Chapter 546: Leaving a name in history

Sun Daojing pondered for a moment and said, "When all is said and done, these are not reasons for you to extort money from Zhu Ruhai. The higher-ups haven't decided whether to move against the Count's Prefecture yet; this case is currently in a state of low-profile handling. You acted without authorization and ruined a major event, do you understand?"

"Whether the higher-ups move against the Count's Prefecture or not doesn't conflict with the Ministry of Justice handling Zhu Ruhai. Old Sun, your path is too narrow. You can completely treat the two sides separately. The Count's Prefecture is the Count's Prefecture, and Zhu Ruhai is Zhu Ruhai. Just treat Zhu Ruhai as an ordinary prisoner and handle him as you should; no one will dare to nitpick."

Chen Guanlou offered the other party an idea. His main purpose for coming today was to nail Zhu Ruhai to the wall from a legal and official standpoint, so that the other party could never recover. Sending money was just incidental.

Using the money of the person surnamed Zhu to handle the person surnamed Zhu—perfect!

Of course, if there were no money, Sun Daojing probably wouldn't even bother with him, let alone sit in the office and discuss the Zhu Ruhai case with him. He would have long since given an order to kick him out.

Qian Cai still has to lead the way.

"You think of things too simply. If we handle Zhu Ruhai, the Count's Prefecture certainly won't play deaf and dumb; they will definitely jump out."

"Jumping out is just right. His Majesty's three fires have only burned the first one; if you can ignite the second fire, His Majesty will definitely remember your merit."

"What do you mean?" Sun Daojing looked at the other party in surprise. "You are a member of the Chen clan."

"My surname is Chen, not Zhu."

"Do you have a grudge against the Count's Prefecture?"

"No grudge. I just find that old brat Zhu Ruhai an eyesore."

"Just because he traffics in humans, but he does legal business."

"Old Sun, stop joking. We both know clearly that probably more than half of his business is illegal. Legality is just a layer of skin for him; peel off that top layer, and as an old hand, you can certainly imagine the truth underneath. You've seen more of the evil of human nature than I have."

Sun Daojing stopped talking; his expression looked very solemn, and his brows were tightly knitted.

Chen Guanlou saw that the other party was still hesitating and struggling, unable to make up his mind, even though this case might bring unimaginable huge benefits; however, Sun Daojing's temperament was on the steady side and he wouldn't make a decision easily.

Therefore, he pressed on.

"A mere Count's Prefecture, what are you afraid of? I'll tell you the truth: among the nobility, the Marquis Cheng'en Prefecture is just a declining household; no one looks up to them. However, in recent years, they haven't been going downhill; instead, they've become increasingly extravagant. Haven't you thought about the reason for this? The Marquis Cheng'en Prefecture is full of trash from top to bottom; where would they get so much money to continue living a life of luxury and debauchery?

I've done a simple investigation: it turns out Zhu Ruhai has been funneling money to the Marquis Cheng'en Prefecture all along. For him to support the extravagant life of the Count's Prefecture with his own strength—what kind of ability must that take, what kind of business must that be?

Can the scale of business you've investigated so far supply the expenses of the Count's Prefecture? Certainly not. It's imaginable how large the scale of the filth hidden under the legal business must be. Such a big case is placed in front of you, and as the Vice Minister of Justice and the future Minister of Justice, you are actually indifferent. Old Sun, you are too disappointing."

Chen Guanlou's analysis and disappointing remarks made Sun Daojing's complexion change repeatedly, from green to white, and white to purple.

After a long time, he was heard saying, "Where did you hear that I am going to be promoted to Minister of Justice? It's a baseless matter, yet you speak of it with such conviction; if this spreads, how am I supposed to conduct myself?"

Chen Guanlou gave a hehe laugh. "Old Sun, it's a matter we both know clearly, why do you need to cover it up?"

Hmph!

Sun Daojing gave a cold snort. "Do you hate Zhu Ruhai that much?"

"Don't you hate human traffickers?"

"I should hate them." Sun Daojing took another sip of the cold tea, suppressing his complex emotions, trying his best to return to calm.

"Regardless of whether the Count's Prefecture is a declining household or not, it involves the nobility, so the higher-ups must speak. We certainly cannot act without authorization. If we violate His Majesty's will, we will be counterproductive. We can't figure out His Majesty's true attitude toward the nobility right now, so don't stir up trouble."

"Fine, we won't move against the Count's Prefecture. We'll only move against Zhu Ruhai. He is a mere commoner; there's no problem moving against him, right? He has so much money; doesn't the Ministry of Justice want to take the opportunity to raid his home and make a fortune? If this case is snatched away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard next door, let alone making a fortune, you won't even be able to catch up to eat shit."

"Vulgar!" Sun Daojing scolded softly. "You are at least a court official now; although you are only a sesame official, you have a rank after all. People who have read books should speak more elegantly."

"Yes, yes, yes, I'll listen to you and be more elegant. Let's not talk about eating shit; the Ministry of Justice won't even be able to drink the northwest wind following behind the Embroidered Uniform Guard—is that better? You have a case in your hands and you won't handle it; what exactly are you thinking? Why are you so cowardly!"

"Presumptuous! Watch your words and attitude." Sun Daojing was angry; he put on his official airs and scolded softly.

Chen Guanlou gave an 'en' sound, perfunctorily, not taking the other party's words to heart at all, and just stared at the case. "Zhu Ruhai, are you going to handle him or not? If you don't handle it, I'll go to the Embroidered Uniform Guard next door. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is bold and daring; they certainly won't be afraid of trouble. I've met Xiao Jincheng of the Embroidered Uniform Guard a few times; I'll set up a meeting, and maybe I can get one."

"Messing around! As a Heavenly Prison Warden, how can you collude with the Embroidered Uniform Guard? This is the act of a traitor."

Sun Daojing scolded sternly, his heart aching as if Chen Guanlou had committed an unforgivable crime.

Chen Guanlou gave an 'oh' sound and muttered in a low voice, "I thought the two were brother units; how did I become a traitor?"

"It's good that you understand. In short, the Zhu Ruhai case can only be handled by the Ministry of Justice."

"Then are you going to handle it or not? The money is all here; Old Sun, be straightforward and give me a straight answer. In terms of handling cases, you make the decisions; if you decide to handle it, no one will stop you."

Chen Guanlou signaled the other party to look at the silver notes on the table with his eyes. Real gold and silver, could it be that he didn't want it?

Sun Daojing was so angry he laughed. "You take Zhu Ruhai's money to ask me to handle Zhu Ruhai. If the person surnamed Zhu knew you were stabbing him in the back like this, do you guess he would find a way to end your life?"

"I'm just worried that my hands are itchy lately; I'm hoping he comes to kill me so I can practice." Chen Guanlou had an indifferent attitude.

Sun Daojing stared at the silver notes on the table, thinking left and right.

Chen Guanlou gave him an idea. "Old Sun, you should change your perspective on the problem. It's very clear that Zhu Ruhai is the source of wealth for the Count's Prefecture. Handling Zhu Ruhai is equivalent to cutting off the source of wealth for the Count's Prefecture. Without money, the Count's Prefecture is not far from decline. At that time, what will the Count's Prefecture have to fight you with? They won't even be able to protect themselves. By then, you can beat the dog in the water, achieve great merit, achieve success and fame, and even leave your name in history."

After a long while, Sun Daojing let out a long breath, and the muscles on his cheeks twitched twice. "Fine, let's handle Zhu Ruhai first."

Chen Guanlou was overjoyed. "Old Sun, you finally figured it out."

In fact, what truly moved Sun Daojing was Chen Guanlou's last sentence: leaving a name in history.

Fame during life and after death.

Regardless of whether they are civil officials or military generals, no one can escape the pit of fame during life and after death. Leaving a name in history is more intoxicating than power, money, or beauties; it can make people feel like they are in heaven, unable to stop. How many people spend their whole lives in madness, struggling, working hard, putting life and death aside, all for these four characters.

Compared to leaving a name in history, a mere Count's Prefecture is a fart. ===== CHAPTER 547 =====