As a young marshal, it's reasonable for me to have 300,000 private troops, right?

As dawn broke, Qi Fan got up from a soft, large bed, next to a beautiful woman whose name he couldn't recall.

These past few days, Qi Fan has been engrossed in various social interactions in Baoding. He's doing alright, but Qi Lao Er has really been "exhausted" quite a bit.

Every day, he shuttles between different "battlefields," dealing with all sorts of women throwing themselves at him. Even though Qi Lao Er is young and strong, these past few days have really exhausted him.

I had just finished washing up when a simple breakfast was laid out on the table.

Qi Fan picked up a fried dough stick and slowly nibbled on it. He had only taken two bites when Feng Yong walked in with light steps.

The two have been inseparable for the past two days. Apart from sleeping in their own beds at night, they have been eating, drinking, sleeping and traveling together.

Feng Yong casually picked up a fried dough stick and stuffed it into his mouth. His gaze swept over the woman who was still fast asleep on the bed. He winked at Qi Fan and teased him with a smile.

"How about it, Hanqing? I wasn't lying to you, was I? Life in Baoding is much more comfortable than in Fengtian!"

Qi Fan picked up the bowl and slowly took a sip of the warm soy milk.

"It's comfortable, but luckily my Fengzhi doesn't know. If she had found out even a hint of it, I reckon I'd be lucky to escape with my life."

The two chatted back and forth about the romantic and amusing things that had happened in the past few days, laughing constantly.

Just then, Feng Yong seemed to suddenly remember something and slapped his forehead.

"Oh right! I almost forgot the important thing! This morning when I went out, I saw your letter at the post station, so I brought it over for you."

As he spoke, he took out a brown paper envelope from his pocket and handed it over.

Qi Fan took the envelope and saw that it was stamped with the exclusive seal of the Fengtian Marshal's Mansion, indicating that it was sent from home.

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly tore open the envelope. Inside was only a thin sheet of paper with his father Zhang Zuolin's familiar, bold handwriting. The message was extremely brief: Return to Fengtian immediately tonight, do not delay.

After reading it, Qi Fan couldn't help but think to himself: "Easy for you to say! Now it's not like you can just tell me to go back and I can go back!" He had already noticed that there were spies everywhere around him during this time.

Whether he was going to an exam or a dance party, there were always a few malicious eyes secretly watching him.

It's obvious without even thinking that this must be a direct descendant.

If I were to boldly pack my bags and prepare to return to Fengtian, the Zhili clique would never allow me to leave easily.

Meanwhile, in the conference hall of the Fengtian Marshal's Mansion, Yang Yuting was frowning as he approached Zhang Zuolin.

"Old Marshal, are you really planning to let Hanqing find his own way back? I just received news that the Zhili clique has planted many spies in Baoding, keeping a close eye on Hanqing. It won't be so easy for him to escape safely."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zuolin burst into hearty laughter and waved his hand.

"Don't underestimate my brat! He's got a lot on his sleeve; this little situation is no problem for him. Don't worry, he'll find a way to get back."

Although Zhang Zuolin did not know much about the specifics of Qi Fan's men, he knew in his heart that none of the people around his son were ordinary.

With those people secretly helping him, plus Qi Fan's own quick wit, getting away shouldn't be a problem.

Qi Fan, far away in Baoding, had no idea that his father "trusted" him so much and had pushed all the problems of getting out of trouble onto him.

At this moment, he was frowning, his fingertips tracing the letter, pondering in his mind: Right now, the direct subordinates are watching closely, and forcing my way in is definitely not an option. I can only think of a way to slip away safely and return to Fengtian.

Just then, Qi Fan's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had suddenly remembered something. A malicious smile appeared on his lips, and his gaze fell straight on Feng Yong.

Feng Yong was taking a big bite of a fried dough stick when he was suddenly stared at by him, and the dough stick in his hand stopped in mid-air.

He swallowed the food in his mouth and put down his chopsticks.

Why are you staring at me like that? It's making me uneasy.

Qi Fan leaned closer, a signature sly grin on his face, speaking in an intimate tone.

"Old Feng, aren't we brothers who'd risk our lives for each other?"

"It's a brother, what's up?" Feng Yong became even more wary and shrank back.

"You're acting weird, kid. Something's definitely up. Tell me, are you trying to trick me?"

Qi Fan put his arm around Feng Yong's shoulder, patted him hard on the back, and denied it with a smile.

"Look at what you're saying, we're brothers, how could I possibly cheat you? I just want you to do me a small favor."

"What kind of help?"

"Could I borrow your new car?"

"Lend me your car?" Feng Yong was taken aback for a moment, then asked in confusion.

"Why are you borrowing my car? Are you going to drive back to Fengtian yourself?"

"That's right." Qi Fan's smile faded, and his tone became more serious.

"My dad wants me to go back to Fengtian tonight. You know, the Zhili clique is keeping a close eye on me. If I dare to go to the train station, they'll probably detain me as soon as I arrive, and I won't be able to leave at all."

Feng Yong nodded, thinking that what he said made sense, but then he frowned.

"But even if you drive my car, you might not be able to get out of the city! There are definitely people guarding the city gates, and they'll stop your vehicle anyway. Wouldn't that be just as troublesome?"

"That's why I need your help!" Qi Fan lowered his voice, leaned close to Feng Yong's ear, and explained his plan of escaping unscathed in detail.

Feng Yong's eyes widened as he listened, and when Qi Fan finished speaking, he stared at Qi Fan in disbelief.

"Are you sure this method will work? Isn't it too risky?"

"Don't worry, there won't be any problems!" Qi Fan patted his chest to assure him, and then threw out another bait.

"Once I return to Fengtian safely, I'll have Fengzhi send you a brand new car, even better than your current one!"

Lured by the bait of this "top-of-the-line new car," Feng Yong immediately gave in.

"Alright then! But we agreed it has to be the latest top-of-the-line model, not a single part can be missing!"

"Relax, relax!" Qi Fan laughed and put his arm around Feng Yong's shoulder, patting him hard on the back.

"You think I'm short of money? I'll get you a brand new car that you won't find another like it in all of Fengtian!"

Having arranged everything, Qi Fan also sent a telegram to Jia Xu just in case.

Night fell quickly, and the two arrived at their usual ballroom dance as agreed.

To ensure the plan went smoothly, they specifically chose dark suits that were almost identical in style and color, and at first glance, their figures and attire were nearly the same.

Taking advantage of the lively atmosphere of the ball, Qi Fan found a waiter in a corner whose figure and height were almost a carbon copy of his own, slipped him ten silver dollars, and whispered a few instructions in his ear.

The waiter weighed the heavy silver coin in his hand, his eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded in agreement.

Not long after, he followed Feng Yong, and the two walked side by side toward the ballroom entrance. Under the dim lights, the surveillance spies in the distance could not distinguish the difference and assumed that Qi Fan and Feng Yong were leaving together.

Once the two figures had completely disappeared through the doorway, Qi Fan quickly changed into the waiter uniform that had been prepared beforehand, pulled his hat brim low, and slipped out of the ball quietly among the service staff carrying trays.

He hurried to where Feng Yong had parked his car, opened the door, got in, started the engine, and drove out of the city, intending to escape Baoding overnight.

The plan proceeded exceptionally smoothly, and before long, Qi Fan drove out of Baoding city and sped towards Fengtian.

He gripped the steering wheel, a smug smile playing on his lips, and couldn't help but sneer.

"These direct descendants are nothing special; their vigilance is ridiculously low. I easily escaped with a simple trick!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a piercing gunshot ripped through the night sky, shattering the tranquility of the deep night!

The bullet whistled as it struck the car precisely, producing a dull thud.

Qi Fan jerked violently, nearly losing his grip on the steering wheel, and the car veered off course instantly.

"Holy crap! What's going on?!"