Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Shen Shikang, the Squad Leader of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, ascended the high platform. Tian Fuliang stood one step behind Lord Shen, while the Chief Constables sensibly stood behind the two of them.
Lord Shen’s gaze swept across the entire scene. The Yamen Runners he looked at lowered their heads, their Faces filled with awe. Lord Shen’s gaze finally landed on Chen Ping'an and stopped there.
Chen Ping'an, at the opportune moment, revealed a hint of awe and respect, a slight smile on his Face.
Lord Shen, whose Face was always serious, unexpectedly showed a rare smile to Chen Ping'an.
“Lord Shen has not attended the pre-duty regular meeting for some days. The Nanquan Lane Garrison Office has been plagued by a rampant atmosphere of dereliction of duty and unrewarded merit!”
Lord Shen’s opening remarks carried an accusatory tone.
“Zheng Chatou, tell Lord Shen. What’s been going on recently?”
Hmm?
Upon hearing his uncle being called out by Lord Shen, Zheng Shiyong’s expression stiffened.
What’s going on?
Hearing his name suddenly called, Zheng Chatou’s heart sank. Knowing what was happening, he could only brace himself and reply, “Reporting to Lord Shen, recently there have indeed been Yamen Runners neglecting their duties and being lax in their official business, leading to some rather undesirable practices!”
“Hmph!” Lord Shen let out a heavy snort. “So you knew about it too!”
To reprimand him like this in front of so many Yamen Runners, Lord Shen was clearly showing no Face to Zheng Chatou.
“Please forgive Lord Shen!”
A cold sweat broke out on Zheng Chatou’s back as he repeatedly bowed. A hint of resentment flashed in his heart.
Chen Ping'an!
“In my Nanquan Lane, dereliction of duty and unrewarded merit must not be allowed to fester! I fine you three months’ salary and order you to reflect in seclusion for three days. Do you accept this?”
Lord Shen said in a deep voice.
“Lord Shen, Lord Shen accepts wholeheartedly.” Zheng Chatou bowed his head, showing extreme respect.
The sudden turn of events on the high platform caught the many Yamen Runners below off guard, some still unsure of what was happening.
“Temporary Yamen Runners Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Fan Lin, for dereliction of duty and negligence in official business, nearly delaying the crucial matter of the tax collection, are hereby stripped of their Yamen Runner status and expelled from the Zhenfu Division! As a warning to others!”
At these words, even the dullest Yamen Runner understood what was going on!
Instantly, the entire scene fell silent.
This… what is going on?
Zheng Shiyong felt his mind spinning.
Everything was arranged yesterday! How did it turn out like this today! And Lord Shen himself is overseeing it.
Even his usually strong uncle was reprimanded by Lord Shen, fined three months’ salary, and ordered to reflect in seclusion for three days.
What on earth happened?
Looking at his uncle on the high platform, Zheng Shiyong felt as if the world was spinning.
Tan Huacong’s mood was no better. To this day, he still hadn’t figured out what was happening.
But compared to their emotions, Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Fan Lin felt like their world was collapsing!
Stripped of their Yamen Runner status and expelled from the Zhenfu Division!
This punishment was even more unbearable than killing them!
With the status of a temporary Yamen Runner, everything they did was much smoother. Even when their family members went out, they would be looked upon with respect. Against Gang ruffians, this official skin was the best protective color.
If they were stripped of their Yamen Runner status, the consequences were simply unimaginable!
The news, like a bolt from the blue, left the few of them as if they had lost their souls.
Fan Lin was the first to start wailing.
“Lord Shen, it’s a miscarriage of justice, a miscarriage! I didn’t do it on purpose. It was Zheng Chatou, Zheng Chatou told me to do it!”
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, who were beside him, also reacted at this moment, shouting loudly: “Lord Shen, it was Zheng Shiyong! He told us to do it! He said that as long as we took down Chen Ping'an, if we followed him, he would ensure that each of us would get a lucrative position and live a life of comfort!”
“Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting!”
Zheng Shiyong shouted, wishing he could directly gag the two of them and completely clear himself of any involvement.
On the high platform, hearing what the few of them said, Zheng Chatou’s Face was extremely unsightly.
“Guards, why aren’t you expelling them from the Zhenfu Division!”
Lord Shen glanced at Zheng Chatou but said nothing.
Several Yamen Runners nearby reacted quickly, swiftly seizing Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Fan Lin one by one and dragging them out.
“Miscarriage of justice! Lord Shen, miscarriage of justice!”
“Spare me, spare me, I was wrong!”
“Chen Tou, Chen Tou, please, say something for me, it’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!”
“Chen Tou, give me another chance, I will definitely follow you and work hard!”
“Zheng Shiyong, you bastard! Pfft!”
...
The few were dragged out, making a disgraceful spectacle.
Chen Ping'an watched them silently, saying nothing. Zeng Jihe, beside him, showed excitement and whispered in Chen Ping'an’s ear, “Chen Tou, this is great, Lord Shen is upholding justice for us!”
This foolish child!
Chen Ping'an sighed.
It seems he hasn’t been beaten enough; his thoughts are still so naive!
He himself knew very well that Lord Shen was willing to step forward and preside over justice not because of genuine justice, but probably out of consideration for the Chief Warrant Officer’s connections. He didn’t believe Lord Shen didn’t know about his visit to the Nancheng Suppression Office!
Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Fan Lin were quickly expelled from the Zhenfu Division. With this incident fresh in their minds, the Yamen Runners present were all as silent as cicadas, fearing that they would be next.
What a pity!
Chen Ping'an turned his head to look at Zheng Chatou on the high platform, whose Face was ashen.
This punishment was still too light for Zheng Chatou!
Fining him three months’ salary was merely a formality. For a Chief Constable, salary was negligible; the real bulk of his income came from various gray sources.
As for reflecting in seclusion for three days, it was more about losing Face than a real punishment.
However, there’s no rush, this is only the beginning!
Chen Ping'an sneered inwardly.
Just as he thought the matter was about to be settled, Lord Shen’s voice rang out again.
“Yamen Runner Chen Ping'an, a reliable and trustworthy individual, meticulous in official duties, diligent and uncomplaining, widely praised by many. Furthermore, for his meritorious service in collecting the tax, he is hereby promoted to Provisional Chief Constable!”
The entire scene fell silent!
Countless gazes, filled with shock and astonishment, simultaneously landed on Chen Ping'an.
Qin Tou, Monkey Head, Dashan, all of them stared wide-eyed, so astonished they almost split their mouths open.
Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong were utterly incredulous, their eyes filled with confusion and unwillingness.
Provisional Chief Constable!
He… what did he do to deserve this?
Even the Chief Constables on the high platform couldn’t help but turn their gaze to Chen Ping'an.
A Provisional Chief Constable holds a status above that of a regular Yamen Runner, essentially serving as a reserve for Chief Constables. Generally, for someone with this status, promotion to Chief Constable is almost a certainty!