Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Chuzhou Docks, headquarters of the Canal Gang.

News of Shi Huiming’s death had spread long ago. Four days had passed, and the Hall Masters and Chiefs hurrying in from various regions had finally gathered to discuss how to handle the aftermath.

The Canal Gang had five Chiefs in total. The First Chief—Gang Chief Shi Huiming—was dead, so responsibility for presiding over the situation naturally fell to the remaining four Chiefs.

Inside the main hall, Second Chief Cai Shuang and Third Chief He Weixian occupied the seats of honor. Both were advanced in years, with great seniority and prestige. Although they no longer possessed much power, they could still keep the situation under control during an important affair like this.

Fourth Chief Hua Cong and Fifth Chief He Shen sat on the left and right, with the Hall Masters of their respective factions seated behind them. Fourth Chief Hua Cong was primarily responsible for business on the river. He had money but few men, since a single boat could only hold so many people. Fifth Chief He Shen oversaw the porters and canal laborers ashore—the men responsible for unloading, carrying, and tallying cargo. He had plenty of men, but there wasn’t much profit to skim.

The Hall Masters from the various regions supported different candidates, but nearly all of them backed either the Fourth Chief or the Fifth Chief. The main reason was that the Second and Third Chiefs were too old and had withdrawn from the contest for Gang Chief long ago.

Now that Shi Huiming was gone, the two Chiefs with factions of their own naturally intended to fight for the position of First Chief. Once one of them rose to the top, another Chief’s position would become vacant. As long as he placed one of his own men in that position, the Canal Gang would essentially become his to command.

Cai Shuang and He Weixian drank their tea in silence. They had no factions of their own and couldn’t afford to offend anyone.

Whispering continued without pause on both sides. The two factions clamored so loudly that every word could be heard clearly from outside.

“Second Chief, Third Chief, the First Chief was murdered by a treacherous villain. Although we’re stricken with grief, the Canal Gang cannot be left without a First Chief. We should select someone of both virtue and ability as soon as possible to take charge of the situation,” a Hall Master behind Hua Cong called out.

“That’s right! We can’t be left without a leader!”

Supporters behind Hua Cong responded in droves. Judging by their momentum, one might have thought they were staging a coup.

Several Hall Masters behind He Shen scoffed.

“Heh, those words sound prettier than a song. Gang Chief Shi’s Seventh-Day Funeral Rites haven’t even passed, yet you’re already thinking about choosing a new First Chief. Where’s your conscience? Did you throw it into the river or feed it to the dogs?”

He Shen had more men on his side, so their voices were even louder. They began condemning the opposing faction for having no regard for the greater good.

Hua Cong’s hand paused around his teacup. He had to defend the brothers exerting themselves on his behalf, so he raised his voice.

“Brothers, Gang Chief Shi’s greatest wish was for the Canal Gang to prosper. Have we forgotten his words? Only by selecting a new First Chief can the Canal Gang make a smooth transition. The Canal Gang must not descend into chaos!”

His words rang with such conviction that even the Hall Masters on He Shen’s side, who had initially been scoffing, found themselves unable to refute him.

“Fourth Chief, surely waiting a few days won’t hurt. What’s this? Have you forgotten how Gang Chief Shi treated his brothers?”

Since Hua Cong had appealed to the greater good, He Shen countered by invoking their bonds of brotherhood. Hua Cong wanted to settle the matter with a single decisive blow? Not a chance!

Seeing the situation grow tense, Cai Shuang had no choice but to speak.

“Gang Chief Shi’s funeral is certainly important, but choosing the new First Chief is equally important. Stop dodging the issue. We are here to select the new First Chief!”

“Exactly. The affairs of the Canal Gang are no small matter and must not be treated carelessly. I’ve already sent men to prepare Gang Chief Shi’s funeral. Choosing a new First Chief sooner will also give Gang Chief Shi a proper accounting, allowing him to depart in peace,” He Weixian added. Since Cai Shuang had spoken, he naturally couldn’t remain silent.

The two factions fell silent briefly before erupting even more loudly. They confronted each other tit for tat—you recited my faults, and I returned the courtesy by inquiring after all your shortcomings.

Cai Shuang and He Weixian exchanged helpless looks from the seats of honor. They were capable enough as mediators, but when it came to anything else, forget making the decision—they couldn’t even participate.

Having no power of one’s own was truly tragic!

The two sides argued for some time before finally quieting down. This time, someone from He Shen’s faction spoke first.

“Second Chief, Third Chief, I don’t think we need to make this complicated. Let the brothers vote. Whoever wins the people’s hearts wins the realm!”

Before Cai Shuang and He Weixian could respond, someone from Hua Cong’s faction shouted, “No! You have more people. That wouldn’t be fair!”

“Doesn’t having more people prove that the Fifth Chief has won their support? What’s wrong with that? When did the Canal Gang become a place where one man alone has the final say?”

“Are the rest of us brothers all dead, then? In my opinion, only the Hall Masters should vote. It would save both time and effort!”

“Heh. Do you think the brothers don’t know what game you’re playing? You merely have a few stinking coins!”

The two factions traded arguments, while Hua Cong and He Shen listened quietly without the slightest intention of entering the fray themselves.

Cai Shuang glanced at He Weixian and could only give a helpless, wry smile. He Weixian shook his head, signaling for Cai Shuang to stay out of it. There was nothing they could do about such a matter.

Unfortunately, although the two wanted to remain uninvolved, those below them wouldn’t allow it.

He Shen set down his teacup, stood first, and cupped his hands.

“Second Chief, Third Chief, you must give us some kind of proposal. We’re the Canal Gang, not brothers dividing up the family property.”

There was a rather vicious insinuation behind those words. Hua Cong understood the mockery perfectly. Smiling, he also rose to his feet.

“I don’t care for those words, Chief He, and neither do the brothers! The Gang’s affairs concern every one of its brothers. Talking about dividing up the family is deeply hurtful!”

Realizing he had misspoken, He Shen didn’t dare say anything more for the moment. Instead, a Hall Master behind him who was waving a folding fan smiled.

“Isn’t that precisely what Chief Hua means? You won’t allow the brothers to decide. If that isn’t dividing yourself from the brothers, what is?”

He Shen was delighted upon hearing this. Now this was talent! He had never imagined the man possessed such skill at passing the blame.

Hua Cong’s faction, meanwhile, fell deathly silent. They couldn’t admit they were dividing themselves from the other brothers, but neither could they accept the proposal based on sheer numbers. They were at a disadvantage!

Realizing this, Hua Cong hurriedly backpedaled.

“It isn’t that I reject Chief He’s proposal…”

He paused before continuing.

“It’s simply that I don’t have as many brothers working on the river, but our contributions to the Gang are hardly small! If everything is decided solely by counting heads, what does that make my brothers? We’re members of the Canal Gang too!”

After speaking, Hua Cong breathed a long sigh of relief. He couldn’t let the matter be decided by head count, so he had no choice but to discuss contributions. Otherwise, he would be forced to swallow this disadvantage!

He Shen had nothing to say. When it came to making money, the laborers behind him couldn’t earn as much by working themselves to death as Hua Cong could make from a few boat trips.

The atmosphere reached an impasse. Both sides had their own arguments, and neither side was wrong. Both held the moral high ground, leaving neither able to gain an advantage.

“Sigh…”

Cai Shuang’s sigh instantly drew everyone’s attention amid the silence.

Supporting himself against his chair, Cai Shuang stood and said helplessly, “I have a proposal. Everyone may hear it out.”

“Please speak, Second Chief,” He Shen said calmly as he sat down.

“Since everyone is willing to grant me this respect, this old man shall be so bold. Since the Gang Chief was murdered by some vile scoundrel, let us make a gentlemen’s agreement. Whoever catches the killer first will become the next First Chief and the next Gang Chief. What do you say?”

Cai Shuang raised his voice, his tone earnest and sincere.

Hua Cong turned to look at the Hall Masters behind him. Each of them nodded in agreement. He Shen turned around and began discussing the proposal with his own men.

A moment later, the two turned back simultaneously and nodded to Cai Shuang, indicating their agreement.

“Since everyone agrees, the Chiefs will temporarily handle the Gang Chief’s duties until the killer is found. One of Third Chief He and me will serve, together with Fourth Chief Hua and Fifth Chief He. What do you say?”

“Agreed,” Hua Cong and He Shen answered simultaneously.

However, an unusual gleam flashed through both men’s eyes.