Chapter 317: Standing Post

The spring wind, carrying the *you shi* sunset, brushed against his face. Chen Ji leaned on the railing on the second floor of the *jiu lou*, quietly watching Pao Ge raise his fists high in the crowd without even pausing for breath.

For some reason, Chen Ji felt a sense of joy in his heart. When he saw Pao Ge, the spring wind seemed to carry the scent of his hometown, and it was always better to see an old acquaintance win than a stranger.

At that moment, outside the *jiao chang*, the *ba gun* from He Ji exchanged bewildered glances.

They couldn't understand how one of their own had been subdued with a simple chokehold, losing consciousness in just a few breaths.

From Fu Rui Xiang's side, someone pointed at the hand on the ground and mockingly said to He Ji:"Tian Sheng, your He Ji's Li Pa Pi calls himself the 'Zheng Fu Great General,' but we've never seen a great general lying on the ground."

Another voice chimed in:"Tian Jiang, you're flat on the ground—get up! It's two wins out of three, so let's have another round."

Then laughter erupted:"Ha ha ha ha, what a joke of a great general. No need for the rest of the matches."

The *ba gun* from He Ji, furious, suddenly drew their *da tou* and *tie chi* from their waists:"You bastards, forget how we've been beating you down for years?"

The *ba gun* from Fu Rui Xiang weren't backing down either, drawing their own weapons and stepping forward:"A true hero doesn't boast about past glory. Your He Ji pulls too many dirty tricks; the *jiang hu* folks all shun you."

The two sides were on the verge of clashing, swords drawn and tempers flaring, as the He Ji and Fu Rui Xiang *ba gun* closed in on each other, spitting insults.

Not far away, customers from the Shi Ji *bao du* shop stepped out with their bowls, eating while watching the spectacle. A vendor selling *zheng gao* hurried over with his shoulder pole, only to have one of his *cao xie* stepped on and lost.

Meanwhile, some troublemaking common folk and artisans, abandoning their own businesses, beat drums from a distance as if two armies were facing off.

On the *jiu lou*, a waiter approached Chen Ji and asked:"Sir, what tea would you like?"

Chen Ji replied without turning around:"I don't drink tea; I'm just here to watch the excitement."

The waiter smiled and said:"Sir, you're standing in the best spot in our *jiu lou*. If you're not having tea, please make way."

Chen Ji turned to him:"How much for a pot of tea and a dish of *gua zi*?"

The waiter, with a white *pa* draped over his shoulder, answered with a smile:"Six hundred *wen*."

Chen Ji furrowed his brows:"Why not just rob people? Six hundred *wen* could buy ten chickens."

The waiter raised an eyebrow:"Sir, that's being petty. This railing spot is prime for watching, so why should you get it for free without tea?"

Before he could finish, a voice from nearby laughed and asked:"Little brother, which side are you rooting for?"

Chen Ji looked over and saw a young man, about twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, seated at a *ba xian* table. Beside him stood a sturdy man holding a knife, making the young man look quite distinguished.

After a moment's thought, Chen Ji answered:"Fu Rui Xiang!"

The young man laughed:"Then we're friends! Waiter, bring this little brother a pot of Longjing tea and four kinds of dim sum. Put it on my tab."

Chen Ji didn't refuse, cupping his hands from across the tables:"Thank you!"

The young man turned back to the scene below:"Fu Rui Xiang has been under He Ji's thumb for years, and now they've finally turned the tables! Just the 'ping an money' from Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong* alone brings in over a thousand *taels* of silver a month. Even though He Ji lost the match, they won't let it go easily."

Chen Ji's heart stirred at the thought: Outer city's business is that lucrative?

He turned his attention back. Pao Ge was quick on his feet, already stepping back from the field, with the stocky Er Dao helping him into a black *duan zha*.

The two—one tall, one short—stayed on the outskirts, watching the chaos. Chen Ji thought silently: Last time, as soon as I got close, he bolted. If I show up rashly now, he'll probably run again.

What to do?

As he pondered, the argument at the Tian Qiao edge escalated, with hundreds of *ba gun* packed together, on the brink of a full brawl.

The elderly host, Qi Gong, cleared his throat, and the groups from He Ji and Fu Rui Xiang suddenly parted.

A man from Fu Rui Xiang in the center cupped his fists and said:"Qi Gong, as per our agreement, the ping an money from Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong* now goes to Fu Rui Xiang."

Qi Gong nodded:"That's right."

He added:"But no involving *xing guan*. Anyone who brings in *xing guan* gets three knives and six holes."

Then:"Qi Gong, please confirm if this person is *xing guan*!"

Qi Gong shook his head:"You can tell if someone's *xing guan* by their moves. This Pao Ge is an outsider come to the capital to roam the *jiang hu*, and his *jiao shu* is truly masterful—he won fair and square."

With that, the skinny Qi Gong declared loudly:"Today, I've been asked by Fu Rui Xiang's Zhu Guan and He Ji's master to oversee fairness on behalf of San Shan Hui! Since Fu Rui Xiang won, from tonight, the ping an money from Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong* will be collected by Fu Rui Xiang."

Cheers erupted from Fu Rui Xiang's side. The middle-aged Zhu Guan scanned the crowd for Pao Ge:"Pao Zi, come here."

Pao Ge, now dressed and buttoned up, cupped his fists:"Boss!"

Zhu Guan smiled:"I promised you—if you take Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong*, the ping an money there is yours to collect. Seven parts go back to the hall, and the remaining three parts are for you to reward your brothers."

Pao Ge replied steadily:"Thank you, boss!"

On the *jiu lou*, the young man sighed:"This Pao Ge is as steady as an old *jiang hu* hand, but he's still an outsider in the end." His guard muttered:"Young master, the money from Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong* is hot to handle."

The young man chuckled:"Of course it is! He Ji has controlled the eight great *hu tong* for seven years. Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong* might be one of the lower ones, not as fancy as Bai Shun *Hu Tong*, but its ping an money is still more than from Yan Zhi *Hu Tong*, You Tou *Hu Tong*, or Shan Zhou Lane… He Ji won't just give up that fat piece because of one loss. But it's got nothing to do with Pao Ge—he won't last the night."

The guard said quietly:"Young master, should I go recruit this Pao Ge and protect him?"

The young man shook his head:"No need. We shouldn't get involved—if word gets out, I'll be swamped with impeachment memorials."

At that point, Chen Ji couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked the young man:"May I ask, why won't Pao Ge last the night?"

The young man, who was lifting his *jiu gu* to his lips, paused and said meaningfully:"Little brother, you're not from the capital, are you?"

Chen Ji replied politely:"I've only just arrived."

The young man laughed:"Then let me explain. The outer city's *da hang* is divided among seven factions: four under He Ji, three under Fu Rui Xiang. And *da hang* has its own rules."

Chen Ji asked:"What rules?"

The young man gestured to the seat beside him:"Come over, have a drink and chat."

Chen Ji went and sat down but pushed the *jiu zhong* away:"Sorry, drinking messes with things—I've quit."

The young man didn't mind, pouring himself another cup:"The rules of *da hang* are stricter than those of street gangs. For instance, outsiders from the lower nine streams coming to the capital must first submit a *bai tie* to San Shan Hui before they can make a living around Tian Qiao. Look at the performers here—whether they're throwing flying knives, breaking stones on their chests, or lifting big jars, they've all submitted their *bai tie*."

He poured another small cup and continued leisurely:"Then there's the rule for *li gun*. *Li gun* means declaring to all *da hang* that you're starting your own sect here, making yourself a figure of status, no longer just a *ba gun*."

He added:"But once you *li gun*, all seven *da hang* will come challenge you. They have to let you have the first three moves—that's the Jing Ye spirit… but with so many of them, it's overwhelming. Tonight, He Ji's four factions alone will send hundreds to hunt Pao Ge, taking turns. Even a *xing guan* couldn't handle that."

Chen Ji frowned:"Then why would he *li gun*? It seems unwise…"

But he thought: Pao Ge isn't unwise—how could he make such a mistake?

The young man smiled mysteriously:"It's Zhu Guan setting him up—he's taking advantage of this outsider not knowing the rules. Zhu Guan's notorious for not tolerating talent. He's probably worried Pao Ge will steal his spotlight in Fu Rui Xiang, so he's making him *li gun* publicly, then washing his hands of it—letting others do the dirty work."

He went on:"Little brother, this rule is all about squeezing out outsiders." Chen Ji lowered his eyes.

Rules—again, rules.

Ever since arriving in the capital, he hadn't seen real blades, but the rules that devour people were everywhere.

Chen Ji asked, puzzled:"Pao Ge is with Fu Rui Xiang, so what's in it for Zhu Guan to undermine him?"

The young man laughed:"You don't get it. In the underworld, if you can't keep your subordinates in check, you'll be overthrown in no time. Do you think those lower nine streams care about loyalty? They're all about making money and chasing women. Zhu Guan's held his position in Fu Rui Xiang for fourteen years by being jealous of talent. Of course, that's also why Fu Rui Xiang keeps getting beaten by He Ji."

Chen Ji asked quietly:"Since Zhu Guan's the boss, who's the backer behind him, and why let him sabotage his own people?"

The young man shook his head, casually raising his cup:"That's beyond me."

Chen Ji changed the subject:"May I ask, what is San Shan Hui?"

The young man laughed:"San Shan Hui is a newcomer over the last decade. They don't collect ping an money themselves; they run their own *biao ju*, *jiu si*, *qing lou*, and *ke zhan*. As for why they handle this, it's because they have the biggest fists—they've got ex-military men under them."

He pointed downstairs at Qi Gong:"See, that's Du Qi Gong, the head of San Shan Hui. He used to serve in the Fang Sui Army, but after losing hearing in one ear and two fingers, he left the Wan Sui Army. With that background, he's got the toughest clout right under the imperial city."

Chen Ji nodded.

The young man looked at him with interest:"I sense some blood on you, little brother—did you just leave the military? If you're looking for a place, San Shan Hui is perfect. Go to Bai Shun *Hu Tong* and find the White Jade Garden, a *qing yin* establishment—Du Qi Gong hangs out there."

As they spoke, the crowd dispersed, and Pao Ge and Er Dao headed north.

Chen Ji cupped his hands to the young man and bid farewell, then hurried downstairs to follow.

The young man raised his *jiu zhong* and drained it, while his guard bent down and said:"Young master, that kid's probably a *xing guan*."

The young man laughed and set down his cup:"This is the capital—*xing guan* are a dime a dozen. One more or one less doesn't matter; don't get worked up."

Chen Ji followed along Zheng Yang Men Avenue, weaving through oncoming pedestrians while keeping his eyes on Pao Ge and Er Dao ahead.

Pao Ge draped the black *duan zha* over his shoulder, and Er Dao carried a bulging white bag, its contents unknown. The two first sat at a roadside *hun tun* stall and ate a full twelve bowls, then got up as dusk fell and headed toward the eight great *hu tong*.

Outside Zheng Yang Men, carriages streamed out from the inner city, straight for the eight great *hu tong*.

To Bai Shun *Hu Tong* for "*qing xin ren*" to listen to music, or Han Jia Tan *Hu Tong* for "*xiang gong*" performances—that's what the officials and nobles loved.

As for Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong*, it was famous for its "*an men zi*," catering to the lower crowds with cheap pleasures. Pao Ge led Er Dao casually into Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong*.

He looked at the narrow alley, barely wide enough for three people side by side, and heard the flirtatious chatter from the two-story buildings. He sighed:"Er Dao, I've finally secured a place for us brothers to make a living."

Er Dao glanced around at the gray brick walls, blue tiles, and streets lined with red lanterns:"Live here?"

Pao Ge snapped:"Of course not—this is where we'll make our money! Once we've saved enough, I'll take you to Pan Jia Yuan or Liu Li Chang to find some *xing guan* connections. Then we'll be respected *xing guan* lords."

Er Dao just said:"Oh."

Pao Ge nudged him:"We should celebrate this good life—hand over some money; I'm heading into the *hu tong* for a good time."

Er Dao shook his head:"No."

Pao Ge frowned:"Not even today?"

Er Dao insisted:"Brother, you said it yourself: unless you've got a terminal illness, you won't spend money on women again. Terminal illnesses are cancer, AIDS, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, rabies, ALS… You don't have any of them."

Pao Ge scratched his head with his pinky:"You know way too much…"

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the end of Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong*. Four or five men with axes pointed and shouted:"There he is."

Pao Ge's face turned cold. He glanced back and saw another four or five armed men blocking the way behind. He threw his black *duan zha* on the ground and rolled his shoulders and neck:"I won fair and square—follow the rules. Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong* is Fu Rui Xiang's now."

One of the axe-wielding men sneered:"It doesn't matter who gets Li Sha Mao *Hu Tong*, but since you called for *li gun*, you're done tonight. By our Jing Shi *da hang* rules, we'll let you have the first three moves."

Pao Ge strode toward them:"I don't need your charity, you bastards."