Chapter 70: Head-on Confrontation

Constable Zheng’s opening speech was fairly normal, but then he moved on to the matter of the donation silver.

"It’s now the third day since the collection of the donation silver began. Over the past two days, many constables have reported good news, having successfully collected the full amounts. Others are working hard and are on track to finish.

However, at this time, I must harshly criticize certain constables who have neglected their duties and, to this day, have not made a single visit! I won’t name names here!

In the end, it’s the results that matter! If the outcome is satisfactory, then I’ll pretend this never happened, and we can put this behind us. But if the results are also subpar, then don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Constable Zheng spoke at length from the high platform, his remarks clearly pointed.

Standing next to Chen Ping’an, Zeng Jihe couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

’We’re screwed. He’s talking about us!’

Although it was because they hadn’t received the collection voucher, the fact remained that they had yet to make an official visit.

Just as Zeng Jihe was tensing up, afraid of being called out by name, a calm voice suddenly rang out.

"Constable Zheng, there is a matter I would like to report to you and the other senior constables! I hope this is an opportune moment!"

Zeng Jihe turned his head and saw that the speaker was none other than Chen Ping’an.

"Master Chen..." Zeng Jihe’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

"What is it?"

Constable Zheng hadn’t actually expected Chen Ping’an would dare to speak on this occasion. He was expressionless, his thoughts unreadable.

"Thanks to Constable Zheng’s ’special care,’ I was assigned to collect the donation silver from the shops under the Tiger Head Gang, a task for which I am endlessly grateful. I was eager to go and make the collection, but alas, I have yet to receive the collection voucher, even today! I can’t help but wonder if there’s been some kind of mistake or oversight!"

Chen Ping’an spoke in a calm, measured tone, cupping his hands as he articulated each word.

The moment he finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar.

"Damn! What’s going on!?"

"Did you hear what Chen Ping’an said? ’Special care’ from Constable Zheng! Is he accusing the Constable of setting him up?"

"Accusing? He’s saying it to his face!"

"Chen Ping’an is seriously bold!"

"Bold? He’s just stupid! You can’t say something like that so openly! They’re going to make his life hell for this!"

"Say what you will, but I have to respect him for daring to call it out so directly."

"It’s the last day and he still hasn’t gotten the collection voucher? That’s pretty messed up."

"If that’s true, then they’re definitely targeting him."

"Sigh. There might have been room to resolve this quietly, but now that he’s laid all his cards on the table, it’s going to be a huge mess."

"A mess? Just sit back and enjoy the show!"

"..."

Listening to the whispers around him, Chen Ping’an stood ramrod straight, like a pine tree with an unbending trunk.

"Silence!"

Constable Zheng’s brow furrowed, and his deep, powerful voice boomed across the hall.

The many hushed conversations in the hall fell silent at once.

The atmosphere, however, had turned strange. The other senior constables behind Constable Zheng began to cast odd glances at both him and Chen Ping’an—all except for the amicable Constable Yan.

Constable Zheng truly hadn’t expected Chen Ping’an to dare lay his cards on the table so openly. However, in a setting like the constables’ morning meeting, a direct confrontation was the last thing he feared.

"The task list for the donation silver was reviewed and decided by the Lord Chief of the Garrison Commandant’s Office. It can hardly be considered my ’special care,’ so your gratitude is directed at the wrong person!

As for your report about not receiving the collection voucher! Why only mention it today? Don’t you know there’s only a three-day deadline for the donation silver? Why didn’t you report this earlier, choosing to wait until today, the very last day!?

At the morning meetings the past two days, I repeatedly stated that everyone must take this seriously! Is this how you take things seriously!?"

The more he spoke, the more imposing Constable Zheng’s aura became. When he finished the last word, he stared directly at Chen Ping’an, like an enraged lion.

The many constables below fell deathly silent. No one dared to cross an enraged Constable Zheng.

’Constable Zheng is furious for no good reason! My report is perfectly reasonable. Instead of investigating the Task Room’s problem, he immediately tries to find fault with me. Not to mention, he has no idea whether I’ve been hounding the Task Room for the voucher or not. And even if I hadn’t, wouldn’t the responsibility still lie with the Task Room?’

Chen Ping’an’s words showed no sign of backing down. To the onlookers, it seemed he was determined to see this confrontation through to the end.

"Insolent!"

Constable Zheng roared in anger.

Never in all his years as a senior constable had he been so openly and brazenly contradicted in front of so many people.

"Do you know the penalty for publicly defying a senior constable!?"

Constable Zheng was about to slap a heavy accusation on Chen Ping’an.

"I am merely reporting an issue through proper channels. What crime have I committed? For Constable Zheng to try and slap a label on me, however... could it be that there’s something shady going on?

As a subordinate, I reported a problem in the hopes of resolving it. For a senior constable to not only offer no support but to instead react with such a crude and heavy-handed approach... what is the logic in that!? I fail to understand. I implore you to enlighten me!"

Chen Ping’an’s speech was articulate, his reasoning sound, and his demeanor perfectly composed.

"Good! Good! Good!" Constable Zheng’s anger flared, and the composure maintained by his many years of Qi Cultivation Skill nearly shattered.

"Who in the Task Room is responsible for the collection vouchers!? Step forward!"

A middle-aged constable, holding his head high, stepped out from the ranks. It was Old Fan from the Task Room.

"Constable Zheng, that would be me," Old Fan said, his voice trembling.

’His mind was completely reeling!’

’He had only listened to Zheng Shiyong. Considering the man’s background and the benefits he’d receive, he had foolishly agreed to help. He thought it was just a small, casual favor. How did it turn into this?’

Standing to the side, Zheng Shiyong was also dumbfounded.

’Is this Chen Ping’an trying to get himself killed? He’s flipping the whole table over just like that? If you’re going to flip the table, you should at least know your own strength!’

"Alright. You tell us. This collection voucher Chen Ping’an mentioned... what’s the real story!?"

Though furious, Constable Zheng forced his voice to be calm when he spoke to Old Fan.

A sudden stroke of inspiration hit Old Fan. His thoughts raced, and he blurted out, "Constable Zheng, what Chen Ping’an claims is a complete fabrication! The collection vouchers were indeed delayed due to the need for an official seal. However, they were made available in the Task Room for pickup as of yesterday. It’s just that no one ever showed up. I even thought about delivering them myself, but I couldn’t find anyone at the time! I never imagined that Chen Ping’an would turn around and make a false accusation, slinging mud at me like this!"

Hearing Old Fan’s words, Zeng Jihe’s face instantly darkened.

’That Old Fan... how does he have the gall to say that!? No one went to get it!? I lost count of how many times I went yesterday, and each time he put me off, saying the voucher wasn’t stamped yet!’

In that same instant, he was overcome with the impulse to jump up and call him out. But a glance at Constable Zheng on the high platform made him hesitate.

"Is this true!? Chen Ping’an, what do you say?"

Constable Zheng’s voice rang out.

Before Chen Ping’an could even speak, Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu jumped in.

"Constable Zheng, we can vouch for Old Fan! He did come looking for Constable Chen yesterday, but Constable Chen had already left for home early in the morning, so they missed each other!"

’You two!’ Zeng Jihe thought, not expecting Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu to jump in and twist the knife.

"Well!?" Constable Zheng’s voice was heavy with authority as he stared at Chen Ping’an. "We have witnesses. What do you have to say for yourself now!?"

Chen Ping’an’s expression remained unchanged. "Oh? Then I’d like to ask, since Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu saw Old Fan come out to deliver the collection voucher, why didn’t the two of you simply accept it on my behalf?"

’That’s right!’

’Since they saw Old Fan, why didn’t they take the voucher from him!’

’They’re all constables from the same squad, after all!’

Chen Ping’an’s question immediately left Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu completely flustered.

They had only intended to step forward as witnesses, add fuel to the fire, and prove their worth. They never imagined their testimony would have such a gaping hole.

’Idiots!’

Zheng Shiyong was fuming with exasperation.

Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu had effectively shot themselves in the foot. At worst, it had been a ’he said, he said’ situation, but with their testimony, the scales were now tipping in Chen Ping’an’s favor.

’Nice assist,’ Chen Ping’an silently gave Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu a thumbs-up in his mind.

’I thought I’d have to put in more effort to clear this up, but with those two getting involved, things have gotten a lot easier.’