Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 72 A Beautiful Woman's Deep Affection

Squeezing through the crowd, I saw Liu Changfeng with several bodyguards confronting a group of people.

The leader of the group was a scarred man with a face full of menacing features, followed by more than a dozen men, each exuding a fierce aura.

"Wang Biao, don't go too far!" Liu Changfeng roared. "This bridge is an official road. What right does your shipping guild have to block it?"

Scarface Wang Biao sneered:

"Chief镖 Liu, this bridge has been in disrepair for many years. Our chamber of commerce is kindly helping the government maintain it. What's wrong with temporarily closing it?"

"But you, with so many people, are you trying to force your way in?"

"Maintenance?" Liu Changfeng chuckled.

"I crossed this bridge this afternoon without any problems. It's obvious you're deliberately making things difficult for me!"

"I said I'd fix it, and I mean it," Wang Biao said, arms crossed.

"If Chief Escort Liu is not satisfied, he can go to the yamen to file a complaint, but tonight is the lantern festival, and the yamen will probably be too busy to deal with you."

The surrounding people were talking about it, but no one dared to step forward.

The canal transport guild was very powerful in Jiangnan, and ordinary people couldn't afford to offend them.

Just as Lin Chen was about to speak, he heard Su Mo say calmly, "Manager Wang, what a show of power."

Wang Biao turned around upon hearing the voice, and upon seeing Su Mo, his expression changed: "Young Master Su...?"

"This bridge was repaired with funds donated by my Su family last year, how can it be considered dilapidated?" Su Mo stepped forward slowly.

"If Steward Wang doesn't believe me, he can check the records at the government office."

Wang Biao's forehead was beaded with sweat: "This...this might be a misunderstanding..."

"A misunderstanding?" Su Mo's tone turned cold.

"The shipping guild has been getting increasingly overreaching lately, even daring to block the bridge belonging to the Su family. Will they block the Su family's door next?"

"No, no!" Wang Biao repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting. "I'll have them withdrawn immediately! Young Master Su, please calm your anger!"

He waved his hand, and his men quickly removed the roadblocks.

Liu Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands to Su Mo, saying, "Thank you for helping me out, Young Master Su."

Su Mo waved his hand: "Captain Liu, you're too kind. The Canal Gang and the Shipping Merchants Association have been acting increasingly erratically lately, and it's time to teach them a lesson."

Wang Biao lowered his head, but a look of resentment flashed in his eyes.

He glared at Liu Changfeng fiercely, then led his men away in a hurry.

The disturbance subsided, and the crowd dispersed.

Liu Changfeng walked up to Lin Chen:

"Young Master Lin is here too? I apologize for the earlier commotion."

"It's alright," Lin Chen said with a smile. "The Canal Gang is indeed arrogant."

Liu Changfeng sighed:

"More than just arrogant, the Canal Gang has recently been expanding in all directions, swallowing up smaller gangs and suppressing its peers."

Changfeng Escort Agency has already lost several deals. If this continues, the Jiangnan martial arts world may be dominated by the Canal Gang.

Su Mo frowned: "I've also heard about this. Hong Tianba has been making a lot of moves lately, and he probably has someone backing him."

"Young Master Su is right," Liu Changfeng said in a low voice.

"I've heard that the Grand Canal Gang has close ties with a high-ranking official in the imperial court; otherwise, how could Hong Tianba dare to act so recklessly?"

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive: "A high-ranking official in the court? Do you know who it is?"

"I don't know about that." Liu Changfeng shook his head. "Rumors in the martial arts world can't be taken as fact, but there's no smoke without fire."

After exchanging a few more words, Liu Changfeng took his leave.

The four continued their stroll along the river, but the atmosphere was no longer as relaxed as before.

Upon reaching a secluded section of the river, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly said, "Brother, Young Master Lin, look at that boat."

Following her gaze, everyone saw a small boat quietly moored on the riverbank, with a man in black standing at the bow, looking in their direction.

Seeing everyone looking at him, the man immediately turned and went into the cabin, and the ship slowly sailed away.

"Those are ships belonging to the Grand Canal Gang," Su Mo said in a deep voice. "They're monitoring us."

Xiao Yulou sneered, "What a cunning gang, they've got some nerve."

Lin Chen laughed: "Let them monitor us if they want. We'll just do our own thing. Let them watch if they want."

"Brother Lin is indeed magnanimous," Su Mo sighed.

"However, given the actions of the Canal Gang, they are unlikely to let this go easily. Brother Lin, you must be extra careful during your time in Jiangnan."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Su." Lin Chen cupped his hands in thanks. "I will be careful."

After wandering around for a while, night fell.

Su Mo suggested sending Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou back to the inn.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Yulou leaned on Lin Chen's shoulder and whispered:

"Eighth Brother, what are your plans regarding the Grand Canal Gang?"

"No rush." ​​Lin Chen played with the carp lantern that Su Xiaoxiao had given him.

"Let them run wild for a few days. Once we've gathered all the evidence, we'll settle accounts all at once."

"It's good that you know what's going on." Xiao Yulou paused, then continued, "Su Xiaoxiao... what do you think?"

Lin Chen glanced at her: "Why are you asking this again, Fourth Sister-in-law?"

"Just asking," Xiao Yulou said with a smile.

"I think she's great. She's beautiful and talented, comes from a respectable family, and has a gentle personality. If you like her, you can take her in."

"Fourth Sister-in-law is really..." Lin Chen chuckled.

"But there's no rush. Although Su Xiaoxiao is good, it depends on her own wishes. You can't force a relationship."

"That's true." Xiao Yulou nodded. "But I think she likes you quite a bit. The way she looked at you when she gave you the lantern tonight was different."

"Is that so?" Lin Chen thought for a moment, "Then... let nature take its course."

The carriage stopped in front of the inn.

Su Mo got out of the car to see him off: "Brother Lin, thank you for your presence today. Let's meet again another day."

"Brother Su, you're too kind," Lin Chen said with a smile.

"Enjoy yourselves tonight, and I'll treat you another time."

It's a deal.

Su Xiaoxiao also got out of the car and bowed to Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou: "Young Master Lin, Madam Lin, I'll take my leave."

"Take care, Miss Su."

After watching the Su family carriage leave, Lin Chen and Xiao Yulou returned to the inn.

Yuan Tiangang was already waiting in the room. Upon their return, he reported:

"My lord, there's new activity from the canal gang."

"explain."

"After Wang Biao of the Canal Transport Association returned, he went directly to Juyi Manor. Shortly after, Li Hun and Sun Meng, two of the four elders, led their men out of the city towards the Western Hills," Yuan Tiangang said.

"Zhang Qing has already gone to investigate."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "West Mountain? What's there?"

"There's an abandoned mine in Xishan. It was used for iron ore mining in the past, but the veins dried up and it was abandoned," Yuan Tiangang said.

"But according to Zhang Qing's previous investigation, there has been activity there recently, and it is very likely a secret stronghold of the Canal Gang."

Lin Chen pondered: "Secret stronghold... It seems the Canal Gang and the Canal Transport Merchants Association are birds of a feather."

"My lord, should we send someone to take it?"

"No rush." ​​Lin Chen waved his hand. "Let's find out what's inside first, and have Zhang Qing continue to monitor the situation. Don't alert them."

"Yes."

After Yuan Tiangang left, Xiao Yulou asked, "Eighth Brother, what do you think the Canal Gang is hiding in the Western Hills?"

"It's nothing more than shady stuff," Lin Chen stretched. "Weapons, stolen goods, or... people."

"people?"

"The Canal Gang has expanded rapidly in recent years, and they've inevitably resorted to some underhanded methods, such as taking hostages and extorting money," Lin Chen said.

"However, these are all just speculations. We'll wait until Zhang Qing has investigated thoroughly before making any decisions."

Xiao Yulou nodded, then suddenly smiled and said:

"Eighth Brother, I've noticed that you're quite methodical in handling cases. You may seem lazy, but you're actually very methodical in your approach."

"Of course," Lin Chen said proudly. "Your husband is a genius."

"Pah, you think you can take advantage of me just because I've given you a little taste?" Xiao Yulou laughed and scolded, but then snuggled into his arms.

"But... I like you this way, when it's time to play, and when it's time to be serious."

Lin Chen put his arm around her and gently kissed her forehead: "I'm glad you like it, Fourth Sister-in-law."

Outside the window, the lights of Suzhou gradually went out, leaving only the bright moon in the sky, quietly illuminating this water town in Jiangnan.

That night, some slept peacefully, while others plotted in secret.

Deep within the Western Hills, undercurrents are stirring.