And further afield, there's the Yang family's 15%!
"Finally, I have one more announcement to make," I said calmly. "I reiterate: only those who follow the rules can continue playing this game... I've recently heard rumors that some people are secretly trading with smugglers at sea behind our backs... Such behavior undoubtedly undermines the interests of all of us! You see, if we don't unite, we won't be able to collect so much money! Those who are doing bad things behind our backs are robbing us all! Gentlemen, I think none of you will allow this situation to continue, will you?"
His words immediately resonated with the crowd!
"Who dares to do this! Kill him!!"
"God above, He will surely punish him!"
"FUCK!! Kill him!! He dares to ruin everyone's livelihood!!"
I was quite pleased with everyone's reactions. I also noticed that some people among the crowd had a slight change in expression. However, I didn't immediately make a move.
A leader must know when to be firm and when to be lenient. Making an example of one to deter others is sufficient, but relying solely on harsh methods is inappropriate. Today, I'm merely issuing a deterrent; if he's smart, he'll likely back down and stop. If he dares to continue, I don't even need to lift a finger; I just need to leak the information… and all of you here, these gang leaders whose minds are clouded by the dollar today, will collectively rush forward and tear apart the guy who's ruining everyone's livelihood!
Unity isn't something you can achieve by simply shouting slogans! The most important thing to maintain our unity is to tie everyone's interests together!
Everyone was excitedly clutching their dollar bills, while I leaned back in my chair, leisurely smoking, a smile on my face.
Tender green buds have already sprouted on the branches and leaves. Although there is still a hint of early spring chill, that touch of green has already irresistibly emerged...
In this meticulously arranged flower garden, the cobblestone paths are paved with trees that I transplanted at a high price. The entire villa is built in a traditional Chinese style—of course, I didn't build this villa; I "bought" it from the head of the Chinese business community.
Over the past six months, our cooperation with the Chinese gangs has grown increasingly close. The Big Circle gangs already had fewer people than the Chinese gangs, and although our personnel were several times more skilled, it would be unwise to spread these people across too many territories. Therefore, I strategically "transferred" several territories to the Chinese gangs.
Because the territory is in the hands of the Chinese gang, I don't have to worry about them growing stronger and posing a threat to me.
The reason... to be honest, is somewhat disheartening... because the Chinese community is very disunited. The various factions and small groups within them are not peaceful with each other, and are even disunited. Without a doubt... the Chinese are the most adept at internal strife in the world.
However, because of this, I cleverly used the proportion of territory transferred to create a relative balance within the Chinese gang, while still keeping the gang's power within my control.
Unless the Chinese community could suddenly unite overnight... then their power would surpass mine. But even the dumbest person knows that this is simply impossible! The Chinese community is composed of a dozen or so "hometown associations" from different places, plus seven or eight "clan associations" from different surnames. So many small organizations constitute a nominal "Chinese community." To unite so many small organizations that have been fighting each other for decades... I'm afraid only God could do it.
This small building was carefully prepared by me for my seventh uncle. Since being diagnosed with a terminal illness, he has been living in seclusion here to recuperate.
I came here immediately after finishing that spoils-dividing meeting today.
The doctor told me that Uncle Qi probably didn't have much time left. If no miracle happened, he could only hold on for another two weeks at most.
So these past few days, no matter how busy I am, I always make time to spend two hours here to visit Uncle Qi and talk to him.
When I entered the small courtyard, I saw Uncle Qi sitting on the cobblestone ground. I was startled, thinking something had happened to him, and quickly went over. I found that Uncle Qi was sitting calmly on the ground, staring at the newly sprouted buds on the small tree next to him, seemingly lost in thought, not knowing what he was thinking.
Uncle Qi had lost a lot of weight. He was wearing an overcoat, but his body looked like a skeleton. The overcoat could not hide his withered and weak body. Only his eyes were still so bright!
This old man is facing the final stage of his life.
Part Two: The Road to Success, Chapter 116: The End of an Era
Uncle Qi's illness is in his brain. I'm not very familiar with those complicated medical terms. The only thing I know is the general idea: Uncle Qi has a malignant tumor in his brain, and because of its location, the success rate of surgery is less than seven percent. So, surgical treatment is basically out of the question.
As this tumor grows, it will eventually take Uncle Seven's life! Once it grows to a certain extent and compresses some nerves in the brain, Uncle Seven will lose some basic senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, etc.
Now, Uncle Seven's eyesight has deteriorated.
Within half a month, on any day, Uncle Seven could suddenly die without any warning.
I walked up behind him, but Uncle Qi didn't notice—in fact, his hearing had also deteriorated.
Softly, I heard the old man sigh, and then he stretched out his withered hand, trying to touch the tender green bud on the branch... But his hand stopped halfway, as if reluctant to let go, pausing a few centimeters away from the bud.
"Seventh...Seventh Uncle," I called softly.
He turned his head, looked at me silently, and smiled. Uncle Qi looked very tired, but his eyes were still bright. He said in a low voice, "Help me up."
I helped him into his wheelchair and then covered him with a blanket. I frowned and asked, "Where's Xiao Zhu? Didn't I ask him to take care of you?"
Uncle Qi shook his head: "I sent him out to buy me something." He glanced at me: "Do you have any cigarettes? I'd like to have one."
Without hesitation, I immediately took out my cigarette case and gave it to him.
I know. A terminally ill patient like him definitely shouldn't smoke… but can I refuse him? This old man is dying. Maybe in three days. Maybe in five days, or… maybe in the next minute!
Let him enjoy as much as he can before he dies.
Uncle Qi was very weak; his fingers, holding the cigarette, were trembling. I felt a pang of sadness and pushed the wheelchair, saying, "Let's go inside, Uncle Qi, it's a bit cold outside."
“No, let me stay outside a little longer.” He smiled.
I stood silently beside him, unsure what to say… words of comfort? I didn't know how to say anything to someone who already knew he was nearing the end. Those empty words of consolation were utterly meaningless.
Uncle Qi quietly finished his cigarette, letting out a contented sigh. Then, ignoring my protests, he struggled to bend down and casually scooped something up from the ground…
On both sides of the cobblestone ground is fresh soil, as the plants were recently transplanted. Therefore, the soil is still somewhat loose.
With great effort, his trembling fingers scooped up a handful of soil from the ground. Then he sat up straight, brought the soil to his nose, and took a deep sniff…
"I'm getting old." Uncle Qi sighed, looking at me with a hint of a smile, tinged with melancholy: "In a few days, I'll become one with this soil... Well, dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Everyone has to go through this day eventually."
Then, he waved his hand laboriously, pointing in front of him: "Sit down and talk to me."
There was only a cement platform in front of him, but I didn't care about that at the moment. I immediately sat down opposite him.
“Little Five…” Uncle Seven nodded, looking at me with shining eyes… perhaps this was the only part of the old man that still had life in him: “You did a good job… really, a very good job.” Uncle Seven said in a low voice: “Since you took over, I actually had some doubts about you at the beginning… after all, you are too young, but at that time, for the livelihood of the Big Circle brothers, I still decided to come out and support you. Now it seems that my choice was the right one.”
I didn't say anything.
"The brothers in the Big Circle are doing better now than they have in the past twenty-odd years! I want to say something to you today..." Uncle Qi looked at me with a smile, then said with satisfaction, "Two years ago, you came to me, and I brought you into the Big Circle... It's probably the most successful and proudest thing I've ever done in my life." He reached out and gently touched my face, laughing, "Kid, I still remember that day you were carrying a bag, looking like you had just smuggled yourself ashore, all naive and clueless... Sigh, but I never imagined that in just two years, you would be the undisputed Fifth Master of Vancouver."
I felt a pang of sadness and squeezed Uncle Qi's hand tightly.
"I've come to the end of my life," Uncle Qi sighed, pointing to the tree. "See those buds? I only saw them sprout today... Hmm, very good, very good. You're better than me, better than all of us old guys from before. I believe you'll lead these brothers to even greater glory in the future. This old man won't live to see it... and I'm afraid I can't help you much anymore."
I felt a lump in my throat, wanting to say something, but unable to utter a word.
"Ah, when people are about to die, they always have some lingering thoughts, always feel they haven't said enough, haven't seen enough of the world, always wish they could keep their eyes open for a few more days... But it's not that easy! Hehe! In my life, this old man has had his share of glory, he's done his share of murder and arson, he's drunk from big bowls, eaten his share of meat, and lived a life of swift retribution. That's all. It was worth it! Damn it." Uncle Seven laughed: "Moreover, what I'm even more proud of than those other old brothers is that when they died, the Big Circle was still in turmoil! But when I died, I witnessed the Big Circle's prosperity!! When I get down there and meet those old brothers, I can brag about it to them."
He laughed heartily, then sniffed the handful of soil in his hand again and casually sprinkled it on the ground.
"Little Five, I have a favor to ask of you." Uncle Seven looked at me.
"Seventh Uncle, please tell me," I said without hesitation. "Whatever it is, I will definitely get it done for you!"
"I'm old," Uncle Qi said quietly, looking at me. "I left my hometown when I was a teenager. Those were turbulent times! I was sent to the countryside as part of the 'Down to the Countryside Movement,' spending ten years in Yunnan! A full ten years! I was just a kid back then. After returning from the countryside, the war with Vietnam broke out. My old buddies and I, as soon as we got off the bus, rushed to enlist! Heh heh! After the war with Vietnam, we guys were all covered in blood. It's strange now... Well, I've been in Canada for so many years, and even now, as I'm dying, I never think about my hometown. Not at all. There's nothing left of my hometown." "My parents' graves are gone. When I left, all I had was a dilapidated cowshed. I had nothing left to look back on… But these past few days, I keep dreaming about that mountain village in Yunnan. It's where I was sent to the countryside. I stayed there for ten years. Sigh, these past few days, I keep thinking, 'A person is worthless when they leave their hometown!' People say that when you get old, you return to your roots, but where are my roots? I don't want to think about my hometown anymore; there's nothing there anymore. I just hope that I can go back to Yunnan through church, back to that mountain village where I lived for ten years. Kid, you know what? I've always felt that's where my roots are! That's my hometown."
A thought struck me: "Seventh Uncle, if you want to go back, I'll arrange it immediately!"
"No." Uncle Qi shook his head. "I don't dare go back now... Don't laugh, but I'm scared! I'm afraid that if I go back, everything will have changed, the familiar houses will be gone, the familiar people will be gone... Going back will only make me feel uncomfortable. Hehe, kid, do you know why I miss that place?"
"have no idea."
Uncle Qi looked into the distance, as if reminiscing: "Back then, in that mountain village, I was only eighteen years old. Eighth Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, and I were all sent to the countryside. I was the strongest, and I even learned some kung fu from the villagers. Taking advantage of my youth, I liked to fight. Eighth, Third, and Fourth Brother were always cleaning up my messes, haha! But then, I fell for a girl… um, what was her name again? Ah, right, I think it was Awang. Don't laugh, it's not a nice name, but that girl was beautiful, so lovely! We guys back then, we'd never seen a woman before! We all thought she was a fairy! Heh!"
He reminisced about those days, and when he talked about them, he became even more energetic, and even asked me for another cigarette.
Uncle Qi, with a cigarette between his fingers, continued to reminisce: "Hmm, when did Awang start having feelings for me... sigh, I can't remember. I helped her fetch water and chop firewood. She smiled at me, damn it, her smile was so sweet! Then one night, behind the ditch, we had a secret rendezvous, and I couldn't control myself, so I... hahaha!"
Uncle Qi laughed for a while, then a shadow crossed his eyes: "Sigh, I wanted to marry her, and she was willing. But back then, in those days... we were outsiders, we were sent to the countryside as part of the 'Down to the Countryside Movement,' and to put it bluntly, we had a bad class background! The locals wouldn't marry their daughters to us. I secretly dated Awang for about a month, and then her parents married her off to some guy from the next village, damn it!" Uncle Qi's eyes widened, and he shouted: "Back then, I was young and impulsive, so I grabbed a carrying pole, rushed to Awang's house, chopped down her front door, and had a big argument with her parents. Then I stood guard at the village entrance with that carrying pole, knowing that the guy who was going to marry her was coming to give the betrothal gifts. I was waiting there! I saw him coming with his men carrying loads from afar, and I don't know where the anger came from, but I grabbed the carrying pole and jumped out, and single-handedly chased away seven or eight of them! That guy even got hit on the shoulder by my carrying pole and lay in bed for three days after he got home!"
Uncle Qi shook his head and sighed, "And that's how I got into trouble! The villagers came to arrest me. More than a dozen people surrounded me, tied me up with ropes, and locked me in the cowshed. That night, the third, fourth, and eighth brothers quietly climbed over the wall and rescued me. I knew I'd gotten myself into big trouble. Luckily, the eighth brother was smart; he came up with an idea, telling me to take a bag of dry food and hide in the mountains. I stayed there for a whole week. Damn it, I almost got eaten by wolves. The third and eighth brothers took turns bringing me food. After a week, the eighth brother said everything was fine and I could come down the mountain. When I came down, I found out that they weren't going to pursue the matter anymore because Awang had pleaded for me. She went to that guy's house in the neighboring village and knelt at his door for a whole day. Two days before I came down the mountain, Awang was taken away by his family and married into their family."
Looking at the trembling muscles at the corner of Uncle Qi's eye, I was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.
"I regret it so much!" Uncle Seven shook his head. "I was like a madman back then. I grabbed a wood-chopping knife and was about to fight to the death. Third, Fourth, and Eighth Brothers desperately stopped me. In the struggle, I accidentally slashed Eighth Brother... Heh heh! Now you know why Eighth Brother is missing a finger! He's called Fang Bazhi (Eight-Finger Fang) because of that knife I stabbed him! But it was that one slash, seeing Eighth Brother clutching his hand, covered in blood, that made me freeze and calm down. Damn it, I caused trouble, and my brothers are running around for me. Am I even human?!"
"...What happened after that... there's not much to say. I endured it and stayed there for a few more years. Then the policy changed. I went back to the city, joined the army, fought the Vietnamese, and after that, I was discharged. I gathered some men with my brothers and went out to make a living, eventually ending up in Canada... Sigh, a person, after a lifetime, really sees everything! Back then, my third brother, fourth brother, and eighth brother, we were so close! And a few other brothers, although they didn't come to the countryside with us, they were all brothers who came together when we were fighting in the army! But once they came to this dazzling world, everyone changed! Heh! Heh heh!!" Uncle Seven suddenly chuckled coldly twice, a tear rolling down his cheek!
"...How the third and fourth brothers died, how the sixth brother died... I didn't ask. I didn't say. The eighth brother wants to take over, I won't stop him! He was originally the smartest one among us! Yes, he was indeed the smartest. I'm the most useless. Besides acting impulsively and risking my life, I don't have much ability. The eighth brother wants to take over, I won't stop him! Even if he wants my life, I'll just let him have it! I'm tired! I only have a few brothers in my life, and in the end, you hit me, I kill you. Damn it, I'm fed up! I'm quitting, okay?!" Uncle Qi's tone was filled with strong indignation as he said this!
At this point, he glanced at me and said calmly, "Alright, I've gone off on a tangent. Yeah, I'm not going to talk about fighting and killing anymore."
I remained silent and did not speak.
But I felt a little emotional.
Judging from Uncle Seven's behavior, he clearly knew that Eighth Master had taken over by killing his own brothers! I knew this too; Bucktooth Zhou had already told me this before.
Well… let's put it another way… I rose to power by eliminating Eighth Master! Does Seventh Uncle really not know this? He's seen this kind of thing his whole life, surely he understands?!
However, he probably saw through it all along.
Whether you know it or not, it's no longer relevant.
“As people get older, they start to talk more.” Uncle Qi chuckled, looking at me. “Little Wu, what I’m asking of you is very simple. I’ve had enough of this place, decades of it. It’s full of foreigners. I’ve spent half my life struggling here, but if I’m asked to have my bones buried here after I die, I’m not willing! Promise me one thing: after I die, cremate me and send my ashes back to China. I don’t ask for anything else, just that you take my ashes to that small mountain village in Yunnan. Don’t look for any auspicious or scenic spot; I just want you to scatter my ashes at the foot of that mountain, and I’ll be at peace!” Uncle Qi gripped my hand tightly. “Can you promise me that?”
I felt a surge of emotion, looked at him, and solemnly said, "Seventh Uncle, don't worry! I will definitely help you fulfill your wish!"
Uncle Qi smiled, let go of me, and waved his hand: "Alright, I'm tired. You should go back too. When you come to see me tomorrow afternoon, bring me a bag of braised pork hock from Old Liu's in Chinatown! Sigh, I suddenly really want to eat it. Remember, don't forget to bring it to me tomorrow."
I got up to say goodbye.
As I left, I saw Uncle Qi sitting under that tree, staring blankly at the tender buds on the branches...
The next day, around noon, I was practicing boxing at my senior brother's martial arts school.
Ever since my senior brother's battle with Jinhe in Toronto, his almost legendary skills have completely stunned everyone, including myself and the other brothers who were there at the time! After returning, Hammer, who used to complain about how difficult it was to train under my senior brother, suddenly became incredibly energetic. Even though he practiced horse stance so much that he ended up walking with his legs turned out pigeon-toed, he never complained again. And through Hammer and the other brothers who were there that day, everyone knew that my senior brother possessed kung fu skills almost comparable to the heroes in martial arts novels!
After returning, for the next six months, my senior brother supervised my training with exceptionally high standards. Especially in the first two months, he meticulously instructed me, bringing my body to its peak condition. Then, after rigorous training, he finally taught me new kung fu! Real kung fu!
Tongbei Quan!
That was the day when the senior brother pushed Jinhe several times, causing him to vomit blood repeatedly!
"Hammer! What are you doing standing there with your legs spread apart! Are you pretending to be a toad!" The senior brother shouted, and Hammer immediately trembled. His legs, which had been weak and deformed, quickly squatted down neatly.
I had just finished a set of punches. Wiping away the sweat, Yan Di stood at the edge of the training ground, a towel in her hand. She had just helped my senior brother cut a bunch of Chinese herbs… By the way, the bowl of Chinese medicine my senior brother used to treat me, he no longer prepared for me. He taught Yan Di a series of techniques, from mixing the herbs to brewing them, and later Yan Di was the one who prepared it for me.
Xi Luo was also there. He and Lei Xiaohu, the son of my senior brother, shared a hospital room. They unexpectedly became friends, and after Xi Luo recovered and was discharged, he started training with me at my senior brother's place. Originally, my senior brother was unwilling to help me with my underworld work. However, since he had personally injured Xi Luo, he allowed him to train there. My senior brother personally supervised Xi Luo's rehabilitation exercises, and eventually, unable to resist my persuasion, and because Xi Luo was indeed a promising talent, he taught him a few tricks—of course, my senior brother was a very principled person; he only taught him basic techniques, not real kung fu.
However, even if the eldest brother doesn't teach, his son Lei Xiaohu might not be so rigid. I'm growing to like this kid more and more; he lives up to his name. He's truly like a little tiger—energetic, youthful, impulsive, passionate, loyal, and free-spirited. He quickly became friends with Xiluo.
After sparring with him, I was frustrated to find that I was his senior uncle. But if we were to really fight... I might not be able to defeat my junior nephew! In the words of my senior brother, Lei Xiaohu and I are evenly matched. If we really fought, it would depend on our condition, and with my rich fighting experience, I might be able to win.
After all, Lei Xiaohu had been by his senior brother's side for so many years, training from a young age, and his senior brother's cultivation level was already no lower than that of their master back then! More importantly, their master back then didn't teach them many real secret techniques, but their senior brother wouldn't hold back on his own son!
So, after Lei Xiaohu and Xiluo became acquainted, Lei Xiaohu secretly taught Xiluo quite a few moves. The senior brother didn't care much about his son's friendship with Xiluo. In his opinion, Xiluo was a good young man, loyal and sincere.
However, apart from that one time in Toronto, my senior brother hasn't helped me out even once in the past six months.
After wiping away my sweat, I watched Xiluo and Lei Xiaohu fight. In the end, Lei Xiaohu knocked Xiluo to the ground with one punch. Xiluo jumped up from the ground, and the two of them burst into laughter.
I checked the time; it was almost time. I needed to see Uncle Qi today. Uncle Qi mentioned yesterday that he wanted to eat Liu's braised pork knuckle from Chinatown. Such a small matter was easily resolved. I sent someone to instruct Liu's family to get up at six o'clock this morning to light the stove and prepare the finest pork knuckle. They made a separate batch of the fattest, tenderest, and best-quality pork knuckle, which is still being kept in a steamer to ensure its fresh and tender texture. I'll send someone to pick it up in a bit, and then I'll go see Uncle Qi.
After wiping away my sweat and drinking a large bowl of traditional Chinese medicine, I was resting when I saw Xiao Zhu and Bucktooth Zhou rushing in.