Pan Chi had already lost twice, but the dice roller remained confident about the next bet, completely unaware that Pan Chi had tampered with the mechanism beneath his feet.
Shen Du glanced back at Zhu Yan. She nodded at him, though inwardly she was panicking. How could she make decisions? She was merely a figurehead.
Shen Du took out all the banknotes he carried, counting a total of 100,000 taels.
This sum was more than some gamblers present could amass even if they sold everything they owned. Yet Shen Du carried it casually, truly a rare sight of wealth.
The dice roller’s eyes nearly bulged out, while Sun Tan standing nearby wore an unsightly expression.
They were here to investigate, not to gamble. Why did the Grand Envoy carry so much silver? Did they intend to win back the entire gambling den?
“What’s wrong? Lost your nerve?” Shen Du tapped the table, seeing the dice roller’s hesitation.
The man snapped back to reality. He couldn’t let such a fat, stupid fish slip away.
“How would the noble sir like to wager?” he asked.
“One roll to decide it all,” Zhu Yan interjected. Shen Du nodded in agreement. Truly a couple of one mind, thinking alike.
“Very well,” the dice roller’s lips curled into a smile. No matter how big the stakes were, they were bound to lose.
Just as they were about to begin, Pan Chi suddenly spoke up, “For such high stakes, shouldn’t we change the payout?”
“Double or nothing.”
Hearing this, the crowd erupted. In gambling dens, such high odds were unheard of.
Even with deep pockets, betting 100 taels would normally only yield 90 taels profit at most.
But double or nothing meant betting 100 taels could win an additional 200 taels.
It was an unprecedented wager. The young nobles and gamblers around them grew restless. With such rare odds, everyone wanted in on the action.
Pan Chi saw through their thoughts and called out, “Come on, these are once-in-a-lifetime odds! Anyone who wants to try, place your bets now!”
At his cry, everyone started pulling out banknotes – 100 taels, 500 taels, even up to 1,000 taels.
The dice roller’s smile grew wider. He knew the more people joined, the more they would profit.
After shaking the dice, he set the cup on the table. The crowd began placing their bets.
Shen Du heard the dice count and placed all 100,000 taels on “Big”.
Everyone else followed suit. That glittering pile of banknotes could make one’s eyes pop out.
Zhu Yan’s heart clenched tightly. Shen Du had never gambled before, yet he wagered such an enormous sum on his first try. Could he win?
Seeing all the bets on “Big”, a strange glint flashed in the dice roller’s eyes. He tried to step on the mechanism but found it wouldn’t budge.
His eyes widened. Shen Du gave him a meaningful look. “What are you waiting for? Open it.”
The man’s face darkened. The impatient crowd started chanting, “Open it! Open it!”
Pan Chi’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “You were so quick to open when I lost 600 taels earlier. What’s the matter now? With such high stakes, shouldn’t you be eager to reveal?”
“That’s right! Open it already!”
“Open! Open! Open!”
As the crowd jeered, the man’s face fell. He slowly lifted the cup.
Upon seeing the result, the crowd erupted. Zhu Yan excitedly threw her arms around Shen Du’s neck, shouting, “We won! We won!”
It was the first time Zhu Yan had approached him voluntarily. Though born of excitement, it still filled Shen Du with joy.
Pan Chi watched slack-jawed. If he’d known winning would bring such a reward, he would have done it himself.
Everyone began dividing the winnings. Zhu Yan gleefully counted banknotes on the table, even tossing some for others to catch in her elation.
The scene delighted all the gamblers present while infuriating the den’s staff.
These people weren’t here to gamble – they’d come to wreck the place!
The dice roller exchanged a look with Sun Tan, who nodded and left.
Shen Du’s group noticed this. While helping Zhu Yan count money, he muttered, “The fish took the bait.”
Zhu Yan’s hands paused, and then she put on a foolish grin. “Big Niu, I had no idea you were so skilled!”
“I was gambling on behalf of Brother Wan Er. It’s all thanks to his luck,” Shen Du quickly played along.
As they prepared to leave with their winnings, the dice roller suddenly called out, “Sirs, your luck is truly exceptional today. Why not try one more round? Our boss would like to meet you personally.”
“No more gambling. Tell your boss we’re satisfied with our winnings today,” Zhu Yan said with feigned dimwittedness.
Her foolish demeanor was utterly convincing – she looked every bit the idiot son of a wealthy family.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s apparent stupidity, the dice roller hatched a plan. “Please, sirs, don’t be hasty. We have even higher stakes available. Do you dare to try?”
What higher stakes? They simply couldn’t let winners walk away.
The three naturally understood the implication but insisted on leaving. Suddenly, Ji Dafu appeared before them.
Their disguises were so thorough even their mothers wouldn’t recognize them. Ji Dafu found them utterly unfamiliar.
Preventing their departure wasn’t about their winnings, but how it affected the den’s money laundering.
Part of their loan interest was cleaned through such methods. Moreover, with so many gamblers winning alongside them today, who would borrow money now?
This severely impacted their business. How could they let them leave so easily?
Sun Tan’s role here was as a minor gang leader, running small businesses while helping maintain order in the gambling den. It was through such humble service that he uncovered Ji Dafu’s possible connection to the Fire Moth Party.
“I heard some distinguished guests visited our establishment today. I presume it’s you gentlemen,” Ji Dafu said, eyeing them disdainfully. “Our den has a rule – either don’t play at all, or play three rounds. You’ve only played once and want to leave. That’s against the rules.”
“We’re together. I lost twice, he won once. That makes three rounds,” Pan Chi quickly explained.
“Your losses don’t count. This gentleman’s win marks the true beginning. He must continue for two more rounds to finish,” Ji Dafu argued eloquently.
Zhu Yan pouted, unimpressed. “He gambled on my behalf. I don’t want to play anymore. What, are you forcing us to gamble with you?”
Zhu Yan’s tone was utterly foolish, making Ji Dafu frown.
“This sir is…?”