Chapter 179: The Axe Gang Has Arrived!

"Axe Gang?"

Chen Yan's expression was hard to describe; he even doubted if he had misheard.

Shen Ge's business...... has it damn well expanded to the Tang Dynasty now?

Goddamn Axe Gang!

Because he kept his head down, the boatman didn't notice his expression, his tone bitter: "Yes, County Magistrate, the Axe Gang is a gang formed by many ruffians and tyrants; it's said they have a powerful background, which is why they can run rampant here without fear."

"If you don't pay them their monthly fee, getting beaten up is considered light; who knows, they might even smash your boat."

"That's so powerful......" Chen Yan smiled mysteriously, "Then do you know who backs the Axe Gang?"

"Before taking office, I, the magistrate, actually didn't know Weinan County had such formidable figures; all sorts of demons and monsters have gathered. If I don't go see them, wouldn't that show I lack experience?"

Behind them, Gao Yang, Xue Li, and the young Xiao Sizi heard this and couldn't help but shiver.

Given their understanding of Chen Yan, these people are sure to suffer badly.

Even the boatman could tell Chen Yan was speaking sarcastically.

"Sir...... I really don't know." The boatman's eyes lit up, then immediately dimmed.

The magistrate before us is so young; it's highly likely he's a figure with an extraordinary background.

From what this magistrate just said, he seems intent on dealing with those people.

If that works out, then the lives of these ordinary folk might improve.

Too bad...

At this moment, the boatman suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said: "Right, County Magistrate, although I don't know who backs the Axe Gang."

"But I happen to have heard that even the previous magistrate was very respectful toward the boss of the Axe Gang."

"Besides that, I don't know anything else."

The newly appointed magistrate?

Chen Yan thought for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

Since even the newly appointed magistrate is respectful toward the so-called boss of the Axe Gang, it's clear he's not the one behind the Axe Gang.

Moreover, the newly appointed magistrate has been transferred by Li Shimin; worrying about him is pointless.

Believe that after he truly takes office, the boss of the Axe Gang will soon come looking for him.

By then, we'll naturally be able to uncover the person behind it.

Next, Chen Yan continued asking: "After paying those fees, how much can you earn in a day?"

"Replying to the magistrate, the boatman said: 'My private ferry also depends on luck; sometimes there are many passengers, then I earn more; few passengers, I earn less.'"

"Only when there are many passengers do I make money; when there are few, I still lose money."

The boatman replied truthfully.

But Chen Yan still didn't understand: "What do you mean by losing money even with few passengers?"

"Aside from the boat, it's like a zero‑cost business—you earn money for each passenger you take; how could you lose?"

Hearing this, the boatman replied sorrowfully: "Sir, you don't know that the taxes, monthly fees, and tea charges for our private ferry are all fixed."

"The first two are fifteen wen each per day, the tea fee is twenty wen; you pay once per day out on the boat, totaling fifty wen."

"If passengers are scarce and I can't earn fifty wen, isn't that a loss?"

Chen Yan's face twitched; the anger in his heart had reached a point where it could no longer be contained.

"Good." He gritted his teeth, laughing angrily: "Good!"

"Good ferry official, good county vice‑magistrate, good Axe Gang!!"

Behind them, Xue Li let out a silent sigh.

He too had once been a farmer, so he naturally knew how hard it is for ordinary people to make a living.

Not only do they have to perform regular corvée labor, but they also face exploitation from all kinds of so‑called big shots.

Just staying alive is enough to make them exert all their strength.

At this moment, Gao Yang suddenly spoke: "Those people are bullying you like this; you clearly have a boat, you could easily do something else—why cling to operating the ferry?"

The boatman shook his head: "Miss, you must mean fishing, right?"

"Fishing isn't any better than running a ferry; you still have to pay all sorts of fees."

"Moreover, fishing depends heavily on luck and weather; if luck is bad, you lose even more."

"Only experienced hands would choose to fish; for someone like me, a farmer, running the ferry is the best option."

Gao Yang frowned: "Then have you never thought of going to Chang'an to report to the authorities?"

"What's the difference between these chaotic taxes, tea and monthly fees, and banditry?"

"The Tang Dynasty's laws never stipulate paying these taxes; you can completely go to Chang'an to file a complaint."

She had just finished speaking when she noticed Chen Yan looking at her with the expression of someone looking at an idiot.

Even Xue Li and that boatman had the look of wanting to speak but holding back.

Gao Yang snapped angrily: "Chen Yan, what kind of look is that?"

"I...... I, miss, did I say something wrong?"

"'Ah, right, right, you're right.' Chen Yan couldn't be bothered with this idiot, giving a casual reply."

"You......"

"Ah, me me me, what you said is me."

Gao Yang: "......"

She put her hands on her hips, about to get angry, but Chen Yan spoke first: "Don't babble on; I don't have time to argue with you today, otherwise I'll deal with you later as well."

"Older sister, don't provoke older brother to anger!"

Xiao Sizi grabbed Gao Yang's hand and said fiercely:

You little ungrateful...

Chen Yan didn't bother with the two sisters; he was about to speak up to continue asking the boatman some questions, but unexpectedly the boatman seemed to have seen something, and hurriedly hid the string of cash in his hand.

"Hey, Zhao, what are you hiding?"

Suddenly, a lazy voice came from behind.

Chen Yan turned his head and saw three ruffians swaggering over with a fearless gait, and faintly could see an axe tucked behind each of their backs.

The leader was a short, carefree Xiao Tou Tou.

Chen Yan watched them with interest; if he wasn't mistaken, they were probably the so-called Axe Gang.

"Hey, kid, what are you looking at......"

"Hiss~"

The leader Xiao Tou Tou suddenly sucked in a breath, his gaze dull as he looked at Gao Yang behind him.

"Sn... She Ge, I, I think I saw a fairy."

Behind She Ge, a follower with a piggish appearance muttered to himself.

"She Ge, me too."

She Ge didn't reply, because he thought the same.

He swore that, having lived so many years, the woman before him was absolutely the most beautiful he had ever seen, bar none.

Gao Yang felt extreme disgust at their gaze and snapped, "What are you looking at?"

"Keep looking and I'll gouge out your eyes, miss."

"And you." Gao Yang glared at Chen Yan dissatisfiedly, "You just stand there watching, saying nothing, doing nothing?"

"Are you even a man?"

"Do you not know whether I'm a man or not?" Chen Yan said lightly, then raised his eyebrows at the three and said, "The Axe Gang?"

"Yeah, kid, who are you?" The leader She Ge came to his senses, glanced at Chen Yan's attire, somewhat unable to discern his background, so his attitude was somewhat restrained.

"You guys came to...... collect the tea fee?"

"......"