Inside the public office of Nancheng Prison, Zeng Jihe was reporting last night's situation to Chen Ping'an.
Upon hearing the two men's fate, Chen Ping'an nodded slightly and encouraged Xiao Zeng with a few words.
"Chief, it's all part of the job, as it should be."
They were assigned by Chen Ping'an to protect Chen Er'ya, and they were naturally present when the class ended last night. Seeing Chen Ping'an's gesture, they naturally understood what to do.
However, Chen Er'ya was unaware of this matter.
Chen Ping'an also didn't want her to know; some things he could just handle himself.
As for children, they should focus on their studies! Adults should handle all the troublesome matters!
As for her going to Cangsong Academy today and finding that Donghua was on vacation, he wondered what her thoughts would be.
"Also, look into the subsequent situation and eliminate any hidden dangers in a timely manner."
"Yes."
"Alright, you may go now."
Chen Ping'an waved his hand.
Zeng Jihe bowed and then left the public office. Before leaving, he carefully helped Chen Ping'an close the door.
"Power, ah..."
Chen Ping'an shook his head, not taking the matter to heart.
......
Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
During this half-month, Chen Ping'an's power became increasingly consolidated. With Mu Wanjun's support, Chu Qirong's subsequent influence completely vanished into thin air.
However, the feud between him and Fu Yuanming was now thoroughly established.
The Chief Constable of Nancheng Prison needed to go to the Nancheng Suppression Office every few days to report on his work.
The Nancheng Suppression Office also held monthly routine meetings that required attendance. Squad Leaders from various alleyways, heads of major Errand Offices, and leaders of various agencies would all be present.
During this period, Chen Ping'an also attended one such meeting.
At this routine meeting, he saw Tian Fuliang again. Judging by his spirit and condition, it was clear that good things were about to happen to him. He probably wouldn't have to wait long to have the 'acting' removed from his title of acting Squad Leader.
After the meeting concluded, Tian Fuliang was extremely polite to Chen Ping'an. Unlike before, this time Tian Fuliang's politeness seemed more substantial, rather than merely formal.
It seemed that Chu Qirong's matter had spread throughout the entire Nancheng District.
A young man who had just reached adulthood and already stepped into the Qi Blood Sixth Stage, his future prospects were clearly imaginable.
Such a person, as long as there was no conflict of interest, was generally happy to befriend.
"Lord Chen, please come back to visit often when you have time."
"Naturally, naturally."
After a few pleasantries, the two parted ways.
As he left the Zhenfu Division, he happened to run into Fu Yuanming, who had also just left the meeting. Fu Yuanming's expression didn't show much abnormality when he saw Chen Ping'an.
However, Chen Ping'an felt the coldness emanating from his opponent.
The animosity between the two had become open and tangible, but even so, Chen Ping'an maintained his outward professionalism, still bowing with cupped hands.
"Lord Fu."
"Mm."
Fu Yuanming nodded slightly in response.
The conflict of interest between Fu Yuanming and Mu Wanjun had no possibility of compromise or buffer. Therefore, naturally, there was no possibility of compromise in the conflict between Chen Ping'an and Fu Yuanming either.
Of course, in the eyes of most people, Chen Ping'an and Fu Yuanming were not on the same level.
This was good, as it gave Chen Ping'an plenty of time to develop.
Although his current cultivation allowed him to suppress Fu Yuanming, he ultimately did not have an absolute advantage. Furthermore, in terms of power, he was indeed inferior to Fu Yuanming.
Two days after the Nancheng Suppression Office's monthly routine meeting, Chen Ping'an encountered Xu Jinkui once again.
That day, as he was heading home after work, he met Xu Jinkui at the entrance of a restaurant. From Xu Jinkui's appearance, he seemed to be waiting for someone.
"Xu Yuanwai!"
Chen Ping'an greeted him with a smile.
"Chen Gongzi!"
Xu Jinkui looked up and also saw Chen Ping'an, responding with a smile. However, his smile seemed a bit forced, and he looked preoccupied.
Chen Ping'an asked, "Xu Yuanwai, are you meeting someone?"
Xu Jinkui cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Chen Gongzi. Today, I've arranged a banquet to meet an important figure from Nancheng Prison."
"Meeting an important figure from Nancheng Prison?"
Chen Ping'an was a bit curious.
Since it involved Nancheng Prison, which was under his jurisdiction, he wanted to understand the situation.
Also...
Logically, Xu Jinkui and Nancheng Prison shouldn't be connected in any way. Why would he be meeting a so-called important figure?
Speaking of this, Xu Jinkui's expression became somewhat bitter.
"It's a long story."
"Oh?"
Chen Ping'an looked as if he was eager to hear the details.
Next, Xu Jinkui began to pour out his troubles to Chen Ping'an.
It turned out that besides his daughter, Xu Jinkui also had a son named Xu Renchang. Compared to his daughter's obedience, this son was somewhat unruly. He spent his days indulging in sensual pleasures and idleness.
Just a few days ago, his son got into a street brawl. The cause seemed to be a courtesan. Xu Renchang, along with his family servants and attendants, got into a fight with the other party.
The commotion grew large, and they were eventually apprehended by patrolling Yamen Runners.
Both sides of the brawl sustained injuries, but they weren't particularly serious, mostly superficial wounds.
Originally, it wasn't a big deal. Both sides would be detained for a few days at the Zhenfu Division in the alleyway and then released.
However, unexpectedly, the other side's family actually had connections within the Zhenfu Division, and since Xu Renchang was the one who initiated the fight, somehow the situation escalated. The other person was only detained in the Zhenfu Division of the alleyway, while Xu Renchang was locked up in Nancheng Prison.
Nancheng Prison, what kind of place was that!?
Being detained in the Zhenfu Division of the alleyway was merely considered discipline and a lesson, and only temporary. Being locked up in Nancheng Prison, by comparison, meant being a serious offender, and who knew when he would be released.
Furthermore, there were too many tricks in Nancheng Prison. Xu Jinkui, having worked his way up, naturally knew the severity of all the ins and outs of Nancheng Prison.
If connections weren't properly greased, cutting off your food and water could turn a perfectly healthy person into a mere bag of bones, with only a thread of Qi remaining, after just a few days of detention.
If the situation were even more severe, it was not impossible for someone to lose their life in Nancheng Prison and go straight to Yellow Springs.
It was perfectly normal for prisoners to die in Nancheng Prison!
Thinking of this, how could Xu Jinkui sit still?
Having climbed his way up to his current position, he had naturally accumulated a considerable network of connections. Ever since he learned that Xu Renchang was locked up in Nancheng Prison, he had been pulling strings, trying to find a way to get his son out.
After pulling several layers of connections, he finally found a way to reach a Chief Constable in Nancheng Prison.
Today, he had set up this banquet here, preparing to entertain the Chief Constable of Nancheng Prison.
A Chief Constable!
With twenty to thirty strong men under his command, holding sway over a certain area, he was truly a figure of real power.
Even though Xu Jinkui had considerable connections in both the underworld and legitimate businesses, and some financial resources, he would never dare to neglect a Chief Constable.
Therefore, he had been waiting early at the entrance of the restaurant, awaiting the arrival of that Chief Constable.