Chapter 273

Ding Li immediately clasped fists and said: "Two elder brothers, that's thinking highly of me. Rest assured, as long as you can use me,

I will do my utmost."

Just then Shi Yong and Xiao Long returned after buying surveillance equipment,

Shi Yong saw Ding Li and called out: "Ding Li brother, come over."

"Ah, Yong brother, you're here too. Today I consider myself fortunate to meet an important person." Ding Li said happily.

Shi Yong laughed,

"Ding Li, have you joined?"

I said: "What does 'joining' mean? That sounds awful, like we're bandits. We should join the organization."

Shi Yong said: "Brother, actually I feel we are like the Liangshan heroes, eliminating violence and preserving peace, acting for heaven."

"It should be big bowls of wine, big chunks of meat. Brothers, it's almost noon; I'll host a meal for a few brothers today, also to express my feelings." Ding Li said.

"How can I let you treat? Xiao Long, go to the restaurant outside and order a few dishes, have them delivered. Today we'll properly drink with Ding Li brother." I said.

Xiao Long hurried to the outside restaurant and ordered a few dishes,

The restaurant quickly delivered them.

So we sat by the stove and began drinking.

Shangguan Zhuren then held up his cup and said: "The wine is good, some words are unpleasant but I must say. Today Ding Li wants to work together with us, which is good; we now have another brother,

working together is easy, quitting is hard, because what we do, well, are things we don't want people to know. Ding Li brother, still that saying, I must remind you.

Think it over again."

Ding Li said: "Shangguan elder brother, just watch my actions. No more words, I'll first drink as a sign of respect."

Ding Li gulped down the wine in the cup.

I said: "Ding Li, what's the situation of the underworld in Zaocheng these days? Briefly tell us. We'd like to know.

In case something happens, we wouldn't be able to respond."

Ding Li then poured a full glass and said: "The old city district of Zaocheng used to be Mao Hai's territory; in the underworld, mentioning Mao Hai commands three parts of respect, but Mao Hai brother went to Xin Cheng to develop. Thus the old city district of Zaocheng became empty.

Ma San came out of prison and proclaimed himself the new boss of the old city district, but the big figures don't acknowledge him, because Ma San is too profit-driven and lacks righteousness.

I have a grudge against Ma San, because we fought over the stalls on Linshan Road, and I once fought with his lackey Blackskin.

Ma San and I have remained at odds,

Ma San hangs around the old city train station area,

we have had no contact between us.

This is the current situation of the underworld in Zaocheng's old city."

After hearing Ding Li finish speaking, I almost laughed out loud,

"Ma San, still alive? Shi Yong, do you still remember Ma San?"

Shi Yong said: "Of course I remember; back then we lived in his Changchun Guesthouse. Later this guy became unrighteous, siding with Bai Lang and opposing us.

But, brother, you also got him thrown into jail."

"Yeah, this guy, even when he opened a guesthouse in Shanghu he schemed against us, too money‑obsessed. Ding Li, has he ever mentioned us in front of you?" I asked.

Ding Li said: "Zhao brother, what is Ma San anyway, how could he dare mention you? I don't have deep dealings with him either."

"Ma San is over fifty, huh. Hmph, if it weren't for the Li Ming matter on my hands, I might really go meet Ma San. It's been over ten years since we last saw him. He's always wanted to be the boss of Zaocheng, and now he's basically gotten his wish. Forget it, no more talk of him—looks like Ding Li brother, you can hold up half the sky in Zaocheng's old city." I said to Ding Li.

"Zhao brother, I'll make a toast; I Ding Li am just a minor player. Compared to you elder brothers, my experience is truly shallow. In this law‑based society, nobody dares to be the boss, otherwise any trouble will come looking for you." Ding Li said hurriedly.

Looking at this Ding Li, I thought in my heart, this kid is quite articulate.

I also raised my wine cup and clinked it with Ding Li's,

took a big gulp,

"Ding Li brother, the matter of where exactly Li Ming brother is detained is entrusted to you to handle. We are currently not in a position to show ourselves.

I hope you can quickly find out his exact place of detention so we can rescue him."

Ding Li said: "When I go back I'll arrange people to check all the hotels and guesthouses in Zaocheng. Any place with people, I'll investigate, to see what that Li Ming, Director Li, is like. I have a good sense of it."

I said to Xiao Long: "Xiao Long, do you have your father's photo on your phone?"

Xiao Long said: "Grandpa, I do."

Xiao Long opened his phone and showed Li Ming's photo to Ding Li.

Ding Li nodded,

"Send this photo over via WeChat; I'll keep it so I can show it to others."

Xiao Long said: "I'll add you on WeChat."

Then Xiao Long sent the photo to Ding Li.

Shangguan Zhuren said: "Besides hotels and guesthouses, there are also warehouses and government units to investigate. Especially I heard that a few years ago Kong Shi, on Wenhua Road in the old city, built an elderly care center. It's quite large, housing many retired government staff.

This place also needs to be checked."

Ding Li said: "Shangguan elder brother, rest assured; as long as Elder Brother Li Ming is detained in Zaocheng's old city, I Ding Li will definitely find him out.

I have no other talents, but I can still gather information."

I said: "Ding Li, once you find any suspicious information, don't act rashly, lest you startle the snake.

You need to immediately report to us.

The specific actions, we will carry out."

Ding Li said: "Okay, Zhao brother, I know; all actions follow orders, I am not a reckless person."

I am increasingly fond of Ding Li.

I quickly raised my cup again and clinked it with Ding Li's.

After finishing the wine and meal, Ding Li left.

Xiao Long and Shi Yong started installing surveillance together.

This surveillance has been installed at the entrance to Chengzhongcun.

We will know immediately if there is any disturbance.

Shangguan Zhuren told me, "Besides installing surveillance, we also need to work out a way to move quickly; if anything happens, we can promptly relocate."

I said, "Shangguan Zhuren, what sort of people are the neighbors all around you? We could rent a few houses nearby, anyway we have money now."

Shangguan Zhuren said, "I'm not familiar with the people around here."

Alright, we'll ask when we have time; this can be arranged. We'll rent houses as backup.

If anything happens, we can quickly move elsewhere.

"Just in case. We must be careful everywhere." I said.

So I and Shangguan Zhuren walked out of the alley,

Then we went to the vicinity of Shangguan Zhuren's home to check the situation and ask if we could rent houses.

Actually, as long as the price is right, nobody wants to live here.

In one afternoon we rented two more houses, all neighbors of Shangguan Zhuren.

These houses are all self-built homes in Chengzhongcun,

Basically they were built for demolition.

The houses are large and fully covered, with nobody living inside.

We have many people, so crowding together would be inconvenient.

From now on, I and Shi Yong will live outside. Let Xiao Long, Shangguan Zhuren, Xiao Fang, and Shen Honghong live together.