"Three million taels! Is that not a lot?"
As soon as Liang Xiao finished speaking, everyone in the hall felt their hearts pound.
Xiao Qing, Wang Canghai, and others snapped back to reality, covering their mouths for fear of bursting into laughter.
Last time, Liang Xiao had only extorted a hundred thousand taels from Dugu Qun. This time, it was thirty times more!
Dugu Qun, regaining his senses, roared, "What do you take this old man for!"
Liang Xiao surveyed Dugu Qun with an innocent look. "A rich man! Who doesn't know the Dugu family is the wealthiest in the land? Minister Dugu worries about the country and its people. Is it too much to ask him to eat a few less bowls of chicken tongue soup?"
"A few bowls?" Dugu Qun's brow twitched.
This was not a few bowls, not even thousands, but hundreds of thousands of bowls, enough for him to eat for several lifetimes!
Dugu Qun realized for the first time how foolish it was to brag about his chicken tongue soup!
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng, along with over a dozen other military officials, were so constipated from suppressing their laughter that their faces were contorted. They pinched their cheeks to prevent themselves from losing composure.
This brat, only nineteen years old, was already a ruthless operator!
Gu Hong, Mu Lingming, and others exchanged glances, unable to believe that Liang Xiao dared to make such an exorbitant demand.
Liang Xiao's expression turned grim, and he said in a deep voice, "Minister Dugu, surely you do not wish for the entire nation to know that the Dugu family lacks sincerity?"
Dugu Qun's heart skipped a beat, and he almost fainted on the spot. "Three million taels is too much! One million taels, that can barely be managed!"
Liang Xiao pouted dismissively. "This money isn't for me, it's for the national treasury. Are you going to haggle with His Majesty?"
Xiao Qing suppressed a smile and straightened his face. "Minister Dugu, your Dugu family is so large, with so many people. How many were implicated in this matter? One million taels is hardly enough for me to give the people a satisfactory explanation!"
Dugu Qun felt the world spin, and he stumbled, falling to the ground.
Liang Xiao continued, "His Majesty is a wise ruler of all ages, and naturally, he will not demand the money immediately. It will take some time to convict Dugu Ling. In the meantime, please have the Dugu family prepare three million taels, which can be used as military pay at any time to improve the treatment of our soldiers. I will certainly speak favorably of you before His Majesty."
Even Liang Qing narrowed his eyes this time, compelled to admire Liang Xiao's sheer shamelessness.
The dozen or so military officials felt their chests swell with pride, almost moved to tears.
Three million taels to be used as military pay!
Who would have thought that the Dugu family, which had vehemently suppressed the military in the past, would now be forced by this emperor and minister to cough up three million taels to improve the treatment of the very soldiers they despised!
Dugu Qun looked pleadingly at He Wanli and others, only to find them turning their heads away, afraid to utter a word.
Who dared to speak now? What if Liang Xiao decided to extort them too!
Dugu Qun despaired and could only nod. "This old man will mobilize the entire clan to donate three million taels..."
Liang Xiao quickly interjected, "Ah, it doesn't have to be money. Mortgaging your land at market price would also be good, wouldn't it? It would prevent the Dugu family from cutting off their capital chain!"
Dugu Qun felt slightly better, grinding his teeth. "Marquis An Guo speaks wisely. Our Dugu family will do our best to mortgage our land..."
"Brilliant!" Xiao Qing, Ning Xuejun, and Wang Canghai secretly applauded.
With the new crops about to be introduced, land prices were bound to skyrocket!
Liang Xiao's move, while appearing to spare Dugu Qun, was actually digging a deep pit. The Dugu family would undoubtedly regret it immensely in the future!
Masterful!
Liang Xiao pouted. "Alas, we are all colleagues, and I am but a junior. Of course, I must consider Minister Dugu. If Minister Dugu is so inclined to express his gratitude, a mere hundred thousand or eighty thousand taels would suffice for me to donate to my private school and accumulate some merit, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"Pfft!"
Gu Shaoyan, Mu Hong, Zhang Yang, and over thirty other civil and military officials burst into laughter on the spot.
Xiao Qing, having anticipated this, had already covered his mouth and managed to avoid laughing.
After extorting three million taels from the Dugu family, he still wanted "gratitude fees"?
Was this human?
"I will thank you later..." Dugu Qun's face grew increasingly grim, his venomous gaze never leaving Liang Xiao. He wished he could engrave this unforgettable, detestable face in his memory forever!
If Dugu Qun's glare could kill, Liang Xiao would already be a pile of minced meat!
Liang Xiao finally raised an eyebrow. "Rest assured, Minister Dugu! This is a one-time contribution. Once the salt administration revenue is established, the state will have sufficient funds to improve the soldiers' treatment, and we won't need your help anymore."
"Won't need your help anymore?"
Hearing Liang Xiao's words, everyone's hearts tightened!
This seemed to carry a hidden meaning?
Dugu Qun's face turned ashen, and he laughed in extreme anger. "This old man will prepare it..."
As he spoke, Dugu Qun, in front of everyone, covered his face and began to weep, soon becoming unable to control his sobs.
Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
He was actually moved to tears by anger?
Liang Xiao walked up to Dugu Qun, patted his shoulder, and said earnestly, "Minister Dugu, do not be sad. Wealth is but an external possession. Your life is what matters. If you find being an official too taxing, you could retire and recuperate, enjoying your twilight years."
Roars of laughter erupted!
This time, even the old officials like Wang Canghai couldn't hold back and let out a laugh. Realizing their impropriety, they quickly covered their mouths.
Xiao Qing covered his mouth, suppressing his laughter until his face turned red, and he couldn't help but cough a few times.
This was a psychological assassination!
He Wanli and the others turned ashen, not daring to meet Liang Xiao's gaze, fearing that Liang Xiao might set his sights on them next.
Dugu Qun merely shook off Liang Xiao's hand and continued to weep.
The other six officials from the Dugu family also covered their faces and wept.
This money couldn't possibly come solely from Dugu Qun; they had to contribute too!
Three million taels! This was a real blow this time!
"My good intentions are mistaken for donkey liver and lungs," Liang Xiao said, touching his hand that was shaken off by Dugu Qun with a wronged expression, then looking at He Wanli and the others.
He Wanli and the others watched Liang Xiao warily, their expressions filled with reverence.
"Those who impeached me earlier, surely you don't want the common people to know you spoke in defense of rebels?"
Everyone's expressions changed. Ouyang Ji was the first to speak, "We were unaware that Dugu Ling would commit such heinous crimes. We are each willing to donate twenty thousand taels to enrich the national treasury!"
Liang Xiao feigned surprise. "I merely wished to fulfill my duty as a junior, to advise and comfort everyone, urging them to be more careful with their words in the future. Since you gentlemen have this intention, then it is naturally for the best!"
More laughter ensued.
He Wanli and the others were both shocked and enraged: Damn it, we've fallen into this kid's trap!
The Dugu family being forced to hand over three million taels had genuinely terrified them. They were all like startled birds, eager to avert disaster by parting with their wealth.
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao, touched yet also filled with indignation. Twenty thousand taels of silver was a considerable sum. These old scoundrels were willing to give it so readily for fear of losing their positions, indicating that a mere tens of thousands of taels were far outweighed by the benefits their official posts brought them!
Fortunately, he had his elder brother!
Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao, who was manipulating the officials, and felt a pang in his heart, holding back tears.
Elder Brother, this is the consort you sent for Shuang'er!
I should grow up and not always be crying and making this hateful elder brother laugh at me. I shouldn't worry the departed souls of Father, Mother, and Elder Brother.
Yet, I can't help but like his doting, teasing, reliable, infuriating, and adorable demeanor...
At this moment, unlike Xiao Qing's fluttering girlish heart, Liang Xiao put away his smile and cast a cold glance at Dugu Qun and the others.
He had estimated the Dugu family's assets. Three million taels was definitely within their acceptable range, not enough to force a desperate fight. So, he would squeeze them for all he could!
He Wanli and the others lowered their heads, not daring to meet Liang Xiao's gaze.
On the opposite side, Liang Qing watched Liang Xiao sweeping his gaze across the officials, his heart greatly shocked.
Even seasoned generals did not possess such a sharp gaze!
Liang Xiao turned back and cupped his hands towards Xiao Qing. "Your Majesty, in the battle to suppress the pirates at the East Sea, if it weren't for Nan Jiyun and others penetrating the enemy lines, we wouldn't have been able to annihilate the seven thousand Japanese pirates. I implore Your Majesty to heavily reward Nan Jiyun and others who led the charge, and to reward the soldiers of the East Sea army!"
Nan Jiyun!
The Nan Jiyun he so despised was now to be heavily rewarded and promoted. Dugu Qun felt a surge of blood, a drop of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Minister Dugu!"
The members of the Dugu family quickly supported Dugu Qun. He Wanli and the others were greatly alarmed.
If Dugu Qun died from anger induced by Liang Xiao, wouldn't they lose another pillar of support!
Liang Xiao feigned surprise and quickly walked over to Dugu Qun, crouching down, pinching his philtrum, and looking as if he was about to cry. "Minister Dugu! Minister Dugu, wake up! The country cannot be without Minister Dugu!"
Dugu Qun, who was already on the verge of waking up, heard Liang Xiao's voice and trembled with anger. He vaguely spat a mouthful of saliva towards Liang Xiao.
However, Liang Xiao was quick-witted. He had already pulled Ouyang Ji in front of him and dodged aside. "Minister Ouyang, please think of a way!"
Ouyang Ji was unfortunately sprayed with Dugu Qun's saliva on his face. He was both shocked and enraged. He touched the saliva on his face and glared at Liang Xiao. "I'm not a doctor, how can I help!"
Liang Xiao "anxiously" cupped his hands towards a stunned Xiao Qing. "Your Majesty, Minister Dugu has fainted from overwork. We should quickly have him carried away. I would be very heartbroken if Minister Dugu were gone!"
"Granted..." Xiao Qing nodded dazedly.
The civil and military officials stared blankly at Liang Xiao, as if they were looking at a monster. Was this the legendary 'cat crying for the mouse' scenario?
Gu Hong and Mu Lingming, after regaining their senses, swallowed with difficulty and exchanged glances with their sons, seeing relief in each other's eyes.
This Marquis An Guo was not to be trifled with!
They were even somewhat grateful that their families had chosen the right side in time!
At such a young age, he could already enrage an old fox like Dugu Qun to such an extent. In time to come, who knew what he would be capable of!
Dugu Qun was carried away, leaving the other Dugu family officials weeping on the spot.
Xiao Qing, having regained his composure, smiled. "My beloved Liang, for your meritorious service in governing the East Sea and suppressing pirates, and for obtaining a gift of a million taels from the foreign merchant He Liuzhu for Great Gan, you shall receive honors on behalf of Nan Jiyun and others! Beloved Liang, come before me, and be seated..."
Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, Liang Xiao returned the Emperor's Sword of Authority and calmly ascended the steps, sitting next to Xiao Qing.
Everyone listened quietly. This time, due to the rich spoils of war and the Dugu family's pledge of three million taels, Xiao Qing was also generous with his rewards.
"I further confer upon beloved Liang the title of General Zhen Dong, concurrently serving as Guang Lu Da Fu and Assistant Minister of Works, increasing the manors of Marquis An Guo by two thousand households, and bestowing five thousand taels of gold!"
"I confer upon Nan Jiyun the title of General Ping Lu, bestowing one thousand taels of gold, and assigning him to the northern border of Yan Province! I confer upon Li Mou the title of General Dang Kou, bestowing five hundred taels of gold, to guard the East Sea! Two ship captains who accompany Nan Jiyun shall be conferred the title of Pian Jiang Jun, bestowing one hundred taels of gold each! The remaining three ship's heroes shall each be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver, and the families of those who perished shall receive two hundred taels of silver!"
"The soldiers of the East Sea army shall each receive five taels of silver, captains twenty taels, generals one hundred taels. Those who behead Japanese pirates shall receive an additional ten taels of silver per head!"
"Henceforth, Great Gan shall encourage its soldiers to clear out 'Japanese pirates.' For each person beheaded, five taels of silver shall be awarded! In times of emergency, only heads will be strictly counted, not bodies. Those who slaughter innocent civilians and falsely report military achievements shall be executed along with their entire families!"
After Xiao Qing finished conferring the rewards, the officials were shocked and their faces paled!
Liang Xiao was even appointed as a military official, General Zhen Dong?
This was a General of the third rank, below the "Four Generals" and "Four Expeditions," a heavily titled general!
Liang Qing and Luo Changfeng were only Generals of the second rank, Left and Right, yet Liang Xiao now held three positions with the title of Marquis An Guo!
Lu Yi's confidant, Li Mou, had replaced Dugu Ling as General Dang Kou!
Although Nan Jiyun's General Ping Lu was a miscellaneous title, it was still a fourth rank, equivalent in status to Li Mou's General Dang Kou and Lu Changhe's General An Bei. Nan Jiyun was still young, and joining the cavalry general Lu Yi and others in Yan Province, he would likely become a great general capable of leading independently in the future!
As for counting Japanese pirate bodies, it was clearly Xiao Qing's way of preventing the army from indiscriminate slaughter and ensuring that innocent civilians of Great Gan were not counted for merit, as the people of Izumo were small in stature and their appearance and bones were relatively easy to identify.
He Wanli hurried, "Your Majesty..."
"My Emperor is wise!"
Before He Wanli could offer his counsel, Wang Canghai was the first to kneel and praise him. The officials followed suit.
Xiao Qing was in a great mood and smiled, "Are there any of my ministers who are dissatisfied with my rewards?"
Everyone once again shouted, "My Emperor is wise."
Even Liang Xiao secretly praised him.
Xiao Qing had doubled the rewards he had promised the soldiers in the East Sea, a move intended to elevate the status of the military and, incidentally, to promote Nan Jiyun and Li Mou.
Li Mou was capable, having maintained his position in the East Sea army under Dugu Ling's rule without any wrongdoing. He was indeed reliable.
This way, soldiers across the country would be more motivated, and the soldiers of the East Sea army would be sincerely grateful to Liang Xiao, making it easier for Liang Xiao to conduct affairs in the East Sea region in the future!
With several million taels of assets entering the treasury, and the future salt administration revenue poised to improve significantly, Xiao Qing was full of confidence and high spirits.
"I also plan to recruit soldiers along the coastal areas, establish new salt fields, heavily guard them, and patrol the regions. In other areas, I will recruit soldiers to go to the northern borders and other frontiers to strengthen defenses! At the same time, I will increase soldiers' pay!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ouyang Ji was the first to object. "Your Majesty, please reconsider! This move will lead to the nation engaging in excessive military spending, depleting the treasury, and causing the people to suffer!"
Xiao Qing narrowed his eyes, staring at Ouyang Ji with displeasure. "What are your thoughts, beloved Liang?"
Liang Xiao's expression turned stern, and he stood up. "I believe Minister Ouyang's words are utter nonsense, bringing disaster upon the nation and its people!"
"You are the one bringing disaster upon the nation and its people!" Ouyang Ji glared at Liang Xiao, unwilling to back down.
If the status of soldiers was further elevated, and people's hearts turned towards imperial authority, how would these aristocratic families and clans control the regions and profit in the future?
Liang Xiao said in a deep voice, "It is precisely because of the weakness of you so-called peace faction in the past, your lack of foresight, that led to the barbarian invasion and nearly shattered Great Gan! You claim to be the peace faction, but in reality, are you any different from the surrender faction?"
Ouyang Ji retorted angrily, "That is because your so-called war faction interfered, unaware of the need to bide your time, and insisted on destroying relations between the two countries, being fickle and inconstant, causing the barbarians to become disheartened, which led to their invasion!"
Liang Xiao let out a deep roar. "Nonsense! Looking at history, ancient and modern, when have the barbarians not had wolf-like ambitions? It is clearly because you surrender faction have fed the barbarians, allowing them to conserve their strength and cooperate with the rebels to launch a major invasion south! When the world is in chaos, you people will simply find another master, so you naturally won't care whether the barbarians invade or not!"
"You!" Ouyang Ji was momentarily speechless with rage.
Never before had anyone dared to point at his nose and call him a surrender faction, speaking such direct and blunt words!
"Marquis An Guo speaks wisely!" Wang Canghai was the first to express his support, followed closely by Gu Hong and the military officials.
Officials from the other half, belonging to aristocratic families and clans, began to argue back.
Xiao Qing said impatiently, "Silence!"
When everyone quieted down, Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao and sighed, "Does beloved Liang believe that Great Gan should consolidate its defenses and that a war with the barbarians is inevitable?"
All eyes turned to Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao nodded. "There will be a war! Moreover, the enmity in Yan Province is irreconcilable, and Great Gan must have its revenge! Great Gan will cultivate its military and prepare its defenses. In the future, the two nations will surely exchange roles in offense and defense. Great Gan soldiers will surely venture deep into the desert, drink from the sea, thus proclaiming to the world: If the enemy can go, so can I!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Canghai and the others, with tears in their eyes, cheered, "Well said, 'If the enemy can go, so can I!'"