Chapter 124 - 122: Ten Years as a Patrol Guard
Then, Zhuang Ren called for Song Changming and inquired about the details of the matter.
"This matter is difficult to handle. If it were just an ordinary Jianghu hero, it would be one thing, but now that it has alarmed the military, it won’t end well, even though it was the other party’s own fault..."
After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Ren said, "Have your subordinates, those Patrol Guards involved in this matter, all dismissed as a way to account for this incident."
Song Changming shook his head directly and said, "This was my order, there is no reason to let my subordinates take the blame. Liang Zhao Long and the others were merely performing their duties as Patrol Guards. What fault is there in that?
Dismiss me instead."
"That’s not possible, Changming, why ruin your career over such a trivial matter!" Zhuang Ren immediately advised.
Currently, Song Changming was his most effective subordinate, and he could accept dismissing the other Patrol Guards, but letting go of Song Changming was something he was reluctant to do.
"Otherwise, I won’t find peace in my heart," Song Changming replied calmly, without a hint of hesitance in his words.
Making this decision was not difficult for him; it was a situation he had anticipated before.
If being an official was not enjoyable, then he would not do it.
He was not bound to hold an official position no matter what.
As long as he retained his abilities, he could make a living anywhere.
Seeing that Song Changming was resolute in his decision, Zhuang Ren could only sigh and said, "I will try my best to seek leniency for you all."
"Thank you, sir, for your support along the way." Song Changming cupped his hands towards Zhuang Ren.
Fairly speaking, Zhuang Ren, as his new superior, had been quite good to him.
Placing him in the position of the second-in-command of the Public Security Bureau, using him all the way until now, and never setting him up.
Though they hadn’t formed a deep friendship, their superior-subordinate relationship was quite harmonious.
"You... sigh..." Not knowing what more to say, Zhuang Ren could only sigh and leave.
That evening, upon returning home, Song Changming informed his parents of the situation to prepare them mentally in advance.
If there was any regret in being dismissed, it would probably be the disappointment it might bring to his parents.
Especially Father Song.
He still remembered how excited Father Song was when he first became a Patrol Captain, happy for him for a long time.
As expected, upon learning that Song Changming might no longer hold an official position, the two elders were surprised.
However, after Song Changming explained the reasons, the elders felt indignation rather than the disappointment he had expected.
"Changming, you did the right thing. That beast should be severely punished for such actions!"
"If this means you can’t be an official, then that position is indeed not worth having, so be it!" Father Song slammed the table, cursing angrily.
"Changming, it’s fine if you don’t hold an official position. If one day the Fifth Prince is defeated, the court won’t come after us," Song’s Mother said, taking another perspective as she held Song Changming’s hand.
"Your mother is right. In these troubled times, with war and chaos, family safety is what matters most," Father Song agreed.
Song Changming was stunned. Rather than being disappointed, the elders consoled him continuously upon hearing the news.
This made the last bit of burden in his heart disappear.
"Mother, rest assured, I will definitely protect our family," Song Changming said with a smile.
"I, I will also help Brother Song protect our family!" Song Ping’an beside him vowed earnestly.
Three days later, under military pressure, Song Changming was finally removed from his position as the Chief Patrol Guard of the General Department.
When his official seal, uniform, and saber were taken away, Song Changming couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion.
Looking back at the past, he joined the Patrol Armor Bureau at the age of seventeen, starting as a humble Fire Patrolman, making his way to his current position.
Now nearing the age of twenty-seven, his nearly ten-year career as a Patrol Guard was finally coming to an end.
Ten years passed in the blink of an eye.
Now setting aside his official attire, it was as if he were setting off again anew.
Free from the weight of the official uniform and armor, Song Changming donned a simple black outfit, without any flashy embellishments, appearing more reserved and composed.
Later, Lv Gang and Liang Chuan Mountain, along with old acquaintances like Zhou Sixin of the General Department, came to express their displeasure on his behalf.
But there was nothing they could do for Song Changming regarding this matter.
It was only a few days later that Lu Zheng, upon learning about the matter rather late, arrived in a flurry, suggesting he could ask Gu Wenhui to help Song Changming regain his position.
However, Song Changming felt that without an official position, he was quite at ease, so he didn’t ask for Lu Zheng’s help.
"Changming, I know your abilities. Brother Gu often mentions you and inquires about your situation. Now that you are no longer in an official position, why not come with me to see Brother Gu? He will surely treat you well."
Lu Zheng hesitated for a moment but ultimately extended another invitation to Song Changming.
"I appreciate Brother Lu’s kindness, but for now, I just want to rest for a while and practice martial arts in the courtyard," Song Changming replied gently.
Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng, as usual, did not insist any further.
After sharing a meal together, Lu Zheng departed hastily once more.
After sending away Lu Zheng, soon Liang Zhao Long and his group of former patrol guards came looking, saying they wanted to resign and continue following Song Changming.
Although Song Changming was quite moved by these people’s trust in him, he had no plans to support so many people, so he had to persuade them to return one by one.
He was very clear that among these patrol guards, many were their family’s backbone, with wives and young children. Even if the patrol guard job was disgusting, to feed their families, they could not give it up impulsively.
He thought the matter was resolved.
But the next day, Liang Zhao Long and seven or eight of the patrol guards still resigned from the patrol guard positions.
"Liang Zhao Long, what are you up to?" Song Changming looked at these people in front of him, helplessly amused.
"Chief, you know that we’re different from the other brothers, having no ties and being alone. You can’t abandon us." Liang Zhao Long said.
"Besides, this is all because of us, we cannot let you bear it alone!"
"That’s right, Chief."
"I’ve had enough of this lousy job long ago."
"..."
They spoke one by one, showing no regret for voluntarily giving up the patrol guard positions.
Seeing this, Song Changming could only accept their loyalty.
Having been together for years, no matter what, he couldn’t leave these former subordinates uncared for.
As for what arrangements to make for these people, he would slowly consider it in the future.
After all, these were all elite patrol guards from the general department, their skills useful anywhere.
Especially Liang Zhao Long, with excellent growth potential, now a Fourth Realm martial artist, and nearly mastering a set of low level blade skill.
Judging by his current performance, Liang Zhao Long definitely has a promising future, an excellent helper.
...
Under the night sky, outside the county city, by the Luolong River, a group of horsemen came dusting in, stopping at a deserted area.
The leading figure was none other than the commander Gao Qiu.
He gazed at the distant county city, his eyes gloomy, seeming to be covered with a layer of blood in the night.
"General, shall we act tonight?" a person behind him asked.
"Hmm!" Gao Qiu’s voice was full of menace, "Thought they could brush it off with a simple dismissal? Daring to beat A Hu like this, if I don’t return with their heads today, I won’t be able to answer to my parents!"
"Charge into the city!"
Inside the courtyard, Song Changming was discussing future plans with Liang Zhao Long.
Practicing martial arts requires money, so after leaving the public security bureau, the first step is to find a way to make a living.
"The current world is in chaos, countless refugees and distressed people, among them there are farmers, skilled artisans, and doctors from the city.
In chaotic times, talent is not lacking, what’s missing is stability. If we can protect them, provide doctors with a medical hall, artisans with a workshop, farmers with land, they can generate wealth..."
Song Changming spoke slowly, picked up a cup, and sipped some light wine, just for the taste.
What he was saying was actually just a general idea without any specific implementation plan.
Liang Zhao Long listened beside him, thoughtful, seeming to have a general direction.
"Perhaps I can establish a Jianghu gang, a faction, and try recruiting these refugees..."
"Thinking alone is useless, go and do it." Song Changming nodded.
He has the stable Bisho Silkworm business, generating monthly income, which can fund Liang Zhao Long initially, giving him room to make mistakes.
"Alright!" Liang Zhao Long nodded.
In terms of execution, Liang Zhao Long is strong, or rather, among the general department patrol guards, none have poor execution.
As the two were speaking, suddenly Song Changming put down the wine cup, his originally relaxed expression tensing slightly, eyes narrowing.
Years of working together, Liang Zhao Long immediately understood, grabbing his saber, rising swiftly, looking around the courtyard walls.
The night wind blew in, spinning a small whirlwind in the courtyard.
Song Changming also picked up the nearby Dragon Pattern Saber.
Under the tree in the courtyard, Dahuang and White suddenly perked up their ears, as if hearing some commotion, their previously dozing heads immediately lifted.
"Guard the courtyard for me," Song Changming said to Liang Zhao Long, then leaped up, lightly stepping on an iron stake, crossing over a dozen meters, directly over the eaves, over the courtyard wall, landing outside in the alley.
He did not want a conflict to erupt at home, worrying that it would wreck his courtyard and house.
Thus, sensing visitors in the night, he chose to resolve it outside.
As he landed in the alley, he saw two to three dozen people dressed in night clothes approaching.
They too seemed surprised that Song Changming arrived early, their footsteps halted.
...