Chapter Thirty-Nine: Both Light and Shadow Are Me!

County Deputy is essentially the second-in-command at the county government office.

The Captain, on the other hand, is merely a functionary—not even an official—so in theory, Deputy Tian has the authority to order Captain Li to carry out tasks.

But theory is only theory.

Li himself does not operate under the constraints of the imperial court or the county office's framework.

Without a moment's hesitation, he went straight to Magistrate Xue.

In Magistrate Xue's study, Captain Li entered with a cheerful air, clasped his hands, and greeted, "Your Excellency."

Magistrate Xue put down his brush and sighed, "What brings you here this time?"

Ordinary captains—like the previous one who had been expelled from Qingyang by the magistrate—found it difficult to even meet the county magistrate.

But this new captain...

Magistrate Xue could only resign himself to the situation, for this man was both his benefactor and the keeper of his most crucial secret.

Li Yun sat opposite Magistrate Xue, smiling. "It’s nothing much. Deputy Tian came to see me just now."

Captain Li briefly outlined the issue, then said, "Your Excellency, you know I am a kind-hearted person—my conscience cannot bear to whip the common folk. Perhaps you could speak to Deputy Tian and let someone else handle it."

Magistrate Xue fell silent for a moment before sighing, "He has no other choice."

"Qingyang may not be large, but we used to manage taxes and grain collection. In recent years, the court has increased taxes annually, and collecting them has become ever more difficult."

"Several townships below have stirred up trouble."

"There is no other way but to employ the county enforcers."

He looked at Li Yun and said in a grave tone, "You are a man of the underworld. It is understandable that you don’t wish to do this; I won't force you. However, the enforcers still need to be deployed. Assign your subordinates to Deputy Tian."

Li Yun raised an eyebrow, "How much does the court want this time?"

"This time, each household must pay an additional five hundred coins."

Li Yun couldn’t help but frown, "That much?"

This five hundred is not the yearly total, but an extra levy—an amount negligible for well-off families, but for those on the edge of subsistence, it could mean ruin.

Magistrate Xue let out a bitter laugh, "What the court actually demands, I do not know, but the province has instructed us to collect five hundred coins per household."

Li, the bandit chief, understood.

It wasn’t only the court seeking money; local officials, each layer, would skim a bit as it passed through their hands.

And perhaps, the local officials took the lion’s share.

Li looked at Magistrate Xue, "So, your Excellency is not adding any further to the tax—showing some conscience."

"Add more?" Xue grunted, "If we add more, we risk provoking a rebellion."

"In recent years, uprisings storming county offices and slaying officials are not uncommon."

Li Yun’s brow furrowed slightly.

---

He had never intended to meddle in this matter; tax collection was the county’s concern, not his.

But hearing how dire things had become, Captain Li pondered awhile before saying, "Your Excellency, if this continues, I fear the bandits in Qingyang will only multiply."

As a bandit, the disorder in Qingyang should mean little to him.

Yet now, his official identity proved valuable for expanding his influence—and, after all, he was no longer the old Li Mazi. He could not simply let Qingyang descend into chaos.

"What can I do?" Magistrate Xue gazed at Li Yun, sighing, "Do you think I want to collect these taxes?"

"Five hundred coins per household."

Li smiled, "Qingyang has no more than ten thousand households—so that’s five thousand strings of coins."

In this era, population density was low; a county with several tens of thousands was considered sizable, and Qingyang had about ten thousand households.

Magistrate Xue’s expression was odd, "Could you produce five thousand strings?"

Li Yun shook his head, "This time, after suppressing Black Crow Mountain, we gained about a hundred strings, already handed over to the county office. I have nothing left, but I do have an idea."

He asked, "Your Excellency, how long has the higher authority given for the tax collection?"

"Three months."

Magistrate Xue replied solemnly, "A month has already passed."

Li nodded, thinking for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency, perhaps we could ask the wealthy families to donate some money for bandit suppression."

Magistrate Xue scoffed, "You are, after all, a man of the underworld, thinking everyone is as generous as Gu’s family. If not for suffering a great loss, would they ever willingly part with their money?"

Li Yun laughed, "Your Excellency, perhaps we can postpone the tax collection for now. I’ll take two brothers out of town for a few days to gather information about the bandits."

"Who knows, perhaps a wealthy family will suddenly grow a conscience."

…

A few days later, Captain Li, accompanied by Zhang Hu and Skinny Monkey Li Zheng, left Qingyang.

This time, all three rode horses.

Li’s mount was for official use; the other two had purchased theirs.

After leaving the county seat, Zhang Hu let out a whoop and burst into laughter.

"Second Brother, it’s far more satisfying outside! That job in town was suffocating."

Li Zheng chimed in, "Not very pleasant, I agree. The only upside was fewer mosquitoes than on the mountain."

He paused, then added, "And the food was better."

Li Yun glanced at the two, then turned to Li Zheng, asking, "These past days, I sent you to keep an eye on the town’s business houses. What did you find?"

Skinny Monkey nodded, "Most goods are brought in from elsewhere, and the largest grain business is run by Manager Zheng’s family."

"They are Qingyang’s biggest landowners."

"I know him," said Li, stroking his chin. "When I first arrived in Qingyang, he called on me with several estate hands, and we exchanged some moves."

---

Li Zheng blinked, "Second Brother, why are you suddenly investigating these wealthy families?"

"When was the last time our Great Cang Mountain Bandit Stronghold pulled a job?"

Li Zheng was momentarily confused, then replied, "Since...since Second Brother’s last raid for a wife, we haven’t done anything. Didn’t you say things were too tense outside, so we should lay low?"

"That was before," Li narrowed his eyes, smiling, "Now, we are the wind. How can it be tense?"

"Come!"

Li, the bandit chief, shook the reins and laughed, "Let’s return to Cang Mountain and plan some big scores!"

…

Within the Great Cang Mountain Bandit Stronghold, Li sat in the seat of honor in the main hall.

He looked over his subordinates.

By now, Second-in-command Yuan Zhengming had retired and no longer participated in meetings.

But Third-in-command Zhou Liang remained.

Li cleared his throat, announcing, "Listen up! I plan to go down the mountain for a few jobs."

"Skinny Monkey has already gathered some intel. We’ll stick to the old rules: send scouts down for a few days, then strike when the time is right."

"Let me be clear," Li glanced at everyone, "These jobs likely won’t yield much cash or treasure—mostly goods."

Zhou Liang frowned, "Chief, what’s the point without cash? We aren’t one of the big strongholds; we don’t have outlets for stolen goods."

"If we can’t sell, we’ll store it on the mountain. One job includes grain—perfect to replenish our stores."

"We’re not short on cash anyway, nor in dire need. So—"

He slapped the table, declaring, "I am the chief. Things will be done as I say, damn it!"

He looked at his men, "Who’s in favor? Who’s against?"

By now, most seats in the stronghold were occupied by the younger generation.

No one dared oppose Li Yun.

The hall resounded with approval.

Third-in-command Zhou Liang said nothing more, only sighed quietly.

He knew that for his generation—

Their time had come to an end.