After finishing his cultivation, Chen Ping'an washed up and prepared to head to the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Before leaving, Chen Ping'an said with a smile, "Nannan, I'm heading out. I won't be back for dinner tonight, so don't wait for me."
"Mm." Chen Er'ya nodded heavily, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Chen Ping'an.
Her brother had surpassed their father and become a Chief Constable of the Zhenfu Division!
Chief Constable!
This was a Chief Constable!
Everything felt like a dream, yet it was happening so realistically.
This was her brother; she was proud!
Chen Ping'an smiled dotingly at Chen Er'ya, then turned and left the house.
By the time he arrived at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, basically all the Yamen Runners had already arrived.
The moment Chen Ping'an entered, he felt what it meant to be enthusiastic. Regardless of their previous relationship with Chen Ping'an, all the Yamen Runners in the Zhenfu Division smiled brilliantly when they saw him.
"Good morning, Chen Chief Constable!"
"Chen Chief Constable."
"Good morning, Chen Chief Constable."
"......"
"Mm."
Amidst the extremely eager gazes, Chen Ping'an nodded slightly and walked onto the high platform.
On the high platform at this time, several large chairs had already been placed.
"Chen Chief Constable, over here." Li Chatou was already seated in a large chair, smiling and waving to Chen Ping'an.
"Li Chatou." Chen Ping'an smiled faintly.
After the battle a few days ago, they hadn't necessarily formed a deep friendship, but they were certainly a community of shared interests.
The vacuum left by the destruction of the Tiger Head Gang was now seeing new Gang forces beginning to brew. In the process of this brewing, various forces, including the Zhenfu Division, were involved in a power struggle.
In this process, the Zhenfu Division would naturally enjoy great benefits.
Chen Ping'an hadn't been on the high platform for long when Zheng Chatou also arrived. Compared to before, Zheng Chatou's expression was much more relaxed.
Previously, his expression when he saw Chen Ping'an was truly unpleasant. But now, seeing Chen Ping'an there, Zheng Chatou actually forced a smile.
Chen Ping'an secretly felt awe at this.
According to his understanding, this Zheng Chatou was not a magnanimous person.
"Squad Leader Sir!"
"Lord Tian!"
Soon, Squad Leader Shen Shikang and Master Tian Fuliang arrived one after another.
This pre-duty regular meeting was presided over by Squad Leader Shen Shikang. During the meeting, he first heavily praised the suppression of the Tiger Head Gang, highlighting the efficiency of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office. Then, he solemnly announced that, with the approval of the Nancheng Suppression Office, Chen Ping'an would be promoted to Chief Constable of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
"Chen Chief Constable, congratulations."
Shen Shikang cupped his fists in a bow towards Chen Ping'an.
From the perspective of a Squad Leader, this gesture of his showed great respect and affection for Chen Ping'an.
"Thank you, Squad Leader Sir, for your promotion, and thank you, Lord Tian, as well as all my colleagues."
Chen Ping'an looked around, cupped his fists, and bowed.
Below the high platform, he scanned the Faces of the Yamen Runners. At this moment, no matter what they were thinking in their hearts, their Faces could only show happiness, and indeed, they did.
Below the high platform, upon hearing the news of Chen Ping'an's promotion to Chief Constable, Zheng Shiyong was a thousand times unwilling, ten thousand times unwilling, but in such a setting, his Face could only show happiness and congratulations.
Ever since he learned of Tan Huacong's death that day, Zheng Shiyong had been unable to sleep well for several nights in a row.
Afterward, the Zhenfu Division's investigation report stated that Tan Huacong died in the chaotic battle, but he vaguely felt that Chen Ping'an might have been the one who acted. Although he had no evidence, his sixth sense told him that was the case.
These past few days, he had been living in fear, afraid of being caught by Chen Ping'an with some handle.
Before, he still had his uncle, Zheng Chatou, to protect him, but in the blink of an eye, Chen Ping'an, this rustic fellow, was already on equal footing with his uncle, Zheng Chatou. Not only that, but he had also become a favored person in the eyes of the Squad Leader Sir.
How much time had passed for a mere unlisted temporary Yamen Runner to reach such a level? The change in his circumstances was simply unimaginable.
No matter what Zheng Shiyong thought in his heart, it could not change the fact of Chen Ping'an's promotion to Chief Constable.
After the pre-duty regular meeting ended, Shen Shikang first summoned Chen Ping'an for a good chat. Not long after he came out, Tian Fuliang found him to chat for a while again.
Although Chen Ping'an had now removed the word "provisional," his duties did not change much for a time. After all, the Zhenfu Division had a limited number of Yamen Runners, and with the number of Chief Constables remaining constant, he could only command three squads of Yamen Runners.
Unless a Chief Constable was willing to relinquish the Yamen Runners under his command.
In the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, each Chief Constable had directly subordinate Yamen Runners. For example, Huang Chatou and Chief Liu were the weakest, each commanding four squads of Yamen Runners.
Li Chatou and Stern each commanded five squads of Yamen Runners.
Zheng Chatou was the strongest, commanding six squads of Yamen Runners.
Ordinary Yamen Runners didn't even need to know the exact strength of the Chief Constables; simply by looking at the number of Yamen Runners under their command, it was clear who was stronger and who was weaker.
Now, with Chen Ping'an's promotion, he had become the weakest in terms of power among the six Chief Constables. He only had three squads of Yamen Runners under his command.
After duty that day, Chen Ping'an did not go home for dinner. To celebrate Chen Ping'an's promotion to Chief Constable, Squad Leader Shen Shikang arranged a banquet at the largest restaurant in Nanquan Lane.
Master Tian Fuliang, and the five Chief Constables of the Zhenfu Division, all attended.
As the Squad Leader of the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, Shen Shikang personally hosted the banquet, and the restaurant was naturally extremely considerate and provided thorough service.
This meal, of course, was enjoyed by all the guests.
Originally, Tian Fuliang suggested going to Spring Rain Pavilion for an overnight stay and another round of flower wine, but Chen Ping'an politely declined with a smile.
"Lord Tian, my younger sister is still young and waiting for me at home. Please excuse me from the flower wine; thank you for your kindness, Lord Tian!"
Tian Fuliang did not insist, smiling as he patted Chen Ping'an's shoulder.
"Hahaha, today is to celebrate your promotion. As you wish, as you wish!"
Chen Ping'an smiled and said, "Thank you, Lord Tian, for your understanding."
Sometimes, facts are just that wonderful. If you are someone without a background, no matter how good your reasons are, if you refuse someone, they will be relentless, escalating it to a matter of whether you are giving them Face.
But if your background is enough to make them wary, then even if your refusal has no reason, they will actively help you find one.
The banquet ended and everyone dispersed, just as Chen Ping'an was preparing to go home. Zheng Chatou called out to him.
"Chen Chief Constable, please hold on."
"What is it?" Chen Ping'an stopped and turned to look at Zheng Chatou.
Zheng Chatou's Face held a smile: "Chen Chief Constable, all the past matters were due to Zheng's fault. Tomorrow night at Spring Rain Pavilion, Zheng will host a banquet to apologize to Chen Chief Constable. Please, Chen Chief Constable, do not take the past matters to heart!"
"Oh?"
Chen Ping'an looked at Zheng Chatou with a smile.
He saw that Zheng Chatou's Face was full of smiles and his attitude was sincere; for a moment, he couldn't see any problems.
Was Zheng Chatou showing him goodwill, wanting to ease their relationship?
Chen Ping'an pondered for a moment, then agreed.
"In that case, Zheng will respectfully await Chen Chief Constable's presence tomorrow."
Zheng Chatou gave him plenty of Face.
"Mm." Chen Ping'an nodded slightly, then turned and left.
The moment Chen Ping'an left, the smile on Zheng Chatou's Face vanished, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.