Chapter 487: How to Reach Into the Moneybag and Pull Money Out

He sent off the black-hearted Sun Sun Daoning.

Chen Chen Guanlou called for Xiao Jin and asked, "Has the man been taken into custody?"

"Reporting to my lord, he has already been taken into custody, and the paperwork is done. Please have a look, my lord."

Chen Chen Guanlou picked up the official document and glanced at it, instructing as he did: "Remind the little bastards down below — that's the famous Lord Jiang from court. Keep your eyes peeled and treat him with courtesy."

"My lord, Jiang Tu is a notorious traitor in court."

"Whether he's a traitor or not, what does that have to do with you? He's tied to the truth of the altar explosion case. When the new Emperor ascends the throne, the very first thing will be to interrogate him. Do you dare let him face His Majesty with a face that's been tortured?" Chen Chen Guanlou snapped harshly.

His principle had always been: the Heaven Prison does not presume to take sides. No matter who comes in, they are a prisoner, and everything must be done by the rules. If there are real difficulties, handle them as the situation warrants.

Traitor or righteous man, who cares — the Heaven Prison is only responsible for guarding prisoners. Who do you think you are, a law enforcer? Go ask the Embroidered Uniform Guard next door if they agree, ask the Six Gates if they agree!

"He can still face His Majesty?" Xiao Jin was very surprised.

Chen Chen Guanlou chuckled lightly. "That's where your lack of experience shows. How many years has Jiang Tu been muddling through court, specifically tasked with raking in money for the old Emperor? Every sum that passed through his hands — even if he only skimmed a little — how much wealth do you think he could have piled up? Put yourself in the Emperor's shoes: you need money, and you need it now. Could you not have your eye on Lord Jiang's moneybag?"

"I could never be Emperor."

"I'm speaking figuratively, not asking you to be Emperor. If you were Emperor, I might as well be the one — at least I'm not so selfish, a little desire is enough for me. In short, take good care of Lord Jiang. Don't let him get hurt or go hungry, unless I personally give the order. Remember this: he is the future new Emperor's moneybag. Understood?"

Xiao Jin nodded, then shook his head, half-understanding. He couldn't fathom how Jiang Tu had become the new Emperor's moneybag. As if the Emperor could possibly be short on money — what a joke.

And Jiang Tu was a notorious traitor. If the new Emperor used him, wouldn't he fear bearing a tainted reputation?

Chen Chen Guanlou patted his shoulder. "If you really don't get it, go ask Qian Xu Fugui — he'll definitely understand. In any case, once the new Emperor ascends the throne, money will flow out like water, and anyone would feel the pinch."

"Why is that!" Xiao Jin pressed.

Chen Chen Guanlou shot him a glare. "Suppose you inherited your parents' family estate — wouldn't you need to hand out rewards, win over the old servants in the household, reward the loyal subordinates at your side? You'd also have to set up a few tables, host a banquet for relatives and friends, and proclaim to the world that from now on, the Xiao family answers to you."

"That's only right."

"When the new Emperor ascends the throne, doesn't this whole routine have to be scaled up a hundredfold? The number of people to reward is a hundred times that of an ordinary household, and the money spent a hundred times more? Do the math — how much would that take? And the soldiers fighting on the front lines — once the new Emperor is enthroned, doesn't he have to give them something too, some encouragement? What could be more practical than money?"

"Put that way, my lord, I understand now."

"So now do you understand why Jiang Tu will be the new Emperor's moneybag?"

"I understand, my lord! Don't worry, my lord — I'll take good care of Lord Jiang, won't let him suffer the slightest bit."

"Whether he suffers or not, I decide. If I want him to suffer, he suffers whether he wants to or not. Got it?"

"Got it."

Chen Chen Guanlou thought it over for a while before personally going down to the great prison to visit the famous Lord Jiang Tu.

He had heard of this man long ago, but only now did he see him in person.

"Lord Jiang, what a pleasure! I had the privilege of your attention before."

At this moment, Jiang Tu was feeling dejected, pondering his way out. Was he panicking?

He was terrified out of his wits!

The moment the old Emperor died, he knew his good days were over.

He feared death! More than anyone!

During this period, he had been keeping his head down, lowering his presence to the absolute minimum, terrified of drawing attention.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect Zhao Mingqiao to turn his spearhead on him. Even less did he expect Li Li Liangcheng to actually order him thrown into the Heaven Prison.

Before this, he had been trying to reach out to Qiu Qiu Defu — both of them were the old Emperor's running dogs, and if the two of them joined forces, there might be a slim chance of survival. But to his dismay, Qiu Qiu Defu wouldn't give him the time of day, showing no interest in cooperating at all.

Jiang Tu's heart burned with hatred!

Just as he was feeling irritable, someone came up to greet him, so naturally he had no pleasant expression to offer.

Still, he glanced at Chen Chen Guanlou — huh, the face looked a little familiar.

He suddenly recalled, "Your surname is Chen, the Chen from Marquis Pingjiang's household, right? What was your name again?"

"I didn't expect you to have heard of me, my lord. My name is Chen Chen Guanlou."

"Right, right, right — I remember now. You're Chen Chen Guanlou. You're quite something. My men couldn't beat you; every one I sent out got killed by you. And here you are, still working in the Heaven Prison — Marquis Pingjiang's household actually lets you go like that?"

Jiang Tu was quite surprised, unable to fathom the Marquis's household's move. If it were him, with such a capable fighter under him, he'd definitely promote the man to his side and cultivate him well.

"You were rather confused back then, my lord!" Chen Chen Guanlou said with a laugh.

Jiang Tu's face darkened. He gave a cold snort. "Now you're pleased with yourself. I've become your prisoner — go ahead and laugh if you want. I know the rules of your Heaven Prison. I've already had a jailer take my note to my residence to fetch money. Six hundred taels is too little — just make it a thousand taels. How about it?"

"How generous, my lord! Truly worthy of the famous Lord Jiang — so free-handed. My lord, your situation is a difficult one!"

Chen Chen Guanlou sighed, looking particularly troubled.

Jiang Tu frowned. "Chen Chen Guanlou, don't you dare use official business to settle personal grudges! If you want money, I'll give you money. Let's keep public matters public and private matters private."

"Does my lord think I'm threatening you?"

Jiang Tu gave a cold snort — everything said itself.

"Does my lord have no sense at all of your own situation?"

Jiang Tu frowned, very impatient.

Chen Chen Guanlou continued: "Does my lord know that over at the Ministry of Justice, Vice Minister Sun came to the Heaven Prison in person to urge me to be sure to watch over your safety? When the Great Ming King was held in the Heaven Prison, Vice Minister Sun wasn't even this worried. My lord, do you truly have no idea how many people out there are hoping you die?"

"What do you mean?" Jiang Tu panicked at once. Could something earth-shattering have happened during the time he'd been locked in the Heaven Prison?

Chen Chen Guanlou shook his head, looking both pained and regretful. "You're blind, my lord! You think only the people who hate you are hoping you die? Little do you know — the ones who want you dead even more are your own people. Your case implicates how many people, how many unsavory matters — you should know better than anyone. In this world, only the dead can keep a secret! My lord, am I wrong?"

The color drained from Jiang Tu's face in an instant.

"Who told you to say these things?" He lunged at the cell door, his handsome face twisting into something grotesque and savage, his eyes blazing with furious fire, as if he would burn to death anyone who dared plot against him.

"No one."

"Was it Sun Sun Daoning? Or Chen Chen Guanfu? What do they want, what are they after from me? Speak!"