Chapter 1162: Chapter 639: Gambling House (Double-Length Chapter, Part 3)
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 establishment, and a powerful leader in several nearby villages—Yan Kan.
It was only someone 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 government 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 surname?"
Chen Yi’s complexion turned slightly darker, appearing somewhat uneasy, and he said, "No need for formality, my surname is Chen, to be precise ’Ming’, with no courtesy name."
"Well said, I don’t have a courtesy name 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 government 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 me, 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 times are tight... Hmm? This time, 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 government tasks, which isn’t ideal."
Chen Yi’s throat rolled, his eyes evading, remaining silent.
Yan Kan’s smile deepened, "As for me, I’m the most loyal and have the utmost respect for the government 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 means...?"
"Simple!" Yan Kan waved his large hand, "Brother Chen, you’re still at Zige Bureau, always have some... um, advantages. For instance, certain checkpoints, certain outposts, the Zige Bureau’s name facilitates passage.
As for me, 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 become 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 some advantage, how about it? You’re quite the regular here, don’t blame me for not helping you make money."
"... When?" he agreed with extreme difficulty.
Yan Kan smiled satisfactorily, the gleam in his eyes undiminished: "Brother Chen is a sensible man! As for the goods, they’re just some mountain products, herbs, pelts, nothing that fetches big money, just a bit abundant. For the checkpoints, naturally, someone will inform you of the specific routes and hour, just give a hand when the time comes.
As for time... 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, someone will contact you. Come, escort Brother Chen out, find some fine women, treat him well!"
