The tavern Shopkeeper was adept at watching and listening, and although Chen Yuan was only a Governnt Official, he didn't want to stir up trouble unnecessarily. The tavern owner had his own connections but as the saying goes, little ghosts are hard to deal with.
This was also a hidden benefit within the Governnt.
Originally, Chen Yuan's uncle had gone to great lengths to bribe and pull strings for him to beco an official Governnt Official.
"Thank the Shopkeeper for ," Chen Yuan said with a pleasant smile, nodding to the waiter.
"Lord, if you need anything else, this servant will take his leave."
The waiter smiled obsequiously.
Chen Yuan nodded slightly, first taking a big swig of his drink and then grabbing a pork knuckle to eat ravenously, washing down each mouthful of at with a gulp of liquor to sate his hungry gut.
Practicing with a blade and Skin Refining were activities that consud a great deal of energy.
After consuming a plate of pork knuckles, Chen Yuan began to leisurely enjoy the two side dishes the Shopkeeper had gifted...
"Beihai Gang is doing business, bystanders clear out..."
Downstairs, a low shout exploded, and Chen Yuan's gaze sharpened as he watched a group of n, each with a small dagger embroidered on their chests.
The Beihai Gang, a not insignificant force within Ping'an County, bullied the good, collected protection fees, ran gambling dens and brothels, with nearly a hundred disciples in the gang.
They were the bullies of North City.
Moreover, and most importantly, every Governnt Official in the County Governnt knew that the Beihai Gang was backed by the Huang Family of Ping'an County, naly the family of the arrest officer Huang Xing.
Therefore, as long as no one was killed, the people in the County Governnt would turn a blind eye.
Chen Yuan was no exception.
Speaking of which, Chen Yuan's family had also suffered extortion from the Beihai Gang, but ever since he donned the official's uniform, the Beihai Gang seed to have disappeared, never bothering the Chen Family again.
Consequently, the protection fees collected from the Chen Family's neighbors were significantly reduced, which was one of the reasons why Xiao Fang, who sold stead buns, took quite a liking to him.
Among those neighbors, Chen Yuan was already regarded as a rather powerful Lord.
But as the saying goes, a drinker knows how warm or cold the water is.
The hierarchy within the County Governnt was based on seniority, and due to Chen Yuan's low strength, his position among the constables was not high, ranking at most in the lower-middle.
Of course, since they were colleagues, no one would normally go out of their way to make things difficult for him. With a few more years under his belt, Chen Yuan would be one of them.
As Chen Yuan knew, those long-serving Governnt Officials at the Blood Refining Level had an inco more than double his and were considered high-inco earners within Ping'an County.
Only then could they afford the expenses of practicing martial arts.
"Perhaps... I could get Silver from the Beihai Gang..." Chen Yuan's expression was dark and uncertain.
But he could not go about it in the usual way, because of his own low power and the fact that his imdiate superior was Huang Xing. Looking for trouble was definitely not an option.
That would be suicide.
Down below, mbers of the Beihai Gang, as usual, collected protection fees, with rchants on both sides of the street reluctantly taking money out of their cash boxes to settle matters. And if they had no money...
The Beihai Gang would "generously" allow debts to accrue, but the interest was steep, so most would rather borrow money to pay their monthly dues.
There were many cautionary tales of families being ruined.
Even the rchants in the vicinity of his neighborhood sotis hoped he would step in to help. Chen Yuan's influence was not significant; he could only grant them a few days' extension at most.
Soon, six or seven mbers of the Beihai Gang, carrying long knives, ascended to the second floor, where the waiter's expression was even more fawning than before Chen Yuan.
"Chen the constable..."
The leading Beihai Gang mber, who recognized Chen Yuan at a glance, ca forward with a cupped fist salute, his face still wearing a smile.
"Hall Master Wang."
Chen Yuan also revealed a slight smile.
"The deputy, hehe..." Hall Master Wang laughed heartily, seemingly very pleased with being addressed as Hall Master Wang by Chen Yuan.
In his heart, he couldn't help but think that mixing in the Governnt was different after all, unlike his subordinates who would only call him "Deputy Hall Master Wang."
"With Hall Master Wang's skills, it's only a matter of ti before you drop the 'deputy'," Chen Yuan said.
"I heard from Constable Xu that the ferocious Tie Shou was actually killed by Constable Chen. Wang has to admit, he greatly admires that. Tie Shou was no easy foe."
"It was just luck."
Hall Master Wang glanced at the food and drink on Chen Yuan's table and instructed the serving boy beside him:
"Put the cost of Constable Chen's drinks on Wang's tab..."
"Yes, this humble one understands."
"Hall Master Wang is too kind."
"Heh, just for the fact that Constable Chen took down Tie Shou, this bit of drink money is nothing to fuss about."
"Then I won't be so courteous..." Chen Yuan didn't indulge in too much politeness.
"Then Wang will take his seat first," Hall Master Wang said, pulling off a scholarly deanor.
"Please do."
Hall Master Wang and his party sat quite far from Chen Yuan, his subordinates seemingly discussing sothing.
anwhile, Chen Yuan was thinking about how to extort money from the Beihai Gang.
Although the Beihai Gang was rather polite to the governnt officials, the relationship between them wasn't really good; it was nothing more than hoping to avoid any trouble.
This was also a warning from the Huang Family.
In Ping'an County, it was still the imperial court that held real authority; if things turned into an absolute disaster, it would be very difficult to bring to an end.
After taking a sip of his drink, Chen Yuan's ears twitched, and he began to eavesdrop on the conversation of Hall Master Wang and his people.
Ever since he practiced the Heavenly Eye Pupil Technique, Chen Yuan discovered that his hearing had also improved a lot. Therefore, even though they kept their voices low, he could still hear them.
"Deputy Hall Master Wang, there's no need to curry favor with a governnt official who's only just started, right?" A subordinate sitting next to Hall Master Wang comnted, inadvertently glancing at Chen Yuan a few tis.
"What do you know? That Chen Yuan is a man of the Governnt after all. Recently, our Gang Leader has ordered us not to stir up any trouble."
"With Constable Huang around, what trouble could a re governnt official cause?"
"What are you trying to say, boy? You have a grudge against that Chen?" Hall Master Wang turned sharp, eyeing his subordinate closely.
"Heh, I should've known how capable you are, Deputy Hall Master Wang. Indeed, I have a bit of grudge against that Chen. Do you rember the young woman from Zhou's Stead Bun Shop?"
"What about her?"
"When I went to collect the regular paynt, I took a fancy to her, but... I heard she's gotten quite close to that Chen. So I was thinking, maybe Deputy Hall Master Wang might help suppress that guy."
"Rest assured, I know the rules."
Hall Master Wang looked at Wang Er's dejected face:
"I'm not with the Governnt; how could I suppress Chen? It's best if you don't think about it too much. You've heard who killed Tie Shou recently, haven't you?"
"They say that young Chen has won the favor of County Magistrate Wu; you better save yourself the trouble."
"Heh, Hall Master, I just ntioned it in passing."
"Enough, I know what you're plotting. Drink less wine and don't screw up tonight's task..."
"Don't worry, Hall Master, there will be no issues. It's just delivering silver to Steward Huang. It's not as if the Huang Family's younger mbers haven't been there before."
"Shut your mouth and quit your yapping," Hall Master Wang said coldly.
Wang Er panicked and quickly gave a sycophantic smile:
"You're right, Hall Master. I'm just here to get things done, to get things done..."
————
Thanks to book friend Red Dust One Ze for the reward of five hundred point coins.
Thanks to book friend Apocalypse Charge for the reward of one hundred point coins.
Thanks to book friend God GB for the reward of five hundred point coins.
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