Chapter 147: A Small Offensive

Ji Xiang was briefly startled, then immediately nodded and accepted the order. He walked into the crowd himself. Among Zhao Jin's companions, Ji Xiang was the most quick-witted and adaptable in handling matters. Compared to Sun Dalei, Ji Xiang came from the marketplace streets and understood far more of the ins and outs, able to do many things.

Among the onlookers, some knew of Fu Quan's evil deeds and felt Zhao Jin's smashing and wrecking was deeply satisfying. Others did not know and thought Zhao Jin's actions were far too overbearing. And as for the news that Zhao Jin's house had been set on fire the night before, practically no one in the southern part of the city knew about it.

Once Ji Xiang's news spread, everyone immediately felt Zhao Jin's actions were completely justified. Having one's home burned down — no one could swallow that.

It was not only the idle onlookers who thought this way; everyone in the Xuzhou yamen, from top to bottom, now thought the same.

Early that morning, Zhao Zhentang had arrived at the yamen and gone with Chief Constable Chen Wu to the penal bureau to file a report. Since it was a matter concerning one of the yamen's own, the clerks and scribes of the penal bureau naturally put their hearts into it, immediately drafting an official document and handing it to the circuit judge in charge of criminal cases.

Nothing could be kept secret in the yamen, and very soon the news that the Zhao household had been set on fire in the middle of the night spread everywhere. Many people came to offer their condolences, but quite a few also gloated. The Zhao family had been too prominent lately, and immediately some said it served them right.

Just as Zhao Jin had anticipated, leading men through the city to smash up homes would inevitably result in someone reporting the news to the yamen. Many scholars and local gentry could not stomach such "violent and tyrannical" behavior.

The prefect might not care what the common folk thought, but he cared very much about the reaction of the local gentry, because these scholars and village elders often had official connections of one kind or another behind them. Whether their opinion of him was good or bad could affect his future career.

By the time Zhao Jin had finished smashing the sixth house in the southern part of the city, Prefect Tong Huaizu had already learned of the news.

It was an old juren who had retired from office in this very prefecture who sent a household servant to deliver the message. When Tong Huaizu heard it from Advisor Wang, he flew into a towering rage on the spot.

"Outrageous! Utter lawlessness! Do they think there is no king's law in Xuzhou city?" Prefect Tong slammed the table heavily.

Tong Huaizu's expression was extremely dark. After slamming the table, he said, "He is nothing but the son of a mere centurion, yet he acts so tyrannically, preying upon the people. As an official who shepherds this region, how can I tolerate such a villain? Arrest him at once and punish him severely!"

By protocol, Advisor Wang should have gone to deliver the message, but Advisor Wang gave a dry cough and reminded him, "My lord, what of Constable Zhao over there?"

"I do not even care about his centurion status, let alone anything else. Go quickly and arrest him. Do not let the city elders make a laughingstock of me." Tong Huaizu showed not the slightest intention of giving face.

Advisor Wang still did not move. Instead, he lowered his voice and said, "Has my lord not heard? Constable Zhao's house was set on fire by criminals last night, and he went to the penal bureau to file a report this morning. His son also holds the status of an unofficial runner. Could these actions in the city be for the purpose of catching the culprits?"

"What? Constable Zhao's house was set on fire?" Prefect Tong was stunned. Advisor Wang nodded repeatedly.

Prefect Tong immediately fell into thoughtful silence. Unprovoked lawless rampages were one thing; the present situation was another thing entirely.

Throughout the government offices, there was a shared awareness of preserving face. Internal strife and infighting among themselves was permissible, but outsiders were not allowed to offend official authority. In such a situation, everyone would certainly unite against the outsider.

Prefect Tong had been an official for many years and understood these subtleties very clearly. If he truly punished the Zhao father and son for the sake of the gentry, he feared the entire yamen would harbor resentment against him, and his tenure as an official would naturally not go smoothly. Conversely, if the gentry learned the reason behind the Zhao boy's actions, they probably would not say much either.

After pondering for a moment, Prefect Tong slowly spoke: "I was unaware of this matter. Was anyone in the Zhao family injured? Was any property lost? Mister Wang, go on my behalf to offer condolences. At the same time, bring a verbal message to His Excellency Zhou and the penal bureau, instructing them to investigate strictly."

Advisor Wang quickly nodded, murmuring "Your Excellency is wise," then turned and went out to handle it. In his mind, however, he was thinking that last month's ten taels of silver customary fee had come in, making life a bit more comfortable again.

This message being passed over did not cause the yamen to launch any large-scale action; it merely indicated the prefect's attitude — an acknowledgment of the Zhao family's retaliation. In any case, outside, Zhao Jin had already begun to act.

As Advisor Wang's message was passed along, news also came in from outside. Zhao Jin had already smashed his way to the eleventh house. Those within the yamen who had been gloating also fell silent now, each of them somewhat chilled with fear, thinking that this Zhao boy truly conducted himself with overbearing ruthlessness.

The first ten establishments included those running usury, operating unlicensed brothels, and buying stolen goods. According to the information provided by Chen Ergou and Butcher Li, these people had not been in the Smelling Incense Sect for long — only a few months. Zhao Jin roughly calculated in his mind and realized that these people had all joined after Mister Mu's death.

In truth, these villains had originally been underlings of figures like Cheng Tongtou, Butcher Li, and Yan Heilian. They had always harbored ambitions of striking out on their own. After joining the Smelling Incense Sect, it was true that no one dared to touch them, so they formed their own small sphere of influence. When Zhao Jin was making a name for himself in the city, they had not bothered to pay attention, believing the Smelling Incense Sect could shelter them.

But these people's spheres were small and their underlings few. After Zhao Jin struck the first house, the rest were directly taken down by Butcher Li and Chen Ergou's men.

Zhao Jin would not torture for confessions, but these people had not endured torture either. A few questions were enough to uncover what was amiss, and they were tied up together and tossed onto the carts. Everyone understood in their hearts that after this time, Zhao Jin would firmly control the entire southern part of the city, and no one would dare resist anymore.

When they smashed their way to the eleventh house, the situation was somewhat different from before. This place was only three streets away from the Black Tiger Temple, and it was not some gambling den, brothel, thieves' lair, or such filthy place, but a large commercial shop — one that sold general goods.

"Jinbao General Goods." The name was nothing remarkable; "attracting wealth and treasures" was a name merchants customarily used. But the show of force in front of the shop was considerable — a full seventy-some able-bodied men armed with blades, clubs, and implements, facing outward.

"A mere shop, yet it has such a grand display. How is it I've never heard of a figure like You Zhenrong?" Zhao Jin asked curiously. This sweep through the southern part of the city had truly opened his eyes. He had originally thought that after beating down and suppressing several of the jianghu headmen, he had this territory completely in hand. He had not expected there to be so many who refused to submit. And this Jinbao General Goods before him — he had never taken notice of it before, yet judging by this show of force, it probably had the strength to rival Chen Ergou and his lot.

Hearing Zhao Jin's question, Chen Ergou and Butcher Li exchanged a glance, both looking a bit awkward. Zhao Jin's brow immediately furrowed, wondering if this was yet another personal score smuggled into the list.

Seeing Zhao Jin's expression darken, Chen Ergou hurriedly explained, "Master Jin, this You Zhenrong is indeed a member of the Smelling Incense Sect, but he has never regarded us small-timers with any respect. Quite a few people follow him and refuse to submit to us. We've long wanted to wipe him out, but we couldn't beat him."

Beside him, Butcher Li also chimed in with a dry laugh, "Master Jin, this You Zhenrong is in the salt trade and has close dealings with those figures outside the city. He's never taken anyone inside the city seriously. This Jinbao General Goods shop is the place that sells salt in the southern part of the city."

Zhao Jin understood at once. In the Great Ming, salt was a government monopoly, and private salt was strictly investigated. Therefore, trafficking private salt brought enormous profits. Large shipments of private salt needed distribution and retail. The villages outside the city had distribution dens for salt, while inside the city, it relied on a few large general goods shops, where official salt and private salt were mixed and sold together.

Such shops were often colluding with salt smugglers and had official backing as well. They also needed to have men of their own capable of holding the ground. In a certain sense, the operations of Chen Ergou and Butcher Li were indeed mere small-time antics before this man.

Zhao Jin shook his head and chuckled, saying, "I truly did not know there was such a hero within the city."

Chen Ergou and Butcher Li's faces stiffened. They thought that if Zhao Jin decided to withdraw, the retaliation from You Zhenrong that would follow would truly be impossible to withstand. They did not expect Zhao Jin to wave his hand with a smile and say, "Have your men charge first!"

Butcher Li and Chen Ergou finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly shouted orders. Their several dozen underlings had been swaggering about all morning, and each of them had more or less pocketed some valuables, all of them in high spirits.

But arriving before the doors of Jinbao General Goods and seeing the several dozen men arrayed in full battle readiness across from them, they became somewhat timid. They followed along in this life to live freely, eat well, and drink well — not to fight with their lives on the line and prove their mettle.

Yet in the current situation, there was no room for them to retreat. The pressure brought by those stern young household retainers standing behind them was even greater.

Smashing their way along this entire route, they had witnessed the skill of these young men at the rear. A few houses up ahead had resisted fiercely, even managing to beat back these ruffians. They had thought nothing could be done, but unexpectedly, Zhao Jin's household retainers formed ranks and charged once, directly smashing through.

Not to mention that several times, in the heat of the smashing and looting, some had tried to take advantage of the womenfolk, and others had even wanted to set fires in broad daylight. All such actions had been mercilessly suppressed by Zhao Jin's household retainers, who beat them until they had no strength left to fight back.

Ahead were wolves — there was still a chance to fight. Behind were tigers — those would devour a man. Chen Ergou and Butcher Li's underlings hesitated only briefly before the most belligerent and ruthless ones at the front let out a battle cry, raised their weapons, and charged forward.

The men in front of Jinbao General Goods were no slouches either. They also roared and met the charge. The two sides collided, and the sounds of cursing and cries of pain merged into one.

"Have our men form a horizontal line. Twelve men across, five men deep. The rest are in reserve. If anyone in the front flees back, don't hold back — just drive them back forward." Zhao Jin issued his orders.

Ji Xiang, Shi Manqiang, and Sun Dalei immediately ran off to make the arrangements. As Sun Dalei walked, he muttered, "How does he calculate so fast? Even our family's bookkeeper is just like this."

Arranging the household retainers into columns and rows — how many men per file and per rank — required a certain ability in mental arithmetic. Zhao Jin could produce the result very quickly every time, which greatly surprised the companions around him. They felt that a capable man was capable of everything.

Zhao Jin considered such matters trivial, but it reminded him of knowledge once discussed by a friend at his sickbed in his previous life: officers and sergeants in European infantry regiments each carried a booklet filled with various numerical combinations, precisely for the purpose of dealing with different numbers of men and different formations, and how to array them.

The battlefield changed in the blink of an eye; not a moment could be wasted. One had to react as quickly as possible and get the soldiers arrayed into square formations.