Before long, the housekeeper returned, much more respectful in attitude: "Sir, our boss invites you."
Chen Yi was led through the smoke-filled gambling hall to a more spacious and elegantly furnished quiet room at the far end of the second floor.
A short and stout middle-aged man, dressed in a satin robe with rings on all his fingers, was leisurely smoking a water pipe while reclining on a tiger skin-covered grand chair. His face was dark, with puffy bags under his eyes, but his narrow, elongated eyes sparkled with a sharp gleam.
The man was none other than the owner of this gambling establishnt, and a powerful leader in several nearby villages—Yan Kan.
It was only soone like him, a local bigwig, who could successfully run this money-spinning casino along the ancient road bustling with people from all walks of life, while managing relations with various parties. Without such background, even desperate gamblers might claim his life.
Yan Kan exhaled a mouthful of thick smoke, squinting as he scrutinized the governnt officer in front of him who had incurred a huge debt. His voice carried a heavy accent: "Sir from the Zige Bureau? Quite the rarity. Please, have a seat."
After speaking, he paused briefly, half respectful and half casual as he asked,
"May I ask your surna?"
Chen Yi’s complexion turned slightly darker, appearing sowhat uneasy, and he said, "No need for formality, my surna is Chen, to be precise ’Ming’, with no courtesy na."
"Well said, I don’t have a courtesy na either. Yan Kan, the leader here." Yan Kan put down the water pipe, displaying a hearty smile, "Brother Chen Ming, the Zige Bureau, now that’s a prestigious governnt office in the Prince Mansion! Managing the Jianghu’s weapons, keeping powerful figures in check, ordinary folks always have to defer a bit when they see them. As for , though making a living here, I’ve always admired the Prince Mansion’s officials greatly."
He shifted his tone, leaning slightly forward and lowering his voice by a few degrees: "But you know, everyone has their difficulties, and it’s unavoidable when tis are tight... Hmm? This ti, brother, you’re just a bit unlucky, twelve hundred taels—not too much, not too little. Asking Brother Chen to give it all at once might strain you and delay governnt tasks, which isn’t ideal."
Chen Yi’s throat rolled, his eyes evading, remaining silent.
Yan Kan’s smile deepened, "As for , I’m the most loyal and have the utmost respect for the governnt officers from the Prince Mansion. So, let’s make a mutually beneficial deal, shall we? The debt, consider it written off, and you’ll have your badge back."
Chen Yi suddenly lifted his head, a trace of incredible hope flashing in his eyes, "Written off? Boss Yan Kan ans...?"
"Simple!" Yan Kan waved his large hand, "Brother Chen, you’re still at Zige Bureau, always have so... um, advantages. For instance, certain checkpoints, certain outposts, the Zige Bureau’s na facilitates passage.
As for , I’m just helping my tribe with... a few private matters. Recently, there are several batches of goods needing to cross the border, taking the routes under the Prince Mansion’s control. Brother Chen, you only need to give a hand, turn a blind eye, let our comrades and goods pass smoothly, don’t let those short-sighted soldiers block too tightly. They’ve beco increasingly greedy over the years, growing fat with their exactions. The tributes are too high; we’re facing difficulties, otherwise, we wouldn’t have approached you, Brother Chen.
Once the matter succeeds, our account is settled! Your badge returned! Additionally... there will be no shortage of your hard-earned money."
"What if... it’s discovered?"
"Brother Chen, what you owe is gambling debt, signed with the gambling hall’s contract. By rules, if you can’t repay, hands will be chopped, legs broken, thrown into the river to feed the fish! The Prince Mansion knows this, and would only think you deserve it! A Zige Bureau badge? Ha, a badge pledged for gambling debt, what’s it prove? Only proves you’re a gambler who can’t control your hand! Would the Prince Mansion step in for a gambler, or save face by tossing you out like a fart?"
With each sentence spoken, Chen Yi went from wanting to speak but hesitating, slowly becoming speechless.
Yan Kan finally patted his shoulder heavily, "Help our Tusi with a small task, keep your job, clear your debt, get so advantage, how about it? You’re quite the regular here, don’t bla for not helping you make money."
"... When?" he agreed with extre difficulty.
Yan Kan smiled satisfactorily, the gleam in his eyes undiminished: "Brother Chen is a sensible man! As for the goods, they’re just so mountain products, herbs, pelts, nothing that fetches big money, just a bit abundant. For the checkpoints, naturally, soone will inform you of the specific routes and hour, just give a hand when the ti cos.
As for ti... no rush, just within the next ten days or half a month, brother, just wait assuredly."
Chen Yi opened his mouth, eventually only responding with a low "Mm."
Yan Kan laughed heartily, picked up Chen Yi’s Zige Bureau badge and tossed it back to him casually: "Take it! Brother Chen is a straightforward man! Rest assured, when the job’s done, we’re even! In the coming days, just stay in town, soone will contact you. Co, escort Brother Chen out, find so fine won, treat him well!"
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