After leaving Wanjun, Chen Ping'an didn't delay much and prepared to head directly to Nancheng Prison to report for duty.
At his level, reporting for duty naturally wouldn't be a solo affair.
Liu Jinzhu of the Dispatching Division had already made arrangements.
He would be accompanied by the Deputy Supervisor of the Dispatching Division, along with two Yamen Runners, to report for duty.
"Lord Chen is truly young and promising. It is indeed a profound blessing for our Nancheng Suppression Office to have such a young talent as Lord Chen."
The Deputy Supervisor of the Dispatching Division was a sturdy man named Pang Miao.
"It's all thanks to the wise guidance of the Lords," Chen Ping'an said with a smile, raising his hand.
Having been in the Zhenfu Division for a long time, he had no psychological burden saying such words.
After leaving the Dispatching Division, before he had even exited the Zhenfu Division, Chen Ping'an saw a handsome young man, surrounded by a group of people, walking in from outside the Zhenfu Division.
Chen Ping'an recognized his identity at a glance.
Deputy Total Affairs Office, Fu Yuanming!
With Wanjun's guidance, he naturally understood the current situation of the Nancheng Suppression Office.
Fu Yuanming and Wanjun were already at odds, and with the matter of the Nancheng Prison this time, in Fu Yuanming's eyes, he was probably Wanjun's loyal confidant.
He probably wouldn't get a good look from him.
Seeing Fu Yuanming approach, Pang Miao was the first to stop.
"Lord Fu."
"Hm." Fu Yuanming nodded, then looked up at Chen Ping'an.
"Pang Miao, who is this?"
"Reporting to Lord Fu, this is Chen Ping'an, the newly appointed Head of Nancheng Prison," Pang Miao said with a smile.
"Chen Ping'an!" Fu Yuanming smiled, his gaze falling on Chen Ping'an: "I've heard much about him, but I didn't expect him to be so young upon meeting him today. He is truly young and promising."
"Lord Fu, you flatter me," Chen Ping'an said with a slight bow.
He had expected Fu Yuanming to provoke or demonstrate his authority, but unexpectedly, Fu Yuanming merely sized him up and said, "Not bad! Nancheng Prison bears great responsibility. Work hard, and don't be careless."
"Thank you for the Lord's guidance."
"Hm." Fu Yuanming nodded slightly and walked past Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an stood in place for a moment, slightly paused.
His existence was like snatching a large piece of meat that Fu Yuanming was determined to get, yet Fu Yuanming could face him so calmly now.
Whether it was an act or not, this alone showed that his Aura cultivation was profound.
Indeed, the higher one went, none of the people at the top were simple.
"Lord Chen," Pang Miao said with a smile, waving his hand.
"Hm, let's go." Chen Ping'an snapped back to reality and walked out of the main gate of the Nancheng Suppression Office with Pang Miao.
...
Speaking of Nancheng Prison, Chen Ping'an was somewhat familiar with it.
After eradicating the Ten Thousand Demons Sect's hidden stronghold, a large group of people were arrested at the Spring Rain Pavilion, and some of them were precisely escorted by Chen Ping'an.
Nancheng Prison has a total of three levels: one above ground and two underground, with strict security.
Nancheng Prison was still some distance from the Nancheng Suppression Office, but their pace was extremely fast, and in about a quarter of an hour, they arrived at Nancheng Prison.
Nancheng Prison's architecture was rough, with an overall grey-black tone, and the words "Nancheng Prison" were written on it in bold, iron-like strokes.
Chen Ping'an stood in front of Nancheng Prison with Pang Miao, followed by two Yamen Runners from the Nancheng Suppression Office.
At the entrance of Nancheng Prison stood several gatekeepers, dressed in the Zhenfu Division's black uniforms, though with slight differences in detail. An older gatekeeper saw them and quickly walked out.
"Sirs, what brings you here?"
Chen Ping'an, having just arrived to report, was wearing only a casual outfit. However, with Pang Miao and the Yamen Runners behind him, the other party couldn't ascertain their identities and was extremely polite.
"Lord Chen is reporting for duty today. Why haven't you quickly called people out to greet him?" one of the Yamen Runners behind them said to the gatekeeper.
"Lord Chen? Reporting for duty?" The gatekeeper looked puzzled.
Seeing the gatekeeper's reaction, Pang Miao's expression immediately changed.
"What is Chu Qirong doing?! Such an important matter as Lord Chen reporting for duty today wasn't even announced!"
Logically, as the head of Nancheng Prison, when Chen Ping'an reported for duty today, the core personnel of Nancheng Prison should have been waiting at the entrance early to welcome Chen Ping'an's arrival.
Even if they were less courteous and didn't wait at the entrance, all aspects should have been thoroughly arranged, so that as soon as Chen Ping'an arrived, they would immediately come out to greet him.
But now...
What on earth was Chu Qirong doing?!
Although Pang Miao didn't want to get involved in the conflict between the two, what Chu Qirong did was indeed a bit too much, too blatant.
Looking at the half-closed door of Nancheng Prison, Chen Ping'an narrowed his eyes slightly.
Interesting!
A show of force?
Since ancient times, only superiors gave shows of force to subordinates, how could a subordinate give a show of force to a superior?
This was like defying the heavens!
Pang Miao glanced at Chen Ping'an, seeing his calm expression, and for a moment couldn't figure out his thoughts.
However, if he was given the cold shoulder on his first day in office, it wouldn't look good anywhere.
To put it broadly, this would be a serious dereliction of duty for the Dispatching Division.
"This is Lord Pang from the Nancheng Suppression Office's Dispatching Division! Why haven't you opened the door and let the Lords in?" a Yamen Runner shouted loudly.
Pang Miao ignored the other party's reaction and directly bypassed the gatehouse, walking towards the main door.
The few people at the entrance didn't know what to do for a moment, but seeing Pang Miao's impressive Aura, plus the two genuine Nancheng Suppression Office Yamen Runners behind him, they dared not obstruct him.
Chen Ping'an glanced at the few people and followed Pang Miao into Nancheng Prison.
Inside Nancheng Prison, unlike ordinary places, it was generally cold and damp. Walking inside, they didn't see any jailers for a while. Seeing a small room not far away, the two walked in.
"Lord Chen, please wait here for a moment. I'll go ask Chu Qirong what's going on!" Pang Miao said, reassuring Chen Ping'an.
Being given the cold shoulder on the first day of assuming office would be unpleasant for anyone.
"No matter," Chen Ping'an replied indifferently, showing no discernible reaction.
Pang Miao glanced at Chen Ping'an, then exited the room and walked outside.
No matter what, today was Chen Ping'an's first day in office, and the proper courtesies still had to be observed.
...
In a room on the first underground level of Nancheng Prison.
The room was lively, with two tables set up, and many people were cheering excitedly around them.
Someone on the table was quickly shaking a wooden cylinder, then covering it, and finally lifting the lid.
"Two, seven, six, big!"
"Ugh, what rotten luck!"
"This hand is terrible!"
"..."
A chorus of boos filled the room.
As the people in the room were having fun, there was a knock on the door from outside.
"Sirs, there are some uninvited guests outside. They look like Lords from the Nancheng Suppression Office. They said something about Lord Chen reporting for duty today and asked everyone to come out quickly to greet him."
Although the person outside spoke loudly, separated by the door and with the noise in the room, the people inside didn't hear clearly for a moment.
"What Lord Chen?!"
With a creak, someone opened the door.
"What's the matter? Say it again."
"Sirs, there are some people outside, one of them is called Lord Pang, and he said that today is the day Head Chen reports for duty, and that we should hurry out to greet him!"
"What? How is it today? Wasn't it agreed to be in a few more days?"
"Quick! Quick! Quick! Pack it up, go out and greet Lord Chen!"
"This is really killing me! Killing me! How did the reporting date get moved up!" a Squad Leader said in a hurry.
The message they received clearly said it would be in a few days, so how was he reporting for duty today?
The people in the room rushed out.
In another room at the end of the corridor, a burly man with a fierce face walked out.
"Everyone just accidentally misremembered the reporting date, it wasn't intentional. Let's see how you handle this?"
Chu Qirong's lips curved into a smile as he walked out unhurriedly.
If the matter was blown up, then on the very first day of assuming office, he would be at odds with everyone. If such a matter was simply accepted with a forced smile, then how would this Lord Chen carry out his work later?
He was already young and lacked sufficient authority, and with such an incident, how many people would truly obey him later?
Regardless, this Lord Chen was bound to suffer this loss.
