“Hello, Zheng Chatou.”
“Stern.”
“Li Chatou.”
“...”
Chief Constables arrived one after another at Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. In a short while, all five Chief Constables were present.
This made the Yamen Runners below even quieter.
“It seems today is out of the ordinary!”
Monkey Head quietly said to a few people.
“Hmm.” Chen Ping'an and Dashan nodded lightly.
“Lord Tian!”
Another figure appeared at the Zhenfu Division entrance; it was Master Tian Fuliang, the Deputy Squad Leader of Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
All the Yamen Runners greeted him, and even the Chief Constables on the platform responded with respectful smiles.
Just when everyone thought the pre-duty meeting was about to begin, they didn't expect Tian Fuliang to go up to the high platform and not step forward to speak.
“Could it be...”
Chen Ping'an and Monkey Head exchanged glances, a guess emerging in their minds. Even the slow-witted Dashan reacted.
“Is the Squad Leader coming today?”
“Hmm. It should be.”
“Indeed, in this Nanquan Lane, the only one Lord Tian would wait for is the Squad Leader.”
Seeing Tian Fuliang's reaction on the high platform, various thoughts flashed through the minds of the many Yamen Runners, all knowing that today's pre-duty meeting would likely not be simple.
Unlike the nervousness of other Yamen Runners, Zheng Shiyong was a little excited.
The Squad Leader is coming!
Perhaps today, with the help of Zheng Chatou and Lord Tian, he could be remembered by the Squad Leader! If he could successfully connect, his path to Chief Constable would be much smoother.
Amidst everyone's attention, a middle-aged man in a fish-scale uniform calmly walked into the main entrance of the Zhenfu Division. The man was burly, with a square face and an Aura that commanded respect without anger.
Squad Leader Shen Shikang of Nanquan Lane Garrison Office!
Many Gangs in Nanquan Lane had to bow to him; he was truly a big shot.
“Squad Leader!”
All the Yamen Runners shouted in unison.
On the high platform, both Tian Fuliang and the Chief Constables all descended to welcome Shen Shikang's arrival.
“Hmm.”
Shen Shikang nodded slightly, and amidst the welcome of Tian Fuliang and others and the respectful gazes of the Yamen Runners, he ascended the high platform.
Shen Shikang scanned the area and spoke in a deep voice.
“Everyone must know about the incident the day before yesterday, and everyone has taken on their assignments. The appearance of Ten Thousand Demons Sect members in Nanquan Lane has enraged the Chief Warrant Officer of the city. Yesterday morning, Lord Shen was called to the city's Zhenfu Division and was severely reprimanded! The Chief Warrant Officer fought with Ten Thousand Demons Sect members right here in Nanquan Lane, and yet we couldn't provide timely support. It's truly shameful!”
Was the Chief Warrant Officer there that night?
Shen Shikang's words surprised many Yamen Runners. However, some Yamen Runners seemed to have known about this situation earlier.
Expanding on this topic, Shen Shikang spoke a lot more, mostly about the situation of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. He was under great pressure regarding this matter and hoped that Nanquan Lane Garrison Office could work together to apprehend the Ten Thousand Demons Sect members as soon as possible.
In response, all the Chief Constables and Yamen Runners simply responded in unison, vowing not to disappoint the Squad Leader.
Just when everyone thought this pre-duty meeting was about to end, Shen Shikang changed the subject and slowly said:
“Temporary Yamen Runner Chen Ping'an has performed meritoriously in giving warning, and with special approval from the city's Zhenfu Division, his name has been registered and he is promoted to a formal Yamen Runner of Nanquan Lane Garrison Office!”
With that, Shen Shikang scanned the entire area: “Yamen Runner Chen Ping'an, come up!”
As soon as his voice fell, the Yamen Runners below exploded into chatter.
Chen Ping'an performed meritoriously in giving warning!? What's going on!
How difficult it was for a temporary Yamen Runner to be promoted to a formal Yamen Runner; which one didn't require a long period of accumulation? Zheng Shiyong was one before, and now Chen Ping'an is another?
What's going on!
Listening to Squad Leader Shen Shikang's words, Zheng Shiyong was stunned; he didn't react for a moment.
Chen Ping'an... rendered meritorious service?
“Ping'an, Ping'an, the Squad Leader is calling you!”
Monkey Head was incredibly excited, shaking Chen Ping'an's hand.
Qin Tou and Dashan next to him both had wide eyes, not expecting this to happen. This was too sudden...
Formal Yamen Runner!
Chen Ping'an's face was filled with joy as he walked towards the high platform. Sure enough, he had not gambled wrong that night.
Numerous gazes focused on Chen Ping'an, filled with envy, shock, astonishment, and jealousy.
“Good! Not bad, he is indeed a good lad!”
Shen Shikang scanned Chen Ping'an once and patted him on the shoulder.
Chen Ping'an only felt his shoulder sink, but fortunately, Shen Shikang had held back his strength, so he was fine.
“Chen Ping'an, you are very good. Lord Shen thinks highly of you! This promotion to a formal Yamen Runner was specially approved by the Chief Warrant Officer. I hope you work hard from now on and do not let down the expectations of the Chief Warrant Officer and Lord Shen.”
Specially approved by the Chief Warrant Officer!
It would have been fine if Shen Shikang hadn't said it, but saying it made the many Yamen Runners below even more intensely jealous.
Chen Ping'an... was remembered by the Chief Warrant Officer!
Some clever and quick-witted Yamen Runners quickly realized. Evidently, the Yamen Runner who sounded the gong that night was Chen Ping'an. And this matter was noted by the Chief Warrant Officer.
What incredible luck!
“Work hard.” Tian Fuliang also encouraged Chen Ping'an.
“Thank you, Squad Leader, Lord Tian. Your subordinate will definitely not disappoint the expectations of all the Lords.” Chen Ping'an respectfully cupped his fists in return.
Zheng Chatou's expression turned gloomy for a moment, but he hid it very well. This scene was just caught by Chen Ping'an's eyes.
Just wait!
A cold sneer flashed through Chen Ping'an's heart.
He hadn't forgotten the previous grudge.
Under the witness of the Squad Leader, Deputy Squad Leader, and various Chief Constables, Chen Ping'an received his saber and waist token. He was also bestowed the Gongmen Thirteen Blades to practice diligently, hoping to enter the Dao of martial arts soon.
Amidst the envy, jealousy, and hatred of the Yamen Runners, Chen Ping'an descended the high platform again. Zheng Shiyong's eyes were full of jealousy.
“Damn it! How could that kid be so lucky! If I had discovered it, it would have been great!”
Many Yamen Runners shared Zheng Shiyong's thoughts, each envying Chen Ping'an's luck and imagining if it were them, would they also be so lucky?
However, what many people don't realize is that they often feel good about themselves, thinking about how they would act if they were in a certain situation. But in reality, most people, when they actually encounter a situation, find that everything is different from what they imagined. Some things, when truly encountered, make one realize they are just a coward.
“Ping'an, congratulations!” Monkey Head congratulated Chen Ping'an from the bottom of his heart.
If it were someone else, he would be jealous. But for Chen Ping'an, he couldn't feel jealous.
“Ping'an, congratulations.” Dashan and Qin Tou also congratulated him.
Especially Qin Tou, his expression was full of emotion. He didn't expect that kid Chen Ping'an would easily cross this step. He didn't know whether to say he was lucky or what.
“Let's go, I'm treating lunch today. Where do you want to eat?”
Chen Ping'an said with a smile.
...
PS: Two thousand collections now~
After finishing writing yesterday, I suddenly had a small realization. The plot is not dragged out; although it sacrifices some details and immersion, pushing the plot is really satisfying, and I enjoy writing it. I'll continue this way. For details and immersion, prioritize pushing the plot!!!