Chapter 143: Revisiting Haichen Pavilion

As twilight descended and enveloped the sprawling town of Fuxu, Ding Li hurriedly departed from the Miao Escort Agency. Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed Miao Cuihua to keep the information gathering strictly confidential, and of course, he did not forget to express his gratitude to her.

Ding Li headed straight for the docks, but halfway there, he ran into Zhang Wenbo. Zhang mentioned that Aguda had been called back by the Zhang family servants before nightfall. As a manager solely responsible for the business of the Zhang Commercial Firm, Zhang Wenbo was unaware of the specific reason. With no other choice, Ding Li borrowed an errand boy from Zhang Wenbo, instructing him to make a trip to the Zhang estate and deliver a message: Ding Li intended to leave the city overnight, and Zhang Mingzhi should find a way to handle things in advance.

Afterward, Ding Li went straight to Xiaonanhai, the bustling night market. Along the way, he paid no attention to the commotion around him, heading directly for Haichen Pavilion, the largest decorated pleasure boat in Xiaonanhai. Currently, almost all the pleasure boats in Xiaonanhai were controlled by the Mongol gang members Rudachi and Aguda. Although Ding Li had only met Rudachi a few times, he fully believed that the man was an absolute and trustworthy partner. Upon arriving at Haichen Pavilion, however, he was told that Rudachi had just left to inspect other pleasure boats. Ding Li had no choice but to send someone to fetch Rudachi back.

Ding Li was escorted to a smaller pleasure boat connected to Haichen Pavilion. Even though Rudachi's men had specially prepared a table of delicious food, Ding Li paid it no mind. He merely tasted two cups of fine, authentic nomadic mare's milk wine, then stood by the window, gazing in deep thought at the ink-green sea under the night sky. He already had a rough plan for tomorrow's operation, but he still needed to refine the schedule and details.

Upon receiving the report from his subordinates, Rudachi immediately dropped what he was doing and hurried back to Haichen Pavilion. In Rudachi's mind, Ding Li was an immensely admirable companion. Combined with his naturally bold and generous disposition, it took only a moment for Rudachi—bare-chested and sweating profusely from running—to board the boat where Ding Li was waiting.

"Brother Li! When did you arrive? Why didn't you have someone notify your brother in advance, leaving Brother Li waiting here for so long!" As soon as he entered the boat, Rudachi shouted loudly toward Ding Li's figure. He then cupped his fist in the Tang manner toward the turning Ding Li, smiling and pleading guilty: "My apologies! I hope Brother Li will forgive me!"

"Think nothing of it! Not at all!" Seeing this, Ding Li, who had been stepping forward to greet him, hurriedly stepped back a pace, returning the courtesy with a polite smile and cupped hands. Then, casting an involuntary glance out the window, he brushed aside further polite pleasantries and cut straight to the point. He stepped forward, grabbed Rudachi's arm, and spoke in a serious, low voice: "Brother Rudachi, I have a matter here that requires a few reliable brothers—men who are handy and efficient!"

"Brother Li, you've come to the right person! Aren't I right here?" Rudachi was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter, slapping his chest a few times with a palm as broad as a cattail-leaf fan. Laughing with soaring boldness, he said, "As for reliable brothers, the loyalty of us Mongol men goes without saying! Brother Li wants as many as you need. As for whether they are handy, just name a number, and I will personally go and select them for Brother Li!"

"Not many, fifteen will suffice!" Ding Li did not stand on ceremony, nodding in response. Just as Rudachi turned to leave, Ding Li grabbed him back with a trace of unease. Pausing slightly, he added in a low, solemn voice once more: "They must be the most reliable. This matter must be foolproof without leaking a single drop of news! Also, we need to leave the city tonight under the cover of night!"

"Rest assured, I understand what kind of men Brother Li is looking for!" Rudachi smiled faintly, pulled his wrist free from Ding Li's grip, gave Ding Li a meaningful and knowing smile, waved his hand, and strode away.

Rudachi's efficiency was remarkably fast. In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he returned to the pleasure boat. He grabbed the pot of mare's milk wine on the table, tilted his head back, and gulped down several large mouthfuls. Casually wiping his mouth with the back of his arm, he panted heavily and smiled at Ding Li: "Arrangements are made, Brother Li! A few of them weren't on duty tonight, but I've already sent men to call them from their homes!"

With that, Rudachi turned and peeked out the window, then turned back to give Ding Li a confident assurance: "Before the Hour of Xu ends, I guarantee every single one of them will be here!"

"Ah, thank you very much, Brother Rudachi!" Ding Li hurriedly cupped his hands in a bow to express his gratitude, but Rudachi caught him by the arm. With a hearty laugh, Rudachi waved his hand at Ding Li and explained, "Brother Li! Please don't call me 'elder brother' anymore; it makes me feel thoroughly uncomfortable! We Mongol sons don't care about such formalities; we simply worship the strong! Brother Li, you must never do this in the future; just call me Rudachi directly!"

"Very well! Then I won't stand on ceremony either!" Ding Li smiled understandingly. He could fully comprehend Rudachi's words, especially since he had learned from Zhang Mingzhi that Rudachi, who bore the Bear Totem, was a Mongol warrior fiercely loyal to the strong. However, Ding Li immediately changed the subject, cupped his hands to Rudachi, and added, "Listen, time is pressing, so I won't wait around. Have the brothers rest briefly after they arrive, and assemble at the Zhang estate by the very end of the Hour of Chou. I still have other matters to arrange!"

"No problem!" Rudachi readily agreed with a nod, while simultaneously raising a hand to block Ding Li, who was about to leave. With a blank expression, he said, "Wait a moment, Brother Li! I need to go tell the brothers first before I can go with you!"

"Huh? What are you going for?" Ding Li was taken aback, looking Rudachi up and down as he retorted, "With such a massive operation here in Xiaonanhai, Brother Aguda has been away constantly as of late. If you leave, what will happen to this place?"

"It's fine, it's fine! My men aren't freeloaders! There's no need to worry so much!" Rudachi waved his hand dismissively with a carefree smile. He then grabbed Ding Li and pressed him back into his seat, as if fearing Ding Li would sneak away while he was out. Running toward the exit of the pleasure boat, he turned back every three steps to repeatedly urge Ding Li: "Brother Li, don't leave, don't leave! I'll be right back. I'll finish arranging things in a few words and return immediately. You must wait for me! I can't miss out on this kind of action—absolutely not. I still haven't had enough of fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with Brother Li last time!"

"Sigh!" Ding Li shook his head helplessly, though a very peculiar smile played at the corners of his mouth. Watching Rudachi, who was still side-stepping and jogging away while periodically looking back over his shoulder, Ding Li smilingly turned his gaze toward the mare's milk wine on the table and reached out his hand.

Soon, Rudachi had everything arranged. After reuniting with Ding Li, the two hurried to the Zhang estate. Yet upon arrival, even Ding Li, who had sent someone to notify Zhang Mingzhi in advance, was somewhat startled. The entire Zhang estate was brightly lit; even the pathways leading into the inner courtyard were illuminated as brilliantly as twilight.

Arriving all the way at the main hall, the guards stationed outside let Ding Li and Rudachi pass through. Once inside, Ding Li realized things were indeed different. Even Uncle Xiang was present, seated in one of the two main seats of honor at the front, alongside Zhang Mingzhi.

What put Ding Li at ease, however, was that ever since he stepped inside, although the gazes of Uncle Xiang and Zhang Mingzhi never left him, Uncle Xiang's look in particular was filled with profound affection and kindness, while Zhang Mingzhi's eyes held a sense of appreciation alongside other complex emotions.

"Ah-li, since you're back, speak your mind!" Once Ding Li took his seat, Uncle Xiang did not stand on ceremony with him. He directly beckoned with his hand and spoke in a very serious tone: "Anyway, everyone present is family. You've just returned, and you must have gathered quite a bit of intelligence. Tell us, what do you plan to do about this shipment of goods belonging to the Cao family?"

"Uncle Xiang, Second Brother!" Ding Li first stood up, cupped his fists, and bowed to Uncle Xiang and Zhang Mingzhi, then responded to Uncle Xiang while standing: "Here is what I think, and I've already made up my decision. I've requested fifteen brothers from Rudachi's side, and had Aguda find another ten. With Blackie and myself added, the manpower is more than enough!"

"What? The thirty of you want to go?" Hearing this, Zhang Mingzhi and Uncle Xiang instantly stood up, staring intently at Ding Li. Zhang Mingzhi was full of disbelief: "With fewer than thirty people, you want to intercept the Cao family's cargo? You must realize that their family guards and hired bodyguards alone add up to well over two hundred people! For the likes of you to go is utterly impossible!"

"Second Brother, when it comes to troops, quality matters more than quantity!" Ding Li shook his head in disagreement and retorted, "What's more, our operation this time is not merely targeting the Cao family's cargo. After all, we are doing this for revenge, not for plunder!"

Saying this, Ding Li suddenly smiled mysteriously and continued: "Uncle Xiang, Second Brother, there is one more thing I haven't had time to tell you! I'm afraid Third Master Liu of Guangzhou Prefecture has already learned the news that Ugly Wu has re-entered the pugilistic world! Perhaps Third Master Liu is already busy helping us unearth the hidden Ugly Wu lurking in the shadows!"

"I was just about to ask you about this!" Zhang Mingzhi did not show the astonishment Ding Li expected. He nodded with a puzzled expression: "The brothers sent out early this morning to keep an eye on those fellows in the local militia brought back news that two of them suddenly left Fuxu Town in a rush. What did you do? Especially since one of them seemed to have been slightly injured, though the boys below reported that the two of them looked exceptionally excited when they left."

"Actually, it was nothing much—I merely 'accidentally' left the Xunzhou Gang token of Ugly Wu with the two of them!" Ding Li smiled faintly, his casual tone demonstrating that he cared not a whit about the matter. He then turned to ask Aguda beside him: "Have the things I asked you to prepare all been gathered?"

"Rest assured, Brother Li, not a single piece is missing! They are all placed in the backyard!" Aguda stood up, nodding with an excited face, seemingly because Ding Li had honored his promise made earlier at the docks by confirming right here in front of Uncle Xiang and Zhang Mingzhi that he would bring him along on this operation.

"Uncle Xiang, Second Brother! Let's settle on this matter. Time is pressing, so I won't explain the specific details for now!" Ding Li nodded with satisfaction toward Aguda, then turned and solemnly cupped his fists in a bow to Uncle Xiang and Zhang Mingzhi.

"Very well, since you are confident, proceed as you say!" Uncle Xiang was quite decisive, nodding in agreement after a brief hesitation. Seeing this, Zhang Mingzhi nearby could only nod slightly in consent. Slowly rising to his feet, a pair of profound, dark eyes stared fixedly at Ding Li as he let out a lingering sigh and exhaled an admonition: "Ah-li, be careful in all things! We await your good news!"

"Understood!" Ding Li briskly acknowledged, then directly turned, flicked his head toward Rudachi, Aguda, and Blackie, and said in a deep voice: "Time is pressing, pack your gear. As soon as the brothers are all assembled, we depart immediately!"