xymnovel Chapter 76 Do Not Underestimate the People of the World
Chapter 76 Do Not Underestimate the People of the World
"Because that batch of goods...wasn't from legitimate sources." Su Mo lowered his voice.
"Cui Mingyuan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, privately traded military equipment with the southern border regions."
The Su family was forced to act as middlemen, using trade routes to conceal their true intentions.
As a result, the goods were robbed by the canal gangs, and Cui Mingyuan forced the Su family to pay compensation. The canal gangs also extorted another sum... This time, the Su family suffered heavy losses.
Lin Chen suddenly realized.
No wonder the Su family suffered in silence—if this matter were exposed, Cui Mingyuan would certainly be in trouble, but the Su family, as the middleman, couldn't escape responsibility either.
Smuggling weapons or contraband are both serious crimes.
"Brother Su, aren't you afraid I'll tell everyone about this?" Lin Chen asked with a smile.
At the same time, he sighed inwardly: he had underestimated the people of the world; this Vice Minister of War had not been investigated.
Su Mo smiled wryly:
"If Brother Lin wanted to do this, he would have done it long ago. Although I have only known Brother Lin for a short time, I know that you are not the kind of person to kick someone when they are down. Besides... the Su family also needs help."
"To provide assistance?"
"The fact that the Canal Gang dares to be so arrogant means they must have someone backing them," Su Mo said.
Su suspected that Cui Mingyuan had long been colluding with the canal gang.
The hijacking of that shipment might have been staged by them; they both kept the goods and extorted money from the Su family.
Lin Chen seemed to be deep in thought.
That makes sense; Cui Mingyuan needs channels to smuggle weapons.
The best choice was for the canal gangs to control the waterways.
The two companies cooperated, and each got what they needed.
As the richest family in Jiangnan, the Su family had both financial resources and connections, so they naturally attracted attention.
"What does Brother Su want me to do?" Lin Chen asked.
"I wouldn't dare ask Brother Lin to do anything," Su Mo said, bowing slightly.
"I only ask that if Brother Lin discovers any clues related to the Su family during his investigation... please let me know. The Su family is willing to cooperate fully, just to protect themselves."
That's a sincere statement.
Lin Chen pondered for a moment:
"Brother Su, rest assured, I, Lin, have always been clear about my gratitude and grievances."
Since the Su family is honest with each other, Lin will not stab them in the back.
As for the canal gang and Cui Mingyuan... if they have truly broken the law, I, Lin, will handle them impartially."
"Thank you very much, Brother Lin!" Su Mo bowed respectfully.
Su Xiaoxiao also stood up and bowed: "Young Master Lin's kindness will be remembered by the Su family."
Lin Chen waved his hand: "No need for that. Come, let's continue drinking tea. Don't let these mundane matters spoil our enjoyment."
The four sat down again, and the atmosphere was even more harmonious than before.
Su Xiaoxiao changed to another type of tea. The tea soup was bright orange-yellow with a rich aroma and a unique blend of rocky and floral fragrance.
While enjoying tea, Su Mo talked about the current situation of the martial arts world in Jiangnan.
"Brother Lin, I met Chief Escort Liu of the Changfeng Escort Agency yesterday. He's a tough guy, but unfortunately, he's outnumbered and outmatched, and can't withstand the Canal Gang," Su Mo sighed.
"In the local martial arts world of Jiangnan, there was a saying that there were one gang, two societies, and three escort agencies."
Now the Canal Gang is the only dominant force, while the Small Knife Society and the Green Summit have become its vassals, and the three major escort agencies can only barely survive.
Xiao Yulou asked, "The canal gangs are expanding so much, and the government isn't doing anything about it?"
"I can't control it." Su Mo shook his head.
"Zhang Chengan, the prefect of Suzhou, was a student of Cui Mingyuan and was on friendly terms with Hong Tianba, the leader of the Grand Canal Gang."
The entire government office, from top to bottom, was fed by the canal gangs. When ordinary people filed complaints, they either received no response or faced retaliation.
Lin Chen recalled Wang Biao's arrogance yesterday, and it was indeed true.
Although it is a world of high martial arts, the Dayan Dynasty, which controls the entire country, still maintains official control over order.
"What about the other prominent families?" he asked. "Jiangnan is wealthy, and there are many prominent families. Has no one stepped forward?"
"Everyone should mind their own business." Su Mo smiled wryly.
"The Grand Canal Gang is very clever; they only suppress small and medium-sized forces, while focusing on winning over major families and forces."
Over the years, the canal gangs have maintained close business ties with various businesses, and their interests are intertwined. Who would be willing to break off relations?
The Su family wouldn't have wanted to provoke them if they hadn't been forced into this situation.
Lin Chen nodded.
this is the truth.
If fundamental interests are not affected, who would risk their life for "justice"?
"Brother Su," Lin Chen suddenly said:
"You said the canal gang has someone backing them... Do you have any leads?"
Su Mo pondered for a moment:
There are two suspicious points.
First, the canal gangs have expanded extremely rapidly in the past six months, absorbing seven or eight smaller gangs, yet they have never provoked the government to take any major action.
Secondly, Hong Tianba was originally only a mid-stage Grandmaster, but recently broke through to the late stage, and his techniques are strange, with poisonous palm strikes, unlike righteous martial arts.
Is the palm strike poisonous?
Lin Chen's heart stirred—the Purple Robe Pavilion's techniques were known for their insidious and vicious nature.
"Brother Su, do you know the origin of Hong Tianba's martial arts techniques?"
"I don't know." Su Mo shook his head.
All we know is that he went into seclusion for a week three months ago, and his martial arts skills improved greatly after he came out.
Some speculated that he had some extraordinary encounter, or... perhaps he had joined some evil sect.
Evil faction...
Lin Chen was basically certain that the Ziyi Tower was behind the Cao Gang.
Only the Purple Robe Pavilion possesses that insidious and vicious technique, enabling Hong Tianba to break through in such a short time.
"Brother Lin," Su Mo asked tentatively, seeing Lin Chen deep in thought, "have you thought of something?"
Lin Chen remained expressionless and chuckled lightly:
"These are just some speculations, without any concrete evidence yet. I'll discuss them with Brother Su in detail once I've investigated further."
"Alright." Su Mo didn't ask any further questions, raised his cup and said, "Then I, Su, will offer tea in place of wine to wish Brother Lin a swift and successful journey."
"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Su."
The four raised their glasses and drank together.
The aroma of tea wafted through the air, the sound of flowing water filled the air, and the waterside pavilion was quiet for a moment.
A light rain suddenly started falling outside the window.
The fine rain fell on the lake, creating ripples.
Outside the bamboo curtain, distant mountains and nearby waters are shrouded in mist and rain, creating a hazy, picturesque scene.
"How fitting," Xiao Yulou said softly. "Yanyu Pavilion, Yanyu Pavilion, it really is most beautiful when it rains."
Su Xiaoxiao got up and walked to the window, gently rolling up the bamboo curtain.
The sound of rain suddenly became clear—pattering like pearls falling onto a jade plate, or like the gentle plucking of a zither string.
The lake was shrouded in mist and rain, and the lotus flowers swayed in the rain, creating a unique and charming scene.
"Young Master Lin," Su Xiaoxiao suddenly said:
"Such a scene deserves a poem to enhance the experience. I wonder if you, sir, could offer your guidance?"
Lin Chen walked to the window, gazing at the misty lake and mountains, and a sense of poetry welled up in his heart.
He didn't intend to copy the poem, but the scene before him inspired him to write something and show off.
Oh well, since there are no poets like those in this world anyway, it won't hurt to borrow a few lines.
After a moment of contemplation, he slowly recited:
"The lake and mountains complement each other, and the surface of the pool is calm and unpolished like a mirror."
Looking out over Taihu Lake, the mountains and waters are verdant, like a green snail in a silver dish.
A misty rain stretches to the distant sky, where fishing boats are moored amidst the lotus blossoms.
Remember the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, especially when the oranges are yellow and the tangerines are green.
The poem is adapted from Liu Yuxi's "Looking at Dongting Lake" and Du Mu's "Spring in Jiangnan".
It complements the scenery before our eyes while subtly incorporating the characteristics of Taihu Lake.
Su Xiaoxiao's eyes lit up: "What a wonderful poem!"
A green snail in a silver plate: comparing Taihu Lake to a silver plate and the islands in the lake to green snails is a wonderful metaphor!
The last two lines, "Remember the beauty of Jiangnan, especially when the oranges are yellow and the tangerines are green," further emphasize that Jiangnan is beautiful in all four seasons, not just spring and summer.
Su Mo also clapped his hands in praise:
"Brother Lin is truly talented! This poem should be widely circulated in Jiangnan and add splendor to Taihu Lake."
Xiao Yulou looked at Lin Chen with pride in his eyes.
Lin Chen blushed slightly, but waved his hand without changing his expression: "Just making things up, please excuse my rudeness."
"Young Master Lin is too modest." Su Xiaoxiao's eyes gleamed with admiration.
"This poem is fresh and natural, with profound artistic conception, and it is a top-notch work even in the Jiangnan poetry scene."
"I...would you be so kind as to compose music for this poem? Would you grant me permission, sir?"
"It is my honor that Miss Su is willing to compose music," Lin Chen said with a smile.
Su Xiaoxiao blushed slightly: "Then I will presume to presume. After the composition is completed, I will ask for your guidance, young master."
The rain gradually stopped.
After the rain, the sun shone through the clouds, and the lake surface shimmered with golden light.
The water droplets on the lotus leaves are crystal clear, making the lotus flowers even more beautiful.
Su Mo glanced at the sky and smiled:
"The rain has stopped, it's a perfect time to stroll in the garden. Brother Lin and Madam Lin, would you like to walk with me? Although this garden is not large, there are still a few scenic spots to see."
"I couldn't ask for more." Lin Chen nodded.
The four of them left the waterside pavilion and strolled along the lake.