Chapter 58: The New Patrol Commander
Chapter 58: The New Patrol Commander
When the representative from the Imperial Guard came to the City Guard General Office to deliver the official order, he naturally maintained his solemn demeanor. After completing the task, he was merely one of the close guards of the Imperial Guard. As for Chen Mu, who was highly regarded by Xu Hongyu and rumored to possess exceptional talent, the representative didn't put on airs. After all, considering Chen Mu's age, the position of Patrol Commander was likely just a stepping stone to greater heights.
With the support of Xu Hongyu and the Yu Family, Chen Mu could at least aspire to become a Deputy General in the future.
"Bang!"
Min Baoyi gave Chen Mu's shoulder a hearty pat, flashing a smile but remaining silent. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Although he had long known that Chen Mu was no ordinary talent and had considered him of equal standing, calling him 'younger brother,' he was still surprised by Chen Mu's rapid promotion.
He had assumed it would take at least two or three years, but with Xu Feng's sudden illness and the need for a replacement, Chen Mu ascended swiftly, seemingly blessed with good fortune.
"Elder Liu, it's been a long time since we last met, and you remain as impressive as ever. It's rare for you to visit Nine Streets, so today, I'll be the host and treat you to a good drink."
Min Baoyi then turned to the Imperial Guard's close guards.
Strictly speaking of official positions, the Imperial Guard's close guards were equivalent to the Senior Patrol Officers under Min Baoyi's command. However, due to their association with the Outer City Imperial Guard, they held a slightly higher status, and the Patrol Commander treated them as equals.
Liu Hong smiled and said, "Elder Min, you're too kind. I'm merely here to deliver the Imperial Guard's orders, and I still have official duties to attend to. Next time I have some free time, I'll definitely join you."
"Official duties come first. I'll see Elder Liu out," Min Baoyi said with a smile.
Then, along with Chen Mu, he escorted Liu Hong out of the City Guard General Office.
The other Senior Patrol Officers didn't have this privilege and remained in the main hall, watching as Chen Mu and Min Baoyi left. Wang Gong sighed, "A golden dragon is not a pond fish; when the wind and clouds gather, it transforms. The saying about good fortune is indeed true."
He had followed Min Baoyi for many years but could only watch as Chen Mu was promoted to Patrol Commander.
It was impossible for him not to feel a twinge of envy, but the position of Patrol Commander wasn't something one could easily attain. It required true merit, and he had only achieved Muscle Cultivation Minor Success. At over thirty years old, reaching Muscle Cultivation Great Success seemed an insurmountable challenge, and he hadn't even mastered a Blade Technique, making his strength inadequate for the role.
Soon, Chen Mu returned with Min Baoyi.
The Imperial Guard's messenger had brought not only the order but also a dark green uniform, the standard attire of a Patrol Commander. Chen Mu quickly changed into it, his new identity no longer as a Senior Patrol Officer of Nine Streets but as the Patrol Commander of Willow Grove.
In this world, the authority of a City Guard Patrol Commander was immeasurable. On one hand, their power was vast, allowing them to manage almost everything under the guise of 'maintaining order.' On the other hand, their power was limited by the mixed bag of gangs and influential families in the local area, making it challenging to exercise authority at times. For instance, in Nine Streets, Min Baoyi's orders were swiftly carried out, but when it came to the Golden Quill Gang, compromises had to be made. In the event of a large-scale conflict, the outcome could be unfavorable.
This was also due to the overall strength of the City Guard, which wasn't sufficient to easily suppress a large gang like the Golden Quill Gang.
"Elder Min, for my trip to Willow Grove, I'm unfamiliar with the place. Although Patrol Commander Xu promised to introduce me to a few people, I'd still like to bring two of my own. I hope you can accommodate this request."
Chen Mu clasped his fists respectfully towards Min Baoyi.
Min Baoyi burst into laughter, "You... for such a small request, why be so polite? Choose whoever you want, but I can only spare one of my Senior Patrol Officers for you. I still need them to handle matters here."
Chen Mu smiled, "I wouldn't dare. I don't need a Senior Patrol Officer, just two familiar Patrol Officers will do."
Liu Song and Li Tie had been his trusted aides for a year, serving as his eyes and ears in the City Guard. Although Chen Mu rarely visited the City Guard, with their presence, he was well-informed about the major and minor affairs of Nine Streets. For his new assignment in Willow Grove, it was more convenient to bring along these familiar Patrol Officers, and a word from him was all it took.
If it was a Senior Patrol Officer, they would also need to report to Xu Hongyu.
Min Baoyi nodded and said, "Alright, today's your inauguration day, so I won't hold you up. Remember to come find me for a drink when you're free."
Chen Mu thanked him and then left, directly summoning Liu Song, Li Tie, and the others before setting off towards Wutong Li.
Liu Song and Li Tie, who were named to accompany him, naturally felt a mix of emotions and excitement. They were thrilled to be able to follow a Patrol Commander to a new post. Although their abilities were insufficient to ever become Senior Patrol Officers, as Chen Mu's 'bodyguards,' their status would be entirely different, and even the Senior Patrol Officers would treat them with respect.
The complexity lay in the fact that just a year ago, Chen Mu was like them, a lowly patrol officer going to work every day. But within a short year, he had climbed the ranks, going from Senior Patrol Officer to Patrol Commander. He had reached a height they could only look up to.
This sense of disparity still felt somewhat surreal, like a dream.
As they walked through the lanes.
Many shops and pedestrians along the way saw Chen Mu and his group passing by. Although they weren't officials, they recognized the dark green patrol uniform, the official attire of the City Guard Patrol Commander, a high-ranking official. Everyone respectfully stepped aside and saluted.
"Oh, who's coming?"
Zhang Hai was among the crowd, holding a skewer of meatballs, and saw the crowd ahead of him parting and bowing in salute. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.
"Shh."
Zhang Youying, dressed in a simple outfit, was beside him. She tugged at Zhang Hai's sleeve, pulling him aside. "It must be a big shot. Be careful, brother, don't be rude."
Zhang Hai, having suffered greatly in the past, feared important figures. He quickly lowered his head and hid his meatballs behind his back.
The bustling street suddenly became quiet as the crowd made way.
They could only hear the footsteps of the group as they passed by and gradually moved away.
It wasn't until the sound faded into the distance that Zhang Hai dared to look up and watch the departing figures. He took another bite of his meatball and muttered, "That uniform... it looks like a Patrol Commander..."
He remembered that only Patrol Commanders could wear the dark green uniform, so the person must have been Min Baoyi.
"Let's go."
As the crowd began to disperse, Zhang Hai called out to Zhang Youying.
But there was no response.
When he turned to look, he saw Zhang Youying standing there in a daze, her eyes still fixed on the distant figures. There was a hint of bewilderment in her eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you daydreaming?"
Zhang Hai waved his chubby, short-fingered hand in front of Zhang Youying.
Zhang Youying snapped out of her daze and looked at Zhang Hai. She said quietly, "I remember... in the City Guard, only Patrol Commanders can wear the dark green uniform, right?"
"Yes, so what?"
Zhang Hai asked, puzzled.
Zhang Youying opened her mouth to speak but stopped. Finally, she shook her head and said, "Nothing."
She turned and left, a hint of loneliness in her step.
...
The news of Chen Mu's promotion to Patrol Commander of Wutong Li spread throughout Nine Streets within a day.
Some said Chen Mu was lucky, that his ancestors' graves emitted blue smoke, and he had connections with an important figure in the Inner City.
Others claimed Chen Mu wasn't Old Chen's son but an illegitimate child of an Inner City big shot who had recently acknowledged him.
A few believed Chen Mu earned his position through his abilities, but these rumors were the least common.
Regardless, those who knew Chen Mu from the past, whether they were his colleagues or not, were all in awe and felt a mix of emotions.
Among them, a figure had risen to become a big shot, overseeing tens of thousands of households in a district, and it happened so suddenly.
In just one year, everything had changed!
(End of Chapter)
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