Chapter Thirty-Two: Nine Fingers

After meeting with Xu Zhong, Song Yingge passed by White Deer Bookstore on his way back and noticed a sign hanging outside that read "New Arrivals Today."

This was a signal that Old Zhao needed to see him.

Song Yingge circled around to the backyard of the bookstore. Seeing that no one was around, he leaped up, exerted a slight force with his hands, and easily vaulted over the wall.

He approached the bedroom and, hearing breathing from inside, whispered, "Old Zhao."

There was a rustle inside. Old Zhao caught a glimpse of Song Yingge through a gap in the window and then opened the door.

"What did the organization say?" Song Yingge asked.

"Chen Xunlei is indeed our comrade. The home base has ordered us to rescue Comrade Chen if possible. However, the rescue must be conducted under the premise of ensuring your safety and avoiding exposure. If any action increases the risk of your exposure, it must be stopped immediately," Old Zhao said gravely.

"It will be difficult. Chen Xunlei is currently being held in Caodu Lane. As the headquarters of the Secret Service, it is heavily guarded. Rescuing him without anyone noticing is nearly impossible," Song Yingge replied.

Old Zhao understood the difficulty of the mission. "The order from the home base is to rescue him if possible. If it is beyond our capabilities, then we must abandon this mission."

"If he stays in Caodu Lane, there is certainly no way. If he could be transferred elsewhere, there might be a glimmer of hope," Song Yingge said.

"Comrade Lushan, I must remind you that any action that leads to your exposure is strictly prohibited. You are only responsible for providing intelligence and participating in the planning. The actual operations will be carried out by our field agents," Old Zhao stated sternly.

"Don't worry, Old Zhao. I know what I'm doing."

Song Yingge, of course, knew that ensuring his own safety was the top priority.

...

The next day, Song Yingge brought Xu Zhong to the Shunjiang Shipping Company. After introducing Xu to Zhao Yaohui, he gave the three gold bars he had on him to Xu as operating funds.

Recalling that Zhao Yaohui also made a living at the Xiaguan Wharf and might know about the Zhendong Gang, he asked, "Brother Zhao, how much do you know about a gang called the Zhendong Gang?"

"The Zhendong Gang?" Zhao Yaohui thought for a moment. "It’s a small gang with only about a hundred people, not worth mentioning. Why are you interested in them?"

"It’s for work," Song Yingge said.

Seeing that Song did not want to elaborate, Zhao Yaohui did not press further. "The boss of the Zhendong Gang goes by the nickname 'Nine-Fingers.' I heard he used to be a gambler who was caught cheating and had a finger chopped off."

"Only one finger?" Song Yingge asked.

According to underworld rules, he should have lost at least a hand.

"I heard someone vouched for him. Since then, he hasn't touched gambling. It was as if he suddenly saw the light and started scraping by at the wharf," Zhao Yaohui said.

"Who vouched for him?" Song Yingge asked.

"I’m not entirely sure. After all, I’m a businessman, and what I hear about gangs is just gossip. However, I do know someone who is very clear on these matters. Would you like me to introduce you?" Zhao Yaohui offered.

"Sure, that would be a great help, Brother Zhao," Song Yingge said.

The man Zhao Yaohui introduced was a broker named Li Xiaoqi, nicknamed "Skinny Monkey." Li was in his early twenties and was indeed as thin as a monkey. Having grown up on the docks, he was familiar with everything happening there.

When Song Yingge found Li Xiaoqi, he was busy soliciting business.

"Boss, you can ask around the wharf—I, Li Xiaoqi, make a living here on integrity. If I lied to you, I wouldn't live to see the end of the day. This batch of cotton is well below market price; if you buy it, you’re guaranteed to make a profit," Li said, thumping his chest and swearing.

"I'll buy it," Song Yingge walked up and said clearly.

Li Xiaoqi took a few looks at Song Yingge and then turned to run. However, his scrawny frame clearly couldn't support his intentions. Song Yingge followed him leisurely, and when they reached a secluded area, he sped up and grabbed him.

"Spare me, sir!" Li Xiaoqi dropped to his knees and begged without a second of hesitation.

"Do you know me?" Song Yingge asked.

"Returning to you, sir, a low-life like me wouldn't have the fortune to know someone like you," Li Xiaoqi said with a fawning expression.

"Then why did you run when you saw me?" Song Yingge asked.

"Sir, you don't look like a businessman at all. In our line of work, anyone who isn't a businessman looking for us means trouble," Li Xiaoqi replied.

Song Yingge nodded, accepting this explanation.

"You're right. I'm not looking for you for anything good," Song Yingge said.

Li Xiaoqi dropped his miserable face and said obsequiously, "Sir, whatever you need, just say the word. I’ll go through fire and water for you."

"Follow me," Song Yingge ordered.

Li Xiaoqi looked left and right, appearing restless.

"If you don't want to end up missing a limb, I suggest you stop having crooked thoughts," Song Yingge warned.

"Yes, yes, how could I dare?" Li Xiaoqi stammered.

The two walked onto the main road. Li Xiaoqi, sharp-eyed, spotted an acquaintance and immediately shouted, "Boss Liu! Boss Liu, help! This guy doesn't follow the rules; he's here to steal our business!"

Boss Liu, a burly man with a face full of flesh, looked like a tough character. Hearing Li Xiaoqi's cry for help, he grabbed a wooden club from the roadside and charged over.

Song Yingge remained calm. As Boss Liu rushed toward him, he kicked out, landing squarely on the man's chest. Boss Liu flew backward faster than he had arrived, landing on his backside and rolling around while clutching his chest.

*Slap!*

Song Yingge backhanded Li Xiaoqi across the face.

"Do you think my words are just hot air?" Song Yingge said.

Li Xiaoqi's cheek swelled up instantly, and his mouth filled with blood. Song Yingge then grabbed him by his belt, hoisted him up, and walked away.

After dragging Li Xiaoqi into the interrogation room at Caodu Lane, Song Yingge asked, "Do you know where this is?"

Terrified, Li Xiaoqi trembled and whispered, "The Secret Service."

"I ask, you answer. If you tell a single lie, you're a dead man," Song Yingge said.

"Officer, ask away! I wouldn't dare lie," Li Xiaoqi was truly scared now. He knew exactly what kind of place the Secret Service was.

"Tell me about the Zhendong Gang," Song Yingge said.

"I don't know the boss's real name, but he goes by 'Nine-Fingers.' He was a gambler who got caught cheating and lost a finger. I heard that if a rickshaw fleet owner hadn't intervened, he would have lost his whole hand," Li Xiaoqi said.

"What was the name of that rickshaw fleet owner?" Song Yingge asked. Based on the timeline, it couldn't have been Wang Sheng.

"It seems like it was the owner of the Caimao Fleet, the one who died recently," Li Xiaoqi said.

Chu Junzheng actually knew Nine-Fingers and had even saved him. Then why would Nine-Fingers kidnap Jiang Shuning and her daughter?

"Go on," Song Yingge prompted.

"After that, Nine-Fingers gave up gambling and used his ruthless nature to establish his footing on the wharf," Li Xiaoqi said.