Chapter 01: Xuan Character No. 1 Monitor

He has a haggard appearance, with sunken cheeks, wearing a very dirty prison uniform, the wrinkled fabric almost indistinguishable from its original color. His hair is sparse and mostly bald, with only a few stubborn white strands defiantly standing on his flesh-colored scalp.

Guarding the high walls of the Xuanzi No. 1 prison, Ye Xiaotian navigated among the officials who were falling from grace, watching over, intimidating, coaxing, and deceiving, while pocketing a little extra money. This was his daily life of happiness. He had thought that such "good days" could last a lifetime, but little did he know that this was his last day in the dungeon

Lord Huang took out some loose silver coins and handed them through the gate, saying slowly: "Please trouble you, Head Ye, to buy me a 'Tianfuhao' braised pork knuckle, with finer slicing. Also, get me a 'Touguxiang' roast chicken, freshly out of the pot. As for the wine... it should be Huadiao, aged for at least five years."

Ye Xiaotian took the scattered silver coins and weighed them in his hand, knowing that after purchasing the wine and meat required by Minister Huang, he would still have a considerable amount left for his errands. He did not expect that just before his shift change today, he could still make a small profit. As he walked out, his steps felt much lighter.

For such a person, abuse and punishment can only hasten their demise; fine wine and good tea cannot serve as motivation for their survival. Fortunately, he has a penchant for studying the arcane arts, and Ye Xiaotian catered to his interests by gathering numerous books on the subject for him. Yang Lin's current obsession with the arcane arts is not without the contribution of Ye Xiaotian's encouragement.

Ye Xiaotian slightly turned his head and asked in a low voice: "Which blind fool dares to act arrogantly in a place like ours?"

Ye Xiaotian squatted in front of the prison gate, feigning an air of great interest, and said: "Lord Yang, have you made any progress in your research? Ha, indeed you are a master. I heard from a Western missionary that this astrological technique based on the solar calendar is quite difficult for us Easterners to comprehend."

Ye Xiaotian asked again: "Have you figured out his background?"

However, he stood in the dark, sunless cell number 1 of the Ministry of Justice prison in Beijing, facing the newly imprisoned officials with a tone and demeanor so humble that he resembled a young clerk at the "Spring Breeze Prosperity Pavilion" soliciting business, except that he was missing a sweat towel on his shoulder

The prison guard replied in a low voice: "It is Guan Yun, the Right Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple."

Emperor Wanli placed great importance on this memorial, promptly issuing an edict to investigate the internal treasury and related departments, considering reductions to alleviate the burdens of corvée labor on the common people. At the same time, he ordered the three judicial offices to strictly investigate the unlawful acts of officials and noble families that harmed the populace. Consequently, a group of individuals was added to the prison, with more than ten officials incarcerated at once. Ye Xiaotian took this matter very seriously, thus he personally intervened and provided guidance.

Ye Xiaotian scoffed, "In a place like this, those who are still particular about being poor must be crazy enough to die. You don't need to hit him or scold him, just leave him be. Whenever he is willing to yield, let him clean the toilet for another month. I don't believe we can't handle him!"

Ye Xiaotian was just boasting when a prison guard in his thirties quickly approached him and whispered in his ear, "Boss, there are some disturbances. They are complaining about the poor quality of our food and the damp bedding. What do you think..."

Ye Xiaotian nodded slightly, casting a brief glance at the recently imprisoned officials in the surrounding cells. His smile remained serene, and the lips, more beautiful and defined than those of many girls, spoke in a voice so soft that only the guard standing beside him could hear.

Ye Xiaotian was not entirely convinced by his nonsensical ramblings, yet he still put on an air of great interest and squatted down in front of Yang Lin

Yang Shengkong, having gained insights from his research, always sought someone to test his skills. However, the guards and the inmates were generally uninterested in his nonsensical ramblings, thus his only subject of experimentation became Ye Xiaotian. He tried everything on Ye Xiaotian: bone reading, divination, physiognomy, and analyzing the Eight Characters.

The prison guard smiled ominously and left upon receiving the order

At the age of sixteen, Ye Xiaotian took on his father's assignment and became a guard at the Xuan No. 1 prison. In just three years, he was promoted to the position of head guard, which speaks volumes about his capabilities

Ye Xiaotian cooperatively recited the Eight Characters of Birth, and Master Yang immediately fell into deep thought, saying: "Hmm, let me first convert your birth time into the Western calendar..."

Yang Lin has always been obsessed with metaphysics. During his time as an official, he did not have much time to study it. However, over the past three years in prison, with nothing to do, he has devoted himself to the in-depth study of the Book of Changes and the Ghost Valley, becoming increasingly fascinated by these mystical subjects, to the point of appearing somewhat eccentric, earning him the nickname "divine stick" among the guards and inmates.

He is very young, at the age of transitioning from adolescence to youth. His height is neither tall nor short, his build is moderate, and his appearance is merely above average. However, his willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows accentuate his exceptionally lively eyes, especially his clearly defined lips shaped like diamonds, which give him a hint of a rosy complexion and white teeth.

However, the place where officials are detained is not comparable to an ordinary prison. A person who is a prisoner today may find it difficult to ascertain whether they will be reinstated tomorrow. Furthermore, even if they are imprisoned, the status of an official is different from that of an ordinary inmate. If someone were to take their own life or harm themselves, the guards would also face consequences.

This bald old man is named Yang Lin, holding the official title of Deputy Minister of Personnel. As an official responsible for managing other officials, he enjoyed great power and influence during his tenure. Unfortunately, he became a prisoner one day due to a scandal, as he was implicated with some prominent figures. Thus, he has been imprisoned for three years without a verdict.

The Ministry of Justice's prison, commonly known as the Heavenly Prison. The Heavenly Prison is divided into four sections: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow. The Mysterious section is responsible for overseeing officials who have been imprisoned due to "Kong Fang Xiong" (a euphemism for corruption). Most of these individuals are quite rotund, often described as being so overweight that they could be said to be bursting at the seams. Therefore, the Mysterious section is also the most lucrative area within the Heavenly Prison.

The prison guard anxiously said: "Boss, what if he really decides to take his own life?"

Some people say that this place is the underworld. We, the likes of us, are merely the ghostly attendants in Yama's hall. Nonsense, it is clearly nonsense! This is a gross misrepresentation by those who do not understand us, a slander that is extremely irresponsible! Such prejudice and misunderstanding cause great distress to those of us who work diligently and faithfully uphold our duties

He smiled lightly and gently, as mild as a maiden: "My surname is Ye, Ye Xiaotian. I have been mingling in the heavenly prison since I was three years old. At the age of sixteen, I officially took over my father's position and became a guard in this No. 1 prison. Now it is already the eighth year of the Wanli era, and I have served as an imperial guard for three full years. Thanks to the appreciation of the prison master, I am now honored to be the head of the No. 1 prison. I, Xiaotian, have a pure and good nature..." Now it is already the eighth year of the Wanli era, and I have served as an imperial guard for three full years. Thanks to the appreciation of the prison master, I am now honored to be the head of the No. 1 prison. I, Xiaotian, have a pure and good nature..."

The prison guard said: "He embezzled over 50,000 taels of silver, and the Chief Minister personally nodded to have him arrested. His backers were also taken in, and there is no hope of him getting out again"

Yang Lin stroked his sparse beard and said proudly, "I am a man of profound knowledge. The Western astrology is inferior to the art of Zhouyi from our Middle Kingdom by more than one level. What is there that I do not understand? Come, come, quickly provide your birth date and time."

If anything were to happen to these prisoners, especially those who have not yet been sentenced, the head of the prison would undoubtedly be held accountable for dereliction of duty. Therefore, for those prisoners who have thoughts of ending their lives, Ye Xiaotian always exhausts his efforts to instill in them a desire to live on

... ...

Little brother, I have thoroughly studied the Western astrology book you brought last time, and I have gained significant insights. Come, come, let me read your fortune.

On weekdays, there are new inmates, and the prison guards introduce them to the conditions in the jail. Ye Xiaotian does not need to appear in person. However, in the past two months, the Sixth Department submitted a memorial to the Emperor, accusing the two major calamities in the capital: first, the county magistrates and their officials breaking into the homes of the common people; second, the noble relatives and officials encroaching on the benefits of the people, resulting in widespread poverty and suffering among the populace.

After Ye Xiaotian finished speaking, he smiled and performed a traditional bow, his gaze sweeping across the audience as if he were making a grand entrance on stage. With just one glance, he managed to acknowledge every single "viewer" present. He then gracefully took his leave, his demeanor and actions resembling that of a dignified head of a household surveying his domain

As Yang Lin spoke, he shook his bald head repeatedly. As a good listener, Ye Xiaotian seized the opportunity to interject, "So, what about the fate of that young man?"

To indulge them unconditionally is to allow them to act tyrannically, even colluding internally and externally, conspiring to share information. Those who fail to fulfill their duties as jailers will inevitably face misfortune. Therefore, being a jailer in the heavenly prison is particularly challenging, and being the head jailer is even more difficult; one must possess exceptional skills to manage this group of cunning individuals

At that moment, a refined and clear voice suddenly came from the adjacent cell: "Little Leaf..." Business had come knocking, and Ye Xiaotian quickly gestured for Yang Lin to stop, hurrying over with a smile while rubbing his hands together, saying: "Minister Huang, may I ask what the esteemed elder has instructed?"

The wooden bars of this cell are made from thick logs, and after the new paint has peeled away, layers of cracked old paint are revealed, silently proclaiming its age. The gaps between the bars are only wide enough for a hand, yet the thin face of this prisoner seems to be able to slip through the bars with little effort

Yang Lin counted on his fingers and muttered for a while, suddenly his expression brightened and he said: "Got it! According to your birth date and time, you belong to the Gemini sign. People born under Gemini are very clever, but their temperament is dual in nature: dynamic and static, yin and yang, mutually influencing each other. They embody both kindness and evil, joy and melancholy, gentleness and brutality, all in one. It is complex, truly complex..."

Ye Xiaotian lightly coughed, facing the newly imprisoned officials, his smile as warm as a spring breeze, and his voice gentle and amiable: "Gentlemen, you are all esteemed officials accustomed to luxury and comfort. Even in this fallen state, you remain distinguished individuals. I, Xiaotian, will take great care of you, ensuring that you feel at home in my Xuanzhi No. 1 prison"

This group of corrupt officials, who have no shame, during the Hongwu era, sixty taels of silver were enough to strip them of their skin. Nowadays, they embezzle fifty thousand taels of silver and still have the audacity to argue and negotiate. Is this prison a place for them to enjoy their old age? They are truly given too much face. Since he finds sleeping on the kang uncomfortable, let him be locked in the empty cell at the end of the prison, sleeping on a pile of straw like a pig. Just give him a bun and a bowl of clear water a day; as long as he doesn't starve to death, that will suffice.

Ye Xiaotian was walking out when a voice suddenly called out from the adjacent cell. At the same time, a withered, branch-like arm reached out from the wooden bars, enthusiastically waving at him

The speaker is dressed in a light blue prison uniform, wearing a slightly oversized lacquered cap on his head, with an old red cloth belt tied around his waist, and on his feet are a pair of ill-fitting white-topped black straight boots. This attire clearly identifies him as a prison guard

Yang Lin is destined to be unable to escape from this situation; the only difference lies in whether he dies early or late, which depends on the games played by those powerful figures above. Since it has been confirmed that he cannot escape punishment, even his family no longer comes to visit him, rendering his life devoid of any attachment.

Alright! Please wait a moment, the young man will be back shortly