“Ping’an, your current attire, tsk tsk tsk… it’s truly impressive!”
As soon as Chen Ping’an arrived at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, Monkey Head circled him once, praising him profusely.
At this moment, Chen Ping’an was no longer wearing the temporary Yamen Runner’s black uniform. Instead, he was dressed in a formal Yamen Runner’s public uniform: a long, narrow-sleeved blue cloth robe with a cross-collar, and a red woven belt around his waist.
Among the majority of temporary Yamen Runners still wearing black uniforms, he stood out remarkably.
The Nanquan Lane Garrison Office had over a hundred temporary Yamen Runners, but the number of formal Yamen Runners was less than forty.
Big Mountain, standing nearby, also showed envy in his eyes.
“Ping’an, that’s truly great! Keep up the good work; the future belongs to you young people.”
Qin Tou also came over to praise him. After that day, Qin Tou rarely slacked off and was always present for roll call.
While waiting for the Chief Constables to arrive, many Yamen Runners also approached Chen Ping’an to converse.
Previously, Chen Ping’an was almost invisible in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office; apart from their small inner circle, virtually no Yamen Runners paid attention to him. But now that he had been promoted to a formal Yamen Runner, the situation was different.
When he walked outside and people heard about him, he was considered a Chief Constable of sorts. Once Chen Ping’an got a little older, people would address him as Chen Tou when he went out.
Seeing Chen Ping’an being so warmly received, a hint of unwillingness flashed in Zheng Shiyong’s eyes.
“A mere kid who hasn’t even entered the martial Dao, he must have gotten incredibly lucky!”
They didn’t wait long before a Chief Constable entered the Zhenfu Division’s entrance. It was Zheng Chatou. As soon as Zheng Chatou entered, he saw a temporary Yamen Runner fawning over Chen Ping’an.
“What is all this commotion about, making such a racket!”
Although Zheng Chatou’s words were directed at everyone, his gaze was fixed on Chen Ping’an.
The temporary Yamen Runner who was being stared at suddenly looked as if his face had frozen.
“Get back to your places!” Zheng Chatou showed displeasure.
The temporary Yamen Runner who had been fawning over Chen Ping’an immediately ran back upon hearing this.
Being reprimanded by a Chief Constable was no small matter.
As Zheng Chatou walked further in, the murmuring in the hall subsided.
“Kid! So what if you’re a formal Yamen Runner? You’ll still be under my uncle’s thumb!” Zheng Shiyong thought triumphantly.
Although Zheng Chatou didn’t explicitly state it, this action was subtly warning Chen Ping’an, and at the same time, it was telling others that he wasn’t particularly fond of Chen Ping’an.
Any temporary Yamen Runners who had intended to show goodwill, seeing Zheng Shiyong’s attitude, would undoubtedly weigh their options before making a decision.
Watching Zheng Chatou’s back as he walked onto the high platform, Chen Ping’an slightly narrowed his eyes.
This Zheng Chatou…
Since the Ten Thousand Demons Sect matter had not yet been resolved, although the Squad Leader and Deputy Squad Leader were not present today, the five Chief Constables reported as usual, with Zheng Chatou presiding over the pre-shift meeting.
After the pre-shift meeting, Chen Ping’an also received his newly assigned duties.
Since he was now a registered formal Yamen Runner, he naturally could no longer follow Qin Tou. Instead, he needed to lead three temporary Yamen Runners and work independently.
Whether by coincidence or deliberate arrangement, two of the three temporary Yamen Runners he was leading had just recently been in contact with him.
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu. Besides them, there was also a newcomer who had joined less than two months ago, named Zeng Jihe.
Chen Ping’an wasn't sure about others, but he knew that Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu were more experienced temporary Yamen Runners, the type who were good at currying favor. They seemed to belong to Zheng Chatou’s faction.
Because of this, Chen Ping’an secretly became wary.
In his previous life’s workplace, there were countless instances of people being given a hard time. Was he going to experience it all over again after his Transmigration, here in the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office?
However…
Unlike his previous life, his current abilities could be clearly demonstrated and quantified. They couldn’t be arbitrarily twisted, black and white reversed, or used to shift blame and manipulate.
Since Chen Ping’an’s new assignment was only decided today, it would officially begin tomorrow. Today, everything remained as usual.
On this day, Chen Ping’an, along with Qin Tou, Monkey Head, and Big Mountain, patrolled Liuye Street. He and Qin Tou, each wearing the formal Yamen Runner’s public uniform, were very imposing as they walked down the street.
Many ruffians who had previously been indifferent and fearless towards Chen Ping’an, upon seeing their public uniforms, all showed a hint of fawning smiles.
Formal Yamen Runners were different from temporary Yamen Runners; if they were determined to deal with a ruffian, they would almost certainly succeed.
Therefore, for these ruffians, it was best not to offend a formal Yamen Runner if possible!
“Ping’an, starting tomorrow, you’ll be working independently!” Qin Tou’s face showed some relief. “Your father and I have been colleagues for many years. In terms of seniority, I’m half your uncle. Over all these years, I haven’t accumulated much, but I do have some experience and lessons.”
“Please speak, Qin Tou,” Chen Ping’an respectfully said.
He respected Qin Tou’s character. As a formal Yamen Runner, he never acted bossy or bullied the weak. Aside from a minor habit of slacking off, there was nothing else to criticize.
“A formal Yamen Runner, you see, is different from a temporary Yamen Runner. As long as you don’t make any major mistakes, it’s a lifelong iron rice bowl. But sometimes, it’s not that you haven’t made a mistake just because you say so. Ping’an, remember this. The Squad Leader’s perception of you is not necessarily the real you, but rather what the Chief Constable says about you. Therefore, maintaining a good relationship with the Chief Constable is one of the most crucial tasks. Look at me, for example…”
Qin Tou began to share his half-lifetime of experience and lessons with Chen Ping’an, while Monkey Head and Big Mountain also pricked up their ears to listen.
“Sometimes a Chief Constable issues an order, and you need to implement it promptly. But the people below are not effective; what do you do then? Sometimes it’s not that they’re ineffective, but rather that their mindset has a problem, then you need to…”
“…”
The entire day, Qin Tou wholeheartedly imparted his experiences and lessons without reservation. Chen Ping’an listened attentively. Although he wouldn't use all of this information, it would undoubtedly help him avoid many detours. By combining Qin Tou’s experiences and lessons with his many insights from his previous life, Chen Ping’an gained many unexpected insights.
“Ping’an, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu are Zheng Chatou’s people, so be careful. Not just them, but you need to be more cautious in everything you do.”
As they were nearing the end of their shift, Qin Tou earnestly advised him.
Clearly, Qin Tou, being old and wise, had discerned Zheng Chatou’s ill will towards Chen Ping’an.
“Yes, I understand.” Chen Ping’an nodded.
He was certainly that cautious.
“Among your three subordinates, Cheng Yuan has entered the martial Dao. Pay more attention to him.”
Qin Tou added another instruction, still feeling uneasy.
In his eyes, Chen Ping’an was still just an ordinary person. Although he had become a formal Yamen Runner through his merits, he had no background and no strength. It would be difficult to make his subordinates, especially Cheng Yuan, genuinely submit to him. He could only be more careful himself.
“I will be careful.”
Chen Ping’an responded.
However, with his current strength, if they wanted to control him through his few temporary Yamen Runners, he truly wasn’t afraid. Zheng Chatou himself would be more of a challenge!
It was a good opportunity, as he now possessed the Gongmen Thirteen Blades and could slowly reveal his martial Dao talent.
