Chapter 202: The Most Important Thing in Life Is to Be Content

"Impossible. At most I'll give you ten percent. That's my best offer."

Chen Guanlou opened his mouth and immediately slashed the price in half.

A condemned official about to have his household seized still dares to haggle—dream on.

Besides, bulk goods can't be sold at a premium; they're brutally undercut. Getting half the market price is already a favor to you.

Antique paintings and calligraphy rely on rarity. If you're not desperate for cash, no one sells in bulk. Usually, you hold them for years, wait for the right moment, find the right buyer, and sell at a high price.

Clearly, Liu Daowen doesn't fall into that category.

The case is about to be settled—his life or death hangs on a single decision from above. At this point, he only wants to sell quickly for cash, to survive; these silver coins will be his future foundation. If he can't survive, at least he can leave some money for his family, giving them a place to stand, so they won't be destitute, without shelter or recourse, starving and freezing.

Liu Daowen wanted to cry—Chen Guanlou's heart was blacker than ink. He was furious, itching to curse him as a thief taking advantage of his plight. But then he remembered his own situation, and his rage dissolved into a sigh. "Chen Tou, at least leave me a little grease. Ten percent is far too little."

"Ten percent is already a lot. I'm risking taking delivery, risking being double-crossed..."

"Wait—you're collecting antiques and paintings for the Pingjiang Marquis. Where's the double-crossing? Don't think I'm clueless."

Chen Guanlou chuckled. "You can go to someone else. See if anyone else will give you ten percent. Liu Daoren, you're a veteran of the bureaucracy—you know better than to believe empty boasts or promises of favors. You must see if they can actually deliver. I, Chen Guanlou, guarantee my word. Every condemned official who's dealt with me praises me as a man of integrity."

"Throughout the Tianlao Prison, only I have the ability to retrieve your goods, take them off your hands, and guarantee your money's safety. Even if Niu Yucheng came, he'd be clueless—couldn't even find a buyer. I at least bear the surname Chen, come from a prestigious family in the capital, and stand behind the Pingjiang Marquis's estate. What more do you have to fear?"

"Of course I trust you, Chen Tou. But ten percent is simply too little." Liu Daowen felt a deep sorrow. Though he'd decisively chosen to deal with Chen Guanlou, he'd never truly accepted it. He couldn't believe Jiang Tu would abandon him; he thought he still had a chance to fight. But he feared—if he was truly executed, if his household was truly seized, and he didn't act now, he'd be left with nothing once the seizure was complete.

Since Chen Guanlou had the ability to bypass guards and retrieve the goods, he'd gamble on it.

But ten percent? That's even blacker than loan-sharking.

"Ten percent is plenty! Liu Daoren, when you're at your wit's end, don't be greedy! I don't care, but every day wasted affects your future."

"The goods I'm selling this time are quite a lot."

Oh!

Chen Guanlou liked hearing that—he immediately perked up. "How much?"

Liu Daowen held up five fingers. "At least this much. You've got to leave me at least ten or twenty thousand taels."

"Liu Daoren, look at you—even now you can't shake your greed. You're hopeless. Put yourself in my shoes. Is your demand reasonable? Who would agree to it?"

"Then I'll add more. That should be fine, right?"

"More won't work." Chen Guanlou shook his head. "You're a notorious corrupt official. If the court finds your household's seized goods insufficient, they won't let it go—and it might drag me down. So, as I said: don't be greedy. Know when to stop."

Liu Daowen collapsed instantly, muttering to himself: "Ten percent is too little."

"It's not little. Learn to be content. As the saying goes: contentment brings lasting joy. Liu Daoren, you became a prisoner so young precisely because you were never content."

Chen Guanlou spoke without mercy, striking straight at Liu Daowen's weakest point.

Liu Daowen had no choice. He clenched his teeth and reluctantly agreed.

Chen Guanlou reminded him: "Remember to have your household steward keep accurate books. If the records don't match reality, your family will suffer the consequences."

How does the court seize property?

Naturally, they use the ledgers.

Wealthy households all have professional accountants who meticulously record every asset for audit purposes.

Since you want to secretly sell off some property, the ledgers must be carefully falsified—no trace left behind. I'm sure Liu's accountant is an expert at forging books.

Liu Daowen looked utterly defeated, as if his flesh and blood were being carved away—and yet he was utterly dependent on Chen Guanlou. If Chen Guanlou had lied—that the court had no intention of punishing him—he'd make him pay dearly once he walked free. As Jiang Tu's top lackey, he wasn't a toothless viper.

One day later, Liu's steward notified Chen Guanlou that the goods were ready and placed in the outer courtyard study. That night, he'd remove all night guards from the study.

Deep in the night, Chen Guanlou changed his appearance, stepped lightly across the roof tiles, easily avoiding the guards outside, and entered the Liu household. Following the map provided by the steward, he swiftly reached the roof above the outer courtyard study.

But he didn't move to take the goods yet.

He sat on the roof, enjoying the view.

Besides the guards outside, the inner quarters of the Liu household held several powerful qi signatures—at least third-rank strength or higher.

Were they from the Ministry of Justice?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Or Jiang Tu's men?

What were they guarding? Liu Daowen was already arrested. His sons were useless—never accomplished anything serious, only doted on cats and dogs.

In other words, aside from Liu Daowen, the steward, and the accountant, no one else in the Liu household held value.

Even the guards were ordinary martial men without qi meridians—just decent at fistwork. Their main purpose was to look fearsome and intimidate commoners with the Liu name.

He only wanted the goods. He didn't care about whatever schemes were going on inside.

After confirming the study had no traps or mechanisms, he took the goods the steward had prepared—easily portable antiques and paintings. To someone unfamiliar with their value, the most eye-catching item was a golden Buddha statue.

Chen Guanlou weighed it in his hand—it weighed at least one jin.

Was the Liu household expecting him to keep this golden Buddha, or convert it into smaller silver notes for easier circulation? After all, he couldn't walk out carrying a golden Buddha to buy things.

Having taken the goods, he prepared to leave the Liu household.

"Thief! Where are you going!"

"Intruder! Catch the intruder!"

Just as he was about to leave, shouts of "intruder!" erupted across the entire Liu household. Chen Guanlou froze—then relaxed. He was certain they weren't after him.

Of course not. With his skills, he couldn't possibly have been detected—unless someone in this household was stronger than him.