“How about we split the credit, half for me, half for you?”

The bustling gambling den was now eerily quiet.

Inside a vibrantly decorated private room, the corpulent Golden Pig sat at a round table.

Above the table, a hanged body swayed from a ceiling beam, yet Golden Pig smiled serenely as if nothing were amiss, much like someone enjoying the company of a courtesan from Red Robe Alley.

Chen Ji sat down opposite him and asked curiously, “Lord Golden Pig, if we catch the Jing Dynasty spy tonight, the credit will be substantial. Are you really just going to give it to me?”

Golden Pig poured Chen Ji a cup of hot tea and said unhurriedly, “Over the years, thanks to the trust of Lord Chamberlain, I’ve managed the Privy Bureau’s finances. Initially, I didn’t understand much about businesses like grain and oil shops, brothels, gambling dens, or tailor shops. I fell into many traps and lost a lot of money. But the Chamberlain never said anything; he just told me not to be afraid of making mistakes.”

Chen Ji suddenly realized that Golden Pig was likely another orphan adopted by the Chamberlain.

The man held significant financial power within the Privy Bureau at a young age, and even his financial losses were tolerated by the Chamberlain. Their relationship had to be extremely deep. Golden Pig’s admiration for the Chamberlain was evident in almost every word he spoke.

To the outside world, the Chamberlain was a “Poisonous Minister,” but to Golden Pig, he was like a father.

Golden Pig continued, “Later, I indeed developed a talent for business and gradually learned the ropes. I discovered that third-rate investment is about investing effort – diligently working on small businesses like noodle shops. Second-rate investment is about investing in technology, doing what others cannot, like making frosting. First-rate investment is about making money generate more money, like banks, which yield enormous profits. But none of these are the most brilliant investments…”

Chen Ji mused, “Then what is the most brilliant investment?”

Golden Pig smiled, “Investing in people, of course.”

He sighed, “Over the years, my wisest investment was helping Pegasus. Back then, I wasn’t yet Golden Pig, and he was just a minor spy. Whenever we caught spies, he was always at the forefront. No matter how tired he was after work, a bowl of beef noodles would make him wipe his mouth and happily go to sleep. The way he ate the noodles, it was as if beef noodles were the most delicious thing in the world.”

“Later, I became Golden Pig, and he was still just a minor Dove-rank spy. I gave him all my credit, helping him acquire a cultivation pathway, which transformed him into the Pegasus he is today. Over these years, the other nine zodiac positions have come and gone like fleeting flowers and flowing water. Only I and Black Snake have remained stable; Black Snake because of White Dragon’s protection, and I, because of Pegasus.”

For a moment, Chen Ji actually felt a touch of humanity within the cold and ruthless Privy Bureau.

He imagined the two-faced Golden Pig, after capturing a spy, taking the young Pegasus to a noodle shop for beef noodles. They would likely peel garlic while chatting, perhaps saying, “That was a close call.”

No matter how he thought about it, it felt somewhat unreal.

No wonder he, despite being merely one of the lower nine zodiacs, was much tougher than Cloud Ram and Jade Rabbit.

“Lord Golden Pig, if I may ask, what rank must one achieve to gain access to a cultivation pathway?” Chen Ji asked softly.

Golden Pig drained his teacup. “Sea Hawk. That’s a threshold. Once you become a Sea Hawk, you’ll no longer be a minor spy. Even those civil officials won’t dare to look down on you. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to glimpse the Grand Dao of Longevity.”

“Then, if I get promoted, what would Lord Golden Pig need me to do?” Chen Ji asked curiously.

Golden Pig chuckled, “The Sea Hawk position in Luocheng is currently vacant. I don’t know if Lord Chamberlain is deliberately keeping it open or if there genuinely isn’t a suitable candidate, but someone will eventually fill it. I have many businesses in Luocheng, and naturally, I need someone to look after them. You don’t have to do anything else, just make sure no one bothers them.”

“What kind of businesses do you have, sir?” Chen Ji asked curiously.

Golden Pig let out a hearty laugh. “Just added another one, and it’ll be good for you to get familiar with it… Bring him in!”

Two Privy Bureau agents dragged in a short, thin merchant and made him kneel on the ground.

The merchant, tearful and sniffling, pleaded, “Oh, sir, I am Asaoka, and I have always conducted my business honestly. This gambling den has absolutely no connection to Jing Dynasty spies!”

Golden Pig squatted in front of him and said calmly, “You say there’s no connection, and there isn’t? If there’s no connection, why did a Jing Dynasty spy pass through your hall? And why did a fight break out in your establishment? Honestly sign the property deed, and you’ll be spared physical suffering. Otherwise, your entire family will be executed or exiled to Lingnan… Give him the paper and pen.”

A Privy Bureau agent tossed the prepared contract onto the ground and said coldly, “Mr. Asaoka, sign it and press your handprint.”

Chen Ji: “…”

So, Golden Pig’s businesses were all acquired this way?!

This wasn’t about making enormous profits with a single investment; it was about making enormous profits without any initial capital!

The gambling den owner, trembling, finally pressed his handprint and was dragged away like a pile of mud.

Chen Ji asked doubtfully, “Lord Golden Pig, this businessman shouldn’t be a Jing Dynasty spy… Doesn’t the Ministry of Justice intervene?”

Golden Pig glanced at him and said earnestly, “Of course he isn’t, but I manage the Privy Bureau’s finances, and so many people need to be supported. Naturally, I must find ways to increase revenue and cut expenses for Lord Chamberlain, sharing his burdens. Heh heh, Lin Chaoqing of the Ministry of Justice isn’t in Luocheng today. This is a golden opportunity.”

“What if someone finds out?” Chen Ji asked curiously.

Golden Pig stood up and patted his shoulder. “Gambling dens cause significant harm, and Mr. Asaoka is deeply sinful. He will commit suicide out of fear of punishment tonight. Don’t worry, no one will find out.”

At this point, he smiled and looked at Chen Ji. “I’m telling you all this because I consider you a confidant. You wouldn’t report me, would you? Don’t worry, following me is much more rewarding than following Jade Rabbit or Cloud Ram. From now on, the court will pay you twenty-four taels of silver annually, and I will pay you another twenty-four taels, totaling forty-eight taels.”

Chen Ji thought to himself that forty-eight taels wouldn’t be enough to cover the expensive costs of his cultivation. “Is this only for a select few, or for everyone?”

Golden Pig replied, “Everyone gets it. Our brothers risk their lives, so what’s twenty-four taels of silver a year good for? The civil officials restrict our salaries, but Lord Chamberlain naturally has his own methods. Many people underestimate my position, saying I reek of money, but what do they know? I manage all the internal allowances and pensions within the Privy Bureau. Life is tight; how could we manage without being meticulous with our finances?”

He observed Chen Ji’s expression and slowly added, “Once you become a Sea Hawk and gain a cultivation pathway, you’ll also receive additional cultivation resources monthly.”

Chen Ji inquired, “What kind and how many resources do ordinary Sea Hawks typically receive?”

Golden Pig thought for a moment. “For a typical martial artist’s cultivation pathway, if there’s no merit that month, they usually receive about six aged mountain ginseng roots. If there is merit, the more merit, the more they receive.”

Chen Ji’s heart stirred. This, he realized, was the most crucial part. The twelve prefectures of the Ning Dynasty, with over two hundred cities, meant over two hundred Sea Hawks. Just distributing cultivation resources monthly would amount to an astronomical figure!

Just the six ginseng roots distributed this month, totaling around one hundred ninety taels, was more money than many people could earn in ten years!

Golden Pig stared intently at Chen Ji and said seriously, “But you must remember, this is given to you by the Chamberlain, not by the imperial court.”

Chen Ji understood. Golden Pig was not in charge of government departments like the Maritime Affairs Bureau, Silver Mines, or Textile Manufactories, whose earnings were for the Emperor’s private treasury. What Golden Pig managed was the Chamberlain’s own personal coffers.

He stood up, cupped his hands, and declared, “Lord Golden Pig, your subordinate will brave any danger for Lord Chamberlain without hesitation!”

Golden Pig smiled, stood up, and took his hand. “Enticing and killing the Jing Dynasty spy tonight is one achievement. If we can capture the runaway spy, that’s another great achievement. I know you are exceptionally clever, and for this matter, I’ll have to rely on you.”

Chen Ji pondered for a moment. “Lord Golden Pig, are there any clues?”

In fact, this was what concerned Chen Ji the most.

This Jing Dynasty spy had seen his face, and he had to find this person before the Privy Bureau did.

Until he found him, he couldn’t rest easy.

Regarding clues about the runaway spy, Golden Pig began to curse. “This spy was severely wounded and should have been easy to catch, but a sudden rain erased his tracks. Now, trying to find him in Luocheng is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

Just then, a cat’s meow sounded from outside the window. No one paid it any mind, assuming it was just a stray cat seeking shelter from the rain under the eaves.

Chen Ji cupped his hands and said, “Then Lord Golden Pig, please continue to wait here for the Jing Dynasty spy. I’ll go downstairs and see if there are any clues about that runaway spy.”

With that, he exited the private room, pulling his bamboo hat lower.

Inside the private room, a Privy Bureau agent said, “Sir, he already knows our plan to lure the enemy. Shouldn’t we be careful he doesn’t tip them off?”

Golden Pig nodded. “Keep a close eye on him; don’t let him leave Asaoka. Although Dream Rooster tested him and confirmed he isn’t a Jing Dynasty spy, it’s always wise to be cautious.”

Chen Ji walked downstairs from the second floor. Privy Bureau agents, hands on their sabers, guarded every passage, and almost every one of them had a crossbow at their waist.

Under such deployment, if the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department were to come to silence someone, they would undoubtedly pay a heavy price.

But what did that have to do with Chen Ji? He only cared if he himself would be exposed.

However, just as he was halfway down the stairs, he inadvertently glanced down and spotted a familiar figure: none other than his own second elder brother, Chen Wenxiao!

Strange, why would Chen Wenxiao be at a gambling den in the middle of the night? Was he also involved with the Jing Dynasty spy?

No, that wasn’t right. His complexion was pallid and his eyes were dark, a far cry from his elegant, noble demeanor during the day. He was clearly a true gambling addict!

Chen Ji suddenly recalled the rumors of himself being a gambling addict and felt there was more to it than met the eye.

As he pondered, Chen Wenxiao stealthily looked up and scanned his surroundings. Chen Ji pulled his bamboo hat lower and walked away.

Inside the gambling den, copper coins and silver lay scattered on the ground. A trail of blood led from the entrance to the backyard, likely the escape route of the runaway spy.

Chen Ji followed the blood trail towards the backyard. Upstairs, the Privy Bureau agent beside Golden Pig leaned on the wooden railing, his gaze closely tracking Chen Ji’s movements.

When he saw Chen Ji attempting to leave the gambling den, his gaze sharpened, and he gestured across the room to two agents downstairs, indicating they should follow.

However, Chen Ji stopped before exiting the gambling den and turned into another corner. Only then did the agents relax.

Chen Ji went to a corner, bent down as if searching for clues, and whispered, “Wuyun? Wuyun?”

In the shadows of the corner, Wuyun, soaking wet, meowed, “I’m here!”

Chen Ji’s expression was hidden beneath his bamboo hat. He asked in a low voice, “How did you find me?”

“I wanted to tell you at the clinic that Concubine Jing intends to have Chunhua seduce you, but then I found you weren’t there,” Wuyun replied. “I asked many cats along the way until I found this place.”

Chen Ji asked in astonishment, “Wait, you asked many cats?”

“Yes,” Wuyun said, somewhat bewildered by Chen Ji’s astonishment. “You humans ask other humans for directions, so what’s so strange about us cats asking other cats?”

“Can they answer questions…? I mean, even those that haven’t gained sentience can answer you?”

“Orange tabbies and tuxedo cats definitely can’t; they’re not very smart, so asking them is useless. But tabby cats can; they’re smarter, good at fighting, and control large territories. However, tabby cats can be a bit difficult to deal with, and they have bad tempers,” Wuyun replied.

Chen Ji’s mind reeled. This was an unforeseen development. Stray cats were everywhere in Luocheng!

He quickly asked, “Then can you get them to help me find someone? The person was severely wounded and vanished after escaping from Asaoka Gambling Den last night!”

“Where did they escape to?”

“I don’t know.”

“That might be hard to find…” Wuyun paused. “We’ll need to find a calico cat. They have good connections with other cats. We can have them go to different territories and ask the tabby cats.”

“My life depends on this! We must find this person before the Privy Bureau does!”

Wuyun balled up her paws and thumped her chest loudly. “Leave it to me, don’t worry!”