Chapter 877: Besides Salary, There is Also Performance Evaluation

Since the change in command, the Jadecite City army stopped raiding Riverfall for bandits. Instead, they began an all-out sweep of the Xiji trade route, operating in a no-holds-barred mode. Under these circumstances, it became increasingly costly for the bandit gangs to carry out robberies. With more casualties among their members, the compensation paid out by the gangs became alarmingly high.

As He Lingchuan had noted, sometimes the money and goods plundered by the gangs weren't even enough to cover the compensation. But if they didn't pay, who would be willing to follow them with a blade in the future? The gangs would instantly disband. This was no longer a no-capital business; it now incurred high costs.

Worse still, their channels for fencing stolen goods near Jadecite City were also under He Lingchuan's control. On one hand, it became harder to convert stolen goods into cash, and on the other, the cost of raiding escalated. Xu Zeshou sometimes even had to subsidize operations out of his own pocket. As a robber, losing money, he wondered how much longer he could last. Oh, and the Xiji puppet army was constantly at odds with them. Thinking about all these troubles made his heart heavy.

Tao Lin retorted sardonically, "Isn't this all thanks to Commander He?" If it weren't for the sudden appearance of this He fellow, their lives would still be quite comfortable.

"There are three benefits," He Lingchuan stated, raising a finger. "First, the trade route will be peaceful, and travelers' safety guaranteed. Both the Jadecite City army and the Riverfall gangs will avoid casualties. It's a win-win-win." Addressing the main conflict was enough. As for the few tax revenues, He Lingchuan didn't care, and he believed Panlong City didn't either.

Tao Lin couldn't help but ask, "What good does this do Jadecite City?" But could the authorities be so kind? Most likely, there was some insidious trick hidden within.

He Lingchuan smiled, "This is called 'where the ass sits, the head thinks.' In my position, I have no choice but to fight with bandit gangs. If you reform, cough, I mean, if you go straight, you won't have to fight or pay compensation in the future. You can just sit there with an official badge and collect money."

Xu Zeshou's explanations were completely ignored by Fu Shanlie. After the two sides formed a blood feud, Xu Zeshou couldn't even bother to explain anymore. He had already realized that Fu Shanlie, after devouring so many smaller gangs, was starting to eye the Qionghua Gang. Chen Hao's death and the accusation of providing information were merely pretexts for Fu Shanlie to instigate conflict.

Pocketing road tolls while also drawing a salary? Could there really be such a good deal in the world? He Lingchuan, by instantly revealing the true number of the Qionghua Gang, was hitting him with a warning: the authorities knew the Qionghua Gang's true strength very well.

Listening to all this, it didn't seem so bad. The road tolls might not sound like much, but they were steady and continuous, becoming substantial over time. In the adult world, no pies fall from the sky; only bait. Faced with such favorable conditions, the two bandit leaders grew wary instead. Money, there's no end to earning it.

Zhong Shengguang's emphasis on the Riverfall trade route wasn't about collecting a little tax money, but about maintaining the connection between the Panlong Wasteland and the outside world! Beijia and the Golden Tree Nation secretly supported the river bandits in their rebellion, solely to sever Panlong City's efforts to expand outwards. As long as the Riverfall trade route was busy, Panlong City's trade would naturally thrive.

So why did the Xiji puppet army specifically target him for trouble? It was all because this He fellow killed Fu Shanlie's confidant, Chen Hao, and then falsely accused the Qionghua Gang of providing him with information!

Jadecite City actually didn't plan to dismantle the bandit gangs? Weren't they afraid they'd regroup and grow stronger later, becoming an overwhelming force? "Integrate them into what?" He Lingchuan spread his hands. "The Jadecite City army is already at full strength." Of course, his goal today wasn't to alienate the bandits, so he changed his tone: "As for these 370 people, you can lead them yourself. The same goes for Chieftain Tao; you can lead your own people."

Isn't the first step of an amnesty always to break up the bandit gangs and disperse these desperate individuals? This move is called clipping their wings, reducing their threat. Xu Zeshou, exposed, inwardly trembled.

Xu Zeshou lifted his chin, "My gang has over 500 people, how will they be settled?" Originally, there were, but the new leader of the Xiji puppet army made trouble for him, ambushing the Qionghua Gang. Afterwards, both gangs suffered losses in the fierce fighting, but the Qionghua Gang lost more, with around sixty dead and forty having fled. What was most infuriating was that about twenty more people, seeing the other side was stronger, defected to the Xiji puppet army!

He Lingchuan smiled knowingly, "Chieftain Xu, you have exactly 370 men under you, even counting the raft-builders. There are not over 500." Spending a little money for peace and lives seems worth it, doesn't it?

"Second, Panlong City has never been interested in a small amount of road tax, but in the long-term peace and stability of the Riverfall trade route. As long as commerce flourishes and benefits both officials and common people, it's fine if Jadecite City doesn't earn this small tax." Xu Zeshou didn't quite understand what "dividend" meant. It sounded like a subsidy, but he was too embarrassed to ask at the moment. Even Tao Lin was surprised: "You're not integrating us?" On this point, Jadecite City would inevitably have to make some sacrifices. It was too good to be true.

Remembering this, although Xu Zeshou was furious, the thought that had been circling in his mind on the way there, like "taking the opportunity to cut down this He fellow," had vanished without a trace. Indeed, on this point. If a tiger doesn't show its might, you shouldn't mistake it for a sick cat. What kind of selfless, wronged-party spirit was this? Only if the Riverfall trade route remains unblocked will the Panlong Wasteland avoid falling back into an isolated and helpless state, as historical developments later showed. With the Riverfall trade route so busy, Jadecite City was actually handing over the road tolls to the bandit gangs! Managing the trade route had costs for Jadecite City; this wasn't free labor, it was a net loss.

"What's wrong with stable prosperity?" He Lingchuan continued. "However, from now on, you'll need to turn over two-tenths of the money you collect from the trade route to Jadecite City. By paying this, you'll be considered contributing law-abiding citizens and won't have to worry about official suppression. Furthermore, as long as your managed sections of the route remain peaceful, I can apply to Jadecite City for a reward. This reward will not only return those two-tenths to you but will also add an additional one-tenth as a subsidy. This extra three-tenths will then be distributed as dividends to gang members who make outstanding contributions. After all, if you're working for the authorities, it's only right to receive performance-based pay from them, isn't it?"

"Third!" He Lingchuan's expression grew serious. "My target is the Xiji puppet army, not any of you!" Tao and Xu exchanged glances, both thinking, "Here it comes, this is the main point."

"The Xiji puppet army harms both the trade route and Riverfall. Since its invasion of Riverfall Lake, how many gangs have disbanded because of it? How many balances have been disrupted?" He Lingchuan's eyes shone brightly. "Who is behind this puppet army? I believe both of you know better than I do. Without eliminating the puppet army and severing the dark hands, Riverfall will never know peace!"

Xu Zeshou hesitated before saying, "It's not just the Golden Tree Nation supporting the Xiji puppet army."