Chapter 22: The New Appointment
Chapter 22: The New Appointment
The sun had just passed noon when dark clouds suddenly gathered, casting a gloom over the sky. A light drizzle began to fall, and the streets quickly emptied of pedestrians. By the time Chen Mu arrived at the City Guard Headquarters, the square outside was already littered with the remnants of vendors packing up their stalls, and his guard uniform was damp from the rain.
The fine rain fell on the walls of the City Guard Headquarters, trickling down through cracks that had gone unrepaired for years. Despite the rain, Chen Mu felt a sense of clarity he had never experienced before, unaffected by the dark clouds. As he entered the headquarters, he saw a bustling crowd of people.
The crowd, numbering around one or two hundred, seemed to include all the patrol officers of the Nine Streets Ward's Third Squad. They were huddled under eaves and pavilions, seeking shelter from the rain.
"Chen Er!"
Liu Song and Li Tie, who were also part of the crowd, spotted Chen Mu entering through the main gate. Li Tie, with his sharp eyes, immediately called out to Chen Mu and waved, "Over here!"
Chen Mu had intended to look for Min Baoyi, but seeing the entire Third Squad gathered, he vaguely understood something was afoot. He headed inside, passing by Liu Song and Li Tie.
"What took you so long?" Liu Song gave Chen Mu a slightly reproachful look.
Liu Song and Li Tie had been called back from their patrol, though they didn't know the reason for the summons. Such gatherings of the entire Third Squad were rare, usually only for significant matters. Being absent without a valid reason could lead to serious consequences.
After waiting for a while, they were relieved to see Chen Mu arrive just before the senior patrol officers. It would have been embarrassing if the senior officers had arrived before Chen Mu.
"I was held up by something," Chen Mu explained, smiling at Liu Song and Li Tie, understanding their concern. He didn't stop but continued inside, making his way through the crowded pavilion.
"Hmm? Where are you going?" Liu Song looked at Chen Mu with a puzzled expression.
But amidst the crowded and noisy surroundings, his words were drowned out, and Liu Song only saw Chen Mu's figure disappear into the throng of patrol officers.
Liu Song turned to exchange a glance with Li Tie, then shrugged. As long as Chen Mu had arrived at the City Guard Headquarters on time, he wouldn't be in trouble with the senior officers. Other matters could wait.
Chen Mu didn't return.
Nearly half an hour passed, and neither Liu Song nor Li Tie saw Chen Mu come back. They were curious about his absence, but with the crowd, it wasn't appropriate to go looking for him. Moreover, the Third Squad had been gathered here for so long, and they still didn't know the reason.
After a short while, voices came from the main gate's pavilion. "Elder Qin!"
"Elder Zhao!"
The crowded people parted, revealing three figures walking in from outside. Leading them was Elder Qin Bei, with Zhao Zong by his side, stroking his beard. Ren Yan followed closely, and all three had a slight buzz from drinking. Apparently, they had been notified and hurried over after finishing their drinks.
Elder Qin's cheeks bore a slight redness from the alcohol. He scanned the crowded City Guard Headquarters with a puzzled look. The gathering of the entire Third Squad indicated a significant matter, yet he, as a senior officer, had not been informed beforehand. Although he had been drinking with Zhao Zong and Ren Yan, someone should have informed him of the reason for the gathering. The messenger had only urged him to return quickly.
"Elder Qin, this..." Ren Yan also looked at Qin Bei with hesitation.
His address for Elder Qin had changed from 'Qin Tou' to 'Elder Qin,' indicating their relationship had grown closer over the shared drink.
Elder Qin rubbed his chin, "It's either an emergency or something related to Elder Zhao and you... But it seems a bit too early. No need to rush. I'll go inside and ask the Commander."
He assumed it was an emergency, hence the lack of details. But he would find out from the Commander.
Elder Zhao also nodded slightly, saying, "Ren Yan, you stay here for now."
As they spoke, the two made their way to the main hall of the City Guard Headquarters.
All the patrol officers they passed stepped aside and saluted respectfully. They also glanced at Ren Yan, following Elder Qin and Elder Zhao, with envious eyes. Ren Yan was the only one among them with such close ties to the senior officers.
Elder Qin and Elder Zhao reached the entrance to the main hall when a person emerged from inside.
Elder Qin was taken aback. He recognized the person as one of the patrol officers under his command.
"Chen Mu?"
Elder Qin was unsure how Chen Mu had come out from the inner hall, so he called out to inquire.
The previously bustling atmosphere outside quieted down with the arrival of Elder Qin and Elder Zhao. The gathered patrol officers, including Liu Song and Li Tie, turned their attention to Chen Mu, who had just exited the main hall, looking puzzled.
However, just as Elder Qin was about to question Chen Mu, three more figures emerged from the inner hall. They wore blue guard uniforms, identifying them as the other three senior officers of the Nine Streets Ward: Wang Gong and Zhong Chang, who had accompanied Min Baoyi on a trip earlier.
"Elder Zhao, Elder Qin, you're here," Wang Gong greeted with a smile, seeing them outside.
Zhong Chang also chuckled, "Where have you two been drinking? Why didn't you call me?"
Elder Qin was taken aback. The gathering of the entire Third Squad suggested a significant matter, but Wang Gong and Zhong Chang's casual attitude seemed to contradict the gravity of the situation. He was puzzled, momentarily forgetting about Chen Mu, and turned to Wang Gong, bowing, "We were delayed on the way, but I'm curious why the Commander has assembled the squad..."
"You'll find out soon enough."
Wang Gong smiled and spoke, but did not explain.
This not only furrowed Qin Bei's brows, but also puzzled those nearby, including Zhao Zong, who was left wondering. Just as he was about to step in to ask, a figure in dark green patrol attire strode out from the inner hall.
The man, with his imposing stature and stern gaze, was none other than the Patrol Commander, Min Baoyi.
"Patrol Commander," they greeted, and even Qin Bei, along with Zhao Zong and Wang Gong, slightly bowed in respect.
Below the steps and in the rear corridor, a large group of patrol officers knelt on one knee in unison, their voices chiming in unison, "We pay our respects."
Standing beside Qin Bei and Zhao Zong was Chen Mu, who also saluted Min Baoyi, but the title he used caused a momentary stumble for those nearby, including Qin Bei, Zhao Zong, and some of the kneeling officers.
"Brother Min."
Upon hearing this, Qin Bei's gaze shifted instantly from Min Baoyi to Chen Mu, his eyes widening in astonishment.
Brother Min?
How dare he address Min Baoyi so casually, even I, as a patrol officer, wouldn't dare!
Not only Qin Bei, but also Zhao Zong, was taken aback by Chen Mu's audacity. The closest kneeling officers were even more stunned, almost dropping their jaws in disbelief.
Just then, something even more astonishing happened.
To their surprise, Min Baoyi didn't get angry at being addressed so casually. Instead, he smiled and nodded at Chen Mu, then scanned the entire room before speaking in a deep voice.
"Patrol Officer Zhao Zong's advanced age, he is unable to handle the various affairs of the department. I have approved his retirement, and although the position of Patrol Officer will not be abolished, the management of all his responsibilities will be temporarily assigned to the new Patrol Officer, Chen Mu."
As these words echoed through the room, a hush fell upon everyone.
Countless eyes turned towards Chen Mu, filled with shock, astonishment, and disbelief.
Especially Liu Song and Li Tie, who knew Chen Mu well, were left with their eyes wide open, almost disbelieving what they had heard.
...
Meanwhile, at Zhang Tuhu's house.
After lunch, Zhang Tuhu was basking in the sun in the courtyard, his belly protruding, while Chen Hong was sweeping nearby, her eyes still filled with worry, occasionally glancing outside, awaiting news from Zhang Hai.
After a while, Zhang Hai's round and chubby figure appeared at the door, looking somewhat dazed. As he entered, he almost tripped over the threshold, stumbling awkwardly.
"What's all this fuss about? Look at yourself!"
Zhang Tuhu, squinting in the sun, scolded as he watched Zhang Hai's entrance.
Zhang Hai seemed not to hear, still dazed as he continued inside.
"Xiao Hai?"
Chen Hong put down her broom and approached with concern, "What happened out there? Is everything alright?"
Zhang Hai stumbled forward, almost knocking into Chen Hong, before stopping and standing there, looking dazed.
Zhang Tuhu, sitting up and frowning, watched Zhang Hai, while Chen Hong, full of worry, and Zhang Youying, washing clothes in the west of the courtyard, curiously listened. Zhang Hai's lips moved, but no sound came out.
He seemed unsure where to begin, still looking like he was in a dream.
It wasn't until Zhang Tuhu scolded him again that Zhang Hai began to speak, his words still incomprehensible, about what he had just seen. Chen Hong was astonished, Zhang Tuhu was stunned, and Zhang Youying, far away, was even more confused.
What...
What does this mean? How could the City Guard Headquarters speak up for Chen Mu, and even call him 'brother'?
Zhang Youying's mouth hung open in disbelief at Zhang Hai, who seemed dazed and lost. If not for his state, she might have thought he was making it all up.
But...
Isn't Chen Mu just a poor patrol officer? Even if a Patrol Commander called him 'brother', it would be a huge deal, and he wouldn't be so poor.
"Brother Hai, are you sure it was the Patrol Commander?" Zhang Youying still couldn't believe it.
Zhang Hai's face was unreadable, "I... I didn't see clearly, but who would dare impersonate the Patrol Commander..."
Indeed.
In Nine Li District, or even the entire Southern City District, anyone pretending to be the Patrol Commander would be asking for trouble.
Zhang Youying was left perplexed.
Just then, Zhang Tuhu slammed his hand on the armrest and, facing Zhang Hai, said, "This is good news! Why the long face? Get out of here!"
Turning to Chen Hong, he said, "I told you your nephew is a talent of the age. Being a regular patrol officer would bury his talent. But with this opportunity, he can rise to prominence. Tomorrow, bring some pork and soft bones, and I'll go with you to offer congratulations."
Hearing this, Chen Hong slowly came to her senses and responded.
Beside her, Zhang Hai and Zhang Youying still looked perplexed.
(End of Chapter)
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