Chapter 1845: What Good Is Hindsight?

"Why would a prisoner resist? He's already in the Celestial Prison, knows he can't escape—yet when he hears he's to be taken to the punishment chamber, he risks being killed outright to rebel. Li Shuan, tell me why."

Chen Chen Guanlou's tone grew heavier, his expression half-smiling, half-sneering.

Li Shuan's forehead broke into sweat, his heart hollow with fear. "I—I—"

"Can't say it?" Chen Chen Guanlou snorted coldly. "Shall I say it for you?"

"I am guilty! I was too eager for quick gains, too harsh in my methods to squeeze money out of them. Those prisoners were ungrateful, spreading rumors behind my back, repeating gossip—so they grew terrified. My lord, please see clearly: everything I did was for the Celestial Prison, for the Bing-character Large Prison, with no selfish intent!"

Li Shuan struggled to defend himself.

He knew this matter could be either huge or trivial. At worst, it undermined the stability of the Bing-character Large Prison and raised the risk of prisoner escapes. At best, it was simply failing to keep watch, letting prisoners seize the chance to act violently.

Chen Chen Guanlou tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. "In the past, the Bing-character Large Prison has seen numerous martial artists collude from within and without to escape. But those were the prisoners' faults—not the jailers'. The jailers fulfilled their duties faithfully."

Overall, in the Bing-character Large Prison, there was an unspoken understanding between jailers and prisoners; their coexistence was relatively harmonious. Whenever there was even a sliver of chance, prisoners would never risk offending the jailers, let alone erupt in violence."

"But you—ever since you arrived at the Bing-character Large Prison, you shattered its stability, plunging the prisoners into panic, forcing them to take desperate risks—preferring swift death over enduring punishment in the chamber. Li Shuan, Li Shuan, you truly have talent—you're exceptionally skilled at stirring up hatred."

"My lord, I—"

Chen Chen Guanlou raised a hand to stop him, forbidding further defense. He didn't want to hear it.

"I know what you're thinking: money moves hearts, gold is loved by all. But this is the Celestial Prison. I've repeatedly stressed: follow the rules, act with restraint, hold to your boundaries. We are not the Imperial Prison. Li Shuan, if you enjoy torturing prisoners, I can recommend you for a post in the Imperial Prison next door—they're desperate for talent like you."

"My lord, don't banish me! I won't go to the Imperial Prison—I'd rather die here in the Celestial Prison!"

Li Shuan turned pale with terror, wailing loudly.

Who didn't know the Imperial Prison was high-risk work? One death meant total annihilation! It happens every few years—he'd need nine lives just to survive!

He didn't want to go to the Imperial Prison.

"My lord, I admit my fault! I'll change! From now on, I'll cleanse my heart and reform—I'll never act recklessly again! I'll protect the reputation of the Celestial Prison and the Bing-character Large Prison! Please don't banish me!"

Li Shuan wept bitterly—he was truly terrified.

If sent to the Imperial Prison, he feared he'd be dead within two years. With Xia Qiuhong's methods, the Imperial Prison would be the first target, destined to be purged by the court—every last soul there slaughtered, and even that wouldn't satisfy the anger.

He didn't want to die!

Chen Chen Guanlou looked disgusted. "What's this crying? A grown man—unbecoming!"

Li Shuan immediately stifled his sobs, wearing a pitiful, downtrodden expression.

Chen Chen Guanlou had no patience for him. "Get out. Reflect properly. Don't come back to the Celestial Prison until you've figured it out. What are you still doing here? Get out!"

He'd had more scolding ready, but seeing that wretched face, he lost all interest.

Get out! Get out! Get out!

Out of sight, out of mind.

Li Shuan felt as if granted a pardon.

Suspension was terrifying—but nothing compared to serving in the Imperial Prison.

"I take my leave, my lord! Rest assured, I will reflect deeply and cleanse my heart!"

Chen Chen Guanlou snorted, unconvinced.

Li Shuan backed out of the office. Seeing Huang Ye, he didn't rage—only shot him a venomous glance before leaving.

Huang Ye: …

He's learned to keep his composure. He's improved.

Chen Chen Guanlou opened the Juan Sect file. The prisoner's surname was Zeng, Zeng Youfu, a common townsman who ran a small business. The case was simple: unable to bear oppression, he rose in rebellion. In his rage, he struck too hard, lost control, and accidentally killed someone.

Death by negligence!

The Jingcheng Prefecture court tried the case and sentenced him to exile.

The victim's family appealed to the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministry of Justice took over the case, imprisoning Zeng Youfu in the Celestial Prison, to be sentenced at a later date.

Chen Chen Guanlou summoned Mu Qingshan. "Why did the Ministry of Justice take this case? I see no flaw in the Jingcheng Prefecture's ruling."

Mu Qingshan glanced at the file, then understood. "My lord, the victim's family has a patron—they went through a Physician in the Ministry of Personnel."

Chen Chen Guanlou nodded knowingly. "The victim's family wants the prisoner executed. What's the Ministry of Justice's stance?"

Mu Qingshan grew animated. "Yesterday, when I delivered documents to the Ministry of Justice, I inquired. Some insist on execution; others uphold the Jingcheng Prefecture's ruling. We're all under the Son of Heaven's gaze—the Ministry of Justice must at least spare Jingcheng Prefecture's face. Overturning their verdict would embarrass both courts and breed resentment. Currently, the Minister and the Right Vice Minister are away from Jingcheng; only the Left Vice Minister remains. Given his temperament, he may well order immediate execution!"

"Why do you think so?" Chen Chen Guanlou asked.

Mu Qingshan frequently visited the Ministry of Justice and had grown familiar with its mid- and lower-level officials.

In contrast, Chen Chen Guanlou only dealt with Sun Sun Daoning when visiting the Ministry of Justice; his ties with other officials were superficial, and he had no contact with either Vice Minister.

Choosing a side meant being steadfast.

Once aligned with Minister Sun, one must not waver or flirt with the two Vice Ministers.

Mu Qingshan whispered: "The Left Vice Minister is rigid, obsessed with rules, obsessed with hierarchy. He scolds people by invoking rules and law. To him, Zeng Youfu killing his former benefactor is an unforgivable crime—betraying kindness—and must be punished severely to uphold justice."

Chen Chen Guanlou understood: the Left Vice Minister always ruled harshly. Sun Sun Daoning weighed circumstances and judged with discretion.

If Zeng Youfu fell into the Left Vice Minister's hands, his life was likely forfeit. That was precisely why the victim's family appealed to the Ministry of Justice.

He set down the file, pondered a moment, then said: "I've sent Li Shuan home to reflect. For now, keep a close watch. This is a turbulent time—I won't tolerate any unrest in the Bing-character Large Prison."

"My lord, rest assured! Without Li Shuan, the Bing-character Large Prison won't go wild!"

"You recommended Li Shuan for the position of jailer in the Bing-character Large Prison. Now that trouble has arisen, what do you have to say?"

"I told you long ago: Li Shuan is cruel and not a good man. You only heard the word 'cruel'—you ignored everything else. Now that trouble has come, the fault lies with you—you failed to supervise properly."

Mu Qingshan remained as blunt as ever—don't even think of blaming him.

Chen Chen Guanlou laughed bitterly. "So according to you, it's all my fault."

"You must bear some responsibility. You entrusted power to Li Shuan and neglected oversight—you should have foreseen this day."

"Get out! Get out! Don't give me your hindsight!" Chen Chen Guanlou was furious.