Chapter 177: Let’s Observe the Second Seven Days
Linhai Town.
Of the seven Foremen of the Cheng Zi Gang, excluding Second Foreman Wei who was detained by Mr. Huang in the barracks, the remaining five received invitations from Mrs. Wu, asking them to attend the Second Seven Days ceremony for Foreman Zou.
In addition to these five Foremen, the other forty to fifty leaders, both senior and junior, of the Cheng Zi Gang also received messages from Mrs. Wu, inviting them to attend the Second Seven Days ceremony for Foreman Zou.
While holding the Second Seven Days ceremony instead of the First Seven Days was not in accordance with etiquette, everyone found it understandable.
After all, during the First Seven Days, Foreman Zou had not yet been encoffined, Second Foreman Wei had just been detained, the Zou family was in chaos, and the gang was even more chaotic. Who had the mindset to hold any First Seven Days ceremony?
By the Second Seven Days, at least the Zou family was less chaotic. It was only natural for Mrs. Wu to want to hold the Second Seven Days ceremony with great fanfare, treating it as the First Seven Days.
On the day of the Second Seven Days, the Cheng Zi Gang, from top to bottom, was fully present.
The gang valued rules and seniority the most. Their Cheng Zi Gang had always been a large gang with strict rules.
In front of Foreman Zou’s coffin, the first row was occupied by the five Foremen from Third Leader to Seventh Leader, followed by over a dozen leaders of the second rank, and then the leaders of the third rank, all standing neatly and performing the ritual of three kowtows and nine bows before Foreman Zou’s coffin.
Wu Miaozhen stood straight beside Foreman Zou’s coffin, looking from the five Foremen in the front row to the very back.
“Rise!”
At the word “Rise,” the fifty to sixty people kneeling before the coffin rustled to their feet.
“I have a few questions for Third Leader, Fourth Leader, Fifth Leader, Sixth Leader, and Seventh Leader.” Wu Miaozhen stepped forward a few paces and stood before the coffin.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, please speak.”
“Eldest Sister-in-law, please say whatever you wish.”
…
From Third Leader to Seventh Leader, each clasped their fists and said.
“The government is still investigating who killed your Foreman. This revenge will be sought once the investigation is complete. I will not ask you about this matter now.”
Wu Miaozhen said, word by word.
“I want to ask you three things:
“Firstly, it is said that a group of dragons cannot be without a head. Now, who do you consider your leader?”
“Eldest Sister-in-law, this matter…” Third Leader quickly stepped forward, clasped his fists, and smiled apologetically.
“I haven’t finished speaking yet.” Wu Miaozhen did not look at Third Leader and coldly interrupted him.
“Eldest Sister-in-law hasn’t finished speaking yet. Why is Third Brother in such a hurry? What, have you not become the Gang Leader yet, and you dare to disregard Eldest Sister-in-law?” Seventh Leader, standing at the very back, said sarcastically.
“Third Brother is a bit impatient, and Seventh Brother is also quite eager.” Fifth Leader, in the middle, chuckled.
“Let Eldest Sister-in-law finish speaking. Eldest Sister-in-law, please speak, ignore them.” Fourth Leader put on an air of seniority.
“Everyone be quiet!” Sixth Leader roared suddenly.
Wu Miaozhen watched the five men with cold eyes and let out a faint, almost imperceptible snort.
“Secondly, how much of the wharf business has been snatched away? Can our brothers still eat their fill? What do you plan to do? Can we still preserve the legacy of our Cheng Zi Gang?”
Wu Miaozhen paused and looked at the five Foremen one by one.
This time, the five men instinctively shrank back, all waiting for someone else to speak first so they could find fault and refute, thus gaining the upper hand.
“Thirdly, if the Cheng Zi Gang were to disband now, if we were wiped off the map, have you all found a way out? Can you all survive?”
Wu Miaozhen continued to ask.
“A group of dragons cannot be without a head. We must quickly establish a new Gang Leader. This matter cannot be delayed any longer,” someone from the second row shouted, raising their hand.
“Yes, yes, yes!” A chorus of agreement rose from below.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, please designate a Gang Leader first. No matter who you designate, I will obey.” Another person shouted.
“Yes, yes, yes! Eldest Sister-in-law, designate one!” Third Leader’s eyes lit up, and he quickly called out.
Eldest Sister-in-law usually favored him the most, and he was Third Leader. If Eldest Sister-in-law were to designate someone, it would undoubtedly be him.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, please speak. I will listen to Eldest Sister-in-law.” Seventh Leader said boldly.
Eldest Sister-in-law liked him the most. Every time she saw him, she would smile. He was young and handsome. Women!
“Eldest Sister-in-law, please suggest a method.” Fourth Leader glanced at Third Leader, then at Seventh Leader, and said with a cautious smile.
“Yes, Eldest Sister-in-law, please suggest a method.” Fifth Leader and Sixth Leader forced dry smiles.
“I am your Eldest Sister-in-law, and I am also a member of the Cheng Zi Gang. I cannot stand by and watch you be driven to a dead end and have the livelihoods of the gang members cut off.
“Since you are asking me to suggest a method.”
Wu Miaozhen’s words paused. A profound silence fell over the surroundings. After a moment of silence, Wu Miaozhen gestured to the five Foremen.
“You five, come with me first. Let’s discuss it. The rest of you, wait here for a moment.”
Wu Miaozhen turned and walked towards a side room.
From Third Leader to Seventh Leader, they looked at each other, and almost simultaneously, they followed Wu Miaozhen into the side room.
Wu Miaozhen stood at the innermost part, looking at the five Foremen one by one, and said coldly, “I don’t need to say it; you have all seen it. The Cheng Zi Gang is at a critical juncture of life and death.
“Currently, there are two major matters for the gang: the first is to select a Gang Leader, and the second is the matter of the wharf business, whether it’s one trip or two.
“I don’t understand the important matter of selecting a Gang Leader, nor is it my place to interfere. However, regarding the second matter, I can at least help manage the details and provide support.”
Wu Miaozhen looked back and forth at the five men.
From Third Leader to Seventh Leader, all wore forced smiles but remained silent.
“When your elder brother was alive, I also helped him manage the gang’s trivial matters. You all know this.” Wu Miaozhen’s voice was soft and weary. “Now that your elder brother is gone, I originally… alas. But as long as I am alive, I must rely on the Cheng Zi Gang. I cannot stand by and watch the Cheng Zi Gang in peril.
“I will continue as before, just as when your elder brother was here, managing those trivial matters. Once you have decided on a new Gang Leader, everything will be done according to the new Gang Leader’s instructions. For now, regarding the wharf business, whether it’s one trip or two, give me a plan, and I will handle the details.”
Wu Miaozhen lowered her eyelids, her voice and demeanor conveying exhaustion.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, this matter is very complicated. Counting each trip individually would be good, but…” Third Leader wore a forced smile and looked at Fourth Leader, “What do you say? You explain.”
“This matter is extremely troublesome and cannot be explained in just a few words. The first point is the silver, right, Fifth Brother?” Fourth Leader passed the problem to Fifth Brother.
“It’s not easy. Where will the silver come from, right? Sixth Brother, you tell us.” Fifth Brother directly passed it on.
“This matter, either the Silk Guild will agree to count each trip individually, or we will have to spend silver. It’s simple, isn’t it, Seventh Brother?” Sixth Brother passed it to Seventh Brother.
“I think this is a small matter. Eldest Sister-in-law, please handle it as you see fit.” Seventh Brother chuckled.
“Yes, yes, yes, it’s just a matter of how much silver. Regarding the silver, Eldest Sister-in-law, you have the final say.” Third Leader quickly chimed in.
Fourth Leader, Fifth Leader, and Sixth Leader agreed in unison.
Whether to count it as one trip or two trips is a very simple matter. Either the Silk Guild agrees, and each trip is counted as one, or the gang has to provide silver to subsidize it.
They had already approached the Silk Guild. President Zhu had thrown a tantrum and threatened them, telling them the gang had to come up with the silver. The gang certainly had silver, and all of it was in the Zou family’s treasury!
Now that Eldest Sister-in-law was willing to step forward and take responsibility, it was simply perfect. Let her use the silver from the Zou family treasury to subsidize it. Let’s empty the Zou family treasury first!
“I think these gang affairs should be fully handled by Eldest Sister-in-law. I trust Eldest Sister-in-law completely. What do you all say?” Third Leader continued.
“I also trust Eldest Sister-in-law.” Seventh Leader immediately followed.
The other Foremen nodded in agreement.
“Hmm, then it’s settled.” Wu Miaozhen walked past the five Foremen and was the first to come out, standing before Foreman Zou’s coffin.
The five Foremen came out and stood in place. Wu Miaozhen straightened her back, scanned everyone, and said coldly, “From today onwards, I will temporarily manage the affairs of the Cheng Zi Gang. The five Foremen will temporarily cease managing gang affairs and will focus wholeheartedly on electing a Gang Leader.”
“We respectfully obey Eldest Sister-in-law’s orders!” The five Foremen at the front clasped their fists and responded.
The voices of the people behind them, some loud, some soft, clasped their fists and acknowledged.
