Chapter 91: I, Lin Fan, Cursed You Till Your Blood Boils, Even Your Ancestors Eighteen Generations Back Would Slap You
Outside the house.
The common people were watching, some standing at the doorway, craning their necks and standing on tiptoe, peering inside.
They had just seen it.
Aunt Zhang’s daughter had indeed been returned.
Inside the house.
“Sir, your subordinate is incompetent. They snatched my saber, and I couldn’t even protect the girl.” Hong Hao lay on the bed, his face swollen like a pig’s head. He struggled to sit up to accept punishment, his tone filled with self-blame and dejection.
Lin Fan pressed his shoulder and said softly, “You’ve already done very well. Don’t blame yourself. I’ve already sent that girl back. Fortunately, Wang Bao’an came to find you, otherwise, it’s hard to imagine what fate would have befallen that girl.”
If Zhou Hanshan, who was currently imprisoned, heard Lin Fan’s words.
He would absolutely shout.
Wronged!
I am truly wronged!
I called them to gather just to make them behave. If it weren’t for Chief Lin arriving so quickly, I would have already sent the girl back, and even sent those three to the Public Security Bureau.
I wanted to explain, but you didn’t give me a chance to explain.
Hong Hao’s parents stood by the bed in a daze, watching Chief Lin comforting their child.
Their minds were blank.
Did their child really become a Public Security Bureau Constable?
They were only out for two days, and their status changed upon returning?
Hong Mu was the first to snap out of it. She hurried to the wooden table, picked up a bowl with trembling hands, and poured a bowl of turbid tea from the teapot.
That was brewed from the cheapest broken tea leaves Hong Fu had bought.
“Sir, please have some tea.” Hong Mu held the bowl with both hands and respectfully offered it to Lin Fan.
“Thank you.”
Lin Fan smiled and accepted the tea bowl.
“It tastes good.” Lin Fan took it with a smile, without any hint of disdain. He tilted his head and drank the tea in the bowl in one go, then handed the bowl back to Hong Mu, praising, “Hong Hao is excellent. He is learned and courageous, exactly the kind of talent our Public Security Bureau urgently needs. Rest assured, we will not let go of those local ruffians who dared to harm a constable.”
“Of course, upon arrival, we have already apprehended all the high-ranking members of the Black Stone Gang.”
Hong Hao’s parents nodded repeatedly.
Hearing their child praised.
They felt proud.
Hong Hao did not expect his superior to act so quickly.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
It seemed that in the past two days, his superior’s style of handling matters had been like this.
Swift, decisive, and overbearing.
Lin Fan chatted with Hong Hao for a while, telling him to rest well at home. However, for Hong Hao, it was just a superficial wound, only a bruised and swollen face. His limbs were fine, and he wouldn’t lie at home.
He wanted to dedicate all his energy to the great cause of the Public Security Bureau.
He wouldn’t waste a single moment.
A moment later, Lin Fan stood up, gave a few more instructions, and then bid farewell to Hong Hao’s parents. After he left with his men, the neighbors’ concern poured in.
“My, oh my, the Hong family! Your Hong Hao has truly made a name for himself!”
“I knew this child was promising from a young age. He’ll surely achieve great things in the future!”
“From now on, we’ll have someone to rely on in this neighborhood!”
…
The next day.
The common people were in an uproar.
As soon as the shopkeeper of a silk shop removed the door planks, he saw people on the street flowing like a tide in one direction. He grabbed a passing acquaintance and asked doubtfully, “What’s going on? Where are you all going?”
Most people ignored him.
They were all just rushing towards the distance.
“Shopkeeper, you don’t know! The Public Security Bureau has caught the Black Stone Gang members, and they’re about to be executed at Caishi Mouth. There’s a huge crowd, at least dozens of heads will be chopped off.”
“What?”
The shopkeeper was stunned, his eyes wide. Without a second thought, he abandoned his shop and followed the crowd towards Caishi Mouth.
Recently, if there were any murder cases in Anzhou.
It was only a few days ago that a group of local ruffians caused trouble and committed murder in the marketplace. Chief Lin personally took action and severely killed a group of people. How long has it been since then, and now there’s going to be another execution?
Upon arriving at Caishi Mouth, it was already crowded with common people. The shopkeeper squeezed into the crowd, stood on tiptoe, and craned his neck, looking into the distance.
He clearly saw a group of Black Stone Gang members being escorted and knelt on the platform.
Around them stood a circle of stern-faced constables, holding their sabers.
An unprecedented solemn killing intent permeated the entire execution ground.
The current Public Security Bureau was very different from the past.
The common people could clearly feel it.
The constables of the past felt to them like local ruffians in constable uniforms.
But the current constables made them feel respect and awe from the bottom of their hearts.
The shopkeeper stammered, “So many people are being killed?”
He saw Zhou Hanshan.
That was the Gang Leader of the Black Stone Gang. He had seen him before; he was a majestic figure with great presence, possessing an aura of innate authority.
“Our Chief Lin is not a soft-hearted person.”
“I heard that the Black Stone Gang committed evil deeds last night and were obstructed by constables, but they beat up the constables and even snatched their sabers.”
“Ah!? At this critical juncture, isn’t that courting death?”
“Yes, that’s why that night, from the Gang Leader to the Hall Masters and leaders of the Black Stone Gang were all arrested, and now they are kneeling here waiting to be beheaded.”
The crowd at the scene was abuzz with discussion.
At this moment.
Zhou Hanshan’s mouth was stuffed with rags, and his wide eyes were filled with extreme terror and despair.
He hadn’t expected to be arrested last night.
Only to be met with beheading.
There wasn’t even an interrogation. He wanted to struggle, but his hands and feet were bound. He turned his head and looked at the executioner standing beside him, holding a gleaming saber.
He was so scared that he could no longer maintain his composure.
He twisted his body with all his might.
Lin Fan stood up and said with a stern expression, “The Black Stone Gang, having plagued Anzhou for many years, wreaking havoc on the populace, has committed heinous crimes. Upon investigation, they have engaged in intentional injury, provocation, extortion, illegal detention, forced transactions, operating casinos, and even murder. Punished for multiple offenses, their crimes are unforgivable. This official sentences them to extreme punishment!”
“Execute!!!”
Lin Fan’s roar was like thunder.
The executioners raised their execution sabers.
However, at this critical moment.
“Stop.”
A shout came from outside the crowd.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Prefect Zhao arriving in a hurry with a group of yamen runners, pushing through the crowd.
Seeing Prefect Zhao, Zhou Hanshan was like a drowning person grasping at the last straw. He struggled more intensely, his eyes bursting with a strong desire to live.
In his eyes, this was his savior.
Prefect Zhao said in a deep voice, “Lord Lin, although you are the Chief of the Public Security Bureau and have the right to try cases, according to the imperial court’s regulations, the execution of extreme punishment must be reviewed by this official and an official document issued before it can be carried out. Since you have not reported it, nor do you have this official’s approval, you intend to carry out the execution arbitrarily. This is an overstep of authority and a disregard for discipline.”
“Execute him!” Lin Fan was too lazy to argue with him and coldly ordered again.
The executioners on the platform looked at each other, their sabers held in mid-air, neither falling nor staying. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.
No one dared to move.
They were in a difficult position.
On one side was the Chief, on the other was the Prefect.
They couldn’t afford to offend either of them.
“Without this official’s approval, I’ll see who dares to draw their sword.” Prefect Zhao shouted loudly.
Lin Fan stared coldly at Prefect Zhao.
Prefect Zhao, in the end, had not heeded Commander Qin’s advice and chose to confront Lin Fan head-on.
It wasn’t a hidden confrontation, but an open one, using the power of his official position to confront him.
Anything you agree to, this official will reject.
Anything you oppose, this official will agree to.
It was to make you understand that when you refuse the step offered by this official, your every action will be restricted.
Just as the standoff reached a stalemate, and the air seemed to freeze.
Xu Ming, Yang Ming, Qian Tao, and Wu Yong suddenly stepped out from the constables’ formation.
They walked directly to the hesitant executioners and snatched the sabers from their hands.
The four exchanged glances, and without any hesitation, they simultaneously raised the execution sabers high and, with all their might, chopped down on the necks of the four high-ranking members of the Black Stone Gang in front of them.
Slash!
Slash!
The blades sank into flesh and bone, making a muffled sound.
Due to insufficient strength and skill, the blades did not completely sever the neck bones and got stuck halfway.
The four men immediately let out pig-like screams, their bodies convulsing violently. After struggling for a while, they finally died, their deaths extremely painful.
This bloody and brutal scene instantly silenced the entire venue.
Xu Ming loudly said, “Didn’t you hear the Chief’s order? What are you all still standing there for? Someone come and behead all these wicked local ruffians of the Black Stone Gang.”
With that said.
Ding Peng, Lu Zhongtian, Wang Bao’an, and the bruised and swollen Hong Hao came back to their senses, immediately rushed out, snatched the execution sabers from the executioners’ hands, roared, and exerted all their strength to swing their sabers.
Slash!
Slash!
The blades entered the necks, unable to sever the heads in one strike.
The executioners nearby twitched their eyelids. To become an executioner, one needed to practice strength diligently. The standard was to be able to cleave wood in one strike without getting stuck.
Now, with these constables, who had not undergone special training, taking action.
For these condemned men, it was simply torture worse than death.
The scene was very quiet, but soon, the screams of the beheaded echoed, and the surrounding common people turned pale with fright, their faces completely drained of color.
They had not never seen beheadings before.
But they had never witnessed such a terrifying beheading.
Xu Ming turned around and cupped his fists, saying, “Reporting to the Chief, the execution is complete.”
“Mm, you’ve worked hard.” Lin Fan nodded with great satisfaction. In the end, it all depended on the team he had trained.
They could effectively carry out his orders.
Regardless of who tried to stop them, as long as they didn’t succeed, they wouldn’t stop.
At this moment, Prefect Zhao was trembling with anger. He pointed at Lin Fan, his breathing becoming rapid. He had not expected that his words would be completely useless.
He really wanted to shout, “Arrest these people!”
But he didn’t.
Because he knew that a direct confrontation with Lin Fan would not be advantageous to him.
At this moment, Lin Fan looked at Prefect Zhao and said, “Prefect Zhao, remember, the matters of the Public Security Bureau are not for you to manage. As Prefect, you should focus on improving the livelihood of Anzhou. Under the management of the Public Security Bureau, Anzhou’s security will only get better and better. If you fail to improve the livelihood, this official will report to the Imperial Court, impeaching you for corruption and lawlessness, colluding with local powers, oppressing the people, and wreaking havoc.”
Prefect Zhao was stunned.
He hadn’t expected the Lin fellow to turn the tables on him.
I didn’t go to impeach you.
And you’re thinking of impeaching me?
“You’re spouting nonsense!” Prefect Zhao roared in anger.
“Spouting nonsense?” Lin Fan snorted coldly and suppressed his anger, saying, “The eyes of the common people are discerning. You have been an official in Anzhou for many years. What kind of person you are, perhaps I don’t know, but they know better than anyone.”
“Originally, the Public Security Bureau was managed by your confidant, Assistant Prefect Shang. But what was the situation? Local ruffians and evil forces ran rampant, the people suffered, and there were so many unjust and wrong cases. Now, Assistant Prefect Shang has hanged himself. Tell me, why did he hang himself? Was he afraid, or did he want to take the blame for someone?”
“The common people are all here now. If you have the guts, tell this official clearly to their faces.”
Lin Fan pointed angrily at Prefect Zhao.
It was as if to say, if you don’t clarify things today, you’re not leaving.
Immediately.
The gaze of the common people fell squarely on Prefect Zhao.
What Chief Lin had just said was also what they had been feeling all along.
Their evaluation of Prefect Zhao was also very poor.
Although Prefect Zhao didn’t manage the Public Security Bureau’s affairs, Assistant Prefect Shang was indeed Prefect Zhao’s man, and that was a fact.
Prefect Zhao’s face was grim, but he knew he couldn’t back down now. He said righteously, “Chief Lin, do you know the responsibility one bears for slandering an Imperial Official?”
“I bear your mother’s responsibility, you old turtle.” Lin Fan cursed.
“You…” Prefect Zhao’s face turned red with anger, “Lin fellow, you are too lawless.”
“I am lawless?” Lin Fan was amused, “I really want to know who is lawless. Before I came, the vast Anzhou was your, Prefect Zhao’s, private domain. Do you know why I had to kill so many people during this period? Because all these people deserved to die.”
After speaking, he looked at the common people present.
“Fellow countrymen, you can hardly imagine. When this official took office and went to the prison, it was simply shocking. Do you dare to imagine that the people imprisoned and awaiting execution were basically all framed?”
The common people gasped.
They had some understanding of this.
It was true that some familiar people had been released.
Back then, they were imprisoned and might not have gotten out, said to have committed great crimes.
“Also, Ximen Hai, you’re not unfamiliar with him, are you? The entire Anzhou Prefecture must know. That Ximen Hai forcibly abducted women on the street, attempting to rape them. Fortunately, this official passed by, stopped this evil deed, apprehended him, and imprisoned him.”
“But can you imagine that when our Prefect Zhao learned of the severity of this matter, instead of saying he should be severely punished, he told this official to play down the matter and let Ximen Hai go?”
“Upon hearing these words, I replied to him on the spot.”
“I fucked your mother.”
Lin Fan deeply understood the importance of stirring emotions. As for whether the process of what he said was important, that was not very important. What was important was that this matter had happened, and he was not making things up.
He wanted to stand on the moral high ground now and harshly criticize Prefect Zhao.
Not only to make him furious.
But also to ruin his reputation.
Conquering by force was too easy.
But with the addition of force, doing whatever he pleased to the other party was very satisfying for him.
The common people at the scene clenched their fists.
Hearing this, they became extremely angry.
Their gaze towards Prefect Zhao was as if they wanted to tear him apart.
“You… you’re talking nonsense.” Prefect Zhao said angrily.
“I’m talking nonsense? There were quite a few common people at the Public Security Bureau at that time.” Lin Fan smiled, then looked at the common people, “Were there any witnesses present at that time?”
“Yes.”
“Was that what Prefect Zhao meant?”
“That was what he meant. Prefect Zhao wanted Lord Lin to let Ximen Hai go, and Lord Lin cursed him back.”
There were many common people at the scene, and the voices came from the crowd, making it difficult to know who said it.
“Who, who said it? Come out, I will confront you directly.” Prefect Zhao was so angry that his beard and eyes flared, his eyes turning red with rage.
Lin Fan said, “Prefect Zhao, you’ve been exposed and are enraged, wanting that righteous commoner to come out so you can remember their appearance and then seek revenge?”
“Lin Fan, you’re spouting nonsense, talking gibberish, and slandering me.” Prefect Zhao roared in fury.
He regretted it.
Why did he have to come here?
The current situation had put him in an impossible position.
Lin Fan shook his head, “Prefect Zhao, don’t be angry. People only become furious when they do something against their conscience. If you think you are upright and love your people as your own children, why are you flustered? Why are you angry? If I were spouting nonsense, let alone you cursing me, the elders and folks present would also curse me.”
“Am I angry? Am I flustered?” Prefect Zhao’s mouth twitched. He was stubborn and looked at the surrounding common people, “Look at me, am I angry?”
Common people: “You are angry.”
“Nonsense.” Prefect Zhao was furious.
Lin Fan said, “When one does many unrighteous deeds, one will destroy oneself. Prefect Zhao, people are doing, heaven is watching. Everything you have done will eventually surface. I know you don’t like me and are trying to find ways to make me leave Anzhou Prefecture, but I tell you, it’s impossible. I, Lin Fan, will dig out all your wrongdoings, even if it costs me my life, and make you have nowhere to hide and be spat upon by the common people.”
“You… you.” Prefect Zhao clutched his chest and retreated several steps. He was already not young, and his body was not as strong as before. Coupled with Lin Fan’s relentless barrage of insults,
He was truly exhausted physically and mentally, his blood pressure soaring.
“Fine, fine, Lin fellow. I will not argue with you. Justice is in the hearts of the people.” Prefect Zhao said this, angrily flung his official robe, “Let’s go.”
“Justice my ass.” Lin Fan mocked, “Justice? It’s truly laughable. Your ancestors from eighteen generations ago would probably uncover their coffins and jump out to slap you twice if they heard you say that. They’d be too ashamed.”
Prefect Zhao, who had already walked several steps, stopped. He saw that his hands, hidden in his official robe, were clenched even tighter. He said nothing and left the place like a stray dog.
Prefect Zhao conceded.
He truly couldn’t win an argument with the Lin fellow.
The main reason was that Lin Fan’s insults were too vulgar, involving mothers and ancestors.
At the scene, the constables cast looks of immense admiration towards their superior. Who else could scold a Prefect so thoroughly, other than their superior? They truly wanted to shout.
Who else…?
Step forward and speak.
The common people cheered.
Chief Lin!
Lord Lin!
Louder and louder.
At this moment, Lin Fan deeply understood why he always saw officials in important moments climbing to high places, raising their arms and shouting, making solemn promises to connect their hearts with the hearts of the common people.
It was all to enjoy these moments of glory.
As for being invited later for a confession show 《? No, this is when you bet and lose 》, recounting past events in variety shows, with relaxed expressions and laughter.
Lin Fan looked at the teahouses around him, his gaze deep, like sharp arrows, flashing with cold light. He said loudly, “I know some of you are watching, and some of you are listening, but remember, Anzhou belongs to the common people, and it is also the Anzhou that I, Lin Fan, manage. If you still want to be overbearing and oppress the people as you did before, I tell you, it’s a dream.”
“Take a good look at these heads. This is your end.”
“I’ll say it one more time, bring any methods you have in secret, but if anyone dares to lay a hand on any constable of the Public Security Bureau, even if he loses a single hair.”
“This official will deal with you using the methods of quelling a rebellion.”
“If you are unconvinced, feel free to try.”
Lin Fan’s words were filled with killing intent and chilling cold.
In the distant teahouses, the high-ranking members of the gangs in Anzhou Prefecture, or the masters of wealthy families, couldn’t help but shiver when they heard these words.
Lin Fan chatted casually with the common people, making some promises.
Then he led his team away.
Leaving some people behind to clear the scene.
For Lin Fan, there were many people in Anzhou who hated him. For example, the relatives of these local ruffians. They were once living like lords in the city, but suddenly their backing was gone, and their good lives were over.
Who could withstand that?
Of course, he didn’t care. It was difficult to change the habits of these unruly people. As soon as they committed an offense, they would be arrested immediately. Now, he was also constantly asking Ning Yu to post announcements, telling the common people that if they encountered illegal infringement, regardless of who the perpetrator was, they should report it to the Public Security Bureau immediately.
Don’t let yourselves be harmed and suffer injustice.
He couldn’t manage other places.
But in Anzhou, his Public Security Bureau was the common people’s Public Security Bureau.
Lin Fan left, and the common people were still reluctant to part.
“Lord Lin is worthy of being Lord Lin. A while ago, I met a client from Yong’an. I couldn’t understand why he was so envious before, but now I understand.”
“Yes, Chief Lin is someone who gets things done.”
“Don’t call him Chief Lin anymore. My client told me that Chief Lin prefers it when the common people call him Lord Lin. Oh, and he has another nickname, let me think, I remember it! The Silver Rod King, Lord Lin!!!”
If Lin Fan hadn’t left, and heard this.
He would definitely have pulled that commoner aside privately.
Come, come, let’s have a good chat.
In the crowd.
There were two people who had been in shock from beginning to end.
One was a middle-aged man in simple clothing, with many wrinkles on his face. Although he was only middle-aged, his skin looked very aged, with heavy bags under his eyes and dark circles around them, as if he suffered from severe lack of sleep.
The other was a young man, who looked somewhat immature.
“Squad Leader, is this the situation in the officialdom of Anzhou Prefecture? Is the conflict between the Chief and the Prefect this great?” Yi Chuan, as a young man, was shocked.
Having lived in a small place, he had high expectations for a prefectural city and followed his Squad Leader out to gain some experience.
Now, he felt he had truly gained experience.
“Alright, stop asking so many questions. Let’s find an inn first.” Squad Leader Mao Xiang said.
He was a Squad Leader of the Public Security Bureau in Pingcheng County, under Anzhou Prefecture. He had come to Anzhou Prefecture to seek help. When he first arrived, he had naturally sought out Assistant Prefect Shang.
But upon arriving, he learned that the Public Security Bureau of Anzhou Prefecture had a new Chief.
It was the Chief Lin he had just seen.
As soon as he arrived, he saw such a shocking scene.
Heads rolling, blood splattered everywhere.
It was truly unimaginable.
Even after being a Squad Leader in Pingcheng County for over twenty years, he had never seen such a scene.
…
Prefect’s Mansion.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the hall, Prefect Zhao held a teacup and kept smashing it on the ground. The servants held plates, on which were placed many teacups.
This was their master’s habit. When he was angry, he liked to smash teacups, and they needed to prepare many teacups and serve him.
“Bastard!”
“Damn it!”
“Animal!”
“This official will definitely impeach you.”
Prefect Zhao was truly enraged. Even the servants had never seen their master so angry. His eyes seemed as if they could swallow people.
How could they know what their master had encountered outside?
He was already a Prefect of a Prefecture.
Who could anger him like this?
Oh, right, their master had been in a fierce conflict with Chief Lin recently. They knew Chief Lin and felt that what he was doing were good deeds, and the common people praised him continuously.
Even though they were maids in the Prefect’s mansion, they had to stand with their master. In reality, they knew they were common people, and if a good official stood with the common people, they would naturally stand with such an official.
“Commander Qin, arrival.”
A servant announced.
Commander Qin entered the living room and looked at the broken porcelain shards all over the floor. He waved his hand, signaling the servants in the hall to leave. After everyone had left, he looked at the fuming Prefect Zhao, shaking his head.
“I told you, don’t provoke him if you don’t have to. Why did you have to provoke him?”
“I provoked him?” Prefect Zhao laughed, “Brother Qin, can you go and ask him who provoked whom? I, Zhao, gave him plenty of face, but he, not only did he not give face, he even trampled my face under his feet. You didn’t see it just now, in front of so many common people, he didn’t give me any face at all.”
Commander Qin nodded and said, “I’ve heard a little about the situation. He was indeed excessive, but on the other hand, he was executing people, why did you go there?”
“More than excessive. If he didn’t have evidence against me, I wouldn’t doubt if he dared to arrest me, dare to drag me down and make me kneel there, holding a saber to chop my head.” Prefect Zhao said angrily, completely unwilling to answer the question of why he went, only saying that Lin Fan was too excessive.
Commander Qin smiled and said, “Alright, he doesn’t have the guts, nor the ability. After all, you are the Prefect of Anzhou, an Imperial Official. If he really dared to execute you, it would have to be a trial by the three judicial organs, and the Emperor would decide. If he truly dared to overstep, he wouldn’t be able to get away with it either.”
Prefect Zhao took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, calming his mood.
“Brother Qin, what business do you have here today?”
Commander Qin smiled and looked for something to drink on the tea table next to Prefect Zhao. He then took out a cup and sat down. As if thinking of something, he put the teacup down and took out some envelopes from his sleeve, placing them on the table.
He then picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Prefect Zhao was confused, not knowing what he was up to. He picked up an envelope, opened it, took out the letter inside, and casually scanned it.
But after this glance.
Prefect Zhao straightened his back abruptly, his brows furrowed, and he stared intently at the contents of the letter.
Then he appeared somewhat flustered as he opened the other envelopes.
A moment later.
Prefect Zhao looked at Commander Qin with a complex expression, “Where did these come from?”
Commander Qin said calmly, “Where else could they come from? Naturally, they were taken from the people they should have been on. Brother Zhao, you are an old official. Why do you always like to leave loopholes in your work?”
Prefect Zhao sat there stunned.
He naturally knew whose possession these were from.
“Brother Qin, then where are they?” Prefect Zhao asked.
“Who?”
“Assistant Prefect Shang’s wife and children, his elders and young ones…”
“I don’t recognize them. Do these people exist in this world?” Commander Qin stared deeply at Prefect Zhao, as if questioning him.
At this moment, Prefect Zhao felt a chill run through his body, an unparalleled terror enveloping him.
What does it mean to feel a chill run down one’s spine?
This is it.
“Brother Qin, then those children…” Prefect Zhao’s mind flashed back to the times he had met Assistant Prefect Shang’s children. They were all young, the oldest no more than eight years old, and they called him Uncle Zhao when they saw him.
Although he had a wife and concubines, he had no children of his own yet.
This was due to his own reasons.
No medicine worked.
When Assistant Prefect Shang hanged himself, he naturally paved the way for his family and sent them away to live elsewhere. Anzhou was a dangerous place right now.
But now, he knew that entire family was gone.
Commander Qin smiled lightly and said, “Assistant Prefect Shang’s young children were quite cute. They always used to surround me, calling me uncle, which was quite heartwarming. I wonder when we will meet again after this parting.”
Prefect Zhao remained silent.
He was somewhat at a loss.
The anger that Lin Fan had instilled in him vanished, replaced by a chilling fear and heartache.
Commander Qin picked up the letter, took out a fire starter, and blew gently towards the letter. He held the letter in his hand as it burned. When it was about to burn his hand, he released it.
“Brother Zhao, now these things are completely gone, you can rest assured.”
Prefect Zhao watched the letter rotate and fall in mid-air, burning into ashes. His eyes were fixed on it, and he slightly turned his head, his gaze towards Commander Qin filled with terror.
Commander Qin, on the other hand, was smiling all along.
At this moment, Prefect Zhao only felt a chill in the hall, a bone-chilling cold.
…
Public Security Bureau.
“Hong Hao, there’s no need to push yourself so hard. Go back and rest.” Lin Fan looked at Hong Hao’s face and almost couldn’t help but laugh. Those guys weren’t killed in vain; look at how they were kicked, it was like they had a complete facelift.
“Thank you for your concern, sir, but your subordinate feels he can still manage.” Hong Hao said.
Lin Fan said helplessly, “Alright, since you want it this way, then so be it.”
“Your subordinate will go and attend to my duties first.”
“Go ahead.”
After Hong Hao left.
Li Zhengdao, while drinking tea, remarked, “What a young man with such drive.”
It was just like when he first saw Lin Fan.
The only difference.
Was that he couldn’t fight and was beaten to a pulp.
At this moment, Ning Yu walked in excitedly, “Master, what do you think of these benefits I’ve written? If they’re acceptable, I’ll post them.”
“So quickly? Then I must take a close look.” Lin Fan smiled and took the benefits list prepared by Ning Yu.
Li Zhengdao got up and walked to the side, poking his head out to look.
Commoner Constable: Three taels.
Official Constable: Five taels.
Deputy Squad Leader: Eight taels.
Squad Leader: Ten taels.
“This high?” Li Zhengdao was stunned when he first saw it. The monthly silver was simply too high.
In Yong’an, the monthly subsidy for a Commoner Constable was only a few qian of silver.
An Official Constable received a little over one tael.
Ning Yu said, “Where is it high? I investigated to create this benefits list. If it were based on the original situation, it would be a problem for even a Commoner Constable to support themselves, let alone others in their family.”
“Moreover, this is Anzhou Prefecture, and the cost of living is naturally higher than elsewhere. As Master says, we constables do dangerous work, so we must ensure they can live a life with more than enough to eat.”
“I think three taels a month for a Commoner Constable is just right.”
After speaking, she looked at Lin Fan, “Master, what do you think?”
Lin Fan nodded, “Yes, it’s good and reasonable. Nowadays, most of the constables newly recruited by our Public Security Bureau are Commoner Constables, and rising from Commoner to Official Constable with five taels greatly increases their determination to work hard.”
“If you want a horse to run, you must feed it well. Three taels of silver is enough for a family of three to live comfortably, and with five taels, they can even save money.”
Saying this, he looked at Ning Yu with satisfaction.
“Good, there’s nothing much to change. Ning Yu, you truly make me see you in a new light.”
This was truly beyond Lin Fan’s expectations. He knew Ning Yu had a powerful background and certainly lived a life of plenty, with little understanding of the lives of ordinary people.
Now, it seemed he had been narrow-minded.
Ning Yu was overjoyed to hear this, “Master, may I go post it now?”
Lin Fan looked at some of the other benefits below and nodded, “Go ahead and post it.”
“Yes, Master.”
Ning Yu turned and left.
After the person left.
Li Zhengdao said, “Sir, according to this, the monthly expenses will be very high. The two thousand taels sent from the treasury might not last long.”
Lin Fan smiled, “This is what I should be considering. Raising money is not difficult. Huang Shan, Zhou Hanshan’s assets can be directly confiscated. According to the rules, a large portion will be handed over to the Imperial Court, and the remainder will stay with the Public Security Bureau.”
Li Zhengdao remained silent.
This was not in accordance with the rules.
According to the rules, confiscated assets were to be decided by the Prefect, and the remaining silver would be placed in the treasury. Of course, he didn’t want to get into trouble, so he wouldn’t ask what he shouldn’t.
Outside.
After Ning Yu posted the announcement.
It immediately attracted the attention of a group of constables.
“Madam Ning, what is this you’re posting?” the constables asked respectfully.
Ning Yu greatly enjoyed the address ‘Madam’ and replied, “See for yourselves, it has a great deal to do with you.”
After saying this, she left her spot, not returning to the office, but hiding in a corner of the wall, peeking out.
“Ah? A Commoner Constable can get three taels a month? Am I seeing this correctly?”
The constables who saw the content of the announcement were stunned.
They were almost frozen in place.
“My heavens, Official Constables get five taels, Deputy Squad Leaders eight taels, and Squad Leaders ten taels. This… this, I can’t even imagine being a Deputy Squad Leader. I think if I work hard, I should be able to become an Official Constable.”
“Yes, that’s right. If I tell my parents that my monthly salary is this much, they will definitely be proud of me.”
“Look, there are other benefits too. If you get injured on duty, there’s a subsidy, and all expenses will be covered by the Public Security Bureau.”
“No, look, there’s more. If you unfortunately die in the line of duty, your family can continue to receive your monthly salary, and the elderly and young in the family will be cared for by the Public Security Bureau. Is this a dream?”
One exclamation after another rang out.
Ning Yu, hiding there, felt secretly pleased.
“Hehe!”
Ning Yu couldn’t help but laugh. These were all things she had racked her brains to come up with, along with some points her master had mentioned to her.
“Brother Lu, what was the treatment for constables like before?” someone asked Lu Zhongtian.
Lu Zhongtian was also stunned when he saw the announced benefits. After being asked, he said, “Previously, Commoner Constables had no salary, only a subsidy, only a few qian a month, which was not enough to live on. Now, they get three taels a month, which is even higher than the previous Official Constables’ pay.”
Commoner Constables were the lowest rank in the Public Security Bureau, and they had to do all the dirty and difficult work.
They even had to rush forward in dangerous situations.
They were the least regarded, received the least money, yet had to do the most dangerous work.
After hearing Lu Zhongtian’s words.
The constables present cheered.
“This is Lord Lin showing us compassion.”
“That’s right, it must be Lord Lin.”
Ning Yu, who was hiding, became anxious, frantically patting her chest. It was me, I thought of it, I proposed three taels of salary a month, you should thank me.
Ning Yu was so anxious she almost spun in place.
She really wanted to rush out and tell them the truth.
But she thought better of it. Thanking her master was like thanking herself, and it seemed to be no different.
A great master produces a talented student.
I, Ning Yu, am also quite capable.
Thinking this, Ning Yu proudly raised her head, as proud as a white swan.
Suddenly.
She saw two suspicious figures appear at the entrance of the prefecture, their heads poked out, looking around. They looked like thieves.
Seeing this scene.
Ning Yu’s expression became serious as she walked towards them.
At the entrance, Mao Xiang and Yi Chuan were looking around. Going in directly and waiting for someone to appear and ask them to announce their presence had become a difficult matter for them.
“What are you doing here?” Ning Yu suddenly appeared, startling the two of them.
Mao Xiang said, “Esteemed colleague, I am Mao Xiang, a Squad Leader from the Pingcheng County Public Security Bureau, and I wish to see Chief Lin. Could you possibly make it convenient?”
After speaking, he cautiously took out a piece of silver and offered it with a humble smile.
Ning Yu initially heard they were from the Public Security Bureau and was about to be friendly, but when she saw him take out silver and try to bribe her, she immediately became furious, her brows furrowed, and she rebuked him angrily.
“Who are you insulting?”
“I, Ning Yu, as the Clerk of the Anzhou Public Security Bureau, and a disciple of Chief Lin, you offering me silver to bribe me is not only an insult to me but also an insult to my master, who is your Chief.”
Mao Xiang immediately panicked, “No, no, madam, please calm your anger. Your subordinate… I…”
He was momentarily speechless, even though he had words in his mind.
But being reprimanded by Ning Yu, his brain became somewhat uncontrollable, and he didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Ning Yu snorted.
“Alright, if you want to see the Chief, just say so. I’ll take you there. Follow me.”
After saying this, she turned and left.
Mao Xiang smiled repeatedly, wiped the sweat from his forehead awkwardly, and followed behind.
Yi Chuan was also greatly shocked.
Is this the imposing manner of a Clerk from a prefectural Public Security Bureau?
More imposing than our Prefect.
It’s truly unimaginable, when meeting Chief Lin up close, what kind of aura that would be.
