Chapter 369: He would absolutely never overstep his bounds

Three days later, men from the Six Shanmen arrived with official documents to interrogate Liu Xianghe.

This time, Wu Bantou did not show his face.

The prison guard Huang Ye ran up to Chen Guanlou and whispered, "My lord, the prisoner Liu Xianghe wants to see you. He says he has an urgent matter to discuss."

Chen Guanlou was currently tinkering with a pot of flowers and plants on the windowsill, treating it as a way to cultivate his character.

"He wants to see me? Am I someone he can see just because he wants to?" Chen Guanlou chuckled coldly. Liu Xianghe didn't know how to appreciate favors, so why should he give the other party any face?

Huang Ye was stunned for a moment, feeling a bit awkward, but he still conveyed the message, "The prisoner Liu Xianghe said that last time he was blinded by greed and didn't know how to appreciate favors. With the Six Shanmen coming to interrogate him this time, he knows his life and death are uncertain, and he wants to chat with you for a few moments before he goes. He also said there would be a heavy reward." After finishing, he gestured with his fingers, "This is how he gestured."

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

Huang Ye nodded heavily, "I wouldn't dare to talk nonsense; he definitely said that. He seems to know why the Six Shanmen are interrogating him, and he repeatedly emphasized that as long as you go to see him, there will definitely be a heavy reward."

Chen Guanlou was silent for a moment, "Fine, I'll go see him one last time. You have Wu Bantou stall the men from the Six Shanmen. Since they brought official documents, we can just take our time with the procedures."

"I understand."

Huang Ye hurried off to pass on the message.

Chen Guanlou drank half a cup of tea before heading down to the Heavenly Prison to see Liu Xianghe.

When Liu Xianghe saw him appear, it was as if he had seen a relative; his eyes were filled with tears.

Chen Guanlou said with utter disdain, "Time is limited. Say whatever you have to say quickly; don't delay proper business."

"Yes, yes, yes, Chen Yucheng is right." Liu Xianghe wiped away his tears, leaned against the prison bars, and beckoned for Chen Guanlou to come closer.

Then, he whispered, "Wu Bantou is interrogating me; either he wants money, or he wants my life. Regardless of the outcome, I'm afraid I won't be coming back."

"What exactly did you do?" Chen Guanlou asked directly, "Wu Bantou wouldn't bother with your corruption and bribery; it must be something else. Do you have hidden assets?"

"Nothing can be hidden from Chen Yucheng." Liu Xianghe gave a miserable smile, looking very desolate, "With death at my doorstep, I won't hide it from you either. I actually raised a group of people outside."

"A group of people?" Chen Guanlou raised an eyebrow; this choice of words was very particular.

Liu Xianghe was still a bit embarrassed, "In short, I raised some people to handle things for me and incidentally saved up some wealth. My case isn't that serious; barring any accidents, it should just be exile. I originally planned to contact this group after the exile to retrieve the wealth and pave the way for the future. Now it seems Wu Bantou has clearly seen through my scheme."

Chen Guanlou let out an 'oh', "What kind of people did you raise? Mountain bandits, thieves, or river pirates?"

Liu Xianghe lowered his head and didn't make a sound.

Chen Guanlou sneered. He knew it; this bunch of local officials were bolder than the next—there was nothing they wouldn't dare to do. Unlike the capital officials, who at least cared about their image.

"Speak, what do you want me to do for you, and how much silver do you intend to offer as a reward?" Chen Guanlou couldn't be bothered to argue with the other party and hit the core issue directly.

Liu Xianghe regained his spirit and said hurriedly, "I have a sworn brother. After Wu Bantou interrogates me, I'm afraid I'll lose contact with him. Please, Chen Yucheng, pass a message to my sworn brother, just say everything is fine and he needn't worry."

Chen Guanlou was very surprised, "At a time like this, you aren't sending a message to your family, but to a sworn brother instead? Are you very close?"

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

"A small matter like passing a message doesn't require me to step in personally. You can just find any prison guard and give them some silver, and it will be done." Chen Guanlou didn't believe the other party; it couldn't be as simple as just passing a message.

"Of course, there are other things I need to trouble Chen Yucheng with. If you are willing to save my life, I will offer this much."

Ten thousand taels!

Sure enough, there were hidden assets. Compared to officials whose entire family estates were confiscated, he was indeed generous.

"You are a convicted official, and your charges are set in stone. How can I save you? Don't have wild fantasies; I don't have that kind of ability."

"Why be so modest, Chen Yucheng? When I first entered the Heavenly Prison, I heard of your great name from others. Things others can't handle, you handle with ease. People others can't manage, you can manage. As long as you can save me from the hands of the Six Shanmen, I, Liu, will be eternally grateful and will definitely offer a heavy reward."

"Why don't you ask your sworn brother to save your life?"

"My sworn brother doesn't have that much power; he can't get involved with the Ministry of Justice. Chen Yucheng, as long as you are willing to save my life, the price is negotiable."

Chen Guanlou smiled, "The Six Shanmen don't necessarily want your life; perhaps they just want your money. If you hand over the money, you might be able to return safely."

"Impossible. Wu Bantou is not coming with good intentions; he is full of malice toward me, I can tell. We people in officialdom are most sensitive to this. In officialdom, once a grudge is formed, one must strike to kill; there will never be a chance for the other party to counterattack. Wu Bantou is aiming for my life; I can see it."

Liu Xianghe insisted that Wu Bantou had ill intentions. Chen Guanlou was very curious and asked, "Did you offend him? Why does he want your life?"

Liu Xianghe clearly still had secrets he hadn't confessed.

Wu Bantou had put down the case he hadn't finished and rushed back to the capital just to interrogate Liu Xianghe; it definitely wasn't just for money. If he really wanted money, he could have just returned before Liu Xianghe was sentenced; there was no need to be in such a hurry.

Liu Xianghe gritted his teeth, "It must be because of that matter; it must be because of that matter. Chen Yucheng, don't ask anymore. There are some things you don't need to know; the more you know, the more dangerous it is. In short, as long as you are willing to save my life, I will definitely offer a generous reward. If you are worried, I can pay first. I know you are a man of your word; as long as you take the money, you will definitely get it done. Chen Yucheng, please take my money."

"Talking nonsense all day long. You won't say anything, so how can I save your life? Taking a step back, the Six Shanmen are interrogating you legally and according to regulations; I have no reason to interfere, let alone run to the Six Shanmen yamen to point fingers. You are also in officialdom; you know the rules. You want me to run to the Six Shanmen to fish you out—that's called overstepping bounds, and I'll be met with hostility from everyone. For a mere ten thousand taels, is it worth it for me?"

Chen Guanlou was not short of money now.

The two thousand taels of 'dowry?' 'reward?' left behind by Zhong Susu, plus the wealth he had accumulated before—even though he spent money lavishly, the money he had on hand was enough for him to live comfortably for half a lifetime.

With money coming in every month, he didn't need to earn Liu Xianghe's money.

It was clear that this was a mud pit.

He didn't want to dirty his own hands.

"What conditions must be met for you to save me? Chen Yucheng, name your price; as long as I can do it, I will definitely agree to it." ===== CHAPTER 370 =====