Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

Liang Kuan was in high spirits when he heard this and found it extremely strange:

"Leave? Why should I leave? This shady establishment clearly cheated me, and I'm going to take it to the authorities for justice!"

The old beggar shook his head and sighed in despair:

"What's the point of arguing! This teahouse is owned by Manager Qian from the city!"

"Manager Qian has monopolized the rice trade in the entire city, driving prices sky-high!"

"Why are we so poor even though we're right by the sea? It's because grain prices are too high; the money we make from fishing simply can't buy rice!"

"The county magistrate and he are in cahoots. When the constables arrive, they won't care whether you're in the right or not; they'll definitely lock you up!"

"Don't even think about getting out of here without tearing your bones, sucking out your marrow, and peeling off your skin! Get out of here!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Kuan's anger intensified:

"Are there really such corrupt officials? Colluding with unscrupulous businessmen to bleed the people dry?!"

He turned to look at Chen Wen and Yan Zhendong.

However, they found that the two people did not show much surprise or anger; instead, they were calm.

"Captain, Master Yan, aren't you angry?" Liang Kuan asked, puzzled.

Yan Zhendong said calmly:

"Get angry? That happens all the time. Nine and a half out of ten officials are like that. The other half either haven't learned it yet, or they've already been ostracized and have no way to survive."

Chen Wen sighed softly and turned to look at the desolate streets and the emaciated people outside.

"Although this is the first time I've witnessed something like this in person, I've heard far too many stories about it."

"If it weren't for this, with the government so corrupt and the people so suffering... what would be the point of having us?"

"Why would anyone be willing to join us in a rebellion?"

Liang Kuan was stunned.

Yes, if the court is good and the officials are honest, the common people will be able to eat their fill and stay warm.

Who would want to rebel? And who would follow them in rebellion?

Their existence is predicated on the fact that the world has become utterly corrupt.

A heavier, yet clearer sense of mission suddenly welled up in Liang Kuan's heart, and he clenched his fist tightly.

"Captain, what do we do next?"

Chen Wen turned around, looked at Liang Kuan, and smiled:

"Aren't you supposed to be a great fighter?"

"Then let's keep fighting."

Upon receiving permission, Liang Kuan immediately felt a surge of excitement and straightened his back:

"Yes, Captain!"

Chen Wen and the other two, of course, did not run away, and remained sitting there leisurely.

The waiter had already run away, so Liang Kuan had no choice but to temporarily act as the waiter and pour tea for Chen Wen and Yan Zhendong.

but.

A group of people gradually gathered outside the teahouse, pointing and whispering about what was inside.

"These outsiders are really bold..."

"Sigh, young and impetuous, unaware of how dangerous this place is, he's probably in big trouble."

"They dare to cause trouble at Manager Qian's shop? Even the county magistrate has to give them some face..."

"Look, the constables are here!"

Sure enough, a short while later, a series of chaotic footsteps and shouts approached from afar.

"Officer Xie! Hurry! Don't let those freeloaders get away!" It was the waiter's urging voice.

Then another somewhat impatient voice retorted:

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! We're running right now!"

"Your Manager Qian sells grain for more than silver, and the brothers can't even afford a decent meal. They've run away fast enough!"

The waiter's voice immediately rose, carrying a threatening tone:

"Xie Si! Let me tell you, if you don't handle this matter properly, I'll go back and report to Manager Qian immediately!"

"You know perfectly well what kind of relationship the shopkeeper has with the county magistrate! I won't be the only one who suffers in the end!"

The constable known as Xie Si seemed to choke for a moment.

After a moment of silence, only the sound of more hurried footsteps and a few suppressed complaints could be heard.

Soon, a group of constables in uniforms, led by the waiter, rushed breathlessly to the entrance of the teahouse.

The waiter immediately jumped up and pointed inside, screaming as he spotted Chen Wen and his two companions sitting calmly inside:

"It's them! Officer Xie, these are the three scoundrels from out of town! They ate our food but didn't pay, and they even injured so many of us! Arrest them!"

The head constable, Xie, had a furrowed brow at that moment.

Looking at the mess inside the teahouse and the thugs lying on the ground groaning.

Looking at Chen Wen and the other two, who were sitting upright drinking tea with calm demeanor, a trace of helplessness and complexity flashed in his eyes.

He sighed inwardly.

Yuelailou is a shady establishment. Manager Qian colludes with the county magistrate to raise grain prices and exploit the people. How could these low-level yamen runners not know this?

After receiving the report, he deliberately dawdled, hoping that these strangers would know better than to run away quickly and avoid getting into trouble.

I never expected the other party to be so arrogant.

Not only did they not run away, but they seemed to be waiting for them to come.

Now, it's difficult for him to smooth things over.

Xie Si composed himself, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Wen and the other two, and tried to soften his tone:

"Gentlemen, I am the head constable of this city."

"Yuelai Restaurant reported that you and your companions ate without paying and even assaulted someone. If you pay for the meal and the medicine, we can settle this amicably, how about that?"

He said it rather reluctantly, and even with a hint of implication.

It's better to lose money than to suffer a terrible loss; just get it over with and leave.

Liang Kuan became even angrier upon hearing this and stood up abruptly:

"Local rules? Rules that condone shady shops ripping people off? Rules that allow collusion between officials and businessmen, turning you constables who are supposed to be catching thieves into protecting these shady shops?"

"You're not constables, you're clearly accomplices to evil!"

Xie Si blushed at what he was said, but he was speechless and could only bite the bullet and say:

"Young man, you can't say that... Every county has its rules, and every shop has its prices. You've eaten, so paying is only natural..."

Chen Wen slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on Xie Si's face. Suddenly, he paused slightly, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

This face... has a strange sense of familiarity.

He put down his teacup and asked:

"Officer, may I ask your name?"

Seeing that the person in charge had finally spoken, and in a calm tone, Xie Si quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute again:

"I wouldn't dare. My surname is Xie, and I'm the fourth son in my family. My neighbors all call me Xie Si."

"Young man, please heed my advice: even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake."

"The owner of Yue Lai Restaurant is quite influential in this city. You outsiders have a hard time traveling, why cause trouble for a meal? Pay the price and leave quickly, it's better for everyone."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen suddenly smiled, a hint of amusement in his smile:

"Officer Xie is right. It's only right to pay for a meal."

Xie Si breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

But then Chen Wen abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning cold:

"But if it's a rip-off, not only should we not pay, but I think it's perfectly justified to smash up this fraudulent place!"

Xie Si felt a lump in his throat, his expression changed, and finally he let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head as he said:

"Why are you so stubborn? You dined and dashed, and assaulted the owner and staff; that's tantamount to robbery."

"If you still don't cooperate, I'll have no choice but to ask you to go to the yamen (government office)."

As he spoke, he placed his hand on the iron ruler at his waist.

Chen Wenhao leaned back in his chair with a leisurely smile and said:

"We don't want to pay this unnecessary fee, and we don't want to go to the yamen, Officer Xie, what do you suggest we do?"

"You...!" The waiter next to him could no longer contain himself and jumped up, shouting:

"Xie Si! What are you waiting for? Lock them up and take them away! If you don't do it now, I'll go back and tell the shopkeeper, and see what you say then!"

Xie Si's face was grim; he knew that things could not be resolved amicably today.

He gritted his teeth and said to Chen Wen and the other two:

"Gentlemen, I've tried to reason with you, but you won't listen. Then... I'll have to offend you!" With that, he abruptly waved his hand. "Take him down!"

Several constables who had been waiting impatiently behind him immediately shouted and pulled out iron rulers and chains, ready to step forward and arrest the man.

Chen Wen remained motionless, only speaking softly:

"Liang Kuan! Go!"