Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 18 Pressure
It's settled. After a night of fierce fighting, plus the original points, we have a total of over 160,000 points.

Lu Ming immediately exchanged for the "Dragon Elephant Strength".

He was so eager to start cultivating that he couldn't wait.

I just got back to the yard.

Then I saw bones simmering in a large pot, and several cooks were busy at work.

Zhang Meng walked over with a grin. "My lord, you're finally back. I knew the Zhang family alone was no match for you."

"Get the men to unload the truck, put the stuff in the warehouse, and tell the brothers to have something to eat this morning, then we'll have a proper celebration at noon!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Meng said with a smile.

Then, he led his men to start unloading the truck.

Lu Ming then walked towards the backyard.

Li Xirou woke up at the crack of dawn.

I'm standing on tiptoe at the door, looking out.

"Master!"

Upon seeing Lu Ming, she exclaimed in surprise and ran over, lifting her skirt.

“It’s all over now,” Lu Ming said, stroking her long hair.

These days have indeed been filled with anxiety and fear for Li Xirou.

This made him feel quite guilty.

"Ok!"

After Li Xirou responded, she followed Lu Ming into the house.

The maid had already boiled water sometime earlier.

Steam was rising from the bathtub.

"Let's take a shower to relax."

Li Xirou came up and carefully removed Lu Ming's armor.

Lu Ming did not refuse, and his whole body relaxed when he entered the bathtub.

His wife was massaging his shoulders.

This was the first time Lu Ming had felt so relaxed after traveling through time.

A full half hour later, she stood up and changed into clean clothes.

Stepping out of the courtyard, I tried to practice the technique according to the circulation route of the "Dragon Elephant Strength".

A moment later, he felt a powerful force seep into his bones.

He was full of energy.

"It really works! It's several times faster to cultivate than the old methods!"

Lu Ming muttered to himself.

Then, a confident glow appeared on his face.

I should be able to break through again in a short time.

When they arrived at the front yard, everyone had already eaten.

However, the courtyard is too small, and it's difficult to arrange for so many people.

"Zhang Meng, spend the next couple of days asking around in town to see if there's a suitable place to set up a thousand-household garrison. The place needs to be large, and the location doesn't matter if it's a bit out of the way!"

"Sir, the Zhang family owns a large estate on the outskirts of town. It is said that it took three generations of hard work to build, and it covers dozens of acres. It has everything you could want!"

Zhang Meng quickly stepped forward and said.

He had long coveted the Zhang family's courtyard.

Now that he has the opportunity to get in thanks to Lu Ming, he is naturally overjoyed.

"Then take your men over this afternoon to take over. The Zhang family colluded with the Black Mountain Army to plot a rebellion, and their property should be confiscated by the imperial court."

"As ordered!"

Zhang Meng responded.

The smile bloomed on his face.

Lu Ming continued, "Tell all the brothers that we're going to Hefeng Restaurant for dinner. I'm treating the whole place today!"

"Thank you, sir!"

In an instant, everyone in the courtyard stood up, their faces showing excitement.

Then, they marched out in a grand procession.

Hefenglou is the largest restaurant in Fenglei Town.

However, having over a thousand people come to eat is somewhat difficult for them.

However, the shopkeeper was a smart man. The news that the Hundred Households had wiped out the Zhang family last night had already spread throughout the entire Fenglei Town.

He naturally dared not refuse.

If there's no room for a table inside, we'll put it in the yard.

If that's not enough, the streets will do too.

Therefore, everyone in the Fenglou building was busy for a while.

They even borrowed many chefs from other restaurants.

Lu Ming sat on the third floor, waiting for the merchants to arrive.

Although they received a considerable amount of money from the Zhang family this time, the exact figure has not yet been tallied.

However, this amount of silver alone is not enough to build a truly elite army. Therefore, commercial taxes are imperative.

As the sun gradually rose higher.

Merchants arrived one by one, but when someone tried to enter with a smile, they were stopped by the guards at the gate.

"Invitation!"

The cold, hard voice made the merchant's expression change.

Outside the once bustling restaurant, all the people from the Hundred Households Office now turned their attention to this place.

The already uneasy merchants instantly froze in place, too afraid to move.

Lu Ming stood by the window, looking at the scene below, a cold glint in his eyes.

These merchants who dared to burn their own invitations will have to pay the price.

Killing them isn't necessary, but some bloodshed is inevitable.

"thump!"

It's unclear who knelt down on the ground after that.

Others also knelt down.

A look of horror appeared on his face.

Lu Ming remained silent, simply sitting down and drinking alone.

By noon, all sorts of delicious food had been served.

Even as the people of the Hundred Households had begun eating and drinking, no one paid any attention to the merchants.

They were under the blazing sun, yet their bodies were icy cold.

The fear on his face was undisguised.

Until everyone has finished eating.

Zhang Mengcai came out.

"The master allows you to go in."

The voice remained cold and hard.

All the merchants breathed a sigh of relief and headed into the restaurant.

In the very center of the third floor, Lu Ming, having finished his meal, was rinsing his mouth.

The room was packed with merchants, but he seemed oblivious, continuing with his own business.

After a moment, he looked up and asked, "You're all here?"

"Meet the adults!"

The merchants quickly bowed in greeting.

Lu Ming waved his hand to interrupt.

"I dare not accept your gifts. I have only called you here today for one thing: commercial taxes."

I want 50% of each company's profits, which you will have to hand over to yourselves every month.

However, once I've taken your money, I guarantee your safety in Fenglei Town.

From now on, you are free to ignore everyone except for orders from the imperial court!

Normally, the tax rate is 10%, but since they provoked Lu Ming, he raised the price.

"Rest assured, sir, we will certainly comply!"

A merchant stepped forward and said.

Some people seemed to disagree and wanted to say something, but were silenced by their companions.

Because they saw that many of the officers in the centurion's garrison had their hands on the hilts of their swords.

"Alright, since you've agreed, I won't keep you any longer. You can go back now. The commercial tax will start at the end of this month!"

After Lu Ming finished speaking, he walked outside.

The people from the Hundred Households Office followed suit.

Only after they had all left did all the merchants begin to discuss it quietly.

But in the end, they still couldn't come up with a clear explanation.

After all, Lu Ming had men and weapons at his disposal.

The Zhang family said they would be wiped out; what could they do?

Just as everyone was discussing it.

Lu Ming has returned to the Hundred Household Office.

Some time ago, he hired three accountants in one go.

They seemed to have just finished their work and were packing up to leave.

Lu Ming ignored them and walked straight to the backyard.

The money was managed by Li Xiyue.

You can just ask the other person directly.

Sure enough, as soon as he entered the house, Li Xiyue came over excitedly.

"Husband, guess how much silver we brought back this time?"

At that moment, her eyes were bright and sparkling, as if they were filled with light.

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(End of this chapter)