Chapter 507: Determined to Die

Chen Chen Guanlou sat back down, waiting for the other party to name their price.

Sun Sun Daoning personally poured him tea. "Drink some tea first to cool your temper. Jiang Tu's money is easy to earn, yet not easy to earn. You want to earn his money and run errands for him; that is understandable. However, matters in the officialdom are not entirely gray. Sometimes they are strictly black or white: either you die or I live. If it were anyone else, I would have helped with this matter. But Jiang Tu cannot! He must die!"

"Whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with me."

"I thought you were blaming me for cutting off your source of wealth," Sun Sun Daoning said.

Chen Chen Guanlou looked down and smiled, mocking the other for underestimating him, and mocking himself for inevitably being arrogant and taking himself too seriously.

"This money can be earned or not. I do not need to flatter or offer gifts; I have enough money to spend."

"That is true. Simply earning money without worrying about being exploited and bullied by the government, the Heavenly Prison is indeed a good post. I cannot do that. Being in the officialdom, most of the time I am forced by circumstances. You must understand my difficulties."

Sun Sun Daoning spoke to him with his heart open, trying to move him with emotion, vainly hoping to touch him with true feelings.

Chen Chen Guanlou nodded, which served as a response.

Although it did not meet expectations, at least he had given a response, so Sun Sun Daoning was not disappointed. For capable people, he would always be extra tolerant.

"The search for the Grand Tutor must be expedited. If this matter is handled well, I will record a great merit for you. I can see that Your Majesty has true feelings for the Grand Tutor and genuinely wants to find the Grand Tutor's whereabouts."

"Since Your Majesty is sincerely searching for the Grand Tutor, why not start with those around the late Emperor? Those eunuchs and maids who served the late Emperor cannot extract even a shred of information?"

Sun Sun Daoning frowned and said, "I am not clear on matters within the palace. Such matters are very sensitive; perhaps the late Emperor arranged for others to handle it."

"Are you certain the late Emperor sent someone to abduct the Grand Tutor?"

"It should be so." For a moment, Sun Sun Daoning did not dare to say yes with certainty.

Chen Chen Guanlou sneered. "This matter is difficult to handle. Without even a definite suspect, where do you expect me to find him? This matter should be handled by the Six Gates or the Embroidered Uniform Guard. They are professionals with connections and relationships. I am just a jailer guarding prisoners; what do I know about searching for people?"

"I already said this matter cannot alert the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Six Gates. You try searching first. If you find him, that is best; if not, we will see."

"What about the money?"

In the end, it always came down to talking about money.

Not talking about money would hurt feelings.

Sun Sun Daoning gestured with his fingers. "Two percent, nothing more."

Chen Chen Guanlou chuckled. "My Lord Sun, are you dismissing a beggar?"

"Which beggar on the street has the qualification to take two percent from Jiang Tu's assets? A beggar would be too wealthy. Jailer Chen, we cannot think only of ourselves when doing things; we must consider the whole picture."

Chen Chen Guanlou remained silent; this money was not something he absolutely had to earn.

Seeing Chen Chen Guanlou's unyielding attitude, Sun Sun Daoning frowned inwardly. "Three percent, nothing more. This is already the limit within my capability. You cannot be too greedy."

Chen Chen Guanlou nodded, accepting this figure. He understood the principle of knowing when to stop and did not continue to press Sun Sun Daoning.

"You have so many people under your command; why must I, a non-professional, be the one to search for the Grand Tutor?"

"If something goes wrong, you can protect yourself, simply because you are a son of the Chen family. Others do not have this protective charm. If something goes wrong, they lose their heads. The people under my command who can be used are fewer by one if one dies. You must also understand my difficulties."

Sun Sun Daoning's words were quite honest.

In recent years, Chen Chen Guanlou had mostly been smooth sailing, with no one with no eyes seeking trouble with him, all thanks to his surname Chen. Anyone with a bit of brain would try to avoid conflicts with the native great families of Jingcheng, let alone Chen Chen Guanlou, who also held an official status.

If he had an ordinary identity, he might have already suffered someone's covert sabotage right at the beginning.

The commission from Jiang Tu was not fulfilled, and he had also learned in advance of the other party's inevitable death. Fortunately, it had been made clear from the start that this matter only covered delivery, not success. He had indeed delivered the memorial to Sun Sun Daoning; as for the fate of the memorial, it was not his concern.

He returned to the Heavenly Prison and told Jiang Tu the truth.

"The higher-ups want you dead. Think carefully about what unfulfilled wishes you have and settle them quickly. Afterwards, people from the Ministry of Punishment will come to take over you. I am very busy."

Jiang Tu was instantly drained of his spirit and energy, his whole body as soft as a noodle, collapsing limply in front of the prison door.

"Must I die before it is settled?" His lips were pale and bloodless; he was truly terrified.

Chen Chen Guanlou nodded and told the other party affirmatively, "You have offended too many people; there is no hope of turning the tables. Moreover, the new Emperor has ascended the throne and needs to give an explanation to the world. And you are the best target. The new Emperor will not gamble his reputation to protect you; you are not that valuable."

"But I can help Your Majesty earn money," Jiang Tu weakly argued.

"There are many people who can help Your Majesty earn money. Without Zhang the butcher, does everyone have to eat pigs with their hair on? In this world, anyone can be missed."

With the most calm and indifferent tone, Chen Chen Guanlou tore apart all of Jiang Tu's illusions, hoping the other would understand the implied meaning, cooperate well, and perhaps suffer less.

Jiang Tu began to sob. "Jailer Chen, can you help me one more time?"

"What do you want to do?"

"Let me die! I cannot fall into those people's hands. I will live a life worse than death. Rather than die in humiliation, I might as well end it myself." Jiang Tu suddenly became fierce; such a death-fearing person roared with all his strength that he might as well end it himself.

It showed that he was well aware of the torturous methods used in the officialdom and familiar with them in his heart. That was why he felt fear. He would rather end it himself than fall into others' hands.

Chen Chen Guanlou was expressionless. "The Heavenly Prison does not provide a suicide package."

"Jailer Chen, help me. I definitely cannot endure it. At that time, it will truly be a life worse than death. I will give you money; I have a lot of money..."

Chen Chen Guanlou did not listen or ask, turned around, and left.

He also reminded Xiao Jin, "Keep a close watch on Jiang Tu; guard against him seeking death."

Xiao Jin was very surprised. "Will he seek death?"

"People change. Anyway, keep a close watch on him. Do not let anyone catch a handle on us; otherwise, there will be a pile of documents to handle again. It is very troublesome."

"This humble one understands."

Medical Officer Mu stepped forward, took a porcelain bottle out of his medicine box, and handed it to Chen Chen Guanlou. "Slow-acting poison. Drink a little every day; death is certain in ten days. Even immortals cannot save you."

"I am not seeking death; why are you giving this to me?" His eyes were full of disgust, yet he did not return the poison bottle.

Medical Officer Mu chuckled. "I have heard everything. Jiang Tu wants to seek death and asked for your help; that definitely violates the rules. I think that scoundrel Jiang Tu definitely lacks the courage to smash his head against the wall and die. If he fails to die, he will suffer for nothing. I will owe this favor to you; when you get the money, do not forget to share a portion with me."

Chen Chen Guanlou laughed. "I will not do this matter. I am very busy; where would I have time to care about Jiang Tu's life or death?"

"Whether you care about his life or death does not matter; just remember that you owe me a favor."