Chapter 145: Sweeping Clean

Zhao San and his wife thanked him profusely and bustled off. He Cuihua's eyes were a little dark around the rims. She stepped forward, grabbed Zhao Jin's hand, and said, "Jin, nothing important got burned. This is a small matter. You absolutely must not act rashly and get yourself hurt."

"The boy's already grown. Do you still think it's like when you were nursing him?" After what had happened the night before, Zhao Zhentang's morning temper was truly not very good.

At his words, He Cuihua turned and glared, but instead of shouting back at him as she usually did, she started wiping away tears. Zhao Zhentang shook his head, walked over to Zhao Jin, and asked, "What do you need me to do?"

"Father, go to the yamen early today. Say our house was set on fire last night. Have the Criminal Division open a case and send men to make arrests. The bigger the uproar, the better. I've already spoken with Chen Sheng, and Uncle Chen Wu will also help." Zhao Jin had long since settled on a plan and answered calmly.

Zhao Zhentang frowned, his expression turning sour. "We're going to make this public? What about our family's face?"

For a constable to have his own house burned down — word getting out would truly be humiliating, especially since constables counted as figures of some standing in the city and had to mind their dignity in everything they did.

"Father, someone set fire to our house in the middle of the night. No matter how we kick up a fuss, anyone who knows will find it understandable. Besides, your son holds the status of a probationary runner. As long as the case is filed through the authorities, whatever your son does will be official business — there'll be a proper standing to it." Zhao Jin smiled as he explained.

Watching his father Zhao Zhentang nod, the smile on Zhao Jin's face turned cold. In a grim tone, he said, "Rest assured, Father. In a few days, no one in Xuzhou city will dare offend our family again!"

After hastily eating a few bites of breakfast at home, Zhao Jin hurried out toward the goods yard. On the way, he ran into Chen Sheng and Wang Zhaojing. Both of them carried small bundles, their weapons strapped to their backs, their expressions quite solemn. The three walked quickly, none of them speaking.

By the time they reached the goods yard, everyone except Sun Dalei and Dong Bingfeng had already assembled. Chen Ergou and Butcher Li each stood at the edge of the yard with two of their men, looking deeply apprehensive.

As per Zhao Jin's requirements, before breakfast the household troops had to form ranks and run three laps around the expanded goods yard. Chen Ergou and Butcher Li had apparently witnessed this morning run. What they had seen as a chaotic mess days ago, they now saw as uniform and orderly — the change revealed something that shook them to the core.

Anyone who could carve out their own standing in the jianghu had to have a working brain. Seeing this scene, the two of them understood even more clearly exactly what kind of power Zhao Jin held in his hands.

"After breakfast, rest on the training ground and prepare to move out!" Zhao Jin bellowed the order. The household troops responded in unison, and the sound made Chen Ergou and Butcher Li shudder.

"You two, come in on your own," Zhao Jin said coldly.

His words were full of the authority of a superior, yet Butcher Li and Chen Ergou felt not the slightest resentment. Having seen the training of these hundred household troops, they felt that everything Zhao Jin did was only right and proper.

Shi Manqiang, Ji Xiang, and Liu Yong had also already learned the news. All three of them wore grim expressions.

The eight of them had just entered the room when they heard someone outside shout, "Boss, urgent business!"

Everyone was startled, but Zhao Jin recognized Su Da's voice and quickly had the man brought in. The moment he entered, Su Da said, panting heavily, "Boss, someone tried to set fire to the distillery last night."

Everyone in the room was alarmed. Even Zhao Jin's expression changed somewhat. Ji Xiang asked in rapid succession, "What got burned at the distillery? Did anyone get hurt?"

Only then did Su Da catch his breath. Wiping away sweat, he said, "We'd arranged men to patrol at night. They spotted the flames and roused everyone. There's no shortage of water at the distillery. Just a few sacks of sorghum are ruined."

Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief, then turned their heads in unison to look at Zhao Jin. Zhao Jin swept his gaze around the room and spoke. "Yesterday, my home was harassed by villains. I led men and drove the villains off. I never imagined these shameless scoundrels would bear such a grudge that they went and set fire to my family home and property in the night as revenge. Everyone, is that what happened?"

Everyone nodded. A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Zhao Jin's mouth. He continued, "Vicious criminals who commit arson like this — as an officer of the yamen, I naturally cannot let them go. Today, all of you will accompany me onto the streets to make arrests!"

Everyone thought it over carefully and then understood. If they truly went out in broad daylight to take revenge, they would certainly have to worry about how the authorities and the gentry perceived it. If someone with ulterior motives pinned a charge on them, they would only be inviting trouble. But with this line of reasoning, whatever they did would be completely justified.

"I've already asked people to file the case and put in a word at the yamen. What comes next is arresting criminals and handling the case. Chen Ergou, Butcher Li, I want the addresses of the Incense Smelling Sect followers within Xuzhou city. In addition, each of you will lead thirty men under my command and move together with me!"

With Zhao Jin having put it so plainly, Chen Ergou and Butcher Li had no room left to stall. They hastily agreed.

The two were just about to head out to investigate when Zhao Jin called them back. "Skip the ordinary commoners who burn incense and follow the faith. Give me the names of those who use their status as sect followers to bully and tyrannize, those who rely on the Incense Smelling Sect to defy all authority. South of the city, there are definitely people who call themselves figures of standing just because they've joined the Incense Smelling Sect. Give me all their names."

Zhao Jin knew very well in his heart that if he did anything to ordinary commoners, he would certainly stir up public anger. But those who sought the afterlife, sought spiritual refuge, or were tricked into joining the sect were not the whole picture. There were definitely people who became followers for the benefits. These people surely relied on the Incense Smelling Sect's power to run rampant on a daily basis. Dealing with these so-called "degenerates within the sect" would not only avoid stirring public anger — it would actually win the people's hearts.

Thinking further, the people who had set fires everywhere last night were probably among this lot as well. What ignorant commoner would have that kind of nerve?

Hearing Zhao Jin's instructions, Chen Ergou and Butcher Li's expressions shifted. They were visibly much more motivated now. Bowing to accept the order, they hurried out.

Watching their retreating figures, Zhao Jin chuckled twice and said, "They can't afford to offend the Incense Smelling Sect. There are probably a few people south of the city who wave the Incense Smelling Sect's banner and don't heed their calls. This is the perfect chance for them to use this to clean out their rivals."

Just then, Sun Dalei and Dong Bingfeng walked in together. Both had looks of concern on their faces. They started asking questions the moment they entered, having clearly learned of the previous night's events on the way or outside.

After a few brief exchanges, Zhao Jin stood up and said, "Wang Zhaojing and Dong Bingfeng will stay behind to hold the fort. Liu Yong will go gather information. The rest of you will come with me. Leave ten household troops here at the goods yard and ten at the distillery. The remaining household troops will move with me. Go make your preparations!"

After saying this, Zhao Jin called Liu Yong over, and the two left the room together. Behind them, Dong Bingfeng scratched his head and said, somewhat unwillingly, "Why am I being left behind again?"

No one answered him. Wang Zhaojing smiled and said, "Brother Zhao is increasingly showing the bearing of a famed general."

The two walked into the courtyard. Zhao Jin lowered his voice and said to Liu Yong, "Find a trusted subordinate. Find out exactly where Li Yang lives, then keep a close watch on his movements. Don't let outsiders know about this."

Liu Yong was startled for a moment, then nodded solemnly. After all, he had handled that business with Bronze Head, so he could more or less guess what Zhao Jin intended to do.

They parted ways with Liu Yong at the courtyard gate. On the goods yard, the household troops, enjoying a rare rest, all rose to their feet one after another when they saw Zhao Jin emerge. Zhao Jin spoke. "Li Wu, take ten men to the distillery. Wang Daqiang, take ten men and stay behind. The rest, follow me."

The household troops responded with a thunderous roar. Zhao Jin raised his hand, and silence fell over the scene once more. Zhao Jin continued, "On this operation, obey my every command. No disorderly conduct. No private looting of property. Violators will receive twenty strokes of the rod and be expelled from the trading company. Is that understood?"

Hearing how severe Zhao Jin's tone was, the household troops all turned solemn and answered in unison.

Not long after Chen Ergou and Butcher Li had left, they returned with their men. Each had managed to gather some names. On the way, they had found someone literate to write them down, and they compiled and handed the list to Zhao Jin.

Zhao Jin glanced over the list, pointed at one name, and said, "Fu Quan, the loan shark. We'll go to his place first. Lead the way!"

Hearing this name, a trace of a smile flickered across Butcher Li's face. He turned his head and started barking orders at his men. Just as he was about to step forward, he heard Zhao Jin say from behind him, "You're using my hand to take out your rivals — that doesn't matter. But if there's anyone who isn't from the Incense Smelling Sect, you'll have me to answer to."

At these words, Chen Ergou showed no reaction, but Butcher Li shuddered. He turned his head and said, "Master Jin, this lowly one remembered a name wrong. The Niu brothers from Bitter Water Hollow aren't incense-burners."

So he really had been trying to slip one past him. But in the current situation, this was not the time to quibble. Zhao Jin reached out and crossed the name off, then asked coldly, "Any more? If I find out afterwards..."

"This lowly one was muddled. Truly, there are no more." Sweat beaded on Butcher Li's forehead as he hurriedly explained.

Zhao Jin barked the order to move out, and the group of over a hundred began to advance. Butcher Li had originally wanted to run to the front and lead his own men, but after that little interlude, he stayed right by Zhao Jin's side, walking on eggshells. Zhao Jin could not be bothered with him and simply said, "With me backing you, and with no small number of men in your own hands, there are still places south of the city you can't sweep clean? Outsiders would laugh themselves sick if they heard."

"The Niu brothers are eight in number. They all hire out as laborers at estates outside the city. They've got brute strength. In a fight, I was afraid the losses among the brothers under me would be too heavy. And those Nius carry weight in Bitter Water Hollow. One shout from them and a whole mob of poor wretches comes out. It's terribly troublesome." Butcher Li gave an embarrassed explanation.

South of the city was dilapidated and impoverished, and Bitter Water Hollow was an even more dilapidated and impoverished place. The several wells there all yielded bitter water. Anyone with the slightest means was unwilling to live there.

"A place that poor — surely there's no business to be had there?" Zhao Jin asked, puzzled.

At this, Butcher Li grew even more embarrassed. He hemmed and hawed before saying, "It's nothing more than ground-rent money..."

Zhao Jin gave a snort and said nothing. So-called ground-rent money was protection money — every household had to pay. But normally it was collected mainly from shops and street vendors. South of the city, however, had few places with any fat to begin with, so they just collected it indiscriminately from everyone.

South of the city was poor, but there were still a few relatively decent spots with a fair number of shops and businesses. This Fu Quan whom Zhao Jin had named was on what was called Horse-Tethering Street, running a small pawnshop. Judging by the customers going in and out, business seemed quite good.