Chapter 345: Good Friends, For Life

Chen Guanlou regretfully informed Zhang Wenfu that he hadn't secured any money, and told him the Zhang family was in economic crisis—his parents had already fought over money for three hundred rounds, and another three hundred were expected.

Without money, he couldn't get out for fresh air; without fresh air, Zhang Wenfu couldn't relax, his spirit remained tense and anxious, and he was utterly broken.

The man visibly withered, crouching by the prison gate, whimpering softly as he cried.

To be honest, Chen Guanlou rarely saw grown men whimper like this—either they bawled loudly, wept silently, masked their pain with smiles, or gritted their teeth and endured.

A scene like Zhang Wenfu's—cowering and sobbing like a child—was almost never seen in adult men.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm suffering!"

"Actually, there's another way to solve your problem."

"What way?"

"Do you have money yourself? If not, you can borrow in your own name. When you get out of prison, you repay it yourself."

"I can borrow," Zhang Wenfu said, seeing a glimmer of hope in his despair, without considering the risks at all.

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue. "Your brain's been in the bureaucracy for two years—how are you still alive?"

Zhang Wenfu looked utterly innocent.

Chen Guanlou sneered. "You've got plenty of friends—have you thought of asking them? Borrowing from a moneylender is a last resort. Nine out, thirteen back—moneylenders are darker than you imagine."

"Brother Chen, I knew you were a good man."

"I told you—don't call me brother. Call me my lord."

"You're my real brother."

"Say that again, and I'll starve you for three days."

Zhang Wenfu shut up immediately.

But he couldn't stay silent for more than a few seconds. "My lord, could you help me borrow the money? I'll sign a written promise."

Chen Guanlou ordered the jailer to bring writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. "Write it. Fill out the IOU completely. Are you sure these people will lend you money? Your own family won't help you—why would they?"

"My family is only temporarily struggling—they won't abandon me," Zhang Wenfu whispered in defense. "When my parents aren't busy, they'll remember me. But I can't wait that long—I need to borrow now to solve the immediate problem."

Zhang Wenfu was shrewd enough to fear his so-called friends wouldn't lend him money, so he wrote dozens of IOUs at once, casting a wide net—hoping to catch even one.

Chen Guanlou glanced at the list—his good friend Ye Young Master was indeed on it.

He pulled out the IOU meant for Ye Young Master. "I'll reluctantly help you borrow this one. If you get it, you won't need to ask anyone else."

"Do you think he'll lend it?" Zhang Wenfu suddenly sounded less confident.

"Aren't you and Ye close? Why worry he won't lend you money?"

"When nothing was wrong, we were fine. But now that I'm in trouble, I can't be sure."

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow. "You're not entirely stupid—you've finally woken up."

"My parents have no time for me—I can't expect friends to help me selflessly. If they see my family's decline and want to cut ties, I'd understand. If I were in their place, I'd do the same. Family interests come first."

No wonder he came from an official family—once he calmed down and thought clearly, he had his merits.

Chen Guanlou said, "You should've thought this way from the start. But it's not too late now. Are you sure you want fresh air?"

"Yes! I'm suffocating. I absolutely need fresh air. I don't need much—one time a month is enough!"

"Fine. As long as the money arrives, I'll personally sign your release slip."

Chen Guanlou handed the stack of IOUs to Xiao Jin and told him to arrange for people to borrow the money—borrow if possible, if not, forget it.

He kept Ye Young Master's IOU in his pocket.

After work, he went home.

The weather was hot; only at dusk did a faint coolness arrive, and the streets became the busiest of the day—even busier than the morning market.

Street vendors seized the chance, setting up stalls on both sides of the road. A breeze blew, bringing relief, as if it could sweep away the day's heat. Even if they bought nothing, people still came out to stroll and enjoy the wind, making alleys and avenues livelier than ever.

The real reason behind this bustle? The court had abolished the curfew.

After the previous coup, the court, alarmed by the capital's economic slump and the declining livelihoods of both city and countryside residents, sought to restore public confidence and revive commerce to save face for the court and the old emperor. A minister pushed through fierce opposition and finally convinced the old emperor to issue an edict abolishing the curfew.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was also pleased—the abolition meant no more night shifts, everyone could clock out on time, pay unchanged, and they could now focus fully on catching people.

Though the deposed crown prince affair was over, its aftermath had only just begun to spread. Those who needed settling, arresting, or beheading—all of them, one by one, would not escape.

The old emperor's style was to cut flesh slowly with a dull blade.

Wang Qiren was a classic example of this slow-cutting method. Thirty years without seeing daylight… not going mad was impressive.

Chen Guanlou walked down the street, the summer wind brushing his face, feeling the warmth of ordinary life.

He arrived at an alley and waited.

He had inquired—Ye Young Master took this alley every day to return to Hou Fu.

The main gate of Hou Fu was never opened unless the master returned from campaign or the palace sent an imperial decree. Even the old lady used the side gate, never the main one.

Ye Young Master, a guest residing at Hou Fu, didn't want to cause trouble. He didn't even use the side gate—he entered and exited daily through the rear alley's side door, straight into the main house's territory, avoiding the second branch entirely.

At the end of the workday, Ye Young Master declined social invitations and returned to Hou Fu in his carriage.

As soon as he reached the rear alley, the carriage stopped. The driver said, "My lord, someone is here to see you."

"Who wants me? Why not come inside Hou Fu to find me?"

As he asked, Ye Young Master pushed open the carriage door and looked out.

Chen Guanlou!?

"You're looking for me?" Ye Young Master was stunned.

Chen Guanlou didn't waste words. "Ye Young Master, do you still remember Great Ming Lake… Zhang Wenfu, imprisoned in Tianlaomiao? He asked me to borrow money from you. Here's the IOU—please review it."

Almost slipped up.

Chen Guanlou handed over the IOU with crisp efficiency—he was in a hurry to get home for dinner.

Ye Young Master was still dazed. After reading the IOU, he finally understood the situation and frowned. "Why are you asking me? The Zhang family isn't short on money."

"The Zhang family is truly short on money now—they've got no time for Zhang Wenfu. In desperation, he turned to you, his friend. Ye Young Master, when a friend is in trouble, you draw your sword! Everyone in the capital knows you two are close friends—your friendship moves heaven and earth. You can't refuse!"

"Don't make things up!" Ye Young Master's face flushed red. "I have more friends than just him, and he has more than just me."

"So—are you going to lend the money or not?" Chen Guanlou pressed.