Hong Kong Comprehensive: Who said that those who practice martial arts have no money?

Chapter 245 Double-edged Sword

"Go do your homework."

Li Chunmei touched Yaya's head and began to clean the table.

Sanjiangshui stood up to help, put the dishes into the kitchen, cleaned the table, wiped his hands with a towel, and then poured a cup of tea for Hou Shijie: "Are you really just here to take a look?"

Hou Shijie took the teacup:
"Yes, I came by to talk to Li An. Now Wu Shihao can handle all the big and small things on the dock in an orderly manner. It's time for me to leave."

Sanjiangshui knew that his younger brother was determined to open a martial arts school and came to work at the dock to make a living, so he didn't say anything to keep him. He just nodded and asked:
"Have you found a store to open a martial arts school?"

"I've found it. I've rented a shop on the ground floor (with a storefront downstairs) with a loft on Shek Nile Street in Wan Chai."

He moved closer to Sanjiangshui and asked with great interest, "Brother Shui, do you know who I met on Shishuiqu Street?"

"Who is it?"

"Zhang Tianzhi."

Hou Shijie said with some regret: "He opened a convenience store there. I was planning to challenge him to a duel, but unfortunately, he doesn't even practice Wing Chun anymore."

"You are planning to open a martial arts school, so you should be more cautious. Don't get impatient when you meet a famous master. Being vicious is the best strategy, and only ruthless hands can defeat others! You who practice Xingyi should understand this principle. Don't be so rash as to always look for people to spar with. Don't let yourself fall into trouble one day."

Sanjiangshui glanced at Hou Shijie and spoke earnestly.

.........

The entrance to the martial arts hall.

Wu Shihao told him everything about the Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Trade Unions looking for him during the day, then lit a cigarette for himself and said disapprovingly:
"I don't know what the Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Trade Unions is thinking. We are foremen and we earn wages. We earn half of the five dollars in payment for goods. Why would they want to pull us in to form a dock workers' union? Hasn't their union always opposed the contracting system of the contracting office?"

"We pay workers according to their work and never deduct any wages. When we introduce seafarers, we only take commissions from shipowners and managers. This is different from those contractors."

Li An shook his head and said softly.

The contracting office mentioned by Wu Shihao was a product of the early shipping company's contracting system.

There were three types of work-contracting offices at that time. One was called "Xi Ma Sha Guan", which was set up by the contractor. They colluded with the shipowners and acted like brokers, taking charge of introducing seafarers to work. Anyone who found a job through "Xi Ma Sha Guan" had to bribe the foreman with tens of yuan. After working on the ship, the seafarer had to pay 20% to 30% of his salary to the foreman.

One is called "Monarch Hall", which is set up by individuals and also colluded with ship owners. Anyone who joins must first pay a fee of several dozen yuan to qualify as a waiter. The introduction of work on board is not based on order, but is determined by the owner at his own will.

The last type is called "Democratic Hall", also called "Brother Hall", which is jointly organized by seamen. It is similar to a public dormitory and is more fair than the first two types. However, since most seamen are illiterate, they must hire literate people to be "managers". Over time, the "managers" control the affairs of the hall, profit from it, and exploit the seamen.

There are still many such contracting offices set up near the docks.

"Then why did they come to us?"

Wu Shihao asked with a frown.

"What do you think is there on the dock that they would like?"

"……Worker."

Wu Shihao changed his mind and reacted.

The Triangle Pier is located on the seashore between Sheung Wan and Sai Wan, with a total of more than ten freight terminals.

As early as before World War II, this was an important cargo import and export port. Even the north-south section of Bonham Street became an early re-export trade center because of its proximity to the triangular wharf on the seaside.

After World War II, a large number of new immigrants came to Hong Kong to make a living. Some of the wealthier Chaozhou people engaged in trade and business, using Hong Kong as a transit point to import southern products from Southeast Asia, including rice, coconut oil, etc., to the mainland, and sell northern products such as medicinal materials and local products from the mainland to Southeast Asia, the United States and other places.

This place is a mixed bag of people, not only there are gangs but also a lot of coolies.

The influence of trade unions is mainly reflected in the economy and politics. However, to a certain extent, it is directly related to the number of union members, because more members mean greater collective bargaining power and greater political influence.

As the only foreman at the dock, he had more than 30,000 coolies working for him. He had swept away the old problems at the dock, did not charge fees, and did not exploit the workers. He enjoyed a very high prestige among the workers, so it was no surprise that he was visited by the Federation of Trade Unions.

Wu Shihao looked at Li An and asked:

“Should we form a union?”

"The Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Trade Unions is a left-wing union, a joint organization of unions from various industries. To form a dock workers' union, you should find someone you trust, and don't get involved too much. During festivals and holidays, you can take some money from the docks to buy gifts for union members as welfare. We can earn a little less, and we can just do good deeds."

Ang Lee thought about it for a long time and finally agreed.

In fact, everyone has different opinions on trade unions. Moreover, in this era, there are many trade unions, good and bad, with different tendencies.

At least, in the eyes of those coolies, unions are dispensable and cannot change their miserable working conditions.

But in Ang Lee's opinion, in some ways, this is a double-edged sword...

"I see."

Wu Shihao nodded to show that he understood.

He took a deep puff of the cigarette, took the butt out of his mouth and stomped it out.

"And what about the fat pig guy? How should I respond to him?"

Fatty and Liu Fu are from the same hometown. They were the head of Dongfuhe. Ever since he was sent to prison by Liu Fu, the position of head was taken over by Liu He, and even Dongfuhe was renamed Lian Gong Le.

Now that Liu Fu has retired, he has become a nobody. The unwilling Fatty tries to take back the society again, but suffers from a lack of manpower.

The conflict between Wu Shihao and Luen Gong Le has long been known to everyone in the underworld. Even Li Ang's affairs in the Walled City have been dug up. Fatty came to the dock twice, hoping to meet Li Ang and seek cooperation.

"What cooperation? His subordinate, Red Stick Dakouying, was sent in by my senior brother."

"He is willing to give us the smuggling business of Lian Gong Le."

"Ok?"

Li An was really a little surprised.

"He is willing to do so. But forget about smuggling. How can side business make as much money as regular business? What's more, what he said was just a blank check. If he himself has no ability, does he want me to help him take down the Lian Gong Le and give it to him before he can get the reward?"

He changed the subject: "But if it is converted into cash, we can consider it, provided that he takes the lead and we don't show up, we just lend him people."

Da da……

The sound of footsteps came closer and closer. Lin Zhaodi, wearing a green embroidered gown and a pair of embroidered shoes, walked over. Seeing the two people talking, she did not say anything, but waited aside.

Wu Shihao glanced at Lin Zhaodi and said to Li An:
"Oh, okay, I'll pass this message to the fat pig guy. You're busy, so I'll leave first."

After saying that, he walked away quickly.

Li An came to Lin Zhaodi.

"The clinic is closed."

"Hmm..." Lin Zhaodi rarely acted like a little woman.

"Aan, let's go."

(End of this chapter)