The Dragon God statue was carried onto the high platform by the gang’s elders amid drums and music.
From Jin Yin’s incessant chatter, Mo Zi came to understand the Leopard Gang’s current situation.
Under the old gang leader were five stewards. Chen San, Huo Ba, and Xiang Shiyi were bound together, managing five of the Nine Branch Halls. Xu Jiu and Leng Liu worked as a team, managing the remaining four halls. Even so, the number of people under Xu Jiu and Leng Liu accounted for more than half the entire gang’s membership, and they had strong men and many boats.
Huo Ba controlled more halls and was the old gang leader’s half-son and adopted son, so on the surface it appeared he and Xu Jiu were in fair competition. In reality, the old gang leader had already internally designated him as successor. He just feared Xu Jiu and Leng Liu’s people would rebel, so he delayed announcing it.
Who knew Huo Ba would die, and die in his prime years at that.
This sudden turn of events threw the Leopard Gang into turmoil. First was Chen San. His support of Huo Ba had been for self-preservation. In terms of seniority, he was the longest-serving steward in the gang, having served as deputy gang leader for seven or eight years, with status second only to Old Gang Leader Hu. So when Huo Ba died, he had ambitions to compete. Next was Eleventh Sister Xiang. She and Xu Jiu had been at odds for a long time. She had declared that if Xu Jiu became gang leader, she would leave the Leopard Gang from then on. And just recently, Leng Liu, who had always been like a blood brother to Xu Jiu, suddenly left without saying where he was going, making people think the two brothers had fallen out.
If Old Gang Leader Hu hadn’t still had his wits about him and made the firm decision to pass the position to Xu Jiu, whether Xu Jiu could actually become gang leader would have been uncertain. Of course, even now it was still somewhat precarious, because there were quite a few variables.
The first two rows were for honored guests, yet they were sparsely seated. Jin Yin said this was because people from the five major boat gangs hadn’t come. While the Leopard Gang and they minded their own business and didn’t interact much, for such a major event as the gang leader succession to occur without them even showing their faces could only mean two things. First, they hadn’t received invitations. Second, they didn’t want Xu Jiu to rise to power.
Of course, the latter was more likely. In recent years, Xu Jiu had absorbed quite a few boat gangs within the capital’s provincial range. The Leopard Gang’s momentum was rising, directly threatening the leadership position of the five major boat gangs, making them very vigilant and wary, fearing Xu Jiu’s ambitions were too great.
In summary, if nothing happened at today’s ceremony, it would absolutely be an affront to the Dragon God himself.
When Jin Yin spoke these words, his expression was leisurely. At the exciting parts, his eyebrows danced, without a trace of worry. It was as if he had merely been invited to watch a good show, and whoever won or lost had nothing to do with him.
Afterward, Mo Zi came to understand that his ease came from clearly knowing the outcome.
The Leopard Gang’s five elders took their seats on the high platform. The surviving stewards, minus Leng Liu, also went up and sat down one by one. Upon taking the stage, Eleventh Sister Xiang seemed to become a different person—her gaze sharp, her face bearing a stern air. Gone was the lovestruck maiden appearance. The two subordinates behind her were indeed women—hulking and burly, each wielding whips thick as ox tails, knives at their waists, more masculine than men.
Mo Zi had originally been quite pleased to see women managing affairs outside, thinking she might make some female friends. However, these were so imposing, far surpassing her—she feared she couldn’t befriend them.
Sitting across from her, a latecomer was quite to her taste. However, because of Wangqiu Pavilion, it wasn’t good to be too familiar, fearing that if people knew her relationship with Wangqiu Pavilion, they would immediately turn against her.
Who do you think sat across from her?
None other than Miss Wu You from Wu You Pavilion.
She attended in full formal dress today. Her dark hair was piled into cloud-like high coils, a red flower dotted her forehead, golden flowers adorned her cheeks, her vermillion lips were like cherries. She wore a floor-length three-tiered hundred-flower skirt, with snow gauze ribbons draped over her hands. Beside her were two maidservants—one holding an umbrella, one carrying incense. She had also brought four pretty beauties, a pair on each side, giggling and laughing, their flirtatious eyes flying about.
At this table sat only three principals: Mo Zi, Jin Yin, and Wu You. But with Wu You seated this way, radiating out from this table as the center, within a circumference of about ten zhang, all the men’s gazes were drawn over. Then, those looking at the beauties turned to look at Jin Yin, who was prettier than the women.
Mo Zi could only hear countless flies buzzing in her ears, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Zan Jin was fine—he and Mo Zi had seen quite a few scenes together. However, Wei Qing looked rather ill at ease, and sitting right beside him happened to be one of Wu You Pavilion’s young ladies, casting autumn-wave glances at him until he was nearly annoyed. Later, he simply turned his back, out of sight, out of mind.
“The people by Brother Mo’s side are all true gentlemen.” Seeing this, Wu You smiled with pursed lips. “However, I’ve seen plenty of men who are rigid and proper outside. But once they enter Wu You Pavilion, few retain their backbone. Brother Mo must come again another day and let me see what it means to be Liu Xiahui.”
“Mother Wu You, why are you dragging me into your scolding for no reason?” Jin Yin laughed cheerfully. “Without backbone but with silver is fine. Otherwise, all your delicate daughters would be drinking the northwest wind.”
“Young Master Jin, when will you repay the wine money you owe me? If you keep defaulting, I’ll send people to collect at your house.” Wu You’s bright eyes swept over the radiant handsome man. “Or, change into women’s clothing and dance in front of all the guests—that could also clear your account.”
Mo Zi was shocked. Whether owing debts or guest performing, she found it hard to imagine either happening to Jin Yin.
Jin Yin was about to protest his innocence when Old Gang Leader Hu on the platform called out Xu Jiu’s name. It seemed the succession ceremony was beginning, so he temporarily set the matter aside.
This day, the sky was clear for ten thousand li, the sun directly overhead, yet there was a strong wind. One could see Xu Jiu standing before the altar table, his robes rustling and flying, the dark ribbon binding his hair streaming straight, his back ramrod straight, his bearing proud and spirited. This was the most glorious beginning of his life, and also the first tribulation of all difficult beginnings.
An elder, reading mechanically from a script, recounted Xu Jiu’s illustrious achievements since joining the Leopard Gang. A lengthy discourse, but quite spectacular. Mo Zi listened with great interest.
When he finished, half the men in white short jackets shouted in unison, “Ninth Master is a hero!” Three times in succession, deafening.
The other half in yellow and red, some moved their lips, some picked their ears and noses, some drank tea and cracked melon seeds. The bold ones jeered.
On the high platform, Xu Jiu’s back didn’t move at all. The others’ expressions varied, no one knowing what thoughts they harbored.
The old gang leader lit incense before the Dragon God statue. Supported by two men, he knelt and kowtowed, then rose to face the crowd below and said a few words. Probably lacking strength, his voice rose and fell intermittently. The gist was that he was old and gravely ill, unable to continue leading the gang members forward. What comforted him was that the Leopard Gang finally had a successor. Xu Hang was an upstanding good man, excellent in both civil and martial affairs. With Xu Hang succeeding, the Leopard Gang would surely have a bright future and smooth sailing.
Then Xu Hang knelt, kowtowing three times to heaven and earth, three times to the Dragon God, three times to the gang leader.
“Once the incense is offered to the Dragon God and he receives the Leopard Gang’s seal from the old gang leader’s hands, Xu Jiu will be the new gang leader.” Jin Yin informed Mo Zi.
At this moment, Mo Zi watched Xu Jiu insert three incense sticks into the burner, turn sideways, and raise both hands high above his head to receive the seal. She felt she had read too many books and was overthinking. The ceremony had reached this point—Xu Jiu’s succession seemed inevitable. If someone wanted to object, they wouldn’t wait until this last moment, would they? This wasn’t a plot requirement. But seeing the somewhat strange expressions on Chen San and Xiang Shiyi’s faces—smiling yet not smiling—her heart grew inexplicably tense.
The bright red seal box was grasped by Xu Jiu.
Instantly, Eleventh Sister Xiang suddenly began to laugh. Not an ordinary laugh, but a great laugh, one everyone could hear. While everyone was still confused, that laughter suddenly stopped completely. A murderous air appeared on her delicate face as she spoke three words—
“I—do—not—accept!”
Chen San put on a leisurely air, took a sip of tea, set down the cup, and spat out four words: “I also don’t accept!”
The crowd was in an uproar.
Some capable white-jacketed men stood up, kicking over their chairs. “Damn it, the seal’s already been received—what does it matter if you accept or not?”
Several other fierce white-jacketed men shouted, “Accept it or not, you must accept! If you have the guts, roll out with your bare asses! The Leopard Gang doesn’t feed freeloaders!”
Xu Jiu’s subordinates all laughed heartily, crude words flying toward the platform like arrows.
Crack—
Eleventh Sister Xiang gave a delicate shout and leaped up, the whip at her waist lashing out, striking the wooden platform boards, raising a light dust.
This woman hadn’t been dazzled by some official’s charms—so decisive and efficient. Mo Zi silently called out approval.
“Which bastard dares say I, Xiang Shiyi, am a freeloader? Come out and fight me one-on-one! I’ll whip you until you cry for your parents!” A woman of the rivers and lakes—laughing and cursing as she pleased.
Before anyone could come out to challenge her, the central gate opened and over a hundred black-clothed men rushed in, each wielding weapons, faces fierce and menacing, forming layers on both sides.
Finally, a woman entered.
A very fat, very tall woman.
She wore white flowers on her head and hemp mourning clothes. Her eyes were like bells, her nose and mouth both large, countless pockmarks on her cheeks. She wielded a pair of long and short swords.
“Sister Tao, you’re finally here!” Eleventh Sister Xiang greeted her coquettishly, waving something wrapped in blue floral cloth in her hand. “Quick, come up on the platform and take this thing—it’s quite heavy.”
The fat woman started running with heavy steps. With each step, she left a deep mark in the muddy ground.
This woman was Hu Tao, Old Gang Leader Hu’s daughter and Huo Ba’s widow. So it wasn’t that Chen San and Xiang Shiyi hadn’t moved, but that they had formed a new alliance. Wife succeeding husband’s position—these black-clothed men were clearly Huo Ba’s old troops.
What Eleventh Sister Xiang held was the seal? Seeing Xu Jiu hadn’t yet reacted, Mo Zi quickly whispered instructions to Zan Jin.
Xu Jiu on the platform heard a voice penetrating the entire venue—
“The gang leader’s seal is in Eleventh Sister Xiang’s hands! Steward Xu, be careful!”
For no particular reason, Xu Jiu believed these words. He tossed aside the seal box in his hands, his palms swift as wind, lunging toward the cloth bundle in Xiang Shiyi’s hands.
Xiang Shiyi hadn’t expected to be exposed so quickly. Her slender waist twisted too slowly, but her whip struck straight at Xu Jiu’s face.
Xu Jiu remained calm and unhurried. With bare hands, he actually caught the whip, yanking it forcefully. “Eleventh Sister, don’t make trouble!” That voice was still quite polite.
Xiang Shiyi gritted her teeth, struggling against Xu Jiu’s great strength, but her footing was already unstable. Afraid speaking would leak her energy, she stubbornly remained silent.
In this half-move exchange, Xu Jiu’s subordinates clearly saw that the box on the ground was truly empty. Everyone was furious. With a shout to grab weapons, tables were overturned, knives and staffs all brandished together.
Those in yellow and red jackets weren’t to be outdone either, all getting weapons in hand.
Amid the agitated crowd, Mo Zi also wanted to shout for the axes to come quick, but in the end, she held back. After all, most of the honored guests seated in the first two rows were calm and composed. If she grabbed an axe, it would seem rather uncouth.