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

Old Zhao suddenly realized and hurriedly whispered:

"Your Majesty, this humble subject...this humble subject has already presented the gift, a full three thousand taels of silver, that's...no small sum."

"Speak louder, I'm hard of hearing!" Chen Shao said with a smile.

Zhao the rich man took a breath and raised his voice a few decibels:

"Your Majesty, this humble subject... has already presented a gift of three thousand taels of silver!"

Chen Shao feigned surprise, then flew into a rage.

"What do you mean?"

"Does sending gifts mean we won't have to fight?"

"Who told you this principle? Did the Yellow Turban Army agree with it?"

"What's the point of fighting? Isn't it just to protect landlords and rich peasants like you?"

"Gifts can be accepted, but the necessary tasks must still be performed; money, supplies, and personnel must be provided as required—nothing can be omitted!"

Old Zhao opened his mouth, staring blankly at Chen Shao.

She glanced at Mr. Qian again, but he pretended not to notice.

"Your Majesty... damn it..."

"What are you cursing about!"

Chen Shao was furious:

"What are you looking at me for? Do you think looking at me will make you win? If that were true, I'd strip naked and show you!"

"OK!"

"I understand!"

"The Yellow Turban army is pressing in, and everyone in the room is working hard for the country, but you're the only one here making excuses and looking around."

"You must be an inside agent for the Yellow Turban Army, right? No wonder, no wonder the enemy is right outside the city, yet you can eat and drink with ease, and sit more steadily than I do."

"I see, I see!"

Chen Shao seemed to have discovered some enormous secret.

His hair stood on end in anger, and he said:

"Cut that bastard to pieces!"

Old Zhao, who was used to living a life of luxury, had never seen anything like this before.

His legs went weak instantly, and he was about to kneel down and beg for mercy.

But it was too late.

Wu Song's passion for this matter was practically ingrained in his very bones.

As soon as Chen Shao finished speaking, he bumped into Ma Yaozu.

Without hesitation, he slashed down with the knife.

Bang!

A large, fat head rolled to the side of the table leg, the headless body swayed twice, and then collapsed to the ground with a thud.

The room was deathly silent!

The sudden turn of events silenced everyone.

This emperor is simply a living Yama!

They killed without hesitation!

You're not hesitant to accept bribes?

Pfft!

Qian Wanguan suddenly slid off the chair.

He is almost seventy years old this year.

He had seen it all: government tax collection, soldiers' robbery, bandits' kidnapping—all were child's play to him.

Those people still have their bottom line, after all.

But this emperor in front of us truly has no bottom line!

Utterly shameless!

Chen Shao saw Qian Wanguan fall to the ground and rushed forward.

He bent down and personally helped the trembling old man up.

The movements were very gentle, and the tone was even softer.

"Mr. Qian, what's wrong with you?"

"Get up, get up, the ground is cold."

"Your Excellency is the pillar of Weibo; how could I bear to think of anything happening to you!"

He helped Qian Wanguan back to his chair.

He forced a smile:

"Thank you so much for your concern, Your Majesty. I am just old and have some difficulty walking. It's nothing, nothing at all."

"It's good that you're alright."

Chen Shao patted him on the shoulder as a sign of favor.

He then smiled and said:

"Old Qian, do you agree with what I just said?"

Qian Wanguan felt a jolt, and his survival instincts, honed through years of experience in the business world, made him react instantly.

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty is right."

"Defending the city is a commission, giving gifts is giving gifts, they are two different things. There is no reason in the world to abandon the defense of the city after giving gifts."

"His Majesty is protecting us, so of course we must do our best for His Majesty, providing manpower, money, and food without hesitation."

Since he was outmatched, he dared not take the lead.

I just want to make this evil star happy.

They can make excuses later after leaving the Prince's residence.

With all these people combined, even the King of Zhao couldn't do anything about it, so what could Chen Shao do?

Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake!

This time, Chen Shao laughed from the bottom of his heart.

"Okay, okay!"

"As expected, Qian Lao is a pillar of the nation. I was right about him."

"Ma Yaozu, bring paper and pen, and have everyone write down clearly in black and white the amount, number of men, and provisions they are willing to donate."

Ma Yaozu was well prepared.

He immediately took two soldiers and questioned each of the eight-immortal tables.

To Qian Wanguan's surprise...

That damned Chen Shao actually wrote a document and immediately sent someone to take it back to his residence to retrieve it.

And everyone was squeezed to the brink of bankruptcy.

During this time, two people resisted, pointing their fingers at Chen Shao and shouting insults:

We kindly offered you gifts, yet you take advantage of our kindness! Even though you are the emperor, you must be reasonable! Weibo is not the capital; you cannot act as you please here!

He was chopped down by Wu Song with a single stroke.

The next person who tried to speak up was chopped off as soon as he opened his mouth.

From then on, no one dared to resist.

The commotion lasted until late at night, and all the wealthy gentlemen and merchants in the room were stripped bare, barely clinging to life.

The pledge form clearly states this in black and white.

No matter how much silver, grain, or able-bodied men each household contributed, not a single penny could be evaded.

The inventory and handover will be conducted on the spot. Anyone who tries to make excuses or delays will be dealt with severely.

Although Chen Shao was ruthless, his purpose was clear.

Instead of taking the opportunity to kill them all, he waved them away.

Everyone left the palace with trepidation.

They immediately surrounded Qian Wanguan.

"Mr. Qian, you really have to give us some advice!"

"This devil has taken everything he could except his house and real estate. Everyone will have to buy a house to make a living tomorrow..."

The crowd gathered around Qian Wanguan, each offering their own complaints.

Qian Wanguan, however, remained very calm.

The money's gone, but the shop's still there, right? The network of connections isn't broken, is it?

People are alive, aren't they?

"Don't panic, everyone."

He stroked his beard lightly:

"Those who achieve great things should have thunder in their hearts but calm as a lake on their faces."

"Mr. Qian, please stop being so nonsensical and give me some advice!"

"What's the panic!"

Mr. Qian seemed to have a firm grasp on everything.

"I have overestimated Chen Shao's abilities today."

"..."

The group exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions tense.

Mr. Qian smiled again:

"You might think I would say that this kid's methods are too vicious, he leaves no room for mercy."

"Wrong, terribly wrong!"

"I think highly of him because I observed his actions today and found that he truly wants to defend the city, rather than looting the money and running away."

He was confident and spoke slowly and deliberately.

This provoked public outrage, and some people, unable to bear it any longer, pleaded:

"Old Qian, kneel down! I'm begging you for something. Just give me a quick suggestion, stop with your lofty ideas!"

"Is this okay?"

Qian Wanguan glared at him, "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Gentlemen, why does he insist on defending the city? Is Chen Shao truly a man of integrity and uprightness?"

"No! He has absolutely no need to put himself in such a dangerous situation for the sake of Wei Bo."

"He did this for only one reason."

"What?!" everyone exclaimed in unison.

....................................

300 Bookstore, I'm devastated.

I feel dazed and confused during the day, and I don't want to write a single word.

That night, I realized something was wrong. No matter how Tomato treated me, I had to finish writing this story.

I'll try to update as much as possible these next few days.

I'll write until 4 a.m. tonight, as much as I can.

Then watch the World Cup, wash your face, go to work... Perfect (and I'll die)!