Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 84 They robbed my house and now they want to eat and drink here?! [Seeking first subscription]

Jiang Huan's angry "fuck you!" was still echoing in the air when Zhang Biao led his "audit team" around the corner, leaving the Jinyiwei's gloomy face behind.

Although he could indeed control Jiang Huan and his gang of henchmen before Zhu Yuanzhang woke up, things might be different after Zhu Yuanzhang woke up.

Therefore, he now only seeks to escalate the situation, to incite public outrage, and to force Old Zhu to kill him, the culprit.

As for Shen Lang and his group, if Zhu Yuanzhang wants to escalate the situation further and create something like the Zhang Biao case, then they will have no choice but to perish along with the Ming Dynasty.

Shen Lang and his group were actually aware of this.

Otherwise, they would never have gone crazy with Zhang Biao.

Zhang Biao was fully aware of this.

Sometimes, that's just how people are. Rather than living a stifled life, they'd rather live it to the fullest and be carefree.

"Brothers—!"

Zhang Biao suddenly shouted, then looked around at everyone and said, "How about we organize an 'Open Financial Audit and Art Appreciation Event at the Duke of Cao's Residence'?!"

"it is good--!"

In unison, everyone let out an excited wolf howl.

Unlike the stubborn resistance of the Six Ministries, a group of fully armored guards and retainers, armed with sharp weapons, stood in front of the Duke's mansion.

Their eyes were sharp and filled with murderous intent, as they tried to maintain the last vestige of dignity of this noble family.

"Zhou, do you think they would dare to cause trouble at our Duke's mansion?"

A servant of the Duke's mansion cautiously inquired of Zhou Tong, the head of the servants beside him.

But Zhou Tong snorted coldly, his face full of disdain, and said:

"Our master is the Emperor's nephew. Our Duke is the First Duke of the Ming Dynasty. Who dares to offend him? A bunch of worthless scoundrels dare to cause trouble in our Duke's mansion? Do they really think the swords in my hand aren't sharp enough?!"

"That's it, that's it."

The servant laughed it off and readily agreed.

Just then, an extremely noisy commotion, like a bustling market, mixed with some rhythmic, unpleasant singing, suddenly broke the silence:
"Audit, audit~ Hehehe~"

"Find out the termites~ I'll beat your mother~"

"The chamber pot lamp is so bright!"

"This makes the Duke's heart race with anxiety!"

"!!!"

Zhou Tong, who had been so arrogant, couldn't help but tremble.

Especially when they saw that arrogant fellow in his tattered official robes, all their authority turned into visible tension and fear.

Damn it!
How did they get here so fast?!

Shouldn't it be the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Rites, or the Ministry of Works that comes first, and then our Duke's Mansion?
How did I end up at the Duke's mansion after leaving the Ministry of Personnel?!
Zhou Tong really wanted to curse, but in order to maintain the dignity of the Duke's mansion, he still gritted his teeth and stepped forward, blocking Zhang Biao and his group's path.
"Halt! This is the residence of the Duke of Cao. Unauthorized persons are not permitted here."

"What kind of irrelevant people?"

Zhang Biao interrupted him abruptly, then pointed a finger at his own nose: "You don't recognize me?"

"Uh,"

Zhou Tong's lips twitched, thinking to himself, "In the entire Yingtian Prefecture, who doesn't know you, Zhang Zuzong?!"

But then he said with difficulty:
"Censor Zhang, what brings you here? My lord, the Duke, is not receiving guests today."

"No visitors?"

Zhang Biao laughed, then said in a serious tone:
"I am not a guest; I am a government official here for an audit."

"audit?"

Zhou Tong was bewildered: "The Duke's Mansion is not a government office, so what is there to audit?"

"Who says that audits can't be conducted by departments other than the imperial government?"

Zhang Biao declared confidently and emphatically, "All land under heaven belongs to the emperor!"

"You nobles, who have received the nation's favor for generations, enjoy generous salaries and countless estates, have you not embezzled or misappropriated public funds? Have you not obtained illegal income?"

"As the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, I am ordered to supervise all officials, including your Duke! This is called expanding the scope of the audit!"

As she spoke, she turned to look at Shen Lang and pretended to ask, "Accountant Shen, is this clause there?"

"Some guys are so cool!"

Shen Lang immediately chimed in, "According to Article 1 of the Supplementary Regulations to the Audit Law of the Great Ming Dynasty: Anyone who receives a salary from the imperial court is subject to audit!"

"."

Zhou Tong was speechless for a moment, thinking to himself, "What kind of law is this? I've never even heard of it!"

However, Zhang Biao completely ignored the petrified head of his household guards and started working right outside the Duke's mansion.

But then he said with unwavering composure:
"Master Sun! Raise that lamp higher, yes! Shine it over the gate! Good heavens! Look at this, top-quality golden nanmu wood! How much did this cost? Write it down! Suspected of exceeding standards and violating regulations!"

"Editor Li! Go take a look at those stone lions! The carving is exquisite, and they're as white as jade. Are they made of white marble? Estimate their value! See if they exceed the salary level of a duke!"

"And that plaque! Holy crap! It's gilded! Who wrote those four characters 'Duke Cao's Mansion'? Did they receive a fee? Examine it carefully!"

"."

As Zhang Biao continued to point and comment loudly on the facade of the Duke's mansion, the 'audit team' behind him began to cooperate seamlessly.

For a time, the sounds of abacuses, stone carving, and valuations rose and fell outside the mansion gate.

Meanwhile, Li Jinglong inside the mansion was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

He dared not go out.

Because he was afraid that if he went out, Zhang Biao would catch him for auditing, so he could only hide in the gatehouse and look out through the crack.

However, listening to the audit assessment of his front door from outside, his heart was bleeding.

"Too much deception! Too much deception!"

Li Jinglong was trembling with anger, but there was nothing he could do.

Use force? Jiang Huan's Imperial Guards are definitely nearby watching, and Zhang Biao, that madman, would love for you to use force so he can have a reason to escalate the conflict.

Reasoning with Zhang Biao? Only if he's lost his mind!

"What should I do? What should I do?!"

Li Jinglong paced anxiously in his room. What he was most worried about now was not Zhang Biao's audit, but rather that the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Personnel would hold him accountable like they had done.

If Zhang Biao were to settle scores outside his mansion, his life would be essentially over.

"No! We absolutely cannot let Zhang Biao stay outside for too long, otherwise, he might go berserk."

Thinking of this, Li Jinglong dared not hesitate any longer and immediately said to the steward outside the door:
"Quickly! Welcome Imperial Censor Zhang and his entourage in!"

"what?"

The steward outside the door was taken aback, as if he had misheard: "Your Excellency, do you want to invite that madman Zhang Biao into the manor?"

"Shut up and go invite them!"

Li Jinglong roared impatiently.

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away!"

The butler was so frightened that he scrambled out of the house.

Meanwhile, Zhang Biao was assessing the value of the lapis lazuli paving stones at the entrance: "Editor Li, make some notes."

"Crench!"

Before Zhang Biao could finish speaking, the side gate of the Duke's mansion was opened. A man who looked like a steward rushed out, his face plastered with a smile that was more like a grimace, and bowed to Zhang Biao, saying:
"Imperial Censor Zhang, my master, the Duke, requests your presence."

"That's right!"

Zhang Biao grinned, then nodded in satisfaction: "Cooperating with the audit is the duty of every Ming Dynasty official."

With that, he waved to Shen Lang and the others, saying, "Let's go, brothers, let's go in and see how full the Cao family's treasury is."

"okay!"

Shen Lang and the others responded with a smile, and then followed Zhang Biao into the Duke's mansion in a swarm.

Although they had seen a lot in the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Personnel, once they entered the Duke's mansion, they suddenly felt that they were blinded by a single leaf and could not see Mount Tai.

Inside the Duke's mansion, pavilions and towers, carved beams and painted rafters, and rare treasures were everywhere, making it comparable to the inner garden of the imperial palace.

Shen Lang's calculations were practically boiling over:

"Brother Biao! My initial estimate is that the Taihu stone rockery in the front yard alone is worth no less than five thousand taels of silver!"

Sun Gui felt his chamber pot lamp's light dimmed in comparison to these exquisite lacquerware pieces, and couldn't help but exclaim, "I think this gilded lacquer cabinet is absolutely made for the imperial court!"

Li Mo quickly took notes: "Suspected overstepping of authority, suspected corruption."

"Imperial Censor Zhang!"

Li Jinglong, seemingly oblivious to their audit, forced himself to remain calm as he approached the living room door, attempting to maintain the elegance of a nobleman: "Imperial Censor Zhang and my colleagues, your presence is an honor to welcome you. May I ask what brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Biao ignored him and instead plopped down in the expensive-looking rosewood armchair in the main seat of the living room, crossed his legs, and said, "I wouldn't dare to offer any advice; it's just a routine audit."

"Duke Cao, let's talk about your sources of income. How much is your salary? How much land do you own? How many shops do you have? Do you do any small businesses, like privately selling salt or iron?"

Li Jinglong's face turned pale instantly: "Imperial Censor Zhang! Don't talk nonsense! How could I, this humble official, do such a frivolous thing!?"

"It's fine if you don't."

Zhang Biao nodded, then suddenly said to Shen Lang:

"Accountant Shen, I'm thirsty. Could you tell me what kind of tea the Duke of Cao's family serves to guests? Can you give me an estimate and see if it's more than his annual salary?"

"Okay, Brother Biao!"

Shen Lang responded and immediately picked up an exquisite porcelain cup from the table:
"Brother Biao, look! It's Jingdezhen imperial kiln blue and white porcelain! The price of one cup of tea is enough to feed an ordinary family for half a year!"

Li Jinglong: "."

This guy looks poor, but he has a good eye for quality!
However, I feel really heartbroken.

"Zhang Biao!"

Li Jinglong was trembling with rage. He pushed aside the servants who tried to stop him and took a sudden step forward, attempting to maintain his last shred of dignity.

"Don't push your luck! This is the Duke's residence! How dare you act so presumptuously! I'm going to report this to the authorities!"

What do you want to report?

Zhang Biao picked at his ear and said casually:
"Did I help you rediscover your long-lost artistic talent? Or did I help you take stock of your overflowing fortune?"

"Or rather, do you want the Emperor to know that you have a larger collection of calligraphy and paintings from previous dynasties than the palace does? That you sponsor more literati and scholars than the Imperial Academy does? That you want the Emperor to praise your taste and say that you are richer than the treasury of the Ming Dynasty?"

Boom!

Li Jinglong was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale.

Zhang Biao then turned to Zhao Fengman and said:

"Imperial Censor Zhao, I'm hungry. Could you tell me what snacks the kitchen has prepared for today? And see if there's anything beyond what's allowed?"

"Yes, Vice Minister Zhang!"

Zhao Fengman casually agreed, but before he could even head to the kitchen, Li Jinglong completely broke down: "All of you, stop right there!"

He finally understood; this madman was just looking for trouble.

He wasn't there to audit him at all; he wanted to humiliate him with all sorts of details and force him to break down.

"What on earth do you want?!"

Li Jinglong dropped the pretense and laid his cards on the table: "Tell me! How much do you want? I'll give it to you!"

"What do you mean by asking for money? Do you think I'm a beggar?"

Zhang Biao raised an eyebrow and then said to Li Mo:

"Editor Li! Make a note of this: openly insulting an official of the imperial court."

"Imperial Censor Zhang! I was wrong! I apologize, okay? Just tell me what you want! I admit I can't outsmart you!"

Li Jinglong was so angry that he cried.

Zhang Biao, however, was quite pleased with his current appearance, and so he jokingly said with a smile:
"Why didn't you just admit defeat earlier? The preliminary audit results show that you live a life of luxury, far exceeding your income level, and are suspected of having illegal gains."

"Now! I'll give you two choices."

"First, we will continue our in-depth audit, including but not limited to examining all your family's account books, warehouses, land deeds, and the accounts of your brother-in-law and housekeeper."

"I choose two! I choose two!"

Li Jinglong screamed without hesitation; he had no desire to be publicly executed.

"Second."

Zhang Biao said slowly:
"Then we should voluntarily pay the audit compensation and the special tax on excessive consumption to make up for the empty national treasury and to compensate officials whose salaries are in arrears."

"Okay, okay! You name a number!"

"Heh, as expected of the First Duke of the Ming Dynasty, you're so straightforward! Here's what we'll do, I won't make things difficult for you. Let's estimate the price of those stone lions at your door, plus the furnishings in this living room, and round it up to thirty thousand taels."

How much? Thirty thousand taels!?
Li Jinglong's vision went black.

Zhang Biao patted him on the shoulder: "I know that Duke Li is a man of great principle, dedicated to relieving the country's difficulties! Cash or banknotes? We accept all payment methods."

Li Jinglong cried like a 300-pound child: "I don't have that much cash!"

"It's ok!"

Zhang Biao waved his hand and said, "We can accept 'debt settlement'! We'll reluctantly help you deal with these excessive renovations in your residence!"

After saying this, he immediately waved his hand at Shen Lang and the others, saying, "Move!"

Thus, even more outrageous zero-yuan purchases began.

Not only were the packed boxes moved away again, but even the rosewood table in the living room, the huanghuali chairs, the ornaments on the display cabinet, and even the silver-inlaid bowls and chopsticks in the kitchen were labeled as "debt settlement goods".

Li Jinglong watched helplessly as his home was quickly emptied, even the living room curtains were torn down and packed away by Sun Gui, who said the material was good enough to make several pairs of pants.

Finally, Zhang Biao looked with satisfaction at the audit vehicle that was once again fully loaded, and at Li Jinglong, who was almost crying at the door.

"Lord Li, thank you for your outstanding contributions to the finances of the Ming Dynasty! I'll have Accountant Shen send you a banner praising your tax contributions later!"

Zhang Biao gave Li Jinglong a seemingly friendly smile, and was about to turn and leave when he suddenly seemed to remember something and stopped in his tracks:

"Lord Li, you see, we've finished our official business, and it's almost lunchtime, isn't it?"

He paused, then said, "Shouldn't you provide us with a meal?"

Li Jinglong: "."

His butler: "."

WTF? !
You just robbed my house with your gang! And you want to eat at my house?!
How can there be such a shameless person in this world?!

"Bam—!"

The great war god of the Ming Dynasty was ultimately brought down by anger.

(End of this chapter)