Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Gurgle.

Someone swallowed hard in the silent square.

Those civil officials who were just moments before denouncing Pei Yuan's plundering in the court, spouting righteousness and morality.

Looking at this mountain of wealth, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

The Minister of Revenue stood to one side, his hands tucked into his sleeves.

His fingers moved uncontrollably, rapidly calculating inside his sleeve.

"A top-quality sable pelt is worth three hundred taels of silver... This pearl is worth at least fifty taels... and that old ginseng..."

The more he calculated, the faster his heart beat.

The value of these three hundred carts, if converted into cash, could even be equivalent to half a year's normal annual income of the Ming Dynasty's Taicang!

This isn't a trip to war, it's a trip to buy supplies!

Zhu Jianji walked up to a box full of pearls and grabbed a handful.

He let those priceless pearls slip through his fingers, making a crisp and pleasant clinking sound.

He turned his head, looked at the dumbfounded ministers, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"My esteemed ministers, didn't someone just say that this is ill-gotten wealth stained with blood? In that case, the Ministry of Revenue need not record this batch of goods in its accounts; it should be directly deposited into my private treasury."

"If the court needs anything in the future, I will spend it myself, so as not to dirty the hands of you gentlemen."

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue nearly died of anxiety.

If such a huge windfall were to go entirely into the emperor's private treasury, the Ministry of Revenue wouldn't even get a sip of soup!

The Ming Dynasty had countless expenses, from repairing river embankments to paying salaries—all of these required money.

At a time like this, what's the point of talking about integrity?

Ignoring Li Xian's murderous glare, he knelt down with a thud, his expression changing faster than turning the pages of a book.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! Commander Pei was sent on a campaign by imperial decree, which is a testament to the might of the Ming Dynasty. The spoils of war should be put into the national treasury for unified management."

"Commander Pei is commendable for his loyalty and bravery, and for his efforts in securing wealth for the country. He is truly a model for all officials. Your Majesty, I humbly request that this batch of valuables be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue for inventory and storage!"

Upon seeing this, the other ministers also realized that this was real money!

Who would turn down money?

So they all knelt down and began to praise Commander Pei's illustrious military achievements.

He made no mention of the time he had just vehemently denounced him as a treacherous minister.

Zhu Jianji looked at these opportunistic civil officials and felt extremely pleased.

He knew that from this day forward, no one in the court could stop his will.

Pei Yuan's sword not only helped him slay the Jianzhou Jurchens, but also shattered the hypocritical moral shackles of the civil official group.

"By imperial decree, fifty percent of this batch of wealth shall go into the imperial treasury, and the remaining fifty percent shall go into the imperial granary."

Zhu Jianji waved his hand domineeringly.

"When Pei Yuan's army returns in triumph, I will personally go out to Zhengyang Gate to welcome them. I hereby appoint Pei Yuan as the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, bestow upon him the flying fish robe and embroidered spring knife, and grant him a hereditary title!"

Ten days later.

On the main road leading to the capital, the spring breeze caressed the willows.

[Ding! Today's attendance complete. Attribute point gained +1.]

"Add to the spirit."

Pei Yuan rode on horseback, letting the spring breeze caress his face.

He did not wear the blood-stained armor, but instead changed into a light and soft everyday garment.

He doesn't look like a god of war who has just slaughtered a tribe.

He seemed more like a young master from a wealthy family who traveled and enjoyed life.

General Han Bin of Liaodong followed behind, looking at Pei Yuan's back with nothing but awe in his eyes.

They became even more devoted followers.

This time, the soldiers below made a fortune, and Han Bin himself received a bonus of 100,000 taels of silver.

More importantly, the Emperor's decree of bestowal of honors had already been delivered.

Fighting alongside Lord Pei would bring both fame and fortune.

"My lord, Zhengyang Gate is just ten miles ahead. I've heard that His Majesty has personally prepared a welcoming banquet outside the city gate."

Han Bin spurred his horse forward and respectfully reported.

Pei Yuan tilted his head slightly, a deep smile flashing in his eyes.

"His Majesty is not welcoming me, but the silver I seized for him."

Pei Yuan spoke casually, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

Over the past two weeks, his reconstructed body has fully adapted to its peak condition from its youth.

The feeling of wielding absolute power and no longer having to worry about daily necessities is indeed much more enjoyable than when I was the prime minister.

The army slowly marched to the outside of Zhengyang Gate.

Zhu Jianji had been waiting under the yellow parasol for a long time.

Pei Yuan dismounted and strode forward, bowing deeply with the force of a mountain of gold and a pillar of jade.

He perfectly portrayed the sycophancy of a treacherous minister.

"Your humble servant Pei Yuan has successfully fulfilled his mission, wiping out the remaining Jianzhou rebels for His Majesty."

"Liaodong is bitterly cold, and I have longed for Your Majesty's grace day and night. Today, I have been able to see Your Majesty's face, and I can die without regret."

Zhu Jianji, beaming with joy, personally stepped forward, helped Pei Yuan up, and patted him on the shoulder forcefully.

"Minister Pei, you must be tired from your journey! I have already inspected your hundreds of cartloads of spoils. Well done! This is truly a pillar of my state!"

"Come, follow me into the city. I will host a special welcome banquet for you at the Qianqing Palace!"

The emperor and his minister looked at each other and laughed. Under the varied gazes of the civil and military officials, they joined hands and boarded the imperial carriage.

That night, in the East Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace.

Without anyone to serve him, even Wang Zhi was sent outside the hall.

Several exquisite dishes and wines were laid out on the table.

Zhu Jianji personally picked up the wine pot and filled a cup for Pei Yuan.

"Pei Yuan, in this campaign against Jianzhou, you not only replenished the national treasury for me, but also let me see the true colors of those civil officials."

"This cup of wine is a toast to you."

Pei Yuan quickly stood up, held the cup with both hands, and drank it all in one gulp with trepidation.

"Your Majesty is too kind. The Jianzhou Jurchens are merely an appetizer. If Your Majesty wishes to establish an unprecedented empire, you must broaden your vision considerably."

Pei Yuan put down his wine cup, his eyes gleaming with a seductive light.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jianji immediately became interested.

"Oh? What brilliant plan do you have now? Are you perhaps trying to persuade me to attack the desert?"

Pei Yuan shook his head, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

"The desert is desolate, and the Oirat people are now scattered and run faster than rabbits. Going to fight them would be a waste of manpower and resources."

"Now that Your Majesty has acquired this windfall from Jianzhou, why not set your sights on that truly inexhaustible treasure trove?"

Pei Yuan walked to the map of the territory, his finger sweeping across the vast land of the Ming Dynasty and landing heavily on the azure ocean.

"Southeast Asia. And even further seas."

Pei Yuan's voice was full of allure.

"When the late emperor and Grand Secretary Gu were alive, they were conservative and only knew how to maintain the status quo. But back then, Emperor Yongle made seven voyages to the Western Ocean and brought back countless rare treasures."

"Your Majesty, are you aware that at the edge of that vast ocean, there are some small foreign countries that are rich in spices and gems, and even islands covered in gold!"

Zhu Jianji's breathing became rapid.

He has always admired the great achievements of his ancestor, the Yongle Emperor.

Seeing this, Pei Yuan continued to add fuel to the fire.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to oversee the construction of your naval fleet. Once the massive ships are completed, I will lead the troops out to sea. When we encounter any foreign lands, those that submit will be made to pay tribute annually."

"Those who refuse to submit, I will use cannons to blast open their gates and take all their treasures back to the Ming Dynasty!"

"Let's not dwell on those petty calculations. All I know is that whatever wealth Your Majesty desires in this world, I will seize it for you!"

"Let the might of the Ming Dynasty not only awe the northern frontier, but also strike fear into the hearts of all within the four seas and eight wastelands!"

Zhu Jianji's eyes lit up, and he slammed his fist on the table.

"Good! Well said!"

He looked at the arrogant, greedy, yet extremely pleasing sycophant before him.

The flame of pioneering spirit within me was completely ignited.

"I grant your permission! Tomorrow I will issue an edict appointing you as the full supervisor of the Jiangnan Shipyard. You may freely allocate funds from the Taicang and the Imperial Treasury."

"I want to see the Ming Dynasty's navy, so vast it blots out the sky!"

Pei Yuan knelt on one knee and kowtowed deeply.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

On his lowered face, the profound smile that belonged to Changshengke flashed by in the candlelight.