From the Dragon and Tiger Cavalry to Hunting Sins and Becoming Saints

Chapter 51 Conditions

"I have inside information that many people died outside Gaoyang County yesterday, and Li Hong and Sun Youfu went to the county government office together today."

I guess you've started making your move. Those families have put their heads together and are starting to fight you.

Mo Dao stood up, his disfigured face contorted in a terrifying grimace: "I've thought it over. This can't go on forever. I didn't have much of a relationship with the Qi family to begin with, but I didn't want to be caught in the crossfire."

The common people can't fight against the officials. They may be considered deeply entrenched in Gaoyang County, but outside of Gaoyang County, they, including me, are nothing.

Even if you lose in a contest of wits, a single official document will summon the military officials of Hangzhou Prefecture.

That's absolutely terrifying.

"Damn it, county sergeants might need reasons and evidence to arrest someone, but the military only needs a list to kill someone. When the great purge comes, I can't just say I'm keeping to myself and the Qi family and expect the military to let me go."

After a pause, he continued, "And there's another reason. I, Mo Dao, have been fighting here for so many years. Even if I don't die, I don't want to end up fleeing to the deep mountains to eat grass."

"Why are you looking for me?"

Fu Que asked, "Why don't you go and talk to the Dragon Tiger Guards?"

"Brother, I'm not lying to you. I contacted your people a couple of days ago, and do you know what the result was?"

"What?"

"I never saw my brother who delivered the message again."

"Then what makes you think I'll necessarily accept your suggestion?"

Mo Dao touched his greasy hair, smacked his lips as if he wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a while, he didn't say anything in the end. He just looked at the paper fan next to him and said, "You tell me."

"That's right. The first reason is that our interests align. You want to take down the local bullies led by the Qi family, and so do we. These guys are exploiting us too much. Our brothers are barely scraping by, and we definitely won't let them get away with it if we get the chance."

They're offering a 30/70 split and they still want to lower it further? I'll fuck their whole family to death.

Secondly, we feel that the current way of doing things is not easy. We have to be on good terms with all parties, and we can easily get caught or killed if we are not careful. Rather than that, we might as well take advantage of the opportunity to cling to the strongest patron.

Third, your fishermen's mutual aid association model is similar to the one the Qi family runs, but it's more gentle. It's like making money effortlessly. We think this is the right path for the future, and we want to be among the first to jump on the bandwagon.

Paper Fan added at the end: "The most important reason is still the same: the people can't fight against the officials. Even if you lose, at most you'll just bring in a new group of people to fight against us. So even if we win, it won't mean anything."

"That's it?"

"That's all."

Paper Fan shook his head: "We've said everything we can. It all depends on your attitude. Now, with just one word, we'll do whatever you tell us to do, wherever you point us. But we only have one condition."

"So you're being let off the hook in the end?"

Fu Que asked.

"That's right. As long as you agree to this condition, our entire fishing gang will follow your lead."

Mo Dao nodded.

"I cannot agree to that."

As soon as Fu Que finished speaking, Mo Dao raised an eyebrow. Just as he was about to speak, the paper fan beside him gave him a look, so he shut his mouth and waited quietly.

"First of all, I don't have that authority. I have to ask my superiors. After all, you've been running rampant in the river bend for so many years. I can't just say one word and have nothing left."

Fu Que said calmly, "Secondly, it's all you saying. How do I know if what you're saying is true or false? I paid real money to integrate Han Qian and his group. You can't just dismiss me with a few words."

"What if what you're saying is false? If you tell the Qi family, won't I look like an idiot?"

Fu Que devised a plan. According to his own plan, he would first establish his authority and then win over the enemy. Following the instructions from above, he would recruit some, attack others, kill some, and suppress others, using bandits to control bandits.

However, since someone is sensible, it doesn't matter whether or not we establish authority; having the Tiger Cavalry skin is enough.

"As you know, the Fishermen's Mutual Aid Association operates on a supply and demand relationship and vertical management, so that everyone can obtain long-term but limited profits, rather than short-term and quick profits."

This means the base number needs to be expanded, because only with more people can profits be higher.

Fu Que pondered for a moment. If he agreed to the other party's request directly, he would appear too cheap and it would be difficult to negotiate later. He needed to establish his leadership position.

"Want to join? No problem, but let me see your sincerity first."

Fu Que didn't care about the situation in the fishermen's mutual aid association. As long as the structure of the chamber of commerce was maintained, that was fine. Anyway, someone from above would definitely take over in the future. He would just make a quick buck and run away.

With the eccentric artist at your fingertips, your sights are set on the stars and the sea; who the hell wants to hang out with you here?

Mo Dao remained calm. Having lived on the edge of death for so many years, he naturally knew that words were just a prelude; true cooperation required both profit and bloodshed.

"Here's what we'll do: if you agree, consider this money as my apology, and the membership fee for the fishing gang will be calculated separately."

"And another thing, you roll the dice here a couple of times, and I'll take some men out now, go straight to the Qi family's casino two streets away, and kill everyone inside. Their heads will be our gift. What do you say?"

Mo Dao gestured to his subordinate, and one of the men with tattooed arms carried a small box onto the table. The open side faced Fu Que, and the dark gold gleamed with an alluring luster.

"Investing so much?"

"If we hesitate and think things through, we'll be doomed sooner or later. Qi Heng and his gang have gone too far; we can't afford to keep up. If we don't want to be caught in the crossfire, then we can only work with you to crush them first, and then we'll consider other options."

Mo Dao's face was gloomy.

To be honest, he didn't want to get involved with the Qi family, let alone the Tiger Cavalry, but the changing circumstances left him no choice. He knew far more than he had told Fu Que.

For example, the Qi family tried to win him over; yesterday's attack on the Tiger Cavalry; and the vague reason why the Dragon and Tiger Cavalry remained inactive.

"Since that's the case, I'll believe your sincerity for now. I'll talk to the higher-ups about your problems. You won't believe me if it's just empty talk, so I'll give you written documents with official seals."

But killing people in a casino is too boring. If you want to help me, we should play big. They're trying to monopolize the market and monopolize everything, so let's do the same.

Don't tell me that you're the only one in Gaoyang County who's unhappy with the Qi family. If that were the case, even if you didn't go with them, you would definitely move on and stay out of this mess.

Do me a favor: gather all the people with some influence and those who have prejudices against the Qi family, and let's use the Fishermen's Mutual Aid Association as a front to have some fun with them.

With the martial arts exam approaching, and afterward there will definitely be banquets everywhere. Everyone will be recruiting new blood and celebrating. Just come with me to show your support. Of course, there will definitely be bloodshed. As the saying goes, "A bloody start is a good omen."

Fu Que's expression was somewhat terrifying. Smuggling blood food from these beasts, he felt no guilt whatsoever when killing them. On the contrary, he accumulated a lot of sins and ink, which made him feel extremely comfortable.