"…"
Looking at General Shentse's outstretched hand, everyone present fell into a long silence.
They didn't know what to say.
It was just that there was an old curse stuck in their throats, and they couldn't help but spit it out.
Hey … hey … hey …
I'll say …
— — Can you be a bit more serious!
— — Can you talk about serious matters in detail and only talk about serious matters?!
— — Is it fun to make jokes?
Everyone understood this in their hearts!
Last night, when Sun went crazy and Shuiyao disappeared, you were there, so you're very suspicious. Today, when Empress summoned you, you said you were sick and didn't come out. You teamed up with Tian Zai to set up a trap and coaxed Empress Empress into your house. You must be plotting something, and it seems like you want to steal His Majesty's wife. Everyone knows!
So, can't you just be obedient and do whatever you want with a flip of your hand?
Use your clever strategies and step-by-step plans to play with Empress Empress in the palm of your hand!
Are you serious about playing politics and scheming?
Everyone will cooperate with you!
Everyone knows how to create a good background!
General Shentse's scheme against Empress Empress involves a game of chess with the imperial power. This is such a serious matter!
You actually want to take our money?
The ministers were all in a bad mood.
They really didn't lack that little bit of money.
Ten thousand taels of silver sounded like a lot, and it was indeed a lot. It was enough for a hundred ordinary families to live on for twenty years. If the commoners had this much savings, they could be considered wealthy families. But for the most powerful ministers of the Empress Houtu Empire, this was nothing more than a number on a gift list. It was nothing more than the annual profit of a property.
Indeed, it was as Sun Lang had said. As a first rank official, who would rely on their salary to live? Top level status meant top level power. Once one had power in one's hands, money and beauties that ordinary people would never be able to imagine in their lifetime would swarm towards you as if they had grown legs, the kind that could not be stopped.
And Sun Lang's behavior also proved this point very well.
The Shentse General had easily earned hundreds of thousands of taels of silver with just a few words. The speed at which he earned money was simply insane. How could an ordinary person learn from him and directly extort the ministers of the imperial court and the palace servants of the Imperial City?
However, not only did he blackmail them, but he also succeeded. He had dozens of IOUs in his pocket, and he didn't even need their fingerprints. He wasn't afraid that they would go back on their word. Obviously, no one would dare to go back on their word.
That was why he was so angry.
F * ck, I'm so angry.
The ministers did not lack the money at all, but they felt vexed. It was one thing to accept the housewarming gift, but they still had to collect money to enter the door. This black-hearted project was endless, and it made them look like they were here to give money away.
He wanted to leave in a huff, but he was still a little reluctant.
Since he was already here and had paid the ten thousand silver taels, he could not return it. Could it be that he was going to leave just like that?
Looking at Sun Lang's mysterious and meaningful smile, everyone's curiosity was piqued.
Sun Lang and Tian Zai had worked together to set up a trap and lure Empress into this place. They probably wanted to let Empress see this so-called serial mural. From this, it could be seen that the content of the mural was no small matter. It was certainly a part of Sun Lang's plan, and it was enough to greatly shock and even shake Empress's state of mind.
Think about it.
I really want to see it.
This involved the game between Sun Lang and the Emperor, the changes in the situation of the court, and the next step in the struggle between the two. As the helmsman of the imperial court, how could the ministers turn a blind eye to this?
After seeing it, they would have a plan in their hearts and could calmly make arrangements to avoid their own interests being damaged.
Of course, this was only the thought of some of them.
The other group of people were alarmed.
— — Damn, could it be that they had been tricked by Sun Lang again?
If the content of the mural was rather explosive 404-related, such as some extremely secretive big news that the Emperor would kill anyone who saw it, then if they foolishly went to see it, wouldn't they be foolishly tied to Sun Lang's chariot?
The most f * cking amazing thing was that they had actually spent a large sum of money to go there themselves. In the future, even if they wanted to cry out for injustice, they would have no place to go.
For example, if you said you were wronged, then Sun Lang would not leave the house. Was it you who decided to go visit him?
Sun Lang said that you had to pay to enter the door. As a first-rank minister, your annual salary was no more than two thousand taels. You would rather spend five years of your salary to enter, was it you?
You had to pay to see the mural. Were you really that greedy?
Something like that.
Cunning, very cunning.
Therefore, this group of cautious people had the thought of retreating. Damn it, this old man was a first-rank official, in charge of the important weapons of the country. He had students all over the country. His position was high and even the Emperor had to treat him with respect. Why should he get involved in this mess?
Xu Xiansen, the young master of literature, was the first to speak. "This old man came with the Empress today to visit the General of Divine Strategies. Now that I see that the General of Divine Strategies is in good health and his complexion is rosy, my hanging heart is finally at ease.
This old man is already old. After walking for a long time, I am quite tired. I will take my leave first … "
A few people who were suspicious and did not want to get involved in this mess also agreed.
Sun Lang was stunned and said, "Sirs, you don't care about the matter of the Sun Radiance Sword Master and the Water Radiance Sword Master?"
Only then did everyone suddenly wake up and remember the original purpose of this trip. However, looking at Sun Lang's innocent appearance, the anger in their hearts burned fiercely. You still remember the f * cking business!
Young Master Xu put on a fake smile and said, "How can we discuss the national affairs in a private residence?
This matter needs to be discussed in the court. There is a place in the Privy Council of the palace to rest. This old man will go and rest for a while. When the private affairs between General Shentse and Empress are settled, we can discuss it again? "
Sun Lang immediately turned to Empress Empress and said, "Empress, Lord Xu is mocking us, saying that we can't distinguish between public and private affairs. Lord Xu thinks that the conflict between us should be solved fairly and openly. If there is a misunderstanding, it should be discussed in the court. For example, I think that Empress Empress is wrong to force the Water Radiance Sword Master Shen Yaohua to stay in the palace. Lord Xu thinks that we should not explain clearly and resolve the conflict here. He thinks that I should bravely complain to the Emperor and let His Majesty and the officials decide this matter …"
Lord Xu was blamed in the blink of an eye. He said angrily, "I didn't!"
Although Empress Empress knew that Sun Lang was up to no good, women were emotional creatures. She was already very annoyed by Sun Lang's threat of complaining to the Emperor. When she heard this, she was very unhappy. Even the way she looked at Lord Xu became a little unfriendly. She was obviously a little unhappy.
As the saying goes, kill the chicken to warn the monkey. The brave tourist who was angry at the black tour guide's black-hearted fee was hung up and beaten as soon as he came out. This greatly intimidated the other itinerant tourists.
Although they were not afraid of Empress or Sun Lang, there was no need to stand out.
Sun Lang fanned the flames again. "If you didn't, why didn't you come in?
Are you disdaining to be with us?
I knew it. You look down on me and Empress Empress … "
Lord Xu said angrily, "Sun Lang!
Don't use this as a pretext to make a fuss!
I'm just not interested in your murals!
Hmph, I've been practicing both civil and martial arts since I was young. I started practicing martial arts at the age of three, started writing at the age of five, and integrated a series of finger techniques into fine brushwork at the age of seven. I think I've dabbled in painting and calligraphy. I'm much better than a martial artist like you who only knows how to fight and kill people to extort money!
What's so good about your paintings! "
Sun Lang said, "Lord Xu's words are too arrogant. You didn't even look at it. What makes you think that my paintings can't compare to yours?
Being so arrogant and arrogant is not the conduct of a gentleman. "
Lord Xu sneered and said, "It's fine if I just look. It's just that the General wants to extort a large sum of money just to look at the paintings. I'm not rich, so I really look down on you."
Sun Lang turned around and said, "Empress, Lord Xu slipped away because he doesn't have money."
Empress was not happy. She said coldly, "This is easy. I'll pay for Lord Xu's money. Let the Lord Xu, who is skilled in both painting and calligraphy, evaluate the General's paintings. It's also a good story in the literary world."
— — F * ck!
Only then did Xu Xiansen realize that he had been f * cking tricked by Sun Lang again. Before he could open his mouth, Sun Lang said, "Lord Xu, if you continue to refuse, then you're looking down on Her Highness."
Xu Shaoshi's eyes flashed with anger. He said coldly, "Thank you for your kindness, Empress. It would be impolite for me to refuse. The General is good at making money and has excellent skills. He's really a pillar of the court. But be careful, don't play with fire and burn yourself."
Hmph, what's the point of dragging the court officials and Empress Empress to look at the murals? If you draw something amazing and get caught, you'll be charged. His Majesty will take advantage of the situation and follow up. Be careful not to peel off a layer of skin!
Sun Lang did not take this threat to heart. He had succeeded in making fun of Lord Xu. He turned to smile at Empress and winked. He had a look of "happy cooperation".
Empress Empress had made the final decision to make fun of this annoying Lord Xu. She felt much better. When she saw Sun Lang winking at her, a smile appeared on her face. She then realized that it was inappropriate and put on a stern face again. She regained her noble and awe-inspiring appearance as the Empress of the Nation.
Thus, Sun Lang turned his gaze to the other ministers. "Do you all still want to continue making up stories?"
Empress said indifferently, "It's just a mural. What's the big deal? If you don't have enough money, I'll help you. Since you're here, let's go take a look."
She was not stupid.
Sun Lang obviously had ulterior motives. Although she was under his control, she could not let him take advantage of her. The mural seemed to have a lot to it. She should not have seen it. However, this guy threatened to sue the Emperor. She could not resist for a while. The wisest thing to do was to drag more people down with her.
In this way, even if there was something amazing in the mural, there would be more people who stood on the same side. No matter what happened, there would be more room to maneuver. After all, if the sky fell, there would always be tall people to hold it up. The more people there were to share the burden, the safer she would be.
"Empress is really generous. You're worthy of being the Empress of the Nation."
Sun Lang said with a smile.
Empress heard this and her heart skipped a beat.
Wait a minute.
If this guy asked for an exorbitant price, how much money would it cost for the dozens of people present?
The Copper Sparrow Terrace, which made a lot of money every day, was taken by this guy. The income of the Palace suddenly decreased by a lot. Right now, there was no lack of silver in the palace treasury, but the future had to be considered. This bastard was vicious and merciless. He dared to ask for ten thousand taels as soon as he entered. Now that I'm taking care of everything, he must take the opportunity to make a big profit …
Just as Empress was nervously calculating the amount of money in her little treasury, Sun Lang's voice sounded by her ear. It made her heart clench. "Let me see. Let's say there are 30 people here. The cost of this visit will all be paid by you. The total is thirty taels of silver …"
— Evil creature!
— Three hundred thousand taels!
Another ten thousand taels per person!
You really dare to ask for it!
The Empress' vision darkened. Empress was in charge of the Inner Palace. She was also the head of the household. She had to be careful with her spending. This guy dared to do such a thing to Empress. Among the traitorous officials of the past, this person was one of the top.
"… The total is thirty taels of silver. Empress, you're considerate. You're willing to pay such a huge sum for Lord Xu, who is not rich. It's really touching and praiseworthy. I admire you."
My money. Fortunately, it's only ten thousand taels per person. I didn't ask for too much. It's not to the extent that … Eh, wait?
Empress suddenly raised her head. "How much?"
"Thirty taels."
Sun Lang's smile was very warm. It shone with the light of good quality and reasonable pricing.
"After all, this great official is not some evil spirit. How can I make Empress Empress spend so much money?"
Sun Lang smiled. "Empress, you're the mother of a nation. You're in charge of the Imperial Harem. It's not easy to be the head of the household. You've saved up some private money and still have to be generous to the officials who complain of being poor.
Empress was dazzled by this smile.
This guy … doesn't seem as annoying as I imagined.