Chapter 82: Taking Money Without Doing the Job

“Should Chen Tou compete for the position of Wanyu Li?”

“We support Chen Tou running for it.”

“If Chen Tou becomes the jailer of the Jia-sized prison, we’ll all have better days.”

Several jailers clustered around Chen Guanlou, urging him with overlapping voices.

Chen Guanlou felt a flicker of interest, but only a flicker. What truly concerned him was whether this time he could drive away Wanyu Li.

As long as the higher-ups don’t issue an order, there’s still room for change.

Don’t let your guard down!

He dismissed the jailers and pondered deeply. At that moment, Deputy Jailer Fan sent someone to summon him to the office.

He quickly steadied his mind and went to the office.

Deputy Jailer Fan’s expression was stern, revealing no trace of emotion. He said: “The matter with Wanyu Li has become too scandalous. Since you’re not short on silver, your duties should be carried out properly.”

“The my lord speaks truly,” said Secretary Li, a perfect foil.

After venting a complaint, Deputy Jailer Fan finally looked directly at Chen Guanlou. “Has there been any trouble in the prison these past few days?”

“Thank you for your concern, my lord. Everything in the prison proceeds as usual, with no issues so far. But since Wanyu Li is absent, the jailers are restless. If this continues, I fear mistakes may occur.”

Chen Guanlou played a small trick, testing whether Wanyu Li could still return.

Deputy Jailer Fan’s face remained impassive. “Even if Wanyu Li is absent, you must still perform your duties. Keep an eye out for me. If anyone secretly organizes alliances or stirs up unrest, report it immediately.”

“Yes, my lord. What about Wanyu Li…?”

“You don’t need to concern yourself with Wanyu Li. Just watch over the Jia-sized prison for me—I won’t let you down.”

Deputy Jailer Fan made the promise casually.

Chen Guanlou dared not take it seriously. Since he couldn’t extract the truth from Deputy Jailer Fan, he decided to approach Secretary Li. As he took his leave, he subtly signaled to Secretary Li, who nodded with perfect understanding.

Meet at Zui Xiang Lou tonight—drink the finest wine, sleep with the prettiest courtesan.

Secretary Li was happy to accept Chen Guanlou’s invitation, for Chen Guanlou was generous and willing to spend. He was also willing to give him a few honest words.

After finishing his shift, Chen Guanlou returned home to change into presentable clothes before heading to Zui Xiang Lou. He booked a lavish private room, pre-arranged the banquet and the courtesans, and waited for Secretary Li’s arrival.

Secretary Li arrived late, having shed his official plainness—he wore silk and brocade, held a folding fan, and wore a scholar’s cap, exuding the air of a great talent.

Chen Guanlou warmly welcomed him and ushered him into the lavish private room.

They were well acquainted—having drunk together, slept together. After three cups of wine, their conversation grew relaxed and easy.

“You don’t need to say it—I know what you’re after. You want to ask whether Wanyu Li can return to his post, don’t you?” Secretary Li spoke with the air of one who held all the answers, clearly pleased with himself.

Chen Guanlou nodded eagerly, playing the part of a naive, overly eager youth.

He raised his cup. “Please, Master Li, instruct me. These past days, I’ve suffered terribly. Wanyu Li has made life unbearable—he dumped the poorest, most wretched prisoners—even those whose families were ruined and limbs broken—into my jurisdiction, and forced me to pay silver for them. I’ve been driven to the brink, nearly ready to hang myself.”

“These past few days without Wanyu Li, I’ve finally caught my breath. But the moment I think of his return, and of returning to a life of endless darkness, I’m filled with dread.”

Hahaha…

Secretary Li laughed aloud at his performance.

“You, you’ve always waited until you couldn’t take it anymore before coming to me. I never expected Wanyu Li to be the one to fall first. It’s your luck.”

Had Secretary Li ever suspected Chen Guanlou? Even if such a thought had briefly crossed his mind, he dismissed it instantly.

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

Chen Guanlou was just a lowly jailer, a common man without martial veins, distantly related to the Hou Fu, alone and powerless—how could he possibly frame Wanyu Li?

Wanyu Li isn’t some weakling.

Chen Guanlou poured more wine into the cup. “All thanks to your and Deputy Fan’s guidance.”

Secretary Li stroked his beard, feigning profundity. “Even if this case ultimately proves Wanyu Li innocent, I guarantee he’ll have no place left in the Heavenly Prison.”

Chen Guanlou’s heart leapt with joy, yet he didn’t relax. Instead, he asked: “Everyone says Wanyu Li has powerful backers. If he’s truly innocent, he still won’t return? He won’t accept that.”

“Whether he accepts it or not is irrelevant. You must understand: one Luobo , one Keng . Even if he finds a way back, the Jia-sized prison won’t be his to manage.”

Chen Guanlou widened his mouth in feigned shock. “So… the higher-ups are appointing a new jailer?”

“No need for a new appointment. There are plenty of idle jailers in the Heavenly Prison—any one of them can be reassigned.”

This…

The jailers had all been dreaming that good fortune would fall on them, that they could replace Wanyu Li. How naive. Of course the Heavenly Prison doesn’t lack jailers—there are those managing logistics, warehouses, grain and oil, ledgers… any one of them can be transferred to the Jia-sized prison.

Moreover, these men are closer to Deputy Fan. If they’re willing to spend silver, their chances far exceed those of ordinary jailers.

“Do you feel disappointed? You’re young, with little seniority. Wait a few more years—you might get your chance.” Secretary Li, seeing Chen Guanlou’s silence, offered comfort.

Chen Guanlou quickly replied: “Master Li is right. I’m young and inexperienced. I’ll just do my current duty well. I won’t dare dream beyond that.”

Secretary Li smiled. “It’s fine to dream a little. But what I told you—don’t you dare repeat it. Deputy Fan is currently courting connections and needs silver badly. The jailers below are quite sensible—they’ve chosen this moment to donate generously. Deputy Fan is very pleased.”

Damn it!

Not a single chance given, and they’re hiding it all. They calmly take the silver from jailers bribing their way up, then brazenly call it “voluntary donations.”

So the jailers are nothing but clowns in their eyes—forced to pay, and then made to entertain them. How utterly oppressive!

Then again, if one willingly strikes and the other willingly takes, neither side has grounds to complain.

Chen Guanlou laughed and joked, drinking merrily with Secretary Li. But inside, he’d long lost all desire for wine or pleasure. Once he’d flattered the man, handed over the silver, and sent him off to the chamber, he left.

Walking through the midnight streets of Jingcheng, his mind churned with thoughts.

He’d only wanted to be a simple jailer, yet he’d unknowingly sunk into this mire. Enough. Enough. What’s the point of pretending? Blame the damned world.

A blade’s gleam slashed toward him—he didn’t dodge or flinch, like a drunken man with no awareness.

The blade grazed his scalp and struck behind him. A muffled groan followed.

“Embroidered Uniform Guard on duty. Bystanders, clear out. Who are you? Why are you wandering the streets at this hour? Do you know the curfew has been declared?”

Chen Guanlou looked up at the mounted Embroidered Uniform Guard and drew a sharp breath, only now feeling the chill of fear. He bowed low. “I—I just finished drinking. I’m going home now. I’m a jailer of the Heavenly Prison—here’s my badge. Please, my lords, inspect it.”

“Since you’re a Heavenly Prison jailer, I’ll let you off this time. Get out!”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Chen Guanlou ran without looking back, never turning to glance behind him.