Su Minguan pushed through the crowd to the porthole window and looked out. Indeed, there were dozens of patrol officers on the dock, carrying guns and lined up in formation, checking every disembarking passenger one by one!

No wonder the queue was moving so slowly. On the open ground between the dock and the streets, temporary barriers had been erected. Passengers were penned inside. Foreigners fared well, getting through after a few questions; upper-class Chinese from first class also faced little difficulty, but ordinary second and third-class passengers had to wait a long time—only one person was released every few minutes.

Jiang Gaosheng was anxious: “Do the authorities know we have stowaways on board?”

Su Minguan was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

Everything had been smooth in Jiujiang. During the two or three days on water, the steamship was completely isolated from the world—even if someone wanted to inform on them, there was no opportunity.

Moreover, to avoid taxes, Luna flew the British flag. Even if Qing authorities wanted to search, they’d have to follow basic procedures.

And those patrol officers arranged in formation on the dock—if they were sent by the Hankou concession authorities, they wouldn’t care about Taiping Army rebellion matters at all.

He turned and ordered Hong Chunkui: “Take them back to the cabin first.”

With the situation unclear, caution was paramount.

The steamship would stay overnight in Hankou. After this wave of inspections passed, they could find time to disembark.

But after waiting for a meal’s duration, the patrol officers on the dock only increased, and martial law began on the streets!

Several patrol boats also appeared on the water, making rounds back and forth for show.

None of the crew had ever seen such a display.

The crew members waiting below went to inquire immediately, receiving a string of impatient responses: “What are you asking? We’re performing official duties—just cooperate! Since you’re a proper shipping company with nothing to hide, what are you afraid of?”

Su Minguan’s expression darkened slightly.

Everyone understood what this meant. Originally, the boss had personally accompanied the ship for supervision and inspection. Ideally, he should be able to delegate and not have to manage everything personally—otherwise, what were his subordinates for?

Unexpectedly, this first passenger steamship run had quite a few complications. To be fair, ordinary Chinese merchants really couldn’t handle it all.

Who could blame the fact that foreigners had privileges everywhere on the water while the Chinese were obstructed at every turn?

Jiang Gaosheng quickly signaled. Several crew members simultaneously volunteered: “We’ll go find people to ask again… though it’s best to bring some silver…”

“No need.” A little girl came running energetically across the deck, facing the group of helpless crew members and saying clearly: “I know why.”

Lin Yuchan pointed to the tallest Western building in Hankou concession: “Hede makes annual inspection tours of customs offices everywhere. Look, the Jianghan Customs House is flying a checkered flag, indicating he’s inside conducting business.”

She’d never seen the Jianghan Customs Building in person, but there were landscape sketches of customs houses from various places hanging on the walls of Shanghai’s General Customs Office, which she’d long been familiar with, so she recognized it at a glance.

Hede made two annual inspection tours of regional customs houses. Wherever he went, the customs building would fly a checkered flag—this was a practice known only to insiders.

With a third-rank official visiting Hankou, the local small fry made quite a show to curry favor with him. Even martial law was arranged.

Su Minguan once again looked at this girl with new respect, asking: “How long will he stay?”

Lin Yuchan didn’t know this, hesitating: “Depends on how much business there is, no fixed duration. But he surely won’t spend New Year here…”

Everyone smiled bitterly. Luna was only staying two days in Hankou. If martial law continued daily for these two days, they’d have no choice but to take the whole ship of rebels back to Nanjing and deliver them to Zeng Guofan.

Lin Yuchan volunteered, picking up her small satchel to disembark.

“I’ll go ask for you!”

Having two years of friendship with Hede, her face could still open some doors.

“Wait.”

Su Minguan called her back with a smile, stuffing a small pouch into her hands.

There are over ten Yixing shops in Hankou city. If you give the password, you can use it freely. Also, return before dark. Otherwise, I’ll fire cannons at Jianghan Customs House.”

The domineering CEO’s declaration didn’t have much shocking effect. Lin Yuchan smiled sweetly at him and went down the gangplank.

Then she casually opened the pouch he’d given her—

“Wow!”

Banknotes plus silver dollars. Various denominations totaling about a hundred taels. Her “activity funds.”

Lin Yuchan was deeply moved, waving to the domineering CEO on the ship.

Lin Yuchan took three minutes to pass inspection and successfully left the dock.

The three Wuhan towns controlled the rivers and lakes, connecting Wu and Chu regions, linking Hunan and Sichuan. Sand boats transporting grain and Huai salt gathered in clouds, with swaying sails in countless groups, painted in rich colors.

The Yangtze River flowed from the horizon’s edge. The riverbank was vast, and across the river, the damaged Yellow Crane Tower was visible. Before her, Hankou concession had distinct outlines—a row of neat foreign houses and spacious docks were the first scenery to greet distant visitors.

Hankou, this historically renowned central-south hub, slowly unfolded before her eyes.

The separation wall between the concession and Chinese quarters was under construction, with ant-like laborers coming and going. Hearing the steamship’s whistle, they all stopped to look.

If Shanghai was the starting point of China’s modern foreign trade, Hankou was the transit trade center for the middle and upper Yangtze River or central-western regions. Unlike the other treaty ports visited in recent days, Hankou’s trade was prosperous, with all kinds of local and foreign goods piled along the riverbank. At a glance, there were not only cotton and tea, but also sesame, soybeans, peanuts, tung oil, poultry eggs, cattle and sheep hides, medicinal materials, raw lacquer, silk, salt, sugar, rice, timber…

All categorized with their small trading markets, plus various merchant guild halls, all thriving and prosperous.

No wonder Westerners called Wuhan the “Chicago of the East”—since opening as a port, its prosperity rivaled Shanghai’s.

Lin Yuchan indeed saw several shops with copper coin symbols at their entrances, but none were major businesses—one fortune-telling feng shui shop, one selling feather dusters, and one barbershop. She tentatively went in to chat, and the bosses and clerks inside were indeed fellow society members, also knowing that Yixing steamships had arrived today. They all held up three fingers, smiling as they chatted with Lin Yuchan: “Please tell them when you return—fellow townsmen get half price for haircuts. Our craftsmanship is the best in Hankou!”

Lin Yuchan marveled that having a nationwide chain gang was indeed convenient—even haircuts were covered.

She wondered which one was the ruthless person who’d originally warned Su Minguan about “bandit attacks”?

Today, due to Hede’s arrival, patrol officers lined the concession’s outer walls, and many streets were under martial law. Customs officials in Western uniforms were visiting shops and docks, investigating and recording trade conditions.

Lin Yuchan examined these officials’ faces, disappointed to find she didn’t recognize most of them…

It seemed Hede had hired many new people.

As she was calculating, someone suddenly called her from behind in English: “Miss Lin!”

She turned back in surprise to see an unexpected person.

“Mc… Manager McGarry?”

The blonde foreign manager from Standard Chartered Bank had also appeared in Hankou, strutting with his walking stick, followed by several Chinese servants.

“Haha, surprising, isn’t it? Standard Chartered Bank is opening a branch in Hankou, about to become Hankou’s first foreign bank. I’m here this time to select a location.” Manager McGarry was very enthusiastic toward her, removing his hat with a smile. “We’ve all heard that Miss Lin now manages Boya Company with abundant funds and extensive trade operations… We welcome Miss Lin to patronize Standard Chartered Bank for business in the future. To serve such a young and beautiful lady would be our great honor…”

Manager McGarry’s mouth was honeyed as usual, his standard English pleasant to the ears. His attitude toward ladies was impeccable. He bowed slightly, smiling as he looked at her hand, waiting for her to extend it for a handshake.

One doesn’t strike a smiling face. Lin Yuchan also curved her lips, modestly saying: “You flatter me.”

When handling various financial procedures with Rong Hong and trading raw cotton with Baoshun Trading House, she’d frequented Standard Chartered Bank many times. The staff there no longer dared look down on people; Manager McGarry had finally realized that this Chinese girl bringing large checks once or twice might be luck, but repeatedly patronizing their bank showed real money-making potential.

But Lin Yuchan didn’t shake his hand, only smiling faintly: “But I’m sorry, I don’t have a guardian, remember?”

Manager McGarry’s face darkened. She was quite vindictive!

“Miss Lin may not know—to accommodate single female customers like yourself, Standard Chartered Bank has specially formulated new regulations. You can apply to have the Qing government as your guardian. By paying a certain deposit, you can open accounts without male relatives present. You must understand, this isn’t prejudice but protection for single ladies…”

Lin Yuchan thought, forget it. When the Qing falls, don’t you dare swallow my money.

Competing in commercial fake smiles with Manager McGarry, she admitted defeat. After hearing him speak a few sentences, her fake smile couldn’t hold up and turned into a slight cold smile.

A flash of displeasure crossed Manager McGarry’s face, but he continued smiling politely, skillfully using a Chinese idiom: “We’re making an exception to invite you. Miss Lin shouldn’t fail to appreciate our kindness…”

“I have other matters. Goodbye.”

Lin Yuchan dropped her final words and was about to turn elegantly when someone else spoke beside her.

“Well, Miss Lin, your temper has grown.”

Lin Yuchan turned back in delight: “Oh, Mr. Hede.”

Hede still liked hands-on work. Rather than staying in Jianghan Customs House’s warm office, he wore a windbreaker, braving the cold to conduct personal inspections. His pale face was slightly red from the cold.

Two attendants followed behind, rubbing their hands and stamping feet, thick files and notebooks tucked under their arms.

Lin Yuchan breathed on her hands and happily shook hands with Hede.

Compared to the discrimination king beside him, the bad-tempered workaholic foreign devil seemed infinitely pleasing.

“Mr. Hede looks very well,” she chatted with excessive enthusiasm. “The new customs recruits all look good, all solid and diligent prospects… Jianghan Customs House is also beautiful, putting the nearby church to shame!”

Manager McGarry was awkwardly left aside by her obvious favoritism.

“Well, you two chat, goodbye…”

Offending Miss Lin wasn’t much, but customs was his super client. For this relationship, he had to swallow his pride and deal with that Mick (Irish hick) Hede, praying daily for the Qing government to replace him quickly.

Hede seemed in a good mood today, looking amiable as he smiled and chatted with Lin Yuchan: “Business seems to be going well—here to expand operations?”

Lin Yuchan quickly demurred: “Just working for shareholders, coming out to broaden my horizons.”

Hede smiled as he looked at her: “Coincidentally, there’s a reception tonight. Would Miss Lin like to attend as my guest to broaden your horizons?”

Lin Yuchan: “This…”

She’d promised Su Minguan to return before dark.

While she hesitated, they’d already walked over ten steps.

Hede dropped his smile, saying quietly: “Alright, the Cockney can’t hear us now, save your voice.”

Lin Yuchan stuck out her tongue slightly.

She thought she was using Hede to embarrass McGarry, but Hede was also using her for the same purpose…

Cockneys weren’t popular…

Hede stopped at the concession’s barrier gate, his green eyes examining Lin Yuchan before smiling slightly: “The Guangzhou Dialect School is progressing smoothly. When the first batch of students graduates, Miss Lin will receive an invitation to the graduation ceremony. Also, I know Miss Lin wishes to continue cooperating with customs to provide refined black tea. But I’m sorry, I won’t give you any favoritism in next year’s bidding—you’ll need to compete based on ability. And… I saw your name on raw cotton export tax forms. Though the amount isn’t large, congratulations on your profits. Now I must go to the office. Excuse me.”

Having said this, he took his gloves from his attendant.

Lin Yuchan: “Hey, wait…”

So busy!

Then she couldn’t beat around the bush anymore. Trying to appear casual, she asked directly: “Mr. Hede, may I ask how long you’ll be staying in Hankou?”

“Why do you ask?” Hede revealed nothing, smiling. “For business, please make appointments with my secretary at Jianghan Customs House. Goodbye.”

Lin Yuchan cursed “Mick” in her heart.

Luna was only stopping for two days.

She stepped forward, her tone carrying some edge: “Sir, you’re becoming more and more like a Qing official. Your entourage is impressive enough. As long as you’re in Hankou, the docks and streets are under martial law, making it inconvenient for nearby residents to move about.”

Hede snorted lightly. Miss Lin was still so fearless—she was counting on British gentlemanly restraint, knowing they wouldn’t argue with young ladies. Would she dare speak this way to some fat Manchu official?

But… who made him a civilized person from an advanced nation?

Being confronted by a common girl wouldn’t cost him anything.

He smiled slightly, explaining calmly: “Miss Lin, you weren’t born with red hair and green eyes. Hankou has recently had strong anti-foreign sentiment. In my few days here, I’ve already dodged three attacks…”

Before he finished speaking, his expression suddenly changed. He grabbed Lin Yuchan’s arm and quickly ducked behind the barrier.

Simultaneously, with a splash and terrible stench, a bamboo basket rolled on the ground.

Two attendants originally walking behind Hede couldn’t dodge in time and were unfortunately doused with stinking fish and shrimp, cursing loudly.

Patrol officers quickly mobilized, shouting as they chased the fish-thrower.

People along the street cursed in Wuhan dialect: “Damn foreign devils, get the hell out of here!…”

Before finishing one curse, they were intercepted by long-legged patrol officers, beaten with clubs to the sounds of wailing.

Lin Yuchan stepped back two paces, avoiding the stinking water underfoot, her expression complex.

Hede spread his hands, looking at the fully armed patrol officers on both sides, smiling sarcastically: “See, they’re full of hostility toward anything and anyone they don’t understand, and only pick on the defenseless to bully.”

Lin Yuchan gave him a sympathetic look.

Who to blame? Blame your compatriots who started the Opium Wars.

But saying this would immediately sink their friendship. She wouldn’t indulge in such unnecessary verbal sparring.

She just shrugged, saying: “Wuhan people are fierce, unlike Shanghai, right?”

Stinking fish was nothing. In decades to come, the first shot of the Xinhai Revolution would be fired here, ending the Qing Dynasty.

She wouldn’t frighten people with that information.

She pulled out two clean handkerchiefs and handed them to the unfortunate attendants.

Seeing she was Hede’s acquaintance, the attendants quickly accepted, saying gratefully and flattered: “Thank you, miss. Thank you.”

Then hurriedly wiped their hands and shoes.

Lin Yuchan couldn’t pester Hede anymore. After bidding farewell, she feigned innocence for one last attempt: “Then, could the dock checkpoints at least be removed? Boarding and disembarking are very inconvenient…”

Hede tipped his hat to her, smiling: “I’ll instruct them not to make things difficult for you. Don’t worry.”

Lin Yuchan nodded, watching Hede enter Jianghan Customs House.

Persisting further might arouse Hede’s suspicions.

She could only return to inform Su Minguan that the Inspector General couldn’t leave immediately—better to have those Taiping rebels disembark at night and see if they could escape by luck.

But… she was still unwilling to give up.

Su Minguan had given her a hundred taels in activity funds, and she hadn’t spent a penny yet.

There were methods. For instance, paying local Heaven and Earth Society forces to escalate the anti-foreign disturbances here, creating some casualties. To ensure safety, Hede would likely leave early.

But such actions were too risky and would involve innocents. Lin Yuchan just fantasized about it.

She instead recalled Hede’s words: Hankou recently had anti-foreign sentiment, which made him extra cautious, jumpy at every sound, leading to martial law.

Why?

At other treaty ports where the steamship had docked, commercial volume had multiplied, and locals were busy attracting investment, generally welcoming foreigners.

Even if foreigners were arrogant and bullying, Qing people were accustomed to enduring humiliation and rarely rose in resistance.

Unless truly egregious incidents occurred—like foreign officials or missionaries seizing land, raping women, randomly killing civilians—which would provoke public anger. But this anger would usually be quickly suppressed by local authorities.

She hadn’t heard of any major religious incidents in Hankou recently.

Lin Yuchan crossed the unfinished separation wall, seeing many vendors also cautiously crossing boundaries, seizing moments between patrol rounds to peddle cheap goods and food to foreigners. By the river, a large church under construction had stinking laborers in ragged cotton clothes gritting their teeth while moving stones, veins bulging on their faces. A foreign missionary couple watched from the side.

“Most unseemly. How can God’s church have such a filthy construction process?” The foreign missionary, wrapped in a fur scarf and covering his nose, ordered his interpreter: “Zhang, have them change these dirty clothes, or don’t come to work tomorrow.”

The interpreter surnamed Zhang smiled bitterly: “These people probably don’t have second cotton coats.”

The foreign missionary frowned: “Let them make some! Otherwise, what are they doing with my wages—buying opium?”

Having no choice, the interpreter shouted to the laborers in the local dialect: “The foreign master thinks your clothes are dirty. Tomorrow, remember to turn your garments inside out before wearing them!”

The laborers, wearing numb expressions, ignored this, their swollen hands clutching stones and bricks stained with cracked blood.

Lin Yuchan gave the missionary an extra look. She didn’t recognize the badge on his robe, unsure which denomination he belonged to.

However, even such people hadn’t been pelted with stinking fish, indicating the “anti-foreign” incidents had other sources.

After crossing two more streets, she wrinkled her nose.

A familiar stench hit her face. Looking up, she saw chaos in the open space ahead.

Dozens of Chinese surrounded a red brick building, swinging fists and cursing angrily. She couldn’t understand the dialect immediately, but felt every drop of saliva carried profanity.

A wooden sign hung at the red brick building’s entrance reading “Shunfeng Brick Tea Factory.”

Sewage flowed at the wall’s base, covered with dead fish and shrimp in various states, like a tragic fish graveyard.

Several big-eyed, big-nosed foreigners hid inside the doorway, chattering and gesticulating, seeming to argue or defend themselves. The crowd of Chinese across from them completely ignored them, unable to understand anyway, their voices growing more agitated.

“Cowards, come out!”

“Childless foreign devils, may you capsize tomorrow!”

Lin Yuchan stopped, hiding behind some onlookers.

So this was the main course. The stinking fish thrown at Hede earlier was just misdirected “ammunition.”

Two patrol officers held foreign rifles, standing ready but not daring to act rashly.

“Shunfeng Brick Tea Factory…” Lin Yuchan calculated in her mind. “A foreign-owned tea factory?”

Calling foreigners “懦夫” (cowards), she hadn’t heard elsewhere—seemed to be a unique creation of Hankou people.

Looking at the surrounding Chinese crowd, many wore clothes with faint tea and smoke scents—apparently, local tea house and tea factory people.

“Hankou Tea Guild isn’t spineless pushovers!” A small boss with a loud voice held up a mop, shouting: “Tea is Chinese business—what right do foreigners have to interfere! Everyone attack! Smash those cowards’ demonic contraptions!”

The crowd voiced agreement, pretending to charge. The patrol officers waved their rifle muzzles, driving them back.

Suddenly, her arm tightened as someone pulled her aside.

“Ah, Miss Lin, you must be an angel sent by God.” Someone said urgently in English. “Please clarify to these fools that we foreigners opening tea factories aim for fair competition, not to ruin their business…”

Lin Yuchan was startled, struggling free and looking up—

“Victor?”

Victor tossed his blonde hair, surprised and delighted.

“Come, come inside for hot tea. You didn’t come to Hankou specifically to find me, did you?”

After the surprise came anger. Lin Yuchan said coldly: “What are you doing here? Since you came on business with Mr. Hede, why aren’t you at the customs office?”

Victor touched his lips, smiling: “This tea factory belongs to my fellow countryman. I also invested a little money and came to check on it.”

Lin Yuchan frowned: “When did customs change regulations to allow side businesses?”

Victor: “Shh, don’t talk nonsense.”

Then he tiptoed to look in the distance, confirming her gangster boyfriend wasn’t around, before leaning over with his chiseled features, planning to steal a kiss—

Slap!

Lin Yuchan wasn’t polite this time. In his three years in China, Victor received his second slap today.