Twenty days blinked by.
The door of the arrest officer's quarters had not seen a civilian pass through ever since.
The townspeople and villagers resolved disputes internally, and if the issues were irreconcilable, respected elders from the village or clan would step in to mediate.
Chu Ning did not spend his entire days at the arrest officer's quarters; every early morning, he would venture into the mountains to catch Silver-Stripe Vipers.
He caught over twenty in total, not because more were unattainable, but because he let go of the young snakes that obviously only had a few years since birth.
One shouldn't exhaust the pool in pursuit of fish, but aim for sustainable development.
In addition to capturing Silver-Stripe Vipers, Chu Ning also caught other types of game. After several experiments, he concluded that the Silver-Stripe Vipers were the most beneficial for the practice of "Bull Demon Strength."
His strength was now increasing steadily by six jin each day.
Unfortunately, his progress in the Bull Demon Fist was not as significant. It was still a long way to Minor Achievement. Chu Ning estimated that it wouldn't be possible until the "Bull Demon Strength" reached the fifth level.
This particular morning, Chu Ning did not head to the back mountains.
It was tax collection day.
City taxes were collected every half month, while the town did it once a month.
Xiazhen Town was unlike the city with its many streets; all businesses were on one street, which was where most of the Tax Silver came from. As for the farming households in the villages, they were only required to deliver grain, with set amounts per household. Naturally, Chu Ning could have collected more, but he had no plans to take advantage for his own gain.
Arriving at the commercial street, shopkeepers and street vendors on both sides had prepared their Tax Silver in small bags, handing them over proactively as Chu Ning approached.
These were business owners who understood the rules.
As for those vendors who might play tricks by not setting up shop today to dodge the tax, only to return tomorrow, such incidents did not occur.
Chu Ning occasionally strolled around and was well aware of the number of business owners. Meanwhile, other business owners were also watching. "We've paid, and yet you try to escape paying," they thought. Such feelings of unfairness would lead directly to reporting the infringement. Once reported, the perpetrator would have their stall's items confiscated and be banned from selling on the street ever again.
If they dared to set up shop again and got caught, they would end up in jail eating taxpayer-funded meals.
Overall, the "protection fee" collection went very smoothly. Some vendors gave a little less Tax Silver than required, but Chu Ning did not press them too much, simply asking them to make up the difference the following month.
Soon, only a few shops remained. Chu Ning approached a stall displaying straw sandals and mats, the shopkeeper a burly man.
The man's expression was fierce, "I... my cousin is in the Three Bamboo Gang..."
"My apologies for the disturbance," Chu Ning said with a smile, turning to walk to the next shop.
The Three Bamboo Gang, the number one criminal organization in Daning County, was not to be triflicted with.
When it came to collecting "protection fees," Chu Ning had a principle: stability was key.
For those with backing, any amount collected was a bonus, and it was not a problem if nothing was collected.
For those without, collecting a little less was fine too; one must not push people to desperation.
The burly man was dumbfounded as Chu Ning walked away, a money bag clenched in his hand. He had only intended to mention his cousin's affiliation with the Three Bamboo Gang, hoping he could pay less.
It was exactly because the previous arrest officer was too extortionate, leaving him with no room to make a living, that he had turned to the black market. When he mentioned his cousin was in the Three Bamboo Gang, that old arrest officer beat him up.
If he hadn't been pushed to his limits, why would he have chosen to work for a gang?
Back at the arrest officer's quarters, Chu Ning counted his earnings: six taels and five parts of silver, plus two thousand and four hundred copper coins.
This money was his pure profit.
He sent five taels to his old aunt. After all, living in Xiazhen Town, he didn't have to spend money on food and drink; the town's business owners were warm and hospitable. Not only would meals be on the house, but he'd also get discounts when shopping — ranging from fifty percent off to as much as ninety percent.
The following month.
This was Chu Ning's last collection of "protection fees" for the year as the New Year had arrived. The town's commercial street buzzed with more activity, with many villagers coming into town to buy New Year's goods.
Still prioritizing stability, Chu Ning collected the "protection fees" in the most laid-back manner.
"Sir, thank you for your leniency last month. This bag contains both this month's and last month's overdue sum, and here is a fish just caught today for you to take home and stew," said Old Li.
"Old Li, you're too kind," Chu Ning responded with deep appreciation. What did it mean for the officials and the people to be as one family? This was the true sense of unity between officials and the people.
Just look at the townsfolk, so pure and simple.
Soon, Chu Ning's hands were full of goods.
"Officer Chu, in accordance with your request, this is the improved chili powder I crafted—finer, lighter, and spicier than before," said a shopkeeper in front of a store selling soy sauce and seasonings, presenting a bag of chili powder. Chu Ning pinched a bit with his fingers, affirming that it was indeed finer than what he had bought previously, then tasted a pinch of it.
Spicy!
The worried shopkeeper quickly offered water, "Officer Chu, this chili powder is made from peppers from the southern prefectures, several times spicier than our local varieties. Its burning sensation can be felt even on the skin, let alone tasted."
After a few more tries, Chu Ning left the shop content, convinced the shopkeeper hadn't overstated its quality.
Reaching the end of the street, he saw the vendor selling straw sandals and mats was also there. Chu Ning intended to simply walk past him.
"Officer Chu, please wait a moment," said the vendor.
Chu Ning stopped, thinking, "I've forgone your protection fee, and now you push your luck further?"
"This is this month's Tax Silver," Liu Da said, offering a bag of coins.
Chu Ning was somewhat surprised; it was rare to see someone voluntarily paying the "protection fee." Had the civic consciousness of Xiazhen Town's residents dramatically improved?
"There's something else I need to inform you about, sir. The Three Bamboo Gang is planning to come to Xiazhen Town."
Chu Ning was startled, those black gangs usually took root in county towns or some more developed towns, but Xiazhen Town didn't have much to offer. Why was the Three Bamboo Gang coming here to plant their flag?
"You're a good arrest officer, and I won't keep anything from you. My cousin is an enforcer for the Three Bamboo Gang. He's done quite well with them over the years, but every branch of the gang already has a Hall Master. If my cousin wants to make more money, he can only start his own branch. Last time I went to the city, my cousin mentioned that he plans to set up a branch here in Xiazhen Town."
Listening to Liu Da's explanation, Chu Ning finally understood the situation.
Liu Da's cousin had joined the Three Bamboo Gang, fought and killed his way up to a minor leadership position, and had a few men under him. But to be in this business, you need money; otherwise, how are you going to have brothers follow you? The opportunities to make money in the county town had long been taken by the upper echelons of the Three Bamboo Gang and other factions. Liu Da was thinking of bringing people to Xiazhen Town to plant their flag and collect protection fees from the townspeople to strengthen his own position.
"Does the Gang Leader and the upper echelons of the Three Bamboo Gang know about this?"
"No, the Gang Leader doesn't care about Xiazhen Town and won't bother with such minor matters. My cousin said that once he has planted the flag, he will report to the Gang Leader and set up the branch here."
"Liu Da, thank you for telling me this. From now on, you don't have to pay the protection... I mean business tax on this street."
Chu Ning patted Liu Da's shoulder, having lost the interest to continue strolling around, he headed straight back to the government office to contemplate his next moves.
Xiazhen Town was only so big, and there was only so much protection fee to collect every month. If Liu Da's cousin came and collected the protection fee from the townspeople, then where would that leave his own protection fee?
Under this double extortion, who knew what desperate figures it might produce if the people were driven to the brink.
Su Qin, who wished he had two plots of land in Luoyang so that he could wear the seals of the six states' chancellor.
Not to mention Han Shantong and Liu Futong who, despite having eyes that looked like stone, stirred the Yellow River and led the whole world in rebellion.
And Zhu Chongba who started his journey with just a bowl...
All those founders of dynasties in history were forced into rebellion because they had no other choice.
If he chose to turn a blind eye to the Three Bamboo Gang's activities, he feared his colleagues at the patrol house would look down on him, and what was most important was that some arrest officers knew that he had Director Huang's support.
Such disgraceful conduct would also embarrass Director Huang.
Having received his favor, it wasn't necessary to repay it immediately, but at the very least, he shouldn't cause him to lose face.
Being cautious was fine, but it didn't mean unconditional concession.
In his previous life, when he read those novels about immortal heroes with golden fingers, the protagonists who chose to be common people or poor for decades and let others exploit them were definitely written by someone with a hole in their brain.
It's not wrong to fear death, and it's not wrong to lie low, provided that at the very least, you can afford yourself a dignified life.
"Ah, you're forcing my hand. I just want to live a stable life as an arrest officer," Chu Ning decided in his heart.
...
...
The night was dark and the wind was high.
Even the wind tonight was stronger than usual, carrying a hint of murderous intent.
At the Daning County brothel, several figures staggered out, the one at the front built like a tiger with a bear's waist, his face flushed from drinking.
"Boss, the women in this brothel are really something."
"They're great, but so expensive, I've only got a couple of silver left for the month."
"Those guys at the gambling house make money, I heard they take in a couple of silver every day."
The man in the front snorted coldly, "Don't worry, brothers. In a few days, I'll take you to Xiazhen Town. We'll plant our flag there and collect protection fees, it's better to be a local emperor there than to be slighted in the city."
"Boss, I heard Xiazhen Town is poor, even the constables from the patrol house are reluctant to go there."
"That's exactly why it's a bargain for us. The constables from the patrol house don't want to go because they aren't ruthless enough. If we collect fifty to seventy percent in protection fees, won't the money start flowing in? And if you fancy a girl in town, just take her to bed, the untouched ladies of good families are much more delicate than those working in the brothel."
Heh heh heh!
The four of them fantasized about their future days of reigning supreme in Xiazhen Town as they made their way to the courtyard where they resided.
But as they entered the alley, a hot wind blew in their faces.
"Boss, this wind is not cold, it's actually warm."
"Shoot, there's something in my eye, it's burning!"
"We're ambushed, everyone be alert," the boss Liu Wei shouted, and though he couldn't open his eyes either, he had fought for many years. Having been slashed more than a dozen times over the years, he had gained experience.
"Don't be scared, guys. Usually, those who resort to such despicable tactics are those who lack strength... I..."
Liu Wei hadn't finished speaking when he felt a sharp pain in his chest.
It was really painful!
Then he lost consciousness, because that punch had shattered his heart.
In the alley, a masked man killed Liu Wei and his three companions and quickly ran further into the alley.
After three turns through the alleys and reaching the riverside, he removed his mask and black clothes. Chu Ning then crossed to the opposite side of the river, passed through a street, and finally slowed down.
It was his first time killing someone, and Chu Ning found he didn't feel any discomfort.
It might have been because he killed them with a single blow, there hadn't been a messy, bloody scene.
"I have the strength to overpower Liu Wei and his three companions, but if I hadn't used the chili powder to blind them, I'm afraid I would have attracted unnecessary trouble with calls for help while killing one or two people," he thought.
"It was precisely because I used the chili powder that Liu Wei thought I wasn't strong. The chili powder is not only good for catching the enemy off guard but can also be used to confuse them."
Chu Ning was summing up his first battle experience in this world, more convinced that the strategy of using chili powder was correct.
Against someone with comparable strength, the chili powder could catch them off guard and hit them with a surprise, and if the enemy was weaker, it could paralyze them.
Against someone stronger than me...
Being as cautious as I am, I won't offend someone stronger than myself.
"The drawback of the chili powder is that I must be upwind, otherwise the powder could drift into my own face. If I could overcome this drawback, chili powder could really be considered one of my trump cards."