Chapter 380: Making Money Isn

"Yes, I'm very rich. My legal monthly income ranges from several hundred taels to over a thousand taels."

Chen Guanlou was not showing off; he was stating facts.

"Impossible!"

The other clearly felt shocked and found it hard to believe.

Chen Guanlou sneered, "What do you think the Tianlao is? Do you imagine it's the same as a local yamen jail? Totally wrong."

The prisoners held in Tianlao are all high-ranking officials recognized by the court, each one either wealthy or noble. They must maintain dignity even behind bars, requiring all sorts of luxuries—daily expenditures that would be astronomical to ordinary people."

I only need to legally skim off a tiny fraction. Even after sharing with the jailers below, my monthly income still exceeds the salaries of high-ranking court officials. Did you hear me? I'm talking about legal income."

As for gray income, that's even harder to count. Look, you call me self-degrading, living as a jailer in Tianlao, unaware that I'm enjoying life, while you, a martial expert, serve as someone's lackey, scraping together a few taels. Frankly, you'd be better off working with me. I guarantee you'll buy a house in the capital within a year and marry a beautiful girl."

"Has anyone ever told you how good you are at manipulating people?"

Chen Guanlou chuckled softly, "You're not the first to say that. I dare guess you're someone with extraordinary talent but poor origins. As a martial expert, you still need rice, oil, salt, vinegar, and tea—you can't do without top-grade herbs for cultivation, nor can you avoid collecting martial scriptures, and perhaps you even have family to support."

Without a good family background, you can only cling to the powerful to earn silver, securing a future for your kin. But people strive upward. If there's a better path, perhaps you should consider it."

Earning money isn't shameful; being a jailer isn't disgraceful. You can always change your identity, go undercover as a jailer in Tianlao, clock in and out daily, earn silver, and live a carefree life. Compared to your current job, it's better."

Even if Tianlao's conditions are terrible, they're still better than sleeping under the open sky and traveling endlessly year after year. Besides, this jailer position can be passed down to descendants—it's a lifetime iron rice bowl. You don't have to worry about court factional struggles or dynastic changes."

No matter which dynasty rules, Tianlao and its jailers are indispensable. As long as you're careful and don't fall for the schemes of those imprisoned officials, with your skills, you'll enjoy comfort for the rest of your life."

"What you said has moved me."

"Since you're moved, why not act decisively? Let's team up and take full control of Tianlao. The silver will flow into our pockets like a river. What do you say?"

"Not at all!" The other chuckled softly. "You asked me who Ning Zecheng is, who Er Dan is? You're a Chen family member, yet you don't know these two are actually the same person."

"Should I know?"

"Huh? Then why did you take this assignment? I've never heard of Tianlao having a tradition of escorting prisoners out."

"You said it yourself—I'm a Chen. When Hou Fu gives an order, how can I refuse? With Hou Fu as my backer, even if I don't flaunt their banner, just hearing my surname Chen, people naturally make things easier for me. I benefit from Hou Fu's influence—I owe them a favor."

Chen Guanlou spoke like he was chatting over tea, using everyday words.

He hadn't always been this talkative—it was a professional habit. After dealing with those imprisoned officials for so long, he hadn't learned much else, but he'd collected a whole basket of grand principles, which he'd occasionally pull out to counsel depressed prisoners, easing their mental burdens.

Since becoming a jailer, everyone said the suicide rate among prisoners dropped noticeably. The mental counseling must continue. Relying on other jailers? They're all illiterate, obsessed with gambling—what good are they at counseling? Talking too much might even push mentally fragile prisoners to kill themselves."

Counseling must be done by him personally.

Tonight, if he could convince this martial expert across from him, that would be impressive. Of course, it was just fantasy.

An eighth-rank martial expert must be an extremely resolute person. Even if intrigued or tempted, he wouldn't make a decision on the spot. Such people never lack caution—they advance step by step, and the one who survives longest wins."

"If you want to know who Ning Zecheng is, you must ask Hou Fu. I won't tell you."

"Then can you tell me why you're after this man?"

"Because this man has value."

"How much value?"

The other fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Young friend, what season is it now?"

Chen Guanlou: …

The other wasn't simply asking about the season.

Sure enough, he continued on his own: "Haven't you noticed? The world is about to descend into chaos. The heavens of Da Gan are about to change. You ask what value Ning Zecheng holds? Let me tell you—he has the power to reshape heaven and earth, to conquer cities and seize territory. Whoever controls him gains wings like a tiger, invincible in all directions."

"Are you working for Prince Chu? Are you his man?"

"No! I am not Prince Chu's man."

Chen Guanlou felt the other wasn't lying—no reason, just instinct.

"What virtue or talent does Ning Zecheng possess? He's no immortal descended from heaven—how could he reshape heaven and earth?"

The other let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Warfare isn't just about troops—it needs generals, commanders. A great commander can stand against a million soldiers, turn certain defeat into victory."

"You mean Ning Zecheng is one of the rare great commanders in the land?"

"Precisely!"

"Why have I never heard his name?"

"Past events were deliberately obscured by those with intent—you young ones naturally wouldn't know. Enough. Now that you understand Ning Zecheng's value, you should understand why I'm searching for him."

"But my team doesn't have him."

"What if he were?"

"I still wouldn't hand him over. Unless you defeat me."

The other fell silent.

Among experts, one move is enough to gauge each other's strength. Tonight, neither could overcome the other. Chen Guanlou couldn't best him, and clearly, neither could Chen Guanlou—hence the stalemate, hence the chance to chat atop the tree, hence Chen Guanlou's opportunity to use his persuasive skills."

"If you're not Prince Chu's man, why cling to this mission for Ning Zecheng? If you're short on silver, I'll give you some."

To show sincerity, Chen Guanlou immediately pulled out a thousand-tael banknote from his robe.

A jailer casually producing a thousand taels—what kind of world is this? Is Tianlao really this profitable?

"A thousand taels—to make friends. You're the first person I've ever spent this much on. Will you do me the honor?"

"I don't need money."

"Of course, of course—you don't. I'm just being shameless, wanting to spend silver to be your friend. My lord, overlook my lowliness—take my filthy money, won't you?"

The other said nothing.

Chen Guanlou left the banknote and withdrew decisively.