Chapter 88: Failing to Recognize Good Intentions

Copper Head Cheng had explained things in a muddled, incoherent way and then went back on his word afterward, but Chen Ergou laid it all out clearly. Before Zhao Jin could even answer, Chen Sheng sneered from the side and said, "Back then he shrank back and didn't dare show his face. Now he brings these ten taels of silver to play the good guy — who does he think he's fooling, a three-year-old child? He's certainly got it all figured out."

If Chen Ergou hadn't taken the initiative to give them guidance back then, Mu Shulan likely truly couldn't have been saved. Not knowing would have been one thing, but Copper Head Cheng clearly knew and simply didn't say — that was what was truly despicable.

"Don't lose your temper. Brother Chen gave us guidance, and we need to remember that favor," Zhao Jin said, turning his head back.

Among Zhao Jin's companions, Chen Sheng was the one he was closest to, the one he'd known the longest, so he spoke very freely. Hearing Zhao Jin say this, Chen Sheng curled his lip and added, "I'm not talking about Xiaoyong and the others. That Copper Head or whatever, that dung pellet — normally he got plenty of care from your father, but the moment you actually need him, this is how he acts. Really..."

Only when he saw Zhao Jin's gaze turn sharp did Chen Sheng stop talking.

Although they were cursing Copper Head Cheng, Chen Ergou felt very uncomfortable listening to it. He glanced at Liu Yong standing off to one side and found Liu Yong's expression perfectly normal — eating as he joked and roughhoused with Sun Dalei.

Chen Ergou thought to himself that the matter he'd come to handle was already done, and now he ought to take his leave. He was just about to speak when he hesitated, thinking that if he left, Liu Yong would still tell Zhao Jin and the others everything he'd heard and seen. How laughable that Copper Head Cheng said Liu Yong's heart wasn't on his side. When you could follow an outstanding figure like Zhao Jin, who would still pay any mind to a muddled fool like you who couldn't tell what mattered?

Better to just say it himself. Chen Ergou gritted his teeth, cleared his throat, and said, "Young Master Jin, all you young masters — when I was on my way here, I heard my elder brother say he was going to go curry favor with Cloud Mountain Temple. Because those monks won't let this matter rest, and all you young masters are bound to suffer more misfortune. When the time comes, he'll earn himself a favor and also get a connection with Cloud Mountain Temple."

Hearing this, Chen Sheng shot to his feet, swung the long saber in his hand, and cursed, "That bastard must be blind! What, even with things as they are now, he still wants to tip off those monks and keep making trouble for us?"

Zhao Jin didn't stop him. He merely turned his head to look at Liu Yong. Liu Yong was standing there, mouth agape in shock, thinking that Chen Ergou was the one who truly couldn't tell inside from outside — how could he just blurt all of this out?

But seeing Zhao Jin look his way, Liu Yong still nodded and said, "That's right. My elder brother did say that."

Liu Yong knew perfectly well which side he ought to stand on. The only reason he'd been able to go work for Copper Head Cheng in the first place was because of his connection to Zhao Jin, so of course he understood where the line between inside and outside lay.

Hearing Liu Yong confirm it, the faces of everyone in the courtyard turned cold. Even Wang Zhaojing set down the book in his hands. Zhao Jin's expression remained very calm, and he said with a smile, "I didn't expect Copper Head Cheng to have thought things through so thoroughly."

Over on his side, seeing Liu Yong confirm his words, Chen Ergou felt more and more that he'd done the right thing. He was just about to take his leave when he heard Zhao Jin say, "The candied fruit and pastries here are quite good. Brother Chen, no need to rush off — have a little something first."

Chen Ergou was about to politely decline when Zhao Jin smiled and added, "Wait just a moment."

Though he spoke with a smile, Chen Ergou could feel that Zhao Jin's eyes were very cold. He couldn't help but shiver and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Everyone had been thinking they'd discuss things after Chen Ergou left. No one expected Zhao Jin to keep the man here. Chen Sheng was just about to lean in and ask when he saw Zhao Jin find a stone lock and sit down on it, sinking into deep thought. Everyone found it odd, but none of them went up to disturb him.

The courtyard suddenly fell so quiet that even Mu Shulan inside the house found it strange. The girl lifted the curtain and glanced outside. Only when she saw nothing was wrong did she go back in.

Zhao Jin didn't think for long. He soon stood up, walked over to Chen Ergou, and said with a smile, "Brother Chen, you're practically Copper Head Cheng's trusted man now. Could you tell me — how many usable men does Copper Head Cheng have under him, and how much silver does he bring in each month?"

Calling him a trusted man with one breath and asking about confidential matters with the next — and these two questions alone made cold sweat break out all over Chen Ergou, his heart pounding wildly.

Zhao Jin hadn't lowered his voice when asking this, and everyone in the courtyard heard it clearly. All his companions fell silent. Wang Zhaojing set down his book and stood, walked to the gate and barred it from the inside, then stood before it. Chen Sheng gripped his long saber with both hands and took a few steps toward Zhao Jin.

"Brother Chen, if it's not convenient to say, that's fine. No matter," Zhao Jin said, the smile still on his face.

The weather was slightly cool, yet sweat was already visible on Chen Ergou's forehead. Everyone in the courtyard had risen to their feet, and Liu Yong had even gone to stand at Wang Zhaojing's side. Chen Ergou looked left and right, his body beginning to tremble. He'd dealt with Zhao Jin and these people many times before. In the past, he'd simply thought them precocious and capable, but what was this pressure and killing intent now? Having blood on their hands and lives to their names truly made all the difference.

Seeing Chen Ergou still hesitating, Zhao Jin looked up at the sky and said mildly, "It's getting late. Does Brother Chen still have matters to attend to? Perhaps you should head back first."

As he spoke, he extended his hand in a gesture of invitation. But this extended hand made Chen Ergou flinch in fright. Zhao Jin let out a laugh and waved his hand, saying, "Let him through, let him through. Are you all blocking Brother Chen from leaving now?"

Wang Zhaojing glanced at Zhao Jin and, finding that Zhao Jin was speaking in earnest, nodded and stepped aside. Chen Ergou looked back over his shoulder, wondering whether he should turn and leave. But after hesitating again and again, and swallowing hard, he still didn't turn around.

In that brief span of time, Chen Ergou realized his back was already soaked through. He forced a smile onto his face and spoke: "What's so inconvenient about a little thing like this? My elder brother — no, Copper Head Cheng — has sixteen men who can fight. The men he can normally call out to put on a show number over fifty. If he spends money, he can even scrape together a hundred or so..."

After saying this, Chen Ergou noticed Zhao Jin look toward Liu Yong, and Liu Yong, standing there, hesitated a moment before nodding. Good thing I didn't talk nonsense, Chen Ergou thought in relief.

"... As for income, Copper Head Cheng keeps that very tightly under wraps. That Black Tiger God of Wealth Temple brings in about sixty taels of silver a month. Those few unlicensed brothels he protects together pay him ten taels a month. Protection money from the turf comes to about seven or eight taels a month. He's also the head man for salt distribution in that area — I'm not clear on the income from that, but it's got to be at least twenty taels a month. There should be other income too, but I truly don't know about that..." Chen Ergou had stumbled a bit at the start, but the more he spoke, the more fluently the words came.

"A mere ruffian headman, someone drifting through the underworld, and he brings in this much every year?" Wang Zhaojing exclaimed from the side. At the very least over a thousand taels of silver a year — that truly couldn't be called a small sum.

Zhao Jin said with a smile, "He earns quite a bit, but of the silver he earns, he has to give at least half to the people in the yamen, and then more to his underlings. Not all that much is left over."

Chen Sheng, whose background was similar to Zhao Jin's, understood the ins and outs of this perfectly well and said with a sneer, "Handing sixty percent up is considered on the low side. Still, he's bound to cook the books and hide some of it."

The atmosphere relaxed somewhat. Zhao Jin spoke again to Chen Ergou, who was still standing there: "Many thanks to Brother Chen for telling us so much. Please, Brother Chen, go back and tell Copper Head Cheng this: Big Brother Copper Head has helped us a great deal, and I've always been grateful, with no other thoughts. In that matter, he had his own difficulties. Let's neither of us bring it up again going forward."

Seeing that Zhao Jin seemed ready to see him out, Chen Ergou felt his throat go dry, yet he didn't dare step out the door. Zhao Jin had worn a smile the entire time, and Chen Ergou felt he no longer knew the person standing before him, couldn't see through what he was thinking at all. But one thing Chen Ergou did realize: if he just left like this, he would surely regret it later.

"Young Master Jin, Copper Head Cheng is Copper Head Cheng, and I am just me. Back in the day, I was a nobody, less than an ant. That I can eat my fill and dress warmly today — I always remember it's by Young Master Jin's grace, and I've never dared forget." Chen Ergou suddenly spoke, stammering out the words.

Zhao Jin was taken aback. He was somewhat puzzled as to why the man was so terrified, but this happened to suit his purposes perfectly. Zhao Jin smiled and nodded, saying gently, "Brother Chen, no need to be so formal. You've helped me quite a bit too, and I've always remembered. Brother Chen, head back for now. These next few days, just do what you'd normally do, and don't overthink things."

Hearing this, Chen Ergou visibly relaxed. Zhao Jin paused, then added, "Brother Chen, you handle matters with discretion and understand the bigger picture. I think, in your current position, you're truly being wasted."