"Vice Song." Several Patrol Guards who had been on stakeout previously came hurriedly holding hand crossbows.
Song Changming nodded, looked at the thief in front of him, and said, "Is there a bounty for this guy?"
"Yes, Ghost-faced Thief, the government offers a reward of ten silver coins." Jiang Chunzi confirmed after looking at the person's appearance and the ghost mask.
"Not bad, tonight wasn't for nothing. Take him back," Song Changming sheathed his sword, fairly satisfied.
A fish, no matter how small, is still a fish. Getting reward silver isn't bad.
The Patrol Guards were also quite pleased. Normally, the reward silver from such captures could be partly shared among those who participated.
Of course, the larger share still goes to the Patrol Captain and Vice Song.
After all, they are the superiors in charge of the Patrol Guard, always having the privilege to gain more benefits.
After imprisoning the thieves that had been roaming in the Houli District recently, Song Changming was about to go home to rest when a Patrol Guard following Liang Chuan Mountain stopped him.
"Vice Song, Mr. Liang asked me to wait for you at the Patrol Armor Bureau, saying you should go to the Chunfeng garden to find him after you're done," said the Patrol Guard.
"Tonight?" Song Changming was somewhat surprised.
"Yes."
"I understand." Song Changming changed out of his armored Patrol Guard uniform, put on his daily attire, and went as invited.
Chunfeng garden is located in the bustling area of Houli Street, well-known as a place of entertainment. Even late at night, it was brightly lit and filled with guests coming and going.
The melodious sound of zithers and flutes, along with the soft laughter of women, could be heard clearly even outside the pavilions.
Over the past six months, Song Changming had become quite familiar with this place.
Due to his responsibilities, he had a thorough understanding of every street and alley in Houli Street, including this Chunfeng garden.
Another reason is as a close confidant personally cultivated by Liang Chuan Mountain, who often took him here for leisure and entertainment.
Soon, he found his way to the second-floor compartment with ease and found Liang Chuan Mountain listening to music.
"You're here, sit down." Liang Chuan Mountain sat cross-legged on the cushions in the compartment, took a sip of wine, smiled at Song Changming, and then gestured for the Zither Girl and Dancer in the room to leave.
The women gracefully bowed in response, their eyes subtly darting, sneaking a glance at the newly entered Song Changming.
Nearly twenty-year-old Song Changming appeared taller than last year.
Wearing a fitted black long robe, with cuffs and hems secured to maintain flexibility for action at any time.
Perhaps trained at the Patrol Armor Bureau, his face had shed its youthful innocence, becoming more handsome and striking, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes.
His brows carried a hint of coldness, like a drawn sharp blade, exuding an edge.
With such excellent appearance, it's no wonder the women would cast him extra glances.
Song Changming sat beside Liang Chuan Mountain, quietly waiting for him to speak.
He knew that if the other had come looking for him suddenly, it must be something to discuss.
And most likely, it was something that couldn't be talked about at the Patrol Armor Bureau, which is why it was brought up here.
Facing Song Changming, Liang Chuan Mountain didn't beat around the bush and directly said, "The matter we talked about earlier has been confirmed. This year, the Director will retire."
Song Changming nodded, not surprised; they had discussed this matter before.
The Director of Houli Street is over seventy years old, and although his prestige still stands, age has caught up with him, lacking the vigor of his past and finding it hard to hold the high position of Director any longer.
Retiring is inevitable.
The question is, who will be chosen as the next successor by the higher-ups?
Typically, they choose the most suitable person among the familiar Patrol Captains to take over as the new Director.
Liang Chuan Mountain, being one of the Patrol Captains of Houli Street, is naturally a strong candidate for the next Director.
In fact, competition among the various Patrol Captains had long started openly and covertly over the past few years.
The main reason for the friction between Liang Chuan Mountain and Sun Wenyan, forming cliques and opposing each other, was the subconscious competition for the Director position.
The scramble for credit and personnel, with Song Changming caught in the middle, also had roots in this.
Liang Chuan Mountain took a few slices of beef from a dish and put them in his mouth, then drank a sip of wine before continuing.
"Lv Gang just started as Patrol Captain last year, coming from our side. He is completely inexperienced and thus has little chance of being a Director candidate.
Zhu Bairen and Zhang Sihai are also not young, and their performances over the years have not been outstanding. Even if they qualify to compete, they are likely to be behind me in priority.
The only real threats to me are Qian Wen and Zhao Dezhi..."
After hearing this, Song Changming nodded and said, "Indeed so."
He now understands much more about the situation within the Patrol Armor Bureau than when he first became a Patrol Guard.
As Liang Chuan Mountain mentioned, at this last moment, the truly competitive ones are the three Patrol Captains, including Liang Chuan Mountain.
"Changming, you are someone I have promoted, and I have treated you well. Between me and Zhao Dezhi, you should know who's side to stand on," Liang Chuan Mountain suddenly said, clinking glasses with Song Changming.
"Of course, sir, are you not satisfied with my recent performance?" Song Changming said helplessly, understanding the purpose of Liang Chuan Mountain's invitation today as a reminder or warning.
No matter how distant he kept from Zhao Dezhi, there was a familial connection.
Before, it didn't matter much, but now, at this crucial moment, even if Liang Chuan Mountain trusted Song Changming a great deal, he couldn't help but confirm it multiple times.
He didn't want to be backstabbed by someone close at the last moment, dragging him down.
"Your recent performance has been very good. Or rather, your performance over the past year has been excellent. Bringing you into my Patrol Guard was the most correct decision I made. I'm just too sensitive right now," Liang Chuan Mountain admitted.
"I trust your character, and I won't bring this up again."
Song Changming nodded, the matter swiftly passed over, and not much was said.
He could understand Liang Chuan Mountain, as it was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for promotion.
Missing this chance, if Liang Chuan Mountain wanted another promotion opportunity, it would be too difficult, possibly hopeless for the rest of his life.
Anyone would be a little sensitive at this time.
Among the six Patrol Captains, he was promoted by Liang Chuan Mountain, being the most familiar and closest to him, and it was only natural that he would most support Liang Chuan Mountain becoming Director.
This would also be beneficial for Song Changming himself.
"The Patrol Guard must perform well recently. Even the smallest credit must be secured. These recorded credits are the best bargaining chip!" Liang Chuan Mountain further instructed Song Changming.
"I understand." Song Changming agreed, hesitated for a moment, and then still asked, "I heard that the positions of Directors in each district are decided by the Public Security Bureau under the Governor's Mansion..."
Liang Chuan Mountain understood and waved his hand, saying, "Rest assured, I've already made the necessary arrangements. Trust that Qian Wen and Zhao Dezhi have done the same, as they've all emptied their homes.
The higher-ups are very greedy, and this money can only ensure impartial decisions when they make them. I can't afford more, and neither can Qian Wen or Zhao Dezhi.
Besides, there's someone from the Governor's Mansion watching over them, so they don't dare to go too far. Our current strategy is to win with absolute merit, in which I already have the upper hand..."
Overall, Liang Chuan Mountain is quite confident about this promotion to Director.
Having brought Song Changming into the discussion was to maximize his advantage in this aspect, ideally securing a hundred percent chance of winning.
...