Chapter 278: Secret Spies Are Everywhere

Two days later, Chen Guanlou officially announced the promotion of Xiao Jin to head of the squad.

This decision was expected, within everyone's predictions.

As soon as the news broke, all the jailers rushed to Xiao Jin to offer congratulations.

Xiao Jin grinned widely, his face nearly splitting with joy, and promised to treat everyone in a few days.

Immediately after, Chen Guanlou announced his second personnel appointment: promoting Qian Fugui as accountant, exclusively responsible for the accounts of the Jia-class cells.

Not just the jailers, even Qian Fugui himself was stunned, dazed and bewildered, never imagining such a sudden stroke of luck.

Xiao Jin's promotion had left him with no hope; he was heartbroken and despondent, seriously considering whether to request a transfer—he didn't want to serve under Xiao Jin, it was too awkward. He couldn't control what others thought, but he himself couldn't accept it. He believed Xiao Jin felt the same way: if roles were reversed, Xiao Jin would surely request a transfer too.

He never imagined the situation would turn so abruptly—Old Chen had assigned him to be accountant.

His fat face trembled with emotion, and he burst into tears with a loud wail.

The other jailers: …

He's so happy he's lost his mind!

Cry, cry, but once you're done crying, it's time to treat us to dinner.

The only ones left truly disappointed were Chen Quan and Liu She.

Chen Guanlou summoned Xiao Jin and Qian Fugui to the office. Now that he was promoted to jail clerk, he had the authority to work inside the office, had his own desk, and no longer needed to huddle in the dim duty room.

"Xiao Jin, you're steady and sharp-witted—I trust you with the head position. Handle the official prisoners well, don't let anyone outdo you."

"Rest assured, Boss, I won't bring you shame," Xiao Jin said, radiating confidence—his entire demeanor had transformed. Once a lazy veteran who avoided trouble at all costs, he now felt a sudden sense of responsibility, his spirit renewed, and he looked far more presentable.

Work is the best aphrodisiac for men—this saying holds true!

Chen Guanlou turned to Qian Fugui: "Qian Fugui, I put you in charge of the accounts because I know you can write and calculate. Do this job well—don't mess up the ledgers, don't let discrepancies arise. Also, read more books. An accountant must not only write and calculate—he must understand literature and the higher will."

"I I I… Boss, rest assured—I'll go buy books tomorrow, no, today!" Qian Fugui expressed loyalty and ambition, heart pounding with excitement.

Chen Guanlou grunted, "I have high hopes for both of you. Don't let me down. This place—Tianlaomiao—is still a government post. Since you draw government pay, stick to government rules, and avoid unnecessary ties with outsiders."

I can't and won't bother managing the lower jailers. But you two—I expect you to control yourselves, don't get entangled and cause trouble."

"Those official prisoners may seem wronged on the surface, but who truly stands behind them, what hidden dangers lurk—we can't fathom it. I don't want anyone to lose their life because of greed. Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Alright, dismissed."

"Boss…" Xiao Jin hesitated, "What should we do with Chen Quan and Liu She?" he dared to ask.

Qian Fugui was surprised—Xiao Jin actually had a conscience, remembering his old comrades.

He stood by the door, not moving, eager to hear Old Chen's plan.

Chen Guanlou fell silent for a moment. "Keep them under your supervision for now. Later, I'll see if I can find them decent posts. Calm them down—don't let them brood or think foolish thoughts."

"I understand. Boss, rest assured—I'll soothe them properly." Xiao Jin relaxed, as if swallowing a calming pill.

After dismissing his two subordinates, Chen Guanlou rubbed his temples. He had once considered transferring Lu Datou over, but after careful thought, he abandoned the idea. They were better off as friends.

His clan's elder uncle heard of his promotion and wanted to throw him a banquet. Chen Guanlou flatly refused.

He knew his uncle wanted to plead for Chen Guanxin—to get him reinstated in Tianlaomiao, ideally replacing Xiao Jin as head of the squad.

Over the past few years, Chen Guanxin had saved plenty of money working in the jail. He bought a small one-courtyard house, and his parents added more funds to open a shop selling miscellaneous northern and southern goods.

The shop's business was mediocre—nowhere near the income of the jail, nor its freedom.

Though jailers had a bad reputation, as long as you didn't care about that lowly label, life was exceptionally comfortable. Out in the streets, common folk had to show you respect.

Even the worst jailer was still government staff—if you wanted trouble, you could always find a way. Not to mention, jailers knew the yamen runners well; making life hard for a few small merchants was easy. Likewise, getting those runners to help a few small merchants was just as easy.

Now that Chen Guanxin had lost his jailer status, he instantly lost half his confidence. Without ties to the yamen runners, he could only cling to the Hou Fu's name.

The Hou Fu's name was useful—but it brought no income.

He was a restless soul; sitting in the shop for eight hours straight every day was unbearable.

He even missed life in Tianlaomiao. He hadn't even dared use his real name while working there.

Chen Guanlou's refusal of the banquet left Chen Guanxin even more despondent.

Who could have imagined that in a blink, the man had been promoted to jail clerk and now oversaw the Jia-class cells? In two years at Tianlaomiao, he'd learned well: the Jia-class cells were the jail's cash cow—over half the jail's income came from them.

As the clerk in charge of the Jia-class cells, his annual income—hmm—he trembled with excitement.

Why had he missed it?

He had visited several times, begging Chen Guanlou for forgiveness—but each time, he missed him.

Chen Guanlou had just been promoted, busy with banquets every day—either he hosted, or others hosted him. He realized that since becoming jail clerk, his social obligations had multiplied tenfold. He had become a prized morsel, everyone eager to get close.

His home had become a hotel—used only for sleeping. At dawn, he was out again, busy all day. The moon slept, but he never returned home.

Several times, he encountered curfew patrols—luckily, his Tianlaomiao status spared him much trouble.

Once, he even ran into Xiao Jinming.

He never imagined such a lowly man as himself had caught the man's eye—and that the man still remembered him.

"You seem to enjoy flower wine? Don't you know about the curfew?"

"I know, I know. Next time, I swear I won't." Chen Guanlou bowed deeply, fully cooperative.

Xiao Jinming sat atop a fine steed, looking down at him. "I heard you got promoted?"

Chen Guanlou: …

Damn, such a trivial thing about a nobody like me reached Xiao Jinming's ears. Or is it that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is everywhere—even planted spies inside Tianlaomiao?