Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chen Shao placed his feet on the desk and beckoned to the two of them.

"You two are really something, making me take such a huge blame and not giving me any reward? I might as well just wait to die."

"Five million taels of silver? Not only would I issue an edict to move south, but I could even issue an edict to surrender."

The two of them suddenly felt their minds go blank.

It took a while to recover.

Han Cao asked suspiciously, "Add...add more money?"

"Nonsense! I'm stating my words now: if you don't have money, don't even think about it!"

What use is money to you? Such a big deal, such a huge infamy, can it be measured by money?

Wait... how can there be an emperor like this, with his courtiers asking for money?

Having manipulated the officialdom for decades and seen countless ups and downs, Han felt his mind was starting to go blank.

This new emperor is truly a damn abstract figure!

Using a decision as catastrophic as moving the capital south to extort money from his subjects? What kind of emperor is this?

"His Majesty."

Han Cao suppressed the absurdity in his heart and tried his best to keep his tone calm.

"Five million taels... even killing this old minister wouldn't be enough."

"Your Majesty, you know this old minister well."

"Since entering officialdom, I have been incorruptible and received a meager salary. My household of over a hundred people barely makes ends meet."

Yuwen Huagu quickly followed.

His face was full of grievance:

"Your Majesty, you know me well. My soldiers need food and pay, and even my own salary goes towards subsidizing their wages. Where would I get the money?"

"Don't even mention five million taels, even fifty taels would cost me my life."

Go ahead and pretend, you two!

Chen Shao feigned displeasure: "Prime Minister Han, I've heard that you have thirty-six dishes at each meal?"

"Your Majesty, outsiders are spreading rumors. In reality, there are only thirty-six kinds of pickled vegetables, all of which are homemade."

"General, you must have at least three hundred courtesans, right?"

"It's all just a rumor, huh?"

Yuwen Gu suddenly felt something was off. Wait... you only have three hundred songstresses, right?

Your whole family must be songstresses!

Seeing that the general was about to lose his temper, Chen Shao laughed:

"We were just joking around."

"I know you all well, and how could I not know that you two are both incorruptible and upright?"

"But if you don't have money, you can sell official positions and titles."

"There are so many lucrative positions in the court; if you just openly sell them off for a price, five million taels of silver is a piece of cake, isn't it?"

The two were furious!

"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words!"

"Selling official positions and titles is a disgrace to the country! How can the court select officials based on the amount of money they receive? This absurd thing, I would rather die than do!"

"This general is the same!"

They're panicking, they're panicking.

Chen Shao waved his hand, "That was just a joke."

"Your Majesty, can you please stop this performance? This is an insult to our dignity!"

"Very well, I understand. But just because you two are poor doesn't mean others are poor."

"In this way, let the officials who support the southward relocation come and present me with gifts."

Most of the officials and civil servants in the court were henchmen of the two men.

Upon hearing this, he immediately refused again.

"Your Majesty, all the civil and military officials in the court are completely incorruptible..."

QNMD.

Chen Shao interrupted directly:

"They have to pay a price for making me bear this infamy; there's no room for negotiation."

Chen Shao personally escorted the two out of the Imperial Study.

Only after they had walked away did Eunuch Wei approach.

"Your Majesty, will this work?"

"Whether it works or not, it's an opportunity, I suppose." Chen Shao wasn't very confident either.

"Forgive my bluntness, Your Majesty, but what use do you have for this money? It will only damage your reputation."

Chen Shao glanced again at the "100% Loyalty" sign above Eunuch Wei's head.

He then spoke earnestly:

"Eunuch Wei, you are aware of my current predicament. Money is the only way to break the ice!"

"With these two in the court and the Empress Dowager in the palace, I can hardly move an inch."

"Only money can give me a sliver of hope to turn my life around!"

An emperor doesn't starve his soldiers; without money, who will work for you?

Is it because of the Buick Regal?

The Buick Regal's current estimated value is 0.

Money can support people, people can generate power, and power can seize authority.

Eunuch Wei was surprised, yet deeply moved.

He originally thought His Majesty would just laze around and wait to die, letting others do as they pleased, but he never expected that there would be such a profound meaning behind this absurd action.

This excitement increased loyalty by another 10 points.

"Where does Your Majesty intend to begin?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

......

The two powerful ministers wielded immense influence, and before long, officials began to request an audience.

"Your Majesty, this is Qian Zhengde, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

Ministry of Revenue!

Chen Shao almost burst out laughing.

What kind of place is the Ministry of Revenue?

The God of Wealth of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a dignified third-rank official, could feed an ordinary person for several lifetimes with just a little bit of his wealth.

He had just been worried that the two powerful ministers would make things difficult for him.

It turns out I was overthinking things.

"Please come quickly!"

Chen Shao sat up straight again, a kind and amiable smile on his face.

A moment later.

Qian Zhengde walked in, carrying a bamboo basket in his hand, with an imperial guard behind him carrying a bulging sack.

"Your Majesty, I, Qian Zhengde, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, pay my respects!"

"No need for formalities, Lord Qian. Have you come to deliver gifts regarding the southward relocation?"

Qian Zhengde's face darkened.

This emperor is certainly outspoken.

"Your Majesty, I know that the imperial treasury is empty. Although I am poor, I would like to share your burden."

"Alright, alright, it's about sharing the burden. I misspoke."

Chen Shao smiled and lifted the coarse cloth covering the bamboo basket, reaching inside.

His smile froze.

I explored it for a while longer.

Chen Shao picked up an egg from the basket and examined it repeatedly for a long time.

Unable to contain his anger, he suddenly swung the weapon at Qian Zhengde.

pia!

Right in the face, egg yolk spilled all over his face.

The emperor was furious!

"Qian Zhengde!"

"So you're using this to test the emperor?"

"Which emperor couldn't withstand such a test?"

"Eggs! You fucking delivered a basket of eggs!"

Chen Shao stood up and rummaged through the contents of the sack, discovering that it even contained corn.

This enraged the emperor even more.

"What is this now?"

"Your Majesty... these are some local specialties from my hometown..."

Qian Zhengde wiped the egg wash off himself, looking extremely apprehensive: "I have always been honest and upright, without a trace of corruption... I..."

"You son of a bitch!"

"Now drink all these eggs and show me your loyalty!"

"what?"

"Eunuch Wei, why aren't you making a move?"

Although Chen Shao had no power, he was not someone that ordinary officials would dare to contradict on the spot.

Eunuch Wei immediately stepped forward, pinned Qian Zhengde down, and began cracking eggs one by one and pouring them into his mouth.

A basket of eggs was poured over Qian Zhengde until he started burping from fullness.

Chen Shao threw another ear of corn at him.

He roared in a heart-wrenching rage:

"Qian Zhengde, don't try to play that 'the water is too clear, there are no fish' trick with me."

"My money! I only want money! You've taken the lion's share, and you won't even give me a small portion?"

"Are you trying to force me to my death?!"