“The girls at Spring Rain Pavilion are truly made of gold!”
Every time Monkey Head came out of Spring Rain Pavilion, he would sigh like this, looking up at the sky.
After Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Dashan received their waist tags and sabers, they exited the Zhenfu Division's main gate.
Temporary Yamen Runners like them usually didn't have the right to carry sabers. Before getting off duty each time, they had to hand in their waist tags and sabers before they could go home.
However, they were allowed to wear the Zhenfu Division's official uniform home, with two sets per person for rotation.
Only official Yamen Runners had the right to carry sabers.
“Oh, by the way, where’s Qin Tou?”
Leaving the Zhenfu Division and walking along Liuye Street, Chen Ping'an asked curiously.
Generally speaking, patrolling the streets and alleys required a group of four. With such a number, if they encountered any trouble, they could assist each other.
One person would go for reinforcements, while the remaining three suppressed the illegal activities.
Not only that, but among the four, there must be an official Yamen Runner present. Only then could they fully exercise their law enforcement powers.
The Qin Tou Chen Ping'an asked about was the official Yamen Runner assigned to their group.
According to the Zhenfu Division's rules, Qin Tou should have been with them.
“Him? He ran off as soon as he clocked in. By now, he’s either at home with his wife and kids, or drinking tea at some teahouse.”
Monkey Head pouted. Although he showed disdain, his expression when speaking betrayed him.
Ah! How envious! I want that too!
Getting paid without working, that’s called earning a monthly salary!
Chen Ping'an wasn't surprised by Monkey Head's reply.
Qin Tou was once a brave and daring man in his early years, rising from an unregistered Yamen Runner to an official Yamen Runner.
But as he got older, he didn't dare to be like that anymore. With a family to support, how could he still have that drive? Being able to retire peacefully and enjoy his old age, that was the Dao!
On duty! Fish if you can! Don’t go if you don’t have to! If something happens, let the young ones handle it, he’s old and just wants to quietly collect his monthly salary.
Liuye Street was two streets away from the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, not too far. As they chatted, they turned a corner and arrived at Liuye Street.
Liuye Street was lined with shops and was undoubtedly much livelier than other streets. However, it was still morning, far from the busiest time for Liuye Street.
The three of them, dressed in the Zhenfu Division Yamen Runner's black uniforms, were still very eye-catching as they walked down the street.
The three wore a green tunic, covered by a red cloth vest, with a green silk belt tied around their waists, which was the attire for temporary Yamen Runners.
If they were official Yamen Runners, their attire would be a green cloth tunic, with a cross-collar, narrow-sleeved long robe, and a red woven belt around the waist.
Therefore, by observing their attire, it was clear whether they were official Yamen Runners or unregistered temporary Yamen Runners.
However, even as temporary Yamen Runners, the three of them walking together with sabers at their waists were extremely imposing.
“If only I could wear the official Yamen Runner’s uniform. That would be truly magnificent.”
Monkey Head walked majestically with a saber at his waist.
that kid usually didn't walk with such a posture. Now, he was putting on quite a show.
Chen Ping'an glanced at Monkey Head and couldn't help but tease him.
“Monkey Head, why don’t you just wear a full set of scale armor and walk on the street? Wouldn’t that be even more imposing! I guarantee those young ladies would be completely smitten by you.”
“Hmph! If I could have a Chief Constable’s cloak in this lifetime, my ancestors would be burning high incense. Scale armor? Monkey Head wouldn't even dare to dream of it!”
If an official Yamen Runner could be promoted to Chief Constable, their official uniform, compared to that of an official Yamen Runner, would not only be more refined in detail but also include a large cloak.
Having a large cloak symbolized status and position. It could not only enhance one's own prestige but also serve to deter petty criminals.
When others saw it, they would know that this person was a Zhenfu Division Chief Constable and would not dare to offend him in the slightest.
As for scale armor...
That was a privilege only enjoyed by the level of Deputy Squad Leader.
Such power and prestige were something that temporary Yamen Runners like Monkey Head dared not even imagine.
“How unpromising! Thinking about it is still allowed. Dashan, don’t you agree?”
Chen Ping'an teased.
With his Golden Finger, he was undoubtedly in a much happier mood than before.
“Hehe~”
Dashan chuckled foolishly.
“Forget scale armor or a Chief Constable’s cloak, if I, Monkey Head, could just wear the official Yamen Runner’s uniform, my dad would probably wake up laughing from his dreams. If I were an official Yamen Runner, the Wild Wolf Gang wouldn't dare to overcharge my family’s blacksmith shop for monthly fees. Not to mention getting rid of the shop’s monthly fees, at least they’d be well-behaved and wouldn’t arbitrarily inflate prices!”
As he spoke excitedly, Monkey Head was beaming, as if he were already an official Yamen Runner in the Zhenfu Division.
“An official Yamen Runner, that’s truly someone who eats from the public trough! In these streets and alleys, he’s someone with a bit of face.”
The Wild Wolf Gang, like the Tiger Head Gang, was also one of the Gangs rampant in Nanquan Lane.
“Then you should work hard.”
Chen Ping'an patted Monkey Head's shoulder.
“Official Yamen Runner, huh!”
Upon hearing this, Monkey Head’s face immediately fell.
“How can it be that easy! Even if I have meritorious service, I still need martial arts initiation! And that’s if my connections are well-established and I’ve cleared numerous obstacles. Otherwise, even if I reach Qi Blood Level One Perfection and achieve success in skin refining, I might not necessarily become an official Yamen Runner.”
martial arts initiation, how difficult it was!
Without natural talent or a renowned master, forcing oneself to cultivate martial arts would not only exhaust resources but also likely lead to numerous ailments.
Even if one barely achieved martial arts initiation, it probably wouldn't form much combat power, merely wasting time and money.
A few years ago, his old man did let him practice martial arts for a while, but he really wasn't cut out for it. Although his family was fairly well-off, it couldn't compare to those wealthy families. Without medicinal baths or a renowned master's guidance, he only learned some superficial skills and fake moves after several months.
These superficial skills were enough to fight ordinary people. But he hadn't truly stepped onto the Dao of martial arts cultivation!
“Dashan, I, Monkey Head, am hopeless. You are exceptionally gifted, with innate Divine Power, so maybe you still have a chance. Talk to Qin Tou more; maybe he’ll be happy one day and teach you a move or two.”
Monkey Head said to Dashan.
“Mm.”
This time, Dashan didn't chuckle foolishly but responded with a heavy affirmation. Clearly, he also harbored such a thought.
To quickly advance in the Zhenfu Division, martial arts cultivation was undoubtedly the best method. Even connections and background couldn't compare.
Even with a strong background, one still needed sufficient visible strength!
If one lacked formidable strength, what good would it do to be forcefully appointed as a Squad Leader, even with powerful connections!
If one couldn't suppress various forces with strength, relying solely on connections and background would likely make one a laughingstock in the alley. People might outwardly obey you, but inwardly, they wouldn't!
“Strength! Strength!”
“If Iron Cloth can achieve initiation, I wonder if that counts as truly stepping onto the Dao of martial arts cultivation.”
Chen Ping'an, with his saber at his waist, strode along Liuye Street, as if walking in a brilliant golden light, his future bright and full of infinite hope.