Chapter 8: Joining the Gang

The gang is called the Red Head Gang, the number one major gang in Jiangning City, primarily controlling the Inner City and parts of the Outer City. Other small gangs in the Outer City have to pay tribute in Silver just to get the scraps. Of course, the reason the Red Head Gang can grow big and strong, besides having backing, is that they also pay off the officials every month to keep them turning a blind eye.

Among the gang's income, protection fees from street-front shops and small vendors are only a small portion; the more generous big brothers let their subordinates split that among themselves. The real bulk of the profit comes from the Red Head Gang's near-monopoly on high-profit industries in Jiangning City like brothels, taverns, and Gambling Dens. Furthermore, to prevent malicious competition between the various halls under their command, they have established regional protection, which opened Ruan Xing's eyes and made her marvel at their advanced way of thinking.

Yet, despite such imposing influence, Qiye is actually just a Guan of one of the more than thirty halls the Red Head Gang has in Jiangning City. The hall he is responsible for manages an area of five streets, which sounds a bit incongruous, like a neighborhood office, instantly lowering the prestige of it all.

However, Hu San soon told her that although these thirty-plus Guans are ostensibly equal in status, their actual value differs; there are nuances regarding which area is more lucrative and which area is larger. Qiye is among the top few who can speak directly to the Gang Leader, and not only is the area he manages in the Inner City, but he also has over two hundred brothers under his command, making his the most populous and powerful of the many halls.

Ruan Xing thought about it and realized it made sense; the Weaving Workshop where Ruan Mu works is a state-run enterprise, and the products made by the top embroiderers there are tributes sent to the palace. That such a state-run enterprise is within Qiye's jurisdiction shows his capability.

"Even if I didn't tell you these things, you would naturally come to know them after staying in the gang for a long time."

"I still have to thank Brother Hu for giving me the inside scoop in advance. Please look after your little sister in the future, Brother Hu." Ruan Xing said, slipping a few coins of Silver to him quietly.

By Ruan Xing's estimation, the purchasing power of one coin is equivalent to one yuan in the modern era, but in this era of low productivity, most ordinary people can only earn four or five hundred coins a month, barely enough for food and clothing. If not for Ruan Mu earning so much, they wouldn't be able to withstand Ruan Fu's squandering.

A few coins seem like a small amount, but they could buy half a liang of wine or a bowl of noodle soup with minced meat on the street. This man was guarding the Gambling Den yesterday, so he shouldn't be the type to look down on this small money. Most importantly, she was expressing to Hu San the message that if he helps her, there will be a reward.

Who would have thought that Hu San would take one look and refuse, "A child shouldn't pick up these habits."

After a few seconds of silence, he revealed another piece of information, "You are different from us. I can't help you with anything. If you have good fortune, we won't even see each other in the future."

What does that mean? Ruan Xing was stunned for a moment. Hu San's division of labor in the hall is guarding the casino, so he must know some martial arts; the thick muscles on his body prove this. And if Qiye wants her, it is because he took a fancy to her talent for Gambling. If she learns Gambling, how could she not deal with him in the casino?

"Brother Hu, why do you say that? Didn't Qiye take a fancy to my talent and let me learn Gambling?" Ruan Xing was puzzled. The Simulator also clearly told her that she was going to learn Gambling.

Hu San seemed to know something, but he didn't want to answer. Unable to withstand Ruan Xing's persistent questioning, he answered dryly, "Qiye believes in fortune."

Having said that, he refused to pay her any more mind. Ruan Xing wanted to run a Simulation to see the result, but it wasn't convenient on the road, so she had to continue following Hu San until he stopped.

"We're here."

Before her was a private residence, though it was much larger than the bluestone courtyard of the Ruan family. The main gate alone was three meters wide, painted with dark red lacquer. If there were two stone lions placed at the entrance, people would believe it if one said it was the residence of the Jiangning City prefect.

It's just that there were no stone lions; only a pair of lanterns hung in front of the door, with the large character 'Red' written on them.

This is the territory of the Red Head Gang, and also Qiye's hall.

Hu San knocked on the door, and someone opened it. Seeing the two of them, the person called out "Brother Hu" and let them in. "Qiye is currently auditing the accounts. You'll see him later. I'll take you to meet people first, the master who will teach you Gambling in the future."

The two bypassed the screen wall and walked through the corridor of the side gate, arriving at two rows of low houses at the back of the residence. There were a few large willow trees planted in the open space, with stone tables and stools under the trees, and an old man lying on a bamboo chair enjoying the cool air.

The old man had his eyes closed and was waving a cattail fan, looking quite comfortable. Hu San walked over and patted him, "Shi Shifu, the person has been delivered!"

"I know, I'm not hard of hearing. Go on, go on." The old man unhappily tapped the armrest of the bamboo chair with his fan to shoo him away. After Hu San left, he coughed and beckoned to Ruan Xing, "Come here, girl, come over. Look at the things on this table, do you recognize them?"

Ruan Xing then turned her attention to the table and saw three white porcelain bowls, each with a round egg inside. She immediately understood; this is a means for street performers to make money, and it also touches upon Gambling. The introductory Gambling she learned from the Simulator also contained content regarding this.

"I recognize it, this is called Three Immortals Return to Cave."

"Good, then I will test your eyesight first." Shi Shifu put down the fan and sat up straight. His old hands, full of gullies, were exceptionally agile. He turned all three white porcelain bowls upside down, placed the three eggs under one of the bowls, and moved them back and forth, making one's eyes dazzle.

While his hands were busy, he didn't forget to explain, "Gambling is actually just Cheating. If you want to cheat without being seen, the most basic thing is that your hands must be fast. Although this Three Immortals Return to Cave can't be brought to the table in a Gambling Den, if you set up a stall on a busy street, you can attract many onlookers to place bets. Even if you only learn this introductory craft, you can support yourself and not worry about food and drink in the future. As long as you practice diligently until your eyes can't keep up with your hands, then you can be considered to have entered the door."

As his voice trailed off, the three bowls also stopped.

"Guess, which bowl is the egg in?"

Ruan Xing had already entered the door in the Simulator, so her eyesight was naturally different from before. Shi Shifu didn't intend to make things difficult for her with those fancy tricks, so she easily saw it and pointed to the middle bowl, "This one."

The bowl was lifted, and sure enough, the three eggs were lying there quietly. Shi Shifu nodded with some satisfaction, then asked, "Then do you remember what I said while I was demonstrating for you just now?"

"I remember." Ruan Xing nodded, paused, and added, "Your intention in speaking was not only to teach me but also to guide me into being distracted."

Originally, the persona she displayed in front of Qiye was that of a bold, careful, calm, and clever person, so she wasn't afraid of showing a bit more now.

Shi Shifu was surprised, "Not bad, for someone of your young age to be able to think of this level, you are indeed both intelligent and have good fortune. Good, very good! This time it is definitely stable!"

He laughed out loud.

Ruan Xing didn't understand the meaning of his last sentence and was just about to ask when someone suddenly interrupted.

(End of this chapter)