Gao Wuming: From Dockworker to Physical Achievement

"The dock gang is just a gang. What's there to say? They're no different from the Green Gang. They also collect protection money and run casinos, brothels, and opium dens," Lecturer Zhang said, frowning.

The dockworker had already given him a review some time ago.

They're just like the Green Gang, serving as dogs for others.

The man who almost got into a fight with Lecturer Zhang said, "The Green Gang is very chaotic, with various branches. They can collect protection money several times over, and the vendors who make a living at the docks and markets are suffering terribly."

The dock gang had a rule: they would only accept money once. Furthermore, if thugs or hooligans tried to extort money, people could call on the dock gang for help. Now, the people at the docks were living a more comfortable life than those in the outer concession.

Lecturer Zhang sneered, "They're all gangs, birds of a feather. Don't they all collect protection money? Don't they all run casinos and brothels? What's the difference?"

The man shook his head and said, "Of course there's a difference. One took the money and did the job, maintaining order, while the other took the money but didn't do anything, making the streets even more chaotic."

He looked at Lecturer Zhang with a mocking expression and said, "You say they're all birds of a feather, but that's all just wishful thinking. Have you seen them with your own eyes? Don't take things for granted."

He used Lecturer Zhang's words to retort to Lecturer Zhang.

Lecturer Zhang immediately wanted to refute, but after opening his mouth, he couldn't utter a rebuttal.

They were rendered speechless.

Those around him were filled with admiration for him, who had managed to leave Lecturer Zhang speechless. They asked, "May I ask your honorable name?"

"I dare not accept your honorable name. I am Lu Qingshan, a student of Tianhai Academy," he said, bowing slightly.

He was just a student.

Everyone was surprised.

Lecturer Zhang had also figured out how to respond.

Upon hearing the other party identify himself, he scoffed, "You little brat, how dare you spout nonsense here? A gang is a gang, and that will never change. The White Tobacco Hall is a menace, causing countless families to be torn apart and destroyed."

"Take a look at those dockworkers. Do they run opium dens? Do they dare to shut them down?"

Upon hearing this, many people shook their heads: "Old Zhang, don't make things difficult for people. Everyone knows who's behind the White Smoke Pavilion. It's a gang. Even if they wanted to shut it down, do they have the ability?"

Those who can mingle here and chat are all learned people who know the inside story.

They were all aware of the situation at the White Opium Den.

"White Smoke Pavilion..." Lu Qingshan exhaled, feeling suppressed.

No matter what, this opium den is indeed a harmful thing, and running it will only harm people, there is no way to refute that.

As they were talking.

Suddenly, the sound of wheels crushing gravel came from outside.

A scholar appeared outside the door on a bicycle.

He didn't bother to park his bike properly; he simply abandoned it after getting off.

He pulled a flyer from his pocket and ran in from outside, waving it.

He gasped for breath and said, "Something's happened, something really bad has happened."

"What's going on? Is there a war?"

"No, this one, look at this one," he said, pointing to the flyer.

Someone took the flyer from his hand, glanced at it, and froze on the spot, muttering, "Something terrible has happened."

Everyone took the flyers and gathered together to read them.

Then, everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"Something big is about to happen."

"The docks are about to change."

"The docks are going to be in chaos."

Lu Qingshan leaned over and took a look. His previously suppressed mood suddenly turned into excitement.

"These are truly ambitious people! They dare to stand against the government and foreigners for the sake of the people. This is not a gang, but a righteous army."

Lecturer Zhang also went over to take a look, widened his eyes and shouted, "How dare they? What gives them the right to do this? Do they think they can defeat the imperial court and the foreigners? This is utterly absurd!"

Lecturer Zhang found it utterly absurd and foolish.

The opium dens were a matter between the imperial court and foreigners; if there was any karmic retribution for wrongdoing, it would fall on them.

What does this have to do with your gang?

If he were the leader of the dock gang, he would never do such a foolish thing; instead, he would feign compliance and develop the relationship gradually.

Using the money from the opium den to accumulate power for oneself is the wise thing to do.

Instead of putting themselves in a desperate situation just to save face or save face, as they are doing now.

With the imperial court and foreigners joining forces to suppress them, there was absolutely no way a gang could survive; the two sides were simply not on the same level.

"Sometimes, idiots are the most terrifying thing," Lecturer Zhang sighed.

"You think you're a smart person? But don't you realize that it's precisely because there are so many smart people like you that Da Xuan has become like this?" Lu Qingshan said sarcastically.

"You little brat, what do you know?" Instructor Zhang scolded.

"Old dog, what do you know?" Lu Qingshan retorted.

The two men started arguing and then became violent.

This time, no one stopped them; everyone was absorbed in the dock gang's forced closure of the opium den and their intention to execute the owner.

They actually started fighting.

By the time everyone noticed, Lu Qingshan had already pinned Lecturer Zhang to the ground and was pounding him, making him scream repeatedly.

After everyone noticed, they hurriedly and frantically pulled them apart.

"Why resort to violence in a verbal dispute?"

"It's pointless to keep talking. Let's settle this with a fight and see who wins. It seems I've won now," Lu Qingshan said with satisfaction.

The frustration of talking to a foreign bastard like Lecturer Zhang vanished instantly after a good beating.

Lecturer Zhang scrambled to his feet, his face full of resentment, but he dared not utter another word.

The reason is simple: we really can't beat them.

He was beaten up and was too ashamed to stay there any longer.

He got up and walked towards the door, intending to go home first.

However, as he reached the door, he turned back and said, "The dock gang's actions today are nothing short of suicide. I think they will be wiped out soon."

Lu Qingshan didn't say anything, he just raised his fist.

Seeing this, Lecturer Zhang quickly left, not daring to say anything more.

With Chen Yi's instructions, news of the dock gang's attack on the opium den quickly spread throughout the docks and the foreign concessions.

Because of the entry and exit barriers in the concessions, news was received much more slowly.

But that afternoon, the news spread like wildfire, and soon it became the talk of the town.

Governor's Palace.

"This is absolutely outrageous."

The deputy governor looked at the leaflets that had been delivered all the way from the dock, his face as cold as if it could freeze.

The governor was busy with foreign affairs, such as dealing with Master Huo and foreigners.

He was in charge of everything at Tianhai.

And he was the one who received his share from the opium den.

With these dollars, he had many trusted confidants throughout the governor's mansion.

Except for the lack of an official appointment from the imperial court, he was the de facto governor.

And he figured the imperial court's appointment would be imminent.

Over the years, he sent a considerable amount of the silver dollars he had collected to his superiors, which made them very satisfied with him.

It is said that several bigwigs have begun discussing the replacement of personnel at Tianhai Wharf.

The deputy governor understood the underlying meaning: he wanted to become governor and needed to bribe even more people.

However, with the opium den, he has a constant supply of money, so this is not a difficult matter.

But at this critical juncture, the White Smoking Pavilion was shut down by a gang that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

This is going to ruin his chances of promotion.