Chapter 395: White Sugar

"Axe Gang, is everyone familiar with that name?"

As Chen Yan's words left his mouth, the faces of those present grew very complicated.

How could they not know the Axe Gang?

Even without mentioning Du Gou and Ma Zhou, the two who originally watched the Axe Gang being cleared, even newcomers like Li Yifu and Xu Lianyue have seen the Axe Gang's case files when they specifically studied Weinan County.

It can be said that this is a bandit nest that has been brazen in Weinan County for a long time.

And Du Gou and Fang Yizhi undoubtedly know more.

The matter of the Axe Gang later caused quite a stir, even Du Ruhui, who was convalescing at the time, was detained for a while.

More puzzling is that the affair was abruptly concluded; after the initial incident, no one ever brought it up again.

It could be called utterly dramatic.

Chen Yan tapped the table with his fingers, pulling their thoughts back, "It seems the Axe Gang left a deep impression on everyone; if even you are like this, the common people will be even more so."

"I believe the Axe Gang is not the only one; the other thugs simply haven't formed forces. Since my arrival, after swiftly clearing the Axe Gang, those people or small factions have gone silent, daring not to cross my bad luck."

"But that does not mean they do not exist."

"As the saying goes, to repel external threats one must first pacify the interior; to make Weinan County better, some parasites must be eliminated, so for the coming period part of our focus will be on this."

"Understood!" Du Gou said gravely, "We now have enough manpower and can assign someone to handle this specifically."

Dai Zhide said at this moment, "Let me handle it; I previously served with my uncle at the Dali Temple for a time, so I have some experience dealing with such matters."

"But... how do we gauge the degree?"

"According to Tang Dynasty law!" Chen Yan replied without hesitation, "If anyone violates the law, we punish strictly according to the law—those to be arrested, arrest; those to be executed, execute!"

"No leniency whatsoever for those thugs!"

Hearing this, Du Gou and the others felt a tremor of fear.

They could tell that Chen Yan was not joking; he truly intended to follow the law in everything.

Even Dai Zhide fell silent at this moment.

"If we strictly follow the law, the number of people to be punished might exceed our imagination."

"So what?" Chen Yan said indifferently, "The Tang Dynasty governs by law; the statutes are already well refined. Since they dare to break the law, they must be ready to receive punishment."

"If I'm not harsh, others will think I can't catch them."

"Fine!" Seeing Chen Yan's firm stance, Dai Zhide raised no objection.

Chen Yan continued, "I must remind you, the purge is not limited to thugs; it also includes wealthy merchants who feast on blood‑steamed buns while wearing gold and silver, those who come and go at will, and the landlords and gentry who exploit the common people!"

"In this position we must manage affairs; since we don the official robes, we must fulfill our duties properly."

"We cannot achieve the sage's ideal of universal harmony, but at least we must ensure protection for the people under our jurisdiction, rather than letting them suffer oppression from others!"

The several of them nodded together, indicating understanding.

After finishing, Chen Yan was about to tell them what to do when a thought struck him; he turned to Xu Lianyue and asked, "Do you have any suggestions on this matter?"

Xu Lianyue:?

To be honest, she was a bit stunned.

She was already different from the others present; she held no official post, merely a money‑handling operative.

Her responsibilities were limited to trade matters; she never intervened in Government affairs.

She didn't expect Chen Yan to proactively ask her.

Xu Lianyue pondered briefly and said, "I think we can issue a notice in the name of the Government, set aside part of the reward money to bounty the most heinous criminals. As for who knows these people best, it must be the oppressed common folk."

"Even if timid villagers dare not expose them, given the large numbers and the lure of bounty, there will surely be brave ones as well."

"The benefits are twofold: first, it can greatly reduce Lord Dai's workload and expedite Lord Chen's request; second, it will make the people aware of our resolve, showing that we have zero tolerance for crime."

"Thus the reputation of the county office will rise, the people's lives will be more secure, and their sense of belonging to the county town will increase."

Chen Yan's eyes flickered as he scanned the group, "From today onward, Xu Lianyue is the senior clerk of Weinan County. I expect you to treat her with respect, understand?"

Those words made the three newcomers' hearts leap; Du Gou and the others bowed their heads a few degrees and promptly nodded in agreement.

Their gazes toward Xu Lianyue shed the previous disdain; at this moment they truly regarded her as a colleague.

Xu Lianyue appeared calm on the surface, but inside a storm of turmoil roared.

The senior clerk is actually an aide to the County Magistrate, not a regular court‑assigned subordinate; the Magistrate must recruit them personally.

Daily duties and the extent of authority depend entirely on the Magistrate's arrangement; although not part of the bureaucracy, they effectively serve as the Magistrate's private secretary, and some capable senior clerks can even be considered the county town's second‑in‑command.

Xu Lianyue truly hadn't expected she could one day become a senior clerk.

For a moment, her mood was rather complicated.

During this period she had been frustrated by the lack of chances to get close to Chen Yan; now, fortunately, Chen Yan himself brought the opportunity.

"......"

"Do it as she suggested, disperse!"

Leaving that remark, Chen Yan stood, called out to Xu Lianyue, and led her away.

Outside, Xu Lianyue didn't know where Chen Yan was taking her, but she had many questions and couldn't help asking, "Why?"

"What why?" Chen Yan asked, puzzled.

"It's... you made me a senior clerk..." Xu Lianyue lightly bit her lip, truly not grasping Chen Yan's intention.

"What? You don't want it?" Chen Yan turned his head and asked.

"I..."

"Enough, you needn't say more." Chen Yan waved his hand to cut her off, "I made you a senior clerk because your abilities stand out and your responsibilities are important; you must have a title to take part in county office affairs."

"There's no particular why."

Hearing that answer, the unrealistic hope in her heart shattered; Xu Lianyue's claim of not being disappointed was false, but she couldn't show it, merely nodding lightly to indicate understanding.

"I've just created a new product; you come with me to the County Magistrate's office to see how to expand production, set pricing, and sell it—who to sell to will be your decision."

Chen Yan said lightly, "I think this thing should be quite liked by those nobles; it will be another important source of money for us, so I hope you won't disappoint me."

When it came to business, Xu Lianyue became serious; the chaotic feelings in her heart were cast aside, returning to the demeanor she had just shown at Xianlya.

"What is the product?"

"White sugar!"

"......"