"I am a person who is very clear about rewards and punishments. Since it was drunken night duty, then punishment is due! The first person to step forward will be given five strikes with the Power-Displaying Rod! The first batch will receive ten strikes! The second batch will receive twenty strikes! As for those I've pointed out..."
Chen Ping'an looked up at a few people, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Eighty strikes!"
"Ah! Eighty strikes!"
"Lord, spare our lives! Lord!"
"Lord, eighty strikes will kill people, Lord!"
"Lord, this humble one knows his mistake, truly knows his mistake. Lord, spare my life!"
"Lord, oh Lord!"
"..."
The jailers Chen Ping'an had called out by name cried and wailed, begging for mercy.
They had thought to cut corners, play a little smart, believing the worst outcome would be to suffer the same punishment as those who came forward, or perhaps even escape without punishment if they didn't step out.
It was with this hopeful mindset that they ended up in such a predicament.
This was the Power-Displaying Rod, mind you!
Even normal people would need a long time to recover after just a few strikes.
Eighty strikes with the Power-Displaying Rod!
One strike after another, if they endured them all, even if each of them was a man who had undergone martial arts initiation, their lives would likely be in peril.
What a pointless suffering!
Watching these jailers cry out in misery, those who had admitted to being drunk earliest inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
"Execute immediately!"
Chen Ping'an's expression remained unchanged as he declared decisively.
"Yes!"
Some jailers responded loudly, pressing the offending jailers one by one onto the ground.
In a short while, howls and cries echoed all around.
The first to finish was the jailer who had admitted to being drunk earliest, receiving only five strikes.
Although he was inevitably injured after the beating, with the Qi and blood from his martial arts initiation, he ultimately didn't have too much of a problem and could recover in about ten days.
Next were the ten strikes for the first batch; after they were beaten, they sighed and groaned, but with their strong physiques, they could still hobble and stand with difficulty.
Then came the twenty strikes for the second batch; this group of people could no longer stand on their own. In fact, it was only because they were martial arts experts with abundant Qi and blood; if they were ordinary men, twenty strikes with the Power-Displaying Rod would have left them barely clinging to life.
Even after the twenty strikes were completed for a while, screams and howls continued to echo around.
Initially, the howls were strong, but they grew weaker and weaker towards the end. Later on, some couldn't even make a sound if they wanted to, their bodies twitching with each falling strike.
The jailer executing the Power-Displaying Rod felt a bit of reluctance and unconsciously wanted to hold back. However, a single glance from Chen Ping'an scared him into not daring to have any other thoughts.
The eighty strikes with the Power-Displaying Rod were completed.
Regardless of what the executing jailers thought, the faces of those watching around them were subtly pale.
Too ruthless!
There was absolutely no holding back!
Bloody and mangled!
These jailers were, after all, men of strong constitution; although they endured eighty strikes, fortunately, no one was beaten to death on the spot. However, looking at their appearance, their Qi was like a faint thread, exhaling more than inhaling, no better than being dead.
This scene made everyone's gaze towards Chen Ping'an subtly tinged with fear.
Chen Ping'an seemed oblivious, his expression remaining calm.
"Punishment is not the goal; the goal is to ensure everyone remembers the lesson and takes it as a warning. Here with me, those who dare to act are considered men. Those who admit their mistakes and correct them are teachable. But those who know their mistakes, don't correct them, and don't even admit them... they are a cautionary example!
If such things happen again in the future, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Do you all understand?"
At this moment, whether sincerely or not, everyone echoed Chen Ping'an's words.
"Understood, Lord."
"Oh, right, regarding these few people I pointed out at the end. Min Catch Head."
Listening to everyone's responses, Chen Ping'an seemed to recall something.
"Lord, what is it?"
A middle-aged man with a leopard-like head, standing behind Chen Ping'an, poked his head out and respectfully replied.
"These few people, since they made a mistake and didn't even dare to admit it, then my Nancheng Prison doesn't need such people.
You check the roster, compile a list, and those not on the roster will be directly dismissed. As for those on the roster, I will personally go to Southern City Alley to explain the situation and request Chief Warrant Officer to strip them of their rostered status."
Upon hearing this, Min Catch Head was first stunned, then respectfully agreed.
The surrounding jailers and chief constables, hearing Chen Ping'an's words, held their breath, not daring to make a sound, fearing they might displease Chen Ping'an.
Killing and striking at the heart!
Severely injured, one can recover! As long as the jailer's status remains, after a period of keeping a low profile, they can eventually return to their former lives.
But if that jailer status is gone, then everything is gone!
Chen Ping'an was very satisfied with everyone's reaction; this was the effect he wanted.
Since taking office at Nancheng Prison, Chen Ping'an had been waiting for such an opportunity. Unfortunately, for so many days, he hadn't encountered one. Today, using Chu Qirong's matter, he could finally act.
Among those who were drunk, a considerable number were Chu Qirong's staunch confidants. This was a good opportunity to deal with them all at once.
Establishing authority, establishing authority, if it's not established, where would the authority come from!?
Of course, there were also some sensible ones; if they were willing to bow their heads, he wasn't without tolerance.
As a superior, one naturally needs to show both grace and power!
Chen Ping'an slowly rose from the large chair. This action made the jailers standing in the front row tense up.
"Relax, I haven't been here long, and everyone's understanding of me is still very limited. Actually, I am a very simple person. For those who are willing to follow me, willing to serve, I will give you everything you deserve, and we'll enjoy prosperity together. Even if something happens, I will take responsibility for everyone.
As for... those who go against me, who feign compliance while secretly disobeying..."
Chen Ping'an smiled.
"You've already seen their fate."
"Perhaps some people are very bold, and even if they've seen it, they don't care and will continue as before. Hmm, that's fine too. But I warn you, don't let me find out if you do that. If I find out, you won't even have a good death."
"Don't believe me? You can try."
Chen Ping'an had a smile on his face, but everyone only felt an overwhelming pressure.
Some jailers secretly vowed in their hearts that no matter what, they would never offend Lord Chen.
Chen Ping'an was very satisfied with the indoctrination meeting.
The desired objective had been achieved, and the authority had been established.
He didn't expect everyone to adore him, nor did he have that much time. He at least needed to ensure that everyone feared him and wouldn't mess around under his command.
As for whether this fear could transform into reverence, that could only be seen slowly in the days to come.
Just as he said, what he ought to give everyone, he wouldn't give any less.
With matters here concluded, Chen Ping'an dismissed the jailers and left Nancheng Prison, heading towards the Nancheng Suppression Office.
Chu Qirong's matter had not yet been fully resolved.