Under One Person: The Sea Emperor Who Shattered Heaven and Earth

"Get up, all of you! From now on, we, the Cao Gang, will abolish kneeling! Stand properly!"

"Thank you for the T-shirt!"

One by one they stood up, but their backs remained bent very low.

Several hall masters secretly gave Zhao Yuan a wink.

Zhao Yuan gave himself a pep talk, took a few deep breaths, and then spoke again:

"Chief, many of these brothers are seeing your face for the first time. They're so proud of their filial piety that they're practically blushing. Some of the gifts they brought today have already been unloaded in the front yard, and the rest are still on the boat. Gold, silver, jade, rare treasures, antiques, and paintings are piled up like mountains... Would you like me to read the gift list to you? That way, the brothers will know that you've seen their sincerity."

Below the stage, many gang leaders craned their necks, their eyes filled with both fear and hope. In their underworld logic, if the money was delivered, their lives would be spared.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhen's gaze slowly swept over the pairs of expectant eyes below, and he suddenly chuckled softly.

"Everyone..."

Jiang Zhen spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "I, Jiang Zhen, have seen the things you sent from so far away, and I will accept them."

A stir went up in the audience, and many people looked delighted.

But before they could even catch their breath, Jiang Zhen abruptly changed the subject:

“But I won’t put a single penny of these things into my personal coffers.”

Jiang Zhen pointed to the stack of gifts that Zhao Yuan had neatly arranged, his expression indifferent. "Master Bai, register them. This gold and silver jewelry is the first 'gang reserve fund' for our unified Canal Gang. Every penny must be used wisely."

Jiang Zhen even cracked a joke at this point.

"If any of you brothers find out that this money has been used to buy a house for Jiang Zhen and to marry a concubine, just come to Shanghai with a knife and find me."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, each thinking, "Even if you're bored and just messing around, no one would dare criticize you." But aloud, they uttered flattering words like, "No, no," and "Our leader has truly gone to great lengths for our canal gang."

"okay."

Jiang Zhen's smile vanished, and he leaned forward slightly, an invisible pressure instantly enveloping the entire room. "I've gathered you all here today not to see you kowtow, nor to hear you sing hymns of praise."

Jiang Zhen waved his hand, and immediately someone distributed the current battle reports.

After everyone finished reading, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy.

News of the war had already reached the ears of these waterway lords through various channels.

"What are your thoughts after watching?" Jiang Zhen looked up at the crowd.

A gang leader from Jiangbei bravely stepped forward, his voice trembling:

"Reporting to the leader, the world is in chaos. People in many places have been displaced, and in some areas, the rivers are littered with the floating corpses of refugees..."

"Yes, Chief!" another hall master chimed in indignation, "I've heard rumors that the Japanese army is preparing to attack Nanjing..."

Nanjing? Nanjing!

Jiang Zhen's pupils contracted to their maximum, and he slammed his hand on the armrest, turning the hard wood and stone into dust under his palm. Then he suddenly stood up, and his murderous aura swept across the entire area like a volcanic eruption.

"Everyone!"

"I, Jiang Zhen, will make this clear today. I don't care how you all lived your lives before, nor do I care whether you truly respect me as your leader. But on the matter of the War of Resistance—"

Jiang Zhen's voice was like the clash of metal and stone, cold and resolute: "Anyone who dares to hold me back, anyone who dares to be a traitor or a lackey, whether out of fear of death or for money, as long as I catch them in the slightest sign, I don't need evidence, I will personally go and take their head off and hang it on the flagpole in the Huangpu River to be blown around in the wind!"

Inside the hall, hundreds of people were terrified by Jiang Zhen's words. Even Zhao Yuan held his breath, not daring to move, waiting for Jiang Zhen to say something next.

"I hereby declare!"

Jiang Zhen flicked his sleeves and announced:

"First: Intelligence is paramount. From now on, all the boatmen, barge haulers, and water rats in every branch will become my ears. I need information on the movements of the Japanese army, the whereabouts of their supplies, and their whereabouts. Anything related to the Japanese, even what their commander drank today, must be reported to me!"

"Second: logistical support. No matter who is fighting the Japanese, as long as it is our Chinese army, we will provide them with convenience when they pass through the territory of the Canal Gang! We will help transport munitions, food and medicine!"

"Third: intercept by waterways. The Japanese want to use our rivers to transport weapons? Dream on! All branches at all levels, organize yourselves and launch a full-scale attack on the Japanese transport ships. If you can't blow them up, sink them; if you can't sink them, burn them. I want to turn the Japanese supply lines into their death ropes!"

"Fourth: Escorting the people. Wherever war breaks out, the canal boats must be there! Helping the people evacuate and helping refugees head south. We grew up drinking this river, we can't watch our fellow villagers be trampled to death on the banks!"

"Fifth: Expand the army and kill the enemy. Each branch has three days to select ten of the most fearless and capable brothers and send them to the headquarters in Shanghai! I want to personally form a 'Grand Canal Gang Anti-Japanese Vanguard Army,' with excellent treatment and doubled compensation! I want to lead them into battle and personally twist off the heads of the Japanese devils!"

"Sixth: Annihilate everyone. On this land, anyone who is Japanese, whether a soldier, a merchant, or whatever, kill them! No matter their status, kill them! No matter who's behind them, kill them! Forget the rules of the underworld, poison them, stab them in the back, ambush them, kill them! As long as you can kill them, it's a great achievement! After killing someone, come to Shanghai to claim your reward with their head or evidence. The reward is the gold and silver you just delivered!"

"Seventh: I will take full responsibility for all the consequences of the above six points. You can push all the responsibility onto me when you are outside."

Jiang Zhen stood up, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the room and continued, “I know that once these regulations are issued, the Japanese will retaliate fiercely. Some of you are afraid of death, but I am not. I, Jiang Zhen, will bear all the consequences alone! If the Japanese want revenge, let them come find me, Jiang Zhen! If they want to kill, let them come to Shanghai to kill me!”

"The above is all the content of today's topic, the 'Death Order'."

Jiang Zhen sat back down in the main seat, his tone returning to that eerily calm.

"What are your thoughts, everyone? Do you have grievances or difficulties? Speak freely. Although I, Jiang Zhen, am quick to kill, I am also open to listening to people. Anyone who doesn't want to work here, bring it up now, hand over your branch, and I'll spare your life, allowing you to take your family overseas to escape disaster."

A long silence fell over the hall.

This was beyond everyone's imagination. In the minds of these elderly members of the Grand Canal Gang, the gang was merely a tool for making money and protecting their lives. But Jiang Zhen was dragging the entire gang into the meat grinder of war, gambling away their centuries-old foundation!

The money they sent over was originally meant to buy their lives, but Jiang Zhen turned it into bounties for buying the lives of Japanese soldiers.

A dormant flame of loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and courage—the kind that belonged to the founding of the old canal gang—seemed to have been rekindled in the hearts of these decaying middle-aged and elderly people by Jiang Zhen's fire.

"Master..."

Zhao Yuan was the first to step forward, his voice hoarse and impassioned:

"Chief, you said that all waters under heaven flow to the sea. Now that the Canal Gang is finally unified, there is no reason for the Chief to bear the burden alone. If word gets out, wouldn't that make us a laughing stock for those damned Japanese!"

"I, Zhao Yuan, obey! If even one Japanese supply ship escapes on my Grand Canal, I, Zhao Yuan, will commit suicide to atone for my sins, Chief!"

"Rest assured, Master! I, Tang, obey your command!"

"We obey!"

One voice after another, the submissive submission that had been tinged with timidity finally transformed into a fiercely righteous national spirit.

Chapter 37 The Chief of the Canal Gang Hundreds of Years Ago

The "Order to Kill the Sun" was issued like a crimson lightning bolt, instantly tearing through the oppressive and suffocating sky.

Within just a few days, the news traveled downstream and upstream along the rolling river, spreading throughout teahouses, docks, military camps, and even the still lingering smoke of war in Nanjing.

Inside those high-walled courtyards, someone frowned, marveling that these roughnecks were actually more courageous than some regular soldiers.

Inside those cave dwellings and earthen houses, someone with piercing eyes drew a heavy circle on a map, marking the Shanghai Canal Gang.

The Japanese military was furious. That day, countless items were smashed in the military headquarters.

However, at the heart of this storm, the back room of the Shanghai Canal Gang headquarters was eerily quiet.

In the back hall, wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner.

Master Feng leaned back in his armchair, tapping his pipe idly. Opposite him, Zhao Yuan, the once-glorious Grand Canal helmsman, sat with his backside half-reclined in his chair, his hands resting awkwardly on his knees, his face plastered with a servile smile.

"Fifth Master, please try this West Lake pre-Qingming tea. I specially had it transported from Suzhou and Hangzhou." Zhao Yuan personally poured a cup of tea for Fifth Master Feng, adopting an extremely humble posture.

In terms of seniority in the underworld and their previous status, Zhao Yuan was a major leader, while Fifth Master Feng was merely a subordinate leader. If it were half a year ago, Fifth Master Feng would have had to treat Zhao Yuan with the respect due to a junior and address him as "Grandpa Zhao."

But now, the tables have turned. Master Feng is Jiang Zhen's trusted confidant and a member of Jiang Zhen's family, while Zhao Yuan is just a surrendered general who has redeemed himself through meritorious service.

"Uncle Zhao, you're too kind." Uncle Feng raised his eyelids slightly and looked at him with a half-smile. "This tea is good, but in this day and age, it might taste a bit earthy."

Zhao Yuan smiled awkwardly, but a sour feeling welled up inside him. He stole a glance at Master Feng's leisurely demeanor and cursed inwardly, "Damn it, this old man must be incredibly lucky! He's been guarding this run-down dock for decades and managed to pick up a monster like Jiang Zhen as his successor. I've spent half my life struggling on the Grand Canal, and in the end, I still have to put up with this stubborn old mule's attitude."

But he spoke in a very pleasant tone: "Fifth Master is right. When the Chief issued this 'Kill the Sun Order,' I was both excited and panicked. That's why I came here to discuss it with you. The Chief has ordered all our branches to mobilize manpower to keep watch and hijack ships. We need your advice on the intricacies of this. After all, you know the Chief's temperament best."

Master Feng naturally noticed Zhao Yuan's slight resentment. He exhaled a smoke ring and said calmly, "Bai Fu is overseeing the transfer. Just follow the procedures. The gang leader doesn't care about the process, only the result. If a Japanese transport ship is allowed to pass on the Grand Canal, the gang leader's heavy blows won't be based on your seniority."

Zhao Yuan shivered and repeatedly agreed.

The two then discussed the establishment of the intelligence network for a while. Just as the conversation was coming to a close, Zhao Yuan suddenly lowered his voice, a deep light flashing in his eyes, and asked, seemingly casually:

"Fifth Master, to be frank, our Canal Gang has been broken up for hundreds of years. Which leader or hall master wasn't just after their own little territory? There's never been a true gang leader. I never expected that Gang Leader Jiang would single-handedly unite all these people into one ironclad force... What are your thoughts on the gang leader's complete unification of the Canal Gang now?"

Fifth Master Feng paused for a moment, then his expression returned to normal: "The gang leader said it's for the sake of protecting our country. Only when scattered sands unite into a fist can we fight the Japanese. What, does Uncle Zhao think there's something wrong with that?"

Zhao Yuan chuckled softly.

“Those juniors and those incompetent hall masters may not know, but how could you and I not know? There is a history of the gang in the main branch. Although it has been gathering dust all this time, I memorized it when I was young in order to get a higher position. And I remember that your Fifth Master used to like literature and calligraphy. He must have borrowed it to read.”

Zhao Yuan leaned closer, his voice barely audible, "But after all, many years have passed, and Fifth Master, you are likely to have a bad memory, so I can only remind you. The last person to truly integrate all the waterways of the Grand Canal Gang, commanding nearly 100,000 sailors and thousands of ships crossing the river... was back at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, right? You should remember the name of that gang leader from hundreds of years ago..."

“His surname is Chen, and his given name is Youliang…” When he said this name, a glint of unprecedented brilliance flashed in Zhao Yuan’s eyes.

Upon hearing this name, Master Feng abruptly stopped in his tracks, his hand holding the pipe still.

Seeing Feng Wuye's suddenly darkening expression, Zhao Yuan continued in a sinister tone, "Now the gang leader is powerful and well-equipped, and his martial arts are divine. Plus, with this banner of righteousness raised, the lives of nearly 100,000 members of the Canal Gang are entirely in his hands. What do you say…"

"Shut up!" Master Feng raised his hand and slapped Zhao Yuan directly. Zhao Yuan blocked the attack. The two men locked eyes, and their Qi energy spread around them. The coffee table beneath them suddenly cracked open.

"What happened, Fifth Master?" The gang members outside rushed in upon hearing the commotion, but were immediately yelled at by Fifth Master Feng and thrown out, "Get out! Get out now! No one is allowed to come in without my order!"

Zhao Yuan also spoke up, "Don't worry, it's nothing. I was just exchanging skills with Fifth Master to see if I've gotten rusty."

After everyone left, Fifth Master Feng withdrew his hand, but still stared intently at Zhao Yuan. Zhao Yuan didn't mind helping Fifth Master Feng straighten the wrinkles on his clothes from his hasty actions.

"Zhao Yuan, I'm warning you, if a single word of what I said today gets out, I will kill you!"

"Fifth Master, I'm not a fool. I understand the implications. Please rest assured, once I realized what was going on, I secretly gathered all the gang members together and will send them to your courtyard later. As for what to do with them, that's up to you."

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you!" Fifth Master Feng looked at Zhao Yuan with a sinister gaze.

Zhao Yuan replied nonchalantly, "Of course I'm scared, but what have I done?"

"I just wanted to remind you that the world... right now, just like it was then, haha..."

Zhao Yuan didn't say anything more. He got up to leave, leaving Master Feng with a meaningful look on his back.

Master Feng sat in the shadows, his eyes becoming extremely gloomy.

……

Meanwhile, in a secluded pharmacy in the headquarters' backyard.

This place was originally a storage area for herbs, but it has now been transformed into an extremely strange laboratory. Lin Zhu was sitting in front of a pile of bottles and jars, her beautiful eyes filled with fine blood vessels.

"Chief Jiang, you are now truly 'famous throughout the world'."

Lin Zhu heard footsteps but didn't look up. Her tone was a mix of teasing and inexplicable complexity. As she watched Jiang Zhen walk in, her heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

Although they were of the same generation, Jiang Zhen is now famous throughout the world and has become the leader of a gang.