Chapter 003: Ximen Wharf

Numerous coolies carrying shoulder poles stood by the dock next to the stone bridge before dawn, bending their backs, waiting eagerly for the cargo ships to arrive and dock to unload goods, hoping for heavy work to do

The wealthy businessman of the Li family, with his hands clasped behind his back, gave a few instructions, directing the dark-faced porter to take a group of people to transport a boatload of rice back to the warehouse in the city

Finally, the third concubine gave birth to a precious daughter named Li Jiao. Unfortunately, the daughter was accustomed to pampering, had a frail constitution, and frequently fell ill due to wind and cold. Even after taking medicine, she showed no signs of improvement, which caused him great anxiety

The leader of the porters with a dark face was overjoyed, nodding and bowing, and quickly turned around to shout to the other porters, "Brothers, Master Li is treating us to a meal, so let’s all work a bit faster."

Su Chen had been at the dock, anxiously burning with urgency, watching a group of porters busy with work while he himself was left hungry and unable to find any tasks to take on

However, she soon realized the disparity in their statuses, and with a cold snort, she turned her face away, displaying a look of disdain towards Su Chen on her small face

Inner disciples have a higher starting point than outer disciples, and are more likely to become mid-level and senior members of the gang in the future

Su Chen's understanding of Gusu County is limited; he has only heard fishermen discussing it during fishing and casual conversations after meals. He knows that Gusu County is the largest among the thirteen counties in Wu Commandery, with a vast area spanning over a thousand miles. The city is home to one hundred thousand households, making it the most prosperous and vibrant in Wu Commandery

He has no relatives to turn to in Gusu County, only a good brother named A Chou from the Tianying Inn. However, A Chou is merely a handyman at the inn, and his life is equally difficult, not much better than his own.

However, upon touching my waist, I remembered that my small pouch of money was left on the old fishing boat, and I had not a single copper coin on me, making it impossible to buy anything

The wealthy businessman of the Li family tightened his thick fur coat, leading the young girl who had caught a chill, and summoned a sedan chair carried by four men, boarding it alongside the noblewoman

Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, and tonight's meal has not yet been settled

However, my lord, our family has never had dealings with people from the martial world, so where would the connections come from

Su Chen was walking at the dock, looking around with a sense of confusion and uncertainty on his youthful face

But these were merely a fleeting thought that crossed Su Chen's mind

Alas, in these times, the world is difficult; outside the county town, there are bandits everywhere who have turned to a life of crime. This official went to the town to transport a boatload of rice, accompanied by more than ten servants from the residence to guard the boat, and the journey has been fraught with anxiety and trepidation

However, after more than ten years of marrying a wife and taking concubines, there have been no offspring, and even after marrying several concubines, there are still no children.

I did not expect that finding a job as a helper in the bustling Ximen market would be so difficult. He had not eaten anything for most of the day, and his body felt weak from hunger. If this continues, he would starve to death on the streets in just two or three days

He regularly transports rice and grain by cargo ship, and if he encounters extortion from members of river and lake gangs, he is even more alarmed and terrified, often having to cough up blood as tribute

... ...

Even if one gets tired from rowing the bamboo pole, it is not a problem; just take a break and continue on the journey. As long as the raft does not drift ashore or collide with another boat, it will be fine. This waterway is one that Su Chen used to travel frequently and is very familiar with.

The wealthy businessman of the Li family harbors another worry in his heart

The remaining fishermen selling fish, farmers selling fruits and vegetables, woodcutters selling firewood, hunters selling mountain delicacies and wild game, and peddlers carrying goods through the streets and alleys are even more numerous.

The leader of the black-faced porters, seeing the frail and weak Su Chen, desperately tried to squeeze into the crowd, but was swiftly pulled out by a hand, which dismissively waved him away, urging Su Chen to leave quickly

He has been frequently traveling to purchase rice and moving around in the world, so he naturally knows that the situation outside Gusu County has become increasingly unstable.

However, these are not matters that the Li family's wealthy merchants need to worry about

Over the years, he has diligently managed several large rice shops in the county town, taking advantage of the disasters and famines that have arisen in various counties of Wu Prefecture to hoard supplies and engage in price gouging, buying low and selling high on grain, thereby earning a considerable amount of silver and accumulating a substantial family fortune

Su Chen hurriedly ran over to the foreman with a dark face, seeking a job. To work at the dock, one must stick with the foreman to earn a meal.

Su Chen had been paddling a small bamboo raft for nearly half a day, and his hands and feet were already weak. Upon seeing the stone slab Maple Bridge ahead, he couldn't help but feel delighted. He quickly docked at the pier and jumped ashore

Go away, where did this little brat come from to cause trouble

Su Chen felt a sense of shame under the disdainful gaze of the young lady, and he stepped back a little, lowering his head as if it were on fire, not daring to look up again.

At the Ximen Market, there are breakfast stalls selling steamed buns, hot soy milk, and osmanthus pastries, as well as fishermen selling fish, farmers carrying baskets of vegetables and fruits, and woodcutters selling firewood, all loudly calling out to attract customers

The noblewoman's expression changed slightly, as she was unwilling for her daughter to venture into the world of martial arts: "My lord, our family is, after all, a wealthy household in the county town, with several rice shops, and we do not worry about food and clothing. We only have this one daughter; the world of martial arts is fraught with danger, and what if something were to happen..."

Alright, thank you, Master Li!

Although the wealthy merchant of the Li family safely returned to Gusu County with a shipload of rice, his expression remained one of deep concern

Good dry firewood, 5 wen per load

Do not be deceived by the fact that the Li family has several rice shops in the city of Suzhou, having accumulated a substantial fortune over decades of business, and that they employ more than ten servants, attendants, and nurses; their status is only slightly better than that of ordinary commoners, and they do not hold a high position in the city of Suzhou

It is good that Lord Li has returned safely; once he arrives in the county town, he will be secure. There are officials guarding the area, and the water bandits and marauders do not dare to approach the county town. Once we endure this harsh winter, those thieves will likely starve to death, and it is expected that things will settle down.

As the wealthy young lady disembarked, she happened to see Su Chen, who was anxiously jumping around with sweat pouring down his forehead, resembling a little monkey in a fluster. She couldn't help but chuckle softly, her smile radiant like a blooming flower

Not far from the west gate dock of the county town is the Hanshan Taoist Temple

The wealthy businessman of the Li family pondered and addressed the noblewoman

Amidst the throngs of numerous servants and maids, several bearers carried a large sedan chair, swaying as they made their way towards the west gate of Suzhou County

Such a large rice ship must require a significant amount of rice to be transported, necessitating a large workforce

He licked his lips, rubbed his hungry little belly, and really wanted to buy a few steaming hot white buns to eat

Su Chen walked for quite a while and passed by a vendor at the dock. He saw a steaming basket of coarse grain buns and couldn't help but swallow hard a few times, feeling a pang of hunger.

The half-cold and hard steamed bun brought from home had long been consumed on the way

The local gentry and powerful families of the thirteen counties of Wu Commandery have increasingly aligned themselves with the five major Jianghu factions in a bid for self-preservation. The influence of these Jianghu factions has also grown stronger, with their disciples numbering in the thousands and even tens of thousands, rampaging through the counties and rural areas.

He did not want to implicate A Chou, only thinking of finding a job in the county town to support himself through his own efforts

Only the five major gangs of Wu County, with their formidable strength, dare to disregard these displaced persons

Su Chen searched for work at the Ximen Wharf for half a day but found nothing. His stomach was already growling with hunger. As the sun began to set, it was already afternoon, so he could only head into the city of Suzhou to try his luck, thinking of ways to fill his stomach first.

Su Chen was greatly surprised

There are itinerant merchants with hurried expressions carrying their bundles, chivalrous heroes of the rivers and lakes with sharp blades at their waists exuding a sense of grandeur, as well as various performers of traditional opera and acrobatics.

The porters by the West Gate dock immediately became lively

The Master of Cold Mountain at the Cold Mountain Taoist Temple is the foremost reclusive expert within the thirteen counties of Wu County. He is known for his benevolence and generosity, enjoying a high reputation and being greatly revered by the government, the common people, and individuals from the martial arts community. If he could be persuaded to intervene, there would certainly be no issue. However, the Master often travels extensively, appearing like a dragon whose head is seen but whose tail is not. Fortunately, the Master’s chief disciple, Daoist Qinghe, is usually present at the temple and has extensive connections in Gusu County, knowing many high-ranking members of various factions. Moreover, he is known for his enthusiasm in helping others. I have prepared a generous gift to seek his assistance, hoping he can facilitate connections, and I am confident this matter will succeed.

Su Chen felt hungry and ate the remaining half of the coarse grain steamed bun, barely satisfying his hunger. When thirsty, he scooped two handfuls of icy cold water from the river with his small hands, warmed it in his mouth, and then swallowed it to quench his thirst

Even in the cold winter months, during the frigid season, the city of Gusu remains quite bustling, with many residents from the county and visitors from other counties arriving at the West City Gate dock by merchant ships

A large ship has arrived ~ There is life!

Moreover, during this cold winter month, there are many refugees, and the Ximen Wharf is certainly not lacking in manpower

He saw a portly foreman with a dark complexion, along with numerous porters, eagerly waiting at the dock for the large cargo ship to arrive

This is evidently a wealthy household in the county, with numerous servants and slaves.

This made Su Chen's heart race.

Madam, what do you think about sending Jiaor to experience some training in the Jianghu sects? I have been contemplating this for quite some time. The Yaowang Gang, one of the four major gangs in Wu County, would be an excellent choice. It is wealthy and powerful, and it also engages in healing and virtuous deeds, earning a good reputation. The Yaowang Gang recruits a small number of inner disciples and a batch of outer disciples every year in the twelfth month, which happens to be in these few days.

He mostly did not take those words to heart, but paid attention to one sentence, "The Medicine King Gang recruits a group of new disciples every year in the twelfth month!"

Growing up in the lakes and rivers of Zhouzhuang Water Town, I only knew how to catch fish and shrimp in the water. Leaving the water and arriving in the bustling city of Suzhou County, I had no idea what I could rely on to earn money and fill my stomach

It is unclear what conditions are required for this move; can a fisherman like him become a disciple of the gang?

The wealthy businessman Li was determined to use a substantial fortune he had accumulated over the years to accomplish this matter

Moreover, in recent years, the influence of the gangs in the underworld has been growing increasingly powerful, proving to be more promising than the few rice shops owned by the family

Su Chen rubbed his flat stomach, feeling somewhat troubled

The Su River is like a mirror, reflecting the lush green mountains and beautiful waters on both banks. The emerald waves ripple, stirring the patches of withered yellow reeds.

A small cold raft makes its way along the river towards Gusu County, occasionally passing by tranquil rural villages. In the depths of winter, the vast fields stretch out desolate and frozen for miles.

The porters immediately rushed forward in delight, some carrying rice and others transporting goods. This trip could earn them several days' worth of meal money

The black-faced coolie chief waiting by the dock immediately recognized this person as the wealthy merchant from the Li family, who owns several rice shops in Gusu County, and it was likely that he had returned from the rural towns to collect grain.

Any random move can attract dozens of hungry men eagerly waiting for work, each of whom has a family to support; how could one possibly recruit children for such heavy labor

The coarse grain steamed buns cost one wen of copper coins per basket, which is not particularly expensive

At this moment, a large grain transport ship was slowly approaching the shore, docking at a berth near the stone bridge.

Several hours later, the surroundings gradually became bustling. Around noon, Su Chen arrived at the west gate dock of Gusu County by rowing a small bamboo raft.

You, as a woman of the household, are only concerned with the good life of the past few years. Now that the world outside is in chaos, even the officials' words hold no weight. If there is no backing, our family's life in ten years will be difficult. This matter is for me to decide. My dear, I will find someone to deliver gifts and seek connections to have you join the Medicine King Gang as an inner disciple

So much so that the governor of Wu County and the county magistrates often had to rely on these river and lake factions to resolve many difficult issues within the county

Following closely behind this middle-aged wealthy merchant were more than ten servants and attendants armed with clubs, as well as several elderly women carrying bundles and packages

The black-faced porter hurriedly stepped forward, cupping his hands and bowing to the wealthy rice merchant, offering a series of flattering compliments in hopes of securing a job to transport rice

He pondered whether to send her to a martial arts sect in the Jianghu to learn skills and undergo training. Practicing martial arts could strengthen her physique and eliminate the root of her ailments

I can also carry goods, count me in!

Upon disembarking from the dock beside Shiban Bridge, one can see not far away a thousand-year-old temple, the renowned Hanshan Temple in Gusu County

On the dock, the porters burst into laughter, "Haven't you seen so many mouths? They are all eagerly waiting!"

At this moment, a middle-aged, well-fed merchant dressed in a leather coat emerged from the hold of the cargo ship, followed by a rather elegant woman holding the hand of a delicate young lady as they disembarked from the wooden plank.

Fragrant buns, steaming hot steamed bread! One coin for a basket, enough to fill you up

He inadvertently overheard the conversation between the wealthy businessman of the Li family and the noblewoman as they were leaving

Ah, Master Li, you have returned from your rice trading, and business is thriving. Was everything smooth on the road?

Official business? Alas! It is best not to encounter it at all. Enough of idle chatter. Old Blackhead, take some people and transport the rice to the Li family's granary in the city. This master still needs to visit the Hanshan Taoist Temple to offer some incense and take care of a few matters

The three individuals were dressed in opulent and luxurious attire, which was entirely different from the many commoners and dockworkers at the wharf, exuding an air of wealth and refinement in every aspect.

Due to the highly developed waterways, Gusu County serves as the transportation hub for river shipping among the thirteen counties of Wu Commandery. Numerous fishing boats from neighboring counties and rural towns, as well as merchant ships traveling south from the north and north from various southern commanderies, often dock at the wharves outside Gusu County for the loading of goods

Su Chen was taken aback and quickly stepped aside, not daring to obstruct the path of the wealthy merchant, his wife, and the numerous servants.

In the world of martial arts, there are distinctions between inner disciples and outer disciples within the sects

Any porter under his command can easily carry a heavy load of at least 100 to 200 pounds, but this fellow, with his thin arms and legs, cannot even carry a load of several dozen pounds

He intends to use the wealth he has earned over the years to pave the way for his daughter, allowing her to become an inner disciple of a major gang and secure a promising future

Su Chen anxiously thought to himself as he wandered around the Ximen market, running to various vendors such as the street-side taverns, butcher shops, and tea stalls in search of work, yet not a single place would take him in.

One must quickly find odd jobs here to earn money in order to establish a foothold and make a living in the county.

He finally made up his mind to run away from home, planning to find a job in the county town to support himself. However, upon arriving at the bustling and lively West Gate, he felt anxious and did not know where to look for work

The wealthy young lady, approximately eleven or twelve years old, was already a light beauty, wrapped in a thick and luxurious mink fur coat. With red lips and white teeth, her delicate face, kissed by the cold wind, appeared rosy and endearing.

The sedan bearers and porters not far away were eagerly watching those passenger boats, waiting for wealthy families to hire their services.

Su Chen was left with a face full of dust, his expression one of dejection

Su Chen was in a state of panic, sweating profusely. If he couldn't earn any money and couldn't buy steamed buns, he feared he might starve to death in the county town

The vendors either find him too small or consider him weak and not very useful

The wealthy businessman of the Li family shook his head as he disembarked from the ship, appearing quite familiar with the dark-faced porter

In the past two decades, Wu County has experienced numerous disasters, with an increase in wandering refugees and bandits taking to the hills, forming gangs and engaging in robbery and plunder.

A few constables can act with authority and arrogance in front of him

Su Chen was troubled as he walked around, and upon hearing the lively sounds, he looked up in astonishment.

If my daughter can join a major gang in the martial arts world, she will certainly have a better future than running a few rice shops. Once she becomes successful, there will be few people in Gusu County who would dare to bully her as a rice merchant

At noon, the Ximen Wharf is bustling with activity, with various sizes of cargo ships and fishing boats docked everywhere

Come and taste the finest fresh melons and fruits, just picked from the field

... ...

Outside the West City Gate, there is a stone slab maple bridge, and beside the bridge, there are many vendors at the dock, forming a market outside the West City Gate

The wealthy merchant Li left two trusted servants to watch over the rice transport, and accompanied by noblewomen, young girls, and a group of servants and maids, he entered the Cold Mountain Taoist temple to seek an audience with Daoist Qinghe

The Medicine King Gang is recruiting apprentices