Chapter 1542: Lending a Helping Hand
Chapter 1542: Chapter 1542: Lending a Helping Hand
"Fierce bandits reforming? What dream are you having? Be careful, they might just rob your home soon and leave you and your family on the streets!"
Someone disagreed, saying, "Wang Daliu, that’s not right. The Eagle Food Gang killed many Rong people last night. They saved the entire city."
Last night was a commotion, the sound of killing was everywhere. Everyone in the city heard but didn’t dare to look, huddling at home trembling.
Wang Daliu, a city rascal from West City known for causing trouble, yelled after hearing this, "Lin Sanjin, are you defending the bandits? If you’re not scared, go north to check the tunnels. Maybe you’ll be buried by the bandits!"
Magistrate Jin heard this and pointed at Wang Daliu, saying, "Arrest this fool and give him ten lashes!"
"Yes." Squad Leader Wan immediately led his men over, grabbed him, and dragged him to the government office’s front gate.
Wang Daliu was suddenly captured, and was so frightened he screamed, "Squad Leader Wan, what are you doing? I’ve been behaving lately, causing no trouble!"
He only said a few bad things about the Eagle Food Gang, and since they are bandits, anyone can curse them. Why shouldn’t he say something to fit the situation?
Squad Leader Wan sneered, "Causing no trouble? The Lord Magistrate is speaking here, and you’re contradicting him; isn’t that causing trouble?"
He added, "I’m helping you. If you don’t take these ten lashes, based on what you just said, the Eagle Food Gang could chop you up and hang your head at the city gate to dry for days!"
"What? It’s that serious?" Wang Daliu was stunned. He just wanted to vent, thinking the government and fierce bandits are surely irreconcilable. Saying this would support the government, making the Magistrate happy. Who knew it would turn out like this.
"Beat him!" Magistrate Jin found even one more look at Wang Daliu irritating and personally gave the order.
"Yes." Squad Leader Wan wielded the baton himself, beating Wang Daliu until he screamed and couldn’t stand after ten lashes.
Squad Leader Wan pointed at two of Wang Daliu’s close companions, saying, "Carry Wang Daliu away, don’t dirty the ground of the government office entrance, hurry up, if you dawdle, I’ll beat you too!"
"Okay, okay." The two quickly came over, grabbed his shoulders and feet, and carried him away.
After this incident with Wang Daliu, the other rascals didn’t dare cause trouble, but no one wanted to go check the tunnels in the north.
They were mainly afraid, after all, the Eagle Food Gang are fierce bandits. Although their reputation is somewhat good, they are still bandits!
Magistrate Jin was troubled, pondering over the situation, when suddenly Old Master Yan came with his sons and brothers’ families, shouting, "Lord Magistrate, my Yan Family is willing to go check the tunnels in the north for free!"
These words surprised everyone.
Huang Zhanggui from Huang Inn advised Old Master Yan, "Old Master Yan, a gentleman doesn’t stand by a collapsing wall. Your family needn’t help those fierce bandits... Although the Eagle Food Gang won’t kill the innocent, they’re still bandits. Since your family is wealthy, it’s best not to provoke them."
What if, after approaching, the Eagle Food Gang finds out the Yan Family is rich and decides to raid them?
Old Master Yan said, "Thank you, Shopkeeper Huang, but I dare vouch with my life that the heroes of the Eagle Food Gang won’t harm the innocent. If they promised silver for checking the tunnels, they will surely give it."
Old Master Yan recounted how the Rong people climbed over into his house last night and were all killed by the Eagle Food Gang.
"Who would’ve thought the Yang Family were Rong people? My family lives on the same street as the Yang Family. Last night, after the Rong were outmatched by the Eagle Food Gang’s heroes, they climbed over into my house, putting my family in danger. It was the Eagle Food Gang’s heroes that climbed over and killed the Rong people, saving us all."
Everyone was astonished hearing this: "Is that so? The Eagle Food Gang doesn’t seem so bad after all."
"Of course, the majority of the Eagle Food Gang’s bandits are former soldiers. Though they became bandits, they only rob corrupt officials, wicked rich, Rong people, and the Northwest Army. They’ve never harmed us commoners!" An Escort Master from the crowd shouted. Since he traveled and worked in the Northwest, everyone trusted his words more.
While they were conversing, Clan Chief Wan arrived with his family and grandchildren, leaning on a cane, saying, "Lord Magistrate, my Wan Family is also willing to check the tunnels up north, but we expect payment!"
Hearing this, Magistrate Jin truly admired Clan Chief Wan. This old man was indeed clever. Don’t underestimate one tael per person; as long as the Eagle Food Gang pays, it serves as the best proof of their integrity.
Clan Chief Wan was indeed offering the Eagle Food Gang a hand.
The Wan and Yan families were quite reputable in the city. With them taking the lead, other poorer families considered, asking, "Lord Magistrate, if we go check the tunnels, will we really come back safely and receive silver?"
As the head of the government office, Magistrate Jin couldn’t openly side with bandits, so Clan Chief Wan said, "Of course, you’ll safely return with silver. If anything happens to you, have your families come to us Wan Family for accountability!"
Old Master Yan agreed as well, "That’s right, my Yan Family guarantees your safety."
With these assurances, the crowd stopped hesitating and signed up to check the tunnels in the north. Soon, over two hundred people gathered.
Feeling the number sufficient, Magistrate Jin said, "Alright, everyone, follow us to the north. Be orderly, and don’t look, ask, or talk too much. If you anger the Eagle Food Gang, I can’t save you!"
"Yes, yes, Lord Magistrate," the crowd, feeling emboldened by the large group and the Magistrate’s company, marched robustly toward the north city.
Luo Ying was very satisfied seeing so many people coming to check the tunnels and instructed Pang Hai and others to take them in batches into the tunnels.
Over an hour later, the first batch to enter the tunnels returned, telling those waiting outside, "God, they’ve really dug out Beicang Prefecture. The tunnels are wider than a house and extend directly outside the city. Thankfully, the Eagle Food Gang discovered it early. Otherwise, if the Rong people had come through the tunnels, we’d all be doomed!"
The others, hearing this, turned pale with fright but felt grateful, saying to Luo Ying, "Lord Ying, you truly are a great benefactor to Beicang Prefecture!"
Compared to the Eagle Food Gang, the Rong people were truly ruthless, slaughtering the population of places like Longshan Prefecture and relocating the Rong there. They intended to wipe out the Great Chu people and seize their land!
Luo Ying, with a cold and arrogant demeanor, said, "No need for more words. Those who finished checking the tunnels should go over there to receive their silver. If anyone asks about the tunnels later, just speak truthfully."
"Of course, we’re all law-abiding citizens and never lie," Jin Bafu said, rushing toward the tent, bowing to the fierce bandits of the Eagle Food Gang, "Greetings, heroes."