Chapter 82: Taking Money Without Doing the Job

"Chen Tou, should we go fight for Wan Zhang Yuli's position?"

"We support Chen Tou going up to fight for it."

"Only when Chen Tou becomes the warden of the Jia-block prison will everyone have a good life."

Several guards crowded around Chen Guanlou, egging him on in a clamor.

Chen Guanlou was a little tempted, but only a little. What he cared about more was whether Wan Zhang Yuli could be driven away this time.

As long as the higher-ups didn't speak, there were still variables.

He couldn't let his guard down!

He dismissed the guards and pondered carefully. At this moment, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan sent someone to call him to the office for a talk.

He quickly collected his thoughts and arrived at the office.

Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan's expression was very serious, showing no joy or anger. He only heard him say, "Wan Zhang Yuli's affair has caused such an unseemly scene. He doesn't lack silver; he should be more refined in his actions."

"My lord is right." Private Secretary Li was a qualified sycophant.

Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan grumbled a bit before looking Chen Guanlou in the eye. "Is there any problem in the prison these past few days?"

"Thank you for your concern, my lord. Everything in the prison is proceeding as scheduled; there are no problems for now. It's just that with Wan Zhang Yuli absent, the guards are in a state of panic. If this continues for long, I am also worried about lapses."

Chen Guanlou played a little trick, wanting to probe whether Wan Zhang Yuli could still return.

Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan kept a straight face, noncommittal. "Even if Wan Zhang Yuli is absent, you must perform your duties well. Keep an eye on things for me; if anyone is privately colluding or inciting panic, report it immediately."

"Understood! Then, regarding Wan Zhang Yuli..."

"You don't need to worry about Wan Zhang Yuli. You keep an eye on the Jia-block prison for me, and I won't treat you poorly."

Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan promised casually.

Chen Guanlou didn't dare take it seriously. Since he couldn't get the truth out of Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan's mouth, he decided to start with Private Secretary Li. When taking his leave, he secretly gestured to Private Secretary Li, who nodded in agreement with great tacit understanding.

Meet at Zui Xiang Lou tonight, drink the most fragrant wine, sleep with the most beautiful girls.

Private Secretary Li was very happy to attend Chen Guanlou's banquet because Chen Guanlou was generous and willing to spend money. He was also willing to tell the other party a few truths.

After his shift, Chen Guanlou first went home to change into decent clothes before heading to Zui Xiang Lou. He booked a luxury suite and pre-ordered the banquet and hostesses, waiting only for Private Secretary Li to arrive.

Private Secretary Li arrived fashionably late, a far cry from his plain appearance at the yamen. He was dressed in silks and satins, holding a folding fan, wearing a scholar's cap—very much the demeanor of a great talent.

Chen Guanlou welcomed him warmly and invited him into the luxury suite.

They were very familiar with each other; they had drunk together and slept together. After three cups of wine, their conversation became much more relaxed and comfortable.

"Even if you don't say it, I know your intentions. You want to ask me if Wan Zhang Yuli can still return to continue his duties, right?" Private Secretary Li wore the look of someone who had grasped the other party, a master of the situation, very self-satisfied.

Chen Guanlou nodded repeatedly, earnestly playing the part of a young man who hadn't entered the world deeply and was slightly impatient.

He raised his wine cup. "Please, Private Secretary Li, teach me. These days, I have truly been in unbearable misery. Wan Zhang Yuli made things difficult for me at every turn, throwing the poorest, most miserable prisoners—even those who had been raided and beaten to cripples—into my jurisdiction, and forcing me to hand over silver. Because of the silver, I was at my wit's end; I was almost ready to slit my throat and hang myself.

During the days Wan Zhang Yuli was absent, I finally had a chance to breathe. Thinking that after he returns, I will have to continue living in darkness, my heart is truly filled with fear and unease."

Hahaha...

Private Secretary Li laughed out loud as he watched him play the victim.

"You, you. I was waiting for you to come beg me when you couldn't take it anymore, but I didn't expect Wan Zhang Yuli to have an accident first. It's also your luck."

Had Private Secretary Li ever suspected Chen Guanlou? Even if such a thought had crossed his mind for an instant, he had shaken it out of his head.

How could it be!

Absolutely impossible!

Chen Guanlou was just a tiny prison guard, an ordinary person without a martial pulse, with a relationship to the Hou Fu that was five generations removed, all alone—where would he have the ability to frame Wan Zhang Yuli?

Wan Zhang Yuli wasn't a vegetarian either.

Chen Guanlou poured wine into the cup. "It's all thanks to the guidance of the Private Secretary and Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan."

Private Secretary Li stroked his beard and said with feigned profundity, "Regarding Wan Zhang Yuli's case, even if it's finally proven that he is innocent, I dare to guarantee that there will be no place for him in the Heavenly Prison."

Chen Guanlou felt a surge of joy upon hearing this, but he didn't dare relax. Instead, he asked, "Everyone says Wan Zhang Yuli has a backer. If he's truly innocent, he can't return? Would he agree to that?"

"Whether he agrees is irrelevant. You must understand that every radish has its own hole. Even if he has a way to return, it won't be his turn to manage the Jia-block prison."

Chen Guanlou opened his mouth wide, putting on a look of surprise. "So, the higher-ups are going to appoint a new warden?"

"No need to reappoint. Throughout the Heavenly Prison, there are so many idle wardens; pick any one, and they can take the post."

This...

The guards were still fantasizing about good fortune falling on their heads, replacing Wan Zhang Yuli—they were truly overthinking it. Yes, the Heavenly Prison didn't lack wardens. The one in charge of logistics, the one in charge of the warehouse, the one in charge of grain and oil, the one in charge of the account books... any warden could be transferred to serve as the warden of the Jia-block prison.

Moreover, these people were closer to Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan; as long as they were willing to spend silver, their chances were much greater than those of the guards.

"Do you feel regret? You are young and have shallow seniority; maybe in a few years, you'll have a chance." Private Secretary Li comforted him when he saw him go silent.

Chen Guanlou said quickly, "The Private Secretary is right. I am young and have shallow knowledge; I should just do my current job well. I dare not dream of too much."

Private Secretary Li was instantly amused. "It's still okay to think about it occasionally. Don't tell anyone what I just told you. Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan is currently pulling strings; it's exactly the time he needs silver. The guards below are very sensible, choosing to donate actively at this time; Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan is very happy and satisfied."

Damn!

They didn't give a single chance and even kept it hidden. They accepted the silver the guards used to pull strings with peace of mind, yet had the gall to call it a donation.

It turns out that in their eyes, the guards were all clowns; not only did they have to pay, but they also had to provide them with entertainment. This was truly bullying people too much!

Conversely, one was willing to beat, and the other was willing to suffer; no one had the standing to blame anyone.

Chen Guanlou laughed and joked, accompanying Private Secretary Li to drink and have fun. It was just a pity that he had long since lost the heart to drink and play. After making the man comfortable, giving him the silver, and sending him to his room, he left.

He walked through the capital in the dead of night, his mind filled with thousands of thoughts.

He had wanted to be a simple prison guard, but before he knew it, he had fallen into this quagmire. Forget it, forget it; why be pretentious? If you want to blame someone, blame this damn world.

A sword gleam pierced toward him. He didn't dodge or block, looking like a drunkard without sensation.

The sword gleam brushed over his head and pierced behind him. A muffled groan sounded from behind.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling a case; bystanders, clear the way. Who are you, and why are you wandering the streets in the middle of the night? Do you know the government has announced a curfew?"

Chen Guanlou looked at the man in the embroidered uniform riding on the horse, his heart sucking in a cold breath, only feeling lingering fear after the fact. He lowered his head quickly and said, "I, I just finished drinking, I'm heading home right now, heading home right now. I am a Heavenly Prison guard; this is my waist token, please take a look, my lords."

"Since you are a Heavenly Prison guard, we won't make things difficult for you this time. Get lost quickly!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Chen Guanlou ran away without looking back, and from beginning to end, he didn't look back once at what was behind him. ===== CHAPTER 83 =====