The Head Runner

The man was of middling build, with a broad, square face, thick brows, large eyes, and a mustache that drooped away from his lip in two strokes. "Good day to you, Head Runner Zheng." At the gate of the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, the runners nodded and greeted the newcomer again and again. "Head Runner Zheng." "Head Runner Zheng." "..." Greetings rang out one after another. The newcomer nodded slightly by way of acknowledgment. He strode forward and was soon in the inner part of the office, where several large square chairs were set out. Head Runner Zheng picked the one in the middle and sat down at once. "What's Head Runner Zheng doing here today?!" Monkey asked in a low voice. "No idea." Chen Ping'an shook his head slightly. At the usual roll call, Head Runner Zheng rarely put in an appearance. The rules about signing in at roll call were for runners; they had little hold on a head runner. And besides, who had shown up today and who hadn't was all a matter of how the clerk at roll call wrote it down, stroke by stroke. "Maybe it has to do with that operation the day before yesterday." Monkey guessed. "Maybe." Chen Ping'an nodded. The few of them stood in a corner, waiting quietly along with the many other runners. Not long after Head Runner Zheng came in, another head runner arrived. "Head Runner Li." "Good day, Head Runner Li." Some runners greeted him. This Head Runner Li was likewise a head runner at the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office. The Nanquan Lane Suppression Office was responsible for more than a dozen streets and lanes, big and small: shopkeepers running stores, peddlers working stalls, craftsmen selling their skill, ruffians and petty thugs drifting through the lanes... every trade and walk of life, honest and crooked mixed together. Keeping order and maintaining peace in a place like that was no easy business. The Nanquan Lane Suppression Office had one office chief, one deputy office chief, five head runners, over thirty registered runners, and more than a hundred unregistered temporary runners. Even among temporary runners there were grades and ranks. The highest standing naturally belonged to those with ability of their own and some backing besides. They could hope to be entered on the register one day. Next came those with either backing or ability. Lowest of all were those with neither. And Chen Ping'an was one of precisely that lowest sort of temporary runner at the Nanquan Lane Suppression Office. By contrast, both Monkey and Dashan ranked a little above him. Still, the few of them got along well enough, and none of them cared about such things. The runners waited a while longer. Then, once a tall, gaunt man called Head Runner Huang arrived, the Suppression Office's regular pre-duty meeting for the day formally began. It was Head Runner Zheng, the earliest to arrive, who spoke and presided. Chen Ping'an did not know how the head runners stood with one another, but from what he had observed, among the five head runners of the Nanquan Lane office, Head Runner Zheng was vaguely the one at their head. Monkey had guessed right. The first thing Head Runner Zheng brought up was the attack on that gang the day before yesterday. He explained what had been gained from the operation and offered spoken praise to the colleagues who had taken part. "Early yesterday morning, the office chief already reported this matter to the Nancheng Suppression Office on behalf of our Nanquan Lane. On top of that, even the grand office chief sent down word praising the valor of the runners of our Nanquan Lane Suppression Office." Head Runner Zheng stood at the very front, talking fluently to the assembled runners. When he mentioned the grand office chief, he brought his hands together in a salute toward the sky, a slight bow to show reverence and respect. "This is an honor for our Nanquan Lane Suppression Office, and an honor for every one of us..." Head Runner Zheng spoke up there at the front with great vigor. What the runners below him thought in their hearts was another matter. To look at their faces, though, everyone played along. "Praise, praise — it stops at words, and nothing solid ever comes down to us!" Monkey covered his face to block the view from the front, his mouth pulled tight. Chen Ping'an smiled faintly and said nothing. On matters like this, he was always careful with his words. Seeing that Chen Ping'an had not picked up the thread, Monkey turned his words on Dashan instead. "Dashan, tell me — what are the office chief and the deputy office chief so busy with? Seeing as even the grand office chief sent praise, wouldn't the office chief have to come and say it himself? That'd be a sight more face." "Heh heh, no idea." Dashan gave a simple grin. "Right, knew it was a waste of asking." Monkey rolled his eyes. But he was used to Dashan's nature by now. Chen Ping'an listened to Head Runner Zheng's words, but his head was full of how he would practice Iron Shirt once he was off duty. Yesterday had been his day off, and he had had the whole day to cultivate. Today, with duty, he would likely be late getting back, and probably manage only one round of Iron Shirt practice. That meant only one point of experience. At that pace, if he wanted to reach the entry level of Iron Shirt, he would have to wait until the day after tomorrow. No good! He would try tonight and see whether he could practice twice. If he could manage two rounds, his progress would be far faster. What a pity! Ten days on duty earned only one day off. Otherwise he could reach the entry level of Iron Shirt tomorrow. Unlike usual, hearing the same dull, dry words, Chen Ping'an's heart today was full of hope. He looked at Head Runner Zheng standing on the raised platform at the very front, and at Head Runner Li and Head Runner Huang seated behind him. They were listening too, but they were sitting down. Mm! One day, he would be sitting there listening! No — that wasn't it! He would be standing there speaking fluently, making the others listen to him patiently. However dull and tedious his words, they would have to keep smiles on their faces and grin their way through to the end. A true man ought to be like that! Chen Ping'an thought to himself. With his golden finger, his future held limitless possibilities. In time he might have grander goals. But for Chen Ping'an at this moment, this was his goal. Rice must be eaten bite by bite; a road must be walked step by step! Head Runner Zheng spoke for a full quarter of an hour before he finally stopped. At the end he asked, as a matter of form, whether Head Runner Li and Head Runner Huang had anything to add. The two head runners shook their heads slightly. They had nothing to add. Below the platform, the runners all breathed a sigh of relief together. It was finally over! Damn it, this was more tiring than a whole day of patrol! With the Suppression Office's daily meeting finished and the head runners gone inside, the many runners began bustling about their work. "Let's go, Ping'an! Today it's our turn to patrol Willow Leaf Street, just the three of us!" Monkey, having finished asking about the day's assignments, was beaming. "Willow Leaf Street! Heh heh—" Dashan gave a simple grin. Among the many streets and lanes of Nanquan Lane, Willow Leaf Street was quite famous. On Willow Leaf Street stood the Spring Rain Pavilion, which drew crowds of young, vigorous men. A place of romance, where one could dabble in brush and ink, listen to songs, and admire the moon — quite an appealing prospect. Indeed. A man of such refined taste as Monkey could hardly contain his delight at hearing he would patrol that street. Under his influence, Dashan had developed the same interest, and a considerable craving along with it. It was only a pity that the Spring Rain Pavilion's prices were steep. If the two of them really meant to cut loose and enjoy themselves, their monthly stipends could not withstand the strain. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. If the two of them really meant to cut loose and enjoy themselves, their monthly stipends could not withstand such strain. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. But such times always felt good while they lasted. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. But such times always felt good while they lasted. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, this remained merely a longing. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. So although they longed, it was an idle longing. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. That was all. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. That was all there was to it. So although they longed for it, a proper visit to enjoy themselves came perhaps once a year. And even then they had to pinch every copper, and they had never once had their fill. That was all there was to it.