Chapter 940: Bargaining Back and Forth

Chen Guanlou returned to Tianlaomiao for duty.

Familiar ground, familiar scent, familiar faces.

He was truly the Heaven’s chosen man for Tianlaomiao.

After being away for several days, returning felt no longer unpleasant—he felt a sense of warmth.

Medical Officer Mu learned of his return, brought his small teapot to the office, lit the stove, brewed tea, and chatted idly about gossip.

“My lord still has the heart to work?”

“What else can I do? I’m no immortal, I can’t save lives.” Chen Guanlou gave a self-deprecating smile. The matter was settled—he could only hope the Marquis’s old lady held on a little longer.

“My lord isn’t worried at all?”

“If the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up—it’s not my concern.”

Medical Officer Mu brewed the tea, and Chen Guanlou casually picked up a cup and drank it himself.

“I forgot to ask you before—do you know the poison that poisoned the old lady?”

“Not familiar, but I’ve heard of it. It won’t kill instantly, nor cause great pain. It merely causes inevitable, gradual physical decline. In the final stage, all five senses shut down: blindness, deafness, labored breathing, tongue tied, body paralyzed. Ah…”

Chen Guanlou fell silent for a moment. Then he said, “How utterly cruel.”

“I’ve already informed the Marquis’s household of the poison’s symptoms. When that time comes, let the old lady sleep peacefully—so she may depart without unrest.”

“Thank you.”

Medical Officer Mu waved his hand, sipped his tea, and looked deeply melancholy.

To be honest, he never expected the Marquis’s old lady would suffer such misfortune—fate, indeed.

Chen Quan came to report, “My lord, the condemned official Zhao Jinming says he has urgent business and wishes to speak with you in person.”

“Has he come to his senses?” Chen Guanlou asked curiously.

“I don’t know. He refuses to say anything beyond wanting to speak with you alone—not a single extra word.”

Chen Guanlou chuckled. These condemned officials had tight lips—not a peep until they saw the rabbit.

He thought for a moment. “Fine. For the sake of the money, I’ll meet him. Old Mu, come with me—check Zhao’s health while you’re at it. See how much longer he’s got.”

“But… isn’t Zhao Jinming’s crime not capital?” Medical Officer Mu hesitated.

“For now, his crime isn’t capital. But once the higher-ups trace it to him, death won’t be far off.” Chen Guanlou turned to Chen Quan. “In recent days, how many condemned officials has the Ministry of Justice summoned for interrogation? Have they used torture?”

“My lord, the Ministry of Justice summons condemned officials daily. Half have been tortured. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has also come—directly to the interrogation chamber. I couldn’t stop them.”

Chen Guanlou nodded knowingly. “Next time the Embroidered Uniform Guard comes to interrogate prisoners—if they’re taking them to their own yamen, don’t stop them. But if they bring them here for interrogation, make sure they pay the medical fees.”

Chen Quan looked uneasy—he feared he couldn’t manage it.

Chen Guanlou encouraged him. “What’s there to fear? If they dare to disrespect you, show them my name. I don’t believe the Embroidered Uniform Guard has the guts to ride over my head.”

With those words, Chen Quan’s confidence surged.

“Next time, I’ll demand the medical fees from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

“Excellent!”

Chen Guanlou descended into Tianlaomiao with Medical Officer Mu and met Zhao Jinming. He first had Old Mu examine the prisoner’s health.

Zhao Jinming was nervous but generally cooperative.

“How is he?”

“Official Zhao is in good health. Eat properly—eight-tenths full. Starvation weakens the body. This environment isn’t suited for healing. Eat meals on time, eat well—that’s the best way to stay alive.”

Medical Officer Mu implied Zhao Jinming had been sleepless, appetite lost, and hadn’t eaten properly—his face had visibly thinned.

Chen Guanlou smiled knowingly. “Official Zhao, this won’t do. If you don’t eat properly, you won’t last till the end.”

“When is the end?” Zhao Jinming looked drained, listless, half-dead.

“Judging by your state, have you finally realized you’re trying to trade death for survival—to protect your family?”

Zhao Jinming wiped his face. “If I want to live, can you lower the price? Fifty thousand taels is far too much—I’ve emptied my pockets and still can’t raise it. My family’s property has already been seized. I truly cannot pay—it’s not that I’m pretending to be poor.”

Chen Guanlou clicked his tongue. “Official Zhao, why do you insist? The southern war has raged for years—you’ve all grown fat as pigs. Not just embezzling grain and conscripting laborers, collecting taxes, seizing farmland… countless chances to line your pockets. Fifty thousand taels? Is that really too much?”

“But… I really have no money. And I’ve inquired—Elder Chen, your price is out of line. Others pay only one or two ten thousand taels. Why must I pay fifty?”

Chen Guanlou sneered—either the man was naive, or pretending to be.

“Official Zhao, no need for pretense. Why do I charge you so much? Don’t you know the reason?” He smiled faintly. “I set the price. You’re free to refuse—I won’t force you. You’ll receive all proper treatment. Don’t fear I’ll make things hard for you—I’m not that petty.

Business in Tianlaomiao is based on mutual consent: one willing to pay, one willing to take. We don’t do coercion. If you can find someone outside who offers a better price, I won’t stop you. Ask the other condemned officials—has Tianlaomiao ever blocked them from contacting the outside?”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“See? Our reputation is unimpeachable. Official Zhao, raise any questions you have. Today, I’m in a good mood—I’ll answer them patiently.”

“What about thirty thousand taels?”

Chen Guanlou slowly shook his head. “Is your life—and your family’s—worth only thirty thousand taels?”

“Elder Chen, have mercy. I truly have no money. Even thirty thousand taels would plunge me into massive debt, force me to sell ancestral property—I’d become an unfilial son.”

Zhao Jinming burst into loud sobs.

Hoping to win sympathy.

Unaware that Chen Guanlou despised men who cried.

Especially old men crying—it made him sick.

He didn’t even want to look at him.

He said with clear disdain: “You can choose death. No need for thirty thousand—twenty thousand will do.”

“But I don’t want to die.”

“Then there’s nothing to discuss.”

“As long as my case isn’t exposed, I won’t die.”

“Possible? It’ll be traced to you in a few days at most. Don’t worry—I’ll do nothing, say nothing. How about this: after your interrogation, we’ll discuss the money again. Deal?”

Today, Chen Guanlou was remarkably patient—he was giving the man a chance.

Business is built on repeated negotiation. A deal worth tens of thousands demands caution.

“Will they really trace it to me?” Zhao Jinming visibly panicked.

Chen Guanlou spread his hands. “You’ll know in a few days. Official Zhao, don’t panic—even if you die, all procedures must be completed before execution. It’ll take at least two months before you’re beheaded.”