Chapter Fifty: Seizing Hu Baiwan’s Army

Hearing Cai E’s words, Xiao Fei was left puzzled, unable to understand why Cai E would suddenly say such a thing.

In the memories of Xiao Fei’s previous life, Cai E did indeed die young. Two years later, in November 1916, Cai E’s illness worsened, and he was urgently sent to Japan for treatment. Unfortunately, his young life could not be saved. But now it was only 1914—could Cai E already sense his own illness at this time?

Moreover, historical records state that Cai E suffered from tuberculosis from an early age, leaving him physically frail. To oppose Yuan Shikai’s attempt to restore the monarchy, Cai E disguised himself and fled Beijing, traveling through Japan and Vietnam before returning to Yunnan. The arduous journey worsened his throat ailment. During the National Protection War, long military campaigns further exhausted him; his voice grew hoarse, his throat swollen and painful, and eating became difficult as his illness grew more severe. On August 9, 1916, he traveled to Japan for treatment and was admitted to the affiliated hospital of Fukuoka Medical University. Doctors determined that his throat disease was caused by tuberculosis bacteria infiltrating his larynx. At the time, there was still no effective cure for tuberculosis. Cai E was too weak for surgery, so his condition could only be managed with medicine and care. By the evening of November 7, his health declined rapidly and he entered a critical state. Despite attempts to save him, nothing could be done. He passed away in the early hours of the 8th, only thirty-four years old.

Though Cai E’s life was brief, his achievements were remarkable. It was he who shattered Yuan Shikai’s imperial ambitions, earning him the title of “Great Man of the Republic” from later generations.

It was precisely because of this that Xiao Fei so deeply admired him. Who would have thought that, having just sworn brotherhood with him, he would hear such news from Cai E’s own mouth? How could it not be disheartening?

“Big Brother, why do you say your days are numbered? What has happened?” Xiao Fei asked urgently.

Cai E sighed again and slowly revealed the truth.

It turned out that later generations only knew General Cai E suffered from tuberculosis, but few were aware that his family—from his great-grandfather to his grandfather, and even his father’s generation—all died young, none living past thirty-five.

Once, the Cai family had even consulted geomancers and invited Daoist masters from Kunlun Mountain, all of whom agreed that the family was cursed. For generations, no Cai man had escaped this fate. Lately, Cai E had been feeling unwell, which led him to believe he, too, would not live much longer.

Xiao Fei didn’t know whether to believe Cai E’s explanation. In his previous life, he had been a staunch believer in science and an atheist. But after experiencing something as impossible as time travel, what was left that he couldn’t believe?

“Big Brother, is there truly no way to break the curse?” Xiao Fei asked anxiously.

Cai E shook his head. “No. But before I die, meeting a sworn brother like you is heaven’s greatest kindness to me. My brothers will finally have a leader more capable than I.”

At this point, any further words of comfort from Xiao Fei would be pointless. He could only promise Cai E that, should anything befall him, he would unhesitatingly take over the Yunnan army and never let military command fall into the wrong hands.

“Second Brother, that is good. I’ll be waiting for you in Yunnan. Once you’ve settled things here, come find me. But you must hurry—I don’t have much time left. Cough, cough…” Cai E broke into a fit of coughing, and when he pulled his hand away, it was stained with bright, thick blood.

“Big Brother!” Xiao Fei’s heart ached.

Cai E waved him off. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Oh, there’s one more thing I must tell you.”

Cai E then explained that he had come to Jiangning at Yuan Shikai’s behest to investigate the murder of a Japanese major, and that much evidence pointed to Xiao Fei.

Given this, Xiao Fei chose not to hide anything from Cai E and recounted the entire incident in detail.

Cai E praised him warmly. “Excellent, excellent! I knew I was right about you—you not only have a burning patriotic heart, but also courage and strategy. Now I can rest easy.”

“Big Brother, forgive my bluntness, but how can a hero like you submit to Yuan Shikai’s control? Not long after the Xinhai Revolution succeeded, Yuan Shikai usurped its fruits. He calls himself Prime Minister, but in truth, he’s a traitor to the nation! Moreover, I suspect Yuan Shikai has long feared your influence in Yunnan and secretly intends to do away with you. So if he ever summons you to the capital, you must not fall into his trap,” Xiao Fei said.

Upon hearing this, Cai E was deeply moved. “I didn’t expect someone so young to have such keen insight and strategy—to see what others do not, to act where others will not. You are right: Yuan Shikai is no Prime Minister, but a national traitor. I have already been quietly recruiting and preparing the army in Yunnan, ready to march north and punish Yuan Shikai. But the Republic has only just been established. If I act now, I would have no justification and might even be accused of destroying the Republic. I am waiting for the right opportunity—a legitimate chance to strike.”

Indeed, Cai E was right. The birth of the Republic had not come easily, and the people’s hopes for it were so fervent that no one dared to recklessly wage war.

The two sat together throughout the night, sharing their views on the fate and future of the nation.

Hero admired hero. The thought of Cai E’s young life soon to be extinguished filled Xiao Fei with true regret. (Narrator: And yet you’re about to inherit his three hundred thousand troops for nothing—who knows what you really think!)

The next day, Cai E bid farewell to everyone and returned to Yunnan. As for how he would report to Yuan Shikai, that was a trivial matter—he could simply write a report. He certainly would not betray Xiao Fei.

With Cai E gone, Xiao Fei had no intention of leaving immediately. There were still many important matters awaiting him in Jiangning, one of which was to eliminate the infamous war criminal Hideki Tojo. Another was to replace Hu Millionaire; leaving Hu alive would only bring disaster. Besides, Xiao Fei coveted the two hundred thousand troops under Hu’s command—as he had already managed to obtain Cai E’s three hundred thousand, why not Hu’s as well?

Yet, as Xiao Fei plotted against others, others plotted against him. The plan to hire assassins was orchestrated entirely by Hu Millionaire, but after a night had passed, Li Tiande, Yang Fourth, and their associates had all vanished, raising suspicion. Meanwhile, Xiao Fei, Cai E, and Jin Shaohua remained unharmed. Hu dispatched several search parties throughout the city, but found not a single clue.

At his wit’s end, Hu Millionaire went in person to interrogate Jin Shaohua, only to be mocked and rendered speechless. After all, how could he openly speak of such a disgraceful, despicable act? He could only swallow his anger.

Only now did Li Tiande’s fiancée, Jin Wanyu, learn that Li Tiande was dead. Her feelings were complicated—she had despised him and even wished him dead, but now that he truly was gone, she could not help feeling a strange emptiness.

Jin Wanyu knew Xiao Fei must be involved, so she went to see him herself.

“What is it? Are you missing your fiancé?” Xiao Fei asked coolly.

“I… I…” Jin Wanyu stammered, unable to find an answer.

Nearby, Li Shishi had long seen that Jin Wanyu harbored feelings for Xiao Fei. Besides, the tale of Jin Wanyu confessing her feelings through poetry had already spread. Li Shishi couldn’t help but tease, “Ah, Miss Jin, you didn’t come here to ask Xiao Fei to marry you, did you? That would be tricky. Otherwise, Xiao Fei will have to step in himself. How about that—would you like him as your husband?”

“Shishi, what are you saying? Oh…” Jin Wanyu, her heart’s secret exposed, flushed with embarrassment, gave Xiao Fei a glance, and ran out.

Heh, let’s see how long you can keep up this act, little miss! Xiao Fei thought with a mischievous smile.

But he had no mind for matchmaking—he was busy planning how to deal with Hu Millionaire and Hideki Tojo. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he couldn’t help but smile.

——— I am the alluring dividing line ———

Hu Millionaire was restless over Li Tiande’s disappearance, tossing and turning in bed. Just then, the door suddenly opened.

“Who’s there?” Hu Millionaire barked, clutching his pistol.

“It’s me, Commander Hu,” the visitor replied.

Hu Millionaire got up warily and looked—“Yang Fourth, it’s you! How did you get in here? Tell me, what happened? Where’s Li Tiande?”

Recognizing his own man, Hu relaxed and set his gun aside.

He never expected Yang Fourth to suddenly strike him on the forehead. Hu Millionaire fell unconscious at once.

Yang Fourth immediately went to report to Xiao Fei. “Master, the task is complete.”

Now that Hu Millionaire was captured, his military command was in Xiao Fei’s hands—just the first step of his plan.

[PS: Brothers and sisters, wishing you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day! No mooncakes this year, but every brother gets a lovely lady and every sister a handsome guy—haha! Please add this to your favorites and click often as a gift for the festival. After all, it’s a day for family reunions, yet Xiao Fei is too busy to be with his loved ones, diligently writing away. I hope for your blessings—because you are all my family, too.]