Yan Shuangfei led ten sturdy young men to the west gate of the ancient city. Seeing County Magistrate Zhou Zhengyi waiting to receive him with yamen runners and City Defense Army soldiers, he quickly dismounted and exchanged formal greetings with the county magistrate.
After some pleasantries, Zhou Zhengyi saw that Yan Shuangfei was courteous and measured, with an extraordinary manner of speech, and was greatly satisfied.
These City Defense Army soldiers knew full well how fierce Yan Shuangfei was. They had witnessed it earlier at the bandits' mountain stronghold and feared him deeply, so they all stepped forward to pay their respects.
After Yan Shuangfei led them into the city, he began assigning patrol duties and tasks to maintain public order.
The county's chaotic situation immediately began to change.
With Yan Shuangfei, their captain, backing them, the City Defense Army soldiers were filled with confidence. Each stood tall and straight. Whenever they saw criminals causing trouble, they rushed forward at once, beat them with fists and kicks, then arrested them and handed them over to the county yamen for punishment.
The constables seemed to have been restored to full health as well.
When certain ruthless men caused disturbances, robbed and smashed things in broad daylight, wrecked merchants' shops, or even committed murder in the streets, they now dared to rush up and arrest those villains.
Those who resisted, whom they could not defeat, were naturally dealt with by Yan Shuangfei. With one slap, he sent them sprawling to the ground, unable to move.
In an instant, Yan Shuangfei and the City Defense Army under his command had taken control of the county's situation.
Public order in the county improved as well.
The common people clapped their hands in delight, praising and thanking Yan Shuangfei and the City Defense Army he