Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Crackdown on Illegal Begging! The So-called Beggar Gang

In the morning, Pei Shaoqing mounted his horse, General Hei, as usual and rode with Ye Hanshuang toward the Hundred Households.

They moved at a leisurely pace, in no hurry, taking in the familiar yet ever-changing atmosphere of the city streets.

Soon, he frowned.

It seemed there were more beggars on the streets today.

Upon arriving at the Hundred Households, Pei Shaoqing immediately summoned Sun Youliang. "Mingde, the number of beggars in the city has been increasing these past few days. It truly pains me to see it."

"My lord, are you planning to distribute congee?" Sun Youliang asked.

Pei Shaoqing shook his head and said nonchalantly, "Take some men and drive them out of the city for me."

Sun Youliang: "..."

"Only leave the young, the old, and those who are genuinely disabled," Pei Shaoqing added while Sun Youliang was still stunned.

Sun Youliang’s feelings were complicated.

’My lord has a bit of a conscience, but not much.’

Pei Shaoqing said airily, "I see they all have hands and feet, and they don’t look sallow and emaciated. The fact that they could walk from other regions to Tongzhou to beg shows they haven’t been starving. They could find other ways to make a living, yet they choose to spend their days begging. What has the world come to?

Go and handle this personally. If any of them are unwilling to leave the city, then collect a personal income tax from them."

"My lord, what do you mean by this... personal income tax?" Sun Youliang asked, looking bewildered.

Pei Shaoqing explained, "It’s exactly what it sounds like. By begging here in Tongzhou City, they are enjoying the safe environment I provide. Therefore, for every Copper Coin they earn in Tongzhou, they must pay me taxes. Otherwise, they are just parasites!"

Sun Youliang felt his mind go numb. ’My lord, you embezzle silver by the chest and you’re a pillar of the state. But when a beggar kneels all day for a few copper plates, he’s a parasite?’

"My lord, creating a private tax law... that’s against regulations," Sun Youliang, as a Scholar well-versed in the statutes, pointed out.

Pei Shaoqing said flatly, "I have connections."

"Yes, my lord!" Sun Youliang had no more questions.

Pei Shaoqing added, "I’m not a bad person. For those beggars who are unwilling to pay taxes or can’t afford to, arrest them all and throw them in jail. When my residence is being expanded, they can be sent over to do the hard labor."

Sun Youliang couldn’t help but feel the corner of his mouth twitch.

’He really isn’t a bad person. He isn’t even human.’

He immediately took his leave and went to handle the matter with his men.

Li Kui passed by him on the way in, lowered his head, and knelt. "This humble subordinate, Li Kui, pays his respects to the Lord Hundred Households."

"At ease. What is it?" Pei Shaoqing asked.

Li Kui rose and said in a low voice, "The night before last, the rebels from the Profound Sect contacted me. For safety, I waited until today to report to you, my lord."

"Mm, well done. A spy must maintain this level of vigilance," Pei Shaoqing affirmed.

Li Kui continued, "The Profound Sect rebels told me that if I have any intelligence for them, I should go to the Junlai Inn and exchange a code with the waiter. That must be their stronghold."

He didn’t mention the small bag of gold.

’In his eyes, that was a perk of being an undercover agent.’

"I will find an opportunity for you to pass them some useful intelligence to gain their trust. It would be best if you could join the Profound Yellow Sect," Pei Shaoqing said in a low voice.

Li Kui dropped to one knee. "This subordinate understands!"

Pei Shaoqing stood up, walked to his side, and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I know you are a man who values friendship and loyalty. But, Li Tique, you need to understand one thing. Old Zhao’s death was not my fault. It was his own and the Profound Sect’s. He failed to stay in his lane, and it was the Profound Sect that either lured or coerced him onto a path of no return.

Completing this mission is not just for your own future, but also to avenge Old Zhao."

"Yes, my lord!" Li Kui replied again.

Pei Shaoqing patted his shoulder. "Go."

"This subordinate takes his leave." Li Kui rose and departed.

Only after watching his back disappear from view did Pei Shaoqing retract his gaze. He turned to Ye Hanshuang and said, "Have Song Youcai send someone to watch his family."

’A spy you send out isn’t always going to be absolutely trustworthy. Just look at those movies and shows—agents getting turned is a common trope. You have to have a way to control them.’

’Li Kui is so loyal to his friends; he’ll care even more about his family. As long as I can get control of his family at a moment’s notice, I can control him.’

’This is reality, not a video game where stats are fixed forever. People can make different choices at any moment based on their own self-interest.’

"Yes, Big Brother," Ye Hanshuang nodded.

Meanwhile, under Sun Youliang’s direction, a group of Jing’an Guards began to clear out the illegal beggars.

"Hey, how much have you made today?"

A middle-aged Jing’an Guard walked over to a corner where three beggars were gathered and casually kicked one of them.

"Hehe, thanks to you, sir, I just started for the day and already got eight Copper Coins. I can afford lunch now."

"Sir, I only got three Copper Coins."

"I got five Copper Coins. Sirs, you have so many kind people in Tongzhou! So many generous folks."

The three disheveled and grimy beggars stood up and answered.

"Alright then, pay your taxes. Just three Copper Coins each. If you don’t pay, get out. You’re not allowed to beg in the city," the middle-aged Jing’an Guard said, holding out his hand.

The three beggars were instantly dumbfounded, looking at each other in disbelief.

They had traveled far and wide.

This was the first time they had ever met an official who extorted even beggars.

"But... sir, we’re beggars."

One of them couldn’t help but point it out.

"Cut the crap! You think I can’t tell you’re a beggar?" the middle-aged Jing’an Guard said arrogantly. "This is an order from our Hundred Households Commander. If you won’t pay and you won’t get lost, then you can go do hard labor building our Commander’s mansion."

The three beggars: (°ー°〃)! ▼_▼!

One of them cupped his fist and said, "Sir, actually, we’re not ordinary beggars. We are disciples of the Beggar Gang."

"Organized beggars... aren’t you still beggars?" the middle-aged Jing’an Guard replied impatiently.

The three were left speechless.

But as organized members of the Martial Arts world, not full-time beggars, the three had tempers. One of them said angrily, "Sir, you’re going too far! We came here with our Squad Leader to attend Old Man Star-Plucker’s birthday celebration! We will naturally leave once the celebration is over."

"Even if Old Man Star-Plucker himself were here, he’d have to kowtow to our Lord! Cut the crap. Either pay up, get lost, or go do hard labor," the middle-aged Jing’an Guard snapped.

"The Beggar Gang is the number one gang under heaven!"

"SHING~" The middle-aged Jing’an Guard’s saber left its sheath.

The three’s expressions changed, and they decisively paid the money.

The middle-aged Jing’an Guard sheathed his saber, weighed the Copper Coins in his hand, and said, "You have to pay this every day."

"Why aren’t you collecting from him?" one of the beggars asked, pointing at an old beggar behind the Jing’an Guard.

The middle-aged Jing’an Guard glanced back, cupped his hands in the direction of the Hundred Households, and said, "Our lord is kind-hearted and unparalleled in his mercy. All beggars who are young, old, or disabled are exempt from taxes."

The three were so angry they laughed. ’That bastard Pei really is a piece of work—a whore setting up a monument to her own chastity.’

"SLAP!" The middle-aged Jing’an Guard raised his hand and slapped one of them across the face. "You deserve a beating for insulting our lord."

"Officer! I didn’t say anything!"

"I think you did," the middle-aged Jing’an Guard snorted coldly and turned to head for the next spot without looking back.

The beggar who was hit stared daggers at the guard’s back, grinding his teeth. "Outrageous! Simply outrageous! When have I ever suffered such a great humiliation?"

"Hey! Beggar! Here’s a reward for you." A pot-bellied young master from a wealthy family casually tossed out a piece of broken silver.

"Thank you, young master! May you live a long life!" The beaten beggar instantly dove to the ground to pick up the money. With a smile on his face, he kowtowed repeatedly in thanks. After getting up and pocketing the broken silver, his expression turned cold again. "These Jing’an Guards are so tyrannical!"

"Forget it. The less trouble, the better. Don’t forget why the Squad Leader brought us here. If we attract the attention of the Jing’an Guard, the whole plan will be ruined. Don’t risk a big loss for a small gain," one of his fellows advised.

Another fellow also said, "Yeah, a batch of young beggars just arrived yesterday to lure those kids. The Squad Leader said we’re wrapping this up today to avoid attracting the Government Office’s attention. Don’t cause any extra trouble."

The beaten beggar could only snort indignantly and swallow his anger. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he stared ahead. "Look, how about that one?"

The other two followed his gaze.

It landed on a little girl of about four or five, running around with a pinwheel in front of a cosmetics shop across the street. She had fair skin and looked extremely cute.

"She’s a budding beauty. It would be a waste to break her limbs and make her a beggar. She’d definitely fetch a good price if sold to a brothel," another beggar said in a low voice.

The three looked at each other, exchanging a glance.

Then, one of them took out a stick of sugar-coated haws, smiling as he waved at the little girl from afar.

The other two looked left and right, keeping a vigilant watch.

The little girl stared blankly at the three, then dropped the pinwheel in her hand and toddled over.

The moment she got close, the other two used their bodies to block the view while the one holding the candied haws clapped a hand over her mouth, picked her up, and ran toward a nearby alley.

The little girl struggled continuously, making muffled sounds.

"Stop! What are you doing!"

Two Jing’an Guards, who were also roaming the streets looking for beggars to tax, saw this and immediately roared.

"Hurry!"

The three beggars didn’t dare to get entangled with the Jing’an Guards.

The one holding the child grabbed her by the collar, threw her from a distance, then turned and bolted into the alley.

One Jing’an Guard immediately strode forward to catch the girl and said to his colleague, "Go report to the Lord Hundred Households at once."

"Right!" His partner turned and sprinted away.

"Ah! Er’ya!" The female owner of the cosmetics shop heard the commotion and came out. Seeing her daughter in the arms of the Jing’an Guard, she forgot her fear and instinctively rushed forward to snatch her back, hugging her tightly.

The little girl wailed, "Mommy! Waaa~"

"Watch your child more carefully. She was just nearly abducted by those beggars," the Jing’an Guard said coldly.

Hearing this, the female owner’s face turned deathly pale. She repeatedly kowtowed to him. "Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"

The young Jing’an Guard ignored her. With his hand on his saber hilt and a grim expression, he strode away without looking back.

Inside his office, an idle Pei Shaoqing was practicing his calligraphy, slowly writing the words for "calm and peaceful."

"My lord! My lord!" A Jing’an Guard hurried in, knelt, and said, "Reporting to my lord, this subordinate was just on patrol and discovered three beggars attempting to abduct a young girl. There have been more people from the Martial Arts world in the city recently, and I fear they are members of the Beggar Gang. I have heard that the likes of the Beggar Gang are fond of such evil deeds as child abduction and human trafficking."

"How dare they!" With a dark expression, Pei Shaoqing slammed his brush onto the paper, splattering black ink everywhere. Expressionlessly, he said, "Relay my orders! Immediately seal the city gates and arrest all beggars for interrogation and screening."

"As you command!" The subordinate immediately took his orders and left.

Pei Shaoqing then looked at Ye Hanshuang. "Sister Shuang, make a trip to the County Government Office. Ask County Magistrate Wang to send governmental officers to assist."

"Yes!" Ye Hanshuang left with brisk, determined strides.

The County Government Office wasn’t far from the Hundred Households, and with her Lightweight Skill, she went and returned quickly.

"Big Brother, County Magistrate Wang said that in the past two days, three families have already reported their children missing, and one family reported their wife missing. He has already dispatched all available governmental officers to assist the Jing’an Guard in arresting the beggars in the city."

"Hmph!" Pei Shaoqing’s expression was dark and uncertain.

’To dare pull something like this on his turf... He would make this bunch of beggars learn what it means for a head to go into freefall!’

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