Chapter 115: A Surface Tranquility

For several consecutive days, Ding Li had already instructed Xu Hong to double the allowance distributed, raising it to twenty copper coins. Meanwhile, the scale of the singing and dancing performances opposite the dock expanded day by day. Especially after order was restored at the dock, the dancers invited by the South Sea Gang would not leave until late evening, around the You hour. The dock had become more like a theater troupe, with a substantial number of regular spectators every day. After all, the performances were free to watch, and the allowances provided—twenty copper coins—were enough to cover daily expenses if spent frugally.

The Chaozhou Guild militia’s sealing of the dock did not wait for the Zhang Commerce Association and the South Sea Gang to lose their composure; the real instigators behind the scenes, the Tian and Cao families, grew increasingly anxious. It was not that they refused to withdraw the militia guarding the dock, but the laborers themselves now refused to go to the dock. Beyond watching the performances, over a hundred representatives had simultaneously petitioned outside the headquarters of the regional governor, demanding that the governor investigate the matter and restore peace to the populace.

As for why these so-called representatives acted this way, even the Tian and Cao families were fully aware. Among them were familiar faces from the South Sea Gang—seasoned veterans who had long operated at the dock.

Regarding this matter, the regional governor Li Tiao personally issued instructions for the observers and the port authorities to devise the most appropriate solution—and swiftly. By now, the most anxious were the officials at the Maritime Customs Office. Originally, some ships had docked at Guangzhou Port, but due to the lack of space at the dock, they were forced to turn back and berth at Fuxu Port to unload.

Within a few days, Ding Li received news from Uncle Fu at the Xiangming Teahouse: the Maritime Customs Office was divided into two factions—one based at Fuxu Port, the other at Guangzhou Port. Whoever received the ships and cargo at their port claimed the income generated. However, many vessels originally registered to dock at Guangzhou Port had now arrived at Fuxu Port, accumulating daily transactions worth hundreds of thousands of strings of cash. The tax revenue alone was substantial, not to mention the considerable gray income. This caused the Guangzhou Port faction to count their losses daily, calculating how much money that should have been theirs had slipped into the pockets of their longtime rivals at Fuxu Port.

In just a few days, Fuxu Port grew even more bustling. The massive dock was so crowded that even the laborers moving the cargo had to proceed cautiously to avoid bumping into each other.

Beyond this, the sudden changes invigorated the escort agency industry in Fuxu Town. Particularly after the Miao Escort Agency returned a few days ago, rumors of bandits and robbers on the road spread rapidly. Although many doubted these stories, merchants traveling between Guangzhou Prefecture and Fuxu Town dared not take risks.

The two places were not far apart; the commission for escorting goods was a mere fraction compared to the value of the cargo—almost negligible. Moreover, some unofficial news circulated in Fuxu Town, though no one knew who started it. The tale spread rapidly, becoming vivid and detailed, and was said to come from reliable official sources: recently, the backers of the Zhang and Cao commerce associations had been locked in a tense standoff. When Guangzhou Port would reopen depended entirely on their moods.

With this information, merchants became even more cautious. After several wealthy associations collectively hired an escort agency as private security, more and more people followed suit. Since these businesspeople operated their shops in Guangzhou City but unloaded goods in Fuxu Town, and loaded ships there as well, they prepared for a protracted struggle by hiring permanent escort teams to shuttle goods between the two places.

This delighted the already prosperous Miao Escort Agency. The Zhang Commerce Association also had their own vessels docking at Fuxu Town. Even Zhang Mingzhi felt mounting pressure. Not only was the association’s manpower insufficient, but some government personnel had been dispatched elsewhere, and yet the association still struggled to maintain normal cargo operations.

At this time, the Miao Escort Agency appeared on the scene, armed with Ding Li’s letter of recommendation and an objective 20% commission rate. Both reasons made Zhang Mingzhi unable to refuse, and he immediately instructed several responsible men in the association to negotiate with the Miao Escort Agency.

As for when Guangzhou Port would reopen, Zhang Mingzhi himself had no useful information. Even Uncle Xiang, who left two days ago, wore a hesitant expression and did not dare give a specific date. However, Uncle Xiang admitted that the rumors were not entirely false. This was indeed a silent power struggle among the three great forces of Guangzhou Prefecture.

The closure of Guangzhou Port did not significantly affect major forces like the Zhang and Cao commerce associations, nor small-scale groups jointly operating a single ship. After all, imported goods yielded very high profits. Although goods experienced some delays, it merely meant losing a bit of earnings. Ultimately, the income falling to the Maritime Customs Office officials also diminished considerably.

One or two days could be endured, but over time, those at Guangzhou Port were the first to lose patience. Factions emerged within the Maritime Customs Office. Though nothing was openly displayed, discord and resentment were rampant.

The one most affected was Liu Sanye of the Chaozhou Gang. Sealing the dock was not his idea but an action by the young masters of the Cao and Tian families, aimed at suppressing the South Sea Gang and Zhang Commerce Association. In the end, those who harbored grievances dared not blame the two young masters directly, instead turning their anger toward Liu Sanye. Though Liu Sanye was now an official military officer, the Maritime Customs officials, regardless of rank, no longer offered him a friendly face and repeatedly sent people to accuse and question him.

Now, removing the militia sealing the Guangzhou Port dock was no longer up to Liu Sanye. Around the dock, the regional governor’s office had issued orders to station an elite 500-strong armed force from the barracks, ostensibly to maintain order.

Moreover, the militia itself was a military force, effectively subject to the regional governor’s commands and deployment. Weighing the official order stamped with the regional governor’s seal daily, Liu Sanye grumbled bitterly, as the order explicitly instructed him to ensure the dock remained sealed. As for why the dock had to remain closed, the regional governor Li Tiao cited a previous sensational smuggling case involving a shipowner named Liu Fu, which took place one night when Lai Wu was still at the dock. The governor’s directive was to investigate this incident thoroughly and apprehend all conspirators.

During this period, Ding Li enjoyed the most leisure, though it was also a somewhat trying time for him. Each day, besides visiting Saigarde and Wang Ling, he simply handled some reports from Xu Hong. Most of his remaining time was spent being dragged by Liu Sheng to learn musical instruments.

Yet, those who suffered more were Wang De, Gouzi, and the other two. They rested less than three hours daily. At midnight, they were pulled by Heizi to patrol around the Ding residence and Zhang residence. Before dawn, Heizi made them repeat the patrol. Starting at the Mao hour, the four underwent Heizi’s specialized training. Additionally, they were split into two groups, taking turns to inspect the dock in the morning and afternoon.

Day after day, the men’s initial complaints faded as they clearly felt their skills improving rapidly and grew to enjoy this lifestyle. Particularly Wang Huan, the most timid among them, developed noticeably thicker and stronger arms in just ten days, even when wearing a short shirt.

Moreover, their gains were not limited to physical strength. In the first few days, led by Heizi, they eliminated more than a dozen daring informants lingering around the Ding residence. Eventually, at night, there were almost no figures within a hundred meters of the Ding residence.

Saigarde had now recovered well. At his request, Ding Li sent him back to his home in the Fanfang District. However, Ding Li also selected a group of quick-witted young men from the foreign community who had joined the South Sea Gang with Saigarde to stand guard around Saigarde’s house day and night, preventing any unforeseen incidents.

Due to the special situation in the city, even during the day regular army patrols increased. Alongside government officers and their retainers, one could see officials or soldiers at almost every street corner. Twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, a squad of twenty elite guards from the regional governor’s office made rounds.

Though this initially caused some panic among the townsfolk, within three to five days, people grew accustomed to it. The city’s security noticeably improved. Even shops that had frequently been noisy now kept quiet to avoid attracting attention.

Ding Li could finally relax and take Liu Sheng out of the residence. Early one morning, the two left the mansion. After being confined inside for several days, Ding Li suddenly felt as if he had seen the light of day again. The sunshine above was indeed brilliant, but the sun near October lacked the harshness of midsummer, making Ding Li feel comfortable and at ease—especially with Liu Sheng’s health restored. The two chatted and laughed, and the morning passed swiftly.

Liu Sheng had stayed in the new residence long enough and was delighted to go out, especially since Ding Li accompanied her. Excited, she tugged his arm, eager to explore half of Guangzhou City in one morning.

Though she had lived in this city for over a decade, poverty had confined her travels to only a few streets, many of which she could not even name. Now accompanied by Ding Li, she clung closely to his arm, unwilling to let go. Her small mouth never ceased moving, so much so that Ding Li had to stop midway to take her to Xiangming Teahouse for tea and refreshment.

Of course, Liu Sheng had no idea that Ding Li had also received some intelligence and the latest news at the teahouse. After leaving, Ding Li and Liu Sheng purchased some supplies and then headed straight to the Fanfang District. Liu Sheng naturally did not know that Ding Li used the visit to Saigarde as an opportunity to discuss other matters. Still, she remained happily by his side, her delicate face radiant with joy throughout.