Chapter 111

Chen Guanlou specifically set aside a day to host a banquet at Guanmei Lou, inviting all the prison guards to thank everyone for their time and effort when Yaya went missing.

His eldest sister and brother-in-law stayed by his side, offering toasts together.

After the banquet, Chen Guanlou took a few people he was closer with to Zui Xiang Lou to continue drinking and having a good time.

He did not bring his brother-in-law.

For the sake of his eldest sister, he certainly couldn't—and firmly prevented—his brother-in-law from joining him in corruption and depravity. It was immoral and would be looked down upon.

When his brother-in-law left with his eldest sister, he even looked back at him with a very resentful expression, as if to say: "Little brother-in-law, one should be kind-hearted."

Once they arrived at Zui Xiang Lou, everyone played recklessly.

When they were deep in their cups, Lu Datou told him:

"A few days ago, I passed by Li Dahong's house. I discovered that the Liu Shi is no longer in that house. Where could a woman like her go?"

Chen Guanlou picked up his wine cup and shook it gently. He smiled knowingly and said to Lu Datou, "The Liu Shi has her own places to go; it's not our place to worry about it."

Lu Datou disagreed with his statement and retorted, "How can this be called worrying? That is Li Dahong's widow. As colleagues, caring a little is a matter of course. Looking at your expression, could it be that you know where the Liu Shi went? If there's any inside information, tell me quickly!"

Chen Guanlou naturally denied it vehemently, "How would I have any inside information? It's just that a beautiful young woman like the Liu Shi will always have somewhere to go. It's not our place to worry."

"You definitely have inside information." Lu Datou was very certain. "That night, we were keeping watch at Li Dahong's house together, and you left alone for a long time. You must have run into the Liu Shi and said many things to her. I won't ask you what you said to her. I'm just reminding you: she is, after all, Li Dahong's widow. A brother's wife should not be trifled with. Even though you and Li Dahong didn't get along, the man is already dead; everything in the past should be let go."

Chen Guanlou told him to rest assured, "What kind of person do you take me for? No matter how depraved I am, I couldn't possibly bully a woman. You underestimate me too much."

"That is very good."

After Lu Datou downed a few cups of wine, there were some things hidden in his heart that he had to spit out. Borrowing the courage from the alcohol, he began to nag.

"Now everyone is discussing the Nameless Hero. What do you think the background of that Nameless Hero is? How could he know those children were hidden on the boat? That night, you went down into the underground world; what exactly did you encounter? What did you see? I've been busy these days and haven't asked you."

Chen Guanlou put down his wine cup, looked at him, and said, "I said I saw dead people—many, many dead people—and I know nothing else. Do you believe me?"

Lu Datou nodded heavily, "I believe you. As long as it's what you say, I believe it. We are brothers. I believe you wouldn't lie to me, right?"

Chen Guanlou laughed, "Of course, we are brothers. How could I lie to you?"

He was merely concealing some of the truth.

After the meal and drinks were finished, everyone embraced a beautiful girl and went upstairs to their rooms to have a good time; tonight, everyone was happy.

The next morning, he went to work as usual.

He ran into Fan Zhang Yuli.

Fan Zhang Yuli asked him with great concern, "You must have been exhausted by the busy days."

Chen Guanlou replied, "Many thanks for your concern, Master Master Xiao Fan Da Ren. I will make up for the work delayed previously; please rest assured, Master Master Xiao Fan Da Ren."

Fan Zhang Yuli laughed and waved his hand, "Take your time, no rush. However, the previous ledgers should be handed in; the higher-ups are urging them urgently. You also know that every yamen is short of money right now. The officials above are all staring at our Heavenly Prison, as if our Heavenly Prison has a mountain of gold and silver. It really gives us no way to live. This job is becoming less and less interesting. You're lucky, though—your niece went missing, but in just one night, the child was found. Do you really not know who that chivalrous Nameless Hero is?"

Chen Guanlou shook his head repeatedly, "I am still completely in the dark. If I knew who the Nameless Hero was, I would definitely set up a longevity tablet for him."

He spoke with deep emotion, appearing especially sincere.

Upon hearing this, Fan Zhang Yuli agreed repeatedly, "A longevity tablet should indeed be set up. If it weren't for this Nameless Hero, who knows what kind of situation the children would have fallen into. These child-snatchers are truly lawless, daring to commit such evil deeds at the feet of the Son of Heaven. What are the yamen constables doing? Such a big case, and they had no prior awareness at all. If I were a court official, I would definitely impeach the Jingzhao Prefecture."

Chen Guanlou hurriedly chimed in with flattery, "If you were an official, you would definitely be an honest and upright one. The common people would be blessed, and we would be blessed. It's just a pity that the imperial court doesn't know how to recognize talent, and you have ambitions that cannot be realized."

Fan Zhang Yuli was extremely happy to hear this. Chen Guanlou was indeed sensible and understood his thoughts. If it were any other prison guard, they would all be like wooden clubs, unable to even speak clearly. They only knew how to flatter and fawn in a way that was disgusting. People who have studied are just different; how pleasant these words were to hear.

Chen Guanlou arrived at the duty room and first drank some tea. Then he took out the ledger and began to work, neither fast nor slow.

Wu Bantou Shi Hong had been having a lot of trouble lately. Fan Zhang Yuli had assigned him many heavy burdens, leaving him overwhelmed and causing him to fall behind on several accounts.

Chen Guanlou would not indulge Shi Hong. He arranged for Qian Fugui to urge Shi Hong to hand over the accounts immediately.

The higher-ups were urging them tightly. It didn't matter if he was delayed here, but if he delayed the important matters of the two Fan Da Rens, that would be fatal. When the time came for the two Da Rens to blame them, everyone would be in deep trouble.

Shi Hong was very unconvinced. The prisoners Master Master Xiao Fan Da Ren gave him were either tough nuts to crack or dirt poor. He couldn't use torture at will, and he didn't have Chen Guanlou's background or backing to have the confidence to run an exclusive business, nor could he gain the recognition of the Sitong Bank. He could only honestly force the prisoners to pay up.

Money matters are never solved in a single day. He asked Qian Fugui to tell Chen Guanlou: sooner or later he would be able to hand over the money, but not now. He needed an extension of a few days, preferably ten days or half a month.

After learning of this, Chen Guanlou laughed. "He thinks very beautifully. When Wan Yucheng was here, he didn't grant extensions to anyone. Besides, it's not me urging for the accounts; it's Master Master Xiao Fan Da Ren above urging for them. It's the Da Rens of the Ministry of Justice urging for the Heavenly Prison's accounts. If the money isn't handed in, everyone will be in trouble. Go tell Wu Bantou Shi Hong: I'll give him five days. After five days, he must balance all the accounts. Otherwise, he can go explain it to Master Master Xiao Fan Da Ren himself."

Qian Fugui was a bit worried and asked cautiously, "Chen Tou, do we really have to do this?"

"Are you sympathizing with him?" Chen Guanlou asked in return.

Qian Fugui shook his head repeatedly and hurriedly explained, "Chen Tou, you misunderstood; it's just that it's been very difficult for everyone lately."

"Is it not difficult for me? Is it not difficult for you? It's difficult for everyone. But we cannot delay the tasks assigned by our superiors just because there are difficulties. Those Da Rens above will not understand our difficulties; they will only blame us for handling matters poorly. They can't even solve a small matter. It looks like I'm pressuring Wu Bantou Shi Hong, but in reality, I'm helping everyone. Is it better for Wu Bantou Shi Hong to be scolded alone, or for everyone to be scolded together?"

Qian Fugui was cowardly and dared not speak.

In his heart, he actually agreed with Chen Tou's words: of course, it was better for Wu Bantou Shi Hong to be punished alone.