Chapter 747: 36 Chapter Jusheng Pill Chapter 747: 36 Chapter Jusheng Pill The Anqing Union has been established on Borneo Island for five generations, and if you don’t count the hard laborers in the mines, the number barely exceeds three thousand. Now that both the Red Flag Gang and the Tianbo Division are loudly declaring their allegiance to the Anqing Union, it’s clear they intend to usurp our position. How could Skinning Zhong dare to agree?

Skinning Zhong’s face twitched nervously, “Commander Cha, please don’t make jokes at my expense…”

Before he could finish, Cha Xiaodao slapped Skinning Zhong on the shoulder and whispered into the old man’s ear, “You’re considered a brave man, I won’t make things difficult for you. You negotiate headhunting fees on behalf of the Anqing Union, and I’ve agreed outright, but whether or not you dare to accept, that’s up to Mr. Yang to decide. If this squabble drags on, you’re really not valuing your own life.”

Skinning Zhong looked up, the docks were crammed with the large and small warships of the Tianbo Division and the Red Flag Gang, the ship’s gunwales bristling with cannons like porcupines, towering masts and ship columns blocking out the sun, casting their shadow enveloping him.

Helplessly, he stepped back twice and gave a cupped-fist salute to the unfriendly crowd, “Currently, indigenous people have been causing trouble, and several sultans in the east intend to reclaim the land and mines that the Chinese people’s ancestors had bought. Meanwhile, the Red Haired Devils are advancing step by step from the south, making it increasingly difficult for us Chinese to survive. The sixteen companies in Borneo all share a common interest and support one another in solidarity. I have long admired the five heroes of the South Seas. Both of you who wield extensive power and possess formidable forces, if you could just help resolve the plight of the tens of thousands of your compatriots in Borneo, why worry about not being able to gain a foothold here? If you insist on fratricidal conflict and igniting warfare amongst ourselves, I’m afraid we’ll just end up benefitting outsiders for nothing. I’ve said all I can, I’ll take my leave.”

Having finished, Skinning Zhong ordered his men to put down the local products, just as the group from the Anqing Union was about to leave. A troop hurried over, led by none other than the formidable general Ao Xing from the Treasure Ship King’s ranks, who was known to everyone as the only Quanlang Sea Ghost in existence that combined the Five Flags with the Quanlang Type. Rumors also said he was the bravest warrior in the South Seas, with neither Tianbao nor Zhang He as his match.

“Skinning Zhong, what are you doing here?”

Ao Xing asked sharply. Skinning Zhong did not take it seriously, replying cheerfully, “Our Mr. Yang sent me to deliver some local products to our guests from afar, with no other intentions. Head Ao, please do not misunderstand.”

After making a meaningful glance, the group then departed.

Ao Xing did not have time to call for an explanation, hastily walking up to Mr. Cai and Commander Cha to pay his respects before saying, “Our lord received the Great Alliance Leader and Mr. Cai’s letter early in the morning, but due to a major incident at home, we were unable to send someone to wait at the docks. Whatever nonsense that Skinning Zhong has just spouted, both of you should take no notice, don’t stoop to his level. The Treasure Ship King has already prepared a banquet, and asks that Mr. Cai and Commander Cha must do us the honor of attending. Any misunderstandings can naturally be cleared up over the table.”

Cai Qian and Cha Xiaodao exchanged glances, wordless.

…

Lin Ajin had aged, with wrinkles clearly visible, a few strands of white hair behind his ears, and sagging cheeks all proving this fact, which made Cha Xiaodao feel quite sentimental; after all, in his memory, fighting side by side with Lin Ajin, driving away the Red Hair’s muskets and warships, was just a matter of one or two years ago.

“Yang Shouchang is my foster son, having been pampered by his uncles since childhood, it’s inevitable he’s become arrogant. His ideas are always fanciful. If he has caused offense in any way, I hope Mr. Cai and Commander Cha will not take it to heart. This talk of headhunting fees, no matter whom he has discussed it with, I, the Treasure Ship King, have never heard of it. It’s just childish nonsense and should not be taken seriously.”

Cai Qian narrowed his eyes, momentarily unsure whether the Treasure Ship King was being sincere or simply putting on an act with the Anqing Union.

It was Cha Xiaodao who spoke frankly, “All we ask for is a few acres of poor land to cultivate for food, and a few thatched cottages for shelter. The Red Flag Gang is not a band of thugs that seize others’ nests. I understand we are newcomers and bound to draw attention, but if Elder Lin has any requests, we’ve got money to pay and effort to give, and won’t make things difficult for Elder Lin.”

Lin Ajin remained expressionless, “The Red Flag brothers want to carve out a place to live on Borneo Island, the Precious Ship Lin Clan has no objections. However, there have been some recent disturbances on the island that I need to explain clearly to Commander Cha.”

“Sure, sure.”

After losing Lantau Island, the Red Flag Gang moved into Borneo to tread on the Treasure Ship King’s territory, which would not sound good if word got out. Although Lin Ajin agreed verbally, it seemed like there might be more to come.

…

Thinking of this, Cha Xiaodao stole a glance at Cai Qian sitting beside him.

Both he and Cai Qian had come to visit at the same time, both intending to settle down in Borneo, yet why hadn’t Lin Ajin mentioned a single word about his Tianbo Division?

The relationship between Precious Ship Lin Clan and the Tianbo Division was always murky. Lin Ajin volunteering to relinquish authority at the initial assembly to yield the position of the Great Alliance Leader spoke volumes. If Cai and Lin were indeed branches of the same tree, and with companies like the Anqing Union overtly resistant to outsiders, it would be quite challenging for the Red Flag Gang to secure a foothold here.

Mr. Cai skimmed the tea foam to one side with his cup lid, his pinky, adorned with a gemstone ring, pointed noticeably upwards. He perceived Xiaodao’s thoughts and said in a measured tone, “Two years ago, I had already bought two mines from the largest indigenous tribe Subudan in Borneo. The issue was that I was short on manpower, so I left a few almost retired old men to take care of it. This time, I plan to move the Tianbo Division to Borneo, and I had notified the Lin brothers well in advance.”

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Lin Ajin let out a light sigh. He stood up and bowed deeply to Cai Qian, “This incident is also related to Mr. Cai, to my embarrassment. You had entrusted me to take care of the mines, but… something happened at your mine recently. The five brothers you left on the island, they all–”
The teacup in Cai Qian’s hand clattered down with a clang, and his face turned ugly.

Sitting up straight, his pinky no longer aloft, he pursed his lips and asked, “Brother Lin, we’ve known each other for over a decade, and if we haven’t been as close as true brothers, we’ve at least shared both good times and bad. Is this how you look after my people?”

Cha Xiaodao leaned back to avoid their gazes, joy blooming in his heart.

“It is I, Lin, who has let down Mr. Cai. The funeral expenses of those brothers will be fully borne by our Lin Family. I will return thrice the purchase price of the mines to you based on the original buying price,” Lin Ajin offered.

Cai Qian’s eyebrows shot up in anger, clearly furious, not only because of the loss of his own men but also because of Lin Ajin’s dismissive and insincere attitude. However, years of experience in business and politics enabled him to suppress his rage. Standing up, his demeanor revealed his wilted spirits, “I placed my trust in the moon, yet who knew the moon would only shine upon the gutter. I considered Brother Lin a true friend, believing in pure friendship without personal gain. Now it seems Brother Lin never thought the same and only saw me as a conniver, good at seizing every opportunity.”

Cai Qian took out a neatly folded piece of paper and a Western glass bottle the size of a palm, covered with dense English labels.

“Here are two years’ worth of Jusheng Pill supplies. The paper has the address and contact details for Fleming Studio. Brother Lin can send someone to Europa to buy the Pills following the instructions. They are certainly able to cure Brother Lin’s and your lady wife’s consumption. Mr. Cai takes his leave.”

“Mr. Cai, please wait,” Lin Ajin called out to Cai Qian, his face twisting into a bitter smile as he clasped his hands in a bow.

“I will never forget Mr. Cai’s kindness for providing the medicine. To this day, my family still keeps an ancestral tablet in your honor. However, my wife’s condition suddenly worsened last night. She vomited several pints of blood and passed away untreated. The doctor has also diagnosed my condition as beyond help by medicine or talisman; the Jusheng Pill is of no effect. I don’t expect to live much longer and have lost all desire to concern myself with the affairs of the jianghu. Therefore, I am at my wit’s end. If I have been remiss in my manners towards Mr. Cai, I beg for your understanding.”