“What? You don’t recognize me anymore?”
Chen Ping'an said with a half-joking smile, looking at their somewhat reserved expressions.
“No, of course we recognize Chief Constable Chen.” Qin Tou cupped his fists, a look of respect on his face.
He was the most senior, but also the most afraid of taking responsibility. If nothing happened, then nothing happened. His greatest hope was to retire peacefully.
“Chief Constable Chen, you’ve been promoted now. In the Zhenfu Division, familiarity is familiarity, but we still need to keep things separate.”
Monkey Head smiled mischievously.
Among the few of them, his expression was the most relaxed.
“Monkey Head is right.” Monkey Head Da Shan nodded.
“From now on, Chief Constable Chen is our leader. If we don't show enough respect, other Yamen Runners will say we're ill-mannered.” Zeng Jihe said seriously.
“Mm.” Chen Ping'an nodded, not dwelling on the matter: “Qin Tou, Monkey Head, Monkey Head Da Shan, and Xiao Zeng, you few are the people I’m most familiar with and know best in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. Now that your procedures are complete, you will be under my command. In the days to come, I hope everyone will work together to handle things well.”
“Yes, Chief Constable Sir.”
“At Chief Constable Chen’s command.”
“Understood!”
“......”
Except for Qin Tou, the others looked overjoyed. Chen Ping'an’s words meant he was relying on them as his trusted subordinates. The path ahead would be smooth!
It could be said that from this moment on, these few had essentially placed their bets on Chen Ping'an. In the future, they would rise and fall together.
If one day Chen Ping'an truly soared, then perhaps they too could become official Yamen Runners.
Seeing their reactions, Chen Ping'an was in a good mood.
He had just been promoted to Provisional Chief Constable and needed some trusted subordinates to handle matters. Monkey Head, Monkey Head Da Shan, and the others were all people he knew well. With them handling things, he felt at ease. If there was an opportunity in the future, he would naturally plan for their prospects.
Chen Ping'an chatted with Monkey Head and the others for a few more sentences, giving them some simple pointers, and then left.
Not far away, some Yamen Runners looked at Monkey Head and the others with envy. To gain the appreciation of a Chief Constable was the hope of many temporary Yamen Runners.
Observing the gazes of the surrounding Yamen Runners, Monkey Head and the others felt their backs straighten significantly. They held their heads high, puffed out their chests, and left the Zhenfu Division gate.
......
“What? Chen Ping'an was promoted to Provisional Chief Constable!? When did this happen?”
Inside a stronghold in Hu Pao Alley, Young Master Hu’s tiger-like eyes widened, and he slammed the table in shock.
“Replying to Young Master Hu, the news reached me not long ago. But the promotion should have been yesterday.” A Tiger Head Gang ruffian below him said respectfully. His eyes were also filled with deep shock.
“Promoted to Provisional Chief Constable? How could it be so sudden? Have you found out the reason?!”
Not long ago, Chen Ping'an becoming an official Yamen Runner had surprised him for a long time. But now, only a few days had passed. How was he already a Provisional Chief Constable?
“Replying to Young Master Hu, the brothers are still investigating the specific news. However, the news that just came in is that Lord Shen of the Zhenfu Division seems to have personally announced the matter. In addition, there are speculations that it seems to be related to the Nancheng Suppression Office.”
Upon hearing this, Young Master Hu’s expression immediately became uncertain and surprised.
“Lord Shen personally announced it? Related to the Nancheng Suppression Office?”
Young Master Hu walked back and forth in the room for a while, then suddenly jolted, turned around, and said: “Quickly prepare a generous gift. Tonight, we will go to apologize.”
.......
Not only at Young Master Hu’s place, the news of Chen Ping'an’s promotion to Provisional Chief Constable, after more than a day of fermentation, quickly became known to the prominent figures of various Gangs and forces in Nanquan Lane, such as the Iron Bull Gang, the Wild Wolf Gang, the Feisha Gang...
How long had it been since the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office specifically set up a Provisional Chief Constable! While it was called a Provisional Chief Constable, anyone with a discerning eye could see. That was a Chief Constable!
It was just that his seniority was still insufficient, which was why a Provisional Chief Constable was set up as a transition.
For the various Gang forces in Nanquan Lane, they completely regarded Chen Ping'an as a Chief Constable-level figure. How many Chief Constables were there in the entire Nanquan Lane Garrison Office?
Every Chief Constable held considerable power. If one accidentally offended a Chief Constable, the consequences could be very troublesome. Moreover, according to the circulating news, Chen Ping'an seemed to have some connections in the Nancheng Suppression Office. Therefore, the various forces were even more cautious and careful in dealing with Chen Ping'an.
Almost at the same time, Chen Ping'an's name was added to the list of people that the various Gangs could not offend.
Chen Ping'an had no idea what was happening outside. However, even if he knew, he would just smile it off. Power was merely superficial, while strength was the true foundation.
In the afternoon, his Chief Constable's cloak had already been rushed overnight. Although he was a Provisional Chief Constable, he could still possess a Chief Constable's cloak. This Chief Constable's cloak had two different styles: a cool and silky texture for hot summers, and a thick, warm greatcoat for cold winters.
Wearing the Chief Constable's cloak represented the dignity and status of the Zhenfu Division, and at times, it could completely serve to deter petty criminals.
Walking through the streets and alleys of Nanquan Lane, others could tell at a glance that a Zhenfu Division Chief Constable was on patrol, and no ruffians or hooligans would cause trouble at that time.
With the Chief Constable's cloak in hand, Chen Ping'an admired it for a while. After all, when he had just joined the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, let alone a Chief Constable's cloak, he had eagerly desired even the official uniform of a regular Yamen Runner.
However, after admiring it for a while, Chen Ping'an found that the Chief Constable's cloak was just so-so.
Chief Constable's cloak?
With his martial Dao progress, perhaps in a while, he would be wearing a fish-scale uniform!
Many matters in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office were already being handled collaboratively by five Chief Constables. As a newly appointed official, Chen Ping'an did not have too many things to deal with. Chen Ping'an was happy to be idle about this.
On this day, he practiced the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training twice, gaining 2 points of cultivation experience.
Idle, being idle is good!
This way, his time for martial arts practice would be more abundant, and his martial Dao progress could become faster and faster!
Amidst the greetings of the Zhenfu Division Yamen Runners, Chen Ping'an finished his shift and left. Before he reached home, he saw a group of people standing at his courtyard gate from afar.
As he got closer, he clearly saw the appearance of the person leading them.
It was Young Master Hu of the Tiger Head Gang!
“It’s about time you came. If you didn’t come, I would have gone to find you.”
A cold smile appeared on Chen Ping'an's face.
“Lord Chen, Lord Chen ah.”
Seeing Chen Ping'an return, Young Master Hu smiled broadly and walked towards him as if bathed in spring breeze. At this moment, Young Master Hu had none of his previous sternness and coldness.