Chapter 164: Chapter 164: One After Another
With Fang Rui’s release from prison, many of the Prison Guards were on edge. This was especially true for those who had dealt with him directly, and they now feared his retaliation.
"Everyone, be careful! Stay away from remote and deserted places for the time being."
Chen Ping’an reminded them all.
As the legitimate son of the Fang Family, Fang Rui had suffered and been humiliated in prison; he wouldn’t let things go so easily.
However, the Mu Family was no pushover either.
They likely wouldn’t just stand by and watch the Fang Family retaliate as they pleased. To do so would be a slap in the face to the Mu Family.
But...
Chen Ping’an thought about the game being played between the Mu and Fang Families.
’I wonder who won in the end!’
Judging from Fang Rui’s release, there were two possibilities.
One: the Mu Family had failed, and the Fang Family had used their influence to get Fang Rui out of prison.
Two: the Mu Family had won. They had obtained the benefits they wanted, and both sides had come to an agreement to release Fang Rui.
If it was the latter, the Fang Family might still retaliate, but they wouldn’t go too far. It would be more of a formality. But if it was the former...
’That means trouble!’
’This won’t be over so easily!’
Concerned about the game between the two Noble Families, Chen Ping’an went to find Mu Wanjun again. But this time, he came up empty. Mu Wanjun was not at the South Town Garrison Command.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Mu Wanjun for several days.
’Did something happen?’
A jolt went through Chen Ping’an’s heart, and he had a vague, sinking feeling.
...
Fang Rui’s retaliation came even faster than expected.
It began with small, trivial matters. Things like the South City Prison’s use of funds—for example, prisoner meals, prison repairs, and the use of consumables—were all supposed to be itemized in dedicated accounts.
Each year, ledgers were created, funds were used according to the budget, and claims were filed based on actual expenditures.
The whole process was already lengthy. If every claim had to correspond exactly to its itemized entry, it would be incredibly tedious.
Therefore, to save trouble, it wasn’t uncommon for accounts to be consolidated.
This was also common practice.
Normally, the higher-ups turned a blind eye to this sort of thing.
But unexpectedly, the Outer City Garrison Command decided, for the first time ever, to conduct an audit. Nominally, it was a spot check, but as it happened, the South City Prison was the "lucky" one chosen.
The inspection team formed by the Outer City Garrison Command acted with rare efficiency: no notice, no warning, no reports, no escorts or reception. They went straight to the ground level, straight to the scene.
They turned the South City Prison’s official ledgers inside out and uncovered a series of accounting problems.
Among these were some long-standing issues, which were all pinned on Chen Ping’an.
After the audit was completed, the Outer City Garrison Command handled the matter with astonishing efficiency.
Thirty-seven people from the South City Prison involved in the accounting issues received punishments of varying degrees.
Lighter punishments included deduction of Merit and caning on the spot. Harsher ones involved demotion, salary cuts, and revocation of official status.
As the head of the South City Prison, Chen Ping’an bore the primary responsibility. But considering he had only recently been transferred to the South City Prison, his punishment was the deduction of half a year’s Monthly Allowance and the forfeiture of his accumulated Merit, along with a stern warning to observe his future conduct!
All punishments were carried out swiftly. One could call it a lightning strike!
’Reasonable, legal, and compliant. The Fang Family has some impressive methods!’
Chen Ping’an sat in his office in the South City Prison, his expression cold.
This was the power of a Noble Family!
Influencing every aspect of life within Weishui County City.
The power of a Noble Family was not just in their martial strength, but in their command of righteousness and legitimacy. They could strike with the overwhelming force of thunder, leaving you powerless to act.
’The Mu Family should be stepping in to offer some protection now!’
The Fang Family’s retaliation complied with the rules and the system. Even if the Mu Family knew, they couldn’t say much. However, if the Fang Family were to take any further action, it would be against the rules, crossing a line.
He figured that after this, the Fang Family would have vented their anger and wouldn’t take much more action!
Just as Chen Ping’an thought the Fang Family’s retaliation was over for the time being, the Outer City Garrison Command announced—citing a tip from an unknown source—that they had received a letter denouncing the South City Prison. They began to form an inspection team to crack down hard on corruption.
Extorting and soliciting bribes had always been common practice in the South City Prison, a supplement to the monthly income of the various constables and Prison Guards.
This kind of thing wasn’t just happening at the South City Prison. From the various Task Rooms above to the grassroots patrols below, this phenomenon was everywhere.
As long as it wasn’t taken too far, it was considered an unspoken rule within the Garrison Commandant’s Office system.
Who would have thought that this time, the Outer City Garrison Command would go off-script, hitting the scene directly to inspect all matters, big and small, within the South City Prison.
As the inspection deepened, the problems within the South City Prison began to be exposed one by one.
Many of the constables and Prison Guards involved began to be punished.
Chen Ping’an had thought that the Mu Family’s influence within the Outer City Garrison Command would start to be felt, reining in the inspection team’s investigation to a reasonable scope.
But who could have guessed that the inspection team’s investigation would only dig deeper, its scope widening further and further.
From unofficial temporary Prison Guards, to official Prison Guards, then to senior Prison Guards... the investigation gradually moved toward the level of the Constables.
By the time the investigation concluded, almost every constable and Prison Guard in the South City Prison, big or small, was implicated to some degree. As many as seventy or eighty officials were affected, with the most serious cases being thrown directly into the dungeons of the Outer City Garrison Command.
Even Chen Ping’an himself was significantly affected.
His Merit was wiped to zero, another half-year’s Monthly Allowance was docked, and his status as a Candidate for Chief Constable was placed under review and evaluation.
Typically, entering this stage meant they were already considering stripping him of his position.
The inspection team investigated for a long time, showing no signs of leaving.
For a time, panic swept through the entire South City Prison.
Despite all this, Chen Ping’an seemed unaffected, still leading a simple and reclusive life, diligently practicing his Martial Arts Techniques.
Chen Ping’an had just reached the ground floor of the South City Prison, preparing to get off duty and go home, when he came face-to-face with a middle-aged man in a white shirt.
"The investigation isn’t over, yet Lord Chen is getting off duty so early. What fine leisure!"
Seeing Chen Ping’an, the man’s face revealed a trace of inexplicable mockery.
This person was the head of the current inspection team, Wang Changxu. In the Outer City Garrison Command, he was at the level of a senior Inspector.
In terms of rank, he was one grade lower than Chen Ping’an, but considering his position in the Outer City Garrison Command, he was more or less Chen Ping’an’s peer.
Chen Ping’an glanced at Wang Changxu, ignored him, and walked straight out the main gate of the South City Prison.
In the first few days, Chen Ping’an had been quite polite to this Wang Changxu, at least showing him some courtesy. But who would have thought that Wang Changxu would start with strange forms of suppression and questioning, and then become even more excessive, sometimes going so far as to "greet" his family. During the fact-finding part of the inspection, he interrogated Chen Ping’an as if he were a criminal. His logic was to presume guilt first and then look for evidence!
Chen Ping’an’s principle had always been to return respect with respect. But if someone ruined a single grain of his rice, he would seize three bushels in return!
Therefore, Chen Ping’an naturally wouldn’t give Wang Changxu any face. He had turned hostile on the spot, cursing Wang Changxu out thoroughly.
After that, Wang Changxu didn’t dare to target him directly, but his covert machinations continued unabated.
Judging by his actions, he probably wanted to drag him down from his position as Candidate for Chief Constable.
Seeing that Chen Ping’an hadn’t even spared him a glance, Wang Changxu’s face darkened, and he snorted coldly.
’Hmph! We’ll see how long you can stay so smug!’
’Once this inspection is over and the files are sent to the Outer City Garrison Command, if I don’t have your hide for this, I’ll take your surname!’
Despite his words, Wang Changxu was clearly intimidated by Chen Ping’an’s outburst a few days prior. He didn’t say this out loud, but only muttered it under his breath.
Leaving the South City Prison, Chen Ping’an headed straight for his own small courtyard.
As for Wang Changxu’s provocations, he didn’t give them a second thought.
’He’s just a buffoon. He might be prancing around now, but the day I get tired of the sight, I’ll erase him with a wave of my hand!’
Today was the day his Eight Steps Chasing Cicada was about to reach Perfection. He was in no mood to waste time on such a person.
