Chapter Twenty-Five: The Southern Sea Alliance

In a grand residence near the southern city gate of Guangzhou, lights blazed brightly. The arrival of Zhang Mingzhi, accompanied by Ding Li, threw the entire household into a flurry of activity. Nearly ten doctors, each bearing wooden medicine chests, entered the room one after another. Before long, each would emerge drenched in sweat, only to be replaced by another colleague rushing in, a constant stream of healers.

Saiyigade’s injuries were not grave—mostly flesh wounds, save for the bloody hole beneath his ribs caused by a short dagger. Yet, after cleaning and bandaging, and with the rare and precious medicines from the Zhang residence, the doctors concluded there was no cause for alarm; within seven days he could rise from bed, and in less than two months he would be fully recovered.

As for Ding Li, who remained unconscious, the doctors, after consulting among themselves, determined that his fate depended on luck—his numerous injuries and excessive blood loss left his survival uncertain. However, once Zhang Mingzhi permitted them to select any medicine from his house’s well-stocked pharmacy, their confidence soared—they assured him they could snatch him back from death’s door.

The Zhang Trading House was famed as the premier merchant guild in Fuxu Harbor, trading with nations overseas and thus possessing a remarkable collection of rare medicines. Upon entering the pharmacy, the seasoned doctors were left dumbfounded—medicines worth a fortune were arrayed before them in bulk, a sight they had never dared to imagine. They promptly patted their chests and made bold promises to Zhang Mingzhi: a final conclusion would be reached before dawn.

Among these physicians were not a few renowned doctors from Guangzhou, and even a reclusive master retained exclusively by the Zhang Trading House, whose skills could rival the legendary Hua Tuo. With their assurances, Zhang Mingzhi felt much relieved. After instructing them repeatedly to care for Ding Li with utmost diligence, he did not return to his own chambers, but instead made his way toward the main gate.

“Second Master, you’re heading out again at this hour?” Zhang Wu, his trusted aide, followed in bewilderment. Why was his master leaving just after returning home? Hurrying to catch up, he asked quietly, “Are you going to see the Old Master? Should I bring a few men to accompany you?”

“We’ll need a few men, quite a few actually—ten or so should do,” Zhang Mingzhi nodded, paying no heed to Zhang Wu’s confusion. Without looking back, he added, “Zhang Wu, you’ll stay here and look after Ding Li—see to his every need. I must go to Fuxu Harbor and will likely stay there for a while. My father is pressuring me about the militia again—utterly vexing! I’ll hide out in Fuxu Harbor for a time.”

“Ah, I see…” Zhang Wu nodded, hesitating as if to say more. He knew his master’s temperament, and so, after some thought, he refrained from trying to dissuade him, instead suggesting, “Second Master, Fuxu Harbor isn’t as orderly as Guangzhou Port—it’s much more chaotic. Let me accompany you, and someone else can manage things here. After all, there are so many doctors present—Ding Li should be fine!”

“No need, you stay here! However unruly Fuxu Harbor may be, no one there would dare target me!” Zhang Mingzhi waved off the suggestion without hesitation. As he reached the gate, he stopped and turned, patting Zhang Wu’s shoulder and instructing him in a low, thoughtful voice, “Zhang Wu, remember, I saved Ding Li because I hope one day he will serve our Zhang Trading House. But for now, he is still injured. There are rumors of a woman in his household, but her whereabouts remain unknown. When Ding Li wakes, that will likely be his first concern. Take men and see to it yourself—make sure it’s handled well. Help him recover in peace, and in the future, he’ll be loyal to the Trading House.”

“Understood, Second Master. Leave it to me!” Zhang Wu replied solemnly. Then, with a look of concern, he added, “You must be careful these days, Second Master. The Chaozhou Gang has been making moves! If you need anything, send for me at once. I’ll see to everything here.”

“It’s nothing so dire! The only thing the Chaozhou Gang has is the support of the Cao Trading House—I don’t take them seriously! Just see to Ding Li here. You know the situation—we have endured long enough. It’s time for a decisive strike to bring the Chaozhou Gang to heel. It all depends on what Ding Li can do!” Zhang Mingzhi sneered, patted Zhang Wu’s shoulder again, and after a few more words, departed with over ten bodyguards as night fell.

Ding Li’s recovery astonished everyone. By dawn, he awoke, much to the delight of the assembled doctors. His survival meant generous rewards for them, and since the valuable medicines didn’t come out of their own pockets, it was a rare windfall—an opportunity they might never see again.

In contrast, Saiyigade, whose constitution was much weaker, did not awaken after a night’s sleep. But as the reward for saving Ding Li alone was worth ten times that for Saiyigade, and since the latter was in no real danger, the doctors focused their efforts on Ding Li, who lay swaddled like a mummy as they bustled around him.

One after another, the doctors performed their examinations and confirmed that Ding Li was out of danger. All that remained was to nourish him with rare medicines, and they predicted that, given his remarkable resilience and the efficacy of the remedies, the final outcome would be nothing short of miraculous.

Zhang Wu, who had grown up alongside Zhang Mingzhi, shared his master’s temperament. He listened to only half the doctors’ boasts before impatiently dismissing them, knowing they were men who never acted without profit. Sure enough, as soon as he said they could claim their rewards, the doctors dropped their long-winded explanations and hurried off to collect their payments, jostling to be first lest someone else claim their share.

“Ding Li, courtesy name Ziyi. Ancestry unknown. Moved with his mother, Madam Ding, to the West City slums at age four. By fourteen, he was working as a dock laborer. There is also a woman named Liu Sheng in the household; details are unclear, but she is proficient with various musical instruments. That is intriguing—such a person in the slums! At sixteen, Liu Sheng was taken in as a concubine by Ding’s mother’s arrangement.”

In the spacious room, Zhang Wu sat under the candlelight, reading Ding Li’s dossier with a smile, though his eyes betrayed deep interest. The summary seemed comprehensive, yet in truth, Ding Li’s origins remained a mystery.

What Zhang Wu did not know was that Ding Li himself, after coming across a deeply hidden genealogy days before, had begun to question his own background. Even Ding Li was in the dark, knowing no more than what was written on that sheet before Zhang Wu.

“Brother Li, though you don’t appear much older than I am, you dared to take on Lai Wu single-handed, and braved Liu Third’s mansion for a brother’s sake. You have my respect! By the way, I’m Zhang Wu, of Second Master’s household. You are now in his residence,” Zhang Wu said, rising and bowing with a respectful smile as Ding Li turned his head to look at him, offering praise and introducing himself.

Zhang Wu then walked to the bedside, studying Ding Li with interest and suggesting kindly, “Brother Li, you should know that neither Second Master nor I mean you any harm. The most urgent matter now is that woman, Liu Sheng. I must bring her here. I can assure you, nowhere in Guangzhou is safer than this residence. This is the home of the young lord of the Zhang Trading House—neither Liu Third nor even government officials could enter here at will!”

“Let’s discuss the terms first,” Ding Li replied flatly, having remained silent until then. He doubted they would help him without expectation—he had no ties to the Zhang Trading House, and they would not intervene without reason.

“Brother Li, you are refreshingly straightforward! Even wounded, you remain clear-headed. I underestimated you—my apologies!” Zhang Wu’s eyes lit up, his opinion of Ding Li rising yet again. After bowing, his expression turned serious, and he explained, “Since you are so direct, I will be as well. Let me state our terms plainly—just hear me out before you answer.”

“Understood, go on.” Ding Li found Zhang Wu likable—not only had he saved his life, but Ding Li sensed a righteous aura about him, unlike Liu Third or Lai Wu. He shifted slightly to a more comfortable position on the bed and nodded quietly.

“The Chaozhou Gang—you know them well. And you’re surely aware that the Cao Trading House backs them. I won’t repeat the obvious,” Zhang Wu began, pausing before continuing solemnly, “Our Zhang Trading House has never supported local gangs. But ever since the Cao Trading House appeared three years ago, our business has faced relentless sabotage and suppression. We have our own forces, but they cannot match the organized gangs like the Chaozhou or Xunzhou Gangs.”

“Understood. Get to the point,” Ding Li urged, growing weary of the background. Though uninvolved in their power struggles, he understood the dynamics—Cao Trading House used gangs as hired muscle, hampering Zhang Trading House’s legitimate business, attacking from all sides with covert means that even a powerful house like Zhang’s struggled to guard against.

“In the ports, apart from the gangs backed by the Cao Trading House, the largest group is us—locals of Guangzhou. Not just in Guangzhou Port, but also Fuxu Harbor,” Zhang Wu continued, cutting to the heart of the matter. “Most of these people are ordinary laborers, often bullied by outsiders. Our Trading House is considering uniting this vast group—forming a local gang to protect their interests, and to intimidate those who would oppress them, so the Cao Trading House and Chaozhou Gang dare not act recklessly.”

“More importantly, in critical times, it would become the Trading House’s own loyal force!” Ding Li listened without comment, but when Zhang Wu finished, he bluntly added this conclusion. Seeing Zhang Wu’s awkward surprise, Ding Li went on, “No problem. What do you need me to do?”

“Whew!” Zhang Wu was briefly startled, then let out a long breath, a smile of accomplishment spreading across his face. After composing himself, he declared solemnly, “Establish the Nanhai Gang! You will have full authority—over all personnel, finances, every action. You will answer to no one but Second Master himself.”