Chapter Twenty-Seven: Unjustly Beaten

Liu Sheng was also safely escorted into Zhang Mingzhi’s residence, though she was not housed in the same courtyard as Ding Li and Saijigade, so as to prevent her from seeing Ding Li’s injuries. To spare Liu Sheng any worry, Zhang Wu gave her the same excuse: that Ding Li and Saijigade had accompanied Young Master Zhang Mingzhi to Fuxu Port and wouldn’t be back for at least half a month, or possibly as long as a month.

Though Liu Sheng felt some concern, she also knew the influence of the Zhang Merchant Guild in Guangzhou Prefecture. The thought that Ding Li was working for them, and was even personally entrusted to the young master, put her at ease. Living in this residence was far better than being hidden away in a brothel by Xia Qing. Not only did she lack for nothing, but she was also assured of basic safety, with Zhang Wu even going so far as to select two maids to serve her.

The entire city of Guangzhou unexpectedly fell into a sudden calm. Master Liu San seemed to have abandoned his efforts to avenge Lai Wu’s disgrace, while concrete news about Lai Wu gradually emerged. The Xunzhou Gang had indeed collapsed, but Lai Wu was not dead. As to his whereabouts, some claimed he had been sent back to his hometown in Xunzhou, others insisted he was still at Master Liu San’s mansion, and yet others believed he was hidden somewhere else in the city. Regardless, the consensus was the same: he was recuperating.

In truth, Liu San did not come away from this struggle entirely empty-handed. Seizing an opportunity, albeit reluctantly sacrificing Lai Wu, he managed to secure from the Cao Merchant Guild the qualification to form a local militia. Now, Liu San was a candidate for the position of militia drillmaster, and the entire Chaozhou Gang stood poised to transform into the first official militia force in Guangzhou, their members to become recognized officials.

Yet, Liu San’s path to becoming drillmaster was not so smooth. Even with the support of Inspector Cao Zheng and Maritime Commissioner Tian Gaolang, Military Governor Li Tiao stubbornly refused to give his approval. They were left with no choice but to follow due process, submitting a memorial all the way to the imperial capital of Chang’an, thousands of miles away, and awaiting the court’s formal sanction and the official appointment.

Liu San’s swift maneuvering not only troubled and pressured Military Governor Li Tiao, but also infuriated Zhang Mingzhi’s father, Old Master Zhang Kuang, who, for more than ten days in a row, sent people daily to Fuxu Port, urging Zhang Mingzhi to return to the city as soon as possible. Yet his efforts were in vain—Zhang Mingzhi continually invented reasons to delay, showing no intention of returning, as if there was something in Fuxu Port that held his fascination year-round.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Ding Li’s recovery was progressing well; as long as he avoided strenuous movement, he was unaffected. Saijigade, for his part, was already fully healed, bouncing around at Zhang Wu’s side as if he’d never been injured.

The recent ordeal had greatly tempered Saijigade’s resolve. Over the past half month, he had followed Zhang Wu in founding the Nanhai Gang, maturing significantly under Zhang Wu’s deliberate guidance—a promising sign he might one day stand on his own.

While Ding Li recovered, the formation of the Nanhai Gang proceeded at a furious pace, with Saijigade playing an indispensable role. He rallied a group of young foreigners to form a special team, even clashing with remnants of the Xunzhou Gang at the docks. Bold and unafraid to fight, with the Zhang Merchant Guild backing him, Saijigade’s group emerged victorious, marking the Nanhai Gang’s first real triumph.

After that incident, the Nanhai Gang’s reputation spread rapidly along the docks and even began to circulate throughout Guangzhou. By Zhang Wu’s subtle promotion, Saijigade became the acknowledged second-in-command, his status rising so sharply that everyone now called him Brother De or Lord De.

As for the top leader of the Nanhai Gang, though most outsiders had not yet heard the name, those like Master Liu San understood well—if Saijigade was the second, then Ding Li, rescued by Zhang Mingzhi, was naturally the leader.

Despite the recent peace, Liu San and his peers felt only heightened anxiety. Their seasoned instincts told them that calm always preceded a storm. Ding Li was still recovering, but if the Nanhai Gang continued on its current trajectory, the day Ding Li regained his strength would surely bring a bloody upheaval to Guangzhou Prefecture.

In the Zhang family’s sprawling garden, beneath the lush banana trees, Liu Sheng, dressed in a light green gown, was gently playing a purple bamboo sheng, a faint smile playing on her lips and happiness gleaming at the corner of her eyes as she gazed tenderly at Ding Li by the lakeside.

Ding Li, nearly healed, reclined lazily on the stone steps by the lake, basking in the music and the warmth of the afternoon sun on his face, a deep sense of contentment enveloping him.

Though Liu Sheng played only a fragment of the "Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress," imperfect but heartfelt, Ding Li could not help but marvel at the comfort and pleasure it brought him.

“Brother Li, did you practice the flute at Fuxu Port?” After finishing her song, Liu Sheng handed the sheng to her maid, then floated over to Ding Li, squatting beside him and gently stroking his cheek. She asked with a soft laugh, “You really ought to practice more—I’m waiting for you to play a duet with me!”

“Do I look like someone who plays the flute?” Ding Li replied with a wry, affectionate smile, his eyes full of love but tinged with helplessness. Seeing Liu Sheng’s pout, he hurried to explain, “There was so much to do with Young Master that I barely had time to sleep, let alone practice. But don’t worry, once I have the chance, I’ll practice hard and we’ll play together soon!”

“Hmph! That’s what you always say!” Liu Sheng mock-punched his chest, but her expression was all tenderness. She then reached to adjust Ding Li’s collar, her fingers caressing the two scars there as she spoke softly, “Brother Li, why must everything be settled with violence? Isn’t there another way?”

“It’s nothing—just a few scratches. I couldn’t let Young Master take the hit, could I?” Ding Li didn’t want her to know these were wounds from a month ago. He tousled her hair with a smile and said, “Sheng’er, it’s best you don’t worry about such things. Isn’t life good as it is? We want for nothing, and I have plenty of time to spend with you now. No more leaving at dawn and coming home late, barely seeing each other.”

“It’s good, but I still worry,” Liu Sheng replied with a nod, then shook her head, her face clouded with concern. “Brother Li, it’s right to protect Young Master, but you must look after yourself too. If not, I’d rather give up this life we have now.”

“Don’t worry! I’m not so easy to kill—the person who’ll take my life hasn’t been born yet!” Ding Li laughed off her concerns, though a shadow of that night a month ago flickered in his eyes before he pushed it aside. He brightened and said, “Sheng’er, I spoke to Zhang Wu—he’s found us a house nearby. Once it’s ready, we’ll move in together. You can spend these days in the city getting whatever you need. I remember you want more than just a purple sheng; you have other instruments. I want to hear music from you every day!”

“I’m not a street performer! Who says I’ll play for you every day?” Liu Sheng gave him a gentle shove, her face glowing with warmth. Then she hesitated, her expression becoming serious. “Brother Li, about that—Miss Xia Qing…”

“Hmm? What about her?” Ding Li had long since put her out of his mind. Only when Liu Sheng mentioned her did he recall, “Ah, I’d almost forgotten. She did help us a lot last time—we should thank her properly. I’ll have Saiyi bring her a gift.”

“That’s not it, Brother Li…” Liu Sheng shook her head, biting her lip. When Ding Li opened his eyes, she finally spoke, embarrassed, “I just feel… something about Miss Xia Qing doesn’t seem right…”

“Oh? What do you mean?” Ding Li immediately became alert, but then remembered Zhang Wu had already explained the matter with Xia Qing and Jin Sanpang. Xia Qing shouldn’t be in any trouble now.

Puzzled, Ding Li looked at Liu Sheng, then suddenly understood and grinned mischievously, “Sheng’er, are you jealous? We’ve only met Miss Xia Qing once—it’s not as complicated as you think!”

“I’m not jealous!” Liu Sheng’s cheeks flushed as she turned away, then spun back, swinging her fist at Ding Li as she protested, “You say it’s only once, but what is this ‘once’? Tell me, what’s the story there?”

“Still denying it? The jealousy is thick in the air!” Ding Li teased, completely unbothered, letting Liu Sheng vent her feelings while he reveled in the sweetness.

“Brother Li! Brother Li! Something’s wrong!” Suddenly, Saijigade’s booming voice rang out as he dashed towards them by the lake, his blond curls bouncing wildly, unbothered by the servants giggling as he waved to Ding Li and shouted urgently.

Seeing this, Ding Li leapt up, helped Liu Sheng to her feet, and strode toward Saijigade, his voice serious, “What’s happened? Why the panic? Has there been a tsunami?”

“No, no tsunami! Our brothers have been bullied!” Saijigade, panting heavily, waved his hand and explained, “At the docks, some of our men were attacked for no reason!”

“What? Attacked for no reason?” Ding Li was shocked. The Nanhai Gang’s recent show of force made it hard to imagine anyone would dare pick a fight. But Ding Li’s keen mind sensed the gravity of the situation. He asked coldly, “Who was it? Liu San’s people? Or that wretch Lai Wu? How are our men? How many are hurt?”

“About seven or eight, but it’s not serious. I just heard and came straight to you!” Saijigade glanced at Liu Sheng and lowered his voice, adding, “Brother Li, if it were Liu San or Lai Wu, I’d handle it myself—I wouldn’t bother you.”

Seeing Saijigade’s confidence, Ding Li could only pat his shoulder, point ahead and say, “Let’s talk as we go. Who would dare mess with the Nanhai Gang now?”