Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 100 Little Fatty Takes Office
For Chen Qing, entering the imperial court and becoming a part of it was the most difficult step.

Now, this first step has gone quite smoothly by a series of unexpected events, making the rest much easier for Chen Qing.

First of all, he was quite adept at interpersonal relationships, at least in a place like the Zhenfu Division, he was definitely better than most people.

More importantly, he is not short of money.

At this point, even without considering the Gu family's assets, the income from Xiaji alone had already enabled him to achieve financial freedom in this era. He had at least several thousand taels of his own money at his disposal.

Moreover, the Gu family will definitely support him financially in this matter, which means that Chen Qing is quite wealthy at this time.

In an era when ten or twenty taels of silver could buy a life, even in a place like the capital where nobles gathered, Chen Qing's disposable wealth was extremely considerable.

Since ancient times, money has attracted people's hearts.

Although the Zhenfu Division has great power over the imperial prison, its "family rules" are quite strict. In particular, the strongmen and captains who are stationed in the capital year-round don't actually have much money to offer. At most, they can get money from the families of prisoners in the imperial prison.

However, the imperial court did not hold imperial prisons all the time.

It's hard to say how wealthy the other captains in the Zhenfu Division are, but those captains who follow Yan Cong are basically paid salaries.

More than twenty people, one hundred taels of silver, each person could get four or five taels, even for these imperial guards, this was almost several months' salary.

When everyone saw the silver in the box, they froze on the spot, and some of those who were familiar with Yan Cong looked at him.

Yan Cong looked at Chen Qing and shook his head, saying, "Brother Chen, this...isn't it inappropriate?"

Chen Qing said with a smile, "If Brother Yan feels it's inappropriate, then take this dirty money and hand it over to the Zhenfu Division. With so many brothers watching, I certainly don't want it."

Upon hearing this, even the most foolish Yan Cong knew he couldn't refuse. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Then let's do as Brother Chen says and divide this ill-gotten wealth among ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing looked around and said with a smile, "Which brother would like to go find a steelyard and a pair of scissors? I'll share the money with the rest of us."

When dividing the silver, it is essential to cut it with scissors and weigh it carefully; otherwise, there is no way to divide it evenly.

As soon as he finished speaking, a man in his twenties stood up and said with a smile, "Brother, wait a moment. I have a friend who has a steelyard at home. I'll go find it, I'll go find it!"

He strode away to find something.

A dengzi is a precision scale specifically used to weigh valuable items; it is also called a silver scale.

Chen Qing pulled Yan Cong aside and said with a smile, "Brother Yan, you should also get a share, otherwise none of us brothers will feel at ease taking it."

Yan Cong's words just now clearly implied that he didn't really want the money. Now that Chen Qing was tugging at his sleeve, he looked at Chen Qing and then said with a smile, "Brother Chen, don't worry. We're all brothers, and I won't be a loner."

Soon, someone brought a scale. Chen Qing cut the silver while someone else weighed it. In no time, the hundred taels of silver were divided up and put into each person's pocket.

This time, when the money was divided, although not all of the twenty or so Jinyiwei officers were completely convinced by Chen Qing, most of them still felt a lot of goodwill towards this newly appointed "young master" of the Zhenfu Division.

Chen Qing distributed silver to everyone, and everyone was satisfied and beaming with joy.

Young Master Chen stood up and said with a smile, "Brothers, once you get the money, don't squander it all or spend it on women. We brothers should follow Lord Yan and do our best to handle this case properly."

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered and laughed, "Brother, don't worry, we will definitely follow Lord Yan and get things done!"

Seeing Yan Cong looking helpless, Chen Qing smiled and said, "Alright, Brother Yan, those cultists might have arranged for someone to watch my residence. I can't stay here for too long. I'll let you know as soon as I get any news."

Yan Cong nodded, stood up and said, "I'm going back to the bookstore too."

He thought for a moment and continued, "This batch of books from the bookstore will be printed in five days. After it's printed, I'll have people keep an eye on it to see if we can find the place where these cult bandits are secretly printing books."

Chen Qing nodded: "Brother Yan, you have experience, so you can take care of it."

Yan Cong looked at Chen Qing and continued, "The White Lotus Sect has a deep-rooted influence and many informants. Brother Chen, you must be careful. If any problems arise, your first priority should be to escape, and then we will immediately begin to close in."

He pulled Chen Qing aside and whispered, "Now, we have information on the hiding places of several cult members. Even if we act now, it will be enough to explain to our superiors."

Chen Qing smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

With that, Chen Qing left the courtyard with his hands behind his back. The group of Imperial Guards behind him saw him off for a few steps, and many of them called out to him.

"Brother, if you need anything, just let me know!"

The next day, Chen Qing did not go to the bookstore, but stayed at home, waiting for the White Lotus Sect to come. In the afternoon, as expected, someone came to the courtyard gate to knock. Chen Qing had instructed Gu Pan and Xiao Yue in advance that neither of them should open the door. Chen Qing prepared the manuscript and went to the courtyard gate by himself.

Pushing open the courtyard gate, Chen Qing froze on the spot.

Outside, a child of about twelve or thirteen years old stood. Although the child's left arm was still on his body, it was clearly broken off and hung at an odd angle over his chest. Judging from the angle at which he was standing, he should also have some kind of disability in his legs.

He looked at Chen Qing with trembling eyes and asked cautiously, "Is...is this Master Yang?"

This was the code word that Chen Qing and Master Bai had agreed upon for their rendezvous.

Chen Qing sighed, handed him the manuscript, and said, "Don't leave yet, I'll go get you some food."

The child nodded repeatedly. Chen Qing turned around and went back into the yard. He went to the kitchen to get two steamed buns. When he got back to the yard gate, the child had already disappeared without a trace.

Chen Qing stood there stunned for a while before lowering his head to take a bite of his steamed bun, then turned and went back into the courtyard.

While Chen Qing was dealing with the White Lotus Sect, in the imperial palace, Prince Zhou, Jiang Chu, knelt before the palace, listening to the eunuch read the emperor's edict. After the edict was finished, he reached out to take it, bowed his head to express his gratitude, and then stood up, staring blankly at His Majesty the Emperor, who was drinking tea.

"Brother, brother..."

He called out twice, but remained frozen in place, saying nothing.

His Majesty the Emperor put down his teacup, glanced at him indifferently, and asked, "What is it?"

Prince Jiang looked down at the imperial edict in his hand, then looked up at the emperor, and said with a wry smile, "I...I'm to be the Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard?"

His Majesty the Emperor remained calm.

"Yes what's the matter?"

Prince Jiang smiled wryly and said, "Your Majesty, how could I possibly be capable of doing this job..."

"It's just a matter of having your name listed; it's not like you're actually going to work for the Imperial Ceremonial Office."

The emperor glanced at him and said indifferently, "The Imperial Guard is the emperor's personal guard. Matters concerning the Imperial Guard do not need to be discussed with the outer court. I can make decisions at will."

"If I weren't worried about those people causing trouble, I originally planned to make you the Deputy Commander directly."

The chubby boy stood there, looking up at the larger, chubby boy sitting on the dragon throne. After a long while, he sighed, "Your Majesty, I am the most mischievous person among my generation. Why did Your Majesty choose me...?"

"Just because you're being silly."

The emperor smiled and said, "The ministers in the outer court won't oppose it too fiercely."

"Moreover, in my opinion, although you are a troublemaker, you are still smart. If you serve me in the capital for a few years, you might actually be able to do some things for me."

"If you accomplish something, I will be able to shut those people up, and from now on, it will become the norm for members of the imperial family to serve in government."

Upon hearing this, the chubby boy remembered what Chen Qing had told him. He looked up at the emperor, but hesitated to speak.

His Majesty the Emperor looked at his cousins, who were hesitant, and shook his head, saying, "Isn't it just being the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard? Look at your pathetic self."

"When I was your age, I had already been pushed into this position for several years, and I still gritted my teeth and persevered, didn't I?"

"Peace of mind and peace of mind."

The emperor took another sip of tea and said, "I have already made arrangements. After you take office, go to the Zhenfu Division and find Yan Hu. Soon, a ready-made credit will fall on your head."

Upon hearing this, Prince Jiang could only nod in agreement. Then he looked up at the emperor and sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, let me make this clear beforehand: I am not very capable."

His Majesty the Emperor was speechless.

"Stop talking nonsense. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll just put you on the post of Commander of the Imperial Guard."

(End of this chapter)