Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 269 Fairness, fairness, and what the hell is it?

And what followed was this scene: with one finger pointing at Arden, who was being carried in front of everyone, and with the other hand pointing at the merchants watching.

"Gentlemen, you work hard from dawn till dusk every day, and your monthly income is only a little over a hundred gold. Luscan's tax rate is not high, only 20%, but this Maginot gang demands a protection fee of a full fifty gold."

Zhang Yuan's expression was spot-on, his indignation practically written all over his face: "You only get 30% of your monthly earnings, and even then, you still have to depend on Arden's mood."

Just as the crowd's emotions were being stirred up, Mr. Zhang's words added fuel to the fire:

"Are you here to do business? You're begging on your knees like this!"

These words were extremely damaging, striking a chord deep within the hearts of the small business owners. Just as everyone was buzzing with discussion, that same voice rang out again:

"That sounds nice, but you guys also collect protection money. What's the difference between you and Maginot Line?"

The excited crowd seemed to have been doused with cold water and immediately calmed down. They said, "Yes, thirty gold coins is indeed much less, but it is still protection money. Who knows if they will change their minds later?"

"Good question." But Master Zhang did not show anger; he responded calmly.

“We do collect protection money, but where in this world can you get something for nothing? If we don’t collect anything, then we don’t have to give anything either.”

"The Maginot Group is gone, but the Bloodsail Gang is still around. Even without the Bloodsail Gang, do you think other gangs would just let go of the meat that's right in front of them?"

The monk's smile held a hint of amusement, and also a touch of mockery:
"Or do you think the kind gentlemen who come later will protect you like paladins without asking for a penny?"

After a brief silence, Zhang Yuan continued, "I hope you understand that we, Shining Gold Coins, could have charged higher fees, and we could have kept all of Maginot's money for ourselves. We didn't do so because we didn't want to, but we are not paladins."

"I promise you safety, and you repay me with wealth. It's a very simple and fair thing. I'm here for three things," the mage said, looking around with a firm and sharp gaze that made many onlookers gasp in surprise.

"Fair, fair, it's still fair!"

The impact of this scene on the group of small vendors gathered there was indescribable. They listened to the burning words that the other party had repeated three times, yet they seemed to have never understood their meaning.

But Master Zhang said no more. He simply took out a stack of contract documents and had Münster bring out the money box full of gold coins and open it in front of everyone.

The dazzling golden light roused the dazed vendors, who then eagerly and absentmindedly crowded around to sign their names.

"Exposed domineering attitude, seeking death!"

After listening to the cries of the ragged, bruised and battered impoverished people in front of him, Gan Molin was filled with shock and anger.

For every person who laughs, there is someone who cries. Compared to a captain who had taken over a piece of territory in the market area, established his authority, and was full of vigor, the Maginot gang members were undoubtedly devastated when they were cornered, beaten up, lost their territory, and were covered in wounds.

On the day they came to uphold justice, Canaan's group, apart from taking one life during the battle with Kegan's axe, did not completely slaughter their incapacitated opponents.

After all, they weren't murderers, but there was no need for unnecessary pity either. Cutting off the thumb of each gang member's dominant hand as punishment also reduced their willingness to commit evil in the future.

As for the money plundered? Of course, it was confiscated as illicit gains, sent to the team's slush fund, and distributed to the franchised merchants.

That same night, the unfortunate group of people who had lost all their territory and property and had temporarily become Nine-Fingered Beggars went to their backstage and cried to a minor leader of the Blood Sail Gang.

After hearing the whole story, especially Arden's exaggerated description of how the captain with the glittering gold coin used fairness to entice the merchants, the other party blurted out that he was courting death.

But that's all.

The Maginots, who were eagerly watching Gammon and hoping to hear more about his revenge plans, felt a chill run down their spines as they watched Gammon's evasive and evasive manner.

But Gamlin also had his own considerations.

The new gang that appeared out of nowhere was indeed acting arrogantly, and he was indeed very unhappy. Even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner. Is the Blood Sail Gang's reputation so worthless?

But to say that you would just go to their door to avenge your underlings and settle scores?

Putting aside the fact that Blackfin Fish, who is also one of the Big Five, just looking at the comparison of strength, Maginot Wall's reputation is not just based on hype, and the territory it occupies is not something that other gangs in the Market District would give up to it.

In terms of strength, Gammon and his direct subordinates were only slightly stronger than Arden and his group. They knew that even if they went all out, they could only win by a narrow margin or even a Pyrrhic victory. They could never win as easily as that new gang, who not only escaped with no damage but also left themselves with room to maneuver, completely dominating them.

If you can't get any benefit by taking matters into your own hands, the only solution is to call in reinforcements, but why should you?
Every day, conflicts and struggles occur in Luskan. Gangs of all sizes are constantly fighting each other for profit and territory. What is happening now is just another example of Luskan's daily routine.

Looking at this bunch of stray dogs in front of me, they don't look like the Blood Sail Gang's subordinates at all. They could be mistaken for a branch of the Beggars' Gang. They've even had their thumbs cut off. They probably don't have any future to speak of. Why should I go out of my way to do them a favor?
"I understand. This matter can't be rushed. Let's wait and see how things develop." Gammon responded indifferently to Arden and the others' earnest pleas.

The nine-fingered beggars felt a pang of unease. Wouldn't waiting and seeing mean the matter would never be resolved?

But upon closer inspection, the other party was already impatiently waving their hand and starting to see the guests out.

After Arden and his group left, their minds were in a daze. They didn't know how they got back to their base or how they got through the night until morning.

Just as they were lying on the bed, listless and playing the role of a lazy bum.

Tuk-tuk-tuk~
It's that knocking again, that damn knocking so early in the morning!

They stared at each other for a long time, neither wanting to open the door. As the knocking grew more urgent, the unlucky guy with the least strength finally endured the most stares and helplessly shuffled to the door to ask who it was.

Originally, the garrison was supposed to have a rotating duty for sentry duty, but after yesterday's battle, the morale of the entire team was completely shattered, and they couldn't care less about anything else.

"It's you!"

The unfortunate fellow, upon opening the door and recognizing the visitor, was horrified and let out a shrill scream like a castrated rooster.

Thank you to Lazy Dormouse for the monthly pass!

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(End of this chapter)