"Make way! Make way!"
"Damn it! Watch where you're going!"
On the main street, the runners from the Great Prosperity yamen cleared the way like street-clearing tigers, carrying their cudgels as they shouted at and shoved aside anyone in their path.
Wang Yan, dressed in official robes behind them, broke into a jog and, with a running start, kicked one of the runners flat on his face.
"Damn it, even I don't bully people like that. Why are you lot putting on such airs? That old man's clearly getting on in years, and you slapped him? Don't go anywhere. Beat him up first."
"Yes, sir."
The runners did not hesitate. After being thugs for so many years, they had never met an official like this. He had connections, was young, and was willing to joke around with people like them.
Along the way, Wang Yan had merely chatted with a few of them about their families and told them about personally leading troops against the Japanese pirates in Chun'an. That alone had won the loyalty of these runners.
And just like that, before anything else even happened, the runner working under Wang Yan got a beating first.
While fists and feet rained down on the man until he howled, Wang Yan went over to the old man. "Old sir, that gave you quite a fright, didn't it? It's all right, don't be afraid. Here's a tenth of a tael of silver—buy yourself a pot of wine to settle your nerves. Who am I? The newly appointed Great Prosperity county magistrate. Yes, I can handle some matters in the eastern part of the city, and everything outside the city. If anyone bullies you in the future, come find me at the yamen. I'll deal with them."
What was this? This was