The Republic of China: I, Xiangzi, a Hero in a Chaotic Era

The sea lion leaned slightly forward, its eyes gleaming with a shrewd insight into the ways of the world, its voice carrying a seductive power:

"In the end, the police officers will get their bribes, and Chief Liu will make a fortune. They'll all be rolling in money. As for the two of us..."

"It's just taking advantage of this trend to get a small share of the profits."

"The only one who truly suffered serious damage and bled profusely was that old coffin-stuffed Liu Siye. Do you understand now?"

"Submitting this petition isn't suicide; it's providing those officials and Chief Liu with a path to wealth. They'll be thanking you profusely."

As Hai Gouzi spoke, Zhao San's cloudy eyes gradually brightened, like two faint oil lamps that had been relit.

The thick layer of gloom called fear seemed to be gradually lifted by these words, revealing the deep-seated nature of greed and hatred.

His sallow face twitched, first with blankness, then disbelief, and finally with a look of sudden realization, tinged with flattery and excitement.

Zhao San licked his dry, bleeding lips, making a hoarse sound in his throat, as if he wanted to laugh but couldn't.

"Master Hai...you...you're truly brilliant...absolutely brilliant..."

Zhao San's voice was still hoarse, but it had become more lively as he struggled to crawl forward a little.

"I...I'm completely blind...I almost...almost ruined Master Hai's important matter...and...and also ruined my own life..."

He took a few deep breaths, his eyes darted around, and a humble, ingratiating smile appeared on his face as he cautiously observed the sea dog's expression.

"Master Hai...you...you see...because of what happened before...not only was I beaten like this by Master Liu...my wife and children...are all gone...my family is ruined..."

He paused, observing the sea lion's reaction. Seeing that the other man didn't seem impatient, he mustered his courage and continued, his voice deliberately pitiful:

"You...you could have pity on me...give me more...more money...after this is done...I'll take the money...find somewhere no one knows me...so at least...so I can...find another wife...continue the family line...leave an heir for the Zhao family...I...I'll set up a longevity tablet for you...and burn incense every day..."

The sea lion's faint smile froze for a moment, then melted away, transforming into a deeper, more elusive expression.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhao San's face, which was filled with humble pleading yet couldn't hide the greed in his eyes, like a probe.

That kid really is incorrigible. If he hadn't been greedy for that one silver dollar and ruthlessly slaughtered the newly arrived Director Liu like a hungry wolf eyeing fat meat, he wouldn't have gotten himself into such a terrible mess and ended up in such a miserable state.

Now that things have come to this, with his broken leg festering and him waiting to die like a stray dog ​​in a shack, he has finally grasped at a straw, but all he can think about is "getting more money" and "getting another wife."

This obsession with money is unwavering and ingrained in his very being.

The sea lion's contempt deepened inwardly, but its face remained impassive. Instead, it slowly nodded, its tone even carrying a hint of "generosity":

"Okay. No problem."

He agreed very readily.

"As long as you behave yourself, do as I say, sign the petition verbatim, and stay obedient and don't cause me any trouble, it's all a small matter."

"After it's all done, I'll round it up to a hundred silver dollars. That'll be enough for you to find a country woman, buy a few acres of poor land, and live a peaceful life for the rest of your days."

Upon hearing "one hundred silver dollars," Zhao San's cloudy eyes instantly blazed with a terrifying light, as if a dying man had seen the finest nectar.

Overwhelmed by immense ecstasy, he found a surge of strength within himself and struggled to prop himself up with his still-intact leg and hands. He tried to kowtow to the sea lion, muttering incoherently:

"Thank you... Thank you, Master Hai... Thank you, Master Hai, for your life-saving grace... Master Hai, you are my second parents... I... I will repay you with all my might... I will never forget your great kindness..."

"Alright, alright."

The sea dog waved his hand impatiently, interrupting his pointless gratitude, and his face returned to its usual indifference.

"Save your energy for healing."

He gestured with his chin toward the door and raised his voice:

"Someone come here."

The two henchmen guarding the door immediately pushed it open and came in.

"Carry him to the back room. Go and fetch Sun Zheng Gu from East Street to examine his leg. Also, get him some food, a basin of hot water to wipe him down, and change him into presentable clothes. He stinks terribly; don't let the stench ruin the place."

The sea dog gave the order, speaking as if dealing with a trivial matter.

Two henchmen responded and stepped forward to unceremoniously lift Zhao San up.

The movement of his broken leg caused Zhao San to grimace in pain, but he forced a smile and kept saying:

"Thank you, Master Hai... Thank you for your kindness, Master Hai..."

Watching his men drag Zhao San, who was profusely thanking them as if he had received a great deal, out of the main room, Hai Gouzi's indifference vanished instantly, leaving only a cold mockery. He picked up the rough porcelain bowl and took another sip of water.

One of his trusted subordinates, who had been standing silently to the side, approached, his face full of disdain and contempt as he looked in the direction Zhao San had been dragged away. He lowered his voice and said:

"Uncle Hai, after this is done, we'll really get a share of this stinky rickshaw puller's earnings."

"Look at his worthless, penniless character, he's a hopeless piece of trash, he doesn't deserve a hundred silver dollars."

Hai Gouzi put down his bowl, glanced at his subordinate, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. His eyes held none of the "kindness" he had shown when speaking to Zhao San, only the indifference and calculation characteristic of a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world).

"Let's appease him for now. Draw him a big promise, make him obediently put his fingerprint on it, and get him to say what he needs to say. Just think of it as making a fool happy, letting him have a good dream before he dies."

Sea Dog paused, his tone casual yet chilling.

"Once things are done and the money is in our pockets, what does he matter?"

"A cripple with a broken leg, a piece of trash who can't even crawl back to his shack. We'll give him a few coins and send him on his way, out of pity. What can he do to me? If he still doesn't know what's good for him…"

Before Hai Gouzi could finish speaking, he picked up the flint and steel on the table, slowly and methodically struck a fire, and lit the tobacco in his pipe.

Wisps of smoke rose, blurring the fleeting ruthlessness in his eyes. The lingering meaning seemed especially chilling in the smoke.

Upon hearing this, the subordinate immediately plastered a fawning smile on his face and nodded repeatedly.

"Master Hai is brilliant. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. This piece of trash is only of this use; once it's done, it's gone. Saves time and effort."