Chapter 190.1
500,000 taels!
And thats the minimum?
I knew the guy was greedy, but I didnt expect him to be this greedy!
Xu Dongs mouth twitched visibly, and he said with a forced smile, 500,000 taels of silver? Lord Qin, isnt that asking for too much? I think 200,000 taels would be more reasonable!
Dont waste words, its 500,000 taels or I wont do it! Qin Hui said, brushing off his sleeve in displeasure.
500,000 taels is really too much just for saying a few words in court!
Is it just a few words?
Qin Hui was very agitated, Youre asking for my life! Generals Tiangong, Digong, and Rengong are the Grand Generals of the court, commanding a million soldiers with distinguished status and immense power! Moreover, the three brothers are also Innate powerhouses with formidable strength!
You want me to falsely accuse them in court, and they will hold a grudge against me whether I succeed or fail. How will I continue to serve in court after that? How will I maintain a foothold in the capital city?
Xu Dong threatened, Lord Qin, dont forget, we have evidence against you! If it gets out, your position and your life are still at risk. Please think carefully!
Then go ahead and report me!
Qin Hui declared with a grand gesture, visibly enraged. You dont want me to live anyway, so lets just part ways here!
Xu Dong was stunned, not expecting such a notoriously corrupt official to be so defiant!
He would rather go down in flames together than miss out on making a single penny more!
Absolutely ruthless!
Xu Dong immediately bowed with clasped hands and said, Lord Qin, please calm your anger! The amount you ask for is too much; I cannot decide on this matter alone, so I must go back and report. Please grant me some time!
Show the guest out! Qin Hui huffed and walked into the inner hall.
Soon after, Xu Dong returned to that mysterious compound and met with the Deputy Commander of the Shadow Division to report the incident.
The Deputy Commander was somewhat dumbfounded after hearing the report: Did Qin Hui really say that? He wouldnt do it for a penny less, preferring mutual destruction over working for us?
Yes, Deputy Commander! Xu Dong bowed.
To become a high official in the court, one must indeed be no ordinary character!
The Deputy Commander nodded and waved his hand, 500,000 taels is indeed a lot, but lets just give it to him! Once hes no longer of any use, I will make sure to swallow him whole and spit out everything with interest!
Yes, Deputy Commander! Xu Dong responded.
Not long after, Xu Dong, carrying 200,000 taels in banknotes, visited Qin Hui again.
Lord Qin, here is 200,000 taels as a deposit. Please accept it with a smile! Once the matter is settled, we will present the remaining 300,000 taels with both hands!
Qin Hui swiftly accepted the banknotes and said, Thats more like it! But to tell you the truth, as an official, my influence in the court is limited, and my words might not have much effect
Rest assured, Lord Qin!
Xu Dong said with a bow. We have made multiple preparations. As long as you lead the way, we guarantee those three generals will have nowhere to be buried!
Qin Hui nodded, Alright! Let me know when you take action!
Of course! Xu Dong nodded.
And dont forget about the remaining 300,000 taels!
I assure you, I wont!
After exchanging a few more words, Xu Dong took his leave.
Then, he went to visit Yan Songs residence.
Under the combined influence of bribes and threats, Yan Song finally gave in.
600,000 taels, not a penny less!
Xu Dong thought, F*ck!
How could these officials of Great Xia be so greedy, each more corrupt than the last!
Qin Hui had the audacity to ask for 500,000, but Yan Song was now demanding 600,000!
Lord Yan, youre asking for too much, 200,000 taels at most!
Yan Song became agitated, Is what Im asking for too much? Youre planning to take my life. Cant I take a bit more money to compensate for my loss?
Xu Dong threatened, Arent you afraid that we will
Yan Song grew even more agitated, Go ahead and expose all my embezzlements to the world! Even if I die, I will not let you take the slightest advantage of me!
Xu Dong returned dejectedly and reported the situation to the Deputy Commander of the Shadow Division.
The Deputy Commander was also taken aback, He dares to ask for 600,000 taels?
Xu Dong bowed and said, Yes, Deputy Commander, no matter how I tried to persuade him, even using threats, he wouldnt budge! This is a difficult situation, and I am unsure of how to proceed, so I have come to report to you!
The Deputy Commander waved his hand, Give it to him! Whatever he swallows, he will eventually have to spit out later!
But Deputy Commander, Qin Hui and Yan Song together have already cost us over a million taels! We still have more than a dozen people to bribe and persuade, and we are far short on funds!
The Deputy Commanders mouth twitched slightly, Of course Im aware of that, but His Majestys matters are of utmost importance! Before he left, he told me that we must get our hands on those three people no matter the cost!
If thats not possible, then they cannot be allowed to live! Now that weve finally seen a glimmer of hope, we absolutely cannot give up easily! As for the other corrupt officials, continue to persuade them. They shouldnt be so greedy!
I hope so! Xu Dong already had a bad feeling inside.
Then, Xu Dong, carrying gold and jewels, went to visit Li Linfu and repeated his old trick with great success.
1 million taels! Just give me 1 million taels, and Ill work for you!
Xu Dong: F*ck!
1 million taels of silver. why dont you just rob me right now?
Lord Li, 1 million taels is too much, how about 300,000 taels
Li Linfu waved his hand dismissively, Dont haggle with me, its 1 million taels! And dont bother with any threats because Im not intimidated by them! If it comes to it, Ill just confess to His Majesty and offer up all the gold and jewels Ive embezzled. Remembering our past, His Majesty will surely be lenient!
Xu Dong returned, frustrated, and reported the situation to the Deputy Commander.
The Deputy Commander was dumbfounded!
One wants 500,000 taels!
Another 600,000 taels!
And this one straight-up demands 1 million taels!
The Deputy Commander was very angry: Xu Dong, this Li Linfu is too greedy, shall we find someone else?
Xu Dong gave a wry smile: Deputy Commander, its not easy to replace him! There are only a few people who have a say in the court! And there are only a few people who were both corrupt and have vulnerabilities that we can exploit. If we dont unite every person we can use, well end up failing and losing even more!
You make a very good point, then give him the 1 million! the Deputy Commander said reluctantly.
But, Commander, we only have a little over 2 million taels of silver in our funds. If we give out another million, well be left with almost nothing, what should we do?
Dont worry, I will write to His Majesty right away! Considering our earnest efforts, His Majesty will surely support us generously! Now, continue to lobby others and try to gain more support!
Yes, Deputy Commander!
Next, Xu Dong went to visit Cao Cao.
Cao Cao was more polite and easier to talk to: Those three generals are stubborn and increasingly insubordinate overtime, they indeed need to be taught a lesson! Just give me 1.5 million taels of silver, and Ill help you out!
Xu Dong: F*ck!
You, Cao Aman! (TLN: Derogatory term used to refer to Cao Cao, which means cunning or deceit.)
Not only is your face dark, but so is your heart!
1.5 million taels of silver, you even dare to ask for that out loud!
Xu Dong threatened, Lord Cao, dont forget that we have something on you
Cao Cao threatened back, Xu Dong, dont you forget my position! I am the Vice Minister of War, in charge of all military affairs, and I have the authority to supervise those generals. What I say carries more weight than anyone else!
Before coming to me, you must have secretly visited other officials, right? If you dont give me the money, Ill openly oppose you in court, and well see how you succeed then?
F*ck! Xu Dong trembled with anger.
***
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