Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 420, 419 Feng Xiuhu's Dilemma
Shunzi muttered to herself, "What's so strange about that... Everyone in Qianyu City knows that Sister Asheng is kind-hearted."

Feng Xiuhu told him, "From now on, you are not allowed to speak."

Shunzi shut up.

The previous statement was just a joke. Through Fang Youliu's interview, Feng Xiuhu only saw one thing—Xu Liansheng was "prescribing the right medicine for the illness".

At first, Feng Xiuhu and Fang Youliu thought that the reason why the government office had a close relationship with Xu Liansheng was mainly because she had a father who was the chief of staff in Taijing, so the government office was always willing to provide convenience for Xu Liansheng.

But it seems that's not the case now.

Her father, who was the chief of staff, was just icing on the cake. The real reason why Xu Liansheng was able to thrive in the government office was that she always managed to appear next to the right person at the right time.

Feng Xiuhu's expression turned somewhat serious.

Each of Xu Liansheng's actions, taken individually, was not a big deal; they were merely ambiguous matters between men and women. However, when all of them were considered together, their nature changed.

Xu Liansheng had already subtly and gradually established his influence in every corner of the government office.

Once they understood this, the question that had been puzzling Feng Xiuhu and Fang Youliu had been answered.

Why is the government so persistent in making trouble for the shipyard? This is not in line with the President's original intention.

The reason became clear at this moment—because this was what Xu Liansheng had to do.

From beginning to end, it wasn't Xu Liansheng who helped the government office to obstruct the envoy from the great power; rather, it was the government office that unknowingly helped Xu Liansheng achieve her goals.

Feng Xiuhu licked his lips: "This woman's thoughts are truly terrifying..."

He turned to look at Xiao Canjiu: "Xu Liansheng has already extended his reach into the government office, and none of you temples are doing anything about it?"

Xiao Canjiu listened for a long time but didn't interrupt at all, just quietly sipping his tea.

When Feng Xiuhu asked at this moment, he slowly shook his head: "You should know that the temple is not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the government."

Feng Xiuhu sneered, "Xu Liansheng is accompanied by people from the Marriage Temple—she has the men in the government office completely under her thumb. I don't believe she didn't use the Marriage Temple's methods."

Xiao Canjiu smiled calmly: "You've hit the nail on the head, sir. This is Xu Liansheng's most remarkable quality—she truly didn't rely on any magic."

Feng Xiuhu fell silent. He had thought that Xu Liansheng had used the methods of the Marriage Temple to create such a large scheme, but he never expected that she had actually accomplished this on her own.

Xiao Canjiu explained in detail: "Madam Xu is so famous, of course I know who she is. I am also very clear about what she did to the officials in the government office."

"But this person is not only adept at social maneuvering and manipulating people's hearts, but also extremely clever and knows how to keep her distance—she never gets involved in anything related to the temple. Neither befriending nor offending, this is actually the wisest approach."

"The reason why you resent her now is simply because she dragged you into her scheme."

"But what you may not know is that with Madam Xu's current power in Qianyu City, she can do almost anything, yet she has never committed any evil deeds."

“From the day she rose to power, she did only one thing from beginning to end—oppose the Duke of Daguo.”

"So even from a standpoint of perspective, the temple has no reason to interfere with her."

After thinking about it carefully, Feng Xiuhu realized that it was indeed true.

But stance is stance, and personal grudge is personal grudge. Xu Liansheng had schemed against Shunzi, and Feng Xiuhu didn't want to let it go so easily. But this brings us back to the dilemma Feng Xiuhu faced.

Shoot Xu Liansheng dead? Not only would that be too easy on her, but if Feng Xiuhu did that, he would face the hostility of the government and the entire population of Qianyu City.

More importantly, if Xu Liansheng dies, Feng Xiuhu will not only gain nothing but also cause trouble. The happiest people will be the Duke of Da Guo and the foreigners!

Why should Feng Xiuhu be a stepping stone for the Duke of Daguo?

Turning the guns on the Church of the Misty Clouds is even more impossible; Xu Liansheng dragged Shunzi into this precisely for this purpose, and Feng Xiuhu would never allow her to do as she wished.

Feng Xiuhu was like a man standing in the middle with a gun in hand, facing enemies on both sides but unable to fight either.

Seemingly sensing Feng Xiuhu's predicament, Fang Youliu whispered, "Why don't we just leave? Xu Liansheng is too wicked. Let's leave Qianyu City as soon as possible and not get involved with her anymore."

Shunzi had something to say, but Feng Xiuhu anticipated it and glared at him fiercely.

Feng Xiuhu slowly exhaled and looked at Xiao Canjiu: "You just said that by using the wind to send a message, it would only take a little over an hour to reach Fancheng?"

Xiao Canjiu smiled and nodded: "That's right."

Feng Xiuhu nodded: "Then call Old Wan and say—let me think, um... ask if Ali is still home, I have something to ask her."

……

"They've been kidnapped?"

Xu Liansheng asked in surprise, "Ye San didn't see Bishop Nils?"

Zhao Mumu's expression also appeared solemn: "Well, to be precise, he didn't even enter the sanctuary. He had just left the island in the middle of the river and hadn't even crossed the bridge when he was abducted by Ma Er and the people from the Wind and Rain Temple—and it was Xiao Gaogong who came in person."

A hint of anxiety flashed in Xu Liansheng's eyes: "No, the information is wrong. What exactly is Ma Er's identity? Even Gao Gong has to listen to him?"

She hurried to the cabinet, took out a notebook from the drawer, quickly flipped through the pages, pulled out a note tucked inside, and examined it carefully again.

The note read—

[A sudden incident occurred in Jiangluoxi. Outsiders Ma Er, Ye San, and Fang Liu, passing through the area, caused a disturbance at Caiyi Temple, killed the county magistrate, and uncovered the secret of Zhu Linjin. These three are suspected to have originated from Taijing.]

[Ma Er's conduct resembles that of a true man from the Fengyu Temple, and he is trusted and entrusted with important responsibilities by the elder scholar, Runru; Ye San is indeed an agent of the Misty Church, and even Father John trembles before him; Fang Liu's origins are unknown, but he is merely a lowly rickshaw puller and should not be a cause for concern.]

The three of them are heading to Taijing and will arrive at Qianyu City soon. Please take note.

This letter came from the marriage temple in Jiangluoxi. The reason it was sent was not for any particular reason, but whenever a major event occurred, the surrounding marriage temples would send a copy of the news to Xu Liansheng, who would then compile it and send it elsewhere by telegram.

Xu Liansheng stared intently at the handwriting on the letter, her mind racing: "Ma Er's identity at the Wind and Rain Temple isn't as simple as the letter makes it out to be, but no matter what, he shouldn't have snatched someone off the street. Ma Er knows Ye San's identity, so he should understand that letting Ye San reveal his identity to Bishop Nils is the wise thing to do to resolve the situation. Snatching someone off the street will only further escalate the conflict between the church and the Wind and Rain Temple... unless he did it on purpose."

Xu Liansheng's expression changed slightly: "Oh no."

Zhao Mumu was puzzled: "What happened?"

Xu Liansheng's eyes were serious: "It looks like they're coming for me—we have to leave and go to the government office to hide. Ma Erzong wouldn't dare to cause trouble there."

(End of this chapter)