This is a general election year for the Republic of Suman, with the vote scheduled for August.
Candidates from various parties began their intensive campaigning and rally-building efforts as early as April.
Suman’s presidential election follows the same pattern as those in most capitalist nations—essentially a game where a handful of political dynasties take turns holding the reins of power.
However, shifting international dynamics and conflicting interests have transformed the contest for the presidency into a fierce, volatile power struggle within the ruling elite.
On one side stand the established clans controlling traditional manufacturing and land; on the other, warlords commanding military forces and emerging industries. Both factions seek to swallow the other whole; minor frictions have persisted for years, while localized conflicts have steadily escalated. The discord between Pei Jiangchen and Tao Wei serves as a microcosm of this broader political turmoil.
The candidate fielded by the party aligned with the Pei family is Pei Jiangchen’s second uncle, Pei Jiashen.
A young, ambitious military man and former Marine with a distinguished service record, he has served two terms as a county governor since entering politics, achieving impressive results in both…
Pei Jiashen has long been groomed by the entire clan as their future leader and the family member most likely to make a serious bid for the presidency.
This marks Pei Jiashen’s first run for office. Given that the incumbent president belongs to the same party and Jiashen is considered quite young for a politician, his chances of winning are slim. His primary objectives for this campaign are to gain experience and raise his public profile.
Nevertheless, the campaign team is approaching every speech and vote with total dedication.
Pei Jiangchen naturally joined the campaign team as a volunteer, dedicating his spare time outside of his studies to the cause.
Truth be told, Pei Jiashen excels in almost every regard—except when it comes to his children, who give him quite a headache.
His eldest son is passionate about music and determined to become a rock singer. His second son is of average intellect, barely scraping a passing grade in his subjects. His youngest daughter is only four—an age obsessed with Disney princesses—so it is too early to tell what she will turn out to be. As his nephew and the most outstanding member of the younger generation, Pei Jiangchen was all but the designated successor to Pei Jiashen.
When Pei Jiashen delivered his speeches, Pei Jiangchen stood right beside his second aunt—treated, for all intents and purposes, like a son.
“Watch closely and listen carefully; this is a rare opportunity to learn.” The night before they set out, Old Master Pei summoned Pei Jiangchen to his study and admonished him: “The situation deteriorates year by year, and a final confrontation could erupt at any moment. Were you not already an adult, I would not want you exposed to the public eye like this. Yet, when your turn comes to step into the spotlight, the circumstances will only be grimmer. A massive conflict is inevitable. So, A-Chen, I want you to start preparing now.”
Pei Jiangchen was long accustomed to such exhortations; he acknowledged them one by one before saying, “Grandfather, Dad’s death anniversary is approaching. And now that I’ve turned eighteen… I’d like to get in touch with my mother.”
Old Master Pei gazed at his grandson—whose face bore a striking resemblance to that of his eldest son—and felt a faint, aching pang in his heart.
His eldest son—brilliant yet taken too soon—had been his pride and joy, as well as the source of his deepest, enduring sorrow.
“Be patient, A-Chen,” Old Master Pei said. “If your mother deems it necessary, she will contact you. Furthermore, I hope you won’t squander too much energy on this matter. Indulging in sentiment is the beginning of a man’s downfall. Next, you’ll let emotions cloud your judgment and make mistakes. An excellent politician must learn to restrain his desires and think rationally. Do you remember the Pei family motto?”
“‘Family Above All Else!'” Pei Jiangchen replied.
Old Master Pei nodded. “Very well, you may go. And make sure to follow your second uncle closely.”
Pei Jiangchen had anticipated this outcome; he did not press the issue further.
Yet, neither grandfather nor grandson foresaw that this seemingly routine campaign tour would be fraught with deadly peril.
It would rewrite not only Pei Jiangchen’s life but the destiny of the entire family.