Chapter 83: Provocation

Li Qi and Uncle Six immediately interrupted their conversation and rushed outside.

Outside, they saw the haulers surrounding a burly man. It seemed a conflict had arisen. The loud explosion sound just now was from smashing wooden planks.

Seeing this, Uncle Six frowned and stopped Li Qi from going out. "The constables may not care, but we shouldn't be too arrogant. Let me go see what's happening first. Don't show yourself; it might make things awkward for us."

Given Uncle Six's words, Li Qi paused and observed from afar.

As Uncle Six approached, the agitated haulers calmed down. As the leader of Paibo Gang, his words carried weight, so everyone stopped.

Uncle Six walked through the crowd of haulers to the front, looking at the tall, well-built middle-aged man in front of him with a puzzled expression.

"Zhang Caitou, what is the meaning of this? Our Paibo Gang has no grudge against you. Why are you attacking people and smashing doors? Do you think we have no temper? If you don't give an explanation today, your vegetable stall will never transport goods via the Lishui River again!" Uncle Six stepped forward, though shorter than Zhang Caitou, his presence was imposing as he pointed at Zhang's nose.

"Oh, Paibo Gang thinks they're something after defeating Lizhuang Gang? You dare to threaten my vegetable stall?" Zhang Caitou crossed his arms, showing no signs of tension. "Haha, I thought you were part of a boat gang. A few haulers working under a boat gang dare to talk to me like this? If you refuse my boats, do you think the boat gangs will let you off?"

He wasn't afraid because, in reality, the true power on the Lishui River belonged to those dozen or so boat gangs controlling the docks. These gangs controlled the movement of ships, while other workers—boatmen, sailors, laborers, and haulers—worked under them.

Above the boat gangs were the Canal Transport Officials, high-ranking officials who could easily replace any lower gang with a single word.

So, Zhang Caitou wasn't worried about threats to his small vegetable-carrying boats.

"I dare not refuse your orders, but I can make sure five out of ten of your boats capsize! You're just a vegetable handler selling produce in the East Market. If things get out of hand, do you think your boss will forgive you!?" Uncle Six continued to berate him, hands on his hips.

Listening from the side, Li Qi gradually understood the situation.

Why was Zhang Caitou causing trouble here?

According to the rules of the lower class in Lizhou City, the leaders of gangs controlling certain markets were generally called "Dangtou" (Boss).

"Dang" referred to stalls or categories within large markets.

For example, there were food stalls, vegetable stalls, fish stalls, etc.

And this Zhang Caitou was one of the handlers responsible for a specific business under a vegetable stall in the East Market.

Besides the Dangtou, there were around ten such handlers, each with their own connections and resources.

Some had their own fields, some represented villages specializing in specific vegetables, and others had ties with merchants to buy wild vegetables from rural areas. In short, these handlers ensured steady supplies of certain vegetables in the market.

Zhang Caitou was a handler under the vegetable stall in the East Market of Lizhou City.

Though this division seemed insignificant, Zhang Caitou was far more influential than Paibo Gang. Li Qi knew Zhang Caitou, who handled cabbage sales, owned three boats and four carts, delivering fresh cabbage daily from village farms to the market.

Paibo Gang occasionally took his orders to help transport vegetable cargo.

But why did he come to cause trouble in Paibo Gang's territory today?

Li Qi quietly hid himself, grabbed a long knife, and stayed behind the crowd, ensuring his figure was concealed while remaining hidden from the other party.

Upon hearing the phrase "five out of ten boats capsize," Zhang Caitou's expression changed noticeably. Clearly, this threat affected him.

But he immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Scaring me? Do you think you're the only ones who can handle water? Can't the fish stall guys match you underwater?!"

"Then go find them! Today, I'll make you crawl to find them! Brothers, surround him. If he moves, break his legs!" With Uncle Six's command, the haulers quickly surrounded Zhang Caitou in a circle.

"Do you really think your mediocre skills can stop me? I might fear you in the water, but on land, do you think you stand a chance?" Zhang Caitou showed no fear, drawing an ironwood stick and scanning the surroundings.

"You want to try?" Uncle Six shouted, raising his neck.

The situation appeared intense.

However, Li Qi knew that a fight was unlikely.

Injuries were serious for lower-class people without much capital to risk.

Moreover, from his perspective, both sides were evenly matched.

Could Paibo Gang stop Zhang Caitou?

Probably not. Even with numbers, Zhang Caitou could break through if willing to sacrifice limbs. This would result in injuries or even deaths among Paibo Gang members.

Was Zhang Caitou scared?

Despite his tough talk, he must be nervous inside. If his leg were broken, he'd lose face.

In the lower classes, losing face made many issues insurmountable.

Thus, both sides would likely compromise and start negotiations.

But what was Zhang Caitou thinking?

Why did he come alone to Paibo Gang's territory to cause trouble?

His farmhands were strong enough to support him, making Paibo Gang seem weak by comparison.

Yet, he came alone, risking severe injury.

True to Li Qi's prediction, after some heated arguments, both sides eventually moved toward negotiation.

"Zhang Caitou, what are you really here for? If it's just to argue, our brothers aren't interested. If it comes to blows, you'll be the one suffering," Uncle Six said, setting a final ultimatum.

"Well, then let's cut to the chase. Your Paibo Gang seems to have something to celebrate today, right?" Seeing the shift from argument to business, Zhang Caitou dropped his act.

"What celebration does it concern you?" Uncle Six felt tense, unsure of Zhang's intentions.

After all, there was indeed something to celebrate—Li Qi's return and success.

"Of course it doesn't concern me, but there's a big shot above us, comparable to the chief constable of the East District! He sent me to ask about your celebration!" Zhang Caitou shook his head, speaking smugly.