"Th-this..."

Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu were stumped by Chen Ping’an’s question, and for a moment, they didn’t know how to respond.

"Reporting to Constable Zheng, Constable Chen has only been leading the team for a short while. I didn’t expect him to run into Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu! This was my oversight!" Seeing the situation turn sour, Old Fan from the Task Room immediately stepped forward to take the blame.

"However, even if Constable Chen had a thousand reasons, he shouldn’t have neglected his duties before obtaining the collection voucher. He’s treating the matter of the donation silver like a child’s game!"

Old Fan from the Task Room was a wily veteran, striking right at the heart of the matter.

"Chen Ping’an, what do you have to say for yourself!"

Constable Zheng locked his gaze on Chen Ping’an, like a man-eating tiger.

’What a guy, this Constable Zheng. His bias is a little too obvious. But then again, that’s exactly the effect I was hoping for!’

Chen Ping’an sneered inwardly, but his face remained expressionless.

"Constable Zheng, I have kept the matter of the donation silver firmly in mind. For the past two days, I have been preparing for its successful collection. However, it is because of the delays from Old Fan of the Task Room that this has been dragged out again and again until today!

"Otherwise, the donation silver from the Tiger Run Gambling Square would have been collected long ago! For this, the responsibility of Old Fan from the Task Room must be investigated, and he should be severely punished as an example to others! Furthermore, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu have shown a negative attitude and have been negligent in their duties! This has seriously affected patrols and other related matters. I recommend they be punished without leniency!"

As soon as Chen Ping’an finished speaking, the surrounding constables were stunned.

He hadn’t even cleared up his own responsibility, yet he was directly opening fire on three people at once!

’That... took guts!’

"Chen Ping’an, are you saying that you bear no responsibility for the donation silver matter? And that you want to hold three other people accountable?"

Constable Zheng was so furious he laughed.

"In response to Constable Zheng, the deadline for the donation silver has not yet passed. To discuss responsibility now is somewhat laughable! As for the matters I am reporting, if you don’t believe me, you are free to investigate.

"Furthermore, my inability to obtain the collection voucher has prevented the donation silver matter from proceeding smoothly! This has severely impacted the Garrison Commandant’s Office’s business with the donation silver. The matter of the collection voucher is inextricably linked to Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Old Fan. They need to bear full responsibility!"

"What a silver-tongued devil!" Constable Zheng rebuked.

Chen Ping’an met Constable Zheng’s gaze directly, not shying away from the man’s devouring glare. This was the confidence born from the advancement of his Martial Arts Realm.

"From the sound of it, you’re completely confident about this donation silver matter, are you!?"

"Yes!" Chen Ping’an responded.

"Fine! In that case..." Constable Zheng turned to Old Fan from the Task Room. "Since Chen Ping’an is already here, go get the collection voucher!"

"Yes, sir." Old Fan bowed fearfully and immediately ran to the Task Room to get the collection voucher.

"Chen Ping’an, I’ve heard your report, and now I’ve solved the problem for you! If you fail to collect the donation silver before the end of your shift today, don’t blame me for being merciless!"

"As it should be," Chen Ping’an agreed calmly. "But, what about Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Old Fan? How will they be dealt with?"

"That matter can be discussed later! After you’ve collected the donation silver!"

Constable Zheng said with a flick of his sleeve. Chen Ping’an’s string of actions had undoubtedly caused him to lose a great deal of face. His patience was nearly at its limit.

In his heart, he had already marked Chen Ping’an for elimination.

If Chen Ping’an failed to collect the donation silver after his shift, he already had a list of charges ready for him.

Public insubordination, incompetence, dereliction of duty—he would punish Chen Ping’an for multiple offenses at once, making an example of him in front of all the constables! He’d show them all what happened when you crossed Zheng Zhenwu in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office.

As for Chen Ping’an successfully collecting the donation silver? He hadn’t even considered it!

The Tiger Head Gang was not to be trifled with! Forget about the donation silver increasing by a tenth. Even if the amount had remained the same, it would have taken a long and difficult negotiation.

And that was with several senior official constables showing up together!

For the Tiger Head Gang, if they handed over the money too readily, it would inadvertently show the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office where their bottom line was. As a result, their donation silver would be covertly increased the following year.

"With everyone here as a witness, I trust Constable Zheng will not go back on his word!" Chen Ping’an said with a slight bow and clasped hands.

Chen Ping’an’s repeated defiance left the surrounding constables completely shocked! It was as if they were truly seeing the man for the first time.

’Has... has he gotten a big head?’

’Does he really think that just because he’s an official constable, he has the capital to go head-to-head with a Constable?’

’Damn! He’s a role model for our generation!’

The thoughts and feelings of the constables present were all different.

Just then, Old Fan from the Task Room came rushing back, holding a collection voucher stamped with a large official seal.

"Reporting to Constable Zheng, I’ve brought the collection voucher."

"Good, give it to him!"

"Yes, sir."

Chen Ping’an took the voucher from Old Fan’s hand and scanned the text, his eyes taking in several lines at a glance.

Tiger Run Gambling Square, donation silver amount: One hundred and ten taels, exactly!

One hundred and ten taels! ’This amount... is interesting!’

Chen Ping’an sneered.

’To deal with a minor constable like me, this Constable Zheng is really pulling out all the stops!’

Looking back, he couldn’t recall ever offending Constable Zheng or Zheng Shiyong. Yet things had come to this. If he had to get to the bottom of it, they were the ones in the wrong, not him!

But even so, they pursued him relentlessly, determined to grind him into the dust!

The reason wasn’t some unforgivable crime he’d committed, but that he had infringed upon their interests and stood in someone’s way!

’This is just how the world works!’

’This is the truth of the path to power!’

’Endlessly enduring and giving way is no solution!’

’A practitioner of the Martial Dao must be brave and diligent, sharp and enterprising. Since I have enough confidence, when it’s time to act, I must act!’

Chen Ping’an put away the collection voucher, tucking it into his robes, and looked up at Constable Zheng on the high platform.

"May I ask Constable Zheng, is today’s pre-shift meeting over? If so, then I will be on my way to collect the donation silver."

Constable Zheng gave him a cold look. "Go! I’ll say this right now: if you fail to collect it before the end of your shift today, then you’d better prepare yourself!"

"Thank you, Constable Zheng." Chen Ping’an gave a respectful salute with clasped hands, his expression as calm as a cloud.

"Xiaozeng, Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, come with me to collect the donation silver!"

Zeng Jihe, who had been standing to the side, had been in a daze ever since Chen Ping’an started speaking. Hearing his name suddenly, he couldn’t help but let out a startled "Huh?"

’This Master Chen... is something else!’

"What are you standing there gawking for? Let’s go!"

Chen Ping’an glanced at Zeng Jihe.

Zeng Jihe glanced around, hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth. He bowed with clasped hands toward the Constables on the high platform and then followed after Chen Ping’an.

"And you two?" Chen Ping’an’s gaze fell on Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu.

At this moment, their faces were a mixture of green and white. They were caught between a rock and a hard place.

But it was clear Chen Ping’an wasn’t going to give them much time. Seeing that they weren’t moving, he took Zeng Jihe and turned to leave.

The other constables involuntarily parted to make way for him. Chen Ping’an smiled, gave a slight nod, and walked away.

After Chen Ping’an left, the Garrison Commandant’s Office fell silent.

Constable Zheng, standing on the high platform, let out an angry snort, flicked his sleeves, and stormed off.

The other Constables suppressed their laughter.

’It’s been a while since we saw Constable Zheng get put in his place! Interesting!’

’A shame about that constable, though!’

They didn’t think that after offending Constable Zheng, this constable named Chen Ping’an would come to any good end.

...

PS: It’s very likely I won’t advance in the rankings. It’s my own fault; the pacing at the beginning was too slow. According to my detailed outline, the plot’s pace should have been fine. By now, the story should have reached Chapter 30 of the outline. I don’t know why my writing became so sluggish. My ability is just lacking.

I need to speed up the plot, speed up, speed up! Faster! Even faster!

But... I do have a few Chapters stockpiled, so... *cough cough*...

By the way, if I fail to advance, the novel might go premium next week~

I’ll do a mass release then.