After deceiving the villain, I was forced to love him.

Chapter 145 You're pushing your luck, you dog emperor!

What does it mean to be greedy and take an inch?

This is pushing your luck!

After listening to the so-called oral instruction (extortion) conveyed by Zhang Shandai!

Even Baili Ming, with her excellent manners, couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.

He shook his head repeatedly, extremely happy, "Your Majesty... wants that piece of land in the Western Hills?"

"Yes, Patriarch Baili, it's about buying," Zhang Shan corrected humbly and sincerely.

Their emperor would never engage in extortion or levy.

Baili Ming praised in a clear and resonant voice (his teeth itched), "Your Majesty is truly reasonable."

He could have just robbed it, but he actually thought about paying money. Such behavior is truly that of a wise ruler throughout the ages.

Seeing the three parts admiration, seven parts clarity, and one part of an inappropriate smile on Baili Ming's face, Zhang Shan stood up and bowed.

"If it's appropriate, please have Patriarch Baili hand over the land deeds and house deeds over there to me first, so that you won't have to make another trip to the Ministry of Revenue."

After saying that, Zhang Shan kept smiling.

He wasn't exactly kind and approachable.

But anyone who looked at him would think he was a very good-tempered old man, and since he was spouting some meaningless words, he must be weak-willed.

If Baili Ming really thought of him as an easy target, then that would be truly unbelievable.

"Have the manager from Xishan bring the account books over."

Feng Lan clasped his hands in agreement and immediately went to carry it out.

Seeing that Baili Ming had no intention of producing the land deeds and house deeds, Zhang Shan was puzzled but showed no dissatisfaction.

He patiently asked, "What is this?"

"This is newly harvested tea. Manager Zhang, why don't you try it? We can talk again when the others arrive."

Since Baili Ming had said so, Zhang Shan had no choice but to drink tea and eat snacks while waiting for someone to come over.

Fortunately, Feng Lan did not deliberately delay, and brought the person over in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Young Miss, you wanted to see me?"

A dark-skinned man in his thirties strode in with Feng Lan. Compared to the two people inside, his robust physique appeared even more imposing.

"This is Zhang, the steward of His Majesty the Emperor."

Zhu Er immediately understood that this meant he should be careful with his words. "This humble one greets the Supervisor."

Zhang Shan nodded in return, "You're too kind, sir. May I ask how I should address you?"

"My surname is Zhu, you may call me Zhu Er."

After a quick glance, Zhang Shan was basically certain that Baili Ming would not produce the land deeds and house deeds for Xishan.

But getting rid of him is not so easy.

Therefore, he treated Zhu Er with greater approachability and politeness, saying, "Manager Zhu, please sit down."

"This..." After glancing at Baili Ming's eyes and receiving her tacit approval, Zhu Er finally took his seat.

Zhang Shan took the cup of tea that the maid brought and placed it in front of Zhu Er, and began to test Baili Ming's bottom line.

"I suppose Manager Zhu is a straightforward person, so I won't waste everyone's time."

"Yes," Zhu Er nodded cautiously.

Zhang Shan took another sip of tea, appearing quite relaxed.

"May I ask Steward Zhu, how many acres of land are there over there in the Western Hills? And what is the annual harvest?"

But the question that came out sent a chill down one's spine.

"Uh..." Manager Zhu's face turned pale.

Is this the first question you're asking?

...In a panic, she looked at the calm and composed Baili Ming.

Then he remembered that Fenglan had just reminded him to bring the account book, and after a moment's thought... there was nothing he couldn't understand.

He then replied, "Your Excellency, from Qingya Pavilion on the outskirts of the capital to Shaofeng Mountain, there are a total of 2,100 hectares of fertile land and 560 hectares of barren land."

"Among them, 700 hectares of fertile land are planted with rice, which can be harvested once a year, yielding 56 to 70 million catties of grain."

“One thousand hectares of dryland rice can be planted and harvested once a year, yielding 80 to 94 million catties of grain.”

"A total of 136 million to 164 million catties."

“After drying and threshing, about 70 catties of rice can be obtained from every 100 catties of millet. Of this, about 20% is lost due to losses, taxes, part of the tenants' wages and rations, the master's stored grain, seasonal donations, etc.”

"A total of 68 million to 82 million catties of rice can be obtained."

"The current price of rice varies from seven to thirty-five wen per dou, depending on the grade. The Baili family's price is fifteen wen per dou, and one dou weighs five jin..."

Baili Ming knew that his family owned a lot of land, and that Baili Ce had managed the Baili family's businesses in the capital very well during the years he was in charge.

She would also check the accounts from time to time or have someone secretly verify the accounts made by the various managers.

But she never expected that these numbers would be so astonishing when heard from an outsider's perspective!

Even more astonishing is the exclusion of personal property not recorded on it.

Aside from dealing in medicinal herbs, there were other businesses in Jicheng and Xizhou.

Rice alone can bring them an income of over 100,000 taels a year. It's terrifying, truly terrifying.

No wonder Lu Jian was so wary of aristocratic families; she would have been too.

"Hearing this, it's no wonder that the Baili family head is unwilling to sell the land. But what about His Majesty the Emperor..."

After checking the ledgers, Zhang Shan hesitated, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Although compared to the He family of the past and the Wang family of today, this is already considered to be a very restrained family among the prominent families, it is still a height that most people can only dream of for ten lifetimes.

Bai Liming managed to calm herself down. She hadn't calculated it carefully and really didn't know her family was so rich.

“My Baili clan and the entire household depend on this land in Xishan for survival. His Majesty is merciful and will certainly not cut off my clan’s path to survival.”

"Heh," Zhang Shan smiled without saying a word, waiting for what was to come.

There is, of course, something to follow; otherwise, she wouldn't have sent Steward Zhu over.

"As Your Majesty's subjects, it is our duty to share Your Majesty's burdens and oversee matters..."

Baili Ming looked troubled and extremely reluctant...

Finally, after much painful reflection, with a sorrowful look in his eyes, he asked, "Is it reasonable to extract eight-tenths of the net profit from this land in Xishan each year and send it to the national treasury?"

"Eighty percent?!" Manager Zhu and Zhang Shan both jumped up.

Even Lian Fenglan showed a surprised expression.

Manager Zhu couldn't help but exclaim, "Young Miss..."

He was startled again by Baili Ming's gaze. "If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?"

"If we still only care about ourselves now, how are we any different from the rebels of the Baili clan and the Wang clan?"

Having learned his lesson, Steward Zhu had no choice but to silently retreat.

Seeing Baili Ming's firm stance, Zhang Shan was somewhat convinced. However, as an experienced person in charge, he remained calm and sat back down.

"Is Patriarch Baili telling the truth?"

Baili Ming immediately had someone bring him pen and ink, and wrote down the geographical scope of the area in Xishan in black and white, along with the content of offering 80% of the profits.

It was stamped with the head of the household's seal, the steward's seal, and the accountant's seal, in duplicate.

"The profits from the first five years will be sent back to the palace along with Supervisor Zhang in a short while."

"As for this contract, I'll have to trouble Manager Zhang to make another trip to Baili Prefecture next time, since I don't trust anyone else."

"..."

Seeing Zhang Shan in a daze, Baili Ming called out again, "Zhang the Supervisor?"

"Oh, of course, of course."

Baili Ming smiled with relief, "Then I can rest assured."

As it turns out, some things really are that easy.

Because what follows immediately is—

"Come on, be careful."

"Put this box over there for now."

"Put this box up here."

Hearing the sounds of moving and lifting outside, Zhang Shan felt a little uncomfortable...

Wasn't this extortion process a little too easy? And too fast?

It was as if it had been prepared in advance.

Moreover, Zhang Shanzhen's return to the palace with the large entourage delivering the money attracted considerable attention.

People in the capital, who were tightening their belts, stood in twos and threes outside the Baili Mansion to watch.

People gathered in large groups on both sides of the street to watch the spectacle, and the news that "Baijiafu had been emptied" quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys.

Many of the patrol guards in the city were summoned, but after questioning them, they were immediately released.

Some people who recognized Zhang Shan's clothing even exchanged speculations among the crowd, wondering if their emperor had finally given in and was about to start confiscating the property of wealthy and powerful families.

As more and more people gathered to watch the spectacle, the Baili family's assassins seized the opportunity to break up into smaller groups and disguise themselves as they left the city.

At that time, Cui Yuanshu was leading officials from the Ministry of Revenue to plead poverty with Lu Jian.

Of course, they are genuinely poor.

"Your Majesty! Supervisor Zhang is back!" Suddenly, a young servant ran in without any manners.

"They've returned with lots and lots of silver!"

Lu Jian was about to curse, but when he heard "a lot of money", his eyes lit up!

Then, he led a group of officials, disregarding their image, to the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue, where they were indeed met with the same shock as when the He family's property was searched.

money! A lot of money!

Upon hearing that Baili Ming not only didn't mention any conditions, but also had a contract as proof, he was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling.

With all his troubles washed away by the money, Lu Jian exclaimed, "Hahaha... Baili Shi truly deserves to be called a pillar of the nation!"

"Yes, yes, the Baili family is truly the foremost family of our time," said an official from the Ministry of War, who finally received Lu Jian's permission to expand the military.

With tears welling up in his eyes, the Minister of Revenue exclaimed, "The head of the Baili family not only generously donated money, but also offered to assist the Ministry of Revenue in resettling refugees. He is truly a role model for us all!"

"What's remarkable is that it was done in the name of the imperial court."

I'm going to cry my eyes out!

"So what if she's a woman?! As long as she has a patriotic heart and cares for the people, she is a true hero of our time!"

"The loyalty and patriotism of the Baili family head are as clear as the sun and moon, and should be recorded in history!"

"Your Excellency's words are quite reasonable!"

......