I Accept Bribes and Get Praised for My Righteousness

Beasts are not something ordinary people can be, or even willing to be.

But some 'people' insist on becoming beasts.

He Sen is that kind of guy. The things he's done wouldn't get him many years in prison on Earth, but in jail, even the lowest rat who steals chickens and dogs would beat him to a pulp.

The luxurious private room was filled with a fresh, fragrant scent, but even the fragrance couldn't mask the stench emanating from He Sen.

At this moment, He Sen's chest felt like it was burning with flames; he was furious.

This brat had ignored him.

Ever since he entered the room, the brat had glanced at him once and then sat there arrogantly.

Who am I?

I am He Sen, the Hall Master of Loyalty Hall!

Even Wang Changhai would politely call him 'Brother He' if he saw him.

"Oh my, why would you leave the gang life to join the Security Bureau? And become a Rookie Officer, no less. This line of work isn't easy," He Sen said, crossing his arms and speaking in a sarcastic tone.

Qin Si, standing nearby with a smile, holding a wine pot and pouring drinks, felt his arm tremble slightly. He could tell He Sen's sarcastic tone and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Brother He, Master Lin has great aspirations. He joined the Security Bureau to protect the peace of the region. With Master Lin's abilities, he'll surely be promoted and attain an official rank in no time."

Damn it.

He Sen, don't cause trouble for me.

I invited you here to build bridges, not to mess things up.

He Sen let out a chuckle, his tone full of disdain.

However, perhaps remembering the purpose of his invitation, he didn't say much more.

Qin Si was indeed an old hand, a seasoned veteran. He steered the conversation, initially avoiding the topic of Jin Biao and instead sharing interesting anecdotes to warm up the atmosphere.

It was like going to a brothel; you don't immediately start taking off clothes. You drink, you flirt, and when the mood is right, things naturally progress.

Song Qing and Yang Ming sat there without saying a word.

Song Qing, in particular, understood He Sen and Qin Si best. Neither of them were good people; if the law were just, they'd both be beheaded.

Therefore, he hadn't touched anything yet, disgusted by the thought of eating with them.

Lin Fan's peripheral vision caught the squad leader's reluctance, but Yang Ming seemed unfazed, eating heartily and nodding occasionally, showing his approval of the dishes.

Lin Fan smiled, "Master Qin Four knows so much. I heard that when you were young, you wielded two watermelon knives and fought your way from the south of the city to the north without batting an eye, earning a fearsome reputation."

Huh!?

Qin Si was stunned. Who had exaggerated his reputation so unrealistically? Fighting from the south to the north? What nonsense.

"Haha, Master Lin, let's not talk about the past. I'm old now, old. I don't have the same drive as before," Qin Si said, stroking his smooth bald head and waving his hands humbly.

He accepted the story.

When you're out and about, stories are told by others, and your identity is given by yourself. Since the other person said it, he'd just go along with it. After all, bragging doesn't cost money.

"Master Lin, let's drink, let's drink," Qin Si said, raising his wine cup with great enthusiasm.

Lin Fan smiled and drank it all in one gulp. The strong liquor was quickly broken down in his stomach. He found that his Beginner Body Refinement was quite potent; alcohol didn't have much of an effect on him.

This Body Refining wasn't just about being tough. Every time he improved, he clearly felt an all-around enhancement of his body.

His strength and speed had noticeably increased.

At this moment, Qin Si was perfectly demonstrating his social skills, but he kept an eye on Song Qing's expression. After all, Song Qing was a squad leader, and his official rank in the Security Bureau was much higher than Lin Fan's.

When he saw Song Qing proactively pouring wine for Lin Fan...

He was stunned.

An astonishing thought surfaced in his mind.

That is, Song Qing, while appearing to be a bantou (head of a squad), had actually become Lin Fan's subordinate long ago.

As they clinked glasses and the wine flowed, Qin Si and He Sen's faces turned red, especially Qin Si's.

"Master Qin Four, this dinner tonight isn't just a simple dinner, is it? If you have something to say, please say it directly," Lin Fan said, seeing that the time was right.

Upon hearing this, Qin Si finished the wine in his hand, put down the cup, and sighed, "To be honest, Master Lin, the Jin Biao you arrested tonight is my distant nephew. His parents died early, and he came to me for support. I'm usually busy and haven't supervised him properly. It's truly detestable that he dared to extort people in the market."

"I've also apologized to the stall owners and received their forgiveness."

"Therefore, I hope Master Lin can be lenient and release him."

Qin Si could spin a story as easily as he breathed, not caring about its truthfulness. When you're out in the world, the truth of a story doesn't matter as much as having a story to tell, so that people have a way to save face.

If you just demand someone be released, the other person also needs to maintain their dignity.

Lin Fan put down his chopsticks, feigning difficulty. The understanding Qin Si immediately took out a box from behind him, opened it lightly, and revealed several neatly arranged silver notes.

There were three bills, each worth one hundred taels.

Among the officials he bribed, the prices were clearly marked, with payments made once a month.

Rookie Officer, one tael.

Regular Officer, five taels.

Captain, twenty taels.

Those at the level of Clerk or Registrar were all thirty taels.

Further up, the Deputy Magistrate and Magistrate were only forty to fifty taels.

Therefore, Qin Si offering three hundred-tael bills was considered giving Lin Fan plenty of face.

It wasn't because he was yielding to Lin Fan's Rookie Officer position, but because he knew the Lin surnamed person was very capable. If he truly insisted on holding Qin Si accountable and becoming his enemy, it would be very troublesome.

If it could be settled with money, it would naturally be welcomed.

Lin Fan looked at the bills without a word, but Song Qing, standing beside him, couldn't help but speak up, "Three hundred taels, what a colossal sum. Ordinary commoners probably can't earn this much in a lifetime, or even in this meal, which is equivalent to a commoner's annual earnings."

Qin Si blinked.

Which commoners are so good at making money that they can earn at least twenty taels a year?

"Captain Song, those are profound words."

Qin Si flattered him, inwardly complaining, He's here, and he's still worrying about the common people, instantly elevating our bribery scene.

Lin Fan looked at Qin Si with a smile, "Master Qin Four, are you trying to bribe me? According to the Law, page seventeen, line three, a civil official who accepts bribes totaling one hundred and twenty taels shall be sentenced to death by hanging, and also to be beaten. Seventy strokes per tael. If I accept your three hundred taels, how many strokes do you think I'll get?"

He Sen was stunned.

Qin Si was also stunned.

What the hell?

Are you sick?

I'm just giving you money, and you're quoting laws at me.

Everyone in Yong'an City knows I, Qin Si, understand the law the least.

Qin Si, who had managed to get to his current position despite being ignorant of the law, had a sharp mind. It naturally turned faster than anyone else's. "Master Lin, you can't just say things like that. This isn't a bribe; it's me returning your money."

"Returning my money?"

"That's right. How long ago was it? I borrowed three hundred taels from you, and I still have the IOU. Let me find it."

Qin Si fumbled around in his clothes and soon produced an IOU, placing it in front of Lin Fan.

Lin Fan looked at the contents of the IOU and read aloud, "Today, I Qin Si borrow three hundred taels from Lin Fan..."

There really was an IOU.

This Qin Si has a plan. He's probably experienced bribing people and knows some people won't dare to accept, so he specifically wrote an IOU.

"Oh my!" Lin Fan suddenly exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "I remember now. It was that morning, you borrowed it from me, right?"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

"I knew it. I felt like I had forgotten something. So that's what it was. Master Qin Four is truly a trustworthy person. If you hadn't returned it, I wouldn't have remembered. Thank you very much."

Lin Fan reached out and put the bills into his pocket. Then, he took the IOU, tore it in half in front of Qin Si, signifying it was void, and also put the torn pieces into his pocket.

"Master Qin Four, did we discuss interest back then?"

"Huh?"

Qin Si was shocked.

Are you a beast? You just say whatever comes to mind.

"Haha, just kidding. With the relationship between Master Lin and me, discussing interest would be too detrimental to our relationship."

"Yes, yes, Master Lin is generous and righteous."

Lin Fan was very satisfied.

Look.

Getting money for free, and being praised as generous and righteous.

Nice!