Chapter Twenty-Six: Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms

Establishing the Nanhai Gang was an enormous temptation for Ding Li, especially after Zhang Wu’s final remark, which served as a subtle reminder: with the Zhang Chamber of Commerce’s backing, the Nanhai Gang would be his to command. Of course, in reality, the Nanhai Gang would remain under the Chamber’s control, and Ding Li would simply be a high-ranking employee. Yet for Ding Li, at this moment, it was not only that he had no other choice—it was, in fact, the path that suited him best.

Without the Nanhai Gang and the Zhang Chamber of Commerce, Ding Li would have nothing. Old Liu would never let him go, and even Liu Sheng would constantly be in danger. It might even implicate people like Saijigad, Dogzi, the Wang brothers, and many other friends and companions.

Early that morning, Zhang Wu took his men to the Fanbang District, first stopping at Saijigad’s home to offer some reassurance. He claimed that Saijigad was now working for the Zhang Chamber of Commerce, following Young Master Zhang Mingzhi to Fuxu Harbor. Hearing this news, Saijigad’s father, Darus, was so overcome with emotion that his thick beard trembled. He kept grabbing Zhang Wu to offer his thanks and made a series of gestures in the direction of his ancestors, likely a form of prayer.

After leaving Saijigad’s house, Zhang Wu encountered several groups of clustered Chinese in the neighborhood. Out in public, Zhang Wu didn’t trouble them, but gave a stern warning—there was no need to guess whose men they were; surely Old Liu’s subordinates.

Following Ding Li’s instructions, Zhang Wu then went to the brothel near the entrance to the district and met the courtesan Xia Qing without obstruction. After explaining his purpose in detail, Xia Qing stubbornly refused to let Zhang Wu see Liu Sheng. Ding Li had made it clear before leaving the previous night: under no circumstances was anyone to see Liu Sheng.

“Miss Xia! It really was Brother Li who asked me to bring Miss Liu Sheng back!” Zhang Wu felt like a scholar arguing with a soldier. He had already explained his reasons several times, but Xia Qing was unfailingly polite, keeping Zhang Wu in the room but refusing to make any further move.

“Brother Zhang, it’s not that I won’t comply, but Brother Li truly did say that no matter who came, Miss Liu Sheng could not be seen! Since you understand how important she is to Brother Li, please don’t make things difficult for me. When Brother Li comes himself, I will naturally hand Liu Sheng over,” Xia Qing said. She had already believed Zhang Wu was acting on Ding Li’s behalf, but selfishly, if she let Zhang Wu take Liu Sheng away now, would she ever see Ding Li again?

“Come on, Miss Xia, there’s no need for all this modesty with me. I truly am here at Brother Li’s request to take Miss Liu Sheng away!” Zhang Wu sat at the table in helpless frustration, idly playing with the cup in his hand. Xia Qing had stalled him for nearly half an hour; they’d gone through several pots of tea, but she still wouldn’t yield.

As he spoke, Zhang Wu saw Xia Qing approach the small brass kettle by the window and pick up another pot of boiling water. He quickly reached out to stop her, his face full of anguish. “No, no more! I really can’t drink another drop! Miss Xia, spare me! Please hand over Miss Liu Sheng quickly, so I can report back to Brother Li. Otherwise, I really won’t be able to leave!”

“Brother Zhang, I’m afraid I simply can’t comply!” Xia Qing changed her form of address but still brought the boiling water to the table, giving Zhang Wu a slight bow before calmly replacing the tea leaves and brewing yet another pot, as if she hoped to drown him in endless tea.

Seeing this, Zhang Wu hurriedly turned his cup upside down on the table, pressing it down as if to anchor himself, casting a panicked glance at Xia Qing. He frowned, then muttered under his breath as he looked toward the door, “Damn it! How is he still not here after all this time? Even a turtle would’ve arrived by now!”

Bang!

Just as the words left his mouth, the door was shoved open with a heavy thud, startling Zhang Wu in his seat. Relief flashed through him, quickly replaced by a scowl as he saw the man standing in the doorway—a burly figure whom he addressed coldly, “Who are you?”

“I should ask who you are, daring to meddle with Miss Xia?” came the gruff reply. Xia Qing now saw clearly that it was Jin Sanpang, who had come to apologize to her the previous day. Although she had been flustered at first, Xia Qing was now baffled by his sudden support—he had only just apologized yesterday, and now he was taking her side?

“Miss Xia, don’t be afraid! With me, Jin Sanpang, here, no matter how troublesome this guy is, I’ll throw him out! Whatever concerns Brother Li are my concerns too! Trust me, leave it to me!” Jin Sanpang strode boldly into the room. He’d heard from the madam on his way up that Xia Qing was dealing with a particularly difficult guest, and he had flown into a rage, charging up without a second thought.

He waved a hand at the still-confused Xia Qing and strode over to Zhang Wu, looming over the man who was barely half his size, and threatened, “Kid, if you know what’s good for you, get out of this room! If you upset Miss Xia, hmph! You won’t make it out of the Fanbang District today!”

“Brother Li? Well now!” Zhang Wu’s interest was piqued. He hadn’t expected Ding Li to have such a loyal underling. He looked Jin Sanpang up and down with curiosity, nodding thoughtfully but making no move from his seat.

“Kid, want to taste my fists?” Jin Sanpang, seeing Zhang Wu unmoved, felt his authority was being challenged. He shook his massive fists at Zhang Wu, then shot a glance at Xia Qing, clearly showing off in hopes of earning favor, baring his teeth in a deliberately menacing sneer.

“You’d better look at this before deciding if you want to try your fists on me!” Zhang Wu, realizing the man meant no real harm and was only acting for Ding Li’s sake, was rather amused. He pulled out an ornate gold-embossed token from behind his waist and tossed it onto the table, indicating it with a nod and a chuckle.

“Hmph! You Chinese always love your tricks! Fine, I’ll look. What could it possibly be?” Jin Sanpang sneered, not taking Zhang Wu seriously, but when his gaze fell on the exquisite token lying on the table, his whole body jerked, and his eyes filled with astonishment.

After a brief stupor, Jin Sanpang turned back to Zhang Wu, his expression stiff and awkward, his words stumbling over themselves. He even folded his big fists together in front of his chest, bowing repeatedly. “My apologies! I—I really—really didn’t know—didn’t recognize someone so important! Yes, I didn’t recognize someone so important! I was reckless, truly reckless!”

“It’s nothing! If you’re a friend of Brother Li, then you’re one of us—no need for formalities!” Zhang Wu smiled faintly, waving his hand as if brushing off the incident. He pocketed the token once more. Looking at Jin Sanpang, he saw the man was sweating profusely, trembling with embarrassment.

“We’re all just doing our jobs, Brother Jin, please don’t mind!” Zhang Wu, seeing that Jin Sanpang was a generation older and one of Ding Li’s people, figured they might cross paths again in the future, so he stood up and returned the bow with equal courtesy. “No need to address me so formally—please, just call me Brother Zhang if you don’t mind!”

“I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare! You honor me too much!” Jin Sanpang, having learned Zhang Wu’s identity and backing, dared not act superior despite his seniority, and quickly stepped aside nimbly, bowing repeatedly, his head bobbing comically. But he didn’t forget to ask, “May I inquire what brings you here, Brother Zhang?”

“Please, Brother Jin, don’t be so formal—we’re all on the same side, working for Brother Li. Just call me Old Zhang! Brother Li asked me to help bring someone back, but Miss Xia won’t let go, so I had to send someone back to Brother Li for instructions!”

At this, Jin Sanpang sucked in a sharp breath, casting a look of terror and confusion at Xia Qing. Who exactly was this woman, that not only did Ding Li help her, but even someone like Zhang Wu had to show her respect? The thought sent a chill from his feet through every vein and even his blood seemed to freeze.

“Miss Xia…” After his brief shock, Jin Sanpang had no wish to become her adversary. He hurried forward a few steps, bowing deeply to her with his head lowered, his voice trembling as he explained, “Before—before, I spoke out of turn after drinking. It was all my fault, unforgivable, truly unforgivable! I hope—I hope Miss Xia can forgive me and not take it to heart!”

“Brother Jin, what are you…” Xia Qing, though experienced in the world, couldn’t match an old hand like Jin Sanpang in quick thinking. His sudden change in attitude left her bewildered. As she reached out to support him, the man who normally wished to keep her at arm’s length jerked away in fright, retreating several steps, his head shaking like a child’s rattle as he pleaded for forgiveness and promised, “Please, Miss Xia, don’t hold a grudge! If you ever need anything, just ask me, Jin Sanpang—whether or not I can do it, I won’t refuse, even if it means going through fire and water or dying a thousand deaths!”

Xia Qing was utterly at a loss, casting a helpless glance at Zhang Wu, who was watching the scene with a knowing smile. Zhang Wu’s sharp eyes had already discerned that her relationship with Ding Li was anything but ordinary; at the very least, she felt something for him. He was more than happy to help her out, indirectly letting Jin Sanpang know his place, which could only benefit her in the future.

“Brother Wu! Brother Li said there’s a password to get Miss Xia to let her go!” A trusted aide burst through the open door, drenched in sweat from running back from Ding Li. Gasping for breath, he reported to Zhang Wu.

“Excellent!” Zhang Wu stood up with delight, turning to Xia Qing with a beaming smile. “Miss Xia! Since Brother Li said there’s a password, please tell it to us! Don’t say you don’t know—it would really put me in a bind!”

“Hmph!” Xia Qing’s thoughts were laid bare by Zhang Wu’s words; she shot him a disgruntled glance. Though reluctant, after a moment’s hesitation, she let go of her bitten lip and spoke gently, “The King of Heaven covers the Tiger!”

“Chicken stew with mushrooms!” The aide, still bent over catching his breath, shouted the reply without hesitation, only to receive a sharp smack on the back of the head from Zhang Wu. Furious, Zhang Wu scolded, “Eat, eat, eat! All you think about is food! When we get back, I’ll stew you first!”

“But—but that’s what Brother Li said…” the aide protested, looking aggrieved as he edged away from Zhang Wu, explaining timidly, “It’s the password, it’s really the password!”

“The password? Chicken stew with mushrooms?!” Zhang Wu was dumbfounded, frowning as he signaled to his aide and exchanged a dubious look with Xia Qing, uncertain what Ding Li was thinking.

“Alright, come with me…” Meeting Zhang Wu’s gaze, Xia Qing paused briefly, then nodded and parted her lips to speak.

Yet as she turned away, a trace of sorrow flickered in her eyes, and when her back was to them, tears shimmered in her eyes.