Chen Qiming was born into a humble family. On the passenger ship returning from his studies abroad, he saw his fellow countrymen being bullied and angrily stepped in to help.
After returning home, he went to live with his wealthy merchant uncle and fell in love with his proud cousin, Jiang Yingzhu.
His aunt mocked him for being down on his luck, while his cousin laughed at him for not being able to read an English newspaper.
Furious, he hurled his cup down and swore, "In three years, I will make the entire city of Shanghai respect my name!"
That very night, he enlisted in the army through the pouring rain and fought his way up from the lowest ranks, shedding blood on the battlefield.
By a stroke of fortune, he saved a senior warlord's left-wing adviser and rose step by step to become a brigade commander.
During a coup in Shanghai, he led his troops in a fierce assault into the city and took control of its military and political power.
The Shanghai Chamber of Commerce invited him to a banquet. During the dinner, his uncle arrived with the whole family, trembling with fear as they came to pay their respects.
His aunt's face was as pale as paper, while his cousin watched him with her lower lip clenched between her teeth.
Smiling, he struck their wine cup with his golden one and shattered it. "Today, the whole city truly does honor me, but I am no longer the poor young man I was back then."
After the banquet ended, the rain suddenly grew heavier, and a guard hurried in with the news that Jiang Yingzhu was waiting outside.
Chen Qiming gazed into the rain and mist at the frail figure, remembering the rainy night when he had been abandoned.
He slapped his sidearm onto the table. "Tell her the governor is seeing no one tonight."
