Chapter 238: Provoking Trouble

Chen Mo didn't wait for Deng Fei to speak and jumped in: "Mr. Jiang, actually the conflict between me and Wang Bao started simply—Wang Bao broke the rules by letting people sell goods on my turf."

As for me, I'm not one to fuss over details.

Since several seniors are present today, as long as Wang Bao guarantees not to send anyone to cause trouble at my venue, and offers me tea and an apology, this matter will be settled.

Chen Mo doesn't want to hear the old man Deng Fei beat around the bush.

At the same time, he also wants to see what kind of scheme these people are plotting today.

Chen Mo doesn't think that Jiang Tiansheng gathering these Triad Society big brothers who have grudges with him is merely a coincidence.

As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, Wang Bao snapped: "Chen Mo! You're downright lawless. Even if my men sold a bit of goods on your turf, what does it matter? You silently wiped them all out and then expect me to apologize to you—no way!"

Jiang Tiansheng also rebuked: "Chen Mo! Several seniors are here to uphold justice today; don't be disrespectful."

Deng Fei and Bai Tou Weng both cast a displeased glance at Chen Mo.

They are seniors in the jianghu; anyone who meets them must show them respect.

Now that they haven't spoken yet, you, Chen Mo, speaking first clearly shows you don't regard them.

Moreover, both of these men have some past grievances with Chen Mo.

Especially Bai Tou Weng; his relationship with Chen Mo was already a full‑blown feud.

"Mr. Jiang, you invited me to be the mediator because you respect me. However, your junior members of Great Prosperity are quite unruly, ignorant of hierarchy and respect; that won't do."

"Brother Deng is right. Mr. Jiang, for those unruly youngsters, we must give them a good beating so they don't become lawless once they gain some strength."

Deng Fei and Bai Tou Weng sang in unison, addressing Jiang Tiansheng, but their words were really aimed at Chen Mo.

Lian Haolong watched Chen Mo with a half‑smile, his gaze carrying a hint of admiration.

Lian Haolong is only in his early forties, considerably younger than Deng Fei and Bai Tou Weng.

In his youth, he made a name in the Number Gang with his martial skill and a staff, and now, having founded his own banner, he is still called "the top master of the jianghu."

For a self‑made, background‑less figure like Chen Mo, Lian Haolong holds him in higher regard.

Therefore, regarding Chen Mo's jumping in first, Lian Haolong harbors little resentment and says nothing to rebuke him.

"Brother Deng, as for me, during this period Great Prosperity has indeed seen many incidents; I have been lax in disciplining those beneath me."

"However, at today's gathering, let's first discuss how to handle the matter between Chen Mo and Wang Bao."

Jiang Tiansheng steered the conversation back to the original issue.

Bai Tou Weng, with a dissatisfied expression, said: "What's there to handle? They have their own ideas; why do these old guys need to make a needless move?"

"Of course we need to. Wang Bao must apologize to me; there has to be a witness!"

"Otherwise, why invite you? Is it because you're old, so we invite you to a meal? On what authority? Because your hair is white?"

"You!!!" Bai Tou Weng was so infuriated by Chen Mo that he couldn't utter a word.

From his seat, Wang Bao, hearing Chen Mo demand an apology, shouted: "Chen Mo! When did I ever promise to apologize to you! You should be the one apologizing to me!"

"Everyone, calm down." Deng Fei tapped his fingers on the table, assuming an air of composure.

"Let's have tea first; we can discuss everything slowly."

Hearing Deng Fei's words, Wang Bao quickly settled down, sat at his seat, lifted the tea bowl before him, and drank the tea in one gulp.

Chen Mo furrowed his brows, constantly feeling that Wang Bao's behavior seemed strange.

Does Deng Fei's method work that well? When did Wang Bao become so compliant?

Deng Fei paused briefly, then continued: "As for the cause, you both just mentioned earlier."

Wang Bao selling goods on your turf was indeed the initial fault.

However, Chen Mo, you were too ruthless. First you wiped out more than ten of Wang Bao's henchmen, then you seized his powder warehouse. That's where you erred.

"What, only he can provoke me while I can't strike back?"

"If you don't permit his men to sell, just chase them away; if that fails, a beating will suffice."

"You're killing people and seizing powder warehouses; that's excessive."

Brother Deng had just finished speaking when Wang Bao added: "That's not all; he also wore red shoes and colluded with the police!"

Bang

Chen Mo slammed the table hard and stood up.

"You damn fatso, what are you saying!" Chen Mo pointed at Wang Bao and shouted.

Wearing red shoes is a major taboo in the jianghu.

Even Chen Mo couldn't shoulder that charge.

Wang Bao, with an arrogant grin, said: "What, did I say something wrong? Earlier your men stalked me repeatedly, then the police found several of my powder warehouses, arrested dozens of my people. Doesn't that have anything to do with you?"

"My men stalked you because they wanted to eliminate you; what does that have to do with your powder warehouses? Who knows if it was your own carelessness. Saying I wore red shoes is pure nonsense!"

Lian Haolong also spoke at this point: "Wang Bao, wearing red shoes is no small matter; don't speak carelessly. Besides your claim that Chen Mo's men stalked you, is there any other evidence?"

"Hmph, I've been mixing in You Ma Di for years, and the police have only caught me a few times! Since Chen Mo's men stalked me, I've lost four or five powder warehouses a month, more than in previous years; if it's not the red shoes, what else could cause it!"

Hmph, I've been around You Ma Di for so many years, I've only been caught by the police a few times! Since Chen Mo's people started tailing me, I've lost four or five powder warehouses in a month, more than in the past few years—what other reason could there be besides him wearing red shoes?

Lian Haolong spoke again: "Chen Mo, although you're involved with a Triad Society, you never touch powder. Moreover, you stay away from the gambling, drug, and liquor trades."

These actions of yours indeed raise suspicion.

Of course, wearing red shoes is not a minor offense; we can't just take Wang Bao's word. We'll give you a chance to explain.

Of course, wearing red shoes isn't a minor offense; we can't just take Wang Bao's word for it. We can give you a chance to explain.

Or, do you have any way to prove you haven't colluded with the police?

"What's there to say? Not dealing with drugs has always been Great Prosperity's rule; what's the problem?"

"Brother Deng, you and Lian Sheng should have similar rules, right? I recall that the heads of the powder trade in Lian Sheng cannot run for Dragon Head, correct?"

Uncle Deng, you and United Victory should also have similar rules, right? I remember, the hall masters of you and United Victory who deal in powder cannot run for Dragon Head, right?

Deng Fei stayed silent and nodded.

Chen Mo continued, "If you don't touch drugs, it's colluding with the police; there are far too many Triad Societies on Gangdao that collude with the police."

As for saying we don't deal with prostitution and gambling, isn't that nonsense? There are hostesses in the venues under my command, and there are mahjong halls on my turf; doesn't that count as prostitution and gambling?"

Bai Tou Weng frowned, "Chen Mo, stop twisting words! Do those mahjong halls also count as gambling?"

Chen Mo sneered, "Then how is it gambling? It's just like you, secretly running a small gambling den?"

To be honest, it's not that I look down on you; it's just that you run gambling houses, lend at usurious rates, and only…

I conduct business openly and honestly, earning far more than you, so why would I need to do those?