he so strong?

"Is Bai Lang that powerful?"

Duan Zhigui looked bitter.

"My dear brother Shen, do you think everyone's soldiers are the same as yours?"

Because of his alertness and bravery in battle, Bai Lang is now known as "White Wolf".

Bai Lang's forces are not just a peasant army.

The "White Wolf Army" under his command originated in Henan Province. It included not only peddlers and laborers, but also many regular soldiers from the Beiyang Army who joined voluntarily.

They were invincible and unstoppable, with groups ranging from tens of thousands to a few thousand people, creating a formidable force.

Aside from fleeing during our battle, we won all other engagements.

Moreover, Bai Lang already had a relatively standardized organization and tactics, with not only infantry, cavalry, artillery, and supply battalions, but also "setting up camps, patrolling, and maintaining order just like an army."

Tactically, they are adept at feints and surprise attacks.

When I was chasing Bai Lang, I was exhausted but gained nothing.

The Beiyang Army continued its campaigns to suppress the rebellion, but suffered heavy losses each time.

I was lucky; several other units were completely wiped out.

Now the White Wolf Army is rampaging across the land, showing great potential to break out of Henan, becoming a major concern for the President.

Do you know why Zhang Zhenfang, the governor of Henan, didn't come?

"I really don't know."

"It was because Bailang developed that Zhang Zhenfang was dismissed from his post by the President on the spot."

Just you wait and see. In a few days, after the Governors' Meeting, they will send troops to encircle and annihilate Bai Lang. The President is extremely angry this time.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hao thought to himself: Serves him right.

Yuan Shikai's former subordinates, who held sway over various regions, levied exorbitant taxes and committed all sorts of atrocities in their respective areas.

Yuan Shikai didn't care; as long as you were loyal, everything else was negotiable.

The warlords' embezzlement of military pay directly led to mutinies among the lower-ranking Beiyang Army soldiers. Over three years, more than twenty such incidents occurred in more than ten provinces, and various displaced people were also involved.

This made Bai Lang's reputation even more impressive.

Duan Zhigui was filled with humiliation, having been utterly defeated by a peasant uprising army; he felt utterly pathetic.

Another concern was that Duan Zhigui feared Bai Lang might infiltrate Hubei.

At that time, they won't be able to deal with Bai Lang.

Duan Zhigui feared that he would suffer the same fate as Zhang Zhenfang, the governor of Henan, and be dismissed from his post; that would be unbearable.

That's why he sought out Shen Hao.

"Brother Shen, the reason I've come to you this time is to ask you to transfer a division to help me suppress the bandits. I think Bai Lang still needs you to deal with him."

Shen Hao said, "I'm afraid the President has to give his approval. He criticized me severely last time. If I act recklessly, it will definitely cause the President to have concerns."

Don't worry, the President is even more anxious than you are.

Duan Zhigui thought for a moment and said, "That's true."

"However, Bai Lang, if you really can't win, you have to help me defend Hubei. If I lose this territory, I'll be dismissed, and I'll cover all your soldiers' expenses then."

Shen Hao laughed and said, "Don't worry, we're like brothers. If you're in trouble, I'll definitely help you out."

"Brother, your daughter isn't pretty, otherwise she would definitely marry you."

Shen Hao was speechless. "I treat you like a brother, but you want to be my father-in-law?"

Duan Zhigui was overjoyed to receive Shen Hao's reply.