Chapter 339: Chapter 180: All the Stars Surround the Moon
If the townsfolk refused to sell, the Ba Dao Gang would find all sorts of ways to cause trouble, raising the example money every few days.
Most families couldn’t stand the harassment and had no choice but to swallow their anger, sell their homes, and move out.
Only a few families, like Wang Laoshu’s, who had children and elders to care for, found it inconvenient to move and had been gritting their teeth and holding on until now.
Today, the Ba Dao Gang wanted to raise the example money again, and they doubled it. How could the townsfolk possibly afford that?
When the matter was reported to the City Guard Department, the Officials there wouldn’t handle it.
Seeing Chen Cheng had returned, they had no choice but to ask him to step in.
After listening to everyone’s story, Chen Cheng was secretly puzzled. ’Logically speaking, Jianghu Gangs shouldn’t be too outrageous when collecting example money from commoners. Otherwise, if it causes a public uproar, the City Guard Department would definitely have to intervene.’
’And with Ruyi District under Liu Yunfeng’s jurisdiction, something like this is even less likely to happen.’
’This is such a minor issue, Liu Yunfeng probably doesn’t even know about it.’
At this thought, Chen Cheng asked, "Who is the Chief Constable in charge of Locust Tree Lane right now?"
Wang Laoshu replied, "It’s Chief Zhao, Zhao Yongfeng. The last time we reported it, Chief Zhao said the example money the Ba Dao Gang was collecting didn’t exceed the official limit, so the Government Office wouldn’t get involved."
The moment he heard it was Zhao Yongfeng, Chen Cheng understood the general situation.
’That bastard has a history of colluding with Jianghu Gangs. It’s no surprise he’d let the Ba Dao Gang get away with something so dirty.’
’It’s a small matter, not much trouble for me. A single word to Liu Yunfeng should solve it.’
Just as Chen Cheng was about to agree to help, he suddenly felt something and turned to look toward the entrance of the lane.
Liu Yunfeng was hurrying over in a great rush with a group of City Guard Department Officials.
’Speak of the devil.’ Chen Cheng smiled faintly.
The surrounding townsfolk, however, all turned pale and quickly moved to the side.
"Ah Cheng, you came back without even sending word. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about your old brother, have you?"
Liu Yunfeng strode forward and feigned a reproachful tone.
Chen Cheng chuckled and said, "Mr. Liu, now that I’m back in Ruyi District, of course I was planning on getting the brothers together for a big round of drinks.
I just got here. I hadn’t even had the chance to send out invitations before you arrived."
Liu Yunfeng laughed heartily. "How could we make an esteemed Purple-clothed Guard like you invite us personally? We’re thick-skinned enough to show up uninvited."
Chen Cheng said, "Mr. Liu, please, come into the courtyard. I’ll go fetch some water and boil it for tea. We can catch up over a cup."
"Alright." Liu Yunfeng nodded, then gave Liao San a look and said, "Ah San, you go get the water."
"You got it!" Liao San agreed, taking two steps forward. "Mr. Chen, let me handle the water."
That fellow Liao San was now wearing a black, cloud-patterned uniform; he was already a Chief Constable.
"Third Brother, congratulations on your promotion to Chief Constable." Chen Cheng smiled, not standing on ceremony, and handed him the bucket.
Hearing himself called "Third Brother," Liao San was completely overwhelmed by the honor. He hurriedly said, "Mr. Chen, you should just call me Liao San. Otherwise, if Mr. Liu scolds me for it, I won’t be able to bear it."
Though that’s what he said, he was inwardly blooming with joy as he cheerfully went to fetch the water.
’Being called "Third Brother" by a Purple-clothed Guard of the Demon Suppression Department... that’s something I, Liao San, can brag about at the Ruyi Square Sub-Department for the rest of my life!’
Liu Yunfeng glanced at the Locust Tree Lane residents standing by the side and said in a deep voice, "I will handle the matter of the Ba Dao Gang properly. You are all dismissed."
On the way over, He Zhiling and the others had already explained the situation with the Ba Dao Gang, so Liu Yunfeng had a plan.
Since the Branch Chief Constable of the City Guard Department had given his word, the matter would surely be resolved smoothly. Wang Laoshu and the others were overjoyed, thanking him profusely before finally dispersing.
...
Inside the Chens’ main house.
Chen Cheng, Liu Yunfeng, Liao San, and Su Chenglin sat around a simple, hardwood square table, leisurely drinking tea and catching up in a scene of joyful harmony.
Liu Yunfeng’s Martial Arts Power had improved again. With a sufficient supply of Muscle Strengthening Pills, he was close to reaching Muscle Strengthening Realm Perfection and had even cultivated Saber Momentum.
With Shen Qingshuang’s support, he had securely established his position as the Branch Chief Constable of the Ruyi Square Sub-Department.
Liao San had also cultivated to Skin Grinding Realm Perfection and had achieved Saber Technique Perfection.
As for Su Chenglin, he was about to retire and was now focused on training He Zhiling to be his successor.
Chen Cheng was quite surprised to learn of He Zhiling’s progress in strength.
He Zhiling was standing nearby. Chen Cheng had originally invited him to join them for tea, but he insisted he wasn’t worthy of sitting with them and remained on guard at the door with the other constables.
Another strong constable from the Ruyi District was Mu Song, who had once worked a night shift with Chen Cheng.
Mu Song was originally supposed to be Su Chenglin’s successor, but he had caught Shen Qingshuang’s eye and was transferred to the South City District City Guard Headquarters.
His future prospects were naturally far greater than they would have been as a Chief Constable at the Ruyi Square Sub-Department.
Of course, when it came to the speed of promotion, Chen Cheng was naturally the fastest. Having become a Purple-clothed Guard of the Demon Suppression Department, he had already entered the Inner City and had subtly surpassed Liu Yunfeng.
Chen Cheng had originally planned to just have a simple wedding ceremony with Mu Xiaowan at the old family home, just to go through the motions.
However, when Liu Yunfeng and the others found out, they all insisted that a wedding was a major life event that couldn’t be treated casually. It had to be a grand and lively affair.
Liu Yunfeng took the lead, taking on the task of organizing the wedding, while Liao San and the others also contributed both manpower and effort.
They worked efficiently. In just one morning, the Chens’ old home was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, giving it a brand-new look.
Meanwhile, Mu Xiaowan was being carefully dressed by the wives, concubines, and daughters from Liu Yunfeng’s and Liao San’s families, changing into a bright red bridal gown.
Inside and outside Locust Tree Lane, crowds of City Guard Department Officials had gathered to offer their congratulations.
It couldn’t be helped. The Chens’ courtyard was small, and of the three hundred-odd constables from the Ruyi Square Sub-Department, all who weren’t on duty had rushed over. There were more than a hundred people, and there simply wasn’t enough room.
In the main house, Liu Yunfeng and Mr. Mu, Mu Zhenhai, sat in the seats of honor reserved for the elders.
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