20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 522: No Prescription to Attack the Heart

Just as Chen Lixian and others captured Lou Jingyuan, Luotuo and his men had already rushed to the approach bridge in the direction of the dock.

There was chaos on the west bank of the Huangpu River. More and more fellow countrymen, Chinese and foreign spectators gathered, and the momentum was so huge that needless to say.

Seeing the Axe Gang approaching, the dock workers on the approach bridge were in a dilemma. In order to protect themselves, they all put their loads in front of them and asked tremblingly: "We are just working on the dock to make a living, what do we want to do?"

At this moment, Luotuo walked out of the crowd and asked the brothers to make way. Then he waved to the workers and said, "You have nothing to do here, get off quickly!"

Upon hearing this, the dock workers felt as if they had been pardoned. Without any hesitation, they immediately slid down the approach bridge.

At this point, most of the workers at Jinyuan Wharf have retreated far to the shore. Everyone is worried about their safety and dares not move forward. Only a dozen workers are still standing on the deck of the cargo ship, at a loss and frightened.

At this time, the small steamer had just weighed anchor and was about to set sail, and the cargo on the ship seemed to be in imminent danger.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the captain hurriedly urged the sailors to set sail away from the ferry.

Unfortunately, the ship was too big to turn around, and the small steamer had already moored at the shore and turned off the engine. It would take some effort to restart it.

Camel didn't hesitate for a moment. He immediately waved his hand and shouted, "Brothers, seize the cargo ship!"

The Axe Gang members responded in unison. Six or seven good fighters rushed out immediately, ran to the bridgehead, jumped up, and like geckos, they held on to the deck railing tightly and climbed onto the ship.

At the same time, another dozen brothers stepped on the sampans of three or two sand boats along both sides of the approach bridge, using inertia to push the boats along the current. In the blink of an eye, they surrounded the small steamer on the river. They stacked their bodies on top of each other, chopped axes to climb up, and immediately climbed onto the side of the ship.

The cargo ship swayed from side to side on the water, and although it was not very violent, it still made the onlookers nervous.

The captain held the rudder, his face pale, and staggered a few steps before asking in shock: "What are you doing? This is a grain ship operated by the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sharp axe blade was already at his throat!
"Stop talking nonsense, stop the boat and dock!" The Axe Gang members grabbed the captain's throat and forced the steamer to get back to the ferry.

The captain's eyes darkened and he thought to himself that something was wrong. Based on past experience, this ship full of cargo would definitely not escape the hands of thieves.

However, the situation he worried about did not occur.

When the cargo ship came to a standstill again, the Axe Gang members did not rush to unload the cargo and transport it, but instead got off the ship in an orderly manner and took themselves to the approach bridge.

The captain was puzzled and looked at Luotuo and others blankly, but asked: "You...what do you mean by this?"

The Axe Gang members smiled but did not reply. Instead, they slightly moved aside to make way for a pale-faced scholar to come forward from behind.

"This is the captain of the Jiang'an, right?" The scholar said politely, clasping his hands together, "I am Liu Yansheng, nice to meet you!"

The captain finally calmed down a little when he saw that the man didn't look like a bully. He reminded them sternly, "Your gangs are fighting over the docks, which has nothing to do with us, but I have to make it clear that this is the cargo carried by the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company."

His tone didn't sound threatening, but rather like persuasion.

The China Merchants Steam Navigation Company was extremely powerful, and its major shareholders were either wealthy or noble. Some of them were even Chinese directors of the French Concession Municipal Council. When ordinary small gangs heard this, they would probably think twice before acting.

But Liu Yansheng just smiled calmly: "I know this is the cargo carried by China Merchants, but we are also the port manager appointed by China Merchants. You transport the cargo and we unload it. It is reasonable and legal. Why are you running away?"

As he spoke, he reached into his bosom and immediately pulled out a paper contract, which he hung in front of the captain and shook gently twice.

The captain took a closer look and saw that the signature, date, official seal, and handprint were all there. It definitely didn't look like a fake. He couldn't help but feel confused and muttered to himself, "Isn't this... Jinyuan Wharf the territory of Lou Jingyuan of the Qing Gang?"

"Lou Jingyuan's territory? That's out of date!" Liu Yansheng held up the written contract and hurriedly showed it to the people around him. "Everyone, take a look. This is the contract signed by Mr. Xu Huaimin, the manager of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company. Jinyuan Wharf will be operated by the Anhui Province Hometown Association!"

The workers in Anhui Province looked delighted and nodded in response.

In fact, most of them can’t read at all, and even if they can, they can’t see clearly from such a distance.

But they are willing to believe that it is true - if they believe it, it exists; if they don't believe it, it doesn't exist.

Obviously, Liu Yansheng was not showing the contract to the dock workers, but declaring his rights to the onlookers further away.

At this time, the shore was already crowded with spectators, and many reporters from the police station had rushed over after hearing the news. They were taking photos, collecting materials, and interviewing passers-by from a distance, asking about the cause of the incident.

The patrolmen and detectives from the French Concession and the Chinese Concession had come before, but when they saw the scene, they immediately turned around and left, rushing back to inform the Municipal Council and the old county government.

After all, they could still manage a gang fight involving a hundred or eighty people, take sides and muddy the waters, but a gathering of hundreds of people could no longer be explained by a gang fight. If they were not careful, it would trigger a frenzy of shouting for a stop, or even a dock riot.

Compared with other provinces and cities, the military and police in Shanghai are particularly sensitive to workers' calls for rest.

Two years ago, during the Paris Peace Conference, the "three strikes" frenzy in the foreign concessions is still vivid in people's minds. Naturally, the French police officers did not dare to act on their own and could only report as quickly as possible and wait for the decision from their superiors.

During this period of unattended operation, Liu Yansheng loudly announced that Jinyuan Wharf was under the jurisdiction of the Axe Gang.

Hearing this, the steamer crew and dock workers looked at each other and asked with a little concern: "Then, what did the manager say?"

"Manager Lou?" Liu Yansheng turned around and looked at Luotuo.

Luotuo nodded, then turned around and shouted loudly toward the shop at Jinyuan Wharf: "Lixian, has the man surnamed Lou been arrested?"

"Don't worry, I'm coming right over!"

People came as the sound came, and everyone stretched their necks to look, only to see Li Zhengxi and Chen Lixian escorting Lou Jingyuan towards them quickly.

At this time, Lou Jingyuan's mouth and nose were covered in blood, and his cheeks were swollen. He staggered through the crowd. Just as he reached the bridge, he felt Xifeng kick his knee hard. With a "thump", he fell to his knees, completely lost his dignity and face.

Liu Yansheng walked forward slowly, leaned forward slightly, and said with a smile: "Manager Lou, please tell us who owns this Jinyuan Wharf?"

"It's... it's the Axe Gang's place." Lou Jingyuan panted heavily, his voice was muffled.

Li Zhengxi raised his fist and smashed it directly at Lou Jingyuan's nose. Then he bent down, put his hands behind his ears, and said in a deep voice: "Speak louder, I can't hear you."

"It's... it's the Axe Gang, it's the Anhui Province Hometown Association's place..."

"Speak louder! I can't hear you!"

"Jinyuan Wharf is the Axe Gang's territory!" Lou Jingyuan yelled at the top of his voice, furious but helpless.

The Axe Gang members burst into laughter. Even their colleagues who had gathered at the nearby dock to watch the fun couldn't help but whisper and laugh.

Once a person loses his prestige, his anger becomes extremely ridiculous.

Liu Yansheng also smiled, raised his hand and patted Lou Jingyuan's shoulders twice, but asked: "Who are you?"

"Me?" Lou Jingyuan was confused. "I, I am Lou Jingyuan!"

"Who is Lou Jingyuan then?"

"What? W-What do you mean?"

When Lou Jingyuan was just wondering, Li Zhengxi kicked him to the ground and yelled, "You have hair in your ears, can't you understand what I'm saying? Let me ask you who Lou Jingyuan is!"

"Lou, Lou Jingyuan is me!"

"Fuck! Then who the hell are you!"

"I--" Lou Jingyuan was at a loss, and felt his face burning, not in pain, but in shame.

His self-esteem was gradually collapsing. The laughter from all around him was like a whip in the hands of a monkey trainer, whipping his nerves hard, one after another. A god who once stood majestically on the dock had now quietly fallen to earth.

There is no doubt that even without the Axe Gang, Lou Jingyuan would not be able to regain his glory in Shiliupu in the future.

The dock workers were no longer afraid of him, but were instead mocked, ridiculed, despised, and despised...

Amidst the laughter, Liu Yansheng stood up, clasped his hands and said with a smile, "Brothers, it seems that Manager Lou is suffering from hysteria. I wonder if anyone can explain to me, Liu, who Lou Jingyuan is?"

The dock workers looked at each other, and the crowd watching on the shore seemed to be unable to speak.

At first, everyone was a little hesitant.

Then, someone suddenly said, "Lou Jingyuan is Zhang Xiaolin's nephew!"

These words were like a ripple in stagnant water. The dock workers were immediately eager to try and rushed forward.

"Yes, Lou Jingyuan is also Du Yong's disciple!"

"He is a disciple of the Qing Gang, a young man of the 'Xue' generation!"

"Fuck, he's just a lapdog. Without the support of the 'three tycoons', he's nothing!"

Everyone was talking at once, making a fuss, and in just a moment, they had revealed everything about Lou Jingyuan's family background.

Liu Yansheng was not in a hurry. He waited patiently until everyone had finished talking before he raised his hand to signal and thanked them repeatedly: "Okay, okay, thank you all brothers. So this is Lou Jingyuan. I see, I see!"

After that, he walked towards Lou Jingyuan again and asked in a low voice: "Manager Lou, are they right?"

"Right, right, right..." Lou Jingyuan muttered a few words, and suddenly remembered something, and quickly raised his voice, "They are right! Zhang Xiaolin is my uncle, and Du Yong is my master!"

"Fuck you!" Li Zhengxi threw another punch. "Why are you so arrogant? I'm hitting Zhang Xiaolin's wife's nephew, Du Yong's disciple. Do you have anything to say?"

"No, no!" Lou Jingyuan begged, "Stop hitting me, stop hitting me!"

Liu Yansheng also felt that it was too much, so he quickly waved his hand at Xifeng and then asked, "Manager Lou, do you know why we took your dock?"

Lou Jingyuan shook his head helplessly.

He really didn't understand why the Axe Gang wanted to go against the "Three Tycoons", and he didn't understand why it would affect his Jinyuan Wharf.

In fact, the reason is very simple. The Jiang family wanted to plant spies at the Shilipu Wharf, and was willing to pay a visit to the "three tycoons" and seek cooperation for this purpose. Unfortunately, the cooperation failed and they were instead met with cold eyes and scolding. There was no other way, the Jiang family could only join forces with other gangs to seize a wharf.

However, the reason behind this is difficult to explain clearly.

Not only is it inconvenient to say it clearly, but a more high-sounding reason is required.

Liu Yansheng's face immediately turned cold, and he scolded on the spot: "Because you are disrespectful to the workers from Anhui Province! Let me ask you, not long ago, did Jinyuan Wharf fire all the workers from Anhui Province for no reason?"

Lou Jingyuan was stunned and said: "I, I fired them, but..."

"But what?" Liu Yansheng's face was gloomy. "Think it over before you speak."

But are there any Axe Gang spies among them?
Lou Jingyuan soon realized that even if he really said so, it would be of no avail, because those Anhui Province laborers could not all be members of the Axe Gang. Even if they were, they would not admit it. Considering their previous actions, silence might be better.

Seeing that he stopped talking, Liu Yansheng looked around and said, "Brothers, the Axe Gang seized the docks not to seize territory, but to protect the rights of fellow workers. This dock manager who blatantly discriminated against foreign workers deserves his punishment!"

To protect the rights of fellow workers—what a nice reason!

The dock workers were most willing to hear this kind of words, and they immediately responded by raising their poles and shouting loudly.

Even the reporters, students and intellectuals who were watching on the shore couldn't help but applaud and praise.

However, dock workers from other provinces couldn't help but show worried looks when they heard this.

Liu Yansheng immediately comforted him, "Brothers from other provinces don't have to worry. After the Axe Gang takes over Jinyuan Wharf, you can still come here to work. I'm not from northern Anhui, but I'm willing to follow Master Jiu because he's a righteous man!"

Everyone felt a little relieved.

Liu Yansheng took advantage of the situation and continued, "However, the Qing Gang is powerful, and I'm sure you brothers have heard about it. After today's incident, I'm sure someone will say that the contract in my hand is fake. The Qing Gang does not agree, and the Merchants Group does not recognize it."

"Why don't you admit it?" someone asked loudly and angrily.

"Yes, why don't they recognize it!" Liu Yansheng spoke impassionedly, "If those scoundrels dare not recognize this contract, then our Jiu Ye will not agree, and the Axe Gang will not agree even more!"

Chen Lixian and Luotuo immediately raised their arms and shouted: "The Axe Gang doesn't give a shit to anyone. The Green Gang wants to rob our dock. Put your life on the table first before you talk. Jiu Ye is angry with them, and I am also angry with them!"

The Axe Gang members immediately responded loudly.

The rest of his fellow countrymen and colleagues were encouraged and gradually infected by the passionate emotions, and began to shout and curse.

"Right! What are you afraid of? At worst we can just fight them!"

"Fuck them! I've put up with these foremen for a long time. If they dare to yell at me again, I'll be the first to chop them into pieces!"

"I can't bear it any more. What are the 'three tycoons' of the Qing Gang? I am not afraid of those who wear shoes when I am barefoot. It's just a matter of exchanging one's life for another's!"

"Damn it, if the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company dares not to honor the contract, then we'll just smash them up!"

The man was so angry that his blood splattered three feet!
They were willing to sacrifice their lives to bring down the emperor. The people's hearts were burning with fire and their blood was boiling. How could they be satisfied with just a Jinyuan Wharf at this moment? They immediately wanted to join hands with the Axe Gang to sweep through the Shiliupu and massacre all the foremen!

The crowd and the momentum were like a rushing river with turbulent waves in the blink of an eye!
The dock workers started from Dongjiadu upstream and went downstream. Along the way, they gathered together like a sea that accepted hundreds of rivers. It was a mighty force of 1,800 people. They killed anyone who stood in their way. The other dock managers were so frightened that they threw away their weapons and fled in panic.

Not to mention the Green Gang members, even the military and police in Shanghai did not dare to open fire rashly when seeing this situation, for fear of inciting a riot.

Not only that, even the young people watching on the shore were inexplicably excited, and followed the team from a distance, cheering and waving flags!
Morality, justice, momentum, prestige, real combat achievements, as well as specious rumors - the Axe Gang has it all. Just like all other gangs at the beginning, they also represent the resistance of the grassroots and use this to win over the hearts of the people.

Seeing the crowd gradually moving away, Liu Yansheng and Li Zhengxi couldn't help but smile at each other.

At this point, the game is set - Wang Laojiu opens his own shop, and the Axe Gang becomes famous!
Lou Jingyuan was already frightened out of his wits and at a loss at this moment. He had seen the workers' rage and it had penetrated his bones.

Li Zhengxi suddenly squatted down, patted his shoulder and asked, "Did I hit your leg just now?"

"Ah?" Lou Jingyuan slumped on the ground, shaking his head desperately, "No, no..."

"Why don't you just go away, what are you waiting for?"

"Oh, okay, okay, I'll leave now. No, I'll get out now!"

"Wait!" Li Zhengxi called him, "Just now, I told you what to do in the room, do you still remember it?"

Lou Jingyuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded in realization: "I remember, I remember, the visiting card... the visiting card from Nong Dongjia..."

(End of this chapter)