Chapter 103: News of the Commissioner of the Militia

"Insolent! Ding Li!" Unable to vent his fury upon Tian Xiangwen, a livid Cao Si shifted his aggression toward Ding Li. He raised his Tang sword, pointing it directly at the men behind Ding Li who were preparing to offer aid: "Things have reached this point! You are all trapped here now! You cannot simply leave just because you say so!"

"Gather the men! Today, by any means necessary, do not let Ding Li escape!" As Cao Si turned to bark these orders at his subordinates outside the door, his body suddenly jolted, his gaze locked firmly on the entrance.

"What is this? Are you intending to incite a riot?" An unhurried voice drew everyone's attention. It was not just Cao Si who was startled; everyone present froze. Standing at the door was Yang Hongwen, who had returned to Guangzhou with Ding Li that very morning. He was still clad in the same armor from his journey, though his bandages had clearly been re-dressed. Behind him stood a small, well-equipped squad of the Military Commissioner’s personal guards—few in number, yet enough to intimidate everyone present.

"Y-Yang Hongwen..." Tian Xiangwen was the first to recover. His mouth twitched, his expression complex as he looked at Yang. After a moment of hesitation, he stepped toward the door, his face returning to a mask of indifference. "I was just passing by to take a look. I have matters to attend to at the estate, so I shall take my leave now, Brother Jingyi!"

As he walked past Yang Hongwen, Tian Xiangwen offered a proper bow. Yang Hongwen smiled faintly, returned the salute, and replied calmly, "You are too kind, Brother Tian. I have official business to attend to, so I shall not see you off."

Tian Luo, hiding in a corner of the room, scrambled to follow his master, hunching his shoulders and refusing to look around until they were well clear of the musical instrument shop. Only then did he straighten up, panting, and check his master for injuries. "Young Master, your wounds..."

"Useless fool! Back to the estate!" Tian Xiangwen felt little anger at Tian Luo’s display; his confidant, while talentless, was at least loyal, which was enough for him. He merely slapped the man on the head and walked away briskly.

Watching the clever Tian Xiangwen depart, Yang Hongwen sneered. He had not stopped him simply to avoid unnecessary trouble. Even if he detained him, he could not take drastic measures, and it would only give the Shipping Commissioner, Tian Gaolang, an excuse to resort to underhanded tactics. It was better to turn a blind eye.

"Cao Si, what is this? Do you still intend to stay?" Seeing that the Cao family men remained, still posturing for a fight, Yang Hongwen stepped forward, his right hand resting on the hilt of his blade. His tone was icy. "And Cao Chen, are you waiting for reinforcements outside? Or would you prefer my brothers here to escort you out? Or perhaps you are waiting for your master, Young Master Cao, to come and fetch you himself?"

The implication was clear: Cao Si and Cao Chen were trapped like turtles in a jar, and they could forget about help from outside. It was a warning that if they did not show some sense, the Military Commissioner’s guards would take action.

Cao Si glared viciously at Yang Hongwen, furious at his interference. However, Cao Chen, knowing better than to invite immediate disaster, grabbed the impulsive Cao Si. He cupped his hands toward Yang, his face filled with resentment, and said clearly, "We would not dare trouble the Great General Yang!"

With that, Cao Chen dragged Cao Si away, only to be stopped by Ding Li, who suddenly spoke up: "The two of you, wait!"

The words were flat, but to Cao Si and Cao Chen, they felt chilling. They froze, turning with agonizing slowness to face Ding Li’s grim, frost-covered countenance.

"I give you three days to prepare!" Ding Li could clearly see the panic in their eyes. A faint, menacing smile touched his lips as he squinted at them, offering 'kind' advice: "Either get out of Guangzhou, or wait for me!"

"Arrogant! What do you think Guangzhou is? You—" Cao Si began to scream, but was pulled back by Cao Chen. After a brief struggle, Cao Chen stopped, though he shot a defiant look at Ding Li. "If you have the guts, come! We shall be waiting!"

Cao Chen raised an eyebrow in provocation, but as he turned to leave, Ding Li called out again. He didn't even look at them, his attitude one of utter contempt: "Cao Chen, is it? Your two 'good brothers' will be joining you for tea tonight. And don't bother wasting effort arranging men near my estate; I only worry the Cao family doesn't have enough money to hire them. Those seventeen men from today? I'll return them to you in one piece. Tomorrow, go to the docks to collect their corpses."

Cao Chen had initially dismissed the threat as bluffing, but at the mention of the seventeen men, he shuddered. He had personally arranged those seventeen spotters. Since Ding Li knew the exact number, he couldn't have guessed it. Fearing a loss of face in front of the others, he simply snorted and dragged the still-struggling Cao Si away.

"Gentlemen, wait!" Yang Hongwen stepped aside, his tone lazy as he spoke once more. The constant interruptions were driving Cao Chen to the brink of a breakdown, but he dared not vent his anger on Yang. He took a deep breath and asked, "Great General Yang, is there something else?"

"Are you going to make my men clean up this mess on the floor?" Yang Hongwen gestured toward the men Tian Xiangwen had brought and the wreckage of the shop. "And as for the damages, I will send someone to assess them tomorrow. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" Cao Chen felt a suffocating sense of humiliation, but he could only nod. With a gesture to his men, he and Cao Si fled the shop.

"Take them back to the estate and get a doctor!" Once they were gone, Ding Li ordered his men to attend to the injured. He tossed his weapon to a subordinate and walked to Yang Hongwen, bowing solemnly. "Brother Yang, those men tried to kidnap Liu Sheng to threaten me, and through her, plot against the South Sea Gang and the Zhang Merchant Guild. I caught seventeen suspicious individuals near my new residence this morning; several confessed they were sent by the Cao family to keep me under constant surveillance."

"I see. You've worked hard." Seeing the swelling around Ding Li's eyes, Yang Hongwen’s expression softened with regret, then turned grave. "Ah Li, do not act rashly. I heard news at the Military Commission this morning that is not in your favor—nor in mine, nor Shouyi’s."

"Oh? What news could be so severe?"

"The Cao Merchant Guild submitted a proposal to the imperial court to form a civilian militia. The appointment has come down: it is Liu the Third of the Chaozhou Gang." Yang Hongwen looked around before lowering his voice. Seeing Ding Li’s shock, he leaned in closer. "Do not worry too much. Although it is an imperial appointment, they did not grant him a banner. Even so, his militia is merely a local armed force; it cannot compare to the regular army under the Military Commissioner."

"I understand..." Ding Li nodded slowly. He knew the militia was meant to train reserves against the uprising in Fujian, but he had never imagined the commander would be Liu the Third. "Brother Yang, if he is the commander, how much power does he wield?"

"Technically, it is a sixth-rank military position, similar to my own!" Yang Hongwen looked disdainful, clearly disgusted that someone like Liu the Third was now on his level. He patted Ding Li’s shoulder. "But rest assured, we will not let him expand his influence. He is a Cao man, and even the Cao family knows better than to let him become too powerful."

"So, they’ve created a puppet and dressed it in the skin of a militia to commit atrocities," Ding Li concluded, his concerns easing slightly. If the Chaozhou Gang used the militia as a front, the South Sea Gang would be in direct danger.

"That is one way to put it. Be careful, especially when dealing with the Chaozhou Gang in the future." Yang Hongwen sighed, looking troubled. He turned his gaze to Ding Li, his tone heavy. "Ah Li, you cannot move against Cao Si and Cao Chen yet."

"Why?" Ding Li was stunned.

"A dog will jump over a wall if cornered! Now is not the time." Yang Hongwen offered a bitter smile. "The Cao family is desperate, but not yet insane. If anything happens to Cao Si or Cao Chen, Cao Xiangming might do something truly reckless." He looked at Ding Li meaningfully. "Do not forget today. If you keep pushing, the first one to suffer will be Liu Sheng."

Ding Li felt a sudden jolt of realization. He watched Yang Hongwen walk away, his eyes narrowing as a cold, sharp light ignited within them.