Chapter 182: He Can Actually Mobilize the Jinwu Guard!!!

"Private boat tax?"

Du Gou's face showed astonishment as he looked at Chen Yan in disbelief.

Having been here only two days, he clearly didn't know much about these matters; if those words hadn't come from Chen Yan, he would have thought it a joke.

"Private boat tax?"

Where does the Tang Dynasty get a private boat tax?

If operating a private boat requires tax, then should murder, arson, theft and robbery also be taxed?

How laughable, and how bold.

Unlike him, Ma Zhou stood silently in place after hearing Chen Yan's words.

He was clearly well aware of what Chen Yan said.

But he knew his own status well; being from a humble background, he could never afford to offend the big figures behind this operation.

Therefore, he had only spoken of thugs in Weinan County before, daring not to mention certain matters.

However, what he didn't expect was that the new County Magistrate before him was so bold as to speak bluntly.

Ma Zhou's gaze grew dim, and a few more speculations formed in his mind.

Either the young County Magistrate before him is a newborn calf unafraid of tigers—young people, after all, can be hot‑blooded, ambitious, eager to achieve something great, which is normal; he himself had experienced that before.

The second possibility is that the new County Magistrate before him has a background even larger than he imagined, so formidable that it could easily crush these local tyrants...

"......"

Du Gou clenched his teeth, anger flaring in his eyes, his gaze constantly shifting among the several officials besides Ma Zhou.

"You have such nerve! Who gave you the authority to levy taxes on the people without permission?"

"Private boat tax? It's unheard of!"

Chen Yan chuckled, "Du brother, why the hurry?"

"I haven't finished speaking yet."

Not finished?

Du Gou was completely stunned, a speculation bubbling up in his mind.

Could it be... that it's more than just the private boat tax?

Even more outrageous?

Chen Yan's steps were light as he paced back and forth before Wang Shikuan and the others, murmuring, "I have investigated thoroughly; besides the private boat tax, even fishing must pay all sorts of money and taxes?"

"I truly can't understand; what exactly does fishing have to pay tax on?"

"Fishing tax?"

"The eating‑fish tax after catching fish?"

"Or the selling‑fish tax after selling fish?"

At the end, Chen Yan lingered before Wang Shikuan, seized his collar, and, pausing between each word, said, "Lord Wang, could you explain this to me, so that this country bumpkin of mine can broaden his knowledge?"

As Chen Yan's words fell, Wang Shikuan felt a cold chill envelop him; his face turned deathly pale in an instant, his whole body trembled, and his back was drenched with cold sweat.

He could say he understood the origin of this private boat tax better than anyone.

Because the Wang father and son were involved, using their own names.

If the matter were exposed, the Wang father and son would undoubtedly die, perhaps even implicating their family.

Originally everything was fine; the former Weinan County had been turned into a steel bucket, from the County Magistrate down to petty clerks, all were their men.

The County Captain who refused to collude with them was killed under the pretense of a horse bandit.

But what they didn't expect was that the Emperor suddenly issued an edict, replacing the former County Magistrate, the deputy magistrate, and the clerk, bringing a massive reshuffle.

His cautious nature made him want to pull back in time, but his son and the head of the Axe Gang were oblivious to the seriousness, continuing to act as they pleased.

After repeated futile counsel, Wang Shikuan could only pray that the newly arrived officials wouldn't notice the matter immediately, then devise ways to slowly corrupt them, dragging all the newly appointed officials down, just like the previous County Magistrate.

He also relied on the Axe Gang leader's background.

However, it seemed all of that fell flat; the situation in Weinan County and their filthy deeds were all spotted by the new County Magistrate at once.

If one slips up, it could mean a head rolling on the ground.

"How?" Chen Yan narrowed his eyes, "Lord Wang, are you also unclear about this matter?"

Wang Shikuan's voice trembled, hoping to buy some time, so he hurriedly continued, "Lord, it is... it is my dereliction, I am willing..."

"What a dereliction!" Chen Yan laughed in anger, too lazy to listen to his whining.

He scanned the officials of Weinan County one by one, "Strangely enough, you have all been officials in Weinan County for a long time, yet not a single one of you knows about this matter that everyone is being executed for."

"And I, upon arriving, immediately uncovered the information."

"Could it be that I was deceived by the people?"

No one at the scene spoke; all stood silently in place.

Behind, Gao Yang, seeing the scene, muttered quietly, "One by one, it's exactly like that."

Xiang Lan, hearing this, became anxious, quickly tugged at Gao Yang's sleeve, and in the smallest voice whispered into his ear, "Princess, Lord Bo is handling official matters, and there are so many of Lord Bo's men here; we should keep quiet."

"Tch." Gao Yang pursed his lips and said nothing more.

At this moment, Du Gou stepped forward, suppressing the anger in his heart, and said, "Brother Chen, let me handle the investigation of this matter."

"Three days. Within three days I will give you..."

He then coldly looked at Wang Shikuan, "If anyone truly dares to levy those laughable taxes on the people, I will see the matter through to the end and capture each of the culprits behind it."

Hearing this, Wang Shikuan and the others lowered their heads even further.

Du Gou wasn't foolish; after regaining his senses from the initial shock, he quickly guessed who was behind the mischief.

Ma Zhou had been in office for less than half a month, so this matter probably had nothing to do with him.

The most likely culprits are the officials like Wang Shikuan who have long entrenched themselves in Weinan County.

Moreover, Chen Yan's attitude toward Wang Shikuan just now, and Wang Shikuan's reaction, further solidified his inner suspicion.

As for why a clerk like him took on this matter.

Du Gou firmly remembered the words his father Du Ruhui said to him before taking office.

"Son, after you get over there, while fulfilling your duties, stay by Chen Yan's side; whenever something arises, think more, learn more, do more—this could be the greatest opportunity of your life, so be sure to seize it."

Du Gou had never seen Du Ruhui give him such earnest and solemn advice, so he dared not forget it.

But Chen Yan, faced with Du Gou's goodwill, merely smiled and then waved his hand to refuse: "Brother Du, you are a civil official; how could I ask you to investigate a case?"

"If I let you investigate, wouldn't I be missing an important aide by my side?"

Du Gou paused, opened his mouth to speak, but was again cut off by Chen Yan raising his hand: "Don't worry, Brother Du, I understand what you're concerned about."

"But don't forget, I didn't come alone."

"Hm?" Du Gou was somewhat puzzled—what did "didn't come alone" mean?

However, his confusion was brief; he soon understood what it meant.

"Where are the Jinwu Guard?!"

Under the shocked gazes of the crowd, Chen Yan produced an Imperial Token, and the next moment, the Jinwu Guard—who had been concealed nearby, disguised as civilians protecting Xiao Sizi and Gao Yang—appeared in force.

Blade light was sharp, and a murderous aura suddenly spread throughout the venue!

"We pay our respects to the Marquis of Weinan!" the Jinwu Guard knelt on one knee, their voices thundering.

Wang Shikuan and his companions were instantly stunned into silence.

The Jinwu Guard—he could actually mobilize the Jinwu Guard?

Chen Yan looked at Wang Shikuan, gave a slight smile, and said in a cold tone: "Conduct a thorough investigation of this private boat's taxes, tea expenses, and monthly fees, from top to bottom."

"Anyone involved in this matter, arrest them all and bring them to justice!!!"

"......"