Chapter 109: The Torrent at the Docks

After returning to the residence, there was something that made Ding Li quite relieved: Sai Yijia had completely passed the critical danger period. Although several doctors said it would take at least one or two months for full recovery, Ding Li truly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Sai Yijia could be pulled back from the brink of death, given his robust physique, a full recovery was just a matter of time.

Moreover, Liu Sheng’s high fever had subsided considerably. Although the doctors said it was still somewhat uncontrollable, at least Liu Sheng was no longer delirious from the fever as before and could now rest peacefully. After entrusting several doctors to take turns watching over him day and night, Ding Li also summoned a few maids to give them careful instructions that at least two maids must be on call throughout the day.

Having completed all these tasks, the setting sun scattered its fading crimson light across the sky, enveloping the entire Guangzhou Prefecture in a soft glow. The lingering sunset not only cast a gentle radiance over every corner of the city but also seemed to spread a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. For some within this coastal metropolis, the ubiquitous red hue carried a faint scent of blood.

As night fell, the turmoil at the docks gradually subsided. Scores of dock laborers, with dejected faces, filed out through the dock gates one after another. However, this was a torment for the group of Chaozhou gang militia stationed around the gates. In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, each of them had endured thousands of scornful glances. Though furious, their current status forbade them from resorting to violence.

Among the crowd, the most infuriated were the Nanhai gang members. Yet they too were acting under orders, and now faced not merely a rival gang but a militia force officially sanctioned by the government.

“Damn it! It’s so frustrating! Just standing by while they seal off the docks!” After leaving the docks, Xiao Li, who had received help from Ding Li several times, stood not far away, cursing bitterly, “Those sons of bitches from the Chaozhou gang! Using such tactics against us! If it weren’t for Brother Li’s orders, we would have fought them to the death today!”

“Forget it, with your weak physique, you’re still not as recovered as Brother Li!” Gouzi clearly disagreed with Xiao Li, shooting him a sideways glance and retorting bluntly. Then, pursing his lips, he whispered, “But you’re right. If Brother Li hadn’t told us to avoid conflict, tonight we would have set fire to a few warehouses of the Chaozhou gang!”

“Exactly! Just like last time when Brother Li burned Laizao Wu’s warehouse to the ground!” Encouraged by his companion’s agreement, Xiao Li quickly chimed in, his fierce gaze fixed on the Chaozhou gang members near the gates. There was a hint of excitement in his eyes, as if he too had been part of Ding Li’s previous exploits.

“Nonsense! Have you forgotten Brother Li’s orders?” The eldest among them, Wang De, scolded sternly. Wang Huan, who was about to speak in agreement, immediately shut his mouth, sensing the tension. Looking at Xiao Li and Gouzi, then his elder brother, he lowered his voice cautiously and proposed, “Well, even if we can’t set fires, maybe we can find some lone stragglers to vent our anger on?”

“Hmm?” Wang De frowned deeply, staring intently at his younger brother, whose recent transformation had been quite marked. Even Xiao Li and Gouzi, who had just been reprimanded by Wang De, looked surprised. Wang Huan’s timid and somewhat cowardly nature was well-known, and though he had changed recently, this was the first time he had actively suggested such violent ideas.

“This… this idea…” Gouzi’s eyes flickered with a faint excitement, yet recalling Wang De’s earlier tone, he cautiously gauged his expression. When he saw that Wang De’s face no longer held anger, he continued, “Brother De, I think it’s a good idea…”

“What do you think, Li Zi?” Gouzi immediately shifted his pleading gaze towards Xiao Li, fearing Wang De might still object.

“N-not bad, at least it lets us vent!” Xiao Li hesitated, then realized Wang De seemed not entirely opposed. Gaining courage, he added, “Brother De, this might be the best way. Otherwise, even if we go home, we’ll be so pent up with frustration that we won’t be able to sleep tonight!”

“So, shall we?” Clearly moved by their words, Wang De’s eye twitched slightly, but his brow remained furrowed, his gaze still laced with hesitation.

“Don’t hesitate! Brother De, opportunity knocks but once!” Gouzi tugged on Wang De’s arm and nodded towards the Chaozhou gang near the gate, whispering, “In no more than half an hour, some of them will be leaving. Then we can pick a few stragglers and give them a good beating!”

Xiao Li joined in enthusiastically, with Wang Huan quickly squeezing in. The three of them egged each other on until Wang De’s lingering doubts vanished. His eyes hardened with resolve, fists clenched tightly, he bit his lip and nodded firmly, “Alright! As you say, tonight we’ll pick some unlucky ones to attack first!”

While Wang De and the others were plotting, Xu Hong, entrusted by Ding Li, returned to the Ding residence. The afternoon’s events at the docks had filled Xu Hong with pride. Even upon seeing Ding Li again, the usual air of impoverishment seemed gone. He immediately began recounting in detail how he had elevated the reputations of the Nanhai gang and Ding Li among the dock workers.

Though thousands of dock laborers were lowly in the eyes of a scholar like Xu Hong, he had been overwhelmed by the scene—surrounded by so many, he felt his throat dry as if scorched by fire. But after tremblingly explaining his purpose and showing the crowd several dozen strings of cash, the response was deafening.

Thousands of voices erupted in cheers, as if starving refugees had just been handed food aid. Though each person received only ten copper coins, less than a third of their usual earnings, it was enough to bring them comfort.

The power structure at the docks was clear. First were the merchant guilds like the Zhang and Cao families, along with some smaller independent operators. Second were large gangs such as the Chaozhou and Nanhai gangs, who survived by charging fees to incoming ships and providing labor and security. There were also weaker groups like the Xunzhou and Duanzhou gangs.

Finally, the lowest tier—and largest in number—consisted of stout laborers who earned their living by selling their strength.

Not long ago, Xu Hong had personally witnessed the latent power of this third faction. He believed that if these dock laborers united, neither the Nanhai nor the Chaozhou gang could withstand the potential surge.

“Brother Xu, weren’t you supposed to come back with Wang De and Gouzi?” After Xu Hong’s lengthy self-praise, Ding Li smiled faintly and nodded, then looked at him slightly amused, asking.

“Huh?” Still immersed in the grandeur of the afternoon’s dock scene, Xu Hong was caught off guard by the question. Scratching his head awkwardly, he replied in a low, slightly resentful voice, “Brother Li, you know what it’s like. Wang De and Gouzi wouldn’t listen to me. Once we left the docks, they told me to return first and check on the situation before coming back.”

“Ah!” Ding Li sighed helplessly. What Xu Hong said was true. The sudden rise in status had made Wang De and the others arrogant. If it had been Sai Yijia, they might still have listened, but Xu Hong had been taken in later by Ding Li, originally a poor scholar, so it was understandable they wouldn’t heed him now. Ding Li then slowly stood, shaking his head with a grimace that caused a twitch at the corner of his eye. Xu Hong noticed and felt a pang of concern, recalling Ding Li’s recent injuries.

“Brother Li, are you feeling unwell?” he asked anxiously.

“I’m fine. It’s Wang De and Gouzi!” Ding Li almost blurted this out instinctively, then abruptly stood up and patted Xu Hong’s shoulder, ordering gravely, “I have to go out. If they return first, tell them to wait here in the residence. They must not leave.”

Without waiting, Ding Li dashed out. Hei Zi, who had been following Ding Li, hurried after him, asking urgently, “Brother Li, what’s the matter? Let me handle it!”

“No, I have to go myself!” Ding Li shook his head, refusing the offer. Then he stopped abruptly and turned to Hei Zi, asking, “Hei Zi, do you know Uncle Fu from the Xiangming Teahouse?”

“Of course, of course, I know him!” Hei Zi nodded, a bit puzzled.

“We have the Xiangming Teahouse and Uncle Fu from the Zhang family. But who says the Cao and Tian families don’t have their own Xiangming Teahouse and Uncle Fu?” Ding Li’s tone grew serious as he realized the gravity of the situation. Under Xu Hong’s bewildered gaze, he stepped out once more.

“The Cao and Tian families have their own Xiangming Teahouse and Uncle Fu too?” Hei Zi muttered to himself, clearly taken aback. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and his pace quickened. He understood Ding Li’s meaning—Uncle Fu was an intelligence informant. If the Cao and Tian families’ spies had already noticed Wang De and Gouzi, then those men were in grave danger.