Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 30 Diao Haisheng and the Fish Market Gang

Diao Haisheng grinned and said, "You're quite good at talking."

He grabbed Feng Xiuhu's hair and dragged him out of the pool. He stepped on Feng Xiuhu's head twice, then squatted down and took out a sharp knife from his waist.

The tip of the knife dug a small dent in Feng Xiuhu's face. Diao Haisheng grinned grimly, "I'll teach you a lesson so you don't end up as a fool."

"Lame Mouse and I have had a few drinks together, so we have some friendship. If you take his head, I will take your life for him. This is reasonable."

Feng Xiuhu nodded: "That makes sense. I thought the temple sent you here."

Diao Haisheng sneered: "You are not worthy."

"I don't like to hear that," Feng Xiuhu said. "I'm protected by the God of Mist, so why am I unworthy?"

Diao Haisheng laughed heartily: "I think you are frightened and talking nonsense. Not to mention that Fancheng is the Queen's territory, the foreign gods are not powerful enough, and you are just a rat that crawled out of the bottom city, are you worthy of being protected by the foreign gods?"

Just as he was about to say that, a strong voice rang out from outside the house: "He deserves it!"

There were dense footsteps in the corridor, and soon another group of people rushed in, pushing and shoving their way out.

This group of people were not very decent. Some were covered in oil and dirt, while others were covered in dust and dirt. However, they were all wearing similar work clothes - it turned out that they were a group of workers.

The leader is the most conspicuous.

Just because this man has a rather scary face.

He seemed to have suffered a serious injury that disfigured him. His face was full of pits and grooves, and the hideous scars spread all the way to his bald head. At first glance, his entire head looked like a big walnut.

Diao Haisheng's words also confirmed this.

"Hairy Walnut?"

Diao Haisheng's face darkened. "He's in my hands. It'll only take one strike of the sword. I'm afraid it's a little too late for you to come now."

Mao Hetao shrugged and crossed his arms. "If you want to kill me, go ahead. I won't stop you—but let me be frank. I'm here to save you."

"Save me?" Diao Haisheng glanced at Mao Hetao, then looked down at Feng Xiuhu. "How could he bite my bird off in one bite?"

"Don't slander me. I would never do such a thing." Feng Xiuhu quickly denied it.

Mao Hetao also laughed, and his face became even uglier when he smiled. "Scaling Knife, you wouldn't believe it, you were so impulsive that you dared to show your knife to him—do you know who he is?"

Diao Haisheng looked suspicious. "A lowly guy who got lucky enough to become a class monitor—what else can you say?"

Mao Hetao laughed loudly. "Why else would I say I'm here to save your life? He's no longer a rat in the underworld. He's a newly appointed deacon of the church. If you're brave enough, try to touch him."

Feng Xiuhu raised his hand: "I prove that what he said is true."

This was no joke, Diao Haisheng hesitated.

Mao Hetao continued, "We're not related, otherwise why would I stop you? But if you really did hit me, we'd all be witnesses here."

"You know the consequences of killing a priest. Not to mention the long-term consequences, the High Priest will have to kill you personally to atone for the church's sin. Even if he chop you into a paste, it won't do much good."

Diao Haisheng's eyes became hesitant. After a while, he finally put away the knife and stood up silently.

He waved his hand, signaling his men to let Shunzi go.

After Shunzi escaped, he quickly ran over and helped Feng Xiuhu up.

Diao Haisheng led his men out, not forgetting to utter a harsh word: "Mr. Feng, today I will teach you a lesson. If you dare to block the way to the temple again in the future, we will have plenty of opportunities to deal with you."

The group of people left very quickly. Feng Xiuhu had just found a towel to wrap around his crotch when Mao Hetao was the only one left in the room.

Mao Hetao asked his brothers to go out and guard the place, while he stayed behind to chat with Feng Xiuhu. He said with a bit of complaint, "I sent someone to deliver a letter to you, why did you run away?"

"What letter are you sending?" Feng Xiuhu has always been wary of strangers.

Mao Hetao smiled bitterly. "Today, my men saw Scale Scraper leading his men towards the lower city in a menacing manner. I guessed they were coming to cause trouble for you, so I immediately sent someone swift to inform you. But you ran faster than a rabbit, so I quickly gathered my men to rush over. If I had been any slower, you would have been dead."

Feng Xiuhu understood and asked, "So Diao Haisheng is also the chief priest's godson?"

Mao Hetao shook his head: "No, Diao is not as good as Yuan Lao in dealing with things. It is because Yuan Lao is smooth and can please the elder master, so he recognized him as his godfather."

There was no way to take a bath today, so Feng Xiuhu led Shunzi out.

After Mao Hetao finished speaking, he turned around and disappeared. He quickly caught up with him and continued to explain to Feng Xiuhu.

"As the temple's tax collector, Boss Yuan is in charge of the lower and lower cities, while Diao Haisheng is in charge of the factory and port areas."

"In the early years, Diao Haisheng was just a boat captain, leading a few brothers to fish for a living. Gradually, his life got better and better, and he had more people under him. He felt that fishing was not making enough money, so he founded the Fish Market Gang. The Fish Market Gang roamed around the port and factory areas, relying on robbery and looting to make a comfortable living."

"Later, he had a conflict with the temple's tax collector and accidentally killed him. Unexpectedly, the temple not only didn't blame him, but also let him take over as tax collector - this is how Diao Haisheng became so successful today."

Feng Xiuhu came to the door, and Yuzhi, who was hiding behind the cabinet, finally stood up.

Feng Xiuhu asked Yuzhi to fetch some clothes, and casually asked Mao Hetao, "How many people does Diao Haisheng have under his command?"

Mao Hetao thought for a moment and said, "I'm not sure exactly, but there must be around fifty."

Feng Xiuhu calculated silently and realized that he had as many people as he did.

Mao Hetao noticed his thoughts and kindly reminded him, "You want to fight him? Then I advise you to calm down. The port area is the temple's territory. Our church won't even go there to preach. If you lead a large group of people there, you will definitely suffer."

Feng Xiuhu nodded and said, "I'm relieved if you feel the same way."

While they were talking, Yuzhi brought the clothes.

Feng Xiuhu put on pieces of clothing one by one, while Mao Hetao stared at her from the side. The more he looked at the dress Feng Xiuhu was wearing, the more familiar it looked to him.

Feng Xiuhu noticed his look and asked, "Does it look good?"

Mao Hetao nodded: "It looks good."

Feng Xiuhu also nodded: "It's good-looking, you ordered it."

Mao Walnut: “…”

Feng Xiuhu was a reasonable man. He asked Shunzi to take out two silver plates, placed them on the counter, and said to Yuzhi, "Since I didn't get a bath today, I won't ask for the price. But the impact on business is my fault. This money is an apology and also a deposit. Keep the No. 1 bath for me, and I'll come back next time."

Yuzhi forced a smile: "Master is a particular person, so I will wait."

Is this money enough?

This money is not enough.

But Yuzhi was tactful enough not to mention it - although she didn't know Feng Xiuhu, she knew Mao Hetao.

Mao Hetao was in charge of the factory area and the downtown area. He came to collect offerings every month, so it was impossible for her not to know him.

Even Mao Hetao had to be polite, so how could Yuzhi dare to ask Feng Xiuhu for money?

　Diao Haisheng has been recorded in Mr. Feng's notebook. Anyone who doesn't vote for the monthly ticket or add it to the collection will be recorded as well. Anyone who votes and adds it will be brought along to take a divine bath next time.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)