Chapter 395

Chen Guanlou lightly tapped the table and said offhandedly, "The lunch was too salty."

Qian Fugui frowned in thought, then suddenly understood. "Little one understands. There must be infighting in logistics."

"Infighting? Dispute over spoils?" Chen Guanlou was genuinely curious.

Qian Fugui hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Not because of spoils. It seems their patrons have shifted, and internal interests need redistribution. This concerns the entire logistics department."

"Who told you this?"

"No one told me. I figured it out myself. A few days ago, while busy in the accounting office, a new face from logistics came to audit the books. We chatted briefly."

"You're clever. A few scraps of evidence and you deduced the truth behind it. You're suited not just for accounting, but for constable work." Chen Guanlou spoke sincerely—Qian Fugui was wasted as a jailer. Fortunately, he had recognized talent and promoted him to accountant.

Qian Fugui chuckled sheepishly. "Your Excellency flatters me. I'm only fit for accounting. Accounting suits me fine."

"Do your duty well. Keep an eye on logistics. I don't want to eat salted gruel every day."

"Little one understands. I'll try to find out."

"No need to seek it out. Let it unfold naturally."

"Little one follows Your Excellency's lead."

Chen Guanlou had no hand in logistics matters—even asking a question would be inappropriate.

Though all were men of Tianlaomiao, they belonged to different interest factions, each bound by an invisible line. Everyone quietly respected that boundary, avoiding interference.

The food, sometimes bland, sometimes too salty, was hard to swallow.

Chen Guanlou was a man of refinement, particular about food and drink, unwilling to settle for mediocrity. He simply paid to eat outside. He had money and wouldn't deprive himself.

Lu Datou shamelessly mooched meals.

Seeing this, Chen Guanlou understood. "Lost all your money?"

Lu Datou chuckled.

"Half a month till payday. What are you going to do? Didn't your wife beat you?"

Lu Datou was always transparent before Chen Guanlou, hiding nothing. He pulled open his collar to reveal scratched neck skin. "The tigress roared. I'll stay at Tianlaomiao these days—won't go home. I'll return only when she's calmed down."

"This can't go on forever. What'll you do when you're too old to work?"

"Let my son take my post. A son earns for his father—it's only right."

Truly a man of utter depravity.

Chen Guanlou ate his wine and dishes. "I'm too tired to lecture you—you've heard it all before. How about this: each payday, set aside part of your salary."

Lu Datou grumbled, clearly unwilling.

Chen Guanlou glanced at him, eyes cold.

Lu Datou snapped to attention. "Then Chen-ge, you hold it for me. Five qian a month…"

"Save two taels a month—that's twenty-four taels a year. Use half for the New Year; that's enough for a fat celebration. Save the rest for your children's dowries, bride prices, houses. They're growing up. You're a lifelong gambler—your future daughter-in-law will despise you."

"Who dares despise me? They won't step into the Lu household." Lu Datou was brazen.

Chen Guanlou sneered. "You're a gambling addict—why shouldn't they despise you? Your son and daughter-in-law live with you, enduring daily chaos—do you think that's better? Separate. Live apart. Out of sight, out of mind. When your wife is angry, she'll have somewhere to go."

"Chen-ge, why do you always think of the kids, never of me?"

Chen Guanlou spoke slowly, cutting to the bone. "You're a good-for-nothing. Why should I care for you? We're brothers, but that doesn't mean I'll endlessly enable you. Right is right, wrong is wrong. Your life is already ruined—just don't drag your wife and children down with you."

Lu Datou still resented it. He felt excellent about himself, proud and boastful.

Chen Guanlou admitted: ignoring Lu Datou's flaws, he was capable. But the flaws were too many to overlook—especially his gambling. He gambled whenever he had money, watched others gamble when he didn't. His entire life revolved around gambling. On duty, he slacked off, mind still on last night's game, replaying every mistake, every bad luck.

Chen Guanlou picked up a fried peanut, tossed it in his mouth. "All these years, you've earned plenty. Just from the Second Boss case, you made hundreds of taels. You gave not a single cash to your wife—all lost on the gambling table. I'm truly impressed."

Lu Datou had no rebuttal.

Every word was true.

After a moment of shame, Lu Datou perked up again. "Chen-ge, any big jobs lately? Need extra hands? I just want to earn some hard-earned cash."

"Quiet at year-end. No jobs." Chen Guanlou gave him no hope.

Lu Datou persisted. "That's not right. Usually, year-end is peak season—officers get locked up daily. Chen-ge, sure, I gamble, but I work hard. Whatever you order, I always deliver."

Chen Guanlou casually said, "The court's been chaotic lately. Wars in north and south. The court's short on funds. Rumor has it more regions suffered natural disasters—relief needed."

"The old emperor's head must be splitting." Lu Datou chuckled, smug, gleeful. Whenever court officials or the emperor suffered, Tianlaomiao folk rejoiced. They loved watching those high-and-mighty figures crash into the mud overnight.

Chen Guanlou said offhandedly, "The Jia-class cells here will soon get busy. There are small jobs—willing to run errands?"

"Willing! Willing! Chen-ge, just give the order."

Chen Guanlou told him, "There's a prisoner with many ailments—he needs medicine daily. The decoction water must be mountain spring water. Someone must fetch it every morning from outside the city. Will you do it? I'll pay you five qian a day. Bring back one pot each morning. If you want it, it's yours. If not, I'll give it to the laborers or any jailer willing to take it."

"Fetch spring water before dawn for five qian?" Lu Datou complained the pay was too low.

Chen Guanlou snorted in disgust. "Do you know, if I posted this job, people would line up from Nancheng to Chengnan begging for it. You're complaining? Laborers hauling sacks work all day for twenty to thirty cash. Five qian is twenty times that. You're penniless and still disdain a light job? Fine—I'll give it to your wife. She'll gladly take it."

"No, no! I'll do it! I'll do it!" Lu Datou hastily changed his tune. If his wife got the job, he'd get not a single cash. Doing it himself meant five qian daily—crucially, paid daily.