Nancheng Prison.
Chen Ping'an sat steadily in the head seat of the room, holding a cup of freshly brewed high-grade tea.
Before him, a dense crowd knelt down. These people were the core backbone of Nancheng Prison.
"Lord Chu, tell me, what exactly happened? This is Lord Chen's first day in office, how did you arrange this?"
Pang Miao sat in another seat, looking at Chu Qirong with a displeased expression.
"Lord Pang, I am truly sorry. I have been diligently making arrangements these past few days, just waiting for Lord Chen to arrive. But I didn't expect that a few of us subordinates would mistake the time of Lord Chen's reporting for duty."
A hint of apology appeared on Chu Qirong's scarred face. But combined with his face, it looked strange no matter how one looked at it.
"Lord Chen, for making you wait outside for so long. This is all my fault. If you want to hit or scold, just direct it at me. It was I who got the date wrong, and it has nothing to do with everyone else."
Chen Ping'an did not speak, but just quietly watched Chu Qirong's performance.
"Lord, please forgive us, it's all our fault."
"We have been looking forward to Lord Chen's arrival, but we never expected such a thing to happen."
"We have wronged the Lord."
"..."
The people below begged for mercy one after another.
Looking at the scene before him, Chu Qirong felt smug.
Among the kneeling people below, some were his people, whom he had deliberately instructed to act this way.
This way, both those genuinely begging for mercy and those feigning it would act the same, and this young Lord Chen would probably be unable to distinguish between them for a while.
Everyone was begging for mercy. In such a situation, if this young Lord Chen were to rashly punish them, it might chill the hearts of the loyal ones.
If he didn't punish them...
Then it would fall right into his trap.
If he wasn't punished for being shut out on his first day in office, then what else couldn't be done?
Pang Miao did not speak. Since he had already come to take office today, Nancheng Prison was Chen Ping'an's domain. How to handle it was for him to decide.
Chen Ping'an still didn't speak, but a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Everyone, rise!"
"Yes."
The people below stood up very cooperatively. Some still wanted to beg for mercy and forgiveness, but seeing that most people had already gotten up, they followed suit.
"Lord Chu, today, as soon as I arrived, I felt a chill, rising from the soles of my feet, penetrating my lungs! It must be hard for you all to work here for such long periods."
"Lord Chen, it's not hard. Although Nancheng Prison is damp and cold, everyone's hearts are fervent, a little chill doesn't matter."
Chu Qirong said with a smile.
"It's good that it doesn't matter!"
Chen Ping'an lightly tapped the table and chair.
"Lord Chu, I'll give you fifteen minutes. Gather everyone except those who are on official duty and truly cannot leave. I'm new here and would like to meet everyone."
"Yes, Lord Chen. I'll go take care of it now."
Chu Qirong responded, immediately stood up, and walked out.
Turning his head, when his back was to Chen Ping'an, a hint of disdain appeared on Chu Qirong's lips.
So what if you're the Chief Constable? You're still completely under my control.
This is an open scheme, and you have no solution!
Pang Miao glanced at Chen Ping'an. Putting himself in his shoes, if it were him, he probably would have no other choice.
Widespread punishment would be too drastic. Coming in and immediately standing against everyone, although there's power to suppress, it's definitely not a good strategy.
Compared to a drastic measure that puts him against everyone, he could only choose the lesser of two evils and reluctantly accept it for now.
It could only be this way.
This is an open scheme, with no solution!
This Chu Qirong indeed has good methods.
Pang Miao sighed with emotion.
With such an opponent, he wasn't very optimistic about Chen Ping'an's future days in Nancheng Prison.
Chen Ping'an sat in the large chair, watching Chu Qirong's departing back, and picked up his teacup to take a sip of tea.
It's just Qi and Blood Fifth Stage Perfection, huh...
...
Nancheng Prison is responsible for the detention of criminals, big and small, in the Nancheng District. It also involves the handling and interrogation of some serious offenders. In terms of its organization, it is quite large.
Above are the Chief Constable and Deputy Chief Constable, in the middle are the various Squad Leaders, below them are the various Chief Constables, and then the most ordinary prison guards.
In less than fifteen minutes, over a hundred people from Nancheng Prison appeared neatly in front of Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an sat in his chair, with no intention of standing up.
Chu Qirong sneered inwardly at his action.
He's still too young after all!
Coming in and immediately putting on airs, how could the people below be completely convinced?
What an idiot!
"I am Chen Ping'an, and from today onwards, I will be everyone's commanding officer."
Without too much superfluous talk, Chen Ping'an went straight to the point.
Looking at the Chief Constable, who was sitting in the large chair and was excessively young, the people below had various thoughts.
"Today is my first day in office. I was also looking forward to meeting everyone. I thought it would be a very pleasant meeting. But unfortunately, someone got the date of my reporting wrong. Today, here, I received the first cold shoulder of my Zhenfu Division career!"
Chen Ping'an looked at everyone with a smile, but the meaning in his words sent shivers down their spines.
Hmm?
Hearing Chen Ping'an's words, Chu Qirong was not afraid, but rather pleased.
Is he going to flip the table!?
He had actually been a little disappointed just now when he saw Chen Ping'an yield. After all, from a utilitarian perspective, pushing everyone to be against this Lord Chen on the first day of reporting would be more significant for him.
Looking at the other party's posture, he was clearly going to put on a show of authority.
The first cold shoulder?
How smooth was this Lord Chen's life before?
What kind of blessed life was this, never having suffered a loss in the Zhenfu Division?
Becoming a Chief Constable at such a young age, he must indeed have backing.
Listening to Chen Ping'an's words, the prison guards below had various thoughts, some disdainful, others wary.
"But, life, you know, always has firsts. My first time is accounted for here!"
Chen Ping'an continued.
"I'm rather curious, how could such a big event as my taking office and reporting for duty have its date mistaken? Hmm? Lord Chu, tell me what happened?"
"Lord Chen, the higher-ups weren't clear at first, and then the time was changed twice. It was truly busy with official duties, and with one thing and another, the time was mistaken."
In front of everyone, Chu Qirong's attitude was excellent.
"Lord Chu is indeed diligent and dedicated! Truly a pillar of my Nancheng Suppression Office!"
Chen Ping'an said expressionlessly.
"Lord Chen overpraises me."
Chu Qirong casually cupped his hands.
He had no intention of playing official pleasantries with Chen Ping'an here.
If you want to act out, just get straight to the point. What's the meaning of beating around the bush?
Chen Ping'an glanced at Chu Qirong: "Lord Chu, such a pillar, I am delighted to see him. How about I write a letter recommending Lord Chu to the Chief Warrant Officer, so that Lord Chu can serve as the Chief Constable!"
As Chen Ping'an's words fell, there was a complete silence.
Even Pang Miao looked at Chen Ping'an several times.
What's going on here!?
"Lord Chen is joking."
Chu Qirong said with a forced smile.
Chen Ping'an smiled faintly: "I am not joking, but rather sincerely intend to abdicate and yield to the worthy. Lord Chu's martial Dao Realm is profound, and I believe he is fully capable of holding the position of Chief Constable."
Chu Qirong looked at Chen Ping'an and remained silent for a moment.
Is this how you flip the table?
What's he playing at!
"Lord Chen, your blade techniques are exquisite, and you have reached the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage at such a young age. I am truly impressed."
"Lord Chu, how about we have a match here? If you win, I'll yield the position of Chief Constable to you, how about it?"
Chen Ping'an looked at Chu Qirong, his eyes shining brightly.