My daily cultivation progress is calculated.

Chapter 57 Zeng Wenyuan's Dark Side

The following day, Fang Jingxing led his officials to the imperial prison.

"Brother Wenyuan, please bring out this month's share of the prison's profits and the account books."

Zeng Wenyuan looked at Fang Jingxing with a blank expression.

"Brother Jingxing, what's this about profit sharing? What's this about account books?"

Fang Jingxing frowned, thinking to himself:

"Zeng Wenyuan has been in the prison for several days and still doesn't know about this. Does he think all the money is his own?"

It's no wonder he thought that way; the prison guards were all seasoned veterans, and they certainly knew these basic rules.

As an official of the Ministry of Justice, Fang Jingxing naturally could not openly discuss accepting bribes from prisoners.

All they could do was keep hinting to Zeng Wenyuan, but he remained completely oblivious.

Looking at Zeng Wenyuan's bewildered old face, he felt angry and his words became less polite.

Fang Jingxing stated bluntly, "It's all about bribing the prisoners' families."

Zeng Wenyuan looked startled and whispered:

"Brother Jingxing, this is accepting bribes. Embezzlement and extortion are serious crimes in our Great Zhou."

Fang Jingxing thought to himself:

"Damn it, he's caused countless families to be ruined and killed in his quest to seize fertile land, and now he's pretending to be incorruptible."

Seeing Zeng Wenyuan's lack of appreciation, he lost his previous amiable demeanor.

He sneered, "You have five days to hand over your share of the profits, not a single penny less. Otherwise, I'll report this to Lord Ding, and your job as jailer will be over."

After saying that, Fang Jingxing flicked his sleeves and left the prison.

Zeng Wenyuan was left standing there alone.

He wasn't unaware of the rules for being an official in the Great Zhou Dynasty; it was just that if he were to serve as an official in the Heavenly Prison, he would have to produce some achievements to show others.

He wasn't after short-term gains, but rather a long-term career in government, even though he was already over forty.

If things proceed smoothly, and with the help of family connections, it's not impossible for him to become a fourth-rank prefect in the capital within three to five years.

When they arrived, Zeng Wenyuan and Yao Jing had already discussed that nothing could be more impressive than managing the chaotic and disorderly prison in an orderly manner.

Fang Jingxing's words were like a heavy blow to his heart.

After he left, Zeng Wenyuan locked himself in his cell and did not go out to see anyone.

The jailers gathered around Shen Yan, discussing what had happened.

Everyone saw Fang Jingxing come to the prison in the morning, but no one dared to get close and eavesdrop, so they didn't know what had happened.

Shen Yan's five senses were keen, and he heard every word of their conversation.

However, it's not appropriate to tell them about this.

Shen Yan was also very curious about what Zeng Wenyuan would do.

Lu Youcai was somewhat gloating, as one of his trusted confidants had just been beaten to death yesterday.

It would be a lie to say I don't hate Zeng Wenyuan. Seeing him get his comeuppance today naturally makes me happy.

He said sarcastically, "I wonder what this upright official in our Heavenly Prison is thinking? He's incredibly wealthy, yet he's trying to cut off other people's livelihoods."

Upon hearing his words, Ma Danian quickly replied:

"Don't speak carelessly, or you'll get into trouble. Be careful what you say! We've been waiting for so long, and we still don't know what the warden's next move is. Let's just hope he doesn't cause any more trouble."

Shen Yan felt that Zeng Wenyuan would eventually give in; he was just struggling to find a way to back down. Scholars are very concerned with their reputation, and he was probably currently agonizing over it.

He can't possibly use his own assets to cover this hole.

By noon, the sun was high in the sky.

Despite the sunlight streaming down, the prison remained eerily cold and gloomy, offering no warmth whatsoever.

Shen Yan and the other two drank wine in the cell to warm themselves up, waiting for Zeng Wenyuan to come out and speak.

It wasn't until the sun was about to set that Zeng Wenyuan called the clerk into the jail room.

Lu Youcai's expression changed, and he whispered, "They're here!"

Shen Yan quickly put away the wine and side dishes and hid them.

Not long after.

Yao Jing arrived at Shen Yan's cell and said, "I've been looking everywhere for you, and it turns out you've all been here."

Lu Youcai said calmly, "It's freezing cold, and we don't have money to buy new cotton clothes, so we can only keep warm here with Prison Officer Shen."

Yao Jing blushed, but did not utter a word to refute Lü Youcai's words.

"After several days of deep thought, the prison warden directly cut off everyone's 'money transfer' scheme. This almost deprived everyone of their livelihood, and it was indeed a miscalculation."

Lu Youcai was secretly delighted, but his expression remained unchanged as he said:

"We still support the warden's approach; the prison is indeed very clean and tidy. Surely the clerk hasn't misunderstood the warden's meaning!"

Ma Danian chimed in, "Yes! The prison warden is right, and we should support him."

Shen Yan didn't speak, but he nodded with a smile.

He understood that the two men were using a feigned retreat as a tactic to advance, and that he needed to get Yao Jing and Zeng Wenyuan to say something.

Who knows if he'll settle scores later and then try to deny everything, blaming it all on Yao Jing.

Yao Jing was still too naive and no match for people like Lü Youcai.

He was rendered speechless after only a few words and could only go back to Zeng Wenyuan.

Lu Youcai winked at the two of them, his face full of joy.

soon.

Zeng Wenyuan came out, and he knew that the prison guards below were waiting for him to speak.

Yesterday, a prison guard who accepted bribes was beaten to death, and today everyone is allowed to donate money.

Changing orders from morning to evening has resulted in a complete loss of face.

He didn't want to show his face, but he was forced to come out and explain in person.

Although Zeng Wenyuan had a powerful background, he could not completely ignore the rules of officialdom.

After all, he was just a distant relative, not Zeng Shihong's biological son.

His brows were furrowed, deep wrinkles appeared on his forehead, and his face was flushed.

Without letting Shen Yan and the others summon the jailers, he spoke directly:

"From today onwards, let's stick to the old rules! Five days from now, the Ministry of Justice will send someone to collect the profits. You'll have to work hard during this time."

Lu Youcai's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and he said:

"Lord Zeng is wise!"

Ma Danian quickly echoed:

"Lord Zeng is wise!"

However, Zeng Wenyuan had no interest in listening to them and turned to leave the prison.

Shen Yan sighed inwardly; Zeng Wenyuan still hadn't been able to get everyone's salaries from the Ministry of Justice.

It's unclear whether the Ministry of Justice truly lacked funds or was simply unwilling to provide them.

The joy on Lü Youcai's face faded, and he suddenly said with some sadness:

"Poor Qian Yongning, he died just one day after the incident."

Shen Yan and Ma Danian were also somewhat silent, and could only say that Qian Yongning was too bold and had some bad luck.

"It's all about timing and fate. When the time comes, give his share to his wife and children."

Lu Youcai responded and left with Ma Danian.

The prison has been quite busy these past few days, with jailers working overtime to notify prisoners' families.

It has to be said that after Zeng Wenyuan's scheme, the prisoners suffered a lot, and it became much easier for them to get money.

Even the prison cell was no longer needed, as family members would come to make arrangements on their own initiative.

The prisoners all believed that their previous actions were the prison's way of punishing them.

Fearing that their families would suffer in prison, the families of convicted officials were even more generous when giving them money.

Besides the prisoners who had been starving for several days, there was also the deceased Qian Yongning.

The Heavenly Prison is still the same Heavenly Prison, unchanged in the slightest, everything has returned to its original state.