Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

The marriage between the Lou and He families was scheduled for New Year's Day in 48, with the engagement taking place at the beginning of the year and the wedding at the end of the year.

It's already mid-October, and with two and a half months left, it's incredibly difficult for He Ping'an, in his public capacity, to openly and legitimately prevent the marriage between the two families.

The new rule of the 21st century... If you can't solve the problem, then solve the person who created it. Since Young Master He enjoys sleeping with pleasure, He Ping'an doesn't mind risking his life to accompany him.

He certainly wouldn't be like those lawless nephews and nieces of the Nanjing bigwigs, who would kill someone in a fit of jealousy. At most, he would take care of her, keeping her bedridden for three to five months and postponing the engagement.

By the end of 48, everything would have changed drastically. If Lou Bancheng still dared to arrange a marriage then, He Ping'an would truly dare to beat up his cheap father-in-law!

Before long, a girl of about 15 or 6 years old followed behind the madam. She was shoved forward by the madam.

"This...this sir..." Before the young girl could finish speaking, the anxious madam stepped forward, pushing her aside and explaining with a forced smile, "Sir, Hongxiu is still a virgin, very young! If you're not satisfied..."

"Xiu? That name..." He Ping'an looked the young girl up and down, nodding in satisfaction. He said to the madam, "I prefer virgins!"

A few colorful bills were scattered at the ground. He Ping'an, with the nervous "show" in his arms, went upstairs to the second floor, leaving the madam bent over picking up the money. She was groped a few times by passing customers, but she still greeted them with a smile.

Inside the guest room, He Ping'an wouldn't stoop to harming a young girl. A few words revealed Hong Xiu's background... a gambling father, a smoking mother, a scoundrel brother, and she herself had been sold!

Nothing to do today... so I'll listen to music at the brothel!

"Oh! Young Master He, why are you leaving so early today? Did Little Jinbao not serve you properly?"

Upon seeing the target, He Ping'an calmly pushed open the window beside him a crack, and a block of ice the size of a thumb suddenly appeared in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he struck He Jun in the back of the knee.

He Jun's legs gave way and he tumbled down the stairs. The two floors weren't very high, and the stairs were carpeted, so breaking a few bones wouldn't kill him.

Having completed his mission, He Ping'an listened to music for over an hour. Only after the commotion outside subsided did he leisurely walk downstairs. He glanced at the grieving madam and left with a flourish.

With the eldest son of the He family injured, the He family certainly won't let this go easily. Although the He family is from a brothel and won't go to extremes to save face, even their lingering influence is something a mere brothel can't withstand!

This would both deal with the young master of the He family and dismantle a cannibalistic den of monsters. A double kill!

Of course, He Ping'an's choice to take action in the brothel was primarily to restrain the He family... With the marriage alliance imminent, even for the sake of the Lou family's marriage, the He family absolutely could not allow He Jun's scandal to become the talk of the town. Even if they did investigate, it would be done secretly and with great restraint.

Under these circumstances, it's impossible to thoroughly investigate a brothel that's rife with all sorts of shady characters. Besides, a piece of ice the size of a thumb would melt in a few words; what's the point of investigating it?

It's just a pity for the girls of Cui Liu Yuan... Cui Liu Yuan is a ready-made punching bag, and they can't escape this fate.

Without the Green Willow Garden, it would be difficult for them to reform. Social prejudice and a lack of other means of livelihood would likely lead them from one den of iniquity to another.

Cruel and realistic!

However, Hongxiu was lucky; she bumped into He Ping'an on her first try. She had plenty of time to study after the age of 15 or 6, and she didn't pick up any bad habits, so she still had a chance to start over.

He Ping'an needed to conceal his identity and couldn't possibly take action personally. Coincidentally, there was one person he knew who was just right.

In just over a year, Zheng Chaoyang has been promoted to deputy director of the Fifth Outer District and intelligence specialist of the Bureau of Secrecy. He's now practically a big shot in the Fifth Outer District! This clearly demonstrates the extent of He Ping'an's influence...

By gathering even the smallest bits of information about high-ranking figures, one could obtain money and weapons. In the eyes of those powerless yet ambitious gang members, this was undoubtedly a sure path to success.

There are definitely suspicions! But who would have thought that the usually aloof Communist Party would use such scum as a base?

Zheng Chaoyang took the initiative, either killing or capturing, and even allowing some to escape. He wiped out the newly established intelligence front of the Beiping underground party.

Some people had evidence of communist sympathy found in their homes, while others confessed to their superiors. However, the superiors were cunning and fled too quickly, and the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics failed to make the arrest.

The heads of a dozen or so gang members helped Zheng Chaoyang initially gain the trust of the Security Bureau and secure his position as the head of the Detective Division. As for his promotion to deputy director and intelligence specialist? He Ping'an personally led that mission…

Drawing inspiration from the Battle of Red Cliffs, he first arranged for his comrades to reveal their addresses and feign capture. Then, unable to withstand torture, they naturally "betrayed the revolution," revealing the rendezvous point and code.

Whether it was the search or the arrest, it was all handled personally by Zheng Chaoyang's superior, the deputy director of the branch office. There was no way around it; Zheng Chaoyang was too capable, and the deputy director felt the pressure.

During this time, Zheng Chaoyang expressed his doubts, citing the smooth progress. However, the deputy director, eager to prove himself, refuted his points one by one.

What awaited them was a trap... The entire underground party action team was mobilized, with grenades and submachine guns aimed directly at Wan Linsheng, the head of the Operations Section of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and Zheng Chaoyang, who was sabotaging the underground party's newly opened intelligence lines.

If you encounter a wild animal in the wild, you may not be fast, but you must be faster than your teammates. Unsurprisingly, the obese deputy director became the unlucky one who lagged behind, shot in the back of the head and died instantly!

Afterwards, the deceased deputy director took the blame for the incident, and Zheng Chaoyang successfully took his place...

In the darkness, He Ping'an watched as Zheng Chaoyang, seemingly fast asleep, reached for his pillow and chuckled softly, "Not bad. It seems Deputy Director Zheng hasn't let his guard down despite his promotion. Very good, worthy of praise!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Zheng Chaoyang relaxed. His hand, which had been under the pillow, dropped the pistol, and he complained, "Hey, Mr. He, can we please stop with these late-night surprise attacks? My little heart can't take your might!"

"Heh..." He Pingan shook his head noncommittally and stated the purpose of his visit today.

"What...you want me to get a prostitute, a 15-year-old girl at that?" Zheng Chaoyang's voice was sharp and grating.

"Your voice is a bit too loud..." He Ping'an pointed out the window and frowned as he reminded him.

"I'm not asking you to do it, I'm asking you to save people! It's just that the methods used to save them are a bit forceful... That's all. This is also for your sake. As the deputy director of the Beiping branch, you are at least a big shot in Beiping."

"Not going to casinos or chasing women? Is that acceptable? Is this how a high-ranking KMT official should behave? Remember, you now belong to the KMT!!! Discipline is important, but protecting yourself is even more crucial!"