"Oh, I can't believe it! This is amazing!!! It's just one night. No, it's just a short time. We didn't do anything. All we did was stand in the tavern, and we earned six Aureus. You should have seen the expression on Iron Handcuff's face … "
When Zhang Heng and the patrol team walked out of the tavern, a young patrol member named Barbier could not help but shout excitedly.
This was probably the most impressive night he had since he joined the patrol team, especially when Zhang Heng said to Iron Handcuff, "30%, not a single copper coin less." At that time, everyone present could hear an unquestionable majesty from Zhang Heng's words.
It was as if the patrol team had hundreds and thousands of people lying in ambush outside the tavern. As soon as Zhang Heng gave the order, they would rush in and kill everyone inside.
Iron Handcuff and his men looked at each other. When did those guys in the patrol team become so stubborn?
Especially Iron Handcuff, who bore the brunt of Zhang Heng's words, because he was sitting opposite Zhang Heng, he could feel it the most. How was this still a patrol team? He felt that the person in front of him was the boss of one of the three major forces that controlled this area.
Such a big shot could decide his life and death with just one word. Iron Handcuff's forehead was even sweating. He found that he could not refuse Zhang Heng's proposal at all. It was not that he could not, but he had no choice.
It was not until Zhang Heng and his men left that he woke up from this nightmare. He noticed that his right hand under the table was trembling slightly.
…
Zhang Heng did not go far. Not long after he left the tavern, he stopped and opened the money bag worth six gold coins.
He divided the money into fourteen portions and distributed twelve of them directly to the patrol team members. Each of them could get about forty-two Sestertius.
This was undoubtedly a huge sum of money for the patrol members who lived on a meager salary. And this was just a week's income. According to Zhang Heng and Iron Handcuff's agreement, Iron Handcuff had to pay 30% of his income to the patrol team every week as a thank you for the patrol team's efforts in maintaining law and order.
No one had any objections to Zhang Heng taking two shares. That was because Zhang Heng was the one who earned the money. Before this, no one thought that he could make money like this. Everyone even thought that Zhang Heng was taking too little. Even if he took the bigger share, no one would say anything.
However, Zhang Heng didn't have much need for money. He still had the income from performing at the Victor Arena. Taking two shares was more to set the rules for how to split the money in the future. After all, since he planned to take over the patrol team, he had to deal with the distribution of profits. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to lead the team far.
Everyone happily took the money, and the way they looked at Zhang Heng changed. They no longer treated him as a newcomer like before. Instead, they looked at him with reverence and kindness.
However, the way Aris looked at Zhang Heng was a little complicated. He did not immediately take his share of the loot.
Instead, he said, "I actually wanted to ask you just now, but at that time, you were still negotiating with Iron Handcuff. You are a member of the patrol team, so I couldn't embarrass you. But now, I think I can ask you that question."
"Excuse me," Zhang Heng said.
"What's the difference between us and those bastards inside if we do this?" Aris asked seriously.
His words were like a bucket of cold water poured on them, making the originally lively and cheerful atmosphere suddenly cool down. The patrol members who received the money all looked a little embarrassed.
Especially the two young men who had just joined the patrol team. Perhaps their ideals had not been destroyed by the terrible reality here. They lowered their heads in shame when they heard Aris's words. Indeed, no matter how careful Zhang Heng's wording was, no matter how dignified he sounded, he could not change the fact that this was a blackmail.
They used their identity as members of the patrol team to blackmail Iron Handcuff and his men. Then, they got the money, just like how Iron Handcuff and his men collected money from the thieves. However, Iron Handcuff and his men were villains. They could do this kind of thing with a clear conscience. The patrol team, on the other hand, were the law enforcers of this area.
After all, they were different from the criminal organizations in this place. It was only because they were rich that everyone subconsciously forgot about this issue. But now that this matter was brought up by Aris, everyone had to re-examine the role they played in this matter.
However, Zhang Heng's expression did not change. He nodded and said, "Good question. Then, can I ask you, what do you think the most important duty of the patrol team is?"
"Maintaining the law and order of this place and arresting criminals," Aris replied without hesitation. Aris answered without hesitation. As the captain of the patrol team, he was no stranger to his duties.
"I don't mean to offend you, but how did you do before I came?"
Aris was silent when he heard the question. After a while, he said again, "We didn't do very well. Iron Handcuff was right about one thing. We were just going around in circles in this area. Those guys were not afraid of us at all. In fact, no one was afraid of us.
"Because none of the residents here will cooperate with us. The entire patrol team is like an empty shell. We don't have enough manpower and funds. There's nothing we can do. All we can do is watch the situation here get worse and worse. As the captain, I have a great responsibility. I even told the new members to mind their own business." Aris laughed at himself, "I know I look like a coward in your eyes."
Aris's words made all the members of the patrol team look gloomy. They knew the patrol team's life very well, and Aris was not exaggerating at all.
"However, even though our days were a little bitter, we were still able to get by. We didn't do anything that knowingly broke the law."
"It's admirable. I'm serious. Given the environment you are in, it's amazing that you can do this," Zhang Heng said. "But … if you really want to fulfill your duties, I'm afraid you need to sacrifice some of your self-esteem and pride. Maintaining your moral superiority will not make this place better. You have been here for a long time. I believe you understand this sentence better than I do."
"I'm not someone who doesn't know how to be flexible," Aris frowned, "but extorting Iron Handcuff will only boost our pockets. I don't see how we can make this place better. In fact, after losing so much money, Iron Handcuff will definitely make his thieves even crazier. In other words, the security of the three streets nearby will further deteriorate."
"That's the case for the time being. But don't tell me you think I'm here just to help the patrol team earn some pocket money? This is just the beginning," Zhang Heng said casually, "When we integrate all the forces here, we can make new orders and rules."
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