Chapter 59: Disturbance
Chapter 59: Disturbance
Wutong Li, compared to Jiu Tiao Li, wasn't much larger in terms of jurisdiction. However, due to its proximity to the center of the Southern City District, it was far more bustling. The cramped alleys were few, and instead, there were more spacious streets and lanes.
With a larger population and a more thriving atmosphere, the City Guard of Wutong Li was slightly bigger than that of Jiu Tiao Li. Among the three squads, the number of patrol officers exceeded three hundred, led by seven senior patrol officers. In terms of numbers and other aspects, they surpassed Jiu Tiao Li.
Despite this, the Patrol Commander of Wutong Li held far less authority than Min Baoyi in Jiu Tiao Li.
On one hand, Wutong Li was a complex web of influences. There were six or seven major gangs, comparable to the Golden Quill Gang, and many local powerful clans. Furthermore, being close to the center of the Southern City District, they often had to follow the directives of the City Guard General Office.
Unlike Jiu Tiao Li, where the emperor's authority was distant, there were only a few influential gangs, and Min Baoyi was virtually an undisputed local ruler. Even the Golden Quill Gang dared not openly oppose him. Thus, during Chen Mu's time as a senior patrol officer in Jiu Tiao Li, aside from that fierce ambush, he had encountered no other troubles.
The City Guard of Wutong Li was much more spacious than the one in Jiu Tiao Li. At its center stood a two-story building, seemingly newly constructed in recent years. The other structures also appeared well-maintained, clean, and tidy.
As Chen Mu led Liu Song and the others into the City Guard, the seven senior patrol officers had already gathered over three hundred patrol officers in the open space in front of the central building. Upon seeing Chen Mu, they immediately led the officers in a bow.
"Wutong Li City Guard, three squads, a total of three hundred and sixty-one officers, all present and accounted for, reporting to the Patrol Commander."
The seven senior officers, along with the three hundred officers, bowed in unison.
The scene was quite a spectacle.
Chen Mu stood at the forefront of the officers, his gaze sweeping over them. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In nearly two years in this world, he had been idle, but when the opportunity came, he seized it. In just over a year, he rose from a lowly patrol officer to the position of Patrol Commander, leading hundreds of officers.
Perhaps outside in Wutong Li, his orders might not carry the same weight as Min Baoyi's in Jiu Tiao Li, where none dared to defy him. But within the City Guard, all officers were under his command.
"Rise."
After a glance around, Chen Mu spoke calmly.
Now, as the Patrol Commander, he didn't need to treat the other officers and senior officers with the same courtesy as before. Instead, he needed to establish the authority of the Patrol Commander, an authority that couldn't be defied, even though he was noticeably younger than most senior officers.
"Yes."
The officers responded in unison and stood up cautiously, examining Chen Mu, the new Patrol Commander.
Their first impression was that he was young.
Too young!
Chen Mu's appointment as Patrol Commander of Wutong Li was public knowledge to Min Baoyi, Xiao He, and even He Mingxuan. However, for the average patrol officer or senior officer, it wasn't easy to inquire about.
Some officers, standing farther away, whispered among themselves.
Their gazes towards Chen Mu held surprise, envy, and jealousy. They sighed inwardly, thinking how the world worked—if one gained the favor of a powerful figure, they could rise to great heights. Someone so young could become a Patrol Commander.
However, compared to the officers at the back, the senior officers at the front treated Chen Mu with utmost respect. They were, after all, of a different caliber. Several of them had even joined Xu Feng in the campaign against the Black Crow Sect, and they knew more about Chen Mu than just being favored by Xu Hongyu.
"Has Patrol Commander Xu left?"
Chen Mu asked the nearest senior officer.
According to convention, Xu Feng, the former Patrol Commander, should have been present to hand over duties to his successor when Chen Mu took over the Willow Grove post. However, Xu Feng's departure was not due to a promotion but rather his ailing health, which made this situation somewhat unusual.
"Reporting to the Patrol Commander, Xu Feng mentioned that he is unwell and doesn't want to cause any trouble by staying here," said Shang Qinglai respectfully, bowing in response.
Upon hearing this, Chen Mu's expression remained unchanged. He then instructed, "The three squads are to disband and continue their duties as usual. You seven, follow me to the main hall to report on the situation in Willow Grove."
Xu Feng's illness was indeed a fact, but he likely left before Chen Mu's arrival because he didn't want to meet him. Chen Mu didn't mind this; as Xu Feng was also a subordinate of Xu Hongyu and the Yu Family, he wouldn't cause any trouble. Perhaps Xu Feng just didn't want to meet Chen Mu as a retiring, elderly former Patrol Commander in the City Guard Office.
Chen Mu didn't mind this situation either. After all, Xu Feng had already made the necessary arrangements before Chen Mu's arrival, assembling three squads and clearly instructing the senior patrol officers, including Shang Qinglai. This was enough to save face and ensure a smooth transition.
Soon, the numerous patrol officers disbanded and went about their duties, while Shang Qinglai and the other six senior patrol officers, along with Liu Song, Li Tie, and the others who had accompanied Chen Mu, followed him into the main hall for internal discussions.
Chen Mu already had a general understanding of the situation in Willow Grove from Xiao He. By asking for a report from Shang Qinglai and the others, he wanted to assess these seven senior patrol officers and then assign them tasks.
Among the seven, Shang Qinglai seemed to be the leader, and he was also the closest to Xu Feng. According to Chen Mu's knowledge, Shang Qinglai was a distant relative of Xu Feng by marriage. However, he conducted himself with propriety, showing utmost respect to Chen Mu as the new Patrol Commander. His words and actions were not the least bit presumptuous, and he didn't show any disrespect due to his background, despite Chen Mu's youth.
In the 16th year of the 9th month, on the 1st day, in the Willow Grove, there was a disturbance...
"The Crocodile Gang, Sandflow Gang, Bandit Gang... These seven gangs have complex relationships, sometimes conflicting and sometimes forming alliances. Then there's the Nan Family and Zheng Family, both of which have relatives working in the Inner City and are established clans with generations of wealth and power. They employ dozens of martial arts masters as guards and have hundreds of servants..."
Shang Qinglai stood by, providing a detailed introduction to the various powers in Willow Grove.
Although Chen Mu was already familiar with much of this information, Shang Qinglai's account was more detailed than Xiao He's, even mentioning which family's daughter became someone's second wife and which gang was involved in a particular business deal.
However, Chen Mu wasn't particularly interested in these details. To be honest, his role as Patrol Commander in Willow Grove was more about occupying a position than actively managing affairs. His primary focus remained on his martial arts cultivation.
In reality, with his current strength, even though the seven gangs and two powerful families had forces that rivaled the City Guard, he was still qualified to make a statement like, 'I've said my piece, who's with me, and who's against me?'
When an individual's martial prowess reaches the Sinew Transformation Level, it marks a distinct difference.
Just as Chen Mu was listening to the report and contemplating, a commotion erupted outside, loud enough to reach the main hall.
Shang Qinglai, who was in the middle of his report, paused and glanced outside.
"Sir, I'll go and check it out," said another senior patrol officer standing nearby, bowing to Chen Mu before quickly exiting the hall.
But he soon returned, his expression grim. "Patrol Commander, it's the Zheng Family, some members of the Sandflow Gang, and it seems there are people from the Bandit Gang as well."
Upon hearing this, the other senior patrol officers exchanged glances.
Today was Chen Mu's first day as the new Patrol Commander, and the simultaneous appearance of the Zheng Family and the Sandflow Gang, along with members of the Bandit Gang, couldn't possibly be a welcome party for Chen Mu.
"It seems I have quite a reputation. I've caused such a stir on my very first day," Chen Mu remarked.
"Let's go," he said, his demeanor calm as he stood up and walked out slowly.
After a moment of hesitation, Shang Qinglai and the other senior patrol officers quickly followed him out of the hall.
(End of Chapter)
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