Chapter 1294

The Shi family was sitting peacefully at home when disaster struck from the heavens.

Looking at the Six Shanmen that had broken in, they were both terrified and relieved.

What they feared was that the thing they worried about had finally happened. What they were relieved about was that it wasn't the Embroidered Uniform Guard. As long as they didn't enter the Imperial Prison, there was a chance to survive, a turning point.

Therefore, the entire Shi family did not resist and cooperated very well. They watched helplessly as the old master of the Shi family was taken away. Even the old master's study was raided.

Every piece of paper with writing on it was taken away. The entire study was turned upside down.

Midway, the Embroidered Uniform Guard heard the news and came to scout at the Shi family's entrance, scaring the entire Shi family half to death.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was just curious why the Shi family's case wasn't given to them but instead handed to the Ministry of Justice. So, they came to take a look.

Xiao Jincheng knew the intention of Emperor Jian Shi; he only wanted the Death-Exemption Medallion and didn't want to kill anyone for the time being.

If the old master of the Shi family was sensible, everything would be easy to talk about; if not, the next time someone stepped into the Shi family's gate, it wouldn't be the Six Shanmen, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

He knew Chen Guanlou didn't like him, but he still ran to the Heavenly Prison to mooch a cup of hot tea.

Chen Guanlou looked at him with eyes that weren't eyes and a nose that wasn't a nose, showing all kinds of disdain.

"Is Official Xiao here to show off?"

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen has a sharp eye." Xiao Jincheng looked smug.

Chen Guanlou chuckled twice, cupped his hands casually, and said sarcastically, "Congratulations to Official Xiao for being promoted to a Ninth-Rank warrior. Chasing behind, you're running quite fast."

Xiao Jincheng didn't care about the other party's tone at all. He was just here to show off; his goal was achieved, and he was in a very good mood.

"Many thanks for Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen's recognition. This official also feels I'm chasing quite fast. I heard the Six Shanmen arrested the old master of the Shi family. You should persuade that old gentleman well and let him be sensible. Otherwise, the whole family will have to go to the Imperial Prison for tea!"

Chen Guanlou raised his eyebrows slightly. "So it really is for the Death-Exemption Medallion."

"So you knew all along. Then you must persuade the old master of the Shi family even more not to make futile resistance. His Majesty has made up his mind and must achieve his goal. Whoever dares to block him will have their head chopped off and their whole family executed."

"The way of eating is truly ugly." Chen Guanlou sneered, not hiding his disdain for Emperor Jian Shi at all, even in front of the Emperor's lackey.

Xiao Jincheng's expression didn't change. "He is the Son of Heaven, the Emperor; we must all listen to his orders. You too!"

Chen Guanlou chuckled and served tea to see him out.

When words don't agree, half a sentence is too much.

He really couldn't get along with the one surnamed Xiao. Eunuch Wang Hai was much more interesting and easier to fool!

Xiao Jincheng finished the tea in his cup and took his leave.

Near noon, Master Shi was sent to the Heavenly Prison. The old gentleman's spirits were still quite good; it seemed he had an idea of what was going on.

He was placed in the Grade-A prison cell, in the same corridor as Prince Anping; the cell was clean, hygienic, and quiet.

"Master Shi, your residence has already paid the money. If you have any needs, just say so; I will satisfy them as much as possible. Don't worry, sir; the Heavenly Prison is not the Imperial Prison and won't torture you at will. As long as you cooperate, apart from having no freedom and no sunlight, everything else won't be bad."

"Many thanks, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Chen."

Master Shi had a head of white hair and a white beard, looking frail and old.

"This old man is over seventy, having lived a peaceful and smooth life; I never expected that near the end, I would have this prison disaster. Sigh... the affairs of the world are hard to predict!"

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue twice. "You, sir, are old and wise; you must be clear about the cause of this prison disaster. In my opinion, some things are indeed valuable, but they are no longer suitable for continued possession. It would be better to let go now."

Master Shi gave a bitter smile and rubbed his cheeks. "How easy it is to talk about letting go, and how difficult it is to truly let go."

"Compared to death, letting go is probably easier. You have lived a lifetime and seen much; you must know what choice is more beneficial to yourself and beneficial to your whole family and clan."

"I'm just afraid of the fickleness, turning hands into clouds and covering hands into rain. Good today, bad tomorrow, and the whole family dragged to the execution ground to be beheaded the day after."

After hearing this, Chen Guanlou smiled. "If you don't let go, you don't have to wait until the day after tomorrow; tomorrow you will be dragged to the execution ground. If you are willing to let a family clan of several hundred years be destroyed in your own hands, then I won't persuade you anymore."

"Not so!" Master Shi was heavy-hearted; he wanted to confide, he needed someone to talk to. He had too much he wanted to say.

Chen Guanlou had a reputation; everyone knew he had an excellent reputation and a tight mouth, so he didn't worry about him spreading the conversation.

"A person must have some reliance in their hands to feel at ease."

"But your reliance was given by others, not by yourselves." Chen Guanlou pointed out the key to the problem. The Founding Emperor gave it, and Emperor Jian Shi wanted to take it back.

Is there something wrong with that?

There should be something wrong with it.

However, imperial power is inherently heartless and unrighteous, worse than pigs and dogs; reasoning doesn't work. Imperial power has always been willful, wanton, cruel, and heartless; it has never been reasonable, nor can it be reasoned with.

If it could be reasoned with, then it wouldn't be power!

The essence of power is to be the only one supreme!

Master Shi was stunned, and it took a while for him to come back to his senses. "It's like a child holding gold in a busy market. Without reliance, the Shi family is at the mercy of others."

"Then find a new backer, so that person will be afraid of the consequences and won't dare to move against the Shi family easily." Chen Guanlou gave him an idea.

Master Shi frowned and pondered. "Who could be greater than him?"

"It doesn't matter if they aren't greater than him. But there are still a few figures who can make him afraid of the consequences. Master Shi, when poor, change; when changed, you will find a way. Don't stick to old rules. You have been shrewd for a lifetime; don't be confused for a moment!"

Chen Guanlou persuaded him sincerely.

If it were him, he would throw the Death-Exemption Medallion away directly; if the Emperor wanted it, he would give it to him. In the end, to forge iron, one must be strong oneself! He didn't have the ability to resist the Emperor head-on, but he still had the ability to force the Emperor to be afraid of the consequences.

At worst, it would be a case of the fish dying and the net breaking.

What these family clans lacked was precisely the courage for the fish to die and the net to break. Those wearing shoes are ultimately not as willing to go all out as those who are barefoot.

Master Shi sighed long and hard, looking dejected. "This old man still needs to think about it."

Clearly, he hadn't made up his mind yet.

Chen Guanlou said, "You better think fast; time waits for no one. If you let that person in the palace get impatient, next time the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be dispatched. You don't want your whole family to go to the Imperial Prison."

"You are threatening this old man."

"Not at all, I am saving you. Do you know who came to the Heavenly Prison today? Official Xiao, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard next door, came by. He said clearly to let you make a decision as soon as possible. Otherwise, the blade in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's hand can no longer be restrained. You also know that the Emperor's patience is not good, his temper is bad, and he is stingy. If you make a decision early, at least you will have some dignity. If you drag it out, not only will you lose your dignity, but you might also lose a few relatives."

Chen Guanlou could be considered to be thinking for the other party sincerely.

With Emperor Jian Shi's foul temper, he was definitely not a person with much patience. If he waited too long, he might go crazy. Since it had to be handed over sooner or later, it was better to hand it over early and exchange it for more benefits.