Chapter 27: Catching a Thief

  Gao Feng could also be lazy, but he had been serious about doing things since childhood. Since he took the job of Town Demon Xi, he should do it according to his duties. Otherwise, he would feel guilty for taking that salary.

  During the time I was in the police team in Zhongjing, although my colleagues were cold and bullied me, I still learned a lot of things. For example, on the street with many passersby, who is a thief, who wants to kidnap children, who is a swindler, all these can be distinguished clearly.

  The shops on Shi Ma Street face not only the capital, but also the surrounding prefectures and counties of Zhongjing. This is a famous bustling place in the capital, and outsiders also come to see the sights here. Compared to other places in the southern city, it is indeed much more prosperous and lively.

  Such a crowded scene is naturally a good opportunity for those evil spirits to take action. Gao Feng walked not far, and soon saw that there was a pickpocket in front of him.

  Obviously a traveling merchant visiting the capital for the first time, nearly forty years old, wearing a brown robe and carrying a bundle on his back as he walks down the street, perhaps having never seen such prosperity before, walking while looking around with great enthusiasm.

  The peddler was so focused on his goods that he didn't notice the two people sneaking up behind him. They looked like ordinary passersby, but one of them stood to the left of the peddler and the other was behind him, pinching the package.

  Under the bright daylight, with so many people on the street, not only did Gao Feng see their movements, but no one dared to speak out and remind them. Those who noticed were all walking a few steps away.

  The pickpocket behind pinched the package, and soon found out where the valuable things were. He gave a signal to his companion in front with his eyes, and the pickpocket on the left side of the merchant understood, and bumped into the merchant as if by accident. The force was not too great, and the merchant turned around in surprise. The pickpocket who bumped into him apologized profusely and politely.

  Walking on the street, who hasn't bumped into someone, and the peddler didn't mind either. But he didn't know that while he was apologizing to the person he bumped into, a pickpocket behind him had already used a small knife to cut open his bundle and taken out a small cloth package. The pickpocket's movements were very quick, and he even had the leisure to weigh it in his hand before putting it into his own pocket...

  The pickpocket saw his partner get caught and was about to slip away, but just as he took a step, he heard a pained cry from behind. It was his own partner who had been grabbed by the wrist by a tall young man. The pickpockets were always on high alert, but none of them knew when this young man had approached, without any sign or impression.

  "In broad daylight, you're actually so brazen!"

  Before the stolen goods were even put away, his wrist was firmly grasped by Gao Feng. The thief had just gotten what he wanted and was feeling smug when, out of nowhere, someone grabbed his wrist. Instinctively, he tried to pull back, but it was impossible to break free. His opponent's grip was as solid as if it were cast in iron.

  Before he could react, the bundle of cloth in his hand had been snatched away by Gao Feng. The sudden commotion in the bustling street naturally attracted a crowd of onlookers. The merchant who had just been robbed also turned around. Gao Feng handed over the bundle and said:

  "Look at your own burden!"

  As soon as the peddler saw the cloth package in Gao Feng's hand, he immediately opened his mouth wide and hastily brought his own bundle to the front. After seeing the torn opening cut by the knife, his face turned white, and he hurriedly took the small cloth package from Gao Feng's hand, trembling with fear as he spoke:

  "Thank you, brother, thank you, brother! This money is what we brothers pooled together to buy goods with. If it's lost, several families will have no way to make a living... I... I kowtow to you, brother!"

  The peddler's accent was from Qingzhou, and he spoke excitedly, thinking of the consequences after losing his silver. His gratitude towards Gao Feng was even heavier, and he actually wanted to kneel down on the street and kowtow in thanks.

  The thief who was caught struggled desperately, and with a slight exertion of force from Gao Feng's hand, the thief felt as if his wrist was going to shatter, his face turned pale with pain, and his body stiffened. Meanwhile, Gao Feng's other hand didn't idle, directly helping the merchant up, he merely placed his hand on the merchant's shoulder, and the merchant was instantly helped up.

  "Put your silver in your waist and be more careful when walking, there's nothing for you here, hurry up!"

  Gao Feng didn't want the other party to thank him in any way, this was just his own duty, there was nothing to be thanked for. Moreover, in a crowded public place, too many people were watching, which wasn't good. And besides, the thief's accomplice was approaching, and as soon as the merchant turned around and left, the thief's accomplice stepped forward and said viciously:

  "Don't interfere with what doesn't concern you."

  Just as he was about to make his move, Gao Feng reached out and patted him on the shoulder. To an onlooker, it seemed like a gentle gesture, but in reality, it was a powerful slap that sent the thief's partner stumbling back, his expression darkening with anger.

  But didn't expect that one slap on the shoulder, it was like a thousand-pound giant hammer smashing down, an irresistible pressure that couldn't be withstood, and he knelt down in defeat.

  These two thieves are nothing in Gaofeng's eyes nowadays, like ants, and if they use too much force, they might accidentally crush them to death.

  Although no one seemed to care when the little thief first made a move, as soon as Gao Feng took action, many onlookers gathered around. Several people surrounded him with great interest, their faces filled with excitement. Gao Feng furrowed his brow and scanned the area, only to see three individuals with malicious intentions lurking nearby - the pickpocket's accomplices had arrived.

  "What's going on? Disperse quickly!"

  The conflict was right in front of them, but on the other side of the street, someone shouted and the three people who had gathered around took a look and dispersed. The crowd that had come to watch the commotion, although unwilling, did not dare to continue gathering here and each went their separate ways. Gao Feng also saw where the voice was coming from - two constables from the Zhongjing Prefecture were running over.

  Gao Feng was the captain of the capture team in the Zhongjing Prefecture government office, and his jurisdiction was on Tian Shui Street, which is very far from here. Moreover, there are nearly two thousand capturers in the Zhongjing Prefecture government office, many of whom do not know each other. How could Gao Feng have known him?

  Needless to say, the several runners on Shi Ma Street were strangers. The two runners who came over wouldn't have been recognized as yamen runners if not for their uniforms and waist swords. Both of them were fat men. It was astonishing that such a physique could be maintained by runners, whose duties required physical activity every day. This could only mean that the pickings on Shi Ma Street were quite substantial.

  Seeing Gao Feng holding one and kneeling in front of another, both of whom were wincing in pain, while the young man who caught the thief was dressed normally, the brows of the captors suddenly furrowed, and one of them coldly asked:

  "What's all the commotion about in broad daylight?"

  "These two people were stealing in broad daylight and I caught them red-handed!"

  Gao Feng replied, just talking about the matter at hand, he didn't want to reveal his identity either. Just as Gao Feng finished speaking, someone on the side shouted:

  "He's the thief! This good fellow caught him!"