CHAPTER 5
Early the next morning, ShaoShu stood on the deck of Tonglong's warship, watching the sun begin to rise through thick morning fog. Lei stood next to him, dressed in a fine Chinese military uniform instead of the previous day's foreign sailor's outfit. As his cat prowled the deck a few paces away, Lei plucked white cat hairs from his red silk robe and pants. ShaoShu felt the mouse in his pouch grow restless.
“Ready, Lei?” asked a metallic voice behind ShaoShu. He turned to see Tonglong dressed in an immaculate silk uniform identical to Lei's, a shining straight sword tucked into his brilliant white sash.
“I am ready for anything, sir,” Lei replied.
“Anything?” Tonglong asked, adjusting his long ponytail braid over his shoulder. “Prove it.”
In a flash, Lei whipped off his sash, and his red robe fell open to reveal two thick straps of leather crisscrossing his chest. Each strap held three small loaded pistols in holsters and several small pouches. Before ShaoShu could even blink, Lei had a pistol in each hand.
“Excellent,” Tonglong said. “I've heard good things about you.”
Lei bowed.
Tonglong turned to ShaoShu. “Lei is coming along to provide protection. You will accompany me as my servant. I don't expect any trouble, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Lei has a reputation for being a first-rate gunner with ships’ cannons, but he is perhaps even better known for his pistols. Have you ever heard of the fight clubs, ShaoShu?”
ShaoShu's eyes widened. He had indeed heard of the fight clubs. He looked at Lei, amazed. “You're that Thunder?”
“At your service,” Lei replied, retying his sash.
“You're famous!” ShaoShu said. “They say the Grand Championship will probably be between you and the fighter known as Golden Dragon.”
“That is probably true,” Lei said, his eyes twinkling. “And I have no doubt that I will be victorious.” He patted the pistols beneath his robe. “It will be the highest honor for me to win the Grand Champion ship and join the ranks of such men as General Tonglong.”
And Ying, ShaoShu thought, hiding a smile. He couldn't help feeling excited. Everybody knew about the fight clubs. Even though he had never been inside one, being a friend to Ying—last year's Grand Champion— made him feel proud.
Tonglong looked at Lei. “I have never seen you in action, but my mother has. While some people question the use of pistols in the pit arena, she applauds it. I am not sure how I feel about it.”
“The rules say that any weapon may be used, sir,” Lei said. “The pistol just happens to be the ultimate weapon. There is nothing preventing other participants from using pistols, but most don't because firearms have drawbacks. Many times they don't fire, and when they do, you get only one shot. Also, if you mishandle it, you might shoot a spectator. I believe that disqualifies you.”
“So it does,” Tonglong said. “It would indeed be a shame to be disqualified because of a spectator. My mother believes that you have the skills required to win this year's title. She is the one who suggested I have you join my ship's crew, you know.”
“I did not know that, sir. I had the honor of meeting her earlier this year. She is very knowledgeable about the fight clubs, and she said that your father was once an acquaintance of my father. I remember AnGangseh well.”
The corners of Tonglong's thin lips rose up into a devious grin. “She is not easy to forget.”
“Might she be in Shanghai, sir? The fight club finale is to be held there in two months, and with your permission I hope to be given leave to participate. If she is there, I would enjoy seeing her again.”
“She will be there,” Tonglong said. “She is currently en route, entertaining the Emperor. I will be there, too, as will many of the former Grand Champions. Of course you will be given leave. I know more than anyone the extent to which winning can change your life. I shall reintroduce you to my mother, too. I may even introduce you to the Emperor.”
Lei looked away. “That would be most kind of you, sir.”
Tonglong nodded and turned to ShaoShu. “Per haps I will bring you as well. Would you like that?”
ShaoShu's eyes lit up. “Yes, sir!”
“Good,” Tonglong said. “Prove yourself today, and I will bring you along. Come, let us see what you are made of.”
Tonglong led ShaoShu and Lei down the ship's gangway to an enormous dock. The morning fog was beginning to burn off, and ShaoShu now had a better view of the wharf. It wasn't at all what he'd expected.
There were perhaps a hundred docks along the shoreline, but only a handful of boats were tied up there. Of those, every one was battered and ancient and very small, just big enough to hold two or three fishermen. None of them looked like the elaborate trading vessels ShaoShu was used to seeing in other ports.