“This, this…”
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu were stumped by Chen Ping'an’s question and didn't know how to answer for a moment.
“Reporting to Chief Constable Zheng, Township Defender Chen hasn’t been leading the shift for long. I didn’t think of seeing Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu! This is my oversight!” Old Fan from the Errand Office saw that the situation was not good and immediately stepped forward to take the blame.
“However, even if Township Defender Chen has a thousand reasons, he should not neglect his duty before obtaining the collection voucher. He shouldn't treat the matter of the tax as child's play!”
Old Fan from the Errand Office was experienced and went straight to the point.
“Chen Ping'an, what do you have to say about this matter!”
Chief Constable Zheng’s gaze locked onto Chen Ping'an, like a man-eating tiger.
What a Chief Constable Zheng, this favoritism is a bit too obvious. However, this is exactly the effect he wanted!
Chen Ping'an sneered inwardly, but his face showed no expression.
“Chief Constable Zheng, Chen has always kept the matter of the tax in mind. These past two days, I have been preparing for the smooth collection of the tax. However, due to Old Fan from the Errand Office’s procrastination, it has been delayed again and again until today!
Otherwise, the tax from Hu Pao Gambling House would have already been collected! In this matter, Old Fan from the Errand Office’s responsibility must be investigated and he must be severely punished to serve as a warning to others! Furthermore, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu have been passive and negligent in their duties! This has severely affected patrol and other related matters, Chen suggests that they be severely punished without leniency!”
As soon as Chen Ping'an finished speaking, the surrounding Yamen Runners were shocked.
He hadn't even sorted out his own responsibilities, yet he directly opened fire on three people at once!
This… how daring!
“Chen Ping'an, your meaning is that you bear no responsibility for the tax matter! And you even want to hold the other three accountable?”
Chief Constable Zheng laughed in extreme anger.
“Responding to Chief Constable Zheng, the deadline for the tax has not yet passed. Discussing responsibility now would be somewhat ridiculous! Chen is reporting what happened now! If Chief Constable Zheng doesn’t believe it, he can investigate.
Furthermore, Chen has been unable to obtain the collection voucher, which has prevented the smooth progress of the tax matter! This has severely affected the Zhenfu Division’s tax collection. The matter of the collection voucher is inextricably linked to Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Old Fan. They need to bear full responsibility!”
“What a glib-tongued fellow!” Chief Constable Zheng angrily rebuked.
Chen Ping'an looked directly at Chief Constable Zheng, not shying away from his man-eating gaze. This was the confidence brought by the improvement of his Martial Dao Realm.
“From your words, it seems you are confident about this tax matter!?”
“Yes!” Chen Ping'an responded.
“Good! Since that’s the case…” Chief Constable Zheng turned to look at Old Fan from the Errand Office: “Since Chen Ping'an is already here, go get the collection voucher!”
“Yes.” Old Fan from the Errand Office bowed fearfully and immediately ran to the Errand Office to get the collection voucher.
“Chen Ping'an, I know about the matter you reported, and I have resolved it for you now! If you fail to collect the tax before the end of your shift today, then don’t blame me for being merciless!”
“It should be so.” Chen Ping'an calmly accepted. “However, what about Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Old Fan? How should they be dealt with?”
“This matter will be discussed later! Wait until you collect the tax!”
Chief Constable Zheng waved his sleeve and said. Chen Ping'an’s series of actions undoubtedly showed him no respect, pushing his patience to its limit.
At this moment, he had already marked Chen Ping'an with a red cross in his heart.
If Chen Ping'an failed to successfully collect the tax after his shift, he had already thought of many charges against Chen Ping'an.
Crimes such as public defiance, ineffective work, and dereliction of duty. At that time, he would combine multiple punishments to establish his authority in front of all the Yamen Runners! He would let them know what the consequences of defying Zheng Zhenwu were in this Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
As for Chen Ping'an successfully collecting the tax? He hadn't even considered it!
How could the Tiger Head Gang be easy to deal with! Not to mention that the tax quota had increased by one-tenth. Even if it remained unchanged, it would still take a lot of back-and-forth haggling.
This was even the result of several experienced official Yamen Runners appearing together!
For the Tiger Head Gang, if they paid too readily, it would inadvertently reveal their bottom line to the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. As a result, their tax would indirectly increase the following year.
“With everyone as witness, I believe Chief Constable Zheng will not go back on his word!” Chen Ping'an slightly cupped his hands.
Chen Ping'an’s repeated defiance thoroughly shocked the surrounding Yamen Runners! It was as if they were truly getting to know Chen Ping'an for the first time.
He… he’s getting ahead of himself?
Could it be that he thought, after becoming an official Yamen Runner, he would have the capital to go against the Chief Constable?
My goodness! A role model for our generation!
The Yamen Runners present had different thoughts and feelings.
At this moment, Old Fan from the Errand Office rushed over, holding a collection voucher stamped with a large seal.
“Reporting to Chief Constable Zheng, the collection voucher has been brought.”
“Good, give it to him!”
“Yes.”
Chen Ping'an took the voucher from Old Fan’s hand and quickly scanned it, clearly seeing the text recorded on it.
Hu Pao Gambling House, tax amount: One hundred and ten taels exactly!
One hundred and ten taels! This amount is quite interesting!
Chen Ping'an sneered.
To deal with a mere Yamen Runner like him, this Chief Constable Zheng really put in a lot of effort!
Recalling the whole journey, he hadn't offended Chief Constable Zheng or Zheng Shiyong in any way. Yet it had come to this point; if one were to truly investigate, the fault lay with them, not him!
But even so, they relentlessly pursued him, intending to trample him into the dust!
The reason was not that he was unforgivably guilty, but that he had touched upon their interests and blocked certain paths!
This is how the world works!
This is the truth on the path of power!
Constantly enduring and retreating is never the solution!
Those of the Martial Dao are brave and diligent, always striving forward. Since one has sufficient confidence, then when it is time to act, one should act!
Chen Ping'an put away the collection voucher and tucked it into his embrace, then looked up at Chief Constable Zheng on the high platform.
“May I ask Chief Constable Zheng, has today’s pre-shift meeting concluded? If so, Chen will go and collect the tax.”
Chief Constable Zheng gave him a cold look: “Go! My words are here, if you fail to collect it before the end of your shift today, then prepare yourself!”
“Thank you, Chief Constable Zheng.” Chen Ping'an cupped his hands in a bow, looking calm and composed.
“Xiao Zeng, Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, follow me to collect the tax!”
Zeng Jihe, who was standing nearby, had been stunned since Chen Ping'an started speaking. Suddenly hearing his name, he couldn’t help but let out an “Ah.”
This Chen Tou… is quite fierce!
“What are you standing around for, let’s go!”
Chen Ping'an glanced at Zeng Jihe.
Zeng Jihe looked around, hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth, cupped his fists in salute to the Chief Constables on the high platform, and then followed behind Chen Ping'an.
“What about you two?” Chen Ping'an’s gaze fell on Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu.
At this moment, both their faces were alternating between green and pale. They didn't know whether to go or not.
However, it was clear that Chen Ping'an didn't give them much time. Seeing that they weren't moving, he took Zeng Jihe and turned to leave.
Some Yamen Runners instinctively made way for them. Chen Ping'an smiled slightly, nodded, and departed.
After Chen Ping'an left, the Zhenfu Division was silent.
Chief Constable Zheng stood on the high platform, snorted angrily, and left with a flick of his sleeve.
The other Chief Constables suppressed their laughter.
It’s been a long time since we saw Chief Constable Zheng suffer a setback! Interesting!
That Yamen Runner is quite a pity!
They didn't believe that the Yamen Runner named Chen Ping'an would have a good outcome after offending Chief Constable Zheng.
......
PS: Promotion is most likely gone. It’s also the author’s own problem, the pace was too slow before. Actually, according to my detailed outline, the pace was fine. After comparing, the plot has only reached chapter thirty of the detailed outline. I don’t know why it dragged on so much when writing, it’s really a lack of ability.
Later, I need to speed up the plot, speed up, speed up! Faster! Even faster!
However… I have a few chapters saved, so… ahem…
Oh right, if the promotion fails, it might be on shelves next week~
There will be a small burst of updates then.