Special Campaign to Sweep Away Crime and Evil

Special Campaign to Sweep Away Crime and Evil

The next day.

Captain Cheng, Captain Liu, and Captain Qian, who had only recently been transferred over, arrived at the Commandant's Residence.

Besides the three captains, a number of centurions and even Black Armored Army squad leaders had been summoned to the residence by Zhou Shan.

"With such a grand gathering, why do you think the Commandant summoned us here?"

"No idea. The notice I received only said to gather at the Commandant's Residence."

"Same here. We were only told to assemble. It didn't say what it was about."

"As the saying goes, a new official takes office with three fires to burn. Other than ordering us to hunt down the murderer of Commandant Liu Jierong when he first arrived, the Commandant has made no moves. Things have been quiet for a month, and he hasn't accepted any gifts. I reckon he's spent this time observing the situation on all sides and gathering information on the various powers. Now, he should be ready to light that first fire."

"Lighting the first fire? That's possible."

"If that's really the case, I wonder how the Commandant plans to burn this fire."

"Shh, the Commandant is here. Quiet, everyone!"

"..."

The moment Zhou Shan appeared, everyone in the courtyard shut their mouths.

The scene instantly fell silent. Only steady footsteps could be heard. Zhou Shan wore a black robe trimmed with rolled gold edging, a black belt around his waist, its sash embroidered with exquisite golden auspicious beasts.

Zhou Shan strode with the gait of a dragon and the steps of a tiger, reaching the front of the crowd in no time.

"Greetings, Commandant!"

The three captains, along with the centurions and squad leaders, saluted in unison.

"No need for formalities." Zhou Shan waved a hand, then said, "I summoned you here today because I have a task for you."

At those words, everyone pricked up their ears.

"Through my secret investigation, I have found that Luyang County has quite a few criminal forces. Relying on their martial strength, these forces use violence, threats, and other means to commit unlawful acts. They run wild, oppress the common people, and show utter contempt for the law." Zhou Shan said coldly, "Since the Black Armored Army has taken control of Qingyang Commandery, we must uphold proper order. We must severely punish these lawbreakers, crush the criminal forces that prey upon the people, and return a bright and clear sky to the common folk.

"Listen carefully. I have the following requirements.

"First, whenever commoners report a case, it must be handled promptly. No excuses or delays will be tolerated.

"Major cases, especially murder cases, must be investigated immediately upon receipt.

"Second, resolutely crack down on criminal forces engaged in illegal usury, violent debt collection, unlawful detention, and acting as underground enforcers.

"Third, resolutely crack down on criminal forces that gather crowds to brawl in the streets.

"Fourth, resolutely crack down on criminal forces that assault and threaten others at will, forcibly seize goods, and collect protection fees.

"Fifth, resolutely crack down on criminal forces involved in human trafficking.

"Sixth, ..."

Zhou Shan listed more than a dozen requirements in succession.

He had copied these requirements from policies in his previous life, making suitable adjustments along the way.

"Anyone who violates the law will be arrested, regardless of their background or status. If anyone dares to outwardly comply while secretly defying my orders, or fails to act, I will never spare them."

As he spoke, Zhou Shan struck a giant boulder more than ten meters away with his palm.

Boom!

The boulder immediately exploded, shattering into four pieces.

"This is the fate of those who outwardly comply while secretly defying orders!" Zhou Shan shouted. "Do you understand?"

"We understand!"

Everyone's hearts tightened as they answered in unison.

"Dismissed!"

Zhou Shan waved his hand.

The group left the Commandant's Residence.

"Captain Cheng, do you think the Commandant is serious, or is he just putting on a show to make it easier to rake in money?"

After leaving the Commandant's Residence, the three captains gathered together. Captain Li asked in a low voice.

"It's too early to tell. When Commandant Liu first took office, he also cracked down hard on security in the county seat and eliminated quite a few criminal forces." Captain Cheng said softly. "But that was all just small-scale trouble. Though he arrested some people, they had no real backing. When people with connections were arrested, someone would send silver to the Commandant's Residence that very night, and the next day Commandant Liu would order them released. I wonder whether this time, too, they'll catch small fish and release the big ones."

"Whether he's serious or not, we'll start by arresting the small ones." Captain Qian said. "First catch the small fish, then the big fish. If someone sends silver to Commandant Zhou's residence and he tells us to release them, then we'll know how to handle this operation. If he doesn't tell us to release them, then we'll just keep arresting people. If anyone comes looking for us, we can simply direct them to Commandant Zhou. Naturally, he'll bear all the pressure."

"That makes sense. If Commandant Zhou takes money and releases people, we'll just copy the gourd by tracing the ladle and follow suit."

Captain Cheng and Captain Li both nodded.

Once Zhou Shan's orders were issued, the Black Armored Army stationed in Luyang County immediately sprang into action.

Black Armored Army patrols could be seen on every main street in the city.

"Are your fruits sweet?"

Hooligan Niu Er led two lackeys to a fruit stall at the street corner, casually grabbed a pear, and asked.

"Sweet. My pears are absolutely fragrant and sweet, with plenty of juice." The stall owner was an elderly farmer. He hurriedly bowed and scraped, saying, "Try one, sir. If it isn't sweet, you don't have to pay."

Niu Er immediately took a bite and nodded. "Not bad. Quite juicy. You two should have a taste too."

"Thank you, Brother."

At once, the two lackeys behind Niu Er stepped forward, each taking a pear and beginning to eat.

As they ate, the three casually took two more pears each, then turned and left.

"Sirs... sirs, you haven't paid yet."

The elderly farmer hurriedly chased after them.

"Paid? Paid what?"

Hooligan Niu Er said.

"The money for the fruit you took, sir."

The old farmer said.

"Hahaha, didn't you ask around who I, Niu Er, am? I take a few of your fruits and you expect payment?" Niu Er said coldly. "Looks like you're tired of living. Beat him. Beat him hard."

"You blind old fool, you dare ask us for money? You're asking for a beating."

The two lackeys immediately rolled up their sleeves and began raining punches on the old farmer.

The old farmer was instantly knocked to the ground and subjected to a barrage of punches and kicks.

"Overturn his stall."

Still apparently unsatisfied, Hooligan Niu Er ordered his lackeys.

"Got it, Brother."

At those words, one lackey immediately went to the old farmer's stall and overturned it.

In an instant, pear after pear rolled across the ground.

"Hooligan Niu Er is bullying people again."

"Who's so blind as to dare demand payment from Hooligan Niu Er? Don't they know Niu Er's elder brother is a minor leader in the Iron Wolf Gang? This street falls under his brother's control."

"That old farmer seems to be new here. He doesn't know Hooligan Niu Er."

"..."

The old farmer was beaten and his stall overturned, immediately drawing a crowd of onlooking commoners who whispered among themselves.

"What's going on here!"

The commotion also caught the attention of a Black Armored Army patrol, which headed over.

"Captain, it's that Niu Er."

One of the Black Armored Guards recognized Hooligan Niu Er.

Niu Er's elder brother was a minor leader in the Iron Wolf Gang, and this street fell under his control. He often treated the Black Armored Guards in this area to drinks.

"In broad daylight, you dare assault someone at will. This is a serious violation of the Commandant's orders." The Black Armored Army squad leader said, "Men, seize them and throw them into the cells."

"Yes, sir!"

Though some of them were familiar with Niu Er, no one dared speak up for him under these circumstances.

A group of Black Armored Army soldiers stepped forward and immediately subdued Niu Er and the two lackeys who had done the beating. Before the Black Armored Army, Hooligan Niu Er instantly became obedient, even voluntarily taking out silver to compensate the old farmer for his losses and medical expenses.

"Take them away!"

Even though Hooligan Niu Er had voluntarily paid compensation, he still had to be detained for ten days according to the law and pay a fine.

In the past, they would have simply turned a blind eye. But Commandant Zhou had just ordered the county seat's security to be cleaned up, and no one dared bend the law for personal gain at such a time.

(End of Chapter)