"Seventh Brother guessed correctly. I have found out that Yizuo Mao's name is Wu Shen, and he comes from a fallen family in this area. Due to family connections, he got a constable's position. This person has a bad reputation and frequently bullies the common people. His ruthless methods are used covertly."
"Moreover, this person is also licentious. It's said that his greatest hobby is to seize on people's small mistakes, extort and threaten them, then enter their homes and humiliate decent women. The victims, considering his position as a constable, can only suffer in silence."
Zuo Duanshou is highly capable. Although he sometimes acts impulsively and his methods can be rough, he proves to be reliable once he starts working seriously.
It took him just half an hour to return after thoroughly investigating Yizuo Mao's background.
"How can such a person thrive in the Government Office?"
Hua Lian'er was visibly upset.
"Has no one reported him and stripped him of his official skin?"
"Alas...it's a matter of officials protecting each other. There are probably quite a few such people among the constables. Otherwise, why do so many people want to secure a position? Isn't it just for the power and the feeling of superiority?"
Little Table spoke gloomily.
It was unclear what he was reminiscing about.
At first, he approached the imperial exams with grand ambitions, hoping to serve the Court.
The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
Some people have methods that are even dirtier than imagined.
Ordinary scholars are completely left without channels for advancement...
In such a situation, there are always some who consider unconventional ways for advancement.
This was true for the two brothers.
They couldn't think of a better method, so they thought about damaging their bodies to recommend themselves to the Prince's Mansion. They were willing to bend and flatter just to climb higher. If there was ever the slightest chance of secretly gaining a high position, they would certainly return all the humiliation and pain they had suffered a hundredfold.
Unfortunately, fate did not favor them.
This is how the world is.
Those who want to be a dog have already caught fever.
They couldn't even become dogs.
This is a very unfunny joke.
Were it not for Seventh Brother's kindness, the two brothers would have long become rotting corpses in a stinking ditch, speaking nothing of now having no lack for food and clothes, nor imagining the future.
Zuo Duanshou chuckled bitterly, "The problem is right here. Even though it's a low-ranking position, Wu Shen has many operations. He relies on his advantageous position to maintain good relations with some wealthy merchants and frequently helps them with shady dealings. Once something happens, it's easy to use silver coins to settle things."
Speaking of this, Zuo Duanshou looked at Chen Ping admiringly. "Seventh Brother is remarkably perceptive and surely had anticipated this. This issue is indeed the work of Cheng the Westerner from Fuyuan Restaurant. I was puzzled as to why the fat man didn't come to disrupt these days...yet didn't expect that though he doesn't usually act, once he does, it's a lethal poison plan."
It appears today the constable merely came out to patrol and rectify the street's conduct.
The matter isn't big.
The covert malice, just needing a little thought to understand.
One must know, performing songs seems to be selling art, but in reality, it's begging. It's their last means of living for these few homeless beggars.
Moreover, don't forget, every vagrant and beggar on Qilin Street is secretly controlled by the Cyan Hall Incense Hall of the Seven-Colored Hall.
Having a few people's livelihood crushed is a minor issue; come deadline, if no silver can be handed over, the ending would definitely be worse than death.
Cheng the Westerner has seen through this.
Striking the snake at the vital point, forcing them into a dead end.
"If he acts on the first day, then we will act on the fifteenth. Since Cheng the Westerner and others have started, how it ends is not for them to decide."
Chen Ping sneered.
The previous forbearance.
Is also helpless...
No matter what, as long as one wants to stay in Xingqing Prefecture, one can't kill officials in broad daylight.
No matter right or wrong, if something happens, the Government would search thoroughly for the sake of face, sending experts to seize them.
In public view, it's indeed hard to finish well.
But not acting on the spot doesn't mean Chen Ping would forcibly swallow this grievance.
Even if it's not for a matter of pride, they temporarily have to rely on performing songs to earn silver coins to survive... anyone daring to reach out their claws must have them cut down.
Otherwise, if everyone, ghosts or humans, wants to swallow them along with their bones, wouldn't that be intolerable?
"Getting started now?"
Zuo Duanshou asked in surprise.
"Can it be left to that nasty fellow for New Year's? But, how to act is worth pondering."
Chen Ping thought for a moment and then spoke in a deep voice.
"Hua Lian'er, you remember the interior layout of the Fuyuan Restaurant, right? Draw a map for me. Mark the kitchen, guest seats, passageways, restroom locations clearly."
"Little Table, go to the kitchen and get a bottle of sesame oil...Little Stool, go further away and find a household to buy second-hand clothes, five-tenths new is fine. No, better yet, just steal one and leave some silver coins."
As for Zuo Duanshou, Chen Ping arranged for him to keep watch.
He has excellent skills and is quite alert, suitable for this task.
...
Dusk fell.
The dull erhu music had long stopped; the girl who sang songs followed her grandfather back to the woodshed with her head down.
They hadn't made much in business today, and they would have to go hungry tonight.
Recently, the situation at Fuyuan Restaurant hasn't been good.
In the past, Cheng the Westerner could think of many ideas.
For example, storytelling at the restaurant, or perhaps a singing lass...
Wealthy families enjoy having a meal while listening to something novel. Eating is not just about the food, it's about the atmosphere and the mood.
But now the situation has changed.
There's a big name in singing on Qilin Street. Whether it's lyrics or melody, singing prowess is something Fuyuan Restaurant can't even come close to.
Failing to match up to others can be tolerated.
The most embarrassing thing is that after anyone has heard Hua Lian'er sing, coming to the restaurant to eat becomes unappetizing... Listening to the old man's fiddle and the young girl's songs no longer sounds pleasant; instead, it feels noisy.
Annoyed and restless, they don't even eat, just leave directly.
How could Cheng the Westerner accept this?
So, he came up with an idea that seemed effective.
"Brother Cheng, this plan of yours is marvelous. I think those little beggars will find it hard to escape; sooner or later, they will fall into the trap. With no way out, Brother Cheng can grab whatever he wants, both people and wealth."
Yizuo Mao, face full of smiles, no longer showed his street-side ferocity, gulped down a bowl of wine, his face glowing red and cheerful.
"Forget not Brother Wu's contribution. Though I can't speak for Lord Deputy Magistrate, having my daughter mention it occasionally works."
As Cheng the Westerner spoke, he handed over a package.
"Very good, very good."
Wu Shen smiled broadly, constantly pushing it away, "How could I accept this? Let's not talk about silver coins anymore, otherwise I'd be unhappy. Come, drink."
The two exchanged drinks, satisfied with one another, until the lamps were lit.
Sitting too long, Wu Shen felt a slight bloating in his stomach and excused himself to the backyard privy.
It was uncomfortable; he needed to relieve himself.
Just as he undid his pants, exhaling a mouthful of wine fumes, his peripheral vision suddenly caught a figure flashing by.
A sudden shock hit the back of his neck, like a steel needle had pierced, his body paralyzed.
This is bad...
Yizuo Mao was no inexperienced novice in Jianghu... He had worked as a constable for many years, encountered many powerful people, and though he often hid behind them, he knew what the best course of action was in such situations.
He didn't shout, just hoarsely whispered, "Brother, whatever the matter, let's discuss. Though I hold a humble position in Xingqing Prefecture, some things I can still manage, so please don't hesitate…"
"I'm no brother; I'm a little beggar."
The shadow lifted the straw hat, revealing a face... beneath two sword-like eyebrows, eyes as calm as a deep pool, with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
It was unclear if it was mocking or sneering.
"It's you."
Wu Shen broke out in a cold sweat, his heart sinking straight down, unable to move, scared into wetting himself.
"Indeed, it's me, haha."
Chen Ping reached out to cover his mouth, supporting him to prevent him from falling into the cesspit, with an expression of disdain: "I said, aim your pee a little better, don't splash on my shoes."
"By the way, since Cheng the Westerner hired you for the job, let him send you off as well."
After saying this, Chen Ping changed his voice, coughed lightly, and called aloud, "Brother Cheng, old brother, come quickly, my foot is cramping."
Wu Shen distinctly heard, it was his own voice, mimicked perfectly.
"Coming, coming."
Not far outside the door, Cheng the Westerner shook his head with a smile, slowly descended the steps, saying as he walked, "Brother, you don't look well... ah!"
The last "ah" had just left his mouth, his large body uncontrollably lunged forward, his feet seemingly greased, unable to stop.
The large body crashed through the slightly open door, then heavily onto Yizuo Mao, the two rolling like gourds, together falling into the cesspit.
Thick yellow water splashed, submerging them completely.
The stench was overwhelming...
"Boss."
"Boss... what's happened."
"Ah, the boss fell into the privy, help quickly!"
Amidst the shouting, Chen Ping had already left the courtyard wall, crushed the empty oil bottle in his hand, and tossed it into the stinky ditch, sinking into the mud.
Indeed, oil was spread?
But not on Cheng the fat man's footsole, instead pouring a bit at the privy door.
As they say, being so fat isn't good.
Being fat is actually bad, especially with a big belly, you can't see the road under the lights... Once you stumble, the fall is particularly harsh.
"Tsk, tsk, what tragedy."
Chen Ping shook his head, turned to leave.
The task done, he flicked his sleeves and left, hiding his merit and fame...
In his mind, the Tribulation Points and the Fortune Points quietly raised a bit, even mosquitoes are meat, breaking tribulation earns fortune.
This is very good.