Becoming a literary master starting from the story of Minglan

Chapter 319 A Clash with the Canal Gang
"really!"

Uncle Wang squinted, staring intently at the unusually tranquil river surface before him, a slight tremor running through his heart.

"It's finally here!"

Although the river surface appears calm and peaceful at the moment, Uncle Wang knows perfectly well that this is merely the calm before the storm.

The enemy has already arrived.

On the river surface not far away, occasional glimmers of light, like fireflies, appeared and disappeared in the quiet, dim waters.

Especially at this time of year when the stars and moon are not shining brightly, those scattered fluorescent lights only accentuate the gloom of the surroundings.

On the tranquil river surface, whirlpools swirled and rolled in circles, subtly foreshadowing the impending crisis.

"It seems my prediction was correct!"

"These people really want to use our Fulai Shipping Company to establish their authority!"

Smelling the faint fishy smell rising from the steam, a cold glint suddenly appeared on Uncle Wang's aged face. His usual kind and gentle demeanor transformed into something fierce, as if he had become a tiger about to devour someone.

"In that case, let's see what each of us can do!"

"If you want to devour our Fu Lai Shipping Company's ships, you'll have to see how strong your teeth are!"

Just as Wang Bo hardened his heart and prepared to fight head-on, the sentry post that had been set up on the ship immediately shouted a loud proclamation.

"Everyone be careful, there are enemies!"

The sentry post is a unique position in the shipping industry, a position that must be set up for boatmen who specialize in transporting goods.

The sentries were usually tall, strong men with extremely keen eyesight. They would stand at the very front of the ship, listening to everything around them and keeping watch in all directions to warn the people on board in case of danger.

Of course, not only man-made disasters, but also natural disasters are within their vigilance range.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Thump! Thump..."

A series of rapid yet rhythmic sounds suddenly rang out on the deck, and judging from the sounds and their practiced movements, it was clear that these people had been prepared for this.

Indeed, that was the case. Long after the envoy from the Sickle Gang arrived, the guards and sailors on the ship understood what they were about to face.

There was no other reason than that they would inevitably encounter the previous battle on the way ahead, so they made preparations early, packed their tools, and were ready to start fighting.

At this moment, the shouts from the sentry post were more like bugle calls than warning calls; at least, to their ears, they sounded like the call to war was about to begin.

"on!"

"Follow up quickly!"

"..."

A series of urgent and fierce shouts rang out, and the atmosphere on both ships suddenly became "lively".

Yes, it's exactly "lively"!
At the very least, in the eyes of Sheng Changquan and others, it did indeed have a sense of happiness.

"Young Master, they... seem a bit..."

"...That's...strange!"

Xu Changqing hesitated for a moment. He followed behind Sheng Changquan, touched the back of his thick head, and asked in surprise, stammering, "Could it be...could it be that they didn't know...there might be casualties next?"

"Why do these people seem so happy... like they're celebrating a festival?"

Although Xu Changqing's words were somewhat exaggerated, they were indeed reasonable. Judging from their expressions, anyone who didn't know better would think that something good was about to happen.

"Inside here!"

"There must be some kind of custom involved, right?"

Sheng Changquan was also a little unsure. While adjusting the special "belt" around his waist, he made a rough guess: "I guess they're already used to this kind of scene?"

"Perhaps this is their way of venting their inner emotions?"

Sheng Changquan glanced at the crowd in front of him and answered casually.

"Is that so?"

Xu Changqing still had some doubts.

However, at this moment, he didn't have time to think too much, after all, the situation had begun to become somewhat tense.

Because those people have already shown themselves and brandished their knives.

In fact, the reason why the people on this ship dared to be so enthusiastic and "happy" was not only because they were used to it, as Sheng Changquan guessed, but also because of the rules set by their shipping company.

After they died fighting for the shipping company, their families would receive a pension that would provide them with a lifetime of security.

Fu Lai Shipping Company is a large shipping company with powerful connections. It is said that they are related to certain nobles in the palace. They are not only wealthy but also have very strong connections. Therefore, they are naturally very generous to their employees.

For these men, it was better to sell their lives to the shipping company and earn a pension that would ensure their families wouldn't have to worry about them for the rest of their lives than to live a life of aimless wandering and uncertainty, not knowing if they would ever be able to earn a stable income to support their families.

Even if I die, it's definitely not a loss!
And this ridiculous yet pathetic reason is indeed the real reason why these people behave this way.

The truth born of helplessness!

Meanwhile, as Wang Bo's men made a commotion, the enemies on the other side naturally noticed something was wrong immediately.

"Hahaha!"

"Brothers, follow up!"

"..."

These people are all lone wolves, without the power of those big gangs who have a stable source of income. They are mostly criminals who have committed crimes or unfortunate people who can't make a living. Therefore, they live a life of uncertainty, sometimes not knowing where their next meal will come from.

Since they live a life of hardship, they are naturally fearless.

After all, they had nothing left but their lives, so they all transformed into "warriors" and charged directly towards the fleets of the Sheng and He families.

"quick!"

"Now that they've spotted us, everyone grab your knives and charge!"

When the leaders of the crowd on the other side saw that Uncle Wang had already organized his men, they also raised their own banners and urged their men to charge at the boats of the Sheng and He families.

"Yes, boss!"

After the bandits responded in unison, they shouted, "Charge!"

"superior……"

These men responded to their leader's call, drawing their weapons and charging forward with shouts. "Bang!"

"boom……"

Just as the pirates' "army" was advancing, a series of "water ghosts" who had already been hiding around the fleet also emerged from underwater.

They all had knives in their mouths, their bodies submerged in the water, swimming and paddling towards the pleasure boat.

These "water ghosts" were actually a "suicide squad" composed of the best swimmers and most ruthless among the river bandits; they were the first step in their attack on the ship.

Typically, these people would be the ones to storm into the fleet first, disrupting the enemy's defenses, so that the following troops could get onto the deck and engage the enemy in close combat.

However, the people in front of us are composed of several small groups. Although they lack tacit understanding and are not as well-coordinated as members of gangs, they are more ruthless!
Therefore, when these "water ghosts" climbed up the ship's side, everyone on board tensed up, fearing that the enemy would break through their defenses and sneak in.

"Someone, bring the harpoons!"

Seeing that these "water ghosts" were almost climbing up on all fours, Wang Bo became anxious. He hurriedly ordered his men to load up their harpoons and prepare to drive away the enemy.

Although Fu Lai Shipping Company had a powerful background, they still dared not violate the law by carrying weapons on board with torches and halberds. Therefore, apart from the occasional sword, spear, or halberd, most people used harpoons.

However, this harpoon is specially made. It looks ordinary, as if it were something fishermen would use, but it is actually a weapon specially made by someone. It has a long shaft, a sharp blade, and a hard and dense texture, making it easier to kill people than fish.

"Stab quickly!"

"Brothers, hurry up and insert it!"

"..."

While reminding their companions, the guards and sailors gripped their harpoons tightly and plunged them fiercely into the dark water outside the ship's side.

"puff!"

"Pfft!"

"..."

Although the light was poor and it was not very clear, because there were enough people on the ship, quite a few casualties were killed in a short time. At the very least, with one after another sound like stabs being made into watermelons, the heart-wrenching screams of pain echoed through the night sky.

"boom!"

"Bang! Bang!"

"..."

One after another, the sound of splashing into the water reached the ears of everyone on the boat.

"Whoo~"

Seeing the battle situation before them, Xu Changqing and the others suddenly relaxed, feeling that there would be no major problems this time.

After all, they had ample manpower, superior weaponry, and an excellent position for both offense and defense. Therefore, with the advantage of terrain and popular support, victory was inevitable.

"Young Master, it seems these people aren't anything special after all!"

"They probably won't be able to get up here!"

Because Fan Yigong had led the men from both families to support Uncle Wang, Sheng Changquan only had Xu Changqing by his side. At this moment, he was craning his neck to observe the offensive and defensive postures of both sides and made this judgment.

"Ok!"

Sheng Changquan did not object to this; he simply watched the scene unfold before him, slowly making his own calculations.

"Tonight, I guess everything will be fine!"

"These people have little hope of getting onto the ship."

Sheng Changquan's expression was solemn, his gaze fixed on the future: "I just don't know if there will be any changes in the upcoming itinerary?"

"Are those gang members really incapable of taking action?"

That's right. This attack will not be the only one. As long as they don't make it to the capital, there could be many more attacks like tonight.

However, I imagine there will be many, and they will become increasingly difficult!

Thinking of this, Sheng Changquan's heart gradually grew heavy.

……

Meanwhile, while the two sides were locked in fierce combat, a hundred kilometers away, unbeknownst to everyone, another sizable fleet was quietly anchored.

Unlike the fleets of the Sheng and He families, which consisted of only two large ships, this fleet included more than a dozen large ships with considerable draft.

However, unlike the pleasure boats of the Sheng and He families, which were mainly used for carrying people, their boats were commercial vessels used for transporting goods.

The ship was rough and large, but it lacked an attractive appearance. Compared to the pleasure boats of the Sheng and He families, it was like comparing a wild beast to a beautiful woman.

Moreover, judging from the fact that most of the large ships in front of them had sunk, the fleet was probably fully loaded with goods and heading somewhere, truly a fully loaded fleet.

What's rather strange is that despite the fleet's ostentatious transport of goods across the Han River, the river pirates ignored them and didn't attack them at all.

Of course, it's possible that these people have already paid enough tolls to those water gangs, so they don't move, but how could those flea-like roving soldiers not make a move?
After all, they are all insatiable bloodsucking leeches!

There's something really strange about this.

However, if you look at it more closely, you will understand why.

This is because, on this "arrogant" fleet, each large ship has a large flag flying on its sail.

The design of the flag also inherited the rugged style of the fleet. It was rough but grand, or rather, domineering. The simple yet wide flag had nothing superfluous except for a large white background with a black character carefully printed on it – “漕”!
This flag might be unfamiliar elsewhere, but it is very famous among people who live off water.

Because they represent the canal gangs.

A powerful force that dominated the four regions of the Han River.

The Grand Canal Gang was a force composed entirely of ordinary people; you could call them a gang or a family.

Because their rules are very strange. Putting aside the origins of their members, their gang rules are quite unique. At the very least, there is a clear division of classes among them, yet there is also an indescribable ambiguity.

The canal gang has only one gang leader, three elders, and nine deacons. They each have their own duties, but they are all responsible to the gang leader. The division of responsibilities is not discussed here, but the gang leader has the greatest power.

Moreover, and most importantly, the position of the leader of the Canal Gang has always been passed down through bloodline or the ironclad rule of master-disciple succession.

However, the former's lineage is higher than the latter's.

In other words, unless all members of the current leader of the Cao Gang, the Shi family, are dead, it is not the turn of the previous leader's apprentice to become the leader.

Therefore, it is precisely for this reason that the canal gang can be regarded as a family.

(End of this chapter)