Upright and Incorruptible Ailafu

When they reached the rear gate of the City Lord's Mansion, Chen Cheng would have taken it for the front gate if She Li hadn't told him otherwise.

It was enormous, for one thing, and people were constantly coming and going.

It had none of the quiet that usually hung around the rear gates of noble estates.

The moment Chen Cheng and She Li entered the street leading to the gate, two men dressed as servants approached them.

"What are you here for? If you're passing through, go that way. If you're seeking an audience, pay the entrance fee first, then wait here."

One servant pointed across the street.

"We're here to request an audience."

Chen Cheng immediately put on a fawning smile, and two Gold Coins appeared in his hand.

"A little token of appreciation. You two have to welcome people in this freezing weather. Thanks for the effort. Please take this and get yourselves some hot tea."

The two servants might have acted arrogantly, but that was only because they had never seen Chen Cheng or She Li before. Anyone familiar with the place knew that, greedy as the city lord was, he kept his subordinates on a very tight leash.

Even without a gratuity, the two servants would have had to attend to them properly.

So Chen Cheng's tea money delighted them both.

"You know how things work. I won't take your money for nothing, so here's a tip: decide what the matter you want handled is worth, then set aside thirty percent of that. Do that, and I guarantee it'll get done."

Everyone knew the going rate, but if someone clueless came along, the greedy city lord certainly wouldn't mind taking more.

Chen Cheng thanked them, then joined the queue with She Li.

Fortunately, the city