Chapter 363

Chen Guanlou descended from the Tianlaomiao and walked past cell after cell.

Now he suspected everyone.

Among these imprisoned officials, some had open hearts and took things lightly; others had narrow minds and clung to grudges. A single wrong glance could forge a deadly enmity.

A thousand people, a thousand faces—outward appearances never matched inner truths.

He asked himself: had he been too harsh when demanding money? In daily dealings, he had treated these officials with due courtesy. He merely wished to cultivate goodwill—so that if they were ever reinstated, they wouldn't harbor resentment over their time in the Tianlaomiao. Those who seek great things do not quarrel with jailers; it shows neither vision nor magnanimity.

Yet it was hard to guarantee that no one possessed an utterly narrow mind, clinging fiercely to every slight, refusing to rest until they reclaimed their dignity.

He glanced sideways at the officials inside their cells, studying their eyes and expressions.

As he passed Gao Shiliu's cell, he suddenly stopped. "Has your household steward come to visit you these past days?"

Gao Shiliu was bearded and haggard, looking worn out, but his condition was acceptable.

"The household is busy; the steward can't leave daily to visit me. Are you not busy today, Jailor Chen?"

"I've been idle lately. The higher-ups have suddenly slowed down. Word is the Emperor has been in better spirits—apparently there's progress in the northern campaign."

"The Marquis of Pingjiang is formidable. With him in command, these rebels are easily crushed. Once he's free, he'll march south and destroy the King of Chu. No wonder the Emperor's in good spirits," said Gao Shiliu.

Chen Guanlou laughed. "Do you really think the Emperor will let the Marquis march south?"

Dream on.

If the old Emperor lets both northern and southern armies fall under the Marquis's control, he won't sleep a wink. Unless something unexpected happens, Chen Guanfu stationed in the south will soon be recalled to the capital.

This is basic imperial strategy. The Emperor could never allow father and son to simultaneously command both northern and southern armies—it would become a dire threat to the court. The ministers would surely support the Emperor's decision.

"Of… course…" Gao Shiliu suddenly sounded uncertain.

Chen Guanlou sneered. "Stick to your business. Staying out of officialdom was the right choice."

Gao Shiliu looked embarrassed, humiliated. "I just spoke without thinking. I've come to my senses now."

Chen Guanlou mocked him. "You once said you'd be out in one or two months. Do you still believe that?"

Gao Shiliu grew even more embarrassed. He held back, then couldn't help himself: "Am I really going to sit here for years?"

"Years? Unlikely. Court politics shift by the hour. You might walk free before the New Year."

"I hope so! Jailor Chen, I want roast duck. The roast duck at Lao Jin Fang is the most authentic."

"Money buys duck. No money, no duck. I'll check your account later and see how much you've got left."

"I'd like wine too—preferably warmed."

"You've got high demands," Chen Guanlou said with clear disdain. These young masters were fine in prison—less scheming than seasoned officials—but so damn fussy! One minute this, the next that.

Besides Gao Shiliu, there was another: Zhang Wenfu.

Perhaps Zhang the Censor had weathered the crisis. Perhaps Zhang's wife finally remembered her imprisoned son. The Zhang family had sent another sum of money in.

Zhang Wenfu finally enjoyed the freedom he'd long dreamed of.

The back courtyard, once cleared specifically for the Grand Tutor's outdoor time, was now repurposed. Thus, the officials gained another option for outdoor time—though the price was steep.

Those with money didn't care: one hundred taels per hour, a robbery by any measure. But to feel the sun, catch the breeze, see blue sky and white clouds, sip tea, eat pastries—it was worth every tael.

After his outdoor time, Zhang Wenfu's spirits visibly improved, and his digestive ailments showed clear signs of recovery.

He passed Xie Changling's cell.

The man asked him, "Can you give a discount on outdoor time?"

Chen Guanlou turned to look at him. "You want outdoor time, Lord Xie?"

"On a windy day, I'd like to step outside and feel the breeze."

"It's scorching hot outside. The cell is cooler. And outdoor time isn't cheap."

"Is there a discount or not?" Xie Changling snapped, tired of the chatter.

Chen Guanlou grinned. "No discount. All A-class cells are treated equally. Only if you're the Grand Tutor or a royal prince do you get special treatment. But we do provide free tea and pastries."

"Tea dregs?" Xie Changling asked, disdainful. Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.

Chen Guanlou looked righteous. "Be grateful for free tea. Don't pick and choose. Besides, the Tianlaomiao is poor. You always accuse us jailers of greed, yet you don't realize ninety-nine percent of what we collect goes to the top. We do the dirty work, earn scraps, and bear all the blame. It's hard, really. If Lord Xie could show a little understanding, you'd never mention discounts again. Talking money ruins feelings."

"Then let's not talk about feelings?"

"Talking about feelings ruins money," Chen Guanlou declared sternly. "Business is business. Lord Xie, you're not short on cash. Why act like a street merchant, haggling over every copper?"

"My money didn't blow in from the wind," Xie Changling muttered bitterly. "You think I'm rich? All the wealth I've saved over the years has ended up in your jailers' pockets. I must budget carefully."

Chen Guanlou sneered. "Lord Xie, you're good at deception. You may be poor, but your Xie family is rich. Everyone knows your clan is one of the top two great houses in your region—dominant for over a century, with wealth beyond imagining."

"Who told you that nonsense?" Xie Changling's face darkened. "Our Xie clan is a family of farmers and scholars. We own some small businesses, but they're insignificant. Our main income comes from farming."

"Jailor Chen, you're from the capital—you've never farmed. You don't know how limited farming income is, how entirely dependent it is on the heavens. Drought, flood, insect plagues, birds devouring crops—all reduce harvests."

"And you can't freely sell grain—you must hoard it. Tell me, how much money can you possibly make? One hundred taels can buy several acres of prime irrigated land in the countryside. Irrigated land—nothing in the countryside is more valuable than that. Do you understand the depth of that?"

Chen Guanlou smiled faintly, eyes glinting with mockery. "I don't understand. I only know Lord Xie's skill at dodging the truth is astonishing. If you think we jailers are ignorant fools, you've badly misjudged us. We jailers may not know Confucian texts or grand principles, but we know how to dig up gossip—how to uncover the true wealth of officials like you. Your Xie family's business reaches the capital, yet you tell me you're farmers and scholars, that money is scarce? Who are you fooling? After all this time together, this kind of deception isn't right."