Two bombshell announcements exploded among the various Gang forces in Nanquan Lane, like a giant rock thrown into murky water, splashing everywhere.
Squad Leader Shen Shikang of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, with his meticulous planning and skilled command, was credited with successfully eradicating the Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold and was promoted to Chief of the Errand Office at the Nancheng Suppression Office.
Chief Constable Chen Ping'an of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office captured the Monkey Head of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect alive, demonstrating boldness, meticulousness, and effective work, earning him a promotion to Petty Officer Candidate at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Most people had anticipated the reward for Squad Leader Shen Shikang's achievements. After all, Shen Shikang had extensive experience and had been a Squad Leader for quite some time. He was already on the verge of promotion, and with the credit for destroying the Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold, his promotion to the Nancheng Suppression Office was both reasonable and logical.
In contrast, the reward for Chen Ping'an's achievements left everyone somewhat incredulous.
This was a Petty Officer Candidate position!
In the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, that was a truly high-level position.
Such a position was given to a young man!?
It was simply unbelievable!
But no matter what the outside world thought, Chen Ping'an's promotion was already set in stone and irreversible.
The news spread within the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, and as a result, many Yamen Runners showed even greater respect in their tone and demeanor when they saw Chen Ping'an daily.
Chief Liu and Li Chatou, who usually interacted with Chen Ping'an as peers, spoke with more caution when they saw him.
Petty Officer Candidate! This was their future superior, who would dare to be so tactless as to tease him casually like before.
A few days after the news was announced, the appointments of Shen Shikang and Chen Ping'an were officially finalized.
Shen Shikang would be transferred to the Nancheng Suppression Office on a chosen date, to serve as Chief of the Errand Office.
While the Chief of the Errand Office at the Nancheng Suppression Office did not wield as much absolute power as a Squad Leader in a subordinate lane, the scope and depth of his responsibilities were much greater, making it an excellent promotion opportunity.
As Chief of the Errand Office at the Nancheng Suppression Office, besides interacting with the various Lords of the Nancheng Suppression Office, there were also many opportunities to deal with people from the Outer Town Envoyship. A larger stage and more contacts meant a higher ceiling for future development!
Chen Ping'an was promoted to Petty Officer Candidate, granted a fish-scale uniform, and his monthly salary increased to eight taels of silver.
Of course, at his level, he no longer needed to rely on his monthly salary to live. There were too many places where he could make extra money.
The biggest beneficiaries of this Ten Thousand Demons Sect Eliminate operation were Shen Shikang and Chen Ping'an. However, there was another person whose actual gains were not much less than theirs.
After Shen Shikang's transfer, the Nancheng Suppression Office did not plan to send a new Squad Leader. Instead, Master Tian Fuliang was to temporarily assume the role of Squad Leader of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
In other words, after Shen Shikang left, Tian Fuliang would be in charge of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office in the coming days.
Acting Squad Leader!
Although it was called 'acting,' it was essentially an observation period.
In the coming days, if there were no unforeseen circumstances during Tian Fuliang's tenure, and it continued for a period, he could legitimately be promoted to the position of Squad Leader.
Of course, to smoothly reach this step, Tian Fuliang would need to work on his connections.
In addition, the Chief Constables and Yamen Runners of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office received various degrees of commendation and rewards.
With the change in leadership and shift in dynamics, the division of power was also completed in the shortest possible time.
After being promoted to Petty Officer Candidate, the number of Yamen Runners under Chen Ping'an's command increased to eight squads. Eight squads of Yamen Runners, a total of forty people, presented an impressive display. Furthermore, nominally, all Chief Constables were under Chen Ping'an's control.
Chen Ping'an's ability to achieve this, besides his promotion, was also related to Tian Fuliang's deliberate efforts to befriend him. Tian Fuliang had clearly seen the connections behind Chen Ping'an during this incident. As an acting Squad Leader, Tian Fuliang's position was not yet stable, and he urgently needed the support of his subordinates.
At this time, Chen Ping'an's attitude was very important.
Regarding Chen Ping'an's promotion, the happiest people in the entire Nanquan Lane Garrison Office were not him, but rather Monkey Head Da Shan, Zeng Jihe, and a few others. As the saying goes, when one person achieves Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
Da Shan was immediately placed in the position of acting Squad Leader by Chen Ping'an. As for Zeng Jihe, Chen Ping'an also officially gave him a title.
Currently, Chen Ping'an was the rightful second-in-command in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. With such a position, he naturally needed trustworthy people to dispatch.
He selected two temporary Yamen Runners and assigned them under Zeng Jihe's command. These three were considered his personal Yamen Runner attendants.
As the division of power was finalized, the date of Shen Shikang's transfer was also set. The night before his departure, the group had a good meal at the largest restaurant in Nanquan Lane.
Amidst clinking cups, their conversation was lively, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Shen Shikang, slightly tipsy, spoke with a sense of reminiscing about past hardships and contemplating present sweetness, recalling every detail of his time in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
“I, Shen, started as a temporary Yamen Runner, climbing all the way up, from official Yamen Runner to provisional Chief Constable, and then to Chief Constable.......”
“Back then, I, Shen, also fought my way out of piles of dead bodies. I achieved great merits, which allowed me to smoothly ascend to the position of Squad Leader.”
“......”
Regarding Shen Shikang's reminiscences, everyone naturally praised and flattered him.
“Lord Shen, congratulations on your continuous rise. I toast you with this cup of wine.” Tian Fuliang held a cup of wine, looking sincere.
Shen Shikang laughed heartily, and the two clinked their cups, then drained them in one gulp.
Chen Ping'an also participated, toasting Shen Shikang and Tian Fuliang with two cups each. During the banquet, it was mostly the subordinate Chief Constables who toasted him.
“Lord Chen, this cup of wine is for you.”
“My Lord is truly young and promising, I look up to you.”
“Lord Chen, to you.”
“......”
The group drank until the early hours of the morning before reluctantly leaving the restaurant.
Shen Shikang and Tian Fuliang were both pleased and delighted.
Chen Ping'an was also pleased, but his heart held a greater sense of clarity. He knew how he had attained his current position. It wasn't through any so-called background or connections, but through his real martial Dao strength.
“Continue to Cultivate!”
Late at night, Chen Ping'an circulated his Qi and blood, practicing Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training in the courtyard.
Shen Shikang had been transferred, but for Nanquan Lane, it was as if nothing had happened. Life continued as usual.
After being promoted to Petty Officer Candidate, Chen Ping'an also moved into a larger official residence. Its area was one and a half times larger than before, and the layout and decorations inside were also a notch higher.
It is worth mentioning that after the news of Chen Ping'an's promotion spread, there was a continuous stream of forces coming to visit. Each brought valuable gifts and silver.
The Red Bear Gang was the most generous, directly gifting a large mansion.