Sheng Ye Square, inside a large mansion.
Bailang Gang leader Zhang Ye had just paid one month's rent.
He didn't pay more, uncertain if he might have to move next month.
The main hall of the inner courtyard.
Zhang Ye sat at the head seat.
A dark-faced burly man sat on his lower left.
Behind him stood two similarly broad-shouldered and stout men.
Their temperament and demeanor were quite fierce.
"Leader Zhang, let's stick to the old rules. The grain and goods will leave the city tomorrow morning. My people will take over at the South Gate, here is the deposit." The dark-faced burly man pulled out a grey cloth money bag and handed it to Zhang Ye.
You could see hesitation in Zhang Ye's bearded face as he looked at it without taking it.
"What? Leader Zhang wouldn't be thinking of raising the price again, would you?!" The color on the burly man's face darkened instantly.
Their purchase price for grain was already thirty percent higher than the market rate.