After breaking through to the Martial Artist with Qi and Blood Fourth Level, Chen Ping'an's speed in cultivating his Cultivation Technique had increased.
After the Breakthrough, he practiced Gongmen Thirteen Blades 3 times and Flying Locust Stone 3 times.
He gained 3 points of cultivation experience for each Cultivation Technique.
Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Ping'an hastily wiped himself down, ate breakfast, and then rushed out the door.
"Nannan, remember to add a large pig leg tonight! If you can't carry it, just have the butcher deliver it directly to our door; it's fine to pay a little extra."
Having achieved a Breakthrough in his Martial Dao Realm, he needed a large amount of meat to supplement his Qi and Blood.
"Mm, alright, brother," Chen Er'ya responded.
With Chen Ping'an's monthly salary increasing, the family's meals were a step above the usual.
Chen Er'ya knew her brother was practicing martial arts and was willing to spend money on it.
Chen Ping'an rushed all the way to the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office.
Today, he had spent a bit longer on his Martial Dao cultivation, so he was later than usual.
By the time he arrived at the Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, most of the Yamen Runners had already arrived, but thankfully, he wasn't late.
Just as he reached the Zhenfu Division's main gate, another person approached from the other side.
He had a square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a walrus mustache.
Zheng Chatou!
Chen Ping'an's eyes narrowed.
Why did this scene feel so familiar?
Zheng Chatou looked up and also saw Chen Ping'an walking towards the Zhenfu Division's main gate.
"Hello, Zheng Chatou."
Chen Ping'an greeted him with a smile.
In any case, as a formal Yamen Runner, his rank was lower than Zheng Chatou's, so he needed to greet him first.
Hearing this, Zheng Chatou slightly slowed his steps and scanned Chen Ping'an up and down.
What is this old man up to?
Just as Chen Ping'an thought he was about to re-experience the scene from before, he saw Zheng Chatou's gaze harden, and then he walked naturally into the Zhenfu Division's main gate.
Zheng Chatou didn't make a scene, but Chen Ping'an's heart sank instead.
He followed Zheng Chatou's steps and also entered the Zhenfu Division's main gate.
As soon as he entered, he noticed many gazes falling on him.
It was very rare for a formal Yamen Runner to arrive later than a Chief Constable!
Monkey Head, Da Shan, Qin Tou, and a few others were also looking at Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an gave them a look to show he was calm.
Zheng Shiyong stood in the crowd, a look of mockery on his face as he watched Chen Ping'an.
The tax collection task was to be announced today, and that kid Chen Ping'an was still so unhurried.
Was he ignorant or stupid?
Hmph, hmph, these next few days, you're in for it!
If things didn't go well, he might suffer a big loss!
Chen Ping'an took his position, and Zeng Jihe beside him quietly greeted him.
"Chen Tou."
Chen Ping'an nodded slightly in response.
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu merely looked up and glanced at him, not bothering to acknowledge him.
These two, at first, were alright, but by today, they didn't even put Chen Ping'an in their eyes.
Of course, this was also due to Chen Ping'an's intentional indulgence.
There were a total of four Chief Constables attending today's pre-shift regular meeting, with Zheng Chatou speaking.
The Squad Leader and Deputy Squad Leader were not present, so it seemed the matter of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect should have been resolved!
This meant that the previous high-pressure control was about to end.
On the high platform, Zheng Chatou was speaking.
Below, Chen Ping'an's thoughts turned.
"Finally, I have one more thing to inform everyone about.
The annual tax collection is about to begin.
The relevant task assignments have been released and will be announced by the Errand Office shortly.
The tax collection concerns the interests of our Nanquan Lane Garrison Office, from top to bottom, and is a matter of great importance.
I hope everyone can pay close attention!
If anyone makes a mistake that causes the tax collection to be less than smooth, and I find out, I will show no mercy and punish them severely!"
On the high platform, Zheng Chatou's tone was quite stern.
Looking at Zheng Chatou's stern expression, Chen Ping'an understood perfectly; this was it, exactly!
It was aimed at him!
"Alright, that's all, meeting adjourned!"
As Zheng Chatou's last words fell, the surrounding atmosphere gradually became lively.
"tax collection! It's once a year, and it's finally here again!"
"tax collection is good, but collecting tax, I really hope that hard task doesn't fall to me!"
"Yeah! It's too difficult!
Huh, why are you so happy!?
"Hehe... I already inquired, this time it has nothing to do with us!"
"Envious!"
"......"
As soon as the pre-shift regular meeting ended, Zeng Jihe ran to the Errand Office to inquire about the tax collection.
He had previously heard that they were on the list for this tax collection task.
But without a formal announcement, he still held a glimmer of hope.
Besides, even if they were going to collect tax, collecting from different places was vastly different!
"Ordinary shops! Ordinary shops!"
As he went, Zeng Jihe mumbled to himself, repeating his wish.
"Aren't you curious?" Chen Ping'an stood in place, looking at Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu, who were equally unmoved.
Cheng Yuan lifted his eyelids but ignored Chen Ping'an.
Zhao Hu, on the other hand, replied, but his tone was undoubtedly a bit provocative.
"What's there to be curious about!
No matter where it's assigned, it's Township Defender Chen's task anyway!
If Township Defender Chen is worried, why doesn't he go up and inquire himself!"
Unreasonable! Truly unreasonable!
Good, just like that, keep it up! Keep it up, and your comfortable days are probably coming to an end!
Facts prove that an arrogant subordinate is usually carefully cultivated by their superior.
No matter what he thought in his heart, Chen Ping'an's expression cooperated perfectly, showing a hint of displeasure.
"Zhao Hu! How are you speaking?"
"Township Defender Chen, is there something wrong with how I'm speaking?
Is it that this tax collection task isn't yours, but ours!?
As a formal Yamen Runner of the Zhenfu Division, you naturally have to bear a little more than us."
Facing Chen Ping'an's questioning, Zhao Hu chose to be stubborn between compromise and defiance.
When he first arrived, Zhao Hu really didn't dare to act like this.
However, after a few days of contact, he found that Chen Ping'an was just a coward.
He only became a formal Yamen Runner because of good luck.
He had no courage and no strength!
Plus, with Zheng Shiyong's repeated hints, he dared to be so defiant.
"Zhao Hu, you're too unreasonable!" Chen Ping'an pointed at Zhao Hu's nose, about to curse.
Before he could curse, Cheng Yuan beside him spoke up to help.
"Township Defender Chen, Zhao Hu is right!
Your monthly salary is quite a bit more than us brothers.
When something comes up, you naturally have to do more!
Also, Township Defender Chen, you get angry so easily; you don't have the steadiness of a formal Yamen Runner at all."
Cheng Yuan's face showed mockery, his gaze filled with provocation: "If, Township Defender Chen, you truly don't know how to be a formal Yamen Runner, then I suggest you can go find Foreman Zheng and learn from him!"
Chen Ping'an chuckled when he heard that.
Good, good, good! These two guys are quite articulate!
Chen Ping'an's face showed anger.
Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu met his gaze fearlessly.
Aside from his status as a formal Yamen Runner, they weren't afraid of Chen Ping'an as a person.
He was just a kid who didn't understand the Martial Dao; if it came to a real fight, let alone Cheng Yuan, even Zhao Hu could easily beat him!
