Chapter Nine, The Golden Hook Gambling House
The Golden Hook Gambling House is one of the prominent gambling establishments in Turtle City, and after dark, it is filled to capacity with patrons
The old drunkard chuckled and said, "Tomorrow night at the hour of the rat, you will go to the earth god's temple, and you will naturally be able to obtain one hundred taels of silver. Twenty taels will be your fee for running errands, and the remainder will be recorded as a debt, sufficient for my future expenses"
Qin Xiao, however, smiled and said: "Master Shen, please do not be angry. What I mean is, since the silver is in the land temple, wouldn't it be better for you to tell me where the silver is hidden so that I can go and retrieve it during the day?"
"Wait a moment," Qin Xiao immediately said, "You want me to go there at midnight tomorrow? Isn't that the middle of the night?" He smiled wryly and continued, "Master Shen, you know that the land around the earth god temple is quite desolate. If I run over there in the dead of night and happen to encounter a ghost inside, wouldn't that scare me to death?"
The old drunkard said with slight annoyance: "I have been here for two months, and we have developed some acquaintance; is it really so unreasonable?"
The gambling master Wen Budao is to be escorted to Fenggan Prefecture in a few days. There are suspicious circumstances surrounding this matter, and it is highly likely that the one pulling the strings behind the scenes is Qiao Leshan, who currently manages the Golden Hook Gambling House. For some reason, Qin Xiao feels that Wen Budao has already fallen into an extremely perilous situation, but he cannot articulate exactly how dangerous it is.
"Of course, you can have wine," Qin Xiao said with a smile. "However, since the day before yesterday, you have had no silver in your account, and I have been covering the cost of the wine for the past two days. My resources are limited, and I can no longer continue to cover it."
Qin Xiao noticed an empty wine jar lying by the bedside, realizing that the old man had run out of wine. He coughed and said, "Uncle Shen, do you have any wine left?"
Qin Xiao smiled and said, "Master Shen, what a coincidence it is that just as the silver in your account has run out, someone comes to deliver silver to you?"
"Old Master Shen, could there be any danger?" Qin Xiao pondered for a moment before whispering, "Could there be traps over there?"
Over the years, Qin Xiao has come to understand that silver is indeed a valuable commodity; even heroes and brave men cannot do without this yellow and white substance
In the thousand peaks, the long smoke descends as the solitary city closes at sunset
He only hopes to understand some of the peculiarities, and if he can be of assistance, he will do his utmost.
Guicheng is a significant location in Xiling, serving as a vital passage for merchants and travelers traveling between the east and west
Han Duyi had repeatedly advised Qin Xiao to diligently fulfill his duties in guarding the prisoners, but he should not inquire about the specific crimes committed by the prisoners, nor should he become embroiled in the disputes of the prisoners
As the lights begin to glow, the city is bustling with people, dressed in various styles, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere
A document from the Criminal Department can at any time transfer the prisoners from the jail, and the Prefectural Office has no authority to obstruct this.
Meng Butou had previously advised Qin Xiao that if he were to earn some silver, he must save it well. In a few years, he would need to marry and then have children. There are many places to spend silver. Currently, the accommodation in Muto Alley is very simple. Once he has saved enough silver, it would be good to change to a better place.
The vast and sparsely populated Xiling region, ravaged by wind and sand, presents a harsh environment; however, it does not hinder the footsteps of traveling merchants and travelers.
"Children should not speak of strange forces and chaotic spirits." The old drunkard rolled his eyes and said, "I don't have a single copper coin on me right now. If you want silver, you can only go to the earth temple to get it"
"It is not a coincidence; it is something I have calculated," said the old drunkard. "Today is the 4th of March. I have made arrangements with that person; no matter what happens, on the night of the 5th of March, at the hour of the rat, the debt must be delivered to the Land God Temple in the West City. That person will keep their promise and will not default. You can go without worry; when you see that person, just say that it was Shen the pharmacist who sent you to collect the money, and he will naturally hand the money over to you.
Qin Xiao has been in charge of the A-Zi supervision for more than two years. For any criminal case that has been decided and entered into the A-Zi supervision, there are almost no inmates who are transferred midway, unless they are released upon serving their full sentence
The old drunkard stretched and said, "If you don't have any money, just say so early; I can still spare you the cost of the wine"
Qin Xiao said with a苦脸: "You also know that bringing wine to the prison is not an easy task. The brothers all need to be taken care of. It doesn't matter if I can't get the money, but they will have a hard time dealing with it."
Qin Xiao had been in Turtle City for several years, and he was very familiar with every street and alley. Throughout Turtle City, there were two land temples, one in the east and one in the west, but neither had much incense. The land temple in the west was located in a remote area and had long been abandoned. He nodded and said, "I know, the silver is in the land temple"
Qin Xiao shook his head and remained silent
However, after visiting several tea houses, I did not hear anyone mention Wen Budao
The Utuo people from the west, the Tusen people from the north, and the Tang people coming from the west of Jiayuguan can all be seen in Guicheng. Furthermore, some criminals who have committed serious offenses come to Xiling to seek refuge, and various wandering heroes take a rest here, creating a mixed crowd. Although Guicheng is not as grand as the Fenggan Prefecture in Xiling, it still has a population of over one hundred thousand.
The old drunkard smiled mysteriously and said, "I am not joking, I am not joking. Do you know about the Earth God Temple in the West City?"
"One hundred taels?" Qin Xiao was somewhat surprised. If it were not for the fact that he had indeed received those more than ten taels of silver last time, he would never believe that this old fellow could produce one hundred taels of silver. He frowned and said, "Master Shen, you are not joking, are you?"
The gambling house is the world of the rivers and lakes, sitting at the gambling table, regardless of whether you are a wealthy merchant or a wandering hero, whether you are a young master of power or a common laborer, here there is only one identity, that is a gambler. No one will care what your identity is after you leave; here, there is only one thought, which is to win the silver from your pocket into my pocket
The Prefect of Zhen County is stationed in Gui City, and under the Prefect's office, there are six departments. Except for the Department of Justice, which holds some power, the other departments are largely nominal. In reality, many local affairs are controlled by the Zhen Marquis's residence
The old drunkard fixed his gaze on Qin Xiao's eyes and suddenly laughed, "A trap? Who do you think you are, that I would set a trap for you? I am still in prison; if something really happens to you, how could I have a good life?" He yawned, glanced down at the wine gourd at Qin Xiao's waist, licked his lips, and said, "I'm going to sleep now; bring me a jar of wine later." He swayed over to the bedside and fell back onto the bed, no longer speaking.
The case of Wen Budao is quite puzzling, and Qin Xiao understands that even if he truly uncovers the truth behind the case, it may not necessarily be of any help, and he might inadvertently cause trouble for the Duwei Mansion.
The old drunkard got out of bed, his feet, wrapped in a layer of dirt, walked to the prison door, looking rather disheveled. He grinned and said, "You go get a jar of wine first, I will definitely not shortchange you on the price."
"What does that mean? Do you think I, an old man, don't know? This matter is entirely up to you," the old drunkard said irritably. "At such a young age, you are so calculating, placing such great importance on money."
"Old Man Shen, if it weren't for our friendship, you would have been sent to the A prison a couple of days ago." Qin Xiao sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want to help, but I truly am powerless."
At this moment, Qin Xiao was dressed in casual attire, standing in front of the tea shop opposite the Golden Hook Gambling House, gazing thoughtfully at the comings and goings of people in the gambling establishment
"Is someone in debt to you?" Qin Xiaoyu was increasingly astonished: "Uncle Shen, please don't joke with me."
Qin Xiao was still somewhat hesitant, but the old drunkard had already stretched and said: "I know that working in the yamen earns at most two taels of silver a month. Tomorrow night, if you receive the silver and take away twenty taels, it would almost equal your annual salary. If you are unwilling, you can send me away right now, and consider the one hundred taels of silver as a loss."
Standing in front of the teahouse, deep in thought, I suddenly heard shouting from across the street. Looking up, I saw a figure flying out of the Golden Hook Gambling House, landing with a thud on the street in front of me. Immediately, I noticed several burly men rushing out from the gambling house. Two of them charged forward and began to kick the person lying on the ground mercilessly, while the man curled up, holding his head and wailing incessantly
The old drunkard's snoring abruptly ceased, and he immediately sat up, seeing Qin Xiao standing outside the door. He instantly broke into a grin and said: "Quick, bring the wine, quick, bring the wine, it was all gone last night"
Qin Xiaoxin understood that although the Jiazi Supervisory Office had received the official document to transfer Wen Budao, this matter had not been widely disseminated; at least, very few people in the streets were aware of it
Although the profits from the A-character prison are considerable, the brothers in the prison all share in it, and what falls into Qin Xiao's hands is not too much, only twenty taels of silver, which is quite attractive to Qin Xiao
Running a trip tomorrow night, with twenty taels of silver in hand, that can be considered a windfall
The Zhen Marquisate has been keeping a close watch on the Duwei Mansion, hoping to find some incriminating evidence against it. If the Duwei Mansion becomes embroiled in a case, it will undoubtedly be branded by the Zhen Marquisate with the serious accusation of abusing power, which would certainly bring significant trouble to the Duwei Mansion
"That's enough, that's enough," the old drunkard said helplessly. "In this day and age, without money, there is no friendship; I have seen through it. " He leaned closer to Qin Xiao and whispered, "There is a place like a *map* where you can receive one hundred taels of silver; you can go there tomorrow night to collect it."
Do not say that he is merely a jailer; even if he were Han Duwei, he would still have no authority to inquire into the details of the case
He is over fifty years old, with darkened skin and considerable dirt on his face, as if he has not washed his face for several days
In Gui City, where various characters intermingle, numerous events occur daily, both significant and trivial, becoming topics of conversation in the streets and alleys. Wen Budao was once a notable figure in Gui City, and his upcoming transfer to Fenggan Prefecture for retrial is certainly not a minor matter. Such events often become hot topics of discussion in teahouses and taverns.
If we speak of the liveliest places in the city, aside from the brothels, it can only be the gambling houses scattered throughout the city.
"Your eyes are just like those of ordinary people, very snobbish." The old drunkard sighed with a look of a child who cannot be taught, saying, "If I cannot get the money tomorrow night, feel free to throw me out of the A-shaped prison, and I will not say a word."
Having served a few years in the Turtle City prison, although it honed Qin Xiao's cleverness in dealing with others, it also instilled in him a sense of simplicity. Clearly sensing that Wen Budao was in a perilous situation, he could not turn a blind eye or remain indifferent, which was something Qin Xiao simply could not do
Criminal cases within the jurisdiction of Zhenjun are to be adjudicated by the Criminal Department, while the responsibilities of the Duwei Office, in addition to maintaining public order in Gui City, include assisting the Criminal Department in apprehending and detaining criminals
That is good. Qin Xiao said: "The meaning of this is that if Master Shen can pay for the drinks today, then everything can be discussed. If he cannot come up with the money, then he will have to be sent to the Bingzi prison."
"Do you think that one hundred taels of silver is hidden in some corner like last time?" the old drunkard rolled his eyes and said, "I will tell you the truth, that one hundred taels of silver is a debt owed to me by someone else. I am the creditor, and tomorrow night, that person will come to the earth god's temple to repay the debt"
Qin Xiao also understood the deeper meaning behind Han Duwi's actions