pappabearbooks Chapter 30 Boston's Underworld
Chapter 30 Boston's Underworld
Li Wei's voice wasn't loud, but the hundreds of surrendered soldiers heard it clearly.
"First, take your things, get out of Boston immediately, and never come back."
"Second, stay. But forget your former identities. Start from the bottom as porters, use your calluses and sweat to earn bread and shelter. Follow the new rules, and you'll have food to eat and work to do."
A commotion broke out in the crowd.
One of the thugs, with a broken arm, stood up and asked hesitantly, "Is...is there really food to eat?"
"The fish soup in the North Warehouse is always ready for anyone willing to work."
Despite this, some people still stood up without hesitation, picked up their tattered clothes, and walked out of the city without looking back.
But to everyone's surprise, nearly half of the people, after a brief hesitation, chose to squat down again and lower their once defiant heads.
They were all desperate outlaws struggling to survive on the docks, and they witnessed Jack's brutality and ruthlessness, as well as the discipline and strength of Levi's side.
More importantly, under Jack's pressure, they could only charge into battle on empty stomachs, while the aroma of fish soup wafted from the North Warehouse.
A leader who brings order and sustenance is far more worthy of following than a madman who only brings fear and hunger.
Li Wei's power nearly doubled overnight. The underworld of the Southern District was thus brought into Li Wei's territory without a single bloodshed.
He walked up to Finn, the one-eyed man who was now looking at him with a complicated expression through his good eye.
"Finn, from this day forward, you are no longer Finn of the North." Levi planted the captured butcher's axe, blade down, in the mud in front of Finn.
"You are the supervisor of the Boston docks, responsible for managing all the brothers who are willing to work and maintaining order at the docks."
"Whether it's the Irish in the North or these guys who surrendered in the South, I only want one result: order."
Finn was deeply shaken. He looked at the axe, then at Levi, and finally reached out his rough, calloused hand and grasped the handle.
He didn't speak, but nodded heavily.
This little beggar, who survived on charity on the streets of Ireland, found his new king at this moment.
Levi then turned to Seamus.
"Your guard can be expanded. From those who surrendered, choose fifteen of the most capable and disciplined fighters. You are my guard, and the source of order for everyone."
Seamus grinned, his face radiant with an unprecedented glow.
He couldn't believe that just a few days ago he was a destitute man who watched helplessly as his wife and daughter fell seriously ill and suffered from hunger and cold, but now he had become the leader of a guard of dozens of men.
All of this stems from this man from the East.
Could it be that in the land of the East, there are countless Mr. Lis, making it a place where everyone is a dragon among men?
Finally, Levi found Fiona, who was still clutching the bag containing the ledger and the leather ledger that Levi had given her.
"Fiona, these, and those, are all your responsibility from now on."
Li Wei pointed to the account books and several properties belonging to the "Bloody Hand Gang" in the distance.
"I need you to learn as soon as possible how to turn this dirty money into clean business. Shops, pubs, warehouses—these are all our assets."
Fiona looked at the dense numbers and land deeds and was momentarily at a loss.
Levi keenly sensed Fiona's unease and reached out to gently smooth her hair. This intimate gesture caused Fiona's cheeks to flush, but then she heard a voice drifting past her ear.
"Don't worry, Fiona. You're family, and that's your biggest source of confidence."
……
Just as a new order was being established amidst the chaos, an unexpected visitor shattered the warehouse's tranquility.
Mr. Boyle, the baker, and his wife Martha practically tumbled in.
As soon as he saw Li Wei, he knelt down with a thud and held a heavy money bag above his head.
"Mr. Li... Sir! This is just a small token of my appreciation! I... I was blind to your greatness before, and I was slow in my work. Please don't hold it against me!"
Boyle was terrified. He had heard that Levi had hung up Jack the Butcher and flown him like a kite, and he was afraid that he would be next.
This Easterner, who could persuade Gage's adjutant and make the British regular army retreat, had become someone he could not even imagine.
Li Wei didn't even glance at the money pouch.
"Boyle, I'm not Butcher 'Jack,' I don't need your money."
He personally helped Boyle up, saying, "But I do need your help with something."
"Please give me your orders!"
"Use your connections to keep an eye out for all the manors or land for sale in the city, and make sure they're large enough. I also have one requirement: the buildings must be made of stone, and the sturdier the better."
Boyle was stunned. He had considered a million possibilities, thinking the other party would devour everything he had, but instead, they simply gave him a task.
Buy a manor?
Is this Easterner not content with being just the king of a port?
He suddenly realized that what Mr. Li wanted was not money, but something of greater value.
He nodded repeatedly, as if grasping at a lifeline, while glancing at his wife Martha with surprise out of the corner of his eye.
"How did Martha guess right again?"
Just as Boyle was about to leave the North Warehouse with his wife, he was stopped by Levi.
"Boyle, this must be your wife, Martha. I've heard Fiona mention her; she is indeed a stunning beauty."
Upon hearing this, Boyle was about to step forward to stop the Easterner who coveted his wife's beauty when he suddenly saw the imposing presence of Seamus and his group in the distance. He had no choice but to stop and hesitate for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Li Wei simply turned around and called out "Fiona," and Fiona took out a box of "Oriental Miracle Medicine" from her bosom and handed it to Martha.
Martha was taken aback, but then she saw a smile spread across Levi's face. "Fiona said you'd taken good care of her before, this is just a small token of my appreciation. More importantly, you're a smart person! Welcome to the team!"
Li Wei's gaze shifted, "Boyle, actually your greatest asset isn't the bag of money you have, but your wife Martha."
"When you understand this sentence, I will completely hand over the agency rights of Dongfang Xing Shen Tea to you."
In the end, the Boyles thanked Levi profusely, and the surroundings finally quieted down after the two left.
Levi's gaze passed over the Boyles' backs and looked up at the Boston sky, half of which was filled with thick smoke from the docks, and the other half with the flags of the Governor's House.
The victory at the Gallows Alley was just the beginning; this fierce dragon that had crossed the river had already alarmed the real behemoth in this pond.
The next few days.
Officials from the Governor's Office began to frequently appear at the docks, ostensibly to observe the people's conditions, but their inquiries were mostly related to Li Wei.
Meanwhile, another force lurking in the shadows of the city also sensed this unusual atmosphere.
One late night, only Li Wei remained in the warehouse, still planning his future strategy by candlelight while looking at a map.
A soft, rhythmic knocking sounded on the door.
Seamus cautiously picked up an iron bar and stood guard behind the door, while Levi gestured for Fiona to open the door as usual.
A stranger wearing a hooded cloak stood outside the door, his figure hidden in the darkness.
"I'm looking for Mr. Li." The man's voice was very young.
Li Wei emerged from the shadows.
"That's me."
The stranger took off his hood, revealing a face that was somewhat pale with excitement.
"My name is Samuel. The Son of Liberty asked me to bring you a message."
"Freedom should not be free. Your strength should be used for greater causes."