If I win, will you give me the position of Prison Warden?
Youngsters truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth; they dare to speak so presumptuously at the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage Realm!
Although Chu Qirong had not stepped into the Qi Blood Sixth Stage, his strength was definitely not something that someone who had just entered the Qi and Blood Fifth Stage could challenge.
To be honest, Chen Ping'an's words made Chu Qirong's heart waver for a moment.
"Lord Chen, the position of Prison Warden carries great responsibility. How can it be treated so casually? Please do not tease your subordinate."
Chu Qirong ultimately held back.
Today was Chen Ping'an's first day in office. If he were to cause any major commotion on this day, his position as Deputy Prison Warden would definitely not end well.
There were plenty of ways to undermine his authority; there was no need to personally get involved on the first day and make things unmanageable.
Time was long; he could take it slowly later.
"Oh?"
Chen Ping'an looked at Chu Qirong with a smile on his face, but there was no hint of a smile in his eyes.
"Lord Chu, my words are always valid. Feel free to come whenever you're interested."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qirong lowered his head and repeatedly said he wouldn't dare.
He hadn't expected Chen Ping'an to play such a hand.
At this moment, even if he was incredibly resentful, he could only suppress it.
With the righteous justification of the first day in office, he couldn't possibly overturn the table and retort.
If he truly couldn't defeat Chen Ping'an, then so be it, but in his eyes, his superior was just a hothouse flower, a mere vase with martial Dao Realm but little actual combat experience.
As for Zuo Wumei's matter?
It was just good luck.
Seeing Chu Qirong lower his head and concede, Chen Ping'an did not continue to press him.
Chen Ping'an looked around and, as per custom, encouraged the Squad Leaders.
Regarding Chen Ping'an's performance, some Yamen Runners didn't feel much ripple in their hearts. They were all seasoned veterans of the Zhenfu Division; such words could only fool young people.
"I am new here, and all rules remain as usual. Report any special matters. If there are none, the meeting is adjourned!"
Chen Ping'an's words indeed put many Yamen Runners at ease.
These Yamen Runners didn't care who the chief official was; they were just worried that the chief official would come and drastically reform and break the already mature operating mechanisms.
Chen Ping'an's words removed their biggest concern.
Nancheng Prison saw people coming and going, in and out. Things like visiting prisoners, purchasing supplies, and making arrangements all required money.
Serving here was a bit tough, but there was a lot of illicit gain.
As the saying goes, 'It's easier to meet the King of Hell than to deal with the little devils.'
For example, the jailers serving below would find ways to embezzle money.
If someone committed a crime and was imprisoned, and their family didn't make proper arrangements, the prisoners inside might even struggle to get a day's food and water.
Thus, in a few days, a perfectly healthy man might become weak and listless, with his Qi as faint as a wisp of smoke.
After Chen Ping'an finished his speech, the jailers of Nancheng Prison dispersed in order.
"Lord Chen, since everything is in order, I, Pang, should also return."
Pang Miao bowed to Chen Ping'an and took his leave.
"Lord Pang, why don't you stay a bit longer? We could have some drinks together tonight?"
Chen Ping'an invited with a smile.
"Lord Chen's kindness is appreciated, but I am busy with official duties. We can gather again when I have time next."
Pang Miao said with a smile.
He had inexplicably watched a play this time and needed to go back and savor it. From the scene just now, Chen Ping'an, this person, probably still had some ability.
Chu Qirong wanted to use insubordination to control this Lord Chen, but even with Fu Yuanming's support, it probably wouldn't be that easy.
Pang Miao insisted, and Chen Ping'an didn't press further, personally escorting Pang Miao out.
"Lord Chen, I still have many official duties to attend to. If you have no other matters, then I shall take my leave first."
Chu Qirong said with a forced smile.
Now, with no one else around, he had no mind to play along with Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an did not speak, his gaze fixed on Chu Qirong.
When a chief official takes office, as the second-in-command, he should accompany the chief official to familiarize himself with official duties and personnel. How could he leave first?
This Chu Qirong was being too obvious.
However, being obvious was good; it would be easier to deal with later.
"Official duties are not urgent. Accompany me for a walk first."
Want to leave? What a joke!
If the chief official took office without even the deputy accompanying him, what authority would he have in the eyes of the other jailers?
"Before your arrival, all relevant official duties were handled by your subordinate. Now that you are here, your subordinate needs to sort out the official duties as soon as possible and hand them over to you. This matter is indeed urgent, so please forgive your subordinate for not being able to accompany you."
Chu Qirong refused directly.
"Hmm?"
Chen Ping'an frowned.
Chu Qirong showed no fear, meeting his gaze.
"Lord Chu, as the Deputy Official of Nancheng Prison, your greatest official duty is to assist me in managing Nancheng Prison properly. Since I have a need, you should fully cooperate. How can you push back and make excuses!"
Chen Ping'an's gaze was sharp, and his tone carried no room for refusal.
On the first day of taking office, Chu Qirong also didn't want to completely fall out with Chen Ping'an, so he could only grudgingly accept. He accompanied Chen Ping'an on a tour of Nancheng Prison, introducing personnel to him.
Prisoners were confined in different places according to the severity of their crimes.
Nancheng Prison had three levels. Those with minor offenses were held on the ground floor. More serious offenders were held on the first basement level. The most serious ones were held on the lowest level.
Each prison level had several specialized posts, each guarded by a shift of jailers. Jailers rotated shifts continuously, twenty-four hours a day.
In addition, there were dedicated patrol personnel, ensuring proper defense to prevent any mishaps.
It could be described as heavily guarded, an impenetrable fortress.
The entire afternoon, Chen Ping'an spent familiarizing himself with the environment and personnel. All the jailers and Yamen Runners of Nancheng Prison knew that today, a chief official named Chen Ping'an had officially taken office.
Looking at Chu Qirong's reluctant expression as he introduced things, Chen Ping'an's mood was quite pleasant.
After getting a general understanding of Nancheng Prison's environment and personnel, Chen Ping'an let Chu Qirong go back.
On this day, Chu Qirong finished his shift on time, showing no sign of the busy official duties he had mentioned to Chen Ping'an earlier.
Sitting in the Prison Warden's office, looking out the window at Chu Qirong's departing figure, Chen Ping'an slightly narrowed his eyes.
This Chu Qirong was merely a pawn; he didn't even put him in his eyes.
He was merely a Qi and Blood Fifth Stage Perfection, incapable of amounting to anything significant.
The one he truly needed to pay attention to was the person behind Chu Qirong, the Deputy Total Affairs Office of the Nancheng Suppression Office, Fu Yuanming!
Fu Yuanming, a veteran Inner Qi Realm master. Given the current situation, directly confronting Fu Yuanming still presented some pressure.
"It seems my strength is still not enough! I need to continue cultivating!"
"When I can truly do as I please, without any reservations. That's when cultivation will have reached its end."
Chen Ping'an's eyes gleamed. He raised his head, looking at the grey-black stone wall.
"The Dao is long and arduous, but by walking, one will arrive!"
"That day will come!"