Chapter 172: Continuing the Discussion

Liu Minyou loaded a lead ball into the muzzle. He felt beneath the handgun — the short ramrod had been knocked flying to who knows where. The fierce battle in the cabin still raged, the clash of blades unceasing. On the floor, a pair still grappled in close combat, crashing into tables and chairs with a chaotic din.

Liu Minyou, desperate to help, groped frantically across the floor in his urgency. The floor was littered with shards of broken bowls and dishes, slicing his hands until they streamed with blood. At last he seized a chopstick. In a mix of shock and wild hope, he jabbed it haphazardly a couple of times, then cocked the hammer.

Beside him, a cry rang out — Nie Hong. Liu Minyou shot to his feet. He saw Nie Hong clutching his chest as he collapsed. The killer facing him abandoned his opponent and turned to head toward Xu Xinsu's side, coming face-to-face with Liu Minyou. The killer's ferocious face was smeared with blood. Watching the familiar Nie Hong fall to the ground, Liu Minyou felt fury blaze through him. Instinctively, he raised his gun and aimed at the killer.

Boom. The muzzle flash of the fire lance lit the cabin in a burst of brightness. The two were very close; the white smoke from the muzzle sprayed directly onto the killer's face. At such close range, the lead ball was devastatingly powerful. The killer's head burst open like a watermelon, white brain matter splattering all over the people behind him. Only a few killers remained. Shattered by such a brutal scene, they finally could hold no longer and fled the cabin howling. Pu Zhuang drove his blade into the back of the last one and was about to pursue, but Chen Xin, having just joined Xu Xinsu to kill that killer, saw this and hurriedly called him back, telling everyone to crouch down again.

One wounded killer leaned against the cabin wall. Knowing that falling into these enemies' hands meant an even more wretched death, and before they could seize him, he let out a great cry, drove his knife hard into his own heart, tilted his head, and died.

The few killers who escaped still had some presence of mind. They propped up the leader who had been sitting at the prow the whole time and leaped back onto their own boat. The crossbowmen on that side, seeing their own men had all fled the cabin, loosed a few random arrows at it, all blocked by the thick tabletops.

The several gunshots finally drew the attention of the surrounding pleasure boats, but they could not see clearly for the moment and thought it was just more scholars brawling. One after another, they shouted for the boatmen to row over and watch the excitement.

The killers had suffered grievous losses and had their courage shattered. They swiftly made for the western bank. One pleasure boat coming to watch the excitement had no idea what was happening. A group of patrons, drunk on wine, stood at the prow shouting loudly and hurled bowls and dishes at the killers' boat. Chen Xin cursed them under his breath for courting death. Sure enough, with the twang of a crossbow, one patron was struck in the calf and collapsed on the deck, crying out in pain. The patrons froze for a moment, then scattered in a panic, scrambling at the cabin door to hide inside first. Fortunately, the killers had no intention of killing them and sped toward the western bank.

The moment they withdrew, Chen Xin groped his way over at once. He found Nie Hong. His hand touched nothing but wetness. He hurriedly called Pu Zhuang over, and the two of them carried Nie Hong to a spot near the door. He tore open Nie Hong's upper garment. Across his chest was a long, deep gash, blood welling out ceaselessly. Pu Zhuang took out his own first-aid kit and removed the boiled cotton cloth inside. Chen Xin and he each pressed a piece onto the wound. Nie Hong murmured faintly, "My lord."

Chen Xin cut him off. "Don't speak. It's just a slash."

Pu Zhuang said, "Squad leader, it's a horizontal cut. Depends how tough your fate is. If we stop the bleeding, you live. If not, you die. Good thing it wasn't a stab, or I'd have nothing to do but prepare a coffin for you."

Nie Hong nodded slightly. He had faced death many times and been on battlefields; he had seen many wounds and knew a slash still left some hope. Lying on the floor, his thoughts wandered. After a while, he could not help but whisper, "If I can't be saved, so be it. Dying following you, my lord, is no injustice. I've killed plenty in this life — more than enough to break even. Pu Zhuang, remember, when you have time, go burn a stick of incense for my dead wife. It's been years since anyone went. The place is at…"

Pu Zhuang cut him off impatiently. "I know, I know. Why all this nonsense? You won't die. I've almost got it stopped on this side."

Chen Xin also said, "It's nothing. It's almost stopped already."

Liu Minyou and Song Wenxian came over at this moment as well. Seeing the cotton cloth soaked through, the two of them hurriedly stripped off their outer robes and pressed them on top. Eight hands pressed tightly against Nie Hong's chest. Liu Minyou had by now regained his senses, but his hands kept trembling. The others all noticed and glanced at him from time to time.

Xu Xinsu was also in the cabin checking on his men. Of his eight guards, four of the six at the front door were dead; the remaining two were also wounded and were going around finishing off the killers' bodies on the floor with final thrusts. After a long moment, Xu Xinsu's voice rang out. He called toward the rear door, "Zhan Yi, are you dead or not?"

Shin'emon, covered in blood, appeared before him and said in a deep voice, "Dead."

Xu Xinsu fell silent. Without a word, he helped Zuo Changhao up. By the light from outside, he examined Zuo Changhao's wounds, saw they were not life-threatening, and felt slightly relieved.

"My lord! My lord! Was it here they fired guns?"

Hai Gouzi's shout came from the shore. Through the cabin door, Liu Minyou saw them sprinting along the riverbank with the remaining guards. The foolish monk lagged dozens of paces behind, nearly run out of breath. Pu Zhuang released his pressure on the wound, went to the prow, and roared curses. "Are you damned deaf or what? If not gunfire, then what? The lord and Nie Hong are both wounded, and you dog bastards only show up now."

Seeing Pu Zhuang covered in blood, Hai Gouzi cried out in alarm, "What's happened to the lord?" and started wading into the water. The others hurriedly pulled him back. One advised, "Brother Hai, you can't even swim."

Xu Xinsu said in a deep voice, "Those of you who can still move, bring the boat to the eastern bank. Let Lord Chen's brothers come aboard. We'll disembark again near Sanshan Street."

The boat soon reached the bank. Hai Gouzi led the men charging aboard and took up guard at every position. Only the foolish monk, after climbing up, sat down on the deck and gasped for breath. Once they arrived, everyone felt much safer. One of Xu Xinsu's guards took the tiller, and the pleasure boat continued toward Sanshan Gate.

Xu Xinsu stood and went to the stern. Chen Xin left Hai Gouzi and the others to help bandage Nie Hong, loaded his handgun, and followed to the rear door. At the stern lay six or seven bodies, all killed by Shin'emon and Zhan Yi. The two of them had held the rear door alone, displaying extraordinary valor and playing a critical role — especially Shin'emon. Even at a rough glance, Chen Xin could tell that although he was covered in blood, he had no serious wounds. To face so many desperate killers outnumbered, slay several, and yet sustain no grave injury — that was a true master. No wonder he had been Li Dan's personal bodyguard back in the day.

Xu Xinsu stood before Zhan Yi's body, silent for a long time. The foolish monk, having caught his breath, drew his blade and took the lead heading up to the second floor. Chen Xin followed behind, gun in hand, ascending to the second floor. The staircase was covered in blood. At the top of the stairs lay a killer, motionless; the blood trail ended there as well. This wounded killer had likely been unable to crawl any farther. The foolish monk, not caring whether he was dead or alive, stomped down and snapped his neck. Searching further, they found Tang Yan and the others cowering under the bed, trembling, every face drained of all color.

"Stay here. No one leaves until I permit it," Chen Xin said coldly. He did not intend to make things difficult for these people, but the assassination attempt on Xu Xinsu was highly suspicious. An assassination required tracking the target's movements, then mobilizing forces and renting boats. For these killers to find them among the many pleasure boats on the Qinhuai River, they must have had prior intelligence. Xu Xinsu had lost five men, one of them his most trusted confidant. Knowing Xu Xinsu's character, he would certainly scrutinize every possible leak. These people inside his own circle were the most suspect, and Xu Xinsu would not let them off easily. Chen Xin also felt there might be an informant among them. The killers might have learned Xu Xinsu would come to the Qinhuai River today through Zuo Changhao's appearance, so Chen Xin kept his gun trained on them the entire time.

Tang Yan was already beyond speech. Trembling, she managed, "My lord…" and could say no more.

Xu Xinsu came up right after. As Chen Xin had expected, he had no intention of letting them go. He summoned a guard and had those women stripped one by one and searched. The women dared not resist and obediently undressed. The foolish monk watched, swallowing repeatedly.

With Nie Hong gravely wounded, Chen Xin had no heart for jesting either. Zuo Changhao and Zhan Yi were both Xu Xinsu's capable aides — one dead, one wounded, along with four other guards. Just seeing how wholeheartedly Xu Xinsu aided Li Guozhu, one knew he was a man who deeply valued loyalty and bonds. His state of mind at this moment could well be imagined.

Chen Xin stole a glance at him. He saw him watching those naked women with a face of utter indifference, and wondered how he would deal with them.

Xu Xinsu left one guard behind to watch over these people, then turned and went downstairs. Chen Xin followed him to the lower deck. The lamps there were still unlit. The light from outside shone in, casting the shadow of the window lattice across Xu Xinsu's face.

Chen Xin went to check on Nie Hong. The bleeding had stopped. Pleased, he patted Nie Hong on the shoulder and offered a few words of comfort. Only then did he go to Xu Xinsu's side and say in a low voice, "Lord Xu, before we could even make a move, others have already come for us first."

Xu Xinsu gave a cold laugh. "Zheng Yiguan. This is not the first time. He attempted to assassinate me many times in Fuzhou. That man's skin is thicker than a city wall. He tries to kill me one day, and the next day, meeting at the Provincial Governor's government office, he puts on a show of concern in front of all the lords and curses the assassins."

Chen Xin inwardly agreed. If Zheng Yiguan were not that kind of person, he would not be so formidable at such a young age.

Xu Xinsu said to Shin'emon, "Sever all the heads and preserve them in salt. Take them back to Fujian and dump them at the gate of Zheng Yiguan's official residence."

Then he said to Chen Xin, "Brother Chen, your tiger-like might and your men's valor are worthy of the finest troops under heaven. Had it not been for you today, your elder brother here might well have met his end in this place."

Chen Xin hurriedly said, "If Lord Xu had not entertained me, your whereabouts would never have been exposed, costing you so many brothers. I truly cannot bear the guilt."

Xu Xinsu shook his head. "Brother Chen, you must not think that way. If not here, it would have been somewhere else. Since they followed us, they were certain to strike in Nanjing. Instead, with your help today, their odds of success were the lowest. Otherwise, the consequences would be hard to predict. Zheng Yiguan came prepared. There must be an inside agent among my people."

Chen Xin's eyes shifted toward the guards at the stern. Xu Xinsu said, "Not them. These men are all my trusted confidants; they would never be bought, nor did they have the opportunity to pass information. Just now, my first suspicion was a spy among those maidservants. Only now do I recall — there was another guard who claimed illness today and did not come along. If I am not mistaken, he heard the man Zuo Changhao sent mention the pleasure boat at the Yumian Pavilion, and after I left, he notified Zheng Yiguan's people. By now, he should have already fled."

Chen Xin nodded. Zheng Yiguan had no way of knowing which pleasure house Xu Xinsu would visit, nor the ability to plant informants in every riverfront establishment. That guard was indeed the most suspect.

Xu Xinsu said evenly, "Let us continue discussing the matter of the money shop."

"Very well — ah?" Chen Xin looked over, somewhat startled. Xu Xinsu smiled calmly. "It has been many years since I last fought personally. Just now, watching these lads fall wounded and dead stirred some old feelings. I must ask Lord Chen to pardon the display."

Chen Xin hurriedly cupped his hands in salute. He would never dare laugh at this old sea rover; on the contrary, he felt even more admiration. He gathered his thoughts, and the two of them resumed their business discussion right there in the corpse-strewn, blood-reeking cabin.

Chen Xin began, "Regarding the money shop business, in the north, I mainly deal in counterfeit copper coins. Now I wish to open a couple of shops myself and establish exchange with Brother Xu's southern money shops. At present, my capital is small and my strength weak, and this is my first time dealing with Brother Xu. I dare not propose too much, so let us set a limit of fifty thousand taels of silver per year. I would also like to ask Brother Xu to help me purchase some copper."

Xu Xinsu waved his hand. "What I value is the man. Though this is our first dealing, I trust you. All my goods in the north I entrust to you for procurement. Whatever southern goods you need, I will supply. Settling through the money shop is also the simplest method. Let the limit be set at two hundred thousand taels. As for the specifics, tomorrow let Zuo Changhao discuss them with your men. As for copper, the south is also short, but since I have acknowledged you as a brother, I will do my utmost to procure it for you."

Chen Xin was overjoyed. As long as Xu Xinsu agreed to the exchange, he could share access to the southern money shop network through this partnership — something that could never be built overnight. In the future, the counterfeit coins he made could be distributed through these very networks, capturing a greater share of the end profits.

Chen Xin had originally thought Xu Xinsu would not trust him too much, so he had proposed a fifty-thousand-tael limit. Instead, Xu Xinsu, without even asking how much capital he actually had, set an even higher figure. Now, in his heart, he could not help but feel some gratitude toward those assassins. This Xu Xinsu was deep-pocketed and highly loyal to his friends — a man well worth befriending.

Chen Xin hurriedly went to Liu Minyou to retrieve the short gun. Holding it in both hands, he presented it to Xu Xinsu, saying, "Today, I owe much to having brought this short gun. By luck, I killed a few men. I gift this fire lance to Brother Xu for self-defense. Please, Brother Xu, take good care of yourself. If you need more, I will send men to deliver them to Fuzhou. Zheng Yiguan is the enemy of Brother Xu and Young Master Li, and thus he is also my enemy, Chen Xin's. Once I return, I will select and train men as quickly as possible. The three of us, joining hands, will surely take that shameless wretch's dog life."

Xu Xinsu reached out and accepted it. Turning it over in his hands, he examined it and smiled. "A fine weapon indeed. I have seen flintlock guns before, but they were all long guns from the Guangdong region. Making one into a short gun like this — I had never considered it. I will not stand on ceremony with you, Brother Chen. My thanks."

Chen Xin looked at the corpses all over the floor and asked him, "Elder Brother, with so many dead, how should we handle this? The madam of the Yumian Pavilion knows you were on the boat."

"I will handle this matter. I, too, wish to avoid trouble. The Nanjing military command has acquaintances of mine. Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to warn that Li Lihua. She would not dare say anything."

As they spoke, they had already reached the vicinity of Sanshan Street and moored beside a courtyard facing the river. Shin'emon leaped ashore first and vaulted over the wall like a spirit cat. Chen Xin knew this was one of Xu Xinsu's hidden safe houses. Since an internal traitor had been exposed, he would certainly not return to his original lodgings.

A moment later, Shin'emon returned and nodded to them. The group escorted those women off the boat. Several guards worked together to drag the pleasure boat under the weeping willows to conceal it, then carried the bodies inside that small courtyard.