ENISHI'S Aftermath: SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR

CHAPTER #19

The trip by train to Tientsin had Sumi excited. It was her first time on a train and initially that alone had her energy up. Then as the scenery moved by, she had endless questions for Enishi.  At first he answered everything, but then pretended to sleep. It was true, he was in a relaxed state, but wanted to listen to Sumi and those around them.  After hearing her mumbling about what she saw, he realized they were almost in Tientsin.

"Be cautious from now on," Enishi warned, without opening his eyes.

Sumi reined in her curiosity and began to observe those around them. When the train stopped, they waited for almost everyone to disembark, before getting off the train themselves. Glancing at her husband, she saw the nerves on his neck were bulging, meaning he was in his Frenzied Nerves state. Those that recognized him, gave him plenty of space. Word spread quickly and no matter where they walked, people moved away. Since Sumi normally used the crowd to hide herself, the personal space radius had her anxious. She walked more on the balls of her feet, in case she had to spring away suddenly.

A man approached them cautiously, "Mr. Yukishiro?"

Enishi stopped walking and stared at the man.  Sumi came up behind the guy, blade at his neck. "Who are you?"

The guy flinched. "Bolin asked me to keep an eye on the man you seek. I'm Ling."

"Let's get tea and talk," Sumi said, then sheathed her blade.

Ling brought them to a tea shop and they sat down. He explained about Yue's activities after Bolin had left. He also warned them about the local gang. "The Mad Dogs gang have been targeting the Green Gang controlled by Yuesheng, to maintain control over the opium trade. They're known for their brutal violence.  Mr. Wu had them paid off, which is why the Mad Dogs didn't interfere with his business."

"Set up a meeting with Yuesheng," Enishi directed.

"Yes sir.  Where will you be staying?"

"The Astor." It was the hotel where Bolin had stayed and conducted most of his business.

"I will make the arrangements and notify you in a few hours."

From Bolin's report Enishi knew that Yuesheng had originally been Heishin's gambling and opium enforcer. He liked fine clothing and rich women, which is why he enjoyed sing-song houses for evening entertainment. Once at the hotel, Enishi arranged for the best Chinese silk to be brought to him and to book the best sing-song house for the night. That meant he dropped a lot of money to buy out the sing-song house, so the singer would perform for only them.

"Are you flexing your wealth and power?" Sumi asked admiring the silk clothing he was wearing.

Enishi confirmed, "like Heishin, Yuesheng has expensive taste and is very greedy."

They had baths and shortly after the clothing merchant came.  Enishi picked out a yellow set of pants and shirt in his preferred style, that also had a dragon in red that started at the shirt hemline and ended on the chest. For Sumi he purchased a red hanfu, that had a yellow tiger embroidered on it.

"This is the best quality silk I've ever come across," Enishi praised with a warm smile that didn't reach his eyes.

The merchant beamed and agreed with him. "Thank you sir, I appreciate your business."

Once the man had left, Enishi pulled out a pouch from the clothing he had just replaced. On himself he put a heavy gold necklace that had a large monkey head charm, with rubies as the eyes. "Yuesheng is superstitious about monkey heads. Rumour has it he wears dried ones in his clothes. This gold one should capture his attention. Also I want you to wear these hair clasps."