48 Hours a Day

The first rule that the patrol team should be following was not to be nosy. Considering the terrible situation Aris and the others were facing. It was understandable that they to behaved as such. Unfortunately, Aris did not know that Zhang Heng was about to be causing a lot of trouble to them. Earlier, Zhang Heng caused no problem because he was gathering information from everyone that he met and talked to. Now that he had enough information and had found the right time to take action, it was time for him to execute his plan.

Aris had a headache on how to deal with Zhang Heng, who had just joined the patrol.

The higher-ups had told him that Zhang Heng would assist him in maintaining law and order in this area, but they did not explain the man’s identity and position to him in detail. It stood to reason that Aris could only treat Zhang Heng like an ordinary new member in this situation. However, Zhang Heng belonged to someone extremely powerful in the palace. It was rumored that Commodus valued him a lot. Although the two had only met for the first time and Zhang Heng had behaved politely, Aris could see that Zhang Heng was not the kind of person who fancied obeying orders.

“I don’t know why you want to join the patrol. Are you going to help us with the night patrol, or do you want to maintain law and order during the day with deputy captain Spirata?”

Initially, Zhang Heng avoided a question like this, but since Aris took the initiative to ask, Zhang Heng replied, “Actually, I want to borrow your team.”

“Borrow my squad?” Aris was stunned when he heard the words. “Are you saying that you want to be the captain?”

Zhang Heng’s request undoubtedly came off as very rude. Since Aris had just returned from the army a few years ago, he had immediately made it clear to Zhang Heng that he was the patrol leader, and that was a fact that could not be changed. However, his temper had toned down a lot after staying in this place for a long time. To him, the position of patrol captain was not that important anymore. Anyone could sit in this position now. The replacement would need to carry a huge responsibility. Not only had the leader take care of the twelve patrol members, but he also needed to protect their families. That was why Aris was not going to hand over the position to someone that he barely knew.

“No, you are still going to be the captain. You can do what you usually do. As long as you are willing to listen to my command during a critical time.” Zhang Heng said.

“What do you mean by critical period?” Aris frowned.

“For example, tonight, I need you to accompany me to a tavern.” Zhang Heng said.

“Go to the tavern? What do you want to do there?”

“I have some business to be done with a few men over there. Didn’t you say that the funds given by the higher-ups are not good enough because of the low evaluation score?” Zhang Heng looked around and continued, “I noticed that many of your men don’t own a set of good armor. According to what you told me just now, it is not going to be safe for them to patrol the street if they don’t have decent protective gear. One of the major causes of these issues is because you don’t have enough money. In that case, let’s make more money first.”

“How can we make money in a tavern? Work as a waiter?” Someone could not help but interject.

“No, just be still,” Zhang Heng said, “I can handle the rest.”

“How can we make money by just standing still?” Another person expressed his doubts. In fact, this was the question that everyone wanted to ask.

They had stayed here for almost half a year. They knew how difficult it was to make money in this place. Even if they washed dishes in a restaurant, the gang in charge of the area would tax their hard-earned salary. And it might happen more than once. When they heard that they could earn money by just standing still, all of them thought that Zhang Heng must have lost his mind.

“It doesn’t make much sense for me to lie to you. My lie will be exposed once we get to the tavern. So, what do you think? Would you like to come with me tonight?” Zhang Heng’s eyes swept across the crowd.

When everyone heard the question, they all turned around and looked at Captain Aris. Clearly, they were more willing to trust their captain, Aris, rather than Zhang Heng, an outsider.

Aris knew this group of people too well. They had suffered from poverty for too long and had to tighten their belts every month. When they heard that there was a chance for them to make more money, they were almost instantly moved. Out of respect, however, they decided to let their captain determine for them. Even if he disagreed with it, it did make much sense for him to use his power to force them to say no to Zhang Heng.

If he said no this time, could he say no again for the second or third time? Zhang Heng did not have to do anything about it. All he needed to do was to ask this question once every day. Sooner or later, someone would be unable to resist and say yes to Zhang Heng. It was only a matter of time. After realizing it, it was not difficult to understand why Zhang Heng looked so calm on the other side. It seemed like he was not worried that Aris would say no to him.

So Aris decided not to stop him anymore, “Okay, then we will be under your command tonight.”

“Ask the patrol team that is in charge of the daytime patrol to come together with us. They will have more time to rest later.” Zhang Heng said.

Aris knew that it was important for everyone to use this golden opportunity to make more money. Since he did not stop the first team, he certainly would not stop the second team. He nodded, “Spirata and the others should be back soon.”

When Aris was talking, the five people led by Spirata came back from their street patrol. One of them held some wood in his hand. It seemed like he was going to repair the half-repaired table. When they heard their colleagues telling them that they were about to head to the tavern to make money just by standing still, their reaction was similar to that of Aris and others when they first heard the proposal. They found it hard to believe as well.

They had nothing to lose if Zhang Heng cheated them. It was just an extra trip to the tavern, which was why everyone was willing to join in.

In the end, Zhang Heng finally gathered all twelve members of the patrol team, and together they walked to the tavern called Blackwater Bay.

However, Zhang Heng did not enter Blackwater Bay when he arrived there. Instead, he waited for a while until the teenager and his three companions who robbed his money in the afternoon ran over from the alley.

Zhang Heng now knew that their leader is called Seceus, nicknamed Soap.

Zhang Heng did not know why he had such a nickname. Maybe it was because he was really good at stealing others’ money, and every time he got away with it. It did not matter to Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng asked Soap, “Are the Iron Handcuff and his people inside now?”

Soap nodded, “Yes, on the last day of the week, the thieves from the three nearby streets have to report to the Iron Handcuff. They have to hand in the money that they steal or rob to the big boss. The one who robs the most money will be rewarded. And those who robbed the least money will be punished.”

Speaking of being punished, a look of fear appeared on the teenager’s face, “The seven people you beat up this afternoon, their leader is Black Mamba, and he is the right-hand man of Iron Handcuff, And he also has a very powerful thug called Broken Finger. All the thieves from the three streets must obey them.”

“Hmm. It seems that he is the person that I am looking for.” Zhang Heng patted Soap on the shoulder and smiled, “Let’s go in and meet this Iron Handcuff and his men. Don’t be afraid. You are my men from now on. No one will dare to touch you.”