Chapter 97

On the outskirts of Guangfu,

As one of the dark sides of a metropolis, it is a place where the law cannot reach, becoming a haven for various underprivileged groups and black households, as well as criminals, fugitives, lawbreakers, and underground gangs from both home and abroad. The sandy district of Shaqu, a place where all kinds of filth and corruption converge, is undoubtedly a typical example.

Although it is located between the two major districts of Ruishi and Pingshi, it initially started as a small fishing village on a sandbank formed by a river. It then rapidly developed into a vast, continuously expanding gray area, fueled by smuggling and other illegal activities, nestled between the city and the countryside.

Although most of the citizens of Guangfu deliberately forget and ignore the existence of such places, and official records do not acknowledge the existence of such a region, it persists like a stubborn moss on the outskirts of the city, enduring through the repeated crackdowns and clean-ups by various rulers.

Because it is a byproduct of the development of the metropolis, all the filth, waste, and dregs are concentrated here through some mysterious inertia and natural laws, and continue to thrive in a different form and manner. Initially, it was a village formed by various ethnic groups of low-caste people who made a living by handling garbage, but it later became a true haven for the underworld.

Every year, the influx of foreigners and the massive smuggling interests brought by various maritime and trade activities provide a constant source of vitality and new blood to this place. The river system leading to the open sea always carries away the failures and those who have been exploited to the point of having no value left.

Therefore, like the lawless areas under the shadows of major cities, the most prominent feature of this place is the haphazardly piled-up buildings, narrow and intricate alleys like spider webs, where one often sinks ankle-deep in sewage or splashes it all over their legs. The twisted and crooked ditches are always filled with various animal or unidentified organs, and even people who are not yet completely dead.

In the dark corners of the slums, all kinds of ugly acts are performed around the clock. Only people like rats and cockroaches can survive in such an environment.

Although there is no sense of law or government here, it has its own jungle rules and codes of conduct. Whether they are passers-by or locals born here, they will experience this directly.

Under the gloomy sky, a light drizzle had just fallen, but it did not make the air any cooler; instead, it became more humid and sticky.

A sign with a red carp, peeling and weathered, swayed in the wind. Although it was just a small tavern, it provided the cheapest alcohol, food, accommodation, and prostitutes, a comprehensive venue for those at the bottom of society with meager incomes.

Here, for a few copper coins, one could buy a murky, watered-down drink and pretend to hang around for the night, only to be thrown out by the shopkeeper when the sky turned gray at dawn.

The waitresses, who were once young peasant girls and now old prostitutes, whose wrinkles and veins could not be hidden by their makeup, had their own place here, at least until the last bit of their remaining value was completely exhausted.

A hooded sea traveler, passing through the crowded hall that was still bustling and smoky even in broad daylight, skillfully avoided several arms trying to take advantage of him or leave something behind, and the solicitations of the weathered waitresses. Familiar with the place, he stepped on the creaking wooden stairs and floorboards, and arrived at the door of the innermost room, where he knocked hard several times.

The door opened naturally.

"Truly bold..."

The cramped and narrow room did not hinder him as the sea traveler stepped over the garbage and dishes on the floor, cleared away a pile of clutter, and then sat down cross-legged.

"Kangnaluo, you still dare to show up here."

"Where else could I go..."

Kangnaluo, a man with an open chest and only a pair of pants, sat up, holding a greasy ball of opium in his hand.

The wrinkles and veins of the sleeping prostitute beside him could not be hidden even by the thick layer of powder. He was no longer young, his muscles had begun to sag, his face was covered in stubble, and his eye sockets were sunken.

"The crew has scattered, the ship is gone..."

"The promised reward was not received..."

"Your current bounty is worth a thousand strings of cash," the sea traveler reminded him.

"The young master has returned to Guangfu, and the nationals and vassals within the domain are vying to show their loyalty and good will to him..."

"There are bound to be old acquaintances who will sell out your whereabouts."

"You really think too highly of me..."

Kangnaluo yawned.

"To hire someone to stab someone on this street, it costs about one string of cash... and you can negotiate for more than three stabs."

Then he mocked himself.

"With a thousand strings of cash, I could probably spend it all here until I die..."

"You are quite carefree and open-minded..."

The sea traveler continued, unconcerned.

"Haven't you thought about doing something for yourself?"

"What can I do..."

Kangnaluo still had a lazy demeanor.

"Although the price offered by the lady is tempting, I don't have the life left to take it..."

"The lady?"

The sea traveler sneered.

"Wait until that singer becomes the legitimate wife... and not just relying on the old lord's favor to throw money around and seek old connections for herself."

"Even if she is the old lord's childhood sweetheart, what does it matter..."

"The moment the young master returned, the shift in people's hearts was obvious..."

"What can she do, being so unwilling? It's a straightforward and open strategy."

"Even the head of the family can't do much about it openly..."

"If not the lady, then who else..."

Kangnaluo spoke again.

"Who is behind me is not important. What's important is that I can give you this opportunity..."

The sea traveler shook his head.

"There will always be someone to light the cold stove..."

"Not being optimistic about the young master doesn't mean there's no chance at all, especially while the old lord is still healthy..."

"Moreover, we are not just focused on Fuyuan Prefecture... above the domain, there is the clan."

"I also have a word of advice for you,"

Kangnaluo yawned again.

"Never underestimate women..."

"Especially a woman who will stop at nothing for herself and her child."

"That's why I'm hiding here..."

After talking for a while, the sea traveler left a money bag and took his leave. Kangnaluo stood up, weighed the amount, and then took out a new identity document, muttering to himself.

"Just another group of smart people trying to hedge their bets..."

"Yeah, sorry..."

He said, suddenly reaching out to grab the neck of the woman pretending to sleep beside him. Before she could plead or beg for mercy, he squeezed hard, and a large, wet stain spread on the bed.

Suddenly, there was a commotion and running footsteps downstairs, as if they were calling Kangnaluo's name. He sneered, knowing that the sea traveler's visit was not a good sign.

"This is the first test, I suppose,"

On the distant street, the sea traveler looked at the sealed tavern and muttered to himself.

"If you can't even pass this..."

Then he was surprised to see smoke and flames suddenly burst from the narrow windows of the tavern, quickly turning into a large, uncontrollable fire.

"A fire has broken out..."

With the shrill cries, the street quickly became chaotic.

"Truly a loyal dog from Japan..."

The sea traveler chuckled.

"Quite ruthless and tough..."

The whole street, like a smoke-filled ant nest, burst into chaos, and the包围圈不攻自破了，只是不知道会有多少人葬身火海，有多少产业化为灰烬。

不久之后，在另一个地方，

“够了，……”

市舶司，一个吏员模样的人满脸不耐烦地说道，

“就算是乡党的那点恩情，我也为你们做的已经够多了……”

“这里是广府，不是你们的婆罗洲……”

“什么阿猫阿狗都可以肆意妄为的地方。”

“我们当然不会乱来的，”

海客笑容可掬地说道，一边说着，一边将一卷东西递到吏员手中。

“只是希望借助贵上的关系，能够给我们搭上一些门路而已……”

“仅仅如此么……”

吏员瞅了眼手中的纸卷，至少有四张，最上面一张也是三位数的数字，顿时极大地增强了说服力，让他的脸色缓和下来。

“当然，我们出来在外，也是求个方便而已……”

海客面不改色地说道，心中却已经开始揣测，这个贪得无厌之辈的日后死法，究竟是悬梁，还是溺毙呢。

虽然这对半路捡来的母女，获救后表现得温文知礼，哪怕衣裙被撕扯得破破烂烂，第一时间就是拉着女儿，毕恭毕敬地对我道谢，看起来言谈举止颇为不俗，并且自称是某个普通官员的家眷，不幸路遇暴徒什么的，若不是撞上我们出手相救，真是后果不堪设想云云。

但是我还是忍不住要吐槽，有这么组织计划周密到，连看见有护卫跟随的路人，不是远遁而去，而是冲上来灭口的暴徒么，

我多少可以理解她们的基本戒惧和防备，但没空和她们墨迹，也没有心思试探她们的身份，一边派人报官，派人将这对母女送到陈夫人所在的梅山会馆去，相信我那位阿姐会比较妥善地处理这件事情。

事实上，就算我报官，这回也未必会有人来了，下城已经有些乱象纷呈了。在这种情况下，我抵达了清泉街，

虽然外表依旧，但作为商号本部的天工房内部，早已开始进行物资和人员的转移和疏散，作为一个商业组织和私人势力的动员效率就在这里体现出来了，

主要的流动资金、账目、文档、工房里的设备和工匠、大师傅，都已经零敲碎打地搬到了训练营地附近，只剩下少许日常销售货物和伙计，维持着象征性的营业。

每人发了一包小额铜元，必要时可以洒在地上脱身。

一包东西被小心翼翼地从重锁的箱子里取出来，按照我的要求，新加工出来的十几根长短圆管正散发着打磨抛光后的亮泽，

这是一些纯手工制造的枪管，用到了锻、刨、钻、磨等多种简易机械和工具才完成的，相比之下，那些零件的仿制就简单多了，与样品对照起来，分毫不差，唯一比较麻烦的是有弹性的簧片，

最后据说直接从四轮马车的减震架上拆下来的弹性钢条，切割而成的，按照神秘生物提供的消息，这个时代已经有比较初级的铁范铸造法了，所以在原料品质和加工工艺上想办法。

剩下的就是组装起来的调试了。

我逐一放了空枪过去，有些机簧还有些松垮，有些则是冲程摩擦较大，还有的燧石和火轮切合不是很紧密，要打几下才有火星出来。

我又前往另一家烟花作坊，大多数人员器具、成品和物料都已经搬走，我取走了几大袋让人试配的精致火药，经过配料的碾磨和筛选，得到粉尘一样的药面，再经过湿法调和，在滚动的簸箕里搓成大小均匀的均值药粒，用木质风机吹滤。

燃烧反应甚至还比我从骑从护卫那里得到的样品更迅烈一些。一起被拿走的，还有几十个专门定制的薄壁陶瓶和若干模具。

外面传来一阵撕心裂肺的叫喊声，还有大群人奔跑的动静。

“叛党进城了……”