Chapter 97

Just as he finished speaking, Zhao Jin raised the spear in his hand and thrust it down. One-Tuozao, who had been talking happily at the front, was caught off guard by the spear shaft striking his shoulder heavily, causing him to fall to the ground. Just as he was about to raise his head, the spear tip was already planted in the ground next to his neck, making him dare not move.

"In front of the officials, wielding a sharp weapon and committing violence on the street, are you planning to rebel?" a man in a blue robe, holding an iron ruler, shouted.

"If you know what's good for you, put down your weapons and go to the yamen to explain yourselves. Otherwise, when the main force arrives, there will be no mercy!" another man shouted.

This rhetoric was delivered smoothly. If used to deceive the uninformed, it could indeed scare a few. With their show of force, everyone except Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng changed their expressions.

Zhao Jin's spear still pressed against One-Tuozao on the ground, but he smiled and looked at Chen Sheng, who was also grinning. The two of them looked at each other and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Their indifference enraged the three men in blue robes. They thought, "These two half-grown kids are still so arrogant," but the eight half-grown kids in front of them were all tall and strong, and their weapons were all battle-ready, looking very fierce. They didn't dare to charge recklessly.

The man with the chain around his waist looked around and shouted, "Why isn't anyone sounding the alarm? These must be bandits from the river..."

"Twenty-eight constables in the police station, whose side are you on?" Zhao Jin interrupted them.

Upon hearing "twenty-eight constables in the police station," the three men were stunned. Ordinary people wouldn't have this knowledge. Anyone who could enter and exit the government office was considered a constable, and many people didn't even know the term "police station."

Among the thousands of white-collar officials in the city, all were called constables in the yamen. Who received the government salary and who was just pretending, let alone the exact number of constables in the police station, no one knew.

To be able to say this, they must have a deep connection with the yamen. Before the three men could speak, Zhao Jin smiled and said, "You don't even recognize me, what are you showing off for? Do you really think you're someone important?"

The status of the constables was much higher than that of the white-collar officials. With his father's connections, Zhao Jin didn't care about these few in front of him.

"You..." Now, the three men in blue robes were unsure of the depth of the situation.

Just as one of them spoke a word, Chen Sheng, who was impatient, shouted, "Get lost! Or I'll skin you alive."

They had come with such authority, but now they were being scolded and couldn't even raise their heads. The man with the chain around his waist knew it wasn't good but still said, "State your name..."

"My father is Chen Wu!" Chen Sheng said bluntly.

Upon hearing the name of the chief constable, the three men were stunned, their mouths opening and closing, unable to say a word. After a moment, they turned and ran, getting faster and faster, and by the time they reached the intersection, they were sprinting.

One-Tuozao, who was lying on the ground, looked pale, and Da Tou Huang was in a daze. The people outside the courtyard were all stunned. These officials had always been authoritative and seemed like celestial beings, but today they were like mice in front of a cat, suffering everywhere.

Many of these ruffians had never heard of Chen Wu. For them, the chief constable of Xuzhou was beyond their knowledge.

They hadn't heard of him, but One-Tuozao and Da Tou Huang had, and they could see that Chen Sheng always listened to Zhao Jin, making them very wary of Zhao Jin's background.

"Shi Tou, Da Xiang, hold down this One-Tuozao!" Zhao Jin said.

Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang immediately acted, firmly pressing One-Tuozao to the ground. He instinctively tried to struggle, but with their immense strength, he couldn't move at all.

"Xiao Yong, smash his left hand!" Zhao Jin said coldly.

Liu Yong hesitated, then drew the short axe from his waist and walked over, striking down with the back of the axe. One-Tuozao tried to struggle but couldn't avoid it. His hand was left bloody and mangled, and he screamed in pain.

The crowd's expressions changed, and Zhao Jin's voice became even colder. "What did I just say to you two? Do I need to repeat it?"

"Since Copperhead is dead, we need someone to lead us. Chen Ergou, no, Chen Erge has high prestige and does things well. I'm willing to follow Chen Erge!" One-Tuozao's voice was already distorted by pain, but he still shouted.

"I'll follow Chen Erge. Chen Erge should take Copperhead's position." Da Tou Huang also hurriedly said.

"Is there anyone who disagrees?" Zhao Jin raised his voice, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. No one dared to speak, and no one dared to meet Zhao Jin's eyes.

Seeing no one oppose, Zhao Jin turned and smiled. "Chen Erge, everyone is convinced. Let them kowtow and pay respects to the new leader!"

Chen Ergou's face was not good. He had never expected Zhao Jin to have such a decisive approach, subduing the entire scene in a short time. But thinking back to Zhao Jin's actions of combining kindness and authority a few years ago, he felt it was justified.

Reminded by Zhao Jin, Chen Ergou shivered and hurriedly walked forward, trying to look solemn. His seven subordinates were all extremely excited. They were usually bullied and looked down upon under Copperhead, and with the news of Copperhead's sudden death, they had hoped for a change, but they never expected to gain respect so quickly.

Under the watchful eyes of Zhao Jin and his group, One-Tuozao and Da Tou Huang led the kowtowing, formally recognizing Chen Ergou as their leader.

The ceremony ended quickly. After it was done, Chen Ergou looked lost, not knowing what to do next. He instinctively looked at Zhao Jin, who didn't hesitate, stepped forward, and said loudly, "I am Zhao Jin, the one who killed six monks a few days ago."

Upon hearing this name, there were gasps from the crowd. Street fights were one thing, but causing deaths was a serious matter. Zhao Jin and his group had killed six people, and this impressive feat had already spread throughout Xuzhou. Now, seeing these young, half-grown boys, everyone was shocked.

"Isn't this the one who came here that night?"

"Isn't that the blacksmith's son from the Shi family, and the other one is the son of Old Roast Chicken?"

"I also heard that Zhao Jin is known as the invincible one in Xuzhou this year!"

Whispers rose, and Zhao Jin's deeds were well-known in the city. People began to murmur.

Zhao Jin paused, and the crowd immediately quieted down. He continued, "What Copperhead managed, Chen Ergou will manage. What Copperhead took, Chen Ergou will take. Whoever doesn't listen, think about the fate of those six monks."

The monks of Yunshan Temple were known for their martial prowess, well-fed, well-equipped, and trained by martial arts masters. Their combat ability was much stronger than that of the city's ruffians, and many of them were desperate and fierce. But even they had been killed by Zhao Jin and his group, making this threat very effective.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd turned pale, whispered a few words, and those who heard also turned pale. A few nearby women even trembled. A commotion ensued, and Zhao Jin looked at them coldly, and the crowd immediately quieted, showing even more reverence.

Not far away, Zhao Jin could faintly hear their whispers, "The leader died last night, and they came today. What a coincidence..." This speculation, even the slightly smarter ones could connect, but it didn't change anything; it only made them more fearful and respectful.

By this time, Chen Ergou had regained some composure and said, "The rules are set. Follow them. Everyone, go back to your business. The temple will reopen in the afternoon. Spread the word quickly."

Those involved hurriedly agreed, and some wanted to approach to curry favor, but seeing Zhao Jin and his group standing there, they didn't dare to speak and gradually dispersed. One-Tuozao and Da Tou Huang were also helped away, looking dejected.

When most people had left, Chen Ergou urgently told his subordinates, "Zhu Zi, lead the brothers to search Copperhead's house. Don't miss anything. The public funds are all there, and take the private wealth as well. Hurry!"

Zhu Zi, who was still excited, agreed and quickly led the group away.

Seeing Zhao Jin's gaze, Chen Ergou hurriedly explained, "Copperhead controlled both the public and private funds. Everyone says he withheld a lot. His wife ran away with the children years ago, leaving him alone. People say all the things are hidden in his house. I don't want others to benefit."

Zhao Jin didn't care about this. By using decisive means to help Chen Ergou to the top, he had achieved his goal. He didn't want to stay here long. After hearing the explanation, he nodded and said, "If you have any difficulties, come to me. Remember to wait at my house tomorrow morning. I have something to tell you."

After saying this, he turned to leave, and the others followed. Seeing this, Chen Ergou panicked, forgetting his fear, and grabbed Zhao Jin, saying, "Young Master Jin, you can't leave. I still have many things to discuss with you. Come inside and sit down, let me explain."

Zhao Jin pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "The brothers have worked hard. Let's go inside and rest!"

Everyone agreed loudly. Today, following Zhao Jin, they had been extremely authoritative, completely overwhelming these ruffians. They were excited and wanted to stay longer to enjoy the respect of others.

"I'll go in first to boil water and make tea!" Chen Ergou said hurriedly and ran inside.

Now, only Zhao Jin and his eight companions were left outside the courtyard. The tension finally relaxed. Liu Yong swung his axe and said, "What a rush! Following the big brother is so satisfying!"

"Chen Erge is the leader now, so Xiao Yong, you're the second!" Sun Dalei joked, and everyone laughed.

---

The courtyard outside was now empty, and the tension finally relaxed. Liu Yong swung his axe and said, "What a rush! Following the big brother is so satisfying!"

"Chen Erge is the leader now, so Xiao Yong, you're the second!" Sun Dalei joked, and everyone laughed.