Chapter 28: It Is Not So Easy to Plant a Flag

Inside the hotel’s private room, Chen An sat upright, savoring his tea. Thanks to Wu Ergou’s silver-tongued persuasion, the asking price for the property had been slashed from five hundred taels of silver to three hundred. However, the original owner had one condition: he insisted on meeting Chen An in person.

A moment later, footsteps echoed from the hallway. The door pushed open, and a young man dressed in fine, embroidered silks walked in. Unlike Chen An, who was somewhat guarded, the young man seemed to know a great deal about him.

"Brother, I don't believe we have met before?"

"Commander Chen, your reputation precedes you. From finding the tributes for the Yuling Tribe, exposing the traitor within Huyang Pass, and slaying the generals of the Jiuli Tribe, to lifting the siege of Hulao Pass—I have long admired your deeds."

Chen An managed a wry smile inwardly; he had not expected his recent exploits to have gained such notoriety.

"Forgive the intrusion," Chen An said, maintaining a polite tone.

"I won't bore you with business talk. I came to see you today primarily to offer a word of warning," the young man said, getting straight to the point. "Making a living in Baichuan Post is no easy task. I’ve heard about what happened today. But, if I may speak plainly, a tall tree catches the wind. Your high profile will likely give others a pretext to target you."

Chen An was genuinely curious. "I’m just running my business. It doesn't interfere with anyone else, so what could there be to criticize?"

The young man gestured toward the bustling street outside. "There are seven or eight taverns in Baichuan Post, each with its own signature. My establishment is no exception; we are famous for our 'Prosperity and Joy' dishes. However..." He hesitated, then continued, "Unfortunately, in my youthful arrogance, I have refused to pick a side."

"Pick a side?"

"While Baichuan Post nominally falls under the jurisdiction of the Magistrate of Huyang County, it is far from the capital and dangerously close to the Prefecture. In reality, it is a special zone."

"The Prefecture?" Chen An asked. "You mean Cheng Qian?"

"Exactly. The forces behind all the taverns, eateries, and merchants in Baichuan Post belong to Prefect Cheng Qian. Not only does he abuse his power for personal gain, but he also drives up prices, which is the very reason why those displaced refugees are here."

Chen An scoffed, "I don't believe Cheng Qian would dare to drive us out so brazenly."

The young man shook his head. "It is not that simple. You must be careful."

With that, he rose to leave, a sense of melancholy lingering in his words. "Commander Chen, I have heard bits and pieces about your relief efforts for the refugees. I respect your character, and I hope you can stay true to your principles and continue your work."

Chen An nodded slowly. "Don't worry. Those people aren't enough to move me."

As the young man had predicted, that very night, in the tavern belonging to the bulbous-nosed proprietor, candles flickered, casting shifting shadows over the faces of the men gathered inside. Boss Wang slammed his teacup down hard. "That man surnamed Chen is too arrogant! If we show weakness now, our business on this street is finished!"

The other tavern owners gnashed their teeth in agreement. "Why not go all the way? Let's hire some men to teach him a lesson!"

Boss Li, lurking in the corner, spoke with a sinister edge, "Let’s use the old method. Find Chief Liu of Leopard Mound. Give him some coin, and I guarantee that Chen fellow won't be coming back!"

"Agreed!"

"It’s settled."

At midnight the following day, dozens of bandits descended like a dark cloud upon the residence where Chen An was staying. Chief Liu, a man of brutish build, his steel blade gleaming with a cold light, kicked open the gate. "I hear someone is causing trouble in this territory? Hand over your valuables, kowtow to me three times, and maybe I’ll let you keep your life!"

Before the words had even faded, the courtyard door creaked open, and Chen An stood in the threshold.

"Who are you?" Chen An asked coldly.

"Liu the First of Leopard Mound," the chief replied, clearly a man accustomed to such confrontations. "Listen, kid, I can tell you're a traveler. I’m just doing a job for someone else! If you're smart, pack your things and leave now, or suffer the consequences!"

"It seems you're a man who eats raw rice, but we are men who eat raw meat," Chen An replied. "I’ve taken a liking to this place. From today on, our flag will fly here."

Chief Liu was startled; Chen An’s calm, unhurried demeanor did not seem like a joke.

"It looks like you've chosen the hard way!" Seeing that intimidation failed, the chief prepared to resort to force.

"I always try to talk things out, but I can never understand—why is it so hard for people to see reason?"

"Kid, don't act so big here. One last time: if you don't leave now, I'll wreck your shop!"

"Do you think you have the right to run wild in front of me?" Chen An sneered.

With a wave of his hand, a thunderous battle cry erupted behind him. The men of the Tiger Battalion surged forth like tigers descending a mountain. Amidst the flash of cold steel, screams echoed one after another. Against the elite, disciplined force, the bandits, accustomed only to bullying the weak, immediately broke into a rout.

Chief Liu’s expression shifted, and he turned to flee, only to find Chen An already in front of him, a dagger pressed against his throat. "It seems we couldn't reach an understanding through words. In that case, there is only one path left for you."

"And that is death!"

"No, no, don't kill me!" Chief Liu pleaded with a miserable face. "We were just trying to earn a living! I have an eighty-year-old mother at home and children who haven't yet grown up!"

Within half an hour, the bandits had suffered heavy casualties, and the survivors knelt, begging for mercy. Chen An scanned the men sprawled on the ground, his gaze icy. "Everyone, go home and farm. If I catch you doing evil again, there will be no mercy!"

The next morning, news that Chief Liu had failed to extort the residence and had been beaten instead reached the tavern owners. They turned pale with fright. They knew Chief Liu was a ruthless character, and if even he had suffered such a defeat, they stood no chance. They hurried to Chen An to beg for forgiveness.

Chen An sat in his armchair, his gaze piercing. "I never intended to be your enemy; I only wish to conduct my business here. Since you all know your mistakes now, let us bury the hatchet and be at peace. What say you?"

The tavern owners were overjoyed and quickly agreed.

"However, I still need to resolve the issue of food supply," Chen An said, turning his gaze to the group. "I hear the largest landowner within a hundred miles is 'Skin-the-Peel' Zhou. What kind of man is he?"

The bulbous-nosed boss’s face changed. "Zhou is a harsh man, and his tenant farmers suffer miserably. More troublesome still, he is the maternal uncle of Prefect Cheng Qian, and his influence is vast..."

Chen An stroked his dagger, a cold smile curling his lips. "No matter how vast his influence, it cannot outweigh the men under my command. Tomorrow, we go to meet this 'Skin-the-Peel' Zhou!"