Chapter 83: The New Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan

Returning home, Chen Guanlou checked everywhere to ensure no one had entered his house before he lay down.

That was close!

He had almost instinctively wanted to block that sword gleam; he had almost exposed himself. At the final moment, he judged that the sword gleam wasn't aimed at him and withdrew in time.

Even more thrilling was that he recognized the man in the embroidered uniform on the horse—it was the same man who had killed Duan Tianlin in the Heavenly Prison. He was actually a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The swordsman surnamed Qi was actually a lackey for the Embroidered Uniform Guard, doing their bidding. Mixing in the gangs, he belonged to a layer of disguise, making it convenient to act.

He was very irritable.

He had ten thousand reasons not to want to provoke the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

His strength was currently low, and he needed a stable environment and a generous income. For the time being, he couldn't bear to give up his post at the Heavenly Prison.

Wait a little longer!

When his strength was on par with a Fifth-Rank martial artist, the world would be vast, and he could roam as he pleased.

Below the Fifth Rank, there were as many as the hairs on an ox; only above the Fifth Rank could one be called a martial arts expert. The higher one went, the fewer the people. If one could step into the Grandmaster realm, even the Emperor, Imperial Princes, Generals, and nobles would have to give a Grandmaster three points of face and act with caution.

Wan Zhang Yuli spent a large sum of money and finally extricated himself from the case. The mistress came crying to him again, begging him to save her brother-in-law. Wan Zhang Yuli kicked the mistress away, looking like he regretted the beginning.

To extricate himself, he had almost emptied his family's foundation, and his heart ached so much he almost passed out. But compared to being locked in prison, spending a little money was worth it. The money spent could be earned back sooner or later.

After recuperating for two days, Wan Zhang Yuli dressed up early in the morning and arrived at the Heavenly Prison in the most spirited state, heading straight for the office as he had done for countless days in the past.

Unexpectedly, halfway there, he was called to a halt.

"Wan Zhang Yuli, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan says that after you arrive, you should go see him first."

"Did he say what for? I haven't been on duty for such a long time; the Jia-block prison is probably in chaos. Can't it wait until I finish my official business?"

The person delivering the message smiled with a strange expression. "Go if you're told to go; it won't delay your duties. Having been away for so long, what difference does a day early or late make?"

Wan Zhang Yuli was dissatisfied, but still turned toward Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan's office.

When he went in, he was full of spirit, as if ready for a fight. When he came out, he was like a frost-bitten eggplant, a defeated rooster, head drooping, looking soul-less.

Someone deliberately stood outside the house to watch his joke. "Wan Zhang Yuli, what did Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan talk to you about? Did he say what to do next with the Jia-block prison?"

"Old Wan, do you want to share your experience of living in prison with everyone?"

"Old Wan, are you about to get rich? You're not even ignoring people."

"Old Wan went for a trip to the prison, and even the person has become profound."

"I..." Wan Zhang Yuli turned his head abruptly, looking at the faces jeering and cursing, feeling a deep sense of sorrow in his heart. Everyone already knew; only he had been kept in the dark. Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan had stripped him of his position and sent him to the Equipment Room.

This was the Heavenly Prison, not a military camp. The Equipment Room was a clean yamen just like the archives and documents, where not even a drop of oil could be seen. Every month when money was distributed, he had his share, but it was pitifully small. Compared to his past income, it was a huge discount, slashed straight to the ankle.

This gap was not small.

He was so angry he gnashed his teeth, hating Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan for crossing the river and tearing down the bridge; he hadn't given less in filial piety. As a result, the moment he had an accident, Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan couldn't wait to drive him away, not remembering old feelings at all. His greed, cruelty, and coldness made Wan Zhang Yuli have to admit defeat.

He wasn't reconciled!

Chen Guanlou sat in the duty room, poured himself a cup of tea, and felt very good.

Learning that Wan Zhang Yuli had been driven to the Equipment Room, his heart was filled with beauty.

The guards gathered in twos and threes, discussing who would take over Wan Zhang Yuli's duties. Some still held a glimmer of fantasy about that position—could one become the managing warden of the Jia-block prison by giving a little more silver?

Chen Guanlou sneered; it was all donations, without exception. That fat position wouldn't fall to this group of guards even if it were their turn. Better to be honest in their duties and think of ways to make money.

Several guards gathered in front of him. "Chen Tou, Wan Zhang Yuli has collapsed; do you want to go fight for it?"

"I feel Chen Tou has a great chance."

Chen Guanlou laughed coldly. "Which eye of yours sees that I have a great chance? Don't just say nice things; let me ask you, in terms of seniority, am I enough? In terms of age, am I enough? In terms of money, do I have more than others? With so many people eyeing that position, what virtue or ability do you think such a good thing could fall on us guards? Rest, don't waste money. Isn't it better to eat a few more good meals if you have money? Why must you join in that excitement?"

Xiao Jin was worthy of being an old slicker, listening to the tone.

"Does Chen Tou have inside information? Has the candidate already been decided by the higher-ups?"

"Who is it? It definitely can't be Li Dahong."

"Li Dahong is reluctant to spend silver; it definitely can't be him."

"Chen Tou, reveal a little to us."

"I don't know who it is either." Chen Guanlou spread his hands. "Anyway, it won't be guards like us. Alright, alright, what's better than doing something with this time? Not gambling today? Did you win back what you lost yesterday? The decision from above is not for us to worry about."

He waved his hand, dispersing the guards. Go do something proper.

Everyone was guessing who could replace Wan Zhang Yuli?

Guessing back and forth, how did it turn out? They all became cannon fodder.

A newcomer arrived at the Heavenly Prison, a parachuted warden who took the position of warden of the Jia-block prison as soon as he arrived. This person had a powerful background, surnamed Fan—the same Fan as Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan, a clan nephew of Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan.

The guards:...

The wardens:...

The one surnamed Fan didn't act like a person.

Too excessive.

Playing everyone for a fool, taking and grabbing—he had never seen someone with such an ugly way of eating. He didn't care about his image at all.

Those guards who had sent money cursed Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan privately, cursed the new Warden Fan, and cursed this damn world.

Chen Guanlou didn't curse, because he had expected it long ago. Since Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan was playing with everyone, it must be because he already had a candidate.

He was called to the office.

Jiang Jiang Yucheng Fan was in high spirits, and the hot weather couldn't block his good mood.

"Little Chen is here. Come over and meet him; this is the new Warden Fan. From now on, your Jia-block prison will be under his management. He just arrived, so put in more effort and assist Warden Fan in doing the Jia-block prison's duties well. Any problems?"

"No problems! I pay my respects to Warden Fan!"

"You are Chen Guanlou, the same Chen as the Marquis Pingjiang Prefecture, have you read books?"

Warden Fan was clearly a newcomer who had just entered the workplace, definitely not over thirty, sporting two thin mustaches, deliberately keeping a straight face, holding a pose, and putting on the pressure of a superior.

An old slicker could tell at a glance that this guy hadn't experienced much in the past, was somewhat pedantic, and cared too much about face. He probably read until he was almost stupid, and now finally decided to come out to do things, looking all pretentious. ===== CHAPTER 84 =====