In the final years of the Qing Dynasty, Li Zheng dreamed of “getting a job in the palace,” but his plans fell through when he failed to get castrated. After the Xinhai Revolution erupted, a twist of fate made him a bodyguard for Marshal Han.
Who would have thought the kid had a gift? When Marshal Zhang showed up to challenge them to a poetry duel, the whole household of advisers was at a loss for words. Li Zheng, on the other hand, casually tossed out a doggerel verse that left his opponent speechless! Marshal Han slapped his thigh in delight and promoted him to adjutant on the spot, promising, “Stick with me, and you’ll have plenty of soldiers and plenty of money!”
Li Zheng thought he was about to begin a glorious career as a warlord, but the moment he took office, he found himself caught in a “sweet trap.” The Third Concubine’s rouge kept “accidentally” smudging his sleeve. The Fifth Concubine kept asking him to help pick out fabric, always finding a chance to be alone with him. Even the concubine who brought meals from the kitchen slipped him an extra chicken leg and asked, “Has the adjutant had a tiring day?”
Watching Li Zheng surrounded by concubines every day, Marshal Han was so furious his whiskers bristled. “I told you to lead the troops and defend my territory, but instead you’ve gone and ‘recruited’ all my concubines?!”
Li Zheng looked innocent. “Marshal, you can’t blame me for this. The concubines made the first move!”
From then on, the warlord circles of the Republic of China had a new curious tale: Marshal Han’s adjutant wasn’t particularly impressive at commanding troops, but he sure knew how to charm the concubines!
