The Warlord 01

Fang Yaozu was a spoiled brat, and not just any ordinary spoiled brat.

He lost his mother at a young age, and his father, Fang Zhiyi, indulged his every whim. In the small territory of Anning, Fang Zhiyi's name carried more weight than anything else—because he was a warlord who held absolute power.

With a warlord father backing him, Fang Yaozu naturally acted with arrogance.

From beating up classmates as a child and forcing their families to apologize, to escalating his cruelty as he grew older.

If he fancied something from a street vendor, he would simply "borrow" it for a few days—and never return it. Who dared to demand it back? The last vendor who tried ended up beaten to death and dumped outside the city walls.

Even the mansion of the wealthy Landlord Ma wasn’t spared. Fang Yaozu took a liking to it and seized it under the pretense of "requisitioning," forcing the Ma family to swallow their grievances and move to their old ancestral home.

As he grew older, his exploits became even more brazen—monopolizing famous opera performers, abducting young women—all became routine.

Occasionally, Fang Yaozu would tag along with his father’s troops to suppress bandits. Not to earn merit, but to revel in the spectacle of killing. Encouraged by his father, he even took pleasure in executing prisoners.

Over the years, Fang Yaozu had indeed made countless enemies. He once broke the leg of a servant’s child, only for Fang Zhiyi to settle the matter with a bit of compensation. He forced young soldiers in the barracks to fight each other—losers were punished, winners received no reward. The sycophantic officers said nothing, and even if the soldiers resisted, they were ordered to comply.

Later, he leveraged his father’s influence to monopolize the opium, mining, and canal transport businesses in the region, bullying ordinary merchants into selling cheap and buying dear. Those who refused were accused of "smuggling" or "colluding with enemies," their properties confiscated.

In Anning, he opened gambling dens, opium dens, and brothels, transforming himself into a full-fledged gangster.

People trembled at the mere mention of Fang Yaozu’s name. Everyone knew this lawless madman cared nothing for status or consequence when his temper flared.

One of his victims was Landlord Niu of Huangliang Town. His son had offended Fang Yaozu, and that very night, armed soldiers dragged the old man from his home, tied him to a tree, and let Fang Yaozu "practice his marksmanship." The first shot struck right between the eyes.

Fang Yaozu tossed the gun to his aide, disappointed. "My aim’s off. What a waste."

The next day, Landlord Niu’s family was stripped of their assets.

To claim a female student for himself, Fang Yaozu had her father arrested on false charges of "aiding bandits." The old man died in prison, and the girl was forcibly taken into Fang Yaozu’s household.

Such incidents were too numerous to count.

Fang Zhiyi, preoccupied with official duties, merely assigned a few men to keep an eye on his son. He remained largely unaware of these atrocities, oblivious to the fact that his son’s infamy had tainted his own reputation, turning him into a villain in the eyes of the people.

Everything changed when Fang Yaozu brought home a girl. She was fair-skinned, witty, and Fang Yaozu declared he would marry no one else. Fang Zhiyi agreed without hesitation—what harm could a wife do? Maybe she’d even rein the boy in.

But he never expected his daughter-in-law to be... not quite right in the head.

Huang Ying was a time traveler, her mind brimming with romantic ideals. The first time she saw the young man in military uniform recklessly charging through the streets, her heart was captivated—and Fang Yaozu, in turn, found himself drawn to this foolishly fearless woman.

They were smitten. For Fang Yaozu, encountering a woman who looked at him not with fear but with admiration and curiosity was nothing short of miraculous.

Huang Ying, meanwhile, saw only stars, her head filled with fantasies of love in turbulent times.

On their wedding day, Fang Zhiyi was assassinated. The killer was an Old Tailor who had slipped in under the guise of delivering new uniforms and stabbed Fang Zhiyi in the chaos.

Fang Yaozu flew into a rage, ordering his guards to riddle the Old Tailor with bullets.

The wedding proceeded as planned, followed the next day by Fang Zhiyi’s funeral.

With Fang Zhiyi gone, the entire territory descended into chaos. Soldiers long resentful of the Fang family mutinied—some turned to banditry, others defected to rival warlords.

Fang Yaozu paid no heed. He was too busy basking in his newfound love. With Huang Ying by his side, he even fancied himself a better man—like the time a peddler blocked his path, and he merely slapped the man twice before letting him go.

What Fang Yaozu didn’t know was that his doom loomed just ahead. The male lead, leading his own troops, had begun his campaign for unification. Fang Yaozu’s notorious reputation left no room for negotiation. His forces crumbled.

In Huang Ying’s eyes, he transformed from a dashing officer of the chaotic era to a mere extra in her grand romance.

They grew to despise each other, fleeing together until they were captured by the male lead. Fang Yaozu faced a public trial, where his countless victims took turns exacting vengeance—one slash at a time. It took three days for him to finally die.

As for Huang Ying? She ended up with the male lead, beginning her real wartime love story.

"????????" Fang Zhiyi’s face was a picture of shock.

After a pause, he muttered, "Something’s off. Even if the Old Tailor infiltrated to kill the original, it wouldn’t have been so easy."

Xiao Hei nodded approvingly. "Correct. But these details aren’t part of the main plot."

Early in his rise to power, Fang Zhiyi had received help from the Li Family. Once he gained influence, he repaid the favor by elevating them. The Li Family prospered, growing rich and arrogant—though they too suffered under Fang Yaozu’s excesses. Over time, dissatisfaction festered. The Li Family secretly colluded with bandits, orchestrating several attacks before allying with a neighboring warlord. To prove their loyalty, they bribed Fang Zhiyi’s trusted aides and masterminded his assassination.

After the deed, Fang Yaozu—fool that he was—killed the assassin without investigation. The Li Family quietly liquidated their assets and fled.

Fang Zhiyi nodded to himself. Now he understood the full picture.

"First..." Fang Zhiyi scratched his head. "Someone!"

Two guards promptly entered. "Marshal!"

Fang Zhiyi frowned. "Where’s Zhao Dezhu?"

"Reporting, Marshal! Deputy Zhao is at the barracks today!"

Fang Zhiyi drummed his fingers on the desk. "Fetch Cao Wenjie for me."

"Yes, sir!" The guards hurried out.

Fang Zhiyi closed his eyes, reviewing his inner circle.

Zhao Dezhu—lean-faced, average height, always impeccably dressed in uniform. Steady and reliable, a true right-hand man.

Cao Wenjie—deep-set eyes, narrow and perpetually half-lidded. Cunning and ruthless, the mastermind behind many of Fang Zhiyi’s schemes.

Wang Biao—a former hunter, burly and thickly built, with a scar over his right eye. A brute with more muscle than brains.

Liu Baocai—slightly plump, always wearing an ingratiating smile. Timid, and the one the Li Family had bribed.