Chapter 51: Street Toughs

Deng Keshan swaggered down the street with two idlers in tow. This month he had sold quite a few garments, taking a cut from both the brothels and the old women hawkers. On top of that, he had personally sold over a hundred pieces to traveling merchants at the docks, bringing his income to more than a hundred taels. In the past, running honey traps could also bring in money, but too many shares had to be split off, and it was very unstable — sometimes he couldn't pull off a single job in a month. So he was quite satisfied with the current situation.

"Brother Deng, it's been too long. How have you been?"

Deng Keshan looked up and saw it was Chen Xin. He broke into a smile, came over bowing and clasping his hands. "Brother Chen, why didn't you send word you were back? I was out last night and only learned of your return today. This evening, I'll play host — Brother Chen, you must do me the honor. You two, hurry up and greet Boss Chen."

The two idlers behind him hurried over and poured out a stream of flattery. Both were crooked and ugly, clearly no good at first glance. Chen Xin smiled and returned each courtesy, then said to Deng Keshan, "Brother Deng, I appreciate your kind intentions, but these past few days my proprietor's funeral rites are underway — it's truly not fitting for banquets. After some time has passed, allow me to invite Brother Deng instead. What do you say?"

Deng Keshan said, "Brother Chen, if you ask me, you should quit this bookkeeper post. Look how good business is at your clothing shop. Brother Liu always says that if you were there, it could more than double. You'd be better off coming back to the shop."

"That can be discussed slowly later on. The proprietor has just passed away; his family is in the thick of hardship. If I left now, it would look bad on a personal level. Besides, I'm still overseeing the proprietor's funeral arrangements."

Deng Keshan spent his days around Liu Minyou and the others, and from listening to them, they couldn't speak without mentioning how capable Chen Xin was. He knew this man was the real big boss, so of course he had every reason to flatter. Hearing this, he quickly asked, "Brother Chen, what do you need done? I know Tianjin city inside and out — it'll always be easier to get things done."

Chen Xin thought it over and realized it was true — he really had no idea where to find a burial plot. So he said to Deng Keshan, "There is one matter I was hoping to trouble Brother Deng with. Do you know where one can find a burial plot and a coffin? The coffin must be of the best quality, and also monks and Daoists to perform the rites."

Deng Keshan's eyes darted about wildly. "Brother Chen, there are shops that specialize in coffins. The best boards are the sandalwood planks from Sichuan. As for monks and Daoists, they're the ones wandering the streets carrying their signboards. And for the burial plot — I'll go figure something out right now. As it happens, there's a matter today that can be settled through this person."

Chen Xin was a bit puzzled. "The burial plot can be settled through whom?"

Deng Keshan had dealt with Chen Xin a few times and knew he wasn't as rigidly scrupulous as Liu Minyou. He lowered his voice and said, "I was just about to deal with an old woman hawker. That dog-fucking wretch was selling skirts for three taels apiece a while back, and now she's getting stock from another clothing shop. If I don't deal with her, how am I supposed to swallow this anger?"

Chen Xin glanced at the two men behind him. Something jutted out from their sleeves — clearly they carried knives or clubs. These local thugs couldn't match the street fighters in brawling and killing, but they were decent enough for handling commercial disputes. He asked Deng Keshan, "So what does dealing with her have to do with the burial plot?"

"Brother Chen, you don't know. That old woman has a plot of land herself, just outside the southeast of the city. We can carve out a piece for the burial plot. It's even beside the road, so paying respects will be closer too."

Chen Xin's expression cleared. "Then I'll trouble Brother Deng with this. Do you need my help?"

"Brother Chen, if you're free, come along with me. Originally I was also going to deal with that clothing shop today, but since Brother Chen has business, after we've dealt with this old woman, we'll first help you buy the boards."

Chen Xin was one who enjoyed excitement. Since the matter now had a lead, he figured he might as well go see. He agreed on the spot and set off with Deng Keshan toward Shufang Street by the city wall. Along the way, Deng Keshan reported his recent sales insights to Chen Xin. Chen Xin knew that the bulk of the sales came from this hardened rascal — he was a talent in his own way.

"Brother Deng, you mentioned you still have to deal with a clothing shop. May I ask how that shop offended you?"

"That clothing shop is utterly detestable. Seeing how well our Orchid Clothing Shop is doing, they went and bought a piece from that old woman too. Now they're copying our style, making dresses and clothes racks just like ours, and their price is two mace lower than ours. Tell me, isn't that detestable?"...

Chen Xin nodded. "Truly detestable. So how does Brother Deng plan to deal with them?"

Deng Keshan wore a face full of sly malice. "That shop is called Dong's Clothing Shop. They also use old women to sell. I'll have those old women place an order for several dozen pieces. When the time comes, they'll just say they couldn't sell them, and he'll take a dead loss. Then I'll send people to his shop every day to raise a ruckus. Let's see how he runs his business then."

"And what if he manages to sell them himself?"

"If he really can sell them, then tonight I'll torch his shop with a fire. Let's see him run it then."

"Brother Deng's insight is profound."

The two talked as they walked and arrived at Shufang Street. This street was lined with print shops and stores selling brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Deng Keshan walked to the mouth of an alley, called over an idler, and muttered a few words. The idler, with the shifty look of a rat, slipped inside. A moment later he came out and said, "Old Woman Tian is still home. I heard them eating."

Deng Keshan led the way into the alley. It was not wide, with about twenty courtyards inside. Deng Keshan went straight to one courtyard gate. Without a word, he strode up imposingly and kicked the door with force. The door panel gave slightly inward, and the bar inside snapped with a crack, bouncing Deng Keshan back. He stumbled backward several steps before steadying himself and said awkwardly, "This door frame is tough. You two, have at it."

At that moment, a panicked voice came from inside. "Who is it? Who's kicking the door like that?"

One of the idlers beside him also gave a kick and was likewise bounced back. These fellows idled about all day; in fights and brawls they relied on numbers to bolster their courage. Though they had a certain vicious streak, their strength was truly lacking.

Chen Xin saw that the group was about to lose their momentum. Not caring anymore, he took a running start, charged forward, and kicked with violent force. This time the door bar couldn't hold — with a snap it broke into two pieces. The main gate flew open and slammed against the wall with a bang. Only then did Deng Keshan swagger in, shaking his head.

"Old Woman Tian, cooking so much food — you must have known I, Deng the Second, was coming."

Old Woman Tian was in the middle of eating and had already been startled by the kicking. Now, seeing Deng Keshan and his men enter, she knew things were about to go badly. She stood up and ran toward the inner room. Deng Keshan caught up in two steps and kicked at her feet. Old Woman Tian cried out and fell onto the stone steps. Her old man was also in the courtyard. One of the idlers drew a short knife and pointed it at him; the old man was so terrified he didn't dare move. The other idler closed the main gate and took a club from his sleeve, standing guard.

"Brother Deng." Old Woman Tian had no way to escape. Lying on the ground, her face creased into a mass of wrinkles, she said, "Since you've come, why didn't you send word ahead? I would have prepared a feast to receive you."

Deng Keshan gave a cold laugh. "Old Woman Tian, please don't stand on ceremony. I've come only to say a few words and will leave once I'm done. I wouldn't dare put you to any trouble." As he spoke, he tried to lift Old Woman Tian up, but she was quite fat. Deng Keshan pulled and she didn't budge an inch.

Chen Xin watched, secretly amused. He went over and grabbed Old Woman Tian, yanking her up in one motion, and said fiercely, "You old woman, making my Brother Deng do it himself." Deng Keshan pointed at the old man and said, "If you don't want to die, crawl into the house. Come out and I'll beat you to death."

The old man scrambled and crawled into the house. The idler with the knife shut the door. Only then did Deng Keshan smile at Old Woman Tian and say, "Old Woman Tian, I hear you've found another clothing shop. I wonder how business is."

"Brother Deng — no, Brother Deng — that clothing shop did approach me, but I didn't agree, did I? I don't know who's been wagging their tongue to you. If I ever find out, I'll surely..."

Deng Keshan's face changed. He slapped her across the face. Old Woman Tian cried out and fell to the ground. "You'll surely what?" Deng Keshan kicked her in the stomach again. "You bitch, do you take me, Deng the Second, for some lady or young miss you can fool?"

"Aiya, it hurts! Master Deng, stop kicking! These old bones can't take many more blows from you." Old Woman Tian's nose was bleeding. She lay on the ground wailing continuously. Deng Keshan kicked her twice more before stopping. He asked again, "Old Woman Tian, I hear you've found another clothing shop. I wonder how business is."...

Deng Keshan asked the exact same question. This time Old Woman Tian didn't dare spout nonsense. She hurriedly said, "Brother Deng the Second, look, I was blinded by greed. It was all that clothing shop boss insisting I do it. He said I'd earn a few more mace of silver per piece, so I agreed. This isn't my fault — it's all that Dong's Clothing Shop boss's fault for being so bad. Wuwuwu!"

Old Woman Tian wiped away crocodile tears. Deng Keshan, without a shred of pity, said, "The Dong's Clothing Shop boss is certainly bad, but you're no good thing either."

"Brother Deng the Second, I was momentarily muddled, but my nature is good. From today onward, I swear I will never again sell skirts for his Dong's Clothing Shop. If I do, may I die a wretched death. Brother Deng the Second, surely this is enough."

"Enough? You, Old Woman Tian, took stock from me at one tael six mace per piece and sold it for three taels per piece. You bitch, I only earned three mace, and you wanted to earn one tael four. What do you take me for?"

Old Woman Tian lifted her head, about to deny it again. Deng Keshan glared at her, and she shrank back, mumbling, "Brother Deng the Second, you know everything. This extra one tael two mace — how about I split it evenly with you?"

"Split your mother! I, your father, may be greedy for silver, but what I've promised others I cannot renege on. I agreed with Brother Liu of the clothing shop on one tael eight mace, and I told you the same. You insisted on pulling tricks. If others didn't know better, they'd think I took a cut. You old woman have always been the worst sort. If not for your age, I'd sell you to a whorehouse just to vent my hatred."

"Brother Deng the Second, the extra silver from the sales is all in the house. I'll go get it right now."

Old Woman Tian hurried into the inner room, brought out the silver, and eagerly placed it in Deng Keshan's hands. Deng Keshan weighed it and said, "At least you know what's good for you. But this isn't over. You still have to do something for me."

"Second Master, just give your orders. Whatever I can do, even if it's whoring, I'll do it."

"Who would want you in a whorehouse? Go to that Dong's Clothing Shop and order twenty skirts. Say someone is in a hurry for them, and the deposit will only be given once the skirts are seen."

Old Woman Tian knew at once what Deng Keshan was up to. With a face full of reluctance, she said, "Brother Deng, this is a swindling scheme. I, Old Woman Tian, have never done such a thing. How about we just forget this?"

Deng Keshan smiled slyly and said in a low voice, "So you've never done such a scheme. Then I wonder who arranged the illicit affair between the Yang family's Third Wife and the boss of the lacquerware shop in Wanghai Ward? Who sold the abortion medicine to Squire Xu's second daughter? And also..."

Old Woman Tian cut him off with a righteous expression. "Brother Deng the Second, that Dong's Clothing Shop is truly detestable. I'll go right now and order twenty pieces. When they're ready, the merchant will surely have left — you can't blame me for that."

"Now that's more like it." Deng Keshan, having said this, separated out a portion of the silver in his hand and handed it to Old Woman Tian. She took it with a face full of delighted surprise. "Old Woman Tian, you're still quite good at selling things. A moment of muddle-headedness is hard to avoid. Just don't do it again and it's fine. Take some of this silver back. Also, that plot of land you have outside the East Gate — I need to divide off a piece for someone's burial plot. What do you say, Old Woman Tian?"

Chen Xin stood to the side, smiling slightly, watching Deng Keshan deal with the old woman hawker. He now felt even more that Deng Keshan was a talent. A beating followed by a sweet — this way, Old Woman Tian would still be willing to sell clothes for him, and along the way, the Dong's Clothing Shop and the burial plot were both settled. What he admired most was Deng Keshan's unscrupulous approach for commercial gain. This was exactly what the era demanded. If Liu Minyou had handled it, he would never have achieved this result.

"Done. Isn't it just a burial plot? If Brother Deng the Second wants it, just use it. Look at you, being so polite as to give silver — take it back, quickly. I will never dare deceive Brother Deng again and will certainly help Brother Deng sell clothes properly." As Old Woman Tian spoke, she tucked the silver into her bosom while feigning politeness. The blood from her nose had been smeared into a mess, and her smile now was quite comical.

"Alright then, this matter is settled. Old Woman Tian, you all continue your meal. I won't disturb you further." Deng Keshan backed out with a smile all the way. The group walked out of the alley. Deng Keshan tossed five mace of silver to each of the two idlers. The two men accepted it with profuse thanks.

Deng Keshan then held out the remaining silver before Chen Xin and said, "Brother Chen, this is what the old woman hawker overcharged. I'm handing it all over to you."

Chen Xin smiled faintly and said, "Brother Deng handled this matter well. It will most likely crush that Dong's Clothing Shop. Consider it a bonus for Brother Deng."

"Bonus?" Deng Keshan was slightly taken aback. This was over ten taels of silver in his hand, yet Chen Xin looked completely indifferent. He caught on a moment later, thanked him, and put the silver away.

"Brother Chen, then let's go buy the coffin. Only — have you brought enough silver?"

"Enough. I've brought a full thirty taels."

"Ah, Brother Chen, a Sichuan sandalwood coffin won't go for less than eighty taels."

"Ah! So expensive..."