Da Xuan Martial Saint

Chapter 60: Chapter 58: The New Prefecture Chief

When the envoy came to the City Defense Division to convey the decree on behalf of the Metropolitan Commander, it was, of course, necessary to maintain a dignified presence. After delivering the decree, he was merely one of the commander’s Imperial Guards. For someone like Chen Mu, who was greatly supported by Xu Hongyu and rumored to have notable innate talent, the envoy naturally wouldn’t put on too many airs. After all, given Chen Mu’s age, the position of Prefecture Chief was likely not his final destination.

With the support from Xu Hongyu and the Yu Family, he could at least rise to the position of Deputy Head Officer in the future.

Smack.

Min Baoyi firmly patted Chen Mu on the shoulder, revealing a smile without saying anything, yet his heart was quite pensive.

Although he had long known that Chen Mu was not one to be confined to a small pond and had early on regarded him as someone at his own level, affectionately referring to him as a younger brother, he did not expect Chen Mu’s promotions to outpace his expectations.

He had thought it would take at least two or three years, but it coincided with Xu Feng’s illness, requiring a successor, and so Chen Mu was promoted – indeed, it seemed as though fortune had favored him.

“Lord Liu, your elegance remains unchanged after all this time. It’s rare for you to visit Ninth District, so let me play host today and treat you to a hearty drink.”

Min Baoyi then turned his gaze toward the Governor’s Guard.

Speaking of official rank, the Governor’s Guard was actually only equivalent to the Head Constables under his command, but their positions were different, so naturally, their status was different too. Being a guard for the Outer City’s Metropolitan Commander, his identity naturally elevated by a notch, and Prefecture Chiefs also treated him as an equal.

Liu Hong smiled and said, “Prefecture Chief Min, you are too kind, but I am merely here to convey the Metropolitan Commander’s order and still have official duties to attend to. Once I have some free time, I will certainly join you.”

“Official duties take precedence, then I’ll see you off, Lord Liu,” Min Baoyi said with a smile.

Then, along with Chen Mu, he escorted Liu Hong out of the City Defense Division.

The numerous other Head Constables did not have this privilege and remained inside the Hall Office, watching as Chen Mu and Min Baoyi left with the envoy. Wang Gong sighed and said, “A golden scale is not a common thing, transformed into a dragon as soon as the wind and cloud meet – the notion of destiny truly is not false.”

He had been following Min Baoyi for many years, yet he could only watch as Chen Mu ascended to the role of Prefecture Chief.

Not that his heart was completely devoid of thoughts – but at most, there was a bit of envy. After all, the position of Prefecture Chief had to be earned through strength, and he was currently only at Minor Achievement in Body Refinement. Moreover, already past thirty years of age, it was extremely challenging for him to advance to Major Achievement. Furthermore, he had not even mastered Blade Momentum, so his capabilities were far from sufficient to assume the role of Prefecture Chief.

Very soon.

Chen Mu and Min Baoyi returned.

The order brought by the Governor’s Guard was not the only thing; it also included a dark green Prefecture uniform, which belonged to the Prefecture Chief. Chen Mu quickly changed into it in the inner room. He was no longer just a Head Constable of Ninth District, but now the new Prefecture Chief of City Defense Division in Wutong Grove District.

In these current times, the power of a City Defense Division Prefecture Chief was immeasurable. If one said their power was great, it truly was vast enough to manage almost everything and deal with issues in the name of ‘public security.’

If one argued their power was small, the reality was that the local scene was a mixed bag, with numerous gang forces and noble scions, making it not always easy for a Prefecture Chief to exercise authority. For instance, in Ninth District, Min Baoyi’s commands were almost absolute, but when dealing with the Red Gold Gang, compromises had to be made on both sides, and in case of large-scale conflicts, it was not certain that he would come out on top.

This was also because the overall strength of the City Defense Division was not sufficient to easily suppress a large gang like the Red Gold Gang.

“Brother Min, my trip to Wutong Grove District is headed to unfamiliar territory. Although Xu Chasi promised to introduce some men to me, I still wish to bring two men with me. Could you accommodate this request?” Chen Mu said to Min Baoyi, cupping his hands in a courteous manner.

Min Baoyi laughed heartily and said, “You… such a small matter, why be so polite? Pick whoever you want, just say the word. However, I can only spare you one of my Head Constables at most; I still need people to get things done.”

Chen Mu also laughed and said, “I wouldn’t dare. There’s no need for a Head Constable – two familiar Prefecture officials will do.”

Liu Song and Li Tie had been handling tasks for him all along; over the past year at the City Defense Division where they served as his informants. Although he rarely visited the City Defense Division, having the two there meant he was mostly informed about the various happenings in Ninth District. Going to take up his new position in Wutong Grove District, he naturally preferred to work with people he knew, especially since they were just ordinary officials who could be easily transferred.

Had they been Head Constables, he would have to ask for Xu Hongyu’s permission.

Min Baoyi nodded and said, “Alright, today’s your day to take office, so I won’t delay you any longer. Remember to come and drink with me when you’re free.”

After thanking Min Baoyi, Chen Mu walked outside, promptly selecting Liu Song, Li Tie, and others, then set off toward Wutong Grove District.

For Liu Song and Li Tie, who were named to accompany him, their feelings were naturally mixed with excitement. Being excited to follow a Prefecture Chief to a new post, even though their own strength was not sufficient to ever become Head Constables, serving as ‘Imperial Guards’ to Prefecture Chief Chen Mu would elevate their status significantly—they could expect even Head Constables to treat them with due respect.

The complexity came from the fact that just a year earlier, Chen Mu was just like them, a lower-tier official working the daily grind. Now, in a mere year, he had been promoted time and again, from Head Constable to Prefecture Chief – a height they now had to look up to completely.

This sense of disparity still felt somewhat dreamlike and unreal.

Walking along the streets.

Many of the shops and pedestrians along the way caught sight of Chen Mu and his entourage, and although they were not officials, they all recognized the dark green uniforms belonging to the City Defense Division’s Prefecture Chief, signifying high and mighty figures, and they all promptly made way and paid their respects.

“Hey, who’s that coming?”

Mixed in the crowd, Zhang Hai held a skewer of meatballs, and as he saw the people in front parting and making way, a flicker of puzzlement crossed his eyes.

“Shh.”

Dressed in plain clothes, Zhang Youying was by his side, tugging at Zhang Hai’s sleeve and pulling him aside, saying, “It must be some big shot. Cousin, be careful not to be disrespectful.”

Zhang Hai, having suffered greatly before, naturally harbored fear in his heart towards such important figures and hastily bowed his head while hiding the meatballs behind him among the crowd.

The bustling street thus became silent in an instant as the pedestrians made way.

Only the footsteps of a few people could be heard, thudding as they passed by and gradually fading into the distance.

Only after the sound had passed and moved away did Zhang Hai lift his head, looking at the receding figure in the distance, took another bite of his meatball, and muttered, “That outfit looks like a Prefecture Chief’s…”

He remembered that the dark green uniform was something that only a Prefecture Chief could wear, so the person just now must have been Min Baoyi.

“Let’s go.”

Zhang Hai called out to Zhang Youying as he saw the crowd beginning to disperse.

But when he called out, he got no response.

Turning his head, he saw Zhang Youying standing there in a daze, still looking off into the distance, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

“What’s the matter, got hysteria?”

Zhang Hai waved his chubby, short hands in front of Zhang Youying’s eyes.

Zhang Youying came out of her daze and, looking at Zhang Hai, said quietly, “I remember… only a Prefecture Chief in the City Defense Division is allowed to wear the dark green uniform, right?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

Zhang Hai asked curiously.

Zhang Youying opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated and finally shook her head, saying, “Nothing.”

With that, she turned and walked away, her figure slightly forlorn.

…

Chen Mu’s promotion to Prefecture Chief of the Wutong Grove District was something that couldn’t be hidden in the Ninth District. In just one day, the news spread through all the streets and alleys.

Some said Chen Mu had hit the jackpot, with his ancestral tomb emitting blue smoke and having made the acquaintance of an important figure from the Inner City.

Others said Chen Mu wasn’t actually Old Chen’s son but the illegitimate child of a big shot from the Inner City, with whom he had recently reconnected.

There were also whispers that Chen Mu had earned his position as Prefecture Chief through merit, although this rumor was the least common.

But whether it was Chen Mu’s former neighbors or some of his past colleagues, their feelings were a mix of shock and complexity.

Among them, a major figure who now ruled over a district with tens of thousands of households had emerged so suddenly.

In just one short year, everything had been turned upside down!

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