A Prophet - Chapter 8 (Part 5)

Chapter 5 - Troublemakers at the Funeral

Qiao Wumei had died too suddenly, though during her lifetime she had repeatedly emphasized that if she ever met with an untimely end, the hall should be succeeded by her eldest disciple, Jiang Feiyan.

Jiang Feiyan hurriedly assumed office and subsequently ordered a strict news blackout, swiftly dispatching messengers to deliver obituary letters to the Eastern, Northern, and Western halls. This was the rule of the "Jiangxiang Sect": when a sect leader passed away, all other halls had to be present to offer condolences.

In ancient times, transportation was inconvenient. The messengers suffered through the hardships of travel by boat and horse, sometimes taking over a month to deliver the obituary into the hands of other sect leaders. If they waited for people while keeping the corpse, it would rot and turn foul. Therefore, after a leader of the "Jiangxiang Sect" died, they were cremated immediately, leaving behind only their ashes. There were two origins of cremation in Chinese history: one was Buddhism, and the other was the "Jiangxiang Sect."

Jiang Feiyan did not dare to brazenly burn a person within the courtyard. In the event that Second Sister Tian found out Qiao Wumei was dead, she would undoubtedly come to stir up trouble. Moreover, having dominated Southern Guangdong for so many years, the "Yuehaitang" had accumulated no shortage of enemies; if Second Sister Tian raised her arms in a call to action and fellow enemies seized the opportunity to cause chaos, things would become even more troublesome.

She devised a plan: under the guise of holding a blessing ritual, she had the junior foot-bound disciples make a great ostentatious display of setting up altars around the hall to build momentum. Late at night, she and several gang leaders wrapped Qiao Wumei's corpse in silk, transported it out through the back door, and quietly hauled it to the dock. There, they boarded a pre-arranged boat, sailed out of the Pearl River Estuary, circled around to the side of Daya Bay, found a secluded mountain hollow where human footprints were virtually unseen, and hastily cremated Qiao Wumei. Before dawn the next day, carrying the ashes, they quietly returned to the hall.

Around that time, the Songhu Anti-Japanese War had just concluded. Grandfather had just finished handling the corpse-transportation operation of smuggling opium alongside "Special Merchant" Jia Siye, and had returned to the hall only a few days prior when he received the obituary sent by Jiang Feiyan. He then hurriedly rushed to Southern Guangdong with several gang leaders.

By the time they reached the "Yuehaitang," it was already half a month after Qiao Wumei's death. Soon after, people from the Northern and Western branches also arrived, and only then did they prepare to hold the funeral.

Jiang Feiyan said, "These past few days have been filled with constant dread. Second Sister Tian's faction keeps stirring up trouble; I sent them silver, but they still refuse to appreciate the gesture. They must have already figured out that Fifth Mother is dead."

Second Sister Tian indeed sensed that something was amiss. Originally, she had merely wanted to blunt Qiao Wumei's sharp edge. Qiao Wumei had entrenched herself in Guangzhou for a long time, whereas Second Sister Tian had arrived in Guangzhou only a few years prior and fundamentally could not contend with her. This time, she had been compelled by circumstances to bite the bullet and push forward. To her surprise, after a period of stalemate, there was no further sound from Qiao Wumei's side; all negotiations were handled by her disciple Jiang Feiyan, who had even obediently delivered the silver. Second Sister Tian's intuition told her that something major had happened to Qiao Wumei!

Later, a scout returned to report: Qiao Wumei was dead! Upon hearing this, Second Sister Tian was overjoyed. This was an absolute prime opportunity; she would use the occasion to wipe out the "Yuehaitang" in one fell swoop and trample Southern Guangdong beneath her feet!

Consequently, on the day of Qiao Wumei's funeral, she gathered over two hundred men to surround the "Yuehaitang," deliberately provoking trouble in an attempt to spark a bloody battle.

Jiang Feiyan said sorrowfully to Grandfather, "No matter what, we must allow Fifth Mother to be buried in peace! Her old self toiled for a lifetime and suffered all manner of hardships; even after death, her cremation had to be hidden away, and now that she is being buried, the opposing side is pressing us relentlessly. Fifth Mother has had a bitter life!"

Upon hearing this, Grandfather also felt a deep sense of desolation. He sighed and said, "The other side came fully prepared. If we insist on carrying the coffin out and forcing our way through, we will fall right into their trap. By then, it will be a chaotic brawl, and the ones who suffer losses will still be ourselves. What is the background of this Second Sister Tian? Who is backing her from behind the scenes?"

Jiang Feiyan replied, "This person suddenly arrived in Southern Guangdong a year ago, claiming to be from Jianghuai, and also stated that she has connections with the Green and Hong Gangs."

Upon hearing this, Grandfather felt that this matter might have a resolution: "Sister Yan, do not panic. I shall go and meet her."

Jiang Feiyan said, "That will not do. If you go alone and something goes wrong—"

Grandfather smiled and said, "Rest assured, Sister Yan. The time for fighting to the death has not yet arrived."

Following Jiang Feiyan's directions, Grandfather took the Second Gang Leader, skirted around a few alleys, and arrived at Second Sister Tian's hall.

A few guards at the entrance blocked Grandfather's path. Grandfather was in his thirties back then, tall and in the prime of his youth; at a glance, he was clearly no ordinary person. Although those men at the entrance refused to let him in, they did not dare to neglect him either, and kept asking politely, "Where is the gentleman from, and what is your business?"

Grandfather said, "I am a friend of Second Sister Tian, and I have major matters to discuss. Do not bungle things!"

One of the men hurried inside to announce the visitor, stating that a fellow from the underworld calling himself "Grandfather" wanted to see Second Sister Tian.

Second Sister Tian did not know who Grandfather was, but upon hearing that he was a man of the underworld, she figured there was no harm in seeing him.

Upon entering the room, Grandfather took a look at her and saw that this Second Sister Tian was only a little over thirty years of age, featuring willow-leaf curved eyebrows, phoenix eyes, dark hair pinned back at the crown, and a stern gaze. She naturally radiated an air of romantic charm, and her heroic bearing was in no way inferior to a man's.

Grandfather thought to himself: This is no ordinary person! He hurriedly executed a bow and said, "Greetings, Second Sister."

Second Sister Tian did not recognize Grandfather. She looked him up and down and asked, "And who might Your Excellency be?"

Grandfather replied, "I am a disciple under Ninth Master. Out of partiality, people in the jianghu call me Grandfather. Today, I have come specifically to pay a visit to Second Sister."

Upon hearing this, Second Sister Tian could not help but shudder slightly. She did not know who Grandfather was, but the name of Ninth Master was simply too resounding; no Chinese or Japanese person failed to know of him—he was none other than Wang Yazhiqiao, the man who assassinated Japanese Army General Shirakawa Yoshinori in Shanghai!

Grandfather deliberately claimed to be a disciple of Wang Yazhiqiao precisely to use Ninth Master's reputation to test the background of this person. If Second Sister Tian truly belonged to the Green and Hong Gangs, she would inevitably know Ninth Master and hold him in high respect. Back then, Ninth Master's one hundred axes had hacked their way across Shanghai, earning the reputation that "the barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes." Even figures like the Green and Hong Gang bosses Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng would give way to him by three parts, let alone this Second Sister Tian!

Second Sister Tian hesitated for a moment and said, "Grandfather claims to be under Ninth Master..."

Seeing her harbor doubts, Grandfather quickly retrieved a folding fan from his sleeve: "Second Sister, please take a look. This is a folding fan inscribed in Ninth Master's own handwriting."

In the eleventh year of the Republic, as Zhang Dancheng lay dying, he had requested Wang Yazhiqiao to lend Grandfather a helping hand. However, since Wang Yazhiqiao could not accompany Grandfather every day, he had gifted Grandfather a folding fan, personally inscribing the characters "Loyalty, Honor, and Liver-Gallantry" upon it, affixing his own moniker, and stating, "In the future, if anyone in the underworld makes things difficult for you, you may hand this fan to the other party; it might prove useful."

Over the years, every time Grandfather traveled out, he invariably concealed this fan within his sleeve to prepare for unforeseen needs.

Second Sister Tian unfolded the white paper fan. Wang Yazhiqiao's vigorous and forceful handwriting leaped off the paper. Second Sister Tian's brows trembled slightly, and a bizarre smile crept across the corner of her mouth. Grandfather felt a chill run down his spine; this cold and alluring smile radiated an aura of murderous intent.

Grandfather said, "My purpose in coming to Southern Guangdong this time is by order of Ninth Master, to offer condolences for Fifth Mother Qiao. Earlier, I saw many people stirring up trouble at the hall, and upon inquiring, I learned they were Second Sister's subordinates. This is simply not right; we are all fellow travelers of the same path, and Fifth Mother also shared much friendship with Ninth Master during her lifetime. I wonder why Second Sister is engaging in such hostile actions?"

Upon hearing this, Second Sister Tian understood. She then said coldly, "Qiao Wumei played too many schemes during her lifetime, making it impossible for the rest of us to operate."

Grandfather said, "Since we are all people of the same path, grievances are best resolved rather than perpetuated. Perhaps you might give face to Ninth Master and spare them this once."

Second Sister Tian furrowed her brows and evasively replied, "What Grandfather says is extremely true, but I have already issued the orders, and all the brothers have mobilized. Everyone harbors deep hatred toward Qiao Wumei, and as the head of a hall, if I call off the operation at this juncture, how am I supposed to answer to the brothers!"

Grandfather smiled and said, "There is no need to call it off. I have a plan that can both resolve this crisis and preserve Second Sister's dignity in front of the brothers!"

Grandfather leaned in to speak in a low voice, and Second Sister Tian nodded as she listened.

Thus, in accordance with Grandfather's arrangements, Second Sister Tian, Grandfather, and the Second Gang Leader stepped outside and boarded a rickshaw to head for a teahouse. Before leaving, Second Sister Tian instructed her subordinate brothers, "Watch the hall well. Second Sister and I have important matters to discuss."

A subordinate asked, "Where are you going? Do you need us to bring a few brothers along?"

Second Sister Tian said, "There is no need to worry."

The three of them wound their way through various streets until they arrived at a teahouse. They found a secluded corner, sat down, and ordered tea. After three rounds of tea, Grandfather instructed the Second Gang Leader to head over to the "Yuehaitang."

At that moment, Jiang Feiyan inside the "Yuehaitang" was waiting anxiously when she suddenly saw the Second Gang Leader come running back. She hurriedly asked, "How is the situation? Where is Grandfather?"

Soaked in sweat from running, the Second Gang Leader wiped his brow, handed a jade jue pendant and a letter to Jiang Feiyan, and whispered a few words into her ear.

Jiang Feiyan looked at the Second Gang Leader in bewilderment.

Panting heavily, the Second Gang Leader said, "Rest... rest assured. Grandfather has arranged everything properly."