By the time Zhang Heng finished interrogating the group of robbers, the sky had begun to darken.
Zhang Heng did not rush to report to the patrol team. Instead, he found a small restaurant and had his dinner. He ordered a portion of pickled anchovies, a portion of barbecue, and a small piece of goat cheese with a bowl of coarse oatmeal. All these dishes cost him less than six sestertii.
Zhang Heng also took advantage of the meal to understand the level of consumption in this place.
The prices here were about half of what they were outside, but correspondingly, the portions and taste were not that great. And the ingredients used in the barbecue that Zhang Heng ordered were a little suspicious. Anyway, it didn't taste like chicken or rabbit.
Of course, considering the price-performance ratio, this was not a problem for those who wanted to save money. The main thing that really stopped outsiders from eating here was the issue of safety, especially after dark. Being robbed or burglarized was just a small matter. You might even lose your life if you were not careful.
While Zhang Heng was eating, he saw two diners fighting over a waitress. In the end, the winner went to the second floor with the beautiful waitress, and the loser staggered out of the small restaurant with his hands covering the back of his head. Similar things could be seen everywhere, and Zhang Heng was not interested in watching it anymore.
After dinner, he went to the patrol station.
Although it was called a station, it was actually a dangerous building. The previous owner was killed by a tenant on the top floor when he was collecting rent. His body was hidden under the bed, and it was only discovered after half a month. The murderer was eventually caught by the patrol and sent to the arena to be fed to the lions. However, what to do with the building became a problem.
Since the landlord had died, he lived alone without a wife or children. In the end, the dangerous building was taken over by the patrol team and became the patrol team's station in this area.
Not only did the patrol team live here, but their families also moved into this rent-free apartment with them.
When Zhang Heng first arrived at the door, he thought he had come to the wrong place because there were no signs related to the patrol team, nor were there any training grounds or other facilities. The only small open space was filled with clothes to dry. Other than that, there were two large jars of pickles and a half-repaired table.
"Stand there and don't move. If you come any closer, I'll blind your eyes!" The one who spoke was a little boy, at least from the way he was dressed. He had a short haircut and was wearing a short-sleeved shirt that was a little too big for him. There were bruises on his face, probably from a fight.
At this moment, he was holding a slingshot in his hand, aiming at Zhang Heng vigilantly. An old dog followed him.
Zhang Heng raised his hand, indicating that he was not carrying any weapons. At the same time, he asked politely, "Is this the patrol station?"
"Yes, what happened to you? Were you beaten up and robbed of your money? Or was he beaten up and robbed? Or are you here to report a case? " The little boy continued to ask, but he did not let down his guard. "You don't look like someone from here. Why are you here?"
Before Zhang Heng could say anything, a voice came from behind the little boy. "He is a new member of the patrol team. Put away your slingshot, Viya. Girls shouldn't play with these things all day long."
"But if I don't take the slingshot, who's going to guard this place when you guys leave the patrol?" Wei Ya said unhappily.
"This is the patrol station. No bad guys dare to come here."
"Who said that? Last week, we lost two pieces of clothes, and the week before that, we lost half a bag of wheat, and …"
"There's no way to solve the problem of theft," the man who appeared later said helplessly. "Half of the thieves and thieves in Rome live here."
Although Pannonax did not tell Zhang Heng any information about the patrol team, the latter had already learned most of the basic information about the patrol members in the afternoon.
He knew that the man in front of him who looked like a typical Roman soldier was Aris. He had a burly body and bronze skin. He once fought the Macomanni with Aurelius, and he fought bravely. Unfortunately, he was shot in the calf not long after the battle began. Although his life was not in danger, he could no longer stay in the army to accumulate military merits. So, he had to return to Rome and join the patrol team to maintain the city's law and order.
It was said that he was quite strong, but because of his leg injury, it was difficult for him to fight.
Zhang Heng took the initiative to extend his hand. "Zhang Heng."
"Aris." Aris also shook hands with Zhang Heng.
This time, it was Viya's turn to interrupt. She exclaimed, "Zhang Heng? Are you the oriental who won the championship at the Amphitheatrum Flavium?! Wait, are you a newcomer to the patrol team? " She turned to look at Aris, "Dad, why didn't you tell me that the most legendary gladiator in Rome is going to join you?"
"Because this matter has nothing to do with children. Do I need to report every official business to you? Don't be like your mother, asking questions all day long, "Aris said impatiently.
"But this is a big deal. Didn't you always complain that there is no one in the patrol team who can fight? It makes it difficult for you to enforce the law every time," Viya was full of excitement. "Now, you have the champion of the Amphitheatrum Flavium. No one can beat you."
"The situation here is not that simple, and it can't be solved by one person," Aris said. "Your mother is cooking dinner. Why don't you go and help her? Also, go and ask the people who are going to patrol at night to gather downstairs. We are going to leave soon. "
"You always give me a lousy excuse to get rid of me."
Although she said so, she still went upstairs with the old dog. Before leaving, she deliberately looked at Zhang Heng a few more times. It was as if she was looking at a monkey in the zoo.
"Sorry, my daughter doesn't know any etiquette at all. Of course, this place probably doesn't need that kind of thing," Aris said.
"It's okay. Since I won the championship, I have gotten used to people looking at me like that," Zhang Heng said. "Fortunately, I won't lose a piece of my flesh."
"That's good. To be honest, I didn't expect a big shot like you to be willing to join the patrol team in this area."
"I am just a gladiator who has just regained his freedom. I am not a big shot," Zhang Heng shook his head.
"But I heard that His Majesty the Emperor values you, right? I heard from the people above that you want to come here to accumulate some political capital. Unfortunately, I have to tell you that you may have chosen the wrong place."
"Why do you say that?"
"You heard what I said to my daughter just now. Although this damn place is in the city of Rome, it is completely different from other places. This place is a huge stinking ditch. Thieves, robbers, villains … basically all the scumbags you can imagine live here. This place cannot be changed by one person, not even if you are the champion of the Amphitheatrum Flavium."
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