Chapter 369: He Will Not Overreach

Three days later, the Six Ministries Bureau came with official documents to summon Liu Xiang for interrogation.

This time, Yang Dudou did not show his face.

The jailer Huang Ye ran up to Chen Guanlou and whispered, "My lord, the convict Liu Xiang wishes to see you. He says he has urgent matters to discuss."

Chen Guanlou was tending to a potted plant on the windowsill, treating it as a way to cultivate his spirit.

"He wants to see me? Do you think I'm someone he can summon at will?" Chen Guanlou let out a cold laugh. Liu Xiang had no sense of his place; why should Chen Guanlou give him any face?

Huang Ye blinked, slightly embarrassed, but still delivered the message: "The convict Liu Xiang says last time he was blinded by greed and failed to recognize your favor. This time, as the Six Ministries Bureau comes to interrogate him, he knows his life hangs in the balance, and before he goes, he wishes to speak a few words with you. He also says there will be a great reward." He then gestured with his fingers. "He made this motion."

Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow. "He really said that?"

Huang Ye nodded firmly. "I dare not lie. He truly said so. He seems to know why the Six Ministries Bureau summoned him, and he kept stressing that if you meet him, he will surely offer a great reward."

Chen Guanlou fell silent for a moment. "Fine. I'll go see him one last time. Tell Wu Bandou to stall the Six Ministries men. Since they brought official documents, let them follow procedure slowly."

"I understand."

Huang Ye hurried off to deliver the message.

Chen Guanlou drank half a cup of tea, then descended into the Heavenly Prison to meet Liu Xiang.

When Liu Xiang saw him appear, he looked as if he'd found a family member, eyes welling with tears.

Chen Guanlou said with clear distaste, "Time is limited. Say what you have to say quickly. Don't waste my time."

"Yes, yes, yes. You're right, Prison Warden Chen." Liu Xiang wiped his tears, leaned against the prison bars, and waved for Chen Guanlou to come closer.

Then he whispered, "Yang Dudou is interrogating me—either he wants money, or he wants my life. Either way, I doubt I'll return."

"What exactly did you do?" Chen Guanlou asked directly. "Yang Dudou wouldn't care about your embezzlement or bribery—that must be something else. Do you have hidden wealth?"

"Nothing escapes Prison Warden Chen." Liu Xiang gave a bitter, sorrowful smile. "Facing death, I won't hide anything from you. Originally, I kept a group of men outside."

"A group of men?" Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow. That phrasing was deliberate.

Liu Xiang looked slightly embarrassed. "I kept some men to handle affairs for me and accumulated some wealth. My case isn't that serious—unless something goes wrong, I'll likely be exiled. I planned to contact them after exile, retrieve the wealth, and secure my future. But now it's clear Yang Dudou has uncovered my scheme."

Chen Guanlou grunted. "What kind of men? Bandits? Thieves? River pirates?"

Liu Xiang lowered his head and said nothing.

Chen Guanlou sneered. He knew it—local officials had bolder hearts than one another, nothing was beyond them. Unlike court officials, who still cared about appearances.

"Speak plainly. What do you want me to do for you? And how much silver are you offering as thanks?" Chen Guanlou cut straight to the point.

Liu Xiang perked up. "I have a sworn brother. After Yang Dudou interrogates me, he'll likely cut off contact with him. Please, Prison Warden Chen, deliver a message to my sworn brother: tell him I'm well, no need to worry."

Chen Guanlou was surprised. "At a time like this, you don't send word to your family, but to your sworn brother? Are you that close?"

Liu Xiang nodded, then shook his head. "My sworn brother is a capable man. He will take care of my family."

"Sending a message is a trivial matter. You can pay any jailer to do it." Chen Guanlou didn't believe this was all there was to it.

"There's another matter requiring your help. If you can save my life, I'll offer this much."

Ten thousand taels!

So he did have hidden wealth—compared to officials whose entire estates were seized, this was generous.

"You're a convicted official. The charges are ironclad. How can I save you? Don't entertain fantasies—I have no such power."

"Prison Warden Chen, why be so modest? When I first entered the Heavenly Prison, I heard your name from others. What others can't accomplish, you handle effortlessly. Who others can't deal with, you settle. If you can rescue me from the Six Ministries Bureau, Liu Xiang will be eternally grateful and repay you handsomely."

"Why not ask your sworn brother to save your life?"

"My sworn brother lacks that kind of influence—he can't reach the Ministry of Justice. Prison Warden Chen, if you'll save my life, the price is negotiable."

Chen Guanlou smiled. "The Six Ministries Bureau may not want your life—perhaps they only want your money. Hand over the money, and you'll walk free."

"Impossible. Yang Dudou came with malice—I can see it. We officials are most sensitive to this. In court politics, once you make an enemy, you strike to kill. You never give them a chance to retaliate. Yang Dudou is here to take my life. I know it."

Liu Xiang was certain Yang Dudou meant him harm. Chen Guanlou grew curious. "Did you offend him? Why does he want you dead?"

Liu Xiang clearly still had secrets he hadn't revealed.

Yang Dudou had dropped his unfinished case and rushed back to the capital solely to interrogate Liu Xiang—not just for money. If he only wanted money, he could have waited until after Liu Xiang's sentencing. There was no need for such haste.

Liu Xiang gritted his teeth. "It must be because of that matter—it has to be. Prison Warden Chen, don't ask. Some things you don't need to know. The more you know, the more danger you face. All I ask is that you save my life, and I'll reward you lavishly. If you're unsure, I'll pay you upfront. I know you're a man of your word—once you take the money, you'll deliver. Prison Warden Chen, take my money."

"You've been babbling all day. You won't tell me anything—how can I save your life? Even if I wanted to, the Six Ministries Bureau summoned you legally. I have no grounds to interfere, let alone storm their office and give orders. You're a court official—you know the rules. Asking me to pull you out of their hands? That's overreaching. You'd make enemies of everyone. For ten thousand taels? Is it worth it?"

Chen Guanlou wasn't short on money.

The twenty thousand taels Zhong Susu left as "dowry"? "Gift"? Combined with his own savings—even with his lavish spending—he had enough to live comfortably for half a lifetime.

He received income every month. He had no need to chase Liu Xiang's money.

This was clearly a swamp of trouble.

He had no desire to dirty his hands.

"What condition would make you save me? Prison Warden Chen, name your price—I'll agree to anything I can do."