Chapter 470 - 380: Power and Interests, Managing the Outer City

He cultivated tirelessly each day. In his spare time, he tutored Peony, and they would chat like brother and sister when the little girl returned from her lessons...

Now, his specific supervisory duties had been clearly defined, adding a few more responsibilities to his plate.

His purview included patrolling the Weishui Section of the Long’an Trade Route and holding full command over all inspection matters throughout Weishui County. He was to oversee Five Peaks Mountain City, White Stone City, and several garrisons along the Long’an Trade Route... He would also supervise the Weishui Outer Town Patrol Office, giving him comprehensive involvement in all affairs of the Outer City!

In terms of duties, the list was extensive. However, the word "supervise" was used quite ingeniously!

To "supervise" implied that there were others who would "directly manage." With direct managers in place, the responsibility for handling most matters fell to those below him.

When he wanted to be involved, he could exercise his supervisory role. When he didn’t, he could simply step back and be a carefree, hands-off manager.

But that was just talk. Since he had taken this position, whether he was hands-on or not, the ultimate responsibility still rested on Chen Ping’an’s shoulders.

"My Lord, that is the general overview of the Outer City Garrison Command. I have compiled the remaining details into a separate file for your review."

Chen Ping’an sat in a large chair behind a long table. Two middle-aged men stood respectfully before him. One was fair-faced and beardless with sharp, intelligent eyes; the other had thick eyebrows, a square jaw, and coarse skin.

They were the Commander-in-Chief of the Outer City Garrison Command, Lin Shaohua, and his Deputy Commander, Yan Wu.

The one who had spoken was Lin Shaohua, and he was reporting to Chen Ping’an on the state of the Outer City Garrison Command.

As soon as Chen Ping’an’s supervisory role was announced, the Commander-in-Chief of the Outer City Garrison Command, a man who had weathered many political storms, had come at the earliest opportunity to report on his work and pay his respects.

Chen Ping’an’s star was rising in Weishui County City, like the sun at its zenith. As his direct subordinate, Lin Shaohua naturally had to pledge his allegiance. And not just pledge it, but do so convincingly.

"Hmm." Chen Ping’an nodded slightly as he listened to Lin Shaohua’s report. "Commander Lin, the Outer City Garrison Command administers four major districts, so your daily duties must be complex. I’ve only just taken up this post, so I’ll be relying on you to handle many things. Just make sure no mistakes are made."

"Please rest assured, My Lord. It is my duty, and I will certainly do my utmost to lighten your burdens," Lin Shaohua replied with a solemn expression, bowing with cupped hands in a grand display of loyalty.

Chen Ping’an was quite satisfied with Lin Shaohua’s attitude.

’Looks like my work supervising the Outer City Garrison Command will proceed smoothly. It’s good there are no troublemakers; it saves me the effort. I can use the spare energy for other things.’

After this subtle reminder to Lin Shaohua, Chen Ping’an’s gaze fell upon Yan Wu, who stood to the side.

Speaking of Yan Wu, they had once drunk and conversed merrily together. The exchange they’d had at the banquet was quite enjoyable, and Chen Ping’an had even learned a great deal about the Long’an Trade Route from him.

Back then, their positions had been more or less equal. He never imagined that by the time they met again, he would have become his boss’s boss.

"My Lord!" Seeing Chen Ping’an’s gaze land on him, Yan Wu immediately bowed, adopting a very deferential posture.

Whatever turmoil and disbelief churned within him, his outward bearing was flawless, displaying complete deference and submission.

"Yan Wu, you and I go way back, so I’ll skip the pleasantries. In the days to come, you must properly assist Commander Lin, guard the Weishui Outer City, and bring honor to the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"

Compared to Lin Shaohua’s comprehensive command, Yan Wu was primarily responsible for patrols in the Weishui Outer City, covering its four major districts.

Back when Chen Ping’an was the South City Prison Chief, during the invasion of the Ten Thousand Demons, it was Yan Wu who had arrived in time to provide aid.

Hearing this, Yan Wu was overjoyed and immediately replied with a solemn expression, "This subordinate will heed My Lord’s command! I will not betray your trust. I will assist Lord Lin in protecting the Weishui Outer City and bring honor to our Outer City Garrison Command!"

As Yan Wu spoke, Lin Shaohua’s expression remained unchanged, but a thought stirred within him. The details of Chen Ping’an’s meteoric rise kept flashing through his mind.

His thoughts finally settled on the time when Chen Ping’an was the South City Prison Chief. During the invasion of the Ten Thousand Demons, Yan Wu had interacted with him.

No!

Besides that, there was something else. When Chen Ping’an was about to be appointed as the Long’an Trade Route Patrol Envoy, he had returned to Weishui to debrief and had taken a trip down memory lane, visiting Nanquan Lane.

Upon hearing the news, Lin Shaohua, too proud of his own status, had not gone to greet him personally. Instead, he’d sent Yan Wu to do it.

’At the time, although Chen Ping’an was already showing promise, I thought he was still a step below me. We had no overlapping interests, so there was no need to go out of my way to curry favor.’

’I just never imagined that in such a short time, the man would become my ultimate superior!’

’If I had known then what I know now, how could I have... sigh...’

’What’s done is done. It’s useless to dwell on it.’

Lin Shaohua sighed internally. ’A grave miscalculation! A grave miscalculation...’

However, as a chief official in charge of a region, Lin Shaohua’s Qi Cultivation Skill was naturally exceptional, and he quickly regained his composure.

After listening to their report, Chen Ping’an did not keep them long.

"My Lord, we will take our leave."

The two men bowed with cupped hands, announced their departure, and left the office.

After they left, Lin Shaohua and Yan Wu were in markedly different moods.

Yan Wu was thinking about how Chen Ping’an still remembered their old connection. Although this bond was faint, if he played his cards right, it could prove to be a great opportunity.

Lin Shaohua, on the other hand, felt a hint of a threat from Yan Wu and was already contemplating how to close the distance between himself and Lord Chen more quickly. Their exchange had been brief, but the difference in familiarity was all too clear.