Chapter 277: A Victorious Meeting, Harmonious Colleagues

The prison guards had dispersed.

Chen Guanlou greeted the three squad leaders to talk in the office; once the door was closed, the noise was blocked outside.

The three were very silent, not knowing how to speak.

Wu Bantou Wang was smoking his dry pipe, head drooping and brows lowered, not looking like a prison guard, but more like an old farmer.

Wu Bantou Wu was drinking tea, his eyes darting around like a poisonous snake, calculating his own interests at any time.

Shi Hong was still wearing a coffin face.

Chen Guanlou saw this scene and suddenly laughed out loud. "What's the matter, no one is happy for me?"

"Chen Tou... Prison Clerk Chen is joking." Wu Bantou Wu opened his mouth. "This matter came too suddenly, and I haven't adapted to the change in status for a while. But don't worry, we will certainly listen to you; you say what to do, and we will fully cooperate."

Chen Guanlou nodded with satisfaction; regardless of what they thought inside, at least the attitude and surface work were done. You can't manage the body and the heart at the same time; that would be too greedy.

He looked toward Wu Bantou Wang.

In the past, Wu Bantou Wang was the person who cooperated with him the most. It was strange today that he hadn't made a sound.

"Wu Bantou Wang, I haven't heard you speak today. If you have any thoughts, feel free to bring them up."

Wu Bantou Wang put his pipe on the table and said slowly, "The Jia-character prison now has two managing Prison Clerks, which has never happened in the past. To be honest, I am a bit confused. Who should I listen to in the future?"

"Whose orders you listened to in the past, you will listen to in the future." Chen Guanlou said vaguely.

Wu Bantou Wang's face became even more bitter. "Does Prison Clerk Chen mean that things will remain the same on Master Xiao Fan's side?"

Chen Guanlou nodded. "Yes, the same. I have already talked with Master Xiao Fan; he will not interfere in the affairs of the Jia-character prison; he is only responsible for taking the money. I will handle the specific matters, and I will carry the burden. Three, how about it?"

Oh!

Wu Bantou Wu gave a meaningful "oh."

Shi Hong had no reaction, as if he had turned to stone.

Wu Bantou Wang pondered for a while. "You have been promoted, and there is a vacant squad leader position. How do you plan to arrange it?"

"I will hold it for the time being. In two days, when I have decided on a candidate, I will officially announce it."

"Are you choosing from the four people, Xiao Jin and the others?"

"It's possible." Chen Guanlou was noncommittal.

"Have you thought about choosing someone from elsewhere?" Wu Bantou Wang asked.

Chen Guanlou raised his brows slightly. "Do you have a suitable person to recommend?"

"Heh... no, no, I was just asking." Wu Bantou Wang smiled and brushed off the topic.

Chen Guanlou looked at the other two. "Do you two have any suggestions? We are all colleagues; if you have anything to say, please speak directly."

Wu Bantou Wu asked the question he cared about most. "Will our income be affected?"

With one more Prison Clerk, there was one more person to share the money. A Prison Clerk certainly gets more money than a squad leader. Chen Guanlou was able to convince Master Xiao Fan; without having to think, it must have been by starting from the financial aspect. For example, promising to maintain the other party's income. In this way, would their income be relatively reduced?

"It won't be affected." Chen Guanlou promised solemnly.

"How can that be done?" Wu Bantou Wu was curious.

Chen Guanlou picked up his teacup and drank tea. "I have decided that outside the rules, each prisoner will be charged an additional ten percent hygiene fee. A portion will be taken out for the servants, so they can put in more effort to maintain the hygiene and epidemic prevention of the Heavenly Prison. Another portion will be taken out to replace a batch of bedding. I believe the imprisoned officials will agree. This income will not be entered into the public account, only into the Heavenly Prison's private account. What do you think?"

"Ten percent is not much; it should work."

"Can Jiang Jiang Yucheng Niu agree?"

"Jiang Jiang Yucheng Niu is very supportive of this plan and hopes it can be implemented as soon as possible."

Rather than saying he supports it, it's better to say Jiang Jiang Yucheng Niu wants to rake in one more sum before being transferred. Raking in money still has to be the Heavenly Prison; other prisons can't compare. And raking in money in the Heavenly Prison is particularly safe; basically, there is no risk, provided you take the money and do the work, and don't do things like burning bridges.

If you miss this village, you won't have this shop. To tell the truth, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Niu is reluctant to leave the Heavenly Prison. However, he has already offended Sun Daoning; rather than being caught by someone and stripped of his position, it's better to be conscious and roll away quickly, vacating the position. And this time, he is being promoted, promoted two ranks. Even if there is a cesspit in front, he will jump into it. Whoever doesn't jump is a bastard.

"Since Jiang Jiang Yucheng Niu also agrees with this plan, we certainly have no objections and will certainly execute it." Wu Bantou Wu was the first to express his stance.

Wu Bantou Wang and Shi Hong also expressed their support one after another.

Chen Guanlou showed a satisfied smile. "That is very good! I knew you three would certainly support me. Everything in the Jia-character prison remains as it was; everyone works together, and if there is something for me to eat, there will naturally be benefits for you. However, if anyone drags me down, makes trouble behind my back, or plays dirty tricks, don't blame me for turning my face and not recognizing people."

The first internal talk ended in a harmonious atmosphere.

When Lu Datou saw him, he didn't even dare to come forward, his eyes and behavior revealing a sense of caution.

"Let's go, I'll treat you to a drink."

Lu Datou stood there and didn't dare to move.

Chen Guanlou narrowed his eyes slightly. "Brother Datou doesn't like the look of me?"

"How could that be? It's just that I have to adapt. Your status changed too quickly, and I can't keep up." As he spoke, Lu Datou let go of himself, looking as cheap as ever.

Chen Guanlou put his arm around his shoulder. "Let's go, tonight at Zui Xiang Lou, my treat. I heard a new batch of girls has arrived, so tender they can squeeze out water."

"If you treat, I will certainly go. But, you were promoted today; is it appropriate for you to treat me?"

"Tomorrow is the official banquet. Tonight belongs to friends eating and drinking."

Lu Datou was very moved for a moment, and a sense of inexplicable heroism arose in his heart. "Chen Da... Brother Lou, if you have anything in the future, just order me; I will do it for you even if I have to go through fire and water."

"Two brothers don't say these things." Chen Guanlou took Lu Datou, left the Heavenly Prison leisurely, and headed straight for Zui Xiang Lou. He called for the most beautiful girl to drink and listen to music.

With his income, he could completely go to a higher-level place, such as the painted boats on Zhuque Lake.

But he just loved coming to Zui Xiang Lou; he liked the atmosphere here—not pretentious, not arrogant, not hypocritical, and down-to-earth. Those high-and-mighty courtesans, scholars are very happy to go and lick their feet, but he is not happy. He spends money to enjoy himself, to enjoy the feeling of being a master. Zui Xiang Lou does this particularly well; the girls are all gentle as water and don't play the fancy games of young masters chasing young ladies.

Actually, the more important reason is that high-ranking officials don't bother to come to Zui Xiang Lou, and noble young masters rarely come to Zui Xiang Lou. The group that Zui Xiang Lou fits best is actually the middle class of the capital, such as high-income people like him, or the sixth-rank minor capital official in the room next door, or the local tycoon opposite.

In this environment, everyone is very comfortable and can have fun.

With food and drink, Lu Datou completely let go.

"Brother, you are my own brother! Brother, I wish you a bright future. That broken Heavenly Prison will be yours sooner or later."

Chen Guanlou blocked the other party's mouth with a cup of wine; if you don't know how to speak, say less. ===== CHAPTER 278 =====