"Whoosh!"

Chen Yuan instantly took a step forward, a flash of white light from his blade, placing the bright, gleaming edge against the man's neck. He coldly said, "What are you? How dare you speak to this constable like that?"

"When did the county yamen need to report to you about bandit suppression?"

"Constable Chen... why such a big commotion?"

"Don't be like this, don't be like this."

"Constable Chen, please calm your anger."

Feeling the slight chill from the blade, cold sweat instantly dripped from the forehead of the middle-aged man whose neck was held by the long knife. He swallowed and said in a low voice:

"Lord Chen, please don't be impulsive. I did raise my voice just now... Lord Chen, please don't hold it against me."

Li Mingqi smiled, watching Chen Yuan's performance with interest.

He was becoming increasingly satisfied with Chen Yuan. He was a promising talent, but it was a pity that he didn't have any extra daughters, otherwise...

Chen Yuan stared at him, then reached out and patted his shoulder:

"Clan Leader Chen, this constable was just joking. Don't take it to heart."

"Of course, of course..." The man known as Clan Leader Chen smiled awkwardly, his face strained. Just now, he had truly felt a hint of killing intent.

Seeing that Chen Yuan was no longer acting, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

They weren't afraid, but their purpose wasn't to start a conflict with the yamen. They wanted to find a way to get their goods back through the yamen. Besides, conflicts weren't so easy to start.

This Chen Yuan was young and impetuous, drawing his sword at the slightest disagreement. It wasn't wise to become enemies with someone like that!

Chen Yuan looked at the several clan leaders who had been intimidated, a slight smile forming on his lips. He raised his voice and said:

"Bandits must be suppressed!"

"Everyone here has experienced it firsthand. These bandits kill without blinking an eye, a great scourge of Ping'an County. With these thieves around, how can we have peace?"

"I'm afraid we wouldn't even dare to leave the city on normal days."

"But... to be honest, the county yamen wants to take action, but there isn't enough silver for rewards, nor enough silver for compensation. Tell me, without even silver, how can the constables and yamen runners dare to risk their lives?"

"Then... what does Constable Chen mean?"

Someone frowned and asked.

Chen Yuan glanced at Li Mingqi, who was sitting in the seat of honor, remaining silent and inscrutable. He smiled and said:

"This constable's meaning is very simple. If you want to suppress bandits, you have to offer some silver. Only then will the yamen runners and constables under my command fight these bandits to the end!"

The people sitting there exchanged glances. Even the most foolish among them understood Chen Yuan's meaning. Bandit suppression was possible, but only with silver. Otherwise, who would risk their lives for you?

"Constable Chen, we've never been short on our monthly payments, so why now..." someone said softly, a hint of dissatisfaction in their voice. The silver they gave out each year wasn't a small amount.

Now that it was time to get things done, they were actually asking for money. These officials really were a bad bunch!

Chen Yuan lowered his eyelids and said slowly:

"This constable has never seen that silver. How about this, whoever you gave the silver to, let them suppress the bandits for you."

Although bribery was rampant in secret, there weren't many who dared to say it so openly.

Chen Yuan wanted to see if they dared to say who they gave the monthly payments to.

"How much does Constable Chen want?" A portly middle-aged man stood up, stopping the others from speaking.

He could see clearly that this Constable Chen wouldn't act without some benefit. Even if some people could pressure the county yamen constables to suppress the bandits, what could he do if they didn't put in the effort?

His goods were the most important thing. If the delay dragged on too long, the compensation would be a significant sum.

"What does the Lord think is appropriate for bandit suppression?"

Chen Yuan didn't make the decision himself, but instead focused his gaze on Li Mingqi in the seat of honor.

Li Mingqi revealed a smile that said, "You're very sensible," and said calmly:

"Bandit suppression is the duty of the county yamen, but it's true, as Constable Chen said, without sufficient rewards, the constables in the yamen won't risk their lives... How about each family contributes fifty taels of silver? The county yamen will definitely exterminate these bandits who plague the people, restoring a bright and peaceful Ping'an County!"

Chen Yuan sneered inwardly. Li Mingqi was indeed worthy of being the County Commandant; these high-sounding words were very impressive!

The clan leaders sitting there seemed hesitant, their eyes darting about. Fifty taels per family wasn't a small sum; added together, it would be two hundred and fifty taels of silver.

That was almost a quarter of the value of the goods.

"What's wrong, are you unwilling?" Chen Yuan narrowed his eyes, scanning them one by one.

"Alright, fifty taels it is!"

The portly middle-aged man seemed to have high prestige. After he made the decision, no one else raised any objections.

"Once the silver arrives, the county yamen will immediately begin bandit suppression!"

Chen Yuan said sternly.

"Good, Constable Chen is a straightforward man. I will definitely not be ambiguous. Before dark today, my Yang family's silver will definitely be delivered to Constable Chen!"

The portly middle-aged man was very generous.

"Very good!"

Chen Yuan nodded slightly.

After agreeing on the silver, the remaining matters were very simple, just a few more pleasantries. Before long, the spokesmen of the families left the county yamen.

Before leaving, Chen Yuan and Tie Qinghua exchanged a knowing smile, unnoticed.

......

......

"Lord, after they deliver the silver, this subordinate will send Wang Ping to your residence with all of it."

After everyone left, Chen Yuan said with a smile.

"There's no need for these petty tricks. You keep one hundred and fifty taels of the silver, and send me one hundred taels..." Li Mingqi said calmly.

"Thank you, Lord."

Chen Yuan appropriately displayed some respect.

Li Mingqi stared at Chen Yuan:

"If you don't take the silver, it doesn't matter if you can't suppress the bandits, but once you take this silver, things won't be so simple. They will definitely try to report it to higher authorities."

"Isn't there you, Lord, to take care of things?"

Chen Yuan said softly.

In his heart, however, he was complaining, "You take half of it, you can't just sit there and do nothing, right?"

"Tell me, what's your plan?"

Li Mingqi stared directly at Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan immediately said:

"To be honest, this subordinate actually already has some clues."

"Oh?" Li Mingqi was startled. These people had only come to report the crime today, and Chen Yuan already had clues?

Even a detective couldn't be this quick!

Instinctively, Li Mingqi didn't quite believe it.

Chen Yuan took a deep breath and said:

"Does the Lord know who the woman in green robes among the five people who came together just now was?"

"I naturally recognize Tie Xuan's sister."

Li Mingqi said in a low voice.

"That's right, it's Warden Tie's sister. After Warden Tie died, the Tie family suffered a lot of exclusion, and many forces wanted to swallow the Tie family's foundation. Last night, Tie Qinghua found me, hoping that I could protect her."

"It was from her mouth that this subordinate learned about these bandits, and also obtained some clues."

As Chen Yuan spoke, he carefully observed Li Mingqi's expression. After all, Tie Xuan and he hadn't been on the same side before.