Just as Fang Rui expected.

In the afternoon, news that the first wave of government soldiers sent to suppress the bandits had been utterly defeated spread through the city, setting off a massive uproar.

If not for the news that the Lord County Magistrate had already made arrangements, deploying reserve forces to take up the banner of bandit suppression, the situation would likely be far more chaotic than just an uproar.

Nevertheless, the resulting chain reaction was still terrifying.

Grain prices surged once again, and the common people rushed to buy whatever they could. Even with purchase limits and price caps, it was no use. Rumor had it that fights and stampedes had broken out at several grain shops.

Incidents of petty theft and robbery on the streets also became more frequent.

The Government Office cracked down forcefully, but the results were less than satisfactory.

...

At dusk, as the sun set in the west, its afterglow stained the entire sky the color of blood.

Outside Grass Hall, pedestrians hurried along. Every now and then, constables and governmental officers in leather armor could be seen passing by on patrol, looking for criminals.

"The world is descending into chaos!" Fang Rui sighed, sitting behind the counter and gazing out the door.

CLANG!

"Everyone, out here!"

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The sound of a copper gong came from outside the window, causing Fang Rui to frown and stand up.

"Brother Rui!" Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family called out, pulling Fang Ling as she poked her head out from the inner room.

"Mother, you and Ling’Er stay in the house. I’m going out to see what’s happening," Fang Rui instructed before heading out the door.

At that moment, the neighbors in Willow Alley who were at home also came out one after another.

Outside, one glance revealed:

Lord Hu, dressed in all-black short clothes and holding a broadsword, stood imposingly while two of his lackeys banged on copper gongs, summoning the households of the alley.

"What’s going on? Today’s not the day to pay the protection fee. Why are the Tiger Gang here?" someone muttered.

"Did some family get on their wrong side again?" This question stirred up some unpleasant memories.

"No point in guessing. Let’s just wait and see what Lord Hu has to say. But... it’s probably nothing good..." The second half of the sentence was spoken in a hushed whisper.

...

’He’s not here for anything good! Every time I see this damned tiger, it’s never for anything good...’

Fang Rui glanced at Lord Hu, then nonchalantly looked away. He greeted his neighbors with outward enthusiasm, blending into the crowd without drawing any attention.

"Is everyone here? If anyone’s not home, no matter. Just pass the message along when they get back."

Seeing that most people had arrived, Lord Hu cleared his throat and announced loudly, "The Tiger Gang has a new order! The protection fee, which was paid once a month, will now be collected every ten-day period... that is, once every ten days..."

"Furthermore, given the way things are this year, with prices soaring, the protection fee will be increased by another ten percent..."

’Of course it’s nothing good.’

Fang Rui sighed internally. ’Collecting every ten days... they’re shortening the collection cycle. It seems the Tiger Gang is also worried about the city’s situation. But raising the fee by ten percent... that’s just... insane!’

If the Tiger Gang’s previous protection fees were like harvesting leeks, then these continuous increases were like digging up the leeks by the root.

’The first point isn’t so bad; it’s just a matter of paying three in the morning and four at night, or four in the morning and three at night. But the second point... that’s truly adding frost to snow!’

Fang Rui looked around.

As expected, the crowd of neighbors erupted in an uproar, the noise reaching the heavens.

"Didn’t they just raise it by twenty percent the month before last? Now another ten percent? How is my family supposed to survive?"

"Exactly! Life is already hard enough, and now they’re adding to the fee..."

"They’re trying to drive us to our deaths!"

...

Some sighed, some complained of their suffering, and still others wept openly...

Some even tried to egg each other on, building up their courage and creating a semblance of collective outrage.

"It’s so hard!"

Fang Rui also sighed and groaned, putting on an expression of utter misery.

’An immersive performance, of course!’

Of course, with the support of his business selling finished medicines on the Black Market, the Fang Family could certainly afford this small amount. But one must never reveal their wealth!

"Silence!"

Lord Hu roared, suddenly drawing his broadsword. The bright, cold gleam of the blade shimmered in the twilight, sending a chill through everyone’s heart.

The crowd fell silent in an instant, as quiet as cicadas in winter.

’A fine blade!’ A glint appeared in Fang Rui’s eyes, but he immediately lowered his head just like everyone else.

"The rules are the rules! There’s no room for bargaining. Anyone object? Step forward!"

Lord Hu’s eyes were wide with fury as he stared down the crowd. Wherever his gaze fell, people averted their eyes, not daring to meet his, let alone step forward.

Fang Rui, for his part, was perfectly composed, his feet planted as if rooted to the ground. He sneered internally: ’What kind of idiot would walk into the line of fire right now, offering their own head to test the sharpness of that blade?’

After a long moment, no one had uttered a sound.

"Good. Since no one objects, that means you all agree."

Lord Hu nodded in satisfaction, sheathing his broadsword. His expression softened slightly. "The Tiger Gang isn’t completely unreasonable. How about this: We’re notifying you today to give you some time to prepare. We’ll come back tomorrow to collect this ten-day period’s fee..."

"And if you can’t pay, no problem. You can always borrow from us! Just leave a thumbprint, sign the papers... we’re all friends here, we won’t do anything to you..."

Many people secretly curled their lips in disdain.

Only an idiot would believe those words. The Tiger Gang’s money was easy to borrow?!

With an interest rate of "nine out, thirteen back," it was nearly impossible to repay. And if you truly couldn’t pay it back, your house would be gone for sure. Your entire family might even be forfeit, sold into slavery.

’Xiu’Er! The person who came up with this idea is a real f*cking genius... Openly robbing people, but taking less, only to make the victim write an IOU... No, to be precise, it’s using the money they *didn’t* rob from you to give you a high-interest loan...’

’This is truly... sucking the marrow from the bones!’

A chill went through Fang Rui’s heart.

Every time he thought he understood this world well enough, reality would once again teach him a harsh lesson.

After Lord Hu left, the families of Willow Alley also dispersed in twos and threes, their faces etched with sorrow and worry.