MWC – Chapter 158 Back on Track

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

Inside the “Empire Dreams” luxury long carriage, Lu Ming looked at Jennifer, who sat timidly beside him, feeling both amused and speechless.

She had clung to his coat all the way out, ignoring others’ gazes, and followed him into the car.

“Following me like this, what do you intend to do?” Lu Ming asked helplessly.

“I… I don’t know…” Jennifer softly lowered her head.

Lu Ming shook his head, “Where do you live now? I’ll take you home.”

“I… I used to live in the West District, but now, I also have a place in the North District. I think I’ll stay in the North District for now…” Jennifer answered quietly.

Lu Ming nodded, remembering the property mentioned in the will, Sanliwan Garden. It was a villa area with an American countryside style, mostly inhabited by Westerners. In the North District, there were probably fewer than ten thousand Westerners, most living in the Sanliwan community.

Actually, the houses in Sanliwan weren’t expensive and weren’t considered upper-class. Mainly, they were two-story wooden structures, not very large. As the focus of development shifted from the North District, Sanliwan’s once-busy location gradually declined.

Sanliwan had a community covenant requiring unanimous owner approval for house sales, primarily to prevent selling houses to other ethnic groups without other restrictions.

Sanliwan was also part of the North District, falling under the 23rd precinct.

This North District house might have been purchased by old Renault when he was arranging things. It was a hurried and temporary arrangement, so good houses were limited.

“To Sanliwan.” Lu Ming notified the driver.

Looking at the timid little bunny beside him, Lu Ming suddenly grew curious, “Jennifer, what did your father say about me? That you should marry me?”

Jennifer lowered her head and stayed silent.

Lu Ming’s eyes twinkled, and he smiled, “Jennifer, you know you are supposed to be my fifteenth concubine, right? So, how does one become a concubine? First, you have to listen to me, do everything I say, right? Did your father… Uncle Renault, say that?”

Jennifer whispered, “Yes.”

“Good, now tell me what Uncle Renault said about me.” Lu Ming coughed, feeling like a big bad wolf bullying a little bunny. And calling old Renault “Uncle Renault”… he wondered if old Renault’s spirit would shiver at that.

Jennifer hesitated, then whispered, “My father said you… you were very ruthless…” She said the word “ruthless” very quietly, “but, but, you always keep your promises, so…”

Lu Ming nodded, thinking that sometimes, your enemies know you best.

—

Sanliwan Community had a consistent style of two-story countryside wooden houses, painted in various harmonious colors, giving a pleasing, aesthetic look.

The community covenant required the houses and lawns to adhere to the community’s standards, unlike Central State homes where owners could do as they pleased. The homes’ appearances had to match the overall style.

The black extended car driving into the neighborhood attracted many onlookers, as most Westerners here were middle-class, company white-collar workers, living more refined lives than the frugal Central State people.

Jennifer’s new home was in the middle of a row of American-style wooden houses, not far from a small square with a flower bed and fountain.

Inside a low white wooden fence, a black-haired maid in her forties was trimming the lawn. She was surprised to see the car stop at their gate, and quickly approached to open it when she saw Jennifer get out.

“Miss, you’re here.”

Jennifer quietly said to Lu Ming, “She is Hill, my maid since I was little. She came a few days ago to start arranging things here.”

Hill bowed respectfully to Lu Ming, “Sir…” her Central State language was fluent.

Clearly, she knew what had happened.

Lu Ming nodded at her. Black-haired and deep-eyed Hosai people were often seen as part of the Westerners, but their status was lower, usually doing manual labor, somewhat like Latinos in his eyes.

Hill led the way inside. The living room was spacious, with dark green checkered fabric sofas, a coffee table, and a television, arranged casually. The kitchen and bathroom were also good.

After making coffee, Hill went back outside to continue trimming the lawn.

Jennifer removed her exquisite silver-flowered small hat and silver hair clip, letting her beautiful chocolate-colored long hair fall like a waterfall, slightly curly, highlighting her delicate and pure face.

Lu Ming, sitting on the sofa, stamped his foot on the dark brown wooden floor, laughing, “Actually, I quite like this kind of small house. It feels down-to-earth.”

Ignoring the coffee on the table, he said, “Alright, you’re here now, so I should go. This place looks good.”

Jennifer stood up, head lowered, whispering, “I’ll see you at Wind Bao tomorrow. I’ll bring my own driver and car, so I won’t trouble you.”

Lu Ming chuckled, “Why do you want to see me? To get me to agree to marry you as a concubine?”

Jennifer’s pretty face turned pale, and she stayed silent, tears welling up in her eyes.

Lu Ming coughed, realizing his words were crude for someone like her, who had grown up in a greenhouse, cherished and educated as a noble. But blunt words aside, the truth was harsh. He had just stripped away the euphemistic title of “concubine.”

Jennifer was too pure, like a clean, serene lake, once revered as sacred.

She didn’t understand worldly hardships, living in a fantasy world woven by others, making her incredibly pure, possessing a rare, high-level purity.

She was a little princess, unaware of the world’s cruelty.

Old Renault had protected her too well. Though a noble family, there were few such carefree princesses left today.

Thinking it over, Lu Ming smiled, “Look, I already have two concubines and a third fiancée. One concubine is like a fairy, the other can make money for me, both are Empire-level beauties. My fiancée is my childhood friend, an outstanding prosecutor and police officer. What about you? What special skills do you have to be my fifteenth concubine?”

Jennifer lowered her head, “I… I can play the piano, ride horses, dance ballet…” She trailed off, wiping away tears, determined not to cry in front of this man. Her father had said, men like him hated girls who were always crying.

Looking at her, Lu Ming felt a moment of helplessness. It would have been better if she just sat on the ground and cried loudly, venting all the grievances, embarrassment, and sadness she had experienced during this time. Her current demeanor really tugged at one’s heartstrings.

“Alright, alright, I will seriously consider your request…” Lu Ming coughed, feeling a bit strange. A beautiful and elegant noble lady, with an incredibly rich dowry, was chasing after him to be his concubine, and he was reluctantly agreeing to consider it. He felt like he was almost not a normal man anymore. However, he also felt incredibly lucky. With three concubines already, each with their own unique charms, he was afraid that asking for more might even make the heavens jealous. It’s best not to live too arrogantly.

“Hmm, you promised, you will seriously consider it! My father said you are the most trustworthy person in the world!” Jennifer lifted her head in delight, showing a hint of joy for the first time. Perhaps, fulfilling her father’s last wish, taking a small step forward through her own efforts, was what made her happy.

Her pure and beautiful face, though showing a happy expression, had a faint misty haze in her deep blue eyes, making her look even more beautiful and pitiful.

Getting a little wish fulfilled and being happy to the point of tears.

Lu Ming sighed internally, wondering if it was really necessary for her to be like this.

…

Nearly a month after the assassination of the border committee member, the campaign office finally reopened.

When the campaign staff were all gathered to hear Lu Ming announce the good news, the office immediately erupted in cheers.

“The election situation isn’t looking good, is it?”

Campaign manager Murong Xue and deputy manager Gong Shiye were called into the office by Lu Ming. After asking his question, Lu Ming smiled, “It seems like my question was quite foolish.”

Indeed, with the campaign activities halted for the most critical month and the candidate embroiled in a criminal case, how could there still be supporters?

“What is the current support rate for the Cao Ying?” Lu Ming asked.

Murong Xue handed over a stack of documents, including recent polls and various activity clippings of the Cao Ying.

Apparently, although the campaign office had temporarily closed, she had been continuously collecting information on their opponent.

“Well, the latest poll shows a support rate of sixty-nine percent. Not to mention the opposition rate is over twenty percent? That’s quite high. It seems we have some loyal supporters in the third district, huh? The opposition probably includes five to ten percent who are our ardent supporters, right?” Lu Ming said while going through the materials.

Gong Shiye nodded, “Your community kitchen concept left him with no effective countermeasure. He is known for his sharp criticism and boldness in discussing political issues, gathering supporters by promoting social justice. However, everything you’ve done for the elderly and children has spread widely in the third district, leaving almost everyone aware. All he could do was write a few articles without any practical actions.”

Gong Shiye’s face was full of seriousness, entirely different from before, understanding that this was not a time for flattery.

“Boss, we are not without opportunities. If Cao Ying agrees to the originally planned TV debate, it might be our only chance to turn the tables. However, he probably won’t agree to a TV debate now.”

Lu Ming nodded. The gap between them was too large. Even if Cao Ying felt he had a ninety-nine percent chance of winning the debate, he wouldn’t risk it. Wouldn’t it be better to steadily secure the election victory?

“Originally, the TV debate was scheduled for the second week, and we were supposed to coordinate the time ourselves, right?” Lu Ming pondered aloud.

Murong Xue and Gong Shiye nodded.

Lu Ming looked up at the calendar. Today was December 7th.

There were six days in a week and five weeks in December. Currently, it was the second week.

From the fourth week, starting December 20th, voters would officially cast their votes.

Preliminary results would be out on the 21st.

After the election supervisory committee reviews the results, new legislators would be officially announced around the 23rd or 24th.

Then, the work handover would take place, and on December 30th, the new legislators would hold their first meeting to elect the seven-member committee.

“We need to find a way to force Cao Ying to agree to the TV debate.” Gong Shiye gritted his teeth, “We could leak information about him having an affair with a married woman. His office manager has been working for him for many years, and there have always been rumors. We have a lot of money in our account, so we can buy headline ads in major newspapers to subtly attack him. Also, we can get some ambiguous photos published in tabloids.”

Murong Xue frowned slightly but said nothing. Campaigns are inherently filthy.

Her boss was even falsely accused of such a horrific crime.

Although she didn’t agree with Old Gong’s suggestion, she wouldn’t strongly oppose it either, as this was their job.

Lu Ming waved his hand, “That’s too amateurish. I might as well kidnap his wife and force him to debate with me.”

Gong Shiye was stunned, giving a dry laugh. Although the boss was clearly joking, still…

Gong Shiye secretly observed Lu Ming’s expression. This boss of his might actually do such a thing.

Involving himself in a high-profile murder case also showed from a certain angle that the boss was a dangerous person, just like his opponents.

Take Cao Ying, for example. His opponents might attack him with smears, but they wouldn’t go to the extent of orchestrating such a shocking case because his social circle wouldn’t have the capability to do so.

At most, it would be trivial matters like secret affairs.

“You can go now. I’ll think about it.” Lu Ming waved them off.

As soon as they left, Datou gently knocked and entered.

Lu Ming smiled, “Has the club resumed normal activities?”

“Yes, I was thinking about the custom-ordered armed helicopter from Trimac. Should we cancel it for now?” Datou hesitated.

Lu Ming understood his concern and smiled, “It will take a while for delivery. From design to manufacturing, it’s the first of its kind. We’re talking about the first real armed helicopter in our empire’s history. Just imagine the concept. The fastest delivery would be in half a year, so no need to cancel. Just wait for it.”

“It feels a bit exaggerated…” Datou smiled bitterly. Actually, militia organizations were more prevalent in the western states.

Originally, the Eastern Sea also had more western militia organizations, but now the Free Forces could be considered the largest armed militia organization in the Eastern Sea, with almost all key members being Chinese. Yet they were still ordering a custom-armed helicopter.

Of course, because there were no armed helicopters before, there were no legal provisions prohibiting private clubs or associations from owning helicopters. It was a legal gray area.

Datou always felt that continuing down this path would be dangerous, even with a boss as powerful as Lu Ming.

The recent incidents were a case in point.

“Later, we can relocate most of the Left Wing Regiment to the countryside, making it less conspicuous and less exaggerated!” Lu Ming said, looking at Datou, smiling, “Don’t you think so?”

Datou thought about it and realized it made sense. After all, in some rural areas of remote provinces, even the Chinese had local gentry organizations forming militias to fight bandits.

In the westernmost provinces of the empire, militia organizations were involved in complex disputes with border refugees, smuggling groups, and opium trafficking groups.

Lu Ming pondered further, “Also, around mid-next year, once everything is stable, I plan to recruit more retired soldiers and register a mercenary company. We can help friendly neighbors. Isn’t there a recent conflict between two local leaders in Yingzhou? We can get paid to handle such matters in the future. I hear many people are itching for action? You mentioned earlier that expanding without proper management could lead to collective robberies, bringing disaster to our club. After all, with firearms, people dare to do anything. So, we need to keep them busy and also give them training.”

“But we must evaluate carefully. We’re there to get paid, not to lose lives. We won’t participate in lopsided conflicts.”

“Initially, we’ll only be able to participate in small skirmishes.”

Datou nodded repeatedly as he listened.