Chapter 191: For Your Good, Don't Ask

"You see, isn't it more regulated now?"

By the Wei He dock, on the second floor of a restaurant, Chen Yan tapped his chin toward the front, signaling Du Gou to look over.

It had been eight days since the two assumed their posts in Weinan County, and the public transport boat mentioned earlier had its specific operating rules drafted by Du Gou, with Chen Yan giving the final decision.

If it hadn't been delayed two days over the issue of recruiting boatmen, the public transport boat could have been implemented two days earlier.

"It does look much more regulated," Du Gou said, rubbing his chin, "but do you really think this won't reduce revenue?"

"I saw the few boats that just set off earlier weren't full, so on the surface, the income hasn't increased compared to before."

"You already said that's just the surface," Chen Yan replied lightly, "The public transport boat's revenue doesn't chase per‑trip passenger numbers; it looks at the total passenger volume."

"After all, the number of passengers needing a boat is fixed. The few boats ahead of you aren't full because that's all the customers there are now. Waiting longer is pointless; better to set sail now, let the remaining passengers wait, and reserve the later‑potential passengers for the next boat."

"In this process, the passengers aren't lost; they just move from one boat to the next."

Du Gou nodded as if enlightened, "So, this not only avoids reducing revenue, but also greatly improves sailing efficiency?"

"Exactly," Chen Yan said, looking at the wide river surface. "If we keep improving transit efficiency while continuously buying the people's private boats, shortening the interval between each boat, and expanding the scope, we can achieve a monopoly."

"Aside from the boatmen's wages, this is almost a cost‑free transaction."

"Then the public transport boat will be a goose that lays golden eggs."

Du Gou first nodded in agreement, then raised a question, "Zi Anxiong, have you considered what if the people refuse to sell their boats, or even if they sell, we can't find experienced boatmen?"

"Also, why must we use the common folk as boatmen?"

"Couldn't we use the officials from before?"

"Their cost seems about the same as recruiting boatmen from the people."

"Because we take away a livelihood from the people," Chen Yan replied. "There are many folk on the Wei He who make a living from private ferries; by squeezing their survival space and then buying their boats, we cut off their income at the source."

"What about those people then?"

"Recruit from the people: first, give them a way to live; second, this money already comes from the poor, so it naturally should be spent on the common folk."

"As for the people refusing to sell their boats..." Chen Yan paused, then turned his head, "Later, go tell Ma Zhou, have the Government issue a notice banning all private ferries from tomorrow onward."

"Anyone who violates this will be beaten eighty strokes, have their boats confiscated, and will not be spared."

Du Gou was startled; previously, although private ferries were illegal, Government officials rarely arrested the people who operated them.

That law was mostly for show; as long as the people weren't too brazen, nothing happened.

But now, from Chen Yan's words, it truly means no more room for private ferries.

Du Gou, half‑joking, said, "Zi Anxiong, if I weren't standing here hearing you say it with your own mouth, I wouldn't believe those words came from you."

"Eighty strokes, tsk tsk, think of my younger brother's robust build; he couldn't withstand twenty strokes, ended up lying in bed for several days to recover."

"I don't even dare imagine what would happen under eighty strokes."

Chen Yan fell silent, then slowly uttered, "An official's heart must never be soft."

As the saying goes, those who achieve great deeds do not fuss over trivialities.

If you worry about this and that, what can you accomplish?

Might as well return to Chang'an and lie down dead.

Moreover, Chen Yan has already provided these people a livelihood, and it's not truly to drive them onto a dead end.

Furthermore, private ferries travel on remote routes; the people try to earn more, often overloading, creating huge safety hazards.

Such a situation must be eradicated.

Du Gou smiled, "My father also said that."

"He said that being an official is hard; a corrupt official must be ruthless, a good official must be even more ruthless. If you can't be ruthless, you can't stand anywhere."

After speaking, he suddenly recalled something, "By the way, are we truly not at all concerned with that Axe Gang and Wang Shikuan?"

"Just send them straight to Chang'an?"

The Jinwu Guard's efficiency was extremely high; on the night of their second day in office, every person who needed to be arrested was sent to the dungeon without omission.

Evidence and testimonies were fully collected by the Jinwu Guard.

That night, Chen Yan ordered the Jinwu Guard to seize these people's families as well, and to raid their homes.

But the valuables and treasures collected, Chen Yan didn't even glance at, and he had the Jinwu Guard send those items along with the people and their families back to Chang'an.

At that time, Du Gou and Ma Zhou were both very puzzled.

Why must the offenders from Weinan County be sent to Chang'an?

Shouldn't they be interrogated for their crimes, then sentenced, and arranged for public execution to give the people an answer?

Of course that's just a minor issue; Du Gou and Ma Zhou mainly cared about the valuables.

Now their county office has been occupied by a bunch of parasites for so long, the finances are tight, and with so much loot in front of them, how could the two not be tempted?

They must find a way to keep it in Weinan County for development.

"......"

Chen Yan was silent for two seconds, then his gaze toward Du Gou suddenly became subtle.

"Zi Anxiong, why are you looking at me like that?" Du Gou asked, his face full of puzzlement.

Chen Yan recalled the letter he received this morning, and with a serious expression patted Du Gou's shoulder, "Brother Du, anyone can intervene in this matter, but you cannot."

"If you trust me, then don't inquire further, and don't dig into that Axe Gang or Wang Shikuan; wait until this period passes before speaking about it."

"...... ah?" Du Gou wore a bewildered expression.

What does it mean "anyone can intervene", but he can't?

No, why can't he?

"Enough, stop it, I won't harm you," Chen Yan earnestly warned, "These days are special; remember my words, and under no circumstances investigate further."

"No, why?" Du Gou felt increasingly uneasy as he listened, a sudden sense of panic rising for no reason.

He constantly felt that something bad was about to happen.

He forced a smile and said: "Zi Anxiong, you can't talk like that, can you?"

"It's really scary."

"It made me think the Axe Gang and Wang Shikuang had something to do with me."

Chen Yan fell silent at once, merely staring at Du Gou with an increasingly strange gaze.

"That's right, this matter indeed has nothing to do with you, but it does have something to do with your father."

"......"