After listening to Xu Jinkui's narration, Chen Ping'an nodded slightly.
"So that's how it is."
Xu Jinkui's face dimmed as he said, "My son is unruly. This time he caused trouble. Appropriate punishment is also a lesson. But being imprisoned in Nancheng Prison, his life is uncertain, and there is a risk to his life. I, Xu, am truly uneasy. I hope everything goes smoothly today."
"Then I wish Xu Yuanwai all the best," Chen Ping'an said. "However, Xu Yuanwai, don't worry too much. Nancheng Prison is not a Dragon's Den. Staying there for a few days should not be a big deal."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jinkui waved his hands repeatedly: "Young Master Chen, you don't know! Nancheng Prison is a dangerous place, with countless serious offenders inside who often beat and scold fellow prisoners. The jailers are brutal, and if anything is not to their liking, there are private tortures and cruel punishments. Besides, there are many intricate connections inside; a slight misstep can lead to eternal damnation!"
After listening to Xu Jinkui's words, Chen Ping'an couldn't help but laugh wryly.
He didn't expect that in Xu Jinkui's eyes, Nancheng Prison was still a dangerous place.
Why didn't he feel anything at all?
Brutal jailers, were there any?
Why did they all act like docile lambs in front of him?
Seeing Xu Jinkui's serious expression, Chen Ping'an knew he had misunderstood. Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, Nancheng Prison was indeed such a place.
The reason he didn't feel it was because, compared to ordinary people, his position was high enough.
The docile lambs in his eyes might be brutal tigers in the eyes of others.
Different positions lead to different perceptions.
"It was Chen who was ignorant; thank Xu Yuanwai for enlightening me."
Xu Jinkui was preoccupied with what he would say when he met the Chief Constable later, and when chatting with Chen Ping'an, he also looked troubled and worried.
Just then, Xu Jinkui bowed slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Young Master Chen, you are a government official with extensive connections. If this matter doesn't succeed, please trouble Young Master Chen with my son's affair. Afterwards, I, Xu, will certainly reward you handsomely."
Having just met Chen Ping'an, Xu Jinkui was also desperate. In his heart, Chen Ping'an was just an ordinary Yamen Runner, and probably couldn't help much. But having one more person meant one more connection, and perhaps through Chen Ping'an's connections, he could find other avenues.
Xu Jinkui's face was filled with sorrow, and compared to when they first met, he seemed to have aged several years.
At this moment, Chen Ping'an, for some reason, thought of Old Chen.
Fatherly love is like a mountain!
So be it!
Chen Ping'an helped Xu Jinkui up with both hands and said, "Xu Yuanwai, meeting is fate. This matter, Chen understands."
"Thank you, Young Master Chen."
Xu Jinkui bowed in salute.
For him, Chen Ping'an's response was undoubtedly a good start. The request he would make to the Chief Constable at the banquet later, he imagined, would be extremely smooth.
Chen Ping'an exchanged a few pleasantries with Xu Jinkui, then left without disturbing him further.
Not long after Chen Ping'an left, a stern man in plain clothes arrived at the entrance of the restaurant. Amidst Xu Jinkui's beaming smiles, he was welcomed into the restaurant.
With money paving the way, combined with years of experience in flattering and accommodating others, Xu Jinkui achieved a satisfactory result.
Min Catch Head of Nancheng Prison agreed to release his son, Xu Renchang.
With the Chief Constable's guarantee, Xu Jinkui naturally felt relieved. Immediately, he repeatedly toasted and flattered him.
......
Early the next morning, the first thing Chen Ping'an did after reporting for duty was to inquire about Xu Renchang.
Upon inquiring, there was indeed a prisoner named Xu Renchang in Nancheng Prison. He had been locked up on the ground floor of Nancheng Prison a few days prior.
In addition, Chen Ping'an also made a more detailed understanding. The reason Xu Renchang was imprisoned in Nancheng Prison was that the other person he fought with had a grand-uncle who was on duty in Southern City Alley, considered a very senior Yamen Runner, and had even mentored a Chief Constable before.
After several twists and turns, Xu Renchang was locked up.
"Street brawling, given his situation, should legally result in a few days of detention."
"Reporting to Lord Chen, it should be seven days according to regulations."
The jailer's head, who had been summoned to the public office, answered cautiously with his head lowered.
To be honest, when he was just summoned by Lord Chen, who knew how anxious and fluctuating his mood was. He both hoped to be highly regarded by Lord Chen, and vaguely worried if he had made a mistake and would be admonished by Lord Chen as an example.
"How long has he been imprisoned?"
"Reporting to Lord Chen, it has been five days now."
"Hmm."
Having understood the situation, Chen Ping'an waved his hand, dismissing the head of the jailers.
He and Xu Jinkui were merely acquaintances, with no deep relationship. It was just that seeing his appearance reminded him of Old Chen, which made him willing to understand the situation.
After understanding the situation, Chen Ping'an had already made his decision.
Xu Renchang's street brawl did not cause serious impact; the normal punishment should be seven days of detention. Since that was the case, he would let him stay in Nancheng Prison for the full seven days before leaving!
Thus, he would neither show favoritism nor bend the law!
All he did was place Xu Renchang and the other party in the brawl under the same punishment.
After the head of the jailers left the public office, he pondered Chen's words all the way.
"Who is this Xu Renchang? To warrant Lord Chen's concern."
"Did Lord Chen's words just now mean for me to look after Xu Renchang, or to keep an eye on him!"
"Lord Chen asked me how many days he should be detained according to regulations. Then he asked how many days he had been detained? What does this mean? Does he think seven days is too long? Or not enough?"
"Hmm... such deep meaning!"
"Can't figure it out, can't comprehend it! Lord Chen is indeed unfathomable."
The head of the jailers repeatedly pondered, chewed over, and reviewed it several times, feeling that he had not grasped the true meaning of Lord Chen's words.
Not long after he returned to the ground floor cells, he saw Min Catch Head walk in.
"Why is Min Catch Head here?"
The head of the jailers was puzzled.
Logically, Min Catch Head would not specifically come here.
Puzzled as he was, it still didn't affect his greeting.
"Min Catch Head, good morning."
Min Catch Head smiled as he walked over.
"Hmm, Old Li, let me ask you something?"
The head of the jailers asked curiously, "Min Catch Head, what is it?"
"Are you holding a young man named Xu Renchang here?"
"Xu Renchang!"
Upon hearing this, the smile on the head of the jailers' face froze.
What's going on?
Why is Min Catch Head also asking about this Xu Renchang?
Noticing the change in the head of the jailers' expression, Min Catch Head immediately asked, "Old Li, what's the matter?"
Seeing Min Catch Head ask, the head of the jailers then explained the reason.
"What? Lord Chen inquired about Xu Renchang's matter?"
Min Catch Head's face changed.
Who did this Xu Renchang offend, that even Lord Chen personally inquired about him?
Damn Xu Jinkui, he almost harmed him!
"Damn it! Almost misled me! Old Li, pretend I was never here!"
Min Catch Head left a remark and then hurriedly walked away.
Leaving the head of the jailers utterly bewildered.
What on earth is going on today!
......
That night, Xu Jinkui waited for Min Catch Head's arrival at the restaurant as agreed.
Seeing Min Catch Head walking from afar, Xu Jinkui's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly went to meet him.
"Lord Min, Lord Min."
It wasn't until he got closer that Xu Jinkui clearly saw Min Catch Head's gloomy and extremely displeased expression.
His heart couldn't help but sink.
Min Catch Head was seething with anger, which he directly vented: "Xu Jinkui, what the hell are you doing? You almost got me killed!"
"Lord Min, you are..."
Xu Jinkui looked utterly bewildered.
"Who did your son offend! Do you know! You blind fool!"
Min Catch Head scolded Xu Jinkui relentlessly.
Xu Jinkui dared not retort, humbly and aggrievedly enduring Min Catch Head's reprimand.
After a while, he finally understood what was going on. Once he understood, he was completely stunned.
"The top boss of Nancheng Prison even inquired about it?"
To Xu Jinkui, the Chief Constable was already a high-ranking and powerful figure. The top boss of Nancheng Prison, that was simply incredible, a figure who had reached the heavens.
Such a figure even personally inquired about it...
Xu Jinkui only felt a deep sense of despair in his heart; his whole being was not well.
Chang'er, who on earth did you provoke?
How did even such a supreme figure get involved?