Chapter 130: Chapter 130: Abdicate and Yield to the Worthy?
South City Prison.
Chen Ping’an sat securely in the seat of honor, holding a cup of freshly brewed, high-quality tea.
Before him, a dense crowd was kneeling on the floor. These were the core members of the South City Prison staff.
"Lord Chu, tell me, what is going on here? It’s Lord Chen’s first day on the job. What kind of arrangements are these?"
Pang Miao, seated nearby, looked at Zhu Qirong with a displeased expression.
"Lord Pang, my sincerest apologies. We have been diligently making preparations these past few days, awaiting Lord Chen’s arrival. But unexpectedly, this subordinate and a few others misremembered the time of Lord Chen’s appointment."
An apologetic look appeared on Zhu Qirong’s fierce, scarred face. But combined with a face like his, it just seemed strange no matter how you looked at it.
"Lord Chen, to have made you wait outside for so long... it is all this subordinate’s fault. If you must beat or curse someone, direct it at me. I was the one who got the date wrong. It has nothing to do with anyone else."
Chen Ping’an watched Zhu Qirong’s performance without a word, his gaze fixed silently upon him.
"My lord, forgive us! It is all our fault."
"We’ve been waiting for Lord Chen’s arrival with bated breath, never thinking something like this would happen."
"We have wronged you, my lord."
"..."
The men below all began to beg for mercy.
Looking at the scene before him, Zhu Qirong felt a surge of smug satisfaction.
Among the kneeling men, a portion were his own, deliberately instructed to act this way.
This way, with both the sincere and the insincere putting on the same show, the young Lord Chen would likely be unable to tell the difference.
Everyone was begging for mercy. In such a situation, if the young Lord Chen acted rashly, he risked alienating those who were genuinely loyal.
But if he didn’t punish them...
Then that would be playing right into his hands.
If they could get away with giving their new superior the cold shoulder on his very first day, what couldn’t they get away with?
Pang Miao remained silent. Now that the official appointment had begun, the South City Prison was Chen Ping’an’s domain. How to handle the situation was his decision alone.
Chen Ping’an still said nothing, but the corners of his mouth lifted into a slight smile.
"All of you, rise."
"Yes, my lord."
The men below rose in perfect unison. Some still wanted to plead for forgiveness, but seeing that most of the others were already standing, they followed suit.
"Lord Chu, the moment I arrived today, I felt a chill that started at my feet and pierced me to the core! You all have worked here for so long; it must be truly arduous."
"Lord Chen, it’s no hardship. The South City Prison may be damp and cold, but our hearts burn with passion. A little chill is nothing to us."
Zhu Qirong said with a smile.
"Good, as long as it’s no bother!"
Chen Ping’an lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
"Lord Chu, I’ll give you fifteen minutes. Aside from those on essential duty who absolutely cannot leave their posts, summon everyone else. As I’m new here, I’d like to meet them all."
"Yes, Lord Chen. This subordinate will see to it at once."
Zhu Qirong acknowledged the order and immediately rose to leave.
The moment his back was turned to Chen Ping’an, a disdainful smirk appeared on Zhu Qirong’s lips.
’So what if you’re the Prison Chief? I’ve still got you wrapped around my little finger.’
’This is an open conspiracy. There’s nothing you can do about it!’
Pang Miao glanced at Chen Ping’an. Putting himself in Chen’s shoes, he figured he would have likely made the same choice.
Handing out mass punishment would be too drastic. To make enemies of everyone right at the start, though possible with the weight of his authority, was by no means a good strategy.
Compared to such a drastic measure that would antagonize everyone, he had to choose the lesser of two evils and just hold his nose and accept it for now.
It was the only way.
’This is an open conspiracy, with no way to counter it!’
’This Zhu Qirong certainly has some tricks up his sleeve.’
Pang Miao sighed inwardly.
With an opponent like that, he wasn’t very optimistic about Chen Ping’an’s future at the South City Prison.
Chen Ping’an remained in the large chair, watching Zhu Qirong’s departing figure. He raised his teacup and took a sip.
’Just Qi Blood Fifth Layer Perfection, huh...’
...
The South City Prison was responsible for the detention of all criminals, major and minor, in the South District. Its duties also involved the handling and interrogation of serious offenders. As an institution, it was quite large.
At the top were the Prison Chief and Vice Prison Chief, in the middle were the various Chiefs of Patrol, and below them were Squad Leaders, and finally, the ordinary Prison Guards.
In less than fifteen minutes, over a hundred members of the South City Prison staff were assembled neatly before Chen Ping’an.
Chen Ping’an remained seated, showing no intention of standing up.
Seeing this, Zhu Qirong sneered inwardly.
’Too young and immature, after all!’
’Throwing his weight around with official airs on his first day. How could he possibly win the sincere respect of his subordinates?’
’What an idiot!’
"I am Chen Ping’an. From this day forward, I am your commanding officer."
Without any unnecessary preamble, Chen Ping’an got straight to the point.
Looking at the almost excessively young Prison Chief sitting in the large chair, the men below had various thoughts running through their minds.
"Today is my first day in office. I was looking forward to meeting all of you. I thought it would be a pleasant occasion. But unfortunately, someone misremembered the date of my arrival. Today, right here, I experienced the first cold shoulder of my career in the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"
Chen Ping’an looked at everyone with a smile, but the meaning behind his words sent a chill down their spines.
Hm?
Hearing Chen Ping’an’s words, Zhu Qirong was not afraid, but rather, delighted.
’Is he about to flip the table!?’
When he saw Chen Ping’an back down just now, he had actually been a little disappointed. After all, from a pragmatic standpoint, it was far more beneficial to him to push everyone into opposition against this Lord Chen on the very first day.
’From the looks of it, he’s clearly planning to assert his authority now.’
’His first cold shoulder?’
’Just how smooth has Lord Chen’s life been up until now?’
’What kind of charmed life has he lived, to have never suffered a setback in the Garrison Commandant’s Office?’
’To become a Prison Chief at such a young age, he must have powerful backing.’
Listening to Chen Ping’an, the Prison Guards below had their own thoughts. Some were contemptuous, while others grew wary.
"But then again, in life, there’s a first time for everything. I suppose I’ve just had my first right here!"
Chen Ping’an continued.
"I’m rather curious. My appointment is a major event, so how could the date possibly be misremembered? Hm? Lord Chu, why don’t you explain what happened?"
"Lord Chen, our superiors weren’t clear at first, and then the time was changed twice. We’ve been terribly busy with official duties, and in the confusion, the time got mixed up."
In front of everyone, Zhu Qirong’s attitude was impeccable.
"Lord Chu is truly dedicated and spares no effort! A real pillar of our South Town Garrison Command!"
Chen Ping’an said, his face devoid of expression.
"Lord Chen, you praise me too highly."
Zhu Qirong gave a casual cupped-fist salute.
He was in no mood to play along with Chen Ping’an’s bureaucratic platitudes.
’If you’re going to make a move, just get to the point. What’s the use in beating around the bush like this?’
Chen Ping’an glanced at Zhu Qirong. "Lord Chu, a pillar of your caliber brings me great joy. Why don’t I write a letter of recommendation to the Lord Chief of the Patrol Office and suggest that you be made Prison Chief!"
The moment Chen Ping’an’s words fell, a dead silence descended.
Even Pang Miao shot several glances at Chen Ping’an.
’What is this? What’s going on!?’
"Lord Chen must be joking."
Zhu Qirong said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Chen Ping’an gave a faint smile. "I am not joking. I am quite willing to abdicate my position for a more worthy candidate. Lord Chu’s Martial Arts Realm is profound; surely he is more than qualified for the position of Prison Chief."
Zhu Qirong stared at Chen Ping’an, momentarily speechless.
’This is how he plans to flip the table?’
’What the hell is he playing at!’
"Lord Chen, your Sword Skill is exquisite. To have reached the Qi Blood Fifth Layer at such a young age... this subordinate is filled with admiration."
"Lord Chu, why don’t we have a little competition, right here and now? If you win, the position of Prison Chief is yours. How about it?"
Chen Ping’an looked at Zhu Qirong, his eyes gleaming.
