The Dumb Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 76 I've finished speaking. Who agrees? Who disagrees?

White banners fluttered in front of Yongchangfang.

The mourning hall for Master Hong was set up in the open space in front of the archway, with the coffin placed in the center and paper money and incense piled up on both sides.

Dozens of beggar leaders, along with their beggar subordinates, lined up and went forward one by one to offer sacrifices.

Hong Qi, dressed in mourning clothes, knelt beside the coffin.

He tossed the paper money into the brazier one by one, his hatred growing with each piece he threw in. His father had lived a life of glory, only to be taken down by some hothead who appeared out of nowhere with a single shot, dying a pathetic death.

Just then, footsteps could be heard coming from the alley entrance.

Everyone turned to look.

Li Jinglong led a large group of people in, a dense, dark mass. He walked at the very front of the group, striding with an air of indifference.

Hong Qi recognized him at a glance.

Enemies meeting are bound to be furious. He leaped to his feet, roaring, "Li Chongliu! You dare come here again!"

He led a dozen or so men and charged forward.

Li Jinglong waved his hand lightly, and the hundred or so Jinyiwei guards disguised as beggars behind him moved.

Soon, Hong Qi and his men were all knocked down and lay sprawled out in a chaotic mess.

The beggar leaders were dumbfounded.

This newly emerged Sixth Brother is truly capable; he's not just someone who intimidates people with a fire weapon.

Li Jinglong strode to the coffin, picked up three incense sticks, lit them over the candle flame, held the incense with both hands, and bowed three times to the coffin: "Master Hong, rest in peace. This place is now in my hands. I'll look after your businesses and manage your brothers. As for your son, he's lying on the ground. I won't hold it against him."

Hong Qi was pinned to the ground by Ding Xiu and could only watch helplessly.

Li Jinglong placed the incense sticks into the incense burner, turned around, and said loudly, "Everyone, I, Li Chongliu, have come today to bring benefits to my family."

Bringing benefits? In front of the funeral hall? Is this kid out of his mind?

Li Jinglong ignored their stares and waved his hand.

A group of men carried in more than a dozen boxes. When the boxes were opened, they were full of gleaming silver.

Everyone present had their eyes light up.

This silver is even brighter than incense.

Li Jinglong stood beside the box and said, "If I become the chief beggar, all this money will be used to repair houses and repair alleyways. If anyone's house is leaking, repair it! If anyone's alley is overflowing with filth, fill it! If elderly people living alone lack blankets for winter, provide them!"

A commotion arose in the crowd, and whispers began to circulate.

Standing in the crowd, Zhang Laojiu asked, "Sixth Brother, what about the assets left by Master Hong? The brothels, the caravans—how are those accounted for?"

That was a very pertinent question, and everyone looked at Li Jinglong again.

Li Jinglong's gaze swept across the entire room: "I will naturally manage Master Hong's businesses. However, I will give each of you a 30% share. Every beggar leader who works for me can participate in Master Hong's businesses and receive a share of the profits at the end of the year according to their share."

30%!

Everyone was secretly alarmed.

When Master Hong was around, they didn't even get a chance to drink the soup, let alone get 30%.

Master Hong eats meat, while they gnaw on bones, and even that depends on Master Hong's mood. Now, Li Chongliu is offering 30% right off the bat—this isn't just a windfall, it's a windfall of silver.

Li Jinglong stood beside the coffin, hands behind his back, and raised his voice: "I'll say it one last time, I will be the chief beggar leader, and all of you junior beggar leaders can participate in the business left by Master Hong. With everyone working together, we can all get rich together in the future."

"I've finished speaking."

"Who's in favor? Who's opposed?"

The audience was silent.

The dozens of beggar leaders looked at each other, none of them daring to be the first to speak.

With his last ounce of strength, Hong Qi on the ground roared, "I object!"

Snapped!

Ding Xiu slapped Hong Qi across the face, and Hong Qi's eyes rolled back as he fainted.

Zhang Lao Jiu's lips twitched, and he strode forward, bowing deeply and saying, "Zhang Lao Jiu greets Sixth Brother!"

The other beggar leaders quickly realized what was happening and stepped forward one after another, bowing respectfully.

Wang Dong stood at the back of the group, watching his leader stand with his hands behind his back beside the spirit tablet, his face illuminated by silver light, with white banners as a backdrop, and all the beggars bowing their heads.

He couldn't help but smack his lips: "Sixth Brother, awesome!"

Zhang Laojiu leaned close to Li Jinglong and whispered, "Sixth Brother, you can't just declare yourself the Chief Beggar; you need the government's approval."

"Are you afraid of the government?" Li Jinglong asked with a smile.

Old Zhang gave a bitter laugh: "What you're saying. We beggars are still commoners, and commoners naturally fear officials. The yamen gate faces south; if you have reason but no money, don't come in. We people even have to go around the yamen runners; who dares to confront them head-on?"

"What's so scary about it?" Li Jinglong said dismissively.

Zhang Laojiu opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words. In all his years of life, he had never seen a beggar so unafraid of officials.

However, once he thought about Li Jinglong's identity, he no longer had any doubts.

Just then, a young man strode out of the back alley with seven or eight burly men.

"You're Li Chongliu? How dare you!" The young man was extremely arrogant.

Li Jinglong glanced at him: "Who the hell are you?"

"Sixth Brother, this is Young Master Li Shou, a business partner of Master Hong's caravan. Master Hong's goods travel to the Northwest, and it's always Young Master Li's family who take care of them along the way. The two families have been cooperating for many years," Zhang Laojiu quickly introduced.

Li Jinglong sized up Li Shou, then glanced at the burly men behind him; they were clearly trained fighters.

But so what? I have the Embroidered Uniform Guard at my disposal, might as well use it.

"Men, seize them. What kind of class do they have to dare question me?" Li Jinglong waved his hand.

Ding Xiu and several brothers were about to rush forward.

Zhang Laojiu said urgently, "Sixth Brother, calm down, calm down. The Li family is handling everything for the caravan going to the Northwest."

Li Shou was not afraid at all, and sneered, "Just a greenhorn."

"If you utter another word, I'll send you to see Master Hong," Li Jinglong said coldly.

Li Shou chuckled lightly: "You think you can sit comfortably as the head of the beggars' hordes?"

"What?" Li Jinglong raised an eyebrow. "You want to be the chief beggar too?"

Li Shou said with disdain, "The chief beggar is nothing. But kid, you can't just become the chief beggar if you want to."

As soon as he finished speaking, another series of footsteps came from the alley entrance.

A man in official robes led a group of yamen runners in stride forward.

Li Shou glanced at Li Jinglong, then quickly went to greet him, cupping his hands in greeting: "Lord Guo, you've finally arrived."

"Who killed Master Hong?" Lord Guo shouted coldly.

Li Jinglong's smile was playful.

Guo Huan, Guo Huan, you've finally arrived.

"Li Chongliu, why aren't you coming over to pay your respects to Minister Guo of the Ministry of Revenue?" Li Shou shouted loudly.

Li Jinglong deliberately turned his back and chuckled, "A mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, yet he displays such great official arrogance."

"Insolence!" Guo Huan strode forward. "You unruly commoner, you're asking for death!"

Li Jinglong coldly retorted, "Lord Guo, these beggar households aren't under your jurisdiction, are they? Shouldn't this be the responsibility of the Yingtian government?"

"Beggar households are naturally under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue." Guo Huan roared, "Guards, seize this troublemaker!"

Li Jinglong slowly turned around.

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