The male supporting character was actually myself.

"Which gang doesn't have blood on their hands?" Jiang Chen drew two lines with his pen and said coldly, "But your Hongyu Gang's crime of smuggling human rights is unforgivable!"

Since you've taken on the honor of being the young leader, you should be prepared to contribute to the cause of peace. It's a way to accumulate good karma and atone for your past sins.

"Help..." The young gang leader realized the danger, but he had barely managed to shout before Jiang Chen knocked him unconscious.

The various gangs in the city that never sleeps are locked in fierce fighting, which suddenly subsides at dawn the next day.

Because someone discovered that the young leader of the Hongyu Gang was actually in the camp of General Geng, the King of the South, and was caught in the act, in order to cover it up, some soldiers rushed up and killed him to silence him!

"Damn it, we've all been tricked! That guy surnamed Geng deliberately kidnapped people to incite us to fight each other, so he could sit back and watch the fight unfold before closing in!"

"For years, the Geng family has been eyeing the city and has long wanted to dominate it. We absolutely cannot fall for their tricks and engage in internal strife again!"

"That's right. In a battle, the Geng garrison is naturally better at charging into battle, but in the city, our gang is more popular. Unless he wants to blow up the city of Never Sleeps into ruins, he really can't beat us. This is a dirty trick to sow discord."

"His men killed my son, there must be an explanation!"

"We need to unite and fight this common enemy, cut off all the shipping at the docks. Let's see how long that Geng guy can hold out without supplies, let's beat the hell up..."

…………

With minimal effort, Jiang Chen, along with the fluffy dumpling, navigated the various factions, guiding the situation towards the outcome he desired.

"Host, we came here to help you find a wife, so why did you end up stirring up infighting within the gang?" The fluffy little thing squatted on his shoulder, scratching its feet and muttering, "Now look what's happened, with everyone fighting inside and outside, how can they even talk about love?"

He sat on the top of the tallest building in Jinshuitan and looked down, and couldn't help but laugh: "They've come all this way, so let them fight amongst themselves with a little effort. When they lead their troops to attack in the future, there will be fewer casualties."

Only by obtaining the greatest benefit at the lowest cost can the foundation of a nation be protected from severe damage.

If we don't cause trouble, they'll start fighting amongst themselves, and it will be quite difficult for us to push forward from the north. Only when the people are eagerly yearning for peace and hoping that Li's army will recapture the city that never sleeps, can we win the hearts of the people and ensure the smooth sailing of reform.

Chapter Forty-Two Arrives as Promised

Jiang Chen's original plan was to force disarm the enemy and then push through, just like in the previous mission world.

However, during the operation in Shanbei, it was discovered that the situation was not quite the same as in the post-apocalyptic world. While the threat of force in the post-apocalyptic world could be limited, the research and development of this mission world could not be restricted.

Furthermore, given the large number of people and the difficulty in controlling their darker side, it would be better to go with the flow and let the turmoil of the war threaten everyone's stable life. When everyone is eagerly hoping for peace, the appearance of the Li family army in accordance with the times will not seem abrupt.

Otherwise, there will always be some people who take advantage of others and then act innocent, which will only cause more trouble.

You can't make a sale by rushing things; this principle applies everywhere.

The little white cat clearly wasn't interested in listening to these grand theories, busy scratching its paws and glancing around occasionally. "Do you think Lin Wanyan will hide at home and not go out if things get chaotic in the City That Never Sleeps?"

"Of course not, she will definitely come to the appointment." Jiang Chen shook his head confidently and said, "Moreover, if nothing unexpected happens, I can also meet many energetic and ambitious people through her, and work together for the cause of unification!"

He's in a great mood now that part of his dream is about to come true.

Lin Wanyan shared his eager anticipation.

She had been closely monitoring the situation in the City That Never Sleeps these past few days. Because the young leader of the Hongyu Gang had single-handedly instigated an escalating conflict, she had been wondering if the person stirring up trouble behind the scenes was that young Marshal Li.

He can turn the tide and make things happen at will; such methods are quite remarkable. After the armed forces in the City of Never Sleeps have worn each other down, does he plan to take advantage of the situation?

"Third sister, things are very chaotic outside. I heard that General Geng's troops have already entered." Her eldest brother, Lin Rubin, reminded her as she was about to go out, "If there's nothing urgent to deal with, it's safer to stay at home; if you do go out, you should take a few more people with you."

Lin Wanyan, now dressed in a dashing riding outfit, smiled and said, "Don't worry, brother. I've just been feeling bored at home these past few days and wanted to go riding at Jinshui Beach. It's not far from our home and it's a closed area, plus I have bodyguards with me, so there won't be any problems."

"That's good. Be careful." Lin Rubin smiled gently, then his expression turned serious as he watched his younger sister leave. He turned slightly to his assistant behind him and asked, "Are you sure there are no safety hazards around our family?"

The young man in the black uniform nodded in acknowledgment. "Young Master, please rest assured. We've checked the house several times to make sure there are no spies. I've also planted spies around Miss San to ensure her safety."

The trading company has sent another invitation, asking you to come and oversee things. Should you politely decline again?

Lin Rubin took a deep breath, stretched his tall and thin body, and revealed a faint smile. "Of course. The position in the business bank is not low, but it won't be of much use in the end. Our goal is the financial department. Let's wait and see. If the city of Never Sleeps suddenly falls into chaos, there might be an opportunity. The organization needs us to occupy a favorable position. The business bank is just the worst option."

"Yes! Then I will reply with the original wording." The assistant nodded in agreement.

He put on his overcoat, straightened his meticulously styled hair and gold-rimmed glasses, and walked briskly with his assistant to the front gate to get into the car and drive away from the Lin family villa.

The fluffy ball squatted on the fountain, licked its paws, tilted its head, and looked puzzled. After a few seconds of contemplation, it looked at Lin Wanyan's car and then at Lin Rubin's car, before hopping over and crawling into Lin Rubin's car to quietly lie down and listen for news.

“Jinshui Beach is so big, and they didn’t say exactly where to meet…” Lin Wanyan arrived at the destination ten minutes early and then led out her favorite white horse, Xue Rong.

To ensure that Young Marshal Li would discover her whereabouts immediately, she specially chose a striking black and red riding outfit, paired with snowflakes that made her look like a snow fairy. As soon as she came out of the stable, she attracted a lot of attention and became a beautiful sight on the racetrack.

Lin Wanyan rode her horse around the field, casually glancing at the watch on her wrist.

It was almost 2:30, and Li Jiangchen was still nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps due to the unrest in the city, Jinshui Beach, usually a favorite spot for upper-class men and women, was sparsely populated today. Many people were clearly there to negotiate, taking advantage of the spacious grounds and beautiful scenery. Only a few horses were leisurely strolling around the vast Jinshui Beach, making her feel quite uneasy.

Li Jiangchen has been making headlines in recent months, and his handsome face is so distinctive that he might be discovered by people from other forces.

She felt that the other party's behavior was too risky, as they were unfamiliar with the place and the people they were talking about, and were trying to stir up trouble from behind the scenes.

With the appointed time fast approaching and no sign of the expectant figure in sight, Lin Wanyan, somewhat distracted, directed Xue Rong to slowly stroll towards the secluded beach.

"Sorry I'm a minute late." She had just stopped on the beach and was looking at the boundless sea when she suddenly heard the clatter of hooves behind her. Jiang Chen rode up on a black horse, handed her a rose, and pointed back to the Jinshuitan Building, apologizing, "I saw you as soon as you got off the bus."

I was waving to you from the top floor, but you probably didn't notice because we were too far apart.

So… I spent a little money to bribe the stable master, which caused a bit of a delay, but thankfully he finally allowed me to ride this black steed to our appointment.”

Lin Wanyan was clearly shocked. She paused for two seconds before accepting the roses, her face slightly flushed. "I'm so sorry, I didn't expect you to be in the building. After all, it's not safe there with so many people coming and going. You... haven't already been found out, have you?"

Jiang Chen smiled brightly and waved his hand, saying, "Don't be nervous. I'm not someone to be ashamed of. Even if my identity is exposed, it's nothing. Right now, Geng Daqi is busy and can't get involved in my affairs."

The soldiers stationed there were untrained and their emergency response capabilities were extremely poor.

Originally, I didn't intend to kill the young master outright; I just wanted to use the location to divert attention. Who knew that after Geng Daqi's camp was alerted, the soldiers on duty would be so terrified that they'd open fire and kill him? The rest of the plan had to be changed at the last minute, but fortunately, it worked quite well.

"So, this is what you were talking about that night?"

Holding a rose in her hand, she dismounted and pulled on the reins to bring Xue Rong closer to the other person, shielding her from view. She lowered her voice and said, "I originally planned to invite you to meet the friends of the Red Beginning Society, but the internal strife in the city has spread far and wide. Two gathering points of the Red Beginning Society have been discovered, and they are currently relocating and going into hiding. I can't meet with you for the time being."

Jiang Chen also jumped off his horse, and the two of them slowly strolled toward the beach under the cover of the horses. Lin Wanyan said softly, "This morning we suddenly received reliable information that the invading army is making moves and its target is very likely Shanbei, which is under your control."

However, given the freezing weather, it's unlikely that troops will be dispatched immediately, as winter is not the best time to wage war in the northern mountains.

I suspect the invading army will most likely launch a sudden attack in the spring. At that time, the people north of the mountains will have just survived the winter and their granaries will be low on supplies, the soldiers will be lazy and complacent, and spring is the busy season for preparing for the harvest, which will determine the next year's yield. Launching a war at this time would make it easy for the isolated and helpless north of the mountains to succeed.

Looking at his resolute face, she emphasized, "The Red Revelation Society's intelligence has always been accurate. Young Marshal Li, you can no longer hide in the City That Never Sleeps, stirring up trouble and taking the opportunity to consolidate your power. The most urgent task is to stockpile grain and troops and plan for battle in the spring a few months from now!"

"Invasion, huh..." Jiang Chen gently rubbed his temples with his fingers, feeling a bit of a headache.

The fictional warlord era is obviously not comparable to the history we know. The script team probably just borrowed some parts and then grafted them onto the original story.

I thought it would take several more years to complete unification, but I never expected the timeframe to be compressed to just a few months.

No wonder no matter how the script team revised the plot, the second half always featured a brutal war, allowing Li Dongchen to escape with a huge fortune. It turns out that in addition to the struggle between warlords, an invasion was also added!

The script team's stacking of buffs is ridiculous. Before the sky was repaired, they might have been able to try to resist on all fronts, but now that the soul weapon only has a very small portion of its spiritual power left, it can't hold on.

"Thank you for the information, Miss Lin. I really need to make some plans."

"With national righteousness at stake, there's no need for thanks, Young Marshal. Any conscientious citizen would tell the truth upon hearing the news." Lin Wanyan asked softly, her eyes filled with deep anxiety, "Now that we are beset by internal and external troubles, what are your plans, Young Marshal Li? If you need financial or material support, I might be able to help."

With a flicker of his mind, Jiang Chen smiled and asked, "I've heard that the Lin family's business spans the entire country and they also have trade relations with foreign countries. I wonder if there's a way to exchange gold bars for silver? Or, can I use gold bars to directly exchange for a large amount of daily necessities?"

bullion?

Lin Wanyan was exceptionally intelligent and immediately realized that it was probably gold bars that hadn't been properly circulated. She didn't dare to agree on her own and replied, "I need to go back and ask my family about this. After all, I only have some small businesses that aren't very prestigious and I can't make decisions about the family business."

He simply wanted to use the transaction to further strengthen the relationship between the two parties, and incidentally consume some of the gold that had been accumulating dust in the system space to increase the gold reserves of the future new nation in this mission world.

Sure enough, the other party's way of chatting, which indicated that they needed something from her, quickly put Lin Wanyan at ease.

The two chatted until dusk, then returned the horses to their stables and left Jinshui Beach together. They found a restaurant open on the streets, which were somewhat desolate due to the war, and had dinner together.

Geng Daqi sent troops into the City That Never Sleeps. After several chaotic battles, a portion of them temporarily gained the upper hand. Soldiers wearing uniforms of the Southern Tiger faction could be seen carrying guns and searching and inspecting the streets from time to time.

"Looks like those local gangsters have been defeated." Lin Wanyan was a little nervous. She grabbed his wrist and pushed open the door of a Western restaurant, slipping inside and just in time to avoid a group of soldiers running forward.

Jiang Chen was naturally not nervous. Feeling the warmth of her soft, boneless hand gripping his wrist, he smiled and said, "No matter how powerful the local gangsters are, they can't fight against the main force. However, judging from the current situation, those gangs know that this is a life-or-death battle and they won't easily let Geng Daqi take over the City That Never Sleeps."

He was then dragged to sit down in a corner. Lin Wanyan looked worried. "Don't worry about their war. Where are the people you brought with you on this trip south? I can have my brother send someone to pick us up and take us to a safe place. The City That Never Sleeps is too dangerous for you. You need to hurry up and rejoin your men to go back to Shanbei!"

"Chase the fugitive! Everyone cooperate with the inspection!"

"Don't move! Stay where you are and cooperate with the inspection!"

Before Jiang Chen could respond, a group of soldiers burst through the door of the Western restaurant, and more than a dozen men with guns rushed in, frightening the customers and waiters into silence.

Upon seeing this, the restaurant manager rushed forward to negotiate. After a brief commotion, a burly soldier with a pistol stepped forward to identify each person.

"You must have brought a gun, right?" Lin Wanyan's heart nearly jumped out of her throat with nervousness. She had a sudden idea and took advantage of the chaos to move to the opposite bench, leaning on Jiang Chen's shoulder and whispering, "If they don't recognize you, everything will be fine."

If they recognize you, they'll definitely try to arrest you. At that point, ignore me and just shoot back and go up to the second floor. You should be able to escape smoothly.

Don't worry about the rest, my father will handle it. I'll just say I was kidnapped, you…”

Lin Wanyan's voice trembled slightly as she urged, "You must be careful and make sure you leave safely and return to Shanbei!"

Once the invading army declares war, the northern part of the mountain will be the first to bear the brunt. Young Marshal Li, you shoulder a task even more arduous than unifying the country. Please, you absolutely must return safely!

As she listened to the approaching footsteps of the search party, she remained calm and composed despite her inner tension. She leaned almost entirely against Jiang Chen, casually placing the rose beside her cheek to partially shield him from view.

"You've thought of everything." Jiang Chen's face was almost touching the peach blossom pink, and a faint fragrance of roses wafted through the air. He lowered his head slightly and left a light kiss on her forehead, replying in a very low whisper, "With you by my side, how could I bear to let you be frightened or see blood?"

With the Horcruxes swirling around his right side, Jiang Chen casually embraced the beauty in his left arm, his sharp eyes slightly lifting from behind the roses to look at the searching soldiers.

If they are recognized, these unlucky guys will instantly become corpses and be stored in the space.

The people in the restaurant are about to witness a bizarre transformation.

The burly soldier, his face contorted with rage, brandished his gun, glancing at each of the guests with growing impatience. It was already lunchtime, and he'd received orders to arrest some gang's accountant? Was it really worth all this fuss over a man over fifty?

"I've checked here, and I didn't find anything!" The soldier clearly didn't recognize the famous Young Marshal Li.

His gaze swept across Lin Wanyan's profile, and after glancing at her attire, he knew she was a wealthy and noble young lady. He only glanced at the man's fair and slender hands, and after confirming that he was a young man, he tactfully withdrew.

This is the most bustling city that never sleeps; you never know when you might run into someone you shouldn't mess with.

He was just a common soldier pushed into doing menial tasks, and he wanted to avoid trouble as much as possible. If he disturbed the rich men's fun and got blamed, Commander Geng wouldn't stand up for him.

As a constable, catching someone and getting a reward is something to be eager for; but if you don't catch anyone, you won't be punished, so it's enough. It's better to avoid the possibility that the person you caught might somehow get away with it and you'll end up as a scapegoat.

The veterans were well aware of this, so the search seemed more bark than bite, and they quickly withdrew and disappeared into the streets.

"Phew..." Lin Wanyan finally breathed a sigh of relief, sat up straight, and smiled with a slightly flushed face: "We were having a pleasant conversation and wanted to have dinner together, but I didn't expect to encounter this kind of thing. I'll go call my brother, let's find a safe place to eat first."

Chapter 43 Second Master's vision is just too damn grand!