Chapter 72 - 70: Taking Office (Part 2)
This night, meeting him, it was evident that Song Changming had come with a purpose, not likely looking for casual drinking and idle chatter.
Though they were in-laws, his address towards Song Changming still seemed distant, not at all close.
Call it prideful or old-fashioned, he simply couldn’t bring himself to flatter Song Changming with sycophantic gestures.
"Then I’ll be frank, I hope Patriarch Zhao can agree to formally marry my third sister." Song Changming decided not to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"Impossible!" Zhao Dezhi’s face immediately fell in rejection.
"Did Huaiming ask you to come? This matter is absolutely impossible!"
"No, this matter is also what I wish." Song Changming calmly looked at Zhao Dezhi’s outburst and slowly said.
"This matter isn’t without precedent, the law permits it, why not?"
Zhao Dezhi remained cold-faced, snorting heavily, "In my Zhao family, it’s simply not possible!"
"Nothing is absolute, it’s merely weighing pros and cons." Song Changming continued calmly.
Zhao Dezhi spied Song Changming’s calm demeanor and felt a faint unease arise in his heart.
"Does Patriarch Zhao not wish for the Zhao family to rise further?" Song Changming spoke directly.
"For example, allowing brother-in-law to assume my former position; I believe his abilities are sufficient, aren’t they?"
"..." Zhao Dezhi fell silent.
If the Zhao family were to suddenly have two Patrol Captains serving in the Patrol Armor Bureau, the family’s influence in the Houli Street area certainly would increase.
Just as Song Changming mentioned, nothing is absolute.
If remarrying Song Yu brings such benefits, it’s indeed worth considering.
He also believed that Song Changming now possessed the capability to successfully maneuver Zhao Huaiming into the Patrol Captain position.
"Or perhaps Patriarch Zhao prefers the decline of the Zhao family rather than compromise?" Song Changming followed up.
"What do you mean by this!" Zhao Dezhi furrowed his brow and spoke sternly.
"Since I can place brother-in-law in the Patrol Captain position, naturally, I also have the ability to ensure the Zhao family has no Patrol Captains at all." Song Changming slowly stood up.
His expression grew cold, embodying an unfeeling harshness.
"If Patriarch Zhao doesn’t believe, feel free to try."
Zhao Dezhi remained silent.
Given Song Changming’s relationship with Liang Chuan Mountain, the possibility of being dismissed was not unfounded.
Liang Chuan Mountain wasn’t intent on making Zhao Dezhi a key figure anyway, perhaps he really would offer Song Changming a favor.
As Song Changming walked out of the library, Zhao Dezhi ultimately sent him off with a smile all the way to the gate of Zhao Residence.
Turning back to glance at the Zhao family’s plaque on the beam, Zhao Dezhi silently re-entered the house and summoned Zhao Huaiming.
"I’ve agreed to what you mentioned." Zhao Dezhi rubbed his forehead, saying.
Zhao Huaiming, upon hearing this, was immediately filled with joy.
"Thank you Father for making it happen!"
Though unaware of what Song Changming discussed with Zhao Dezhi in the library, the outcome was that Zhao Dezhi conceded and yielded from his stubbornness.
"Once a favorable date is set, proceed with the arrangements accordingly."
"Yes, Father!"
...
Soon, the day for the formal reassignment arrived as scheduled.
Song Changming donned the new official uniform issued by the Public Security Bureau’s Internal Affairs Office, an ink-green armor adorned with gold hemming and gold cords.
It bore little difference from his earlier Patrol Captain uniform from the Patrol Armor Bureau, except the color was darker and it had additional gold trim and distinct adornments.
This slight difference allowed the Chief Patrol Guard to recognize it without further inquiry.
Fully attired, a Dragon Pattern Saber slung over his back, along with an official saber at his waist, he arrived early at the General Department to complete the employment process.
Then he proceeded to a secluded courtyard, which counted as his Patrol Guard’s base within the General Department.
The entire General Department spanned a territory at least thrice the size of three City Patrol Defense Bureaus!
With numerous architectural organizations such as courtyards, martial arts arenas, main halls, general prisons, interview chambers, each administrative place within.
The City Patrol Defense Bureau, however, seemed modeled after this General Department’s structure in a truncated version.
Such extensive grounds naturally exceeded the number of officials and patrol guards present compared to the City Patrol Defense Bureau.
At present, the General Department had established a total of seventeen patrol guards, each assigned between thirty and fifty patrol guards of varying numbers.
In total, the number of Chief Patrol Guards within the General Department had exceeded five hundred.
This was a considerable force, knowing that nearly every patrol guard here had been carefully selected from Martial Tao practitioners for their abilities, qualifications, and temperaments weren’t lacking.
Song Changming commanded precisely the newly expanded seventeenth patrol guard.
The current team comprised thirty members, meeting the General Patrol Guard’s personnel standards just so.
Pushing open the door, the sight of thirty patrol guards meditating cross-legged silently in a reasonably spacious empty space greeted him.
There was no clamorous noise, no chaotic disorder, only solemn silence.
Upon noticing Song Changming’s entrance, all thirty patrol guards opened their eyes and focused their gazes upon him.
"From today onwards, I am your Patrol Captain." Song Changming said with a gentle smile, casting his gaze across each person.
Among this group of patrol guards, there were young individuals who weren’t much older than Song Changming and middle-aged, even some elderly martial artists who hadn’t yet retired.
Overall, those relatively young in their twenties and thirties constituted the majority, while the older ones numbered merely five or six.
Upon hearing, the patrol guards immediately stood up, respectfully bowing.
"Greetings, Guard Captain!"
Song Changming’s identity badge and official uniform already explained everything, requiring little explanation.
Song Changming noted the older individuals remained unchanged in expression, exuding an attitude of absolute compliance with superior orders.
However, the remaining young patrol guards’ eyes weren’t as disciplined, scanning Song Changming, the former stranger of a young Patrol Captain, with a notably aggressive air.
Each hailed from the top tier of martial artists within their age group, spirited and arrogant, having been elected to serve at the General Department, many held themselves in high regards.
Faced with this unknown young Patrol Captain, it’s natural to harbor doubt.
Song Changming perceived these individuals’ inner thoughts, approached the group, and spoke casually, "Meeting for the first time, now I give you an opportunity."
The patrol guards quietly listened.
"A singular chance to challenge me."
"If anyone among you defeats me, I will apply to the General Department to relinquish this Patrol Captain position to the victor, how about it?"
With this, the patrol guards’ expressions shifted instantaneously.
Soon, some were eager to move, saying, "Guard Captain, do you mean it?"
"Certainly, besides, I need to ascertain my subordinates’ skills; if their abilities are mediocre, even inferior to those I once led at the Patrol Armor Bureau, I will also request their dismissal and removal from the team.
How does that sound, fair enough?" Song Changming laughed lightly.
Certain things, he believed, were best done from the outset for optimizing effect, establishing the team’s tone and rules first for better guidance ahead.
Quickly, a patrol guard couldn’t hold back.
"I’ll try." A young patrol guard appearing in his twenties, skin tanned dark reddish, stepped forward.
His build was sizable, height matching Song Changming, close to a meter and ninety in stature.
Sporting short hair, in this era, was considered rather distinctive.
"State your name."
"Guard Captain, I’m Liang Zhao Long."
"When you’re ready, feel free to attack directly." Song Changming said to him.
"Then I apologize!" Liang Zhao Long’s eyes focused, his feet exploded with force, swiftly dashing towards Song Changming.
When near, he abruptly drew his saber slashing forth.
Song Changming simultaneously unsheathed his waist-borne official saber, standing firm to spar in sword skill.
Liang Zhao Long’s sword skill indeed was commendable, having achieved minor success already, amassing a formidable sword momentum.
This, within the patrol guard circle, was a notably impressive level.
But for Song Changming, who held mastery in a complete set of sword skills, it was naturally easy to control.
This barely amounted to a sparring match for him, simply a one-sided drill coaxing out the opponent’s utmost capabilities.
From start to finish, he didn’t even shift his footing, wielding solely sword skill to thoroughly pin down his opponent.
After dozens of exchanges, Liang Zhao Long battled increasingly in shock.
No matter his approach, Song Changming dissipated them effortlessly.
Like a breeze over a hill, his offensives were nothing but harmless to this young Guard Captain.
"How can this be!"
His mentality transitioned from initial disbelief to subsequent gradual desensitization.
A sword practitioner in the martial halls, among peers, he was considered exceptionally bright until confronting the apparently more youthful Song Changming, realizing his previously proud martial talents were no more.
"I concede." Liang Zhao Long wisely halted himself, facing Song Changming, genuinely defeated.
"Anyone else wishes to try?" Song Changming wielded the official saber, gazing at the remaining patrol guards.
...