Chapter 1172: The Brocade Guard Ought to Compensate the Heaven Prison

To welcome the arrival of the Censorate, Chen Chen Guanlou returned and immediately organized everyone in the Heaven Prison for a thorough cleaning.

Sweep what should be swept, wipe what should be wiped.

The prisoners were also let out for air in batches, to restore some spirit and energy. This treatment was only available to the Grade-A and Grade-B cells; prisoners in the Grade-C cells could forget about it. A bunch of bandits and local tyrants—they didn't know the rules and didn't deserve it.

The sun was scorching, the prisoners were quiet, lying or standing or sitting, silently basking in the sunlight. No one was chatting.

Chatting seemed like a very boring thing to do. It was also possible that so many years of prison life had already drained them of speech.

Among the many prisoners, Gu Yiyang was dressed the most presentably—not at all like a prisoner who had endured mental torment, but more like a young master out experiencing life.

Drawing looks of envy, jealousy, and resentment from the other prisoners.

"Anyone feeling unwell, speak up! Otherwise dying is dying for nothing. Don't just keep basking in the sun—if your body is weak, you can't be exposed for long. After basking for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, remember to move to the shade under the trees to cool off. There's cold tea in the bucket by the wall; if you're thirsty, help yourself. You've been locked up for years—don't tell me you've forgotten how to do things yourself. And most importantly, don't harbor any illusions. With me here, no one is going to escape, no one is going to pull any tricks on me."

Chen Chen Guanlou stood beneath the eaves, calling out this reminder to the prisoner-officials—also known as the God of Wealth.

Clearly visible in the sunlight, he looked closely and saw that some of the prisoner-officials, locked up for so long, had grown numb and sluggish in expression, as if their five senses had been sealed shut. Wandering the courtyard, they looked like wandering ghosts—quite horrifying.

Among the many prisoner-officials, some gave face and responded with a sound or gesture. Those who didn't give face wouldn't even stir, let alone respond verbally.

Among them, Gu Yiyang was the most enthusiastic, the most cooperative.

Chen Chen Guanlou thought, all that effort sweet-talking him hadn't been wasted—he'd almost talked the man into a fool.

"Brother Chen, when we meet the Censorate people, should I put in a few good words for you? I could say you manage the Heaven Prison very thoroughly, without the slightest flaw."

Gu Yiyang volunteered suggestions, looking eager to help.

Chen Chen Guanlou's expression was complicated. "Stop right there! I don't need any of you to help me. You just stay quiet—best not to say a single word."

"Why?" Gu Yiyang was indignant! He felt his words carried great credibility, and the Censorate's Zhang Zhang Yushi would surely trust him.

"Seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving. So just don't make trouble. Bask in your sun properly, and I'll deduct the money directly from your account later."

"Fine!"

……

The Censorate had come in force this time, clearly intending to achieve some results. Those dispatched were all elite troops and strong generals—iron-blooded officials who couldn't tolerate the slightest flaw.

This type of Zhang Zhang Yushi, even Xie Changling would get a headache upon meeting them.

The Censorate first took a knife to the county yamen below, picking the soft persimmon to squeeze, taking the opportunity to give the Jingzhao Prefecture a thorough dressing-down. They found all sorts of trouble.

It was said that the Jingzhao Prefect, behind closed doors, had cursed for three full hours, and even made a straw man to stick needles into, cursing these Zhang Zhang Yushi.

Facing the Zhang Zhang Yushi's ferocious, stern, and aggressive demeanor, Chen Chen Guanlou led some of the healthier-looking jailers and greeted them with a smiling face.

Visitors are guests.

Before they turned hostile, there was no need for him to turn hostile first.

In the end, his smile nearly split his face, and they didn't even bother to look at him properly. From the moment they entered the gate, they started taking notes and finding fault.

"Honored gentlemen, if you have any questions, just ask me."

"How thoughtful of Warden Chen. We'll first walk through ourselves and see with our own eyes."

"Look around freely, look around freely."

Among the group, there were still some Zhang Zhang Yushi who could talk. Otherwise the atmosphere would be too awkward—really afraid the two yamen might come to blows.

The Ministry of Justice side, Sun Sun Daoning was uneasy, so he sent Ministry of Justice officials to provide on-site guidance.

Chen Chen Guanlou silently rolled his eyes. Guide what? They don't know squat. The other side is clearly here to pick a fight, and you're still shamelessly cozying up to them—aren't you ashamed?

He sat in the office and ordered Chen Quan to lead the Censorate people around.

After Xiao Xiao Changsheng was released from prison, Chen Quan finished his leave and came back.

The leave had done him good—he was more steady than before, and more meticulous in his work. He also took the initiative to come before Chen Chen Guanlou and say a few words, the main point being that he had reflected on his previous behavior—acting too much on personal loyalty was very inappropriate.

Whether his reflection was genuine or fake, as long as he had this attitude, it was very good.

When it comes to work, whether you can do it well is another matter, but first you must show a professional attitude, so people can see your sincerity.

Chen Quan's performance this time, Chen Chen Guanlou silently noted in his heart.

Now that the Censorate had come to inspect the cells, this thankless task was handed to Chen Quan to handle.

He sat in the office, drinking tea. Mu Qingshan kept him company.

Mu Qingshan glanced toward the door from time to time. "My lord, aren't you going to follow them? What if something happens…"

"Let them be. The Censorate is determined to find fault—they can pick a bone out of an egg. If something goes wrong, the one who should be cursing is Sun Sun Daoning, not me. I'm just a lowly warden—not even worth their notice, not worthy of having my name appear in a memorial of impeachment. What have I to fear! Drink tea, drink tea!"

Mu Qingshan clicked his tongue twice. "Your Majesty has truly gone to great lengths for the Imperial Prison."

"Who told the Brocade Guard to be the trusted arm? Getting struck by lightning and condemned by the whole realm—naturally they can't just sit by. Once the Censorate starts inspecting, all the cells are pretty much the same—neither side can point fingers at the other. So the Imperial Prison won't stand out so much. It's just hard on us jailers, working ourselves to death, making wedding clothes for others. Tomorrow I'll find an excuse to take a bite out of the Imperial Prison—we're all suffering because of them."

As Chen Chen Guanlou spoke, his grievances grew.

He began pondering how to make the Imperial Prison compensate the Heaven Prison for its days of suffering.

Thinking of the Imperial Prison's environment, he really didn't want to set foot in it. He might as well send an official document to the Brocade Guard, asking Xiao Xiao Jincheng for silver. Once this idea emerged, the more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

He simply called Mu Qingshan over. "Draft an official document to the Brocade Guard, demanding the Brocade Guard compensate the Heaven Prison with a sum of silver. How should I write it?"

Mu Qingshan was stunned, and secretly glanced at his uncle Mu Qingshan, his eyes asking: Has my lord lost his mind?

Mu Qingshan: Gazed at the sky, said nothing!

Getting no response, Mu Qingshan could only brace himself and say, "My lord, please think this over carefully. There's no precedent, and this student doesn't know how such a document should be written."

"Because the Imperial Prison was struck by lightning, the Censorate is inspecting the prisons, and the Heaven Prison has worked heart and soul on this, putting in tremendous effort. Shouldn't the Brocade Guard compensate the Heaven Prison?"

"Well… there's no such rule either!"

"There wasn't before, but can't I create one now?"

Mu Qingshan's head was spinning—truly acting on every whim.

Fortunately, his mind worked fast. "My lord, even if we want to send an official document, the Heaven Prison can only send one to the Imperial Prison next door. The two are of equal rank. The Heaven Prison sending a document to the Brocade Guard demanding money—this violates protocol. In terms of rank, the Brocade Guard is far above the Heaven Prison. Where is the logic of a subordinate skipping ranks to send a document to a neighboring yamen? There's no such reasoning. This is a major taboo in officialdom!"